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Real Madrid beats Atletico on penalties in Champions League. Arsenal, Villa, Dortmund also advance

Real Madrid beats Atletico on penalties in Champions League. Arsenal, Villa, Dortmund also advance
Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 13 March 2025

Real Madrid beats Atletico on penalties in Champions League. Arsenal, Villa, Dortmund also advance

Real Madrid beats Atletico on penalties in Champions League. Arsenal, Villa, Dortmund also advance
  • Madrid moves on to the quarterfinals to face Arsenal, which also advanced Wednesday along with Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a Champions League penalty shootout — again — to keep its title defense alive Wednesday and advance to the quarterfinals.
Defender Antonio Rüdiger scored the decisive spot-kick in a 4-2 shootout win after two Atletico players missed. Marco Llorente’s shot struck the bar after Julian Alvarez’s score despite slipping was disallowed because he touched the ball twice.
Madrid also beat Atletico in a shootout to win the 2016 final — part of a streak of eliminating its city rival in the knockout rounds for four straight years, starting with the 2014 final.
Madrid moves on to the quarterfinals to face Arsenal, which also advanced Wednesday along with Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund. The quarterfinals lineup was completed with Madrid’s win in a tense derby that had ended 2-2 on aggregate score.
Atletico led 1-0 after 90 minutes and extra time in its Metropolitano Stadium to cancel out Madrid’s 2-1 advantage from the first leg last week.
Two key incidents defined regulation time. Atletico Madrid scored within 30 seconds and Real Madrid missed a penalty in the 70th minute.
Atletico took the lead with its first attack when England midfielder Conor Gallagher pounced on the ball from close range when a cross by Rodrigo De Paul was deflected into the goalmouth.
Madrid star Vinícius Júnior blazed a penalty kick high over the Atletico goal when he could have sent the 15-time champion through. He was substituted in extra time for his teenage fellow Brazilian, Endrick.
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham stepped up to score Madrid’s first two spot-kicks, and Fede Valverde also scored before Lucas Vazquez’s kick was saved by Jan Oblak.
It was more relaxed in London, where Arsenal rested some regulars in a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven to run up a 9-3 aggregate score.
Aston Villa also had a stress-free evening at home to ensure England has two teams in the quarterfinals, one night after Premier League leader Liverpool was beaten at Anfield by Paris Saint-Germain in a shootout.
Villa won 3-0 against Club Brugge, which played with 10 men from the 17th, after a 3-1 win in Belgium last week. Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe was sent off for pulling back Marcus Rashford when running clear on goal.
Substitute Marco Asensio, on loan at Villa from PSG, scored twice in the second half to ensure his temporary club will meet his parent club next.
Borussia Dortmund rallied with two second-half goals to win 2-1 at Lille and advance 3-2 on aggregate. The beaten finalist last season now faces Barcelona.
Quarterfinals draw
The quarterfinals pairings are: Arsenal vs Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa, Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan
First-leg games are on April 8-9 and return games are one week later.
England’s unexpected challenge
There’s only one former European champion from England left in the Champions League. Villa’s unbeaten home record has driven its run to the quarterfinal, with wins against Bayern, Bologna, Celtic and now Brugge.
Liverpool’s exit to PSG followed Manchester City being pushed out of the knockout playoffs last month by Real Madrid. Without the Champions League winners in 2019 and 2023, respectively, England’s challenge halved to just two.
Villa’s 1982 European Cup title is perhaps a less-remembered one in the competition’s 70-year history. Arsenal’s only time in the final was a loss to Barcelona in 2006.
Villa manager Unai Emery now goes back to Paris where his two seasons as coach there until 2018 seemed to be unsatisfactory for both parties.
Dortmund thrives in Europe
Just like last season, Borussia Dortmund is better in the Champions League than the German league.
The Bundesliga’s 10th-place team trailed Lille from the fifth minute to Canada forward Jonathan David’s shot, before rallying in the second half for a decisive 2-1 win. Dortmund leveled in the 54th from Emre Can’s penalty and Maximilian Beier sealed the victory nine minutes later with a rising shot.
Dortmund was the beaten finalist last June – losing 2-0 to Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium – and got into this Champions League only because Germany earned a bonus entry for fifth place in the Bundesliga.
Niko Kovač, the club’s third coach in the Champions League this season, now takes Dortmund to face former star forward Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona.
Top-5 leagues dominate
Expected exits for Brugge and PSV — after Benfica and Feyenoord were eliminated Tuesday — leaves only the five wealthiest leagues in Europe are now represented.
No team from outside England, Spain, Germany, Italy or France has reached the Champions League final since Porto coached by Jose Mourinho won in 2004.
UEFA will share almost 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) total prize money among the 36 Champions League teams this season and the 20 percent higher payouts this season figure to widen the wealth gap in European soccer. England and Spain also are in line for bonus fifth places in the Champions League next season, sending tens of millions more in prize money there.
Each quarterfinalist will get 12.5 million euros ($13.6 million). A place in the semifinals pays an extra 15 million euros ($16.3 million).


Newcastle’s attack still adjusting to Isak’s absence, says Howe

Newcastle’s attack still adjusting to Isak’s absence, says Howe
Updated 11 sec ago

Newcastle’s attack still adjusting to Isak’s absence, says Howe

Newcastle’s attack still adjusting to Isak’s absence, says Howe
  • Newcastle’s goalless draw at Bournemouth on Sunday was their third consecutive 0-0 Premier League draw away from home
  • Newcastle are looking to club-record signing Nick Woltemade to spearhead their attack following Alexander Isak’s departure
Manager Eddie Howe said Newcastle United are still adapting to life without Alexander Isak following the striker’s transfer to Liverpool and called for patience as his new-look attack struggles to click into gear.
Newcastle’s goalless draw at Bournemouth on Sunday was their third consecutive 0-0 Premier League draw away from home and extended their winless run on the road this season.
While Howe was pleased with a third straight clean sheet in the league, they have scored only three goals in five games and are 13th with just six points.
“It’s three 0-0s away from home for us, which is really uncommon with our attacking style,” Howe told reporters. “I think just naturally we’re going to be a different team attacking-wise this year without Alex.
“I’m hopeful we’re evolving to a different team, hopefully a better team, but it may take a bit of time.”
Newcastle are looking to club-record signing Nick Woltemade to spearhead their attack following Isak’s departure to the Premier League champions in a record-breaking deal, and Howe said there is more to come from the German.
“I thought Nick played really well today,” Howe added. “I thought he was very effective with his footwork and his link play.
“But we just need to know and get used to him and his style more and get more runners off him because he’s very good in that respect.”
Newcastle next host English third-tier side Bradford City in the League Cup second round on Wednesday.

Ben Harburg: From Wall Street to the Saudi Pro League

Ben Harburg: From Wall Street to the Saudi Pro League
Updated 18 min 20 sec ago

Ben Harburg: From Wall Street to the Saudi Pro League

Ben Harburg: From Wall Street to the Saudi Pro League
  • The American, known for managing international investment funds, has taken an unusual path into the Kingdom’s sporting landscape by fully acquiring Al-Kholood Club

RIYADH: From global finance to Saudi stadiums, American investor Ben Harburg has taken an unusual path into the Kingdom’s sporting landscape. Known for managing billions of dollars through international investment funds, he recently made headlines by fully acquiring Al-Kholood Club, a team newly promoted to the Saudi Pro League.

The move reflects the growing appeal of Saudi football to international investors and aligns with Vision 2030’s ambition to connect sport with economic development and global visibility.

Harburg’s career is rooted in high finance. As a founding partner of MSA Capital, he has overseen assets exceeding $2 billion, investing in global giants such as Uber, Airbnb, and Palantir. Yet his decision to step into Saudi football reveals a different kind of calculation.

“I believe the Saudi Pro League is operating in a high-growth market, while competition in Europe is either weakening or flatlining,” he said. To him, this is not a short-term gamble but a long-term commitment to a sector on the rise.

What sets Harburg apart from the stereotype of foreign investors is his philosophy. Rather than chasing quick returns through marquee signings, he speaks of building a foundation of young Saudi players and world-class facilities.

“We’ve got to produce young Saudi players that can be sold to clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq,” he explained. “And we’ve got to attract players who don’t come to us simply because we pay the highest salaries, but because they find a high level of professionalism, training equipment, and infrastructure.” His approach resonates with the Kingdom’s broader push to make clubs more sustainable, competitive, and rooted in local talent.

Harburg also distinguishes himself with his presence among fans.

“Because of the way you’re treating your supporters and engaging with them, I’ve become one of your fans,” he said.

It is an attitude that extends beyond financial ownership, reflecting a desire to shape a deeper connection between the club and its community. In doing so, he adds cultural and social value to an investment that is often judged solely by numbers.

The arrival of an investor like Ben Harburg in the Saudi Pro League symbolizes more than the globalization of the game; it marks a shift in the way foreign capital interacts with local sport.

From Wall Street to Ƶ, he embodies a new model of investment — one that sees people, infrastructure, and supporters as the true pillars of the future of football in the Kingdom.


Riyadh horseracing season kicks off on Oct. 16

Riyadh horseracing season kicks off on Oct. 16
Updated 40 min 49 sec ago

Riyadh horseracing season kicks off on Oct. 16

Riyadh horseracing season kicks off on Oct. 16
  • Jockey Club of Ƶ unveils 2025-2026 calendar that concludes with the $20m Saudi Cup in February

RIYADH: Horseracing resumes at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh next month after the new season schedule was revealed by the Jockey Club of Ƶ, culminating with the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 14, 2026.

The new campaign gets underway on Oct. 16 and is the first of 50 meetings for thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses, which for the first time will end with The Saudi Cup meeting.

The change in schedule is to accommodate Ramadan, which falls around Feb. 28, 2026

The seventh running of The Saudi Cup coincides with a significant moment for Ƶ as the 41st Asian Racing Conference, titled “Honouring Tradition — Shaping The Future”, takes place in the country from Feb. 9 and closes at The Saudi Cup.

The season finale gets underway on Feb. 13 and features the popular International Jockeys’ Challenge, The Sarawat and Tuwaiq Cups and builds to the $1.5m Group 1 Al Mneefah Cup for purebred Arabians held over 2,100m on the turf course.

Nine races will be held the following day as The Saudi Cup enters its seventh year with the G2 Neom Turf Cup, G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the Red Sea Turf Handicap offering a host of opportunities on turf and on dirt for the world’s best equine athletes.

Before that, the new Riyadh season begins next month and will be staged in its familiar format with 12-race cards taking place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The most significant meeting outside the season finale is the Saudi Cup trials weekend on Jan. 16-17, which features The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup and King Abdulaziz Cup.

American challenger Rattle N Roll landed The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for trainer, Kenny McPeek and jockey Joel Rosario to qualify for The Saudi Cup in 2025, and the winner of the Group 3 next January will also guarantee themselves a starting position in the world’s richest race.

Qualifiers for The Neom Turf Cup, 1351 Turf Sprint, Red Sea Turf Handicap, Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the G1 Obaiyah Classic and G1 Al-Mneefah Cup will also be held over those two days.

Other significant events on the calendar are the Royal Cups on Dec. 26-27, featuring three domestic G1 races — the 1,600m King Fahad Cup for juveniles, the 1,800m King Khaled Cup for three-year-olds and the King Saud Cup over 2,000m for older horses.

Another domestic G1 will be staged on Dec. 5 with The Crown Prince Cup for local bred horses over 2,400m, alongside the Listed Crown Prince Cup.

Both races carry a purse of SR1 million ($266,000) and feature some of the best Saudi-trained horses, with the latter race last won by the French entry Wootton’sun, who went on to finish third to Rattle N Roll and take his chance in The Saudi Cup itself.


Tokyo worlds: Stahl leaves it late to win discus gold in delayed final

Tokyo worlds: Stahl leaves it late to win discus gold in delayed final
Updated 22 September 2025

Tokyo worlds: Stahl leaves it late to win discus gold in delayed final

Tokyo worlds: Stahl leaves it late to win discus gold in delayed final
  • Revving up the remaining crowd at the arena where he won the Olympic title in 2021, the 33-year-old sent the disc soaring in to the sky and past the 70-meter line for his season’s best throw of 70.47m and a third world title
  • Stahl: Mentally, I was ready for the last throw. I prepared myself for it. This is my favorite arena of all time. It was special in 2021, and it has been special again tonight

TOKYO: Former Olympic champion Daniel Stahl of Sweden won the last gold medal of the 2025 World Athletics Championships on Sunday with the penultimate throw of a men’s discus final delayed for more than two hours by rain.

World record holder Mykolas Alekna managed the only legal throw before the heavens opened at the National Stadium and the athletes were removed from the arena for safety reasons.

They returned after all the other events and the official closing ceremony had been completed, an army of volunteers wiping down the throwing circle with towels between attempts as the rain persisted.

“I have trained for many years in the rain and know that it usually rains in Tokyo in September-October,” Stahl told Swedish broadcaster SVT Sport.

“It’s important to keep the focus because there can be delays and it can take a few hours.”

Alekna lays down marker

Lithuanian Alekna laid down a marker with a throw of 67.84m on his second attempt which led the final until Stahl took to the circle for his last shot at the title.

Revving up the remaining crowd at the arena where he won the Olympic title in 2021, the 33-year-old sent the disc soaring in to the sky and past the 70-meter line for his season’s best throw of 70.47m and a third world title.

“Mentally, I was ready for the last throw. I prepared myself for it,” Stahl said.

“This is my favorite arena of all time. It was special in 2021, and it has been special again tonight.”

Alekna, 22, fouled his last attempt and finished second to add to his bronze at the last world championships and silver in 2022 but remained without a title to match the two his father Virgilijus won in discus in 2003 and 2005.

“Having the men’s discus throw as the last event of the championships, I don’t think it ever happened before,” Alekna said.

“At first, after the competition finished, I was a little disappointed. But I know I did everything I could to fight for the gold.”

Alex Rose took bronze with a throw of 66.96m on his fifth attempt to knock Australia’s Matt Denny out of third place and give Samoa a first world championship medal.

“This is one of the greatest moments of my entire life and it’s been 20 years in the making,” Rose said.

“To come back here and do what I just did, there is no feeling like it. The young Pacific Island athletes never give up. I work a full-time job and took time off to from my company to compete here.”


Fritz fires on final day as Team World land third Laver Cup title

Fritz fires on final day as Team World land third Laver Cup title
Updated 22 September 2025

Fritz fires on final day as Team World land third Laver Cup title

Fritz fires on final day as Team World land third Laver Cup title
  • Fritz battles past Zverev in final match to seal 15-9 win
  • Team Europe fight back on last day but come up short

SAN FRANCISCO: Taylor Fritz delivered the decisive blow at the Laver Cup on Sunday by beating Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) as Team World completed a 15-9 win over Team Europe to reclaim the men’s team competition title in San Francisco.

The victory marked Team World’s third triumph in the eight editions of the competition following back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023, and sparked jubilant celebrations from captain Andre Agassi’s side at the Chase Center.

“We’re going to have a fun night. We’re definitely popping champagne in the locker room in a few minutes,” Fritz said.

“The energy from the team, ... the moments of winning feel so much better and the moments of losing feel so much worse. You’re doing it for all these guys. It fires me up so much. I always feel I play my best tennis in team environments.

“Seeing these guys on the bench getting pumped up, seeing a legend of the sport like Andre jumping out of his seat cheering for me, it’s just impossible not to give everything you have in every point.”

Team World had built a big 9-3 lead after a clean sweep on Saturday, but with wins worth three points on the final day there was still much to play for with four matches scheduled to reach the 13 points needed to prevail.

Carlos Alcaraz teamed up with Norway’s Casper Ruud to open proceedings, earning a 7-6(4) 6-1 win over American pair Alex Michelsen and Reilly Opelka to narrow the gap.

However, Team Europe found themselves on the back foot again when Australia’s Alex De Minaur breezed past 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik 6-3 6-4 it make it 12-6 in favor of Team World.

US Open champion Alcaraz kept Team Europe’s hopes alive by dispatching Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 6-2 6-1, leaving his team just three points adrift of their opponents.

Zverev then had the opportunity to level the scores at 12-12 and force a one-set doubles playoff but the German was unable to get past Fritz.

The 2026 edition of the competition will take place at London’s O2 Arena.