(Reuters) – Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid closed the gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona to six points with a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, a week before the rivals meet.
Real, who have won three straight games in all competitions following the international break, climbed to third on 21 points, one behind Atletico Madrid, while Sevilla are sixth on 14.
Elsewhere, Osasuna withstood second-half pressure from Racing Santander to win 2-0 in Jagoba Arrasate’s first game back as manager.
Two flying saves from Ionut Radu denied Alaves a point in a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo, while Real Sociedad won 5-2 at Malaga.
REAL TURN ON THE STYLE
Despite the suspended Vinicius Jr’s absence, Real produced the fluid attacking football that has been lacking of late with Arda Guler again orchestrating their best work.
After a stale opening, the Turkey international sparked the match into life. Sevilla appealed for a red card following an incident involving Guler and Peque Fernandez, but Guler responded minutes later by collecting Yan Diomande’s pass and arrowing a shot into the top corner.
Mbappe scored an equally impressive second in the 37th minute, turning brilliantly to burst through on goal before calmly beating Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Fede Valverde, restored to right back by coach Jose Mourinho, made a crucial block to deny Felix Correia just before the hour as Sevilla threatened to work their way back into the contest.
Diomande then exploited the space created by Sevilla’s more adventurous approach, evading his marker before sending Mbappe in behind the defence. Andres Castrin brought down the French forward, who got to his feet to convert the resulting penalty and effectively settle the contest.
Substitute Manu Bueno reduced Sevilla’s arrears with a composed finish 10 minutes from time after Mbappe cheaply surrendered possession deep inside his own half.
Diomande restored Real’s three-goal advantage two minutes later, capping a fine display with a thunderous strike.
Eder Militao received a warm ovation when he came on in the 85th minute for his first appearance since undergoing hamstring surgery in April.
Mourinho will take encouragement from one of the most complete performances of his second spell at Real as they prepare for next Sunday’s pivotal meeting with Barcelona.
The post Mbappe double helps Real Madrid sweep aside Sevilla ahead of El Clasico first appeared on Fastbreak.
Australian Ben Simmons’s NBA return hit a brutal setback on Sunday as the Sacramento Kings announced the former number one draft pick had torn his right Achilles tendon in training.
“Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons was injured during a live drill in practice on Sunday,” the Kings said in a statement. “An MRI revealed a torn right Achilles tendon. Simmons will undergo surgery. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”
Simmons had missed last season with nagging back injuries but agreed to a one-year deal with the Kings in September.
The 30-year-old point guard was the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by Philadelphia but missed the 2016-17 campaign with a broken right foot.
He earned the 2018 Rookie of the Year award, but his injury-plagued tenure in Philadelphia ended acrimoniously in 2022 and he last played in the NBA in early 2025 as a reserve with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons has averaged 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists a game over eight NBA seasons, producing his best numbers with the 76ers before sitting out the 2021-22 campaign then being traded to Brooklyn, where he struggled and was waived in 2025 before finishing the season with the Clippers.
Simmons had boosted interest from clubs in August after a strong training camp with the Australian national team.
The Kings were 22-60 last season. They have reached the playoffs only once since 2006, falling to Golden State in the first round in 2023. (AFP)
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Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings kept its playoff hopes alive after overpowering Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 106-89, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Earl Scottie Thompson delivered a conference-best 29 points to go with 10 rebounds to power the Gin Kings to a commanding victory, improving their record to 4-5 as they continued their push for a quarterfinal berth.
Import Jordan Murphy also had a big night, finishing with 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Japeth Aguilar and Jeremiah Gray chipped in 12 points apiece.
Ginebra seized control early, taking a 36-28 lead in the opening quarter before extending its advantage with a 29-point second-period explosion.
The Gin Kings tightened their defense in the third, limiting Phoenix to 15 points while building a lead that eventually reached 26.
Phoenix struggled to keep pace with Ginebra’s balanced attack, with Marcellus Earlington leading the Fuel Masters with 22 points. Ricci Rivero and Kai Ballungay contributed 10 points each. They dropped to 5-4. (Adrian Co)
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