Real Madrid defeated Celta Vigo 3-2 to move within sight of La Liga’s top two teams, Kylian Mbappe, twice.
Madrid held on to a late Celta fightback to maintain the four-point lead over the Catalans ahead of the Clasico game on Sunday after the Catalans lost to Valladolid on Saturday.
Second-placed leaders Real Madrid were forced to hold on to a seventh-placed Celta side in Santiago Bernabeu, hoping to win the next season in European competition.
Los Blancos are still hopeful of beating Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga despite Los Blancos’ failed Champions League defense and Los Blancos’ failed Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last week.
On May 4, 2025, Real Madrid’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti claps during the Spanish league match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Carlo Ancelotti’s side faced a string of defensive injuries before Carlo Ancelotti’s side took control with Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler pulling the strings after riding out a first wave of Celta chances.
Rodrygo started in his place and made the most of Rodrygo’s illness when he went out with him.
READ ALSO: Former Liverpool star Firmino is “Proud” of his continued success in the Champions League.
On May 4, 2025, Real Madrid’s Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler celebrates scoring the opening goal in the Spanish league game between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
In the opening moments, Guler showed that his ambition has no limits with a spectacular overhead effort that was directed wide of the intended target.
As a threat to Celta, former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso headed just over before forcing a fine save from Thibaut Courtois.
As Madrid stifled the visitors, Aurelien Tchouameni headed over when he was in a better position at the other end.
After 33 minutes, Guler skillfully created some space in the box before brilliantly curled a strike past Vicente Guaita. Madrid opened the scoring.
On May 4, 2025, Real Madrid’s French forward #9 Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s English midfielder #05 Jude Bellingham (TOP) celebrate the team’s second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
At the close of a quick breakaway, Mbappe doubled Madrid’s lead after 39 minutes.
When Bellingham set Mbappe free down the right, Courtois successfully saved from Borja Iglesias and Madrid immediately moved forward.
The French superstar ruthlessly flew inside Guaita from within the area.
Mbappe scored his 24th league goal of the year just three minutes into the second half, putting him one point ahead of Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer for Barcelona.
Guler created the ball by playing in the striker with a perfectly-weighted ball, and Mbappe finished low with a left bootstroke.
After a corner was mistakenly given to Celta, it appeared as though Madrid had won the match, but Javier Rodriguez reclaimed control with a close finish.
On May 4, 2025, Real Madrid’s Turkish midfielder #15 Arda Guler celebrates scoring the opening goal in the Spanish league game between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Rodriguez was present to stop Pablo Duran’s backheeled effort on the line, but Lucas Vazquez blocked it.
The Galicians immediately had more attacking momentum when Iago Aspas was called off the bench and sent Williot Swedberg to score a superb pass to slot a second past Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper was heartbroken moments later when Duran’s shot slipped out of his hands and had potential to have squirmed across the line behind him if it hadn’t come to a stop on the grass.
With a win over Clasico, Barcelona would have won the title next weekend if Madrid had conceded more points.
Roberto Firmino said he was proud of making history with his Saudi club and becoming an Asian Champions League winner, six years after lifting the prestigious European equivalent with Liverpool.
The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp’s side who won the UEFA Champions League in 2019.
Firmino was named the AFC Champions League’s most valuable player after inspiring Al Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first time.
“I’m very happy and very proud of the team,” said Firmino. “Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends.
“I’m very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team.”
Firmino scored six goals en route to the final and was pivotal again in the showpiece.
The veteran laid on the pass for fellow Brazilian Galeno to curl a delicious shot into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home.
“This title win shows us to have a monster mentality,” said Firmino.
“We always believed we could be champions and we have done it.”
Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle praised the 58,000 home fans at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for playing their part in the win.
“I’m so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition,” said the German coach.
‘A crazy journey’
“Also the fans who created an amazing atmosphere, which we never take for granted. Together we can achieve special things and that was tonight. It’s nice to give something back to the supporters.”
The win was even more remarkable given that just three years ago Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League.
“It’s been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different,” said Jaissle.
Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe conceded that his team had been outplayed.
Having knocked out Al Sadd of Qatar after extra time and then upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr, Hasebe admitted his tired Frontale players had been unable to hit the heights again in their third tough match in seven days.
“They deserved to be champions,” said Hasebe of Al Ahli. “They could show their strength, especially in the first half, and we couldn’t. The key was the second goal.
“If we could play as we know we can, we could have won. The last two games were the proof. Tonight it didn’t work and we have to do more in the future.”
Hasebe admitted that Frontale’s defensive frailties had cost them, after they had edged both their quarter-final and semi-final 3-2.
“Every single game we played here, we conceded two goals and that’s the part we have to improve on for the future.”
Aryna Sabalenka won her third Madrid Open title against Coco Gauff on Saturday, falling 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).
The American, who was ranked fourth last year, defeated the runner-up in the first set before winning in a tie-break and sealing victory with a double fault.
Sabalenka won the WTA 1000 trophy in Brisbane and Miami, adding to her tour-leading 31st victories on Madrid clay.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus poses with her trophy after winning the 2025 WTA Tour Madrid Open singles competition at the Caja Magica in Madrid on May 1, 2025. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP)
She reached the final six times in a row at Madrid this year, and it was her 37th of her career.
Iga Swiatek, who Gauff thrashed in the semi-final on Thursday, defeated Sabalenka in the showpiece last year.
READ MORE: Arsenal Suffers A Bournemouth Demise Prior To PSG Showdown
Before addressing the crowd, Sabalenka told the crowd, “I’m pretty sure we’re going to play many more times in the finals — although I hope I’m going to get all (the wins).”
“I’m always so excited to play in front of you, and I’m so happy to win this year.”
Gauff managed an initial hold, but the three-time Grand Slam champion waded through the first set.
Aryna Sabalenka (R) of Belarus poses with her trophy after winning the 2025 WTA Tour Madrid Open singles competition at the Caja Magica in Madrid on May 1, 2025. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP)
As Gauff struggled to deal with her immense power, Sabalenka racked up a 4-1 lead with breaks in the third and fifth games and won the next 17 points.
The American, who won the US Open in 2023, was able to stifle the 2021 and 2023 Madrid champion with her own break.
With her second set point, Gauff sliced wide, Sabalenka broke once more to tie the match in 35 minutes.
The American consolidated for a 3-1 lead in the second set by upping her serve and securing a break in the third game.
In the sixth game, Sabalenka put in a lot of pressure on Gauff, who held on for a 4-2 lead.
Gauff twice double faulted her opponent, giving her opponent three break points, when she was 5-4 up and serving the set.
As Gauff saved all three of those, Sabalenka dropped her racquet in a comical moment during a rally on the second, the Belarusian gazing at the crowd in disbelief.
Gauff saved a further break point after a wasteful set point, but Sabalenka won the game for good at the fifth time without asking.
The world number one fought through a difficult tie-break with 6-5 but was denied a championship point by Gauff.
Before Gauff’s serve-assisted mini-break, Sabalenka secured two more points before he fought back, but the 26-year-old eventually took control and won three more championship points.
Gauff handed victory to the Australian Open’s runner-up this year with a double fault.
With a 5-5 lead over Gauff, Sabalenka equaled Petra Kvitova’s winning streak for three women’s Madrid Open titles.
Despite losing, Gauff thanked her team and the Madrid Open organizers, saying, “I think this is a step in the right direction.”
Arsenal lost 2-1 to Bournemouth against a goalless draw on Saturday, but Michael Arteta challenged them to use the “rage and anger” from that defeat to inspire their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Declan Rice’s opener, his 100th appearance for the club, gave Arteta’s side the lead.
However, in the second half, Dean Huijsen scored the equalizer for Bournemouth, and Evanilson made it 2-0.
Martin Odegaard, a Norwegian midfielder for Arsenal, departs on May 3, 2025, following the English Premier League game between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP)
Arsenal will need a much-improved performance in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal match on Wednesday after being defeated by PSG 1-0 in the first leg of the competition.
Read more: England Defender Dier To Leave Bayern At The End Of Season
“We should have ended the game,” he said. Additionally, Arteta added, “You’re in big trouble if you defend your box in two set-pieces in the manner we’ve done,” he said.
“It didn’t live up to the standards that we have.” We didn’t want to create the momentum and a strong vibe for today.
“Frustration, rage, and anger are what we have produced.” Make sure to use Wednesday with that.
On May 3, 2025, during Arsenal’s English Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London, Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard tries a free kick. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP)
Six points, a top five finish in the Premier League, and the second-placed Gunners are also necessary for Champions League qualification for the following season.
Arteta acknowledged this week that watching Liverpool celebrate their Premier League title last weekend was “very painful.”
The Champions League is their last chance to win a trophy this season, and the Gunners finished last behind Manchester City for the previous two years.
Arteta is still awaiting the outcome of his six-year Arsenal reign, with the 2020 FA Cup being his final silverware.
Never having won the Champions League final, Arsenal reached it in 2006.
On May 3, 2025, during Arsenal’s match between Arsenal and Bournemouth in the English Premier League, Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP)
It was intriguing to see Arteta select a full-strength side for a largely meaningless game against Bournemouth because there was so much at stake in the Parc des Princes the following week.
Key players Rice, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba made their debuts for Arsenal instead of resting.
The notable absentees for Arsenal were Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino, with Arteta revealing that the former would need to take a fitness test to assess his suitability for the PSG game.
Sucker punch,  
With a chance to advance to Europe, Bournemouth had already defeated Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in October.
Evanilson made his debut for Bournemouth after being redone against Manchester United.
When Jakub Kiwior slipped while clearing Milos Kerkez’s cross, the Brazilian forward wasted a golden opportunity.
Leandro Trossard made a good save from Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Arsenal forward met Martinelli’s cross with a header that forced a good save from the opener.
In the 34th minute, Rice made the breakthrough by grabbing Odegaard’s precise pass and rounding Kepa to slot into the empty net before exchanging a bow to the crowd.
After the Arsenal keeper miscued a pass to the striker, Evanilson nearly threw a lob from 40 yards.
After the interval, Saka should have sprinted head-tamely toward Kepa from Martinelli’s cross.
Saka retreated a short while later, cutting nimbly inside for a curler that fizzed past the far post.
The failure, which had a significant impact on their title race surrender, saw Arsenal fail to win nine league games this season in which they held the lead.
And yet again, Arteta’s side was shook by a sucker punch as Bournemouth scored with their opening goal goal in the 67th minute.
When Huijsen climbed to loop a header over Raya from six yards, Antoine Semenyo launched a long throw into the Arsenal area.
In the 75th minute, Evanilson paid the price for the Gunners’ lack of resolve.
After a VAR check for a potential handball, Bournemouth finally had time to celebrate when Marcus Tavernier flicked the ball in the direction of the far post and Evanilson poked home.
Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, took part in the first edition of the Enugu City International Marathon on Saturday, completing the 10-kilometer road race in 45 minutes.
The state’s efforts to position itself as a hub for sports tourism and investment were marked by the elite athletes from across Africa at the event.
East African runners dominated the podium for the entire 42-kilometer marathon. With a time of 2:22:32, Kenyan Kopos won the men’s elite category, earning the grand prize of $15, 000.
Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang, his fellow-patriots, came in second and third, making $10, 000 and $5, 000, respectively.
Kenya’s Shaoline Chepriroi won the women’s elite category with a time of 2:44:37, followed closely by Ethiopian Tilahu Birul (2:45:10) and Rita Busiengy (2:47:17), who won $10, 000 and $5, 000, respectively.
More than one million people are registering for the 2026 London Marathon.
The best performers in Nigeria also left a legacy. Blessing Shambo placed fourth overall in the women’s elite division, placing her in the top half of the field of runners from Nigeria and earning $1 million.
Charity Agofure and Elizabeth Pam followed in 2: 55: 03 and 3: 01: 45, earning ₦750, 000 and ₦500, 000 respectively.
With a time of 2: 29: 03, Nigeria’s Davou Gyang edged Boyi Nyango by three seconds to lead the local elite finishers on the men’s side. Third was Iliya Pam. They received cash prizes of ₦1 million, ₦750, 000, and ₦500, 000 respectively.
Lydia Akusho, Esther Afigbo, and Mwantiti Davou won the top three spots in the women’s category during the 10-kilometer road race. Francis James, Iliya Raymond, and Boyi Gang came in first, second, and third, respectively, in the men’s division.
The marathon was supported by international and national athletics organizations.
World Athletics, along with Chief Solomon Ogba, the first vice president of the Nigerian Olympic Committee, and Nadeem Khan, the president of the International Ultra Runners, was in charge of it.
Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s goal of making Enugu a destination of choice for sports, tourism, and investment during his speech at the event.
“What we just saw is a spectacular event,” he said. The power of sports is demonstrated by it, Mbah said. Remember that I promised to make Enugu City Half Marathon a global event when I ran it last year. Do you think we did that”?
Elite runners from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Eritrea were drawn to the International Marathon. We will host world-class athletes in the following year. The Enugu City International Marathon will become a significant event on the world’s calendar, according to our plans.
Mbah added that the event is in line with the state’s plan to use sports and tourism as economic drivers to draw three million visitors annually.
“Sports is for us a pastime other than recreation. It is a serious business. Through these events, we will foster talent, inspire inspiration, and create opportunities. He declared that people would spend their money in Enugu.
The Governor applauded Barr, the commissioner for youth and sports, for his efforts. The various security and logistics teams, led by Yetunde Olopade, the managing director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, and Lord Ekweremadu, the consulting firm responsible for the event’s smooth running.
Sports fans from all over the world experienced the intriguing, shocking, and even heartbreaking during a week that included the Champions League, the AFCON, and the Madrid Open.  ,
Additionally, teams and individuals set new records over the past seven days. The first eleven of the week’s biggest sports headlines will be reviewed in the context of the recap of the week’s big stories!  ,
Flying Eagles Win In The Battle of the Eagles
The Flying Eagles’ U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign kicked off this week’s edition with a flimsy win over Tunisia on Thursday night, greeting the thronging millions of Nigerian fans. In the first half of the Group B match, Auwal Ibrahim struck, causing physical battles, drama, and near-misses. In the group that includes Morocco and Kenya, Nigeria now has three points.  ,
Morocco will host Nigeria on Sunday.  ,
Arsenal Stumble At Home, UCL: Inter and Barca Produce Masterclass
Midway through the UEFA Champions League semi-final was played in style, which was all that happened. Arsenal were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on the opening night, giving them everything to fight for in the French leg of the match next week.
On April 30, 2025, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan’s Dutch defender #02 Denzel Dumfries (2L) scored their team’s third goal in the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys first leg football game of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. (Photo by Josep LAGO/AFP)
One of the timeless matches between Barcelona and Inter Milan came the following day, and it was a big hit. In just under 21 minutes, the Italians took the match to a 2-0 lead. However, things were leveled up by Barcelona. In the 63rd minute, Denzel Dumfries gave Inter the lead, but the Spanish team rallied to equalize two minutes later to put a 3-3 tie at an end.  ,
Arsenal will face off on Wednesday while Barcelona will face off on Tuesday.  ,
Also read: FIRST 11: Football Mourns Pope Francis in the wake of the World Cup.
Glimmer of Hope at Man United
After defeating Athletic Club 0-3 away from home, Manchester United made a significant step toward advancing to the Europa League final. A Europa League title gives the English side hope of salvaging that record, but they are currently languishing in 14th place in the table. If they win the match, they will be eligible for the Champions League. Tottenham won the other game 3-1 over Bodo/Glimt, increasing the chances of an all-English second-tier football tournament final.  ,
On May 1, 2025, Athletic Bilbao’s Spanish midfielder #23 Mikel Jauregizar Alboniga (L) challenges Danish defender #13 Patrick Dorgu for the ball in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg football game between Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao. ANDER GILLENEA/AFP photo
English champions were won by Liverpool.
Following Liverpool’s crushing of Tottenham to claim their 20th Premier League title, Tottenham won. Few days later, the team won. In his first season with the Merseyside outfit, Arne Slot won the league title when the Reds defeated the North London side 5-1 in front of a cheery home crowd on Sunday.  ,
Remo Stars Raise NPFL Crown With Glance
After the Ogun-based side claimed a landmark Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, Remo Stars were all smiles fans. Following a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes in Ikenne, Ogun State on Sunday evening, the club won their first domestic title. 25 years after the defunct Julius Berger reached that milestone, the Sky Blue Stars became the first club from the South-West region of the nation to win the domestic league.  ,
Since Julius Berger’s triumph in 1991, they are the first Southwest club to capture the Nigerian top flight title. Photo: X@OptaNGR/status
Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles’ forward, gave the team N10m following Remo Stars’ title victory. The coaching staff and players will receive the proceeds. Bola Tinubu, the president of the Philippines, and other presidents from all over the country sent congratulatory messages out of the blue. President Tinubu claimed that Remo Stars had their names written in the history books in a statement released by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.  ,
London Marathon Sign Up Record
Following last weekend’s record-breaking edition of the race, the London Marathon’s organizers reported that over 1.1 million people had registered for the event’s next year.
At the presentation ceremony for the women’s elite race at the 2025 London Marathon in central London on April 27, 2025, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei (L), Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (C), and second place Netherland’s Sifan Hassan (R) pose with their trophies. (Photo by AFP photographer JUSTIN TALLIS)
The ballot for the 2026 race had a record-breaking year, with 840, 300, runners submitting applications for the 2025 London Marathon. After the ballot closed on Friday, organisers reported that the race’s registration for the year 2026 was nearly twice as successful as the 2024 London Marathon.
Russell Set the Hurdles Record
Olympic champion Masai Russell won the 100-meter hurdles competition in Miami on Saturday, clocking a 12.17sec time that was second fastest in history, according to Olympic champion Masai Russell, who was still on the track.  ,
The 24-year-old American star finished third fastest in history, just ahead of compatriot Tia Jones, who was second. Russell and Jones only narrowly missed out on Tobi Amusan’s world record of 12.12 sec set at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene by virtue of a strong following wind that was just above the legal top of + 2.0 m/s.
F1 extends the agreement
With the organizers of the Miami Grand Prix, Formula One has agreed to hold the race for a 10-year extension, which will guarantee that it will continue until 2041.
This weekend, South Florida Motorsports, a division of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, will host its fourth grand prix at the track that surrounds the team’s Hard Rock Stadium. Although the current agreement was scheduled to expire in 2031, Stefano Domenicali, the company’s president and CEO, expressed interest in keeping the event going forever.
In the Madrid Open Finale, Draper and Ruud Clash compete.
British tennis player Jack Draper defeated Italian Lorenzo Musetti to face Norwegian Casper Ruud, who overcame a rib issue to win the Madrid Open. After receiving a medical timeout due to chest and back pain, Ruud won the 25th tour final of his career by defeating Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 6-4, 7-5. Draper, who defeated Monte Carlo’s Musetti 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) in the final, followed Ruud into the final. On Sunday, the final will be played.
Transgender women are prohibited in England
Returning to football, the English FA announced that transgender women would no longer play in women’s soccer starting on June 1. Following a significant change in its stance, the English Football Association issued this statement. Following last month’s UK Supreme Court ruling regarding the Equality Act, the FA announced an update to its policy. Scottish Football Association added that it would start the 2025/26 season with a similar ban. Both countries’ amateur and professional teams will be affected by these new rule changes.
(FILES) In this file photo, which was taken on July 28, 2019, Rebecca Quinn #5 of the Seattle Reign FC is honored for playing for the Canada Women’s National Soccer Team before the Chicago Red Stars visited Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, to celebrate their accomplishments. Rebecca Quinn, a midfielder for Canada and OL Reign, revealed her gender in a public Instagram post on September 8, 2020. (Photo by Abbie Parr/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP)
Kenyan Club is barred by FIFA
After FIFA found the second-tier team guilty of match manipulation, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) finally confirmed the relegation of a Kenyan club, Muhoroni Youth. The East African nation’s sport has recently fallen under the latest scandal, and it has long been plagued by match-fixing.  ,
FIFA found Muhoroni Youth guilty of “manipulating football games and competitions,” according to a decision released on Friday.
