Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo scored the opening goals of the first half and a late second to seal the win at the Nou Camp after an early setback. Barcelona defeated Alaves 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday.
The victory moves the reigning champions, who are 34 points clear of Real Madrid, who are playing in Girona on Sunday, for the first time.
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After two and a half years of rehabilitation, Barcelona made it through a shaky start amid uncharacteristic pre-game ticket delays that left the stadium half-full at kickoff.
The issue, according to the club, was brought on by technical issues that made thousands of fans unable to access their tickets through the club’s mobile app, leading to lengthy lines at the fan support office, and causing the game to start with wide areas of empty seats.
Pablo Ibanez struck from close range to give the hosts a first-half stunner. Ibanez pounced on the loose ball inside the six-yard box after Marc Bernal’s mistake on a corner, which was made before he could neatly slot it into the net.
Barcelona responded to this however just seven minutes later. Raphinha received a low cross into the box after Alejandro Balde darted down the left flank. To make it 1-1, Yamal, 18, met the ball with a powerful one-touch finish into the top corner.
Olmo, who expertly curled the ball home first-time from inside the box as the Blaugrana advanced, scored another assist in the 26th of the game.
After receiving a brilliant pass from Robert Lewandowski, Yamal was just inches away from double-figure time in the 44th minute, but his effort fell to the post with the gaping goal.
Just before the break, Lucas Boye fired a quick counterattack to almost equalize Alaves.
In the 90th minute, Dani Olmo scores Barcelona’s third goal against Alaves [Albert Gea/Reuters]
Olmo seals Barca’s comeback
In the 56th minute, Lewandowski was denied by a spectacular reflex save from Alaves keeper Antonio Sivera, who had already been playing for Barcelona. In the 77th minute, Boye missed a second chance for the visitors when he went wide from inside the box.
In added time, Olmo put the outcome beyond question, finishing with a strong one-two with Yamal, who was left content to slot home with composure inside the box.
Midfielder Pedri, 23, who had a muscle injury for the first time in more than a month, made his comeback at the game.
Before Tuesday’s crucial game against Atletico Madrid, he scored a much-needed boost in the second half.
Diego Simeone’s team are fourth in the La Liga standings with 28 points, which is their first loss since August’s opening game.
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final on Saturday, beating New York City FC 5-1. Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano hailed the Argentinian superstar as “extraordinary.”
A revitalized Miami will roar into the championship game on Saturday at their home field in Fort Lauderdale with a Tadeo Allende hat-trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia.
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Messi’s 38-year-old assisted in Miami’s third goal, which was scored by Silvetti as New York attempted to equalize despite not being on the score sheet.
Mascherano described his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate as “Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary.”
“He’s a remarkable person that we’ll never see again,” he said. Perhaps we’re surprised that he didn’t score, but his third goal, an assist only his can see, gave us peace of mind. He almost sealed the outcome.
In the MLS matchup for next Saturday, Miami will host the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Thomas Muller, a former Germany and Bayern Munich star, led Vancouver to victory in the Western Conference championship game on Saturday with a superb 3-1 victory over San Diego.
After another ruthless, high-scoring demolition job that followed from their 4-0 defeat of FC Cincinnati in the previous round, Messi and his teammates will enter the final beaming confidently.
Allende, who scored twice in the victory over Cincinnati, was once more the centerpiece of the Miami attack.
The 26-year-old Argentinian forward cleverly springs the New York offside trap in the 14th minute and scores a superb second to make it 2-0.
In the 37th minute, New York rallied back with a headed goal from Justin Haak and almost equalized when Rocco Rios Novo, a Miami goalkeeper, was forced into a fine one-handed save.
That crucial near-miss had to occur.
Rodrigo De Paul and Jordi Alba combined immediately for 3-1 in the opening push before Messi slipped a pass to Silvetti, who rifled home.
In the 89th minute against New York City FC, Tadeo Allende #21 of Inter Miami scores his hat-trick. [Rich Storry/Getty Images via AFP]
‘Unbreakable’
Before Allende’s hat-trick a minute from time, which sparked outcry, Segovia put an end to any doubt with Miami’s fourth goal in the 83rd minute.
After a season that appeared to be disorganized earlier in the campaign, Miami is now just one win away from completing a remarkable transformation.
It doesn’t matter who starts, Mascherano said, “We strengthened as a team and came to the end of the season with a brotherhood within the team where everyone rallies together,” Mascherano said. The strength of a group is unbreakable because we are a group.
In addition, Vancouver, who defeated Miami 5-1 on aggregrate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in April, made it clear that they would be ready to face off against the star-studded Florida outfit with a stellar performance to defeat San Diego.
With Brian White’s stunning eighth-minute winner, the Canadian club took the lead.
Three minutes later, San Diego goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega was forced to score an own goal by more persistent Vancouver pressure, and a second White goal on the stroke of half-time made it 3-0.
Hirving Lozano’s long-range effort in the 60th minute gave San Diego hope for an unlikely comeback.
However, after Vancouver continued to appear to be the more likely team to score, Sisniega was sent off for beating Whitecaps goalkeeper Ryan Gauld.
Lionel Messi greets one of his children following their game against New York FC [Chandan Khanna/AFP]
According to local authorities, a shooting occurred at a family gathering in northern California’s Stockton, killing at least four people and injuring ten others.
In a Facebook post late on Saturday, Stockton’s vice mayor Jason Lee stated that the shooting occurred at a child’s birthday party.
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He said, “I’m in contact with staff and public safety officials to make sure they understand what exactly happened, and I’ll be asking for answers.”
The victims, according to Heather Brent, a sheriff’s office spokesperson in San Joaquin County, included both children and adults.
The banquet hall, which has a parking lot for other businesses, was the location of the shooting.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office posted a statement on X that read, “We can confirm at this time that four victims have been confirmed deceased.”
Information is still scarce because this is a very active and ongoing investigation. Investigators are looking into all possibilities despite early indications that this may be a targeted incident.
Police said they learned about a shooting that took place close to the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue in Stockton shortly before 6 p.m. (GMT).
The attacker’s identity and motivation have not yet been revealed by the authorities. They did not immediately disclose the extent of the surviving victims’ injuries.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that he had received updates on the “horrific shooting” in Stockton and would be following up on the deteriorating situation.
In the capital of Manila, tens of thousands of people have marched to demand President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s resignation over a corruption scandal involving government funding for flood control infrastructure.
Protesters marched on the presidential palace on Sunday at the Luneta National Park in Manila, and the rally was organized by the Kilusang Bayan Kontra-Kurakot or the People’s Movement Against Corruption (KBKK).
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Some carried Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte effigies and designated the pair as “corrupt-codiles,” while others held signs that read “Marcos Resign” and “All corrupt politicians must be held accountable.”
More than 20 000 people, according to organizers, are expected.
The “Trillion-Peso” scandal, in which powerful politicians, including Marcos’ allies, are accused of accepting billions of pesos in bribes for contracts on flood control infrastructure that were ultimately either defective or never built at all, is the final outburst of public outcry.
Public outcry has been fueled by the extensive damage caused by two recent powerful typhoons, which have killed more than 250 people.
A former lawmaker charged in the case, Zaldy Co, alleges that Marcos directed him to add $1.7 billion to the budget for “dubious public works” while he presided over an appropriations committee, while two cabinet ministers have since resigned over the scandal.
The allegations have not been proven by the president.
Matt Wovi Villanueva, a 21-year-old student, was one of those present at Sunday’s demonstration, which was followed by a similar protest in September at the presidential palace. Around 300 people were arrested by the police during that demonstration.
Villanueva claimed that he was then beaten and held for five days.
We now have more excuses to return to the streets than in September, Villanueva told Al Jazeera. They continue to treat us like fools. Marcos and Vice President Sara] Duterte must step down if we want genuine justice.
Duterte, the daughter of Marcos and former president Rodrigo Duterte, is the subject of separate allegations of government funding abuse.
A separate “Trillion Peso March” along historic EDSA Avenue was organized by mainstream opposition groups supported by the Catholic Church. The organization stated that they are only waiting for more detailed information about Marcos’ criminal activity to persuade Duterte to step down.
More than 17, 000 police officers were dispatched to Manila for the protests, blocking the KBKK protesters a block away from the city’s gates, and blocking all roads leading to the Malacanang presidential palace.
Former lawmaker Co earlier this month demanded that Marcos have been awarded more than 50 billion pesos ($852 million) in kickbacks from infrastructure projects since 2022, and has requested that the budget’s 100 billion pesos ($1.7 billion) be included in the “ghost projects” budget.
Co also claimed that Co delivered the Marcos residence suitcases worth US$ 1 billion (US$ $17) in cash in 2024.
Co has been a fugitive since July, with Japan his last known destination, and he is accused of pocketing billions from the same projects.
Anyone can make all kinds of claims online, Marcos said in response. He should return home, the president said, “For it to mean something.”
According to Raymond Palatino of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) or Bayan, a member of the KBKK, the president bears an undeniable responsibility for defrauding the public, whether or not he is accused.
He feignes surprise over the scope of corruption, Palatino claimed in an interview with Al Jazeera: “He drafted, signed, and implemented the budget, which was full of pork barrel projects and unusual insertions.”
A protester chants slogans in Manila on Sunday [Aaron Favila/AP]
Palatino referred to the extensive police presence as “overkill” and a “waste of public resources.” He urged Marcos and Duterte to step down “so the country can begin to heal and rebuild.”
Following their removal, Palatino urged the establishment of a temporary, civilian-led transition council to steer the nation’s political resurgence.
However, Claire Castro, the president’s press secretary, has refuted calls for his ouster, claiming that they are unlawful and are motivated by “vested interests.”
In his State of the Nation address to Congress in July, Marcos expressed concern about the scandal. He established the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which is tasked with examining officials who are linked to corruption, in September.
More than 545 billion pesos ($9 billion) are being looked into for some 9, 855 flood control projects.
Additionally, the House and Senate held their own hearings on the matter.
Up to 118.5 billion pesos ($2 billion) for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption since 2023, according to the finance secretary’s statement to lawmakers in September.
Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin and ally who has disputed any involvement but has resigned as speaker of the House of Representatives, is one of those who is being investigated.
Meanwhile, the ICI has not yet investigated president-related allegations of misconduct.
Political science professor Sol Iglesias of the University of the Philippines, a professor of political science, said, “The ICI investigations have not inoculated him from accusations of wrongdoing.”
In response to the protests and the police crackdown in September, she claimed that the “Marcos administration has been bleeding out its credibility.”
In cities across Europe, tens of thousands of people have marched against Israel’s continued and deadly violations of a United States-brokered ceasefire.
The demonstrations took place on Saturday to mark the UN’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Over 70 000 people were killed in Israel’s Gaza-related deaths.
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Two boys, ages 8 and 10, were among the latest victims in the southern Gaza town of Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, where an Israeli drone attacked.
An estimated 50, 000 people marched along Paris’ main streets in the city, chanting “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you” and “From Paris to Gaza, resistance”!
They also criticized “Israeli genocide” by waving Palestinian flags.
“This is unacceptable,” he declared. One protester told Al Jazeera, “We are still far away from justice or accountability.”
The people of Israel are aware that this war is wrong. But why do the people in power not accept this as unacceptable? a different protester was asked.
Seven weeks after a ceasefire was in effect on October 10, Anne Tuaillon, the head of the France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS), one of about 80 non-governmental organizations, unions, and parties behind the protest, declared that “nothing has been resolved.”
The ceasefire serves as a “smokescreen.” Every day, Israel obstructs humanitarian aid and continues to destroy Gaza’s homes and infrastructure. She addressed the AFP news agency, “We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and the end of the genocide.”
In Lisbon, Geneva, Rome, and London, protests were also held.
Sonia Gallego, a journalist from Paris, reported for Al Jazeera that the march “suspenses” Israel at a time when negotiations for a more lasting resolution in the Palestinian territory are still in limbo.
“This global mobilization maintains the focus on Gaza, as well as]on] the larger unresolved issue of Palestinian rights.”
Up to 100 000 people marched in the British capital, London, and demanded “protection” of those still living under siege despite a ceasefire.
The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, and Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, were present for the main demonstration in Rome, where mass demonstrations and union-led strikes have repeatedly mobilized against Israel’s war.
Around 100, 000 people were expected to take part, according to a report from the Wanted In Rome news website prior to the rally.
Albanese claimed in a statement posted on X that Israel is “committing genocide against the Palestinians” in both the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
“Observe the crimes or conduct committed against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians against the Palestinians.” We will stop Israel, she wrote.
Israel has reverted to a so-called “yellow line” inside the Gaza Strip under the US-brokered ceasefire. However, it continues to hold control of more than half of the besieged territory and has launched numerous deadly attacks against the agreement.
At least 347 Palestinians have been killed and 889 have been injured as a result of at least 500 Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement was signed.
At age 10, Fadi and Jumaa Tamer Abu Assi, were, respectively, eight and ten.
Their uncle, Alaa Abu Assi, described the two boys as “innocent children who have no rockets and bombs.”
Their disabled father, who has platinum plates in his legs, was being helped by them by gathering firewood. He told the AFP news agency, “We went and found them in pieces, and we brought them back.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in a statement that “the obstruction of humanitarian aid, the repeated displacement of an entire population, and the killing of so many civilians should never be acceptable.”
According to Al Jazeera’s reporter from Gaza City, the majority of Palestinians “are simply trying to survive,” according to Hind Khoudary, who is reporting from the country.
She said, “It’s a daily struggle.” “Palestinians are suffering to find shelter, and they are suffering to get their basic needs.”
“Many Palestinians still reside in tents,” the statement read. They assert that they lack no shelter. No medication is present. Their children lack education. Despite the ceasefire, the Palestinians are still slowly persuading, she continued.
