18/08/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | AUG 18, 2025

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Barca cruise past Mallorca Catalans open Liga title defence strolling past nine-man Mallorca S PANISH champions Barcelona opened their Liga campaign yester day with an island cruise as they played almost an hour against nine sion I can also imagine.” Manu Morlanes was one of two Mallorca players booked for dissent as they told the referee he should have stopped the game. Ten minutes later, Morlanes received a second yellow for a challenge on the ram pant Yamal and was sent off. a ball clear, Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi challenged with his boot so high he planted his studs on Garcia’s cheek. Muriqi also saw red.

SHORTS Bayern beat Stuttgart to lift German Supercup

CHAMPIONS Bayern Munich eased past VfB Stuttgart 2-1 yesterday thanks to goals from Harry Kane and new signing Luis Diaz to lift the German Supercup. The Bavarians were sharper throughout and their keeper and man-of-the-match Manuel Neuer was in fine form less than a week before the Bundesliga season starts. “I think about the team and to play as best as possible in order to be successful,” Neuer said. “We did that today. It’s nice to be man of the match but it’s always about the team. “We did it well. We won all the matches in pre season and we want to carry this into the Bundesliga season next week.” With all eyes on Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade who Bayern are keen to sign, last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Kane pounced on a defensive error by Luca Jaquez to give Bayern an 18th-minute lead. German Cup winners Stuttgart went in search of a quick equaliser, and Woltemade went close, only for his point-blank shot to be saved by Neuer. The 39-year-old keeper again came to the rescue in the 75th when he showed good reflexes to palm away a deflected shot wide before Colombia international Diaz scored with his first effort on goal, heading in a Serge Gnabry cross 13 minutes from time. Stuttgart grabbed a stoppage-time consolation through Jamie Leweling’s close-range header. Hamburg avoid Cup embarrassment, Leipzig win HAMBURG narrowly avoided an embarrassing first round German Cup exit at fifth-tier Pirmasens yesterday, coming back to win 2-1 in extra time. Trailing to the semi-professional side after a 52nd-minute goal from Yannick Griess, Hamburg drew level in stoppage time when Guilherme Ramos headed in from a corner. In extra time, Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer scored on the 100-minute mark to put the 1983 European Cup winners in front. Six-time German champions Hamburg returned to the top flight this season after seven years in the second division, following a first ever relegation in 2018. Fellow Hamburg-based side St Pauli needed a penalty shootout to move past neighbours Eintracht Norderstedt when the match finished scoreless after extra time. Former champions RB Leipzig twice came from behind to win 4-2 at fourth-tier Sandhausen. The 2015 winners Wolfsburg hammered fifth-tier Hemelingen 9-0, while fellow first division sides Freiburg, Heidenheim and Hoffenheim also made it through their opening ties. Pogba watches in Monaco win PAUL POGBA watched as Monaco easily beat Le Havre 3-1 in their Ligue 1 opener yesterday as Lyon won away at Lens. On Saturday French giants Marseille suffered a first-day upset 1-0 at 10-man Rennes. In yesterday’s late game last season’s fourth placed team Nice fell 1-0 at home to Toulouse, but Monaco and Lyon avoided upsets. Georges Mikautadze scored the only goal as Lyon won 1-0 in northern France while 2018 World Cup winner Pogba’s appearance in the locker room at the Louis II Stadium was one of the highlights of the first half of Monaco’s game. Dressed in a vintage Monaco jersey, a cap on his head, and a big smile on his face, Pogba saw his team quickly take the measure of an outclassed Le Havre. Midfielder Pogba signed a two-year contract with Monaco from Juventus this summer in a bid to relaunch his career back home in France. The former Manchester United player had made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim. However, to see Pogba in a Monaco jersey, fans will have to wait a little longer, along with Guinea Bissau forward Ansu Fati, the club’s other big summer signing.

men on their way to a 3-0 victory in Mallorca. Barcelona’s second half stroll did not please coach Hansi Flick. “They’re three important points, but I didn’t like the match,” he told broadcaster Movistar . “After going two goals up and following Mallorca’s two red cards, I think the team only gave 50% and I didn’t like that. “Playing at 50 or 60% is not possible against nine players.” Two of Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or nominees combined to put the visitors ahead after seven minutes, Lamine Yamal crossing for Raphinha to head in. Yamal played a key role in the second goal after 23 minutes. Mallorca defender Antonio Raillo headed away the teenager’s shot and then fell to the ground. As the referee waved play on and Mallorca failed to clear, the ball fell to Ferran Torres. He fired home from the edge of the box. “If I would be on the other side of the decision I also would be not happy but I always say to my team until the refe ree stops the match we have to con tinue,” said Flick speaking in English at the post-match press conference. “The referee didn’t stop the match so there you go. “That they are unhappy with that deci NEWCASTLE got a worrying glimpse of life without Alexander Isak as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their Premier League opener at Aston Villa despite Ezri Konsa’s dismissal. Villa defender Konsa was sent off for a professional foul on Anthony Gordon midway through the second half on Saturday. But Newcastle were unable to take advantage in a toothless display that showed why they are so desperate to keep hold of Isak. The Sweden striker was not involved against Villa after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave to join Premier League champions Liverpool. Isak, 25, was the subject of a rejected £110 million (RM628m) bid from Liverpool earlier this month. “I don’t think we dominated, chance wise, the way we wanted. “We were maybe a little bit too anxious to score,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. “If you’re not totally together in the Premier League, you’re going to find it very difficult, but I think we answered a few questions today in terms of our spirit.” Isak, who helped Newcastle secure Champions League qualification and end their 56-year trophy drought last season, is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022. He did not take part in Newcastle’s pre season tour, training alone at his former club in Spain instead. Gordon led the line in Isak’s absence as the England winger started out of posi tion in the centre of Newcastle’s three man attack. Anthony Elanga made his Newcastle

Barcelona strolled through the second half. Flick brought on summer loan signing Marcus Rashford, whose league registration only cleared on Saturday morning, for his Liga debut. Deep into injury time Yamal picked up the ball on the right, left three defenders trailing as he cut across the top of the penalty area and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner with the final kick of the game. “He surprises you every day. He’s a spec tacular player,” said Flick. In the evening’s late games Valencia drew 1-1 at home to Real Sociedad. Diego Lopez gave the hosts a 57th-minute lead, Takefusa Kubo replied three minutes later. In Vitoria, Argentine centreback Facundo Tenaglia fired home from close range after a free kick in added time to give hosts Alaves a 2-1 victory over promoted Levante. Real Madrid close the opening round on Wednesday (3am Malaysian time) against Osasuna. On Saturday, Jorge de Frutos scored the first goal of the new La Liga season to set Rayo Vallecano on their way to a 3-1 win over 10-man Girona. Real Oviedo’s return to the

In the 39th minute, as Barcelona’s debu tant goalkeeper Joan Garcia jumped to head

Barca’s Lamine Yamal (front) in action with Mallorca’s Johan Mojica. – REUTERSPIC

top flight after a 24-year absence began on a flat note with a 2-0 defeat at Villarreal. – AFP

Newcastle held by 10-man Villa

debut after the winger’s £55 million (RM314m) move from Nottingham Forest, while Malick Thiaw, a defender signed from AC Milan, was among the substi tutes. Without Isak to power their attack, Newcastle were unable to make their territorial dominance count as Howe was left hoping for a swift resolution to the transfer saga, which could run until the window closes in September. “From my perspec

tive, you want a reso lution quickly. It’s taking away the focus of the players and

the sup porters,” H o w e said. “ W e want to be united together. We’d like a resolution, but we’re not in control of that.” V i l l a boss Unai

Emery could take heart from his team’s backs-to-the wall effort after Konsa’s exit.

Emery had admitted it was a “challenging” transfer window after his club were constrained by Premier League profit and sustain ability rules, leaving them with just two new signings. – AFP

Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne (left) in action with Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga. – REUTERSPIC