COPA DEL REY | MOST WINNERS

 

ATHLETIC BILBAO VS. ARSENAL | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

LIVERPOOL LEGEND PAYS TOUCHING DIOGO JOTA TRIBUTE ON FIRST MATCH AT ANFIELD SINCE TRAGEDY

Liverpool took on Spanish side Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday with fans and players alike paying an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota following his tragic death last month

Phil Thompson led an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson led an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota as the Reds returned to Anfield for the first time since his death. The Portuguese forward died in a tragic car accident in Spain alongside his brother last month.

Tributes flooded in from across the footballing world, with fans leaving their flowers and memories outside of Anfield. Arne Slot’s side played their first game at Anfield since Jota’s passing on Monday evening.

They took on Spanish side Athletic Bilbao in a double-header - a game that represented Liverpool’s final pre-season game ahead of the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

The game also represented an opportunity for Anfield to pay tribute to Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Liverpool icon Thompson took to the pitch alongside Bilbao president Jon Uriarte to lay a wreath.

The pair laid the wreaths in front of the goal at the Kop end of Anfield, with Kenny Dalglish doing similar in Hong Kong, while Ian Rush also did the same in Yokohama. During Thompson’s latest tribute, fans chanted and sang Jota’s song.

The game was also stopped in the 20th minute for a round of applause, while Jota’s song was a regular soundtrack across the stadium. The recent tributes come after Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had written a touching message to Jota in Liverpool’s programme ahead of taking on Bilbao.

"It has, of course, been a very challenging time," the defender wrote. "First and foremost for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this. We must never forget that, and we cannot imagine Comcast business powering the engine of modern business from Al Jazeera at 4:28 a.m. Today their pain in this moment.

"It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but we are coping in the best way possible as a team, and we are all trying to do the best job we can in order to get through this really difficult time.

Thompson and Uriarte laid wreaths in front of the Kop end(Image: Getty Images)

"With everything that happened, it has been strange having to now try to carry on with work, with football. We will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honour his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.

"I always come back to the fact that we have to look after Diogo’s family, his parents, and that’s the main thing. You think about so many different things, and it’s difficult to process. You can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that they have. That’s why we try to be there as much as we can, and for each other as well.

"That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves."

- Daniel Orme

ARSENAL SIGNS CHELSEA GOALKEEPER KEPA ARRIZABALAGA

FILE - Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in action during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Chelsea FC and Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge, London, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, file)

Arsenal completed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on Tuesday.

Kepa was a $92.6 million world record signing for a goalkeeper when joining Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and went on to win the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup during his seven years at the club.

But he spent long periods of his time at Stamford Bridge as a backup and leaves after loans spells at Bournemouth and Real Madrid over the past two seasons.

"He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels."

Kepa posted a goodbye message to Chelsea fans on social media before his move to Arsenal was announced. The move was worth a reported £5 million.

"After seven unforgettable years the time has come to close a very special chapter in my life," he posted. "Chelsea was my home, my family and the place where I grew both as a footballer and as a person.

"Now a new chapter begins, and I face it with the same passion and commitment as always."

Arsenal did not say the length of the 30-year-old Kepa's contract. He will compete with David Raya for the No. 1 spot at London club, which has finished runner-up in the Premier League in the last three years.

"I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it," Kepa said.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

LA LIGA PRESIDENT WEIGHS IN ON BARCELONA-ATHLETIC CLUB TIFF OVER NICO WILLIAMS - 'WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS'

Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images For Sporte

Barcelona and Athletic Club are at a silent war over the Nico Williams saga. After all, the Catalans are close to signing the Basque superstar and Athletic Club are anything but pleased with the development.

At this point, they have done everything in their capacity to complicate the transfer but they crossed a limit earlier this week by meeting with La Liga representatives to express concern about Barcelona’s financial situation.

Tebas speaks on the case

Speaking to the media via Mundo Deportivo and clarifying the recent incidents in an interview, La Liga president Javier Tebas brought out the truth about the conversation Athletic Club had with him.

“Bilbao complained because Deco’s statement expressed his desire to sign the player,” he said, bringing out the intention behind the Basque club’s approach.

“According to FIFA regulations, he is in a protected period, and we have no authority to interfere with that,” he added.

Elaborating on the implications on Barcelona and what the club must be wary of, he said,

"What we will do, as we have always done, is that FC Barcelona will have to comply with the regulations in order to register players, whether it is Nico Williams, Haaland, Messi, whoever. And we will not change anything.”

Tebas also took an indirect dig towards the Athletic Club for releasing a public statement on the matter and how it was unnecessary.

“Athletic Club Bilbao doesn’t need to issue any statement. It’s our duty to clarify doubts about Financial Fair Play. We are transparent.”

"We don’t reveal the deep economic details of clubs, but it is known that there was a meeting of the Division Committee in February, in which the reasons for the salary caps were explained, and the situation of Barcelona was explained because we have the Olmo case,” he added on how Athletic Club knew of Barcelona’s situation.

Tebas also confirmed that Barcelona are still not in the 1:1 rule but that they are not far from reaching it.

“Barcelona doesn’t have a 1-1 rule, and I hope they achieve it as soon as possible. They already know what they need to do to be in the rule.”

“Bilbao also knows what Barcelona must do, because we were very transparent in February so that no one would question Financial Fair Play,” he concluded.

- Adithya Eshwarla

MANCHESTER UNITED MAKE IT INTO THE FINAL OF THE EUROPA LEAGUE

 

BARCELONA INTO SPANISH SUPER CUP

Gavi, Lamine Yamal on scoresheet as Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 in Jeddah

Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona - Spanish Super Cup

ANKARA

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the Spanish Super Cup final.

Gavi, a Barcelona midfielder, scored the opening goal in the 17th minute in the semifinal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as the 20-year-old brilliantly finished near the six-yard box after a low pass from the left.

In the second half, Barcelona doubled their lead at the King Abdullah Sports City.

Gavi sent a killer ball to Lamine Yamal and the 17-year-old forward quickly entered the penalty box to beat Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon in a one-on-one to make it 2-0 for Barcelona.

Chasing a record 15th Spanish Super Cup title, Barcelona will face either Real Madrid or Mallorca in Sunday's final.

The Real Madrid vs. Mallorca fixture will be played Thursday at the King Abdullah Sports City.

NICO WILLIAMS ISSUES TWO-WORD RESPONSE TO ARSENAL AND BARCELONA TRANSFER TALK

X.com

Arsenal and Barcelona are both chasing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams following his impressive performances for Spain during their victorious campaign at Euro 2024.

Nico Williams is trying not to get caught up in the speculation over his future as Barcelona and Arsenal battle for his signature.

Williams was one of the stand-out players at Euro 2024, lighting up the tournament on Spain’s left wing. The 22-year-old grabbed two goals and an assist in Germany, with one of his strikes coming in Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the final.

His performances at Euro 2024 only increased the hype around him, and with the summer transfer window open, that has not diminished. Williams has a £49million (€58m) release clause in his contract with Athletic Bilbao and both Arsenal and Barca are interested in triggering it.

Athletic Club manager Ernesto Valverde has moved to quell the excitement in his player by insisting that Williams will stay put. And the man himself seems unconcerned about his future, too. Posting a picture of a sunset from the side of a boat on his Instagram story, he simply wrote: “calm down” with a head massage emoji.

Williams came through the Athletic Club academy system and has made 122 appearances for his boyhood club, contributing 20 goals and 26 assists in all competitions. He has three years left on his contract and Valverde is convinced he knows where his heart lies.

"I have no doubts about Nico,” he said. “He looks good and happy. This year we have many challenges ahead of us and I'm sure Nico will love to face them. He hasn't been the only player who has had to live with rumours because the market will be open until the end of August.

"He's a great player and there may be clubs who might be interested in him, but he's happy with us and we're happy with him. We're counting on Nico for when he returns from the holidays."

Valverde’s sober thoughts have not calmed the incessant links with Barcelona, however. Barca players Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde all commented on his most recent Instagram post which showed Williams wearing a Euro 2024 winners’ medal and an Athletic shirt and read: “From the hood to the glory. God's plan is perfect”.

Meanwhile, Barca president Joan Laporta – not one for subtlety – has already assured the club’s fans that they have the financial capability to sign him. "Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams," Laporta told Catalunya Radio. "Nico's a player I like, I like him a lot.

"We are working with [coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on."

- Felix Keith, Sports Reporter 

ATHLETIC BILBAO BEAT MALLORCA ON PENALTIES TO WIN FIRST COPA DEL REY IN 40 UEARS

 SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — After four decades and a half dozen finals that ended in defeat, Athletic Bilbao was able to lift a cathartic Copa del Rey trophy No. 24 after edging Mallorca 4-2 on penalties on Saturday.

The team from northern Spain was favored entering the final thanks to its up-tempo attack, but instead it had to grind out a win against the modest Mallorca to finally deliver for its long suffering fans.

Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved a penalty by Manuel Morlanes, while Mallorca’s Nemanja Radonjic shot high. Raul García, Iker Muniain, Mikel Vesga, and Alejandro Berenguer — all substitutes — converted their spot kicks past Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif.

Extra time in the final ended 1-1 after Dani Rodríguez gave Mallorca the lead in the 21st minute and Athletic’s Oihan Sancet leveled in the 50th.

Muniain received the trophy from Spanish King Felipe VI before lifting it high for his team and fans to celebrate.

“This is incredible. Our fans have always been behind us and now it is time to enjoy this,” Athletic forward Nico Williams said. “We have been fighting for this for a long time.”

Athletic won its 23rd and last Copa in 1984. Since then it had lost six straight finals, including in 2020 and 2021. To win this one, it had to first beat both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in the quarter- and semi-finals.

“Now it is time to celebrate. We sure make it hard for ourselves to hold a party, it took us 40 years, but now we are going to do just that,” said Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde.

“Considering all the finals we have lost, and what the Copa means to Athletic, nothing compares to this.”

The club is expected to celebrate the trophy by parading the team on a barge in the river that runs through Bilbao, a victory tradition that it has not carried out in four decades.

While other teams will often prioritize the Spanish league and rest starters in the cup, especially in the early rounds, Athletic prioritizes the knockout tournament despite fielding players only from or near Spain’s Basque Country region. Only Barcelona and its 31 Copas has more than Athletic.

NBA great Steve Nash, a minority owner of Mallorca, was at the game, as well as Rafael Nadal, a native of the island of Mallorca. Each club had 20,000 tickets for traveling fans at the packed 57,000-seat La Cartuja Stadium. Some 40,000 more fans, mostly for Athletic, were expected to descend on Seville without tickets.

Even though Athletic is fifth in the Spanish league and Mallorca down in 15th place, there was little difference between them in the final. Javier Aguirre, Mallorca’s journeyman coach, succeeded in nullifying the more explosive attack of Valverde’s Athletic.

“The first thing I have to do is to congratulate Athletic and its fans. They have been waiting a long time for this,” Mallorca scorer Rodríguez said. “I am moved because I am very proud of my teammates and our supporters who accompanied us. Our dream was to win this cup. We tried to, but it wasn’t to be.”

Athletic was unable to stop Mallorca from getting three consecutive shots in its area after a corner kick before Rodríguez opened the scoring. The midfielder curled a shot into the corner of the net after Antonio Raíllo controlled a rebound and laid the ball off for his open teammate.

Athletic took time to finally click in attack, and when it did most of the damage was done by Williams. The Spain winger had a goal waived off for offside before he shot into the side netting in first-half injury time. Grief also saved an early shot by Iñigo Galarreta, while Gorka Guruzeta shot wide.

Canada forward Cyle Larin had an opportunity to double Mallorca’s lead seconds after halftime, but Agirrezabala saved his effort on the break.

Williams helped produce Sancet’s equalizer when he recovered the ball and fed a throughball to the midfielder to beat Greif.

But Sancet’s goal did not fluster Mallorca’s defense, which again clamped down after Aguirre refreshed his side with substitutes.

After a long stalemate without any clear chance, Williams had a point-blank shot that grazed Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo and hit the post.

Vedat Muriqi then had a header parried by Agirrezabala on the other end as the game finally came alive before going to the shootout.

Muriqi and Antonio Sánchez converted their kicks in the shootout for Mallorca.

“It was a wonderful Copa del Rey that did not have a happy ended,” Aguirre said. “It came down to penalties, which we know is a coin toss. We got so close before falling short.”

The final, which is one of the marquee events organized by the Spanish soccer federation, was played with the federation in crisis after Spanish police made seven arrests and raided properties including the federation headquarters in Madrid as part of a corruption and money laundering probe. Those arrests included current federation employees and former federation president Luis Rubiales.

MALLORCA BEATS REAL SOCIEDAD ON PENALTIES TO RETURN TO COPA DEL REY FINAL TWO DECADES LATER

 MADRID (AP) — More than two decades later, Mallorca is back in the Copa del Rey final.

The Spanish club partly owned by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and former NBA great Steve Nash defeated Real Sociedad 5-4 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to make it to the final 21 years after it won the competition for the only time.

Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif saved the opening penalty by Mikel Oyarzabal, then Sergi Darder converted the decisive kick to put Mallorca in the final. The teams drew 1-1 in regulation and were scoreless in extra time at Sociedad's Reale Arena.

The teams had drawn 0-0 in the first leg in Mallorca on Feb. 6.

Mallorca will play the April 6 final in Seville against either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao, which will play the second leg of the other semifinal on Thursday in Bilbao. Athletic won the first leg 1-0 in Madrid.

It will be the fourth Copa final for Mallorca, which hadn't made it the title game since it won the tournament in 2003 against Recreativo Huelva. Its other final appearances were in 1991 and 1998. It hadn't made it to the semifinals since 2009.

Mallorca's Mexican coach Javier Aguirre had taken Osasuna to the 2005 final, when it lost to Real Betis.

Sociedad was trying to return to the Copa final for the first time since it beat rival Athletic to lift the trophy in the 2019-20 season.

GIRONA BEATS RAYO VALLECANO TO LEAPFROG BARCELONA INTO SECOND IN LA LIGA

 MADRID (AP) — Girona stepped back into the Spanish title race by defeating Rayo Vallecano 3-0 and moving above Barcelona into second place on Monday.

Girona started the day a point behind its Catalan neighbor but a goal after 52 minutes from Viktor Tsygankov and an injury time double from Sávio took it to within six points of leader Real Madrid.

The result in difficult, rainy conditions ended a run of three games without a win for Girona.

After leading the table for much of the season, Girona faltered in February when it took just one point in nine and was beaten by Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

However, it slipped back into contention on a miserable night, aided by the sending off of Rayo substitute Pep Chavarría.

Girona led from seven minutes into the second half when David López’s clever pass beat the Rayo offside trap. Miguel Gutiérrez’s cut back was dispatched by Tsygankov.

Chavarría replaced Jorge de Frutos after 64 minutes but he was on his way off again 12 minutes later after committing two bad fouls in two minutes.

Sávio then wrapped up the win with two late goals. The 19-year-old Brazilian cut in from the right wing on both occasions and finished with aplomb.

Rayo is winless in its last seven league games.

GRANADA-ATHLETIC CLUB LALIGA MATCH SUSPENDED AFTER FAN DEATH

The LaLiga fixture between Granada and Athletic Bilbao was suspended on Sunday after the death of a fan inside the stadium.

The game had kicked off as planned but was halted early in the first half, with local media later confirming a 64-year-old Granada supporter had passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.

LaLiga have since announced that the match will restart on Monday from the 17th minute, with Athletic leading 1-0 thanks to an early strike from Iñaki Williams.

"Granada vs. Athletic Bilbao was suspended following the tragic death of a fan at the Estadio Nuevo los Cármenes," the league said.

"Our condolences go out to their family and friends, as well as to all Granada fans.

"At the request of LaLiga, the RFEF competition judge has ruled that the fixture will resume on Dec. 11 at 9pm. The match will restart from the 17th minute."

LA LIGA: ARITZ ADURIZ DRAWS 'FIRST BLOOD' AS BARCELONA FACE DEFEAT ON THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON

Aritz Aduriz scored a sublime goal to sink Barcelona in their opening game of the season...