Madrid derby drama
Fede Valverde smashed in a stunning free-kick inside two minutes as Real Madrid beat Atletico 2-1 to reach the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, where they will face Barcelona.
Rodrygo added a second before Alexander Sørloth’s late header set up a nervy finish, with Diego Simeone’s side ultimately left to rue missed chances.
Image Source: Real Madrid C.F. @realmadrid(X Handle)
Vini vs Simeone flashpoint
Xabi Alonso publicly criticised Diego Simeone for repeatedly shouting at Vinícius Júnior on the touchline during the derby, admitting he “didn’t like it” and calling for more respect towards creative players under pressure.
Diego Simeone told Vinicius Jr during the game:
🗣️"Vini, Vini… Florentino will kick you out, remember I told you!"
and this statement did not well with the coach of Xavi Alonso, who said *"I didn't like it. I saw that 'Cholo' said something to him. For me, those things cross a line in terms of respect of a colleague... not anything goes." *
Martinelli–Bradley incident
Liverpool are furious with Gabriel Martinelli after the Arsenal forward dropped the ball onto injured full-back Conor Bradley and then tried to push him off the pitch, moments before the defender was stretchered off clutching his knee.
Pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane branded the act “disgraceful” and “idiotic”, while Martinelli has since apologised, with both Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot insisting there was no intent to injure but stressing player safety must come first.
Arsenal go six clear, United unrest
Arsenal’s 0-0 home draw with Liverpool was tepid as a spectacle but still enough to move the Gunners six points clear at the top, after Manchester City were also held in midweek.
Manchester United fans are planning fresh protests, venting that the club has become “a laughing stock” amid ongoing poor results and continued frustration with the direction of the ownership and sporting structure.
Mourinho’s Benfica lockdown
Jose Mourinho reacted to Benfica’s 3-1 League Cup semi-final defeat to Braga by ordering his squad to sleep at the Seixal training ground, saying he hoped they would “not sleep at all” and instead reflect on a dismal display.
PSG lift Super Cup in Kuwait
PSG beat Marseille on penalties in Kuwait to claim the French Champions Trophy, winning the shootout 4-1 after a dramatic 2-2 draw in normal time.
Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring before a Mason Greenwood penalty and a late PSG own goal flipped the game, only for Gonçalo Ramos to equalise in the fifth minute of stoppage time and Lucas Chevalier to star in the shootout.
AFCON controversy: Algeria apology
The Algerian FA issued an apology after one of its players appeared to mock a DR Congo superfan dressed as pan-African icon Patrice Lumumba, prompting backlash over disrespectful behaviour towards a symbol of African unity.
Huge blow for Spurs: Kudus out
Tottenham have confirmed winger Mohammed Kudus will be out until after the March international break with a quadriceps tendon injury suffered just 19 minutes into the 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
The £55m Ghana star, who has two goals and five assists in the league this season, is not expected back before April, dealing Thomas Frank a major blow as Spurs battle to climb from the bottom half of the table.
