Another weekend of European football provided plenty of drama, excitement and goals. If you checked the box scores, you’d think there were few surprises as the weekend’s action got underway, but those full-time figures tell only half the story.
Sunday saw Real Madrid suffer a post-Clasico hangover of their own in a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano, a game that also saw superstar midfielder Jude Bellingham suffer a shoulder injury. In the big Women’s Super League (WSL) match of the day, Arsenal ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run with an impressive late 2-1 victory, while the U.S. stars in Europe endured mixed days.
On Saturday, Harry Kane starred for Bayern Munich in his first Bundesliga Der Klassiker, Chelsea women dominated Aston Villa in the WSL before news broke that their manager Emma Hayes will depart at the end of the season and Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery continues to shine in Ligue 1. Finally, Barcelona left it until late to clinch a winner against a tough Real Sociedad side.
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Here’s what you missed.
Sunday’s talking points
Bellingham survives injury scare as Real Madrid are frustrated by Rayo
Ten minutes played at the Bernabeu, and the stadium held its breath. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s star player so far this season, was lying on the turf after an awkward fall, holding his shoulder and clearly in pain. Concerned teammates gathered around and the team’s physio and doctor began treatment.
Was this the answer to how Bellingham’s incredible goal-scoring run — 10 LaLiga goals this season, 13 in all competitions — would end?
When Bellingham walked off the pitch without needing to use a stretcher, the tension eased a little. When he shook himself off, nodding his head as if to say he was OK to continue, it eased again. Then, a thumbs up from the doctor, aimed across the pitch at coach Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff. Bellingham was fine. Seconds later, he was back on the field.
If this seems like making a lot out of not very much, you’re right. There was no serious injury as Bellingham completed the 90 minutes, but the momentary panic that gripped the stadium at the prospect of the midfielder being ruled out for any significant period of time was also notable given his importance to the team since his arrival. Where would Real Madrid be without those 10 league goals? Centre-forward Joselu is next best, with five. Winger Vinícius Júnior has two. Rodrygo has one.
Ahead of this game with Rayo Vallecano, Ancelotti backed the Brazilians — Vinícius and Rodrygo — to outscore Bellingham and Joselu by the season’s end. He might believe it; more likely is that he was trying to boost their confidence. Vinicius and Joselu started in attack here, with Rodrygo held in reserve, and both had first-half chances they couldn’t convert. With 20 minutes left and the score still 0-0, Rodrygo was introduced, Ancelotti switching to a front three.
Within seconds of his introduction, he had shot just off target after a clever passing move set him free inside the box. The team looked more dangerous with Rodrygo on the pitch, but there was still no breakthrough. Madrid had a total of 22 shots in the game, but just five of them were on target, with an xG (expected goals) of 1.93.
Rayo offered little, playing for the fulltime whistle, delighted with a point. Madrid did enough to deserve the win, but the game ended 0-0, raising the same question once again: If Bellingham doesn’t score, does this team have enough goals? — Alex Kirkland
Arsenal get the better of Manchester City in Sunday’s marquee WSL clash
Sophie Lawson reacts to Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Manchester City in the Women’s Super League.
Sunday’s big game in the Women’s Super League saw Arsenal end Man City’s unbeaten season with an impressive 2-1 win at Borehamwood. Things started well for City as they were faster to every ball, swarming the midfield and overrunning the Arsenal box. But the early dominance counted for very little when the hosts took the lead with their first effort, with Arsenal in the Arsenal said they “Newcastle United, imploring the referees body (PGMOL) to look into the standards of refereeing.
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With the announcement that Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes will leave the club at the end of the season, Arsenal manager Premier League. Gordon’s 64th-minute goal on Saturday was awarded by referee Stuart Attwell after three separate VAR checks to assess whether the ball had gone out of play, if Joelinton had committed a foul with a push on Gunners defender Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside. The decision to give the goal resulted in the Gunners’ first league defeat of the season. Arteta said: “We have to talk about how the hell this goal stands up. I feel embarrassed. It is an absolute disgrace this goal is allowed. It’s not a goal — for many reasons.”
