Life under Ronald Koeman got off to a solid start with successive wins over Villarreal and at Celta Vigo, where they historically struggle, but Sunday s visit of Sevilla posed their first real test of the season.

Ultimately Barca had to make do with a 1-1 draw, though it is fair to say it could have been worse on a different day as Sevilla looked every inch a side potentially capable of giving the Blaugrana and LaLiga champions Real Madrid a run for their money this term.

Julen Lopetegui s Sevilla were physical, tidy in possession and mostly water-tight defensively – arguably the only part of their game that could have improved was their accuracy in front of goal, as just one of their 13 shots hit the target.

But while the point is a good one for Sevilla, it ac…

Xavi declared Barcelona s slender 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao as a golden victory after they survived a late onslaught to restore their nine-point lead ahead of next weekend s Clasico.

Raphinha s first-half goal at San Mames ultimately proved decisive, but that was just the tip of the iceberg as Barca were forced to withstand intense late pressure.

Earlier, Raul Garcia had hit the post for the hosts, and Athletic s late barrage began with Alex Berenguer striking the woodwork.

Athletic thought they salvaged a dramatic draw when Inaki Williams surged clear and smashed home, but the goal was then disallowed after a VAR check, with Iker Muniain deemed to have handled in the build-up.

Nico Williams then somehow failed to properly connect with the ball when se…

Michael O’Neill believes 2024 can bring a “rebirth” for Northern Ireland but knows he must also forge a new identity for his young team.

A hugely disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that was ruined by injuries forced O’Neill to accelerate the rebuilding process Northern Ireland knew was coming, and the next steps will be seen in friendlies now and in June before the Nations League returns in September.

A new generation spearheaded by the likes of Conor Bradley, Isaac Price, Trai Hume and Shea Charles offers great hope – as did November’s 2-0 win over Denmark – but O’Neill knows he must now mould this inexperienced squad into a team that can play to their collective strengths.

Some changes to our squad to report

— Northern Irela…

Portland Timbers are through to the MLS Western Conference final after a dramatic 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids.

Larrys Mabiala struck in the final seconds of regulation time as the visitors broke the hosts hearts at Dick s Sporting Goods Park.

The Timbers will play either Sporting Kansas City or Real Salt Lake in the Western showpiece after inflicting a first home defeat in 17 on the Rapids – and eighth defeat in nine play-off games.

Although, Giovanni Savarese s side ended the contest with 10 men as Dairon Asprilla was dismissed after appearing to strike Braian Galvan in the face.

LARRYS MABIALA YOU LEGEND

— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC)

The Rapids were unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Timbers and carried the greate…

England defender Maya Le Tissier has signed a new contract extension at Manchester United.

The centre-back joined United from Women’s Super League rivals Brighton in July 2022 and has gone on to make 59 appearances.

Her existing contract was due to expire next year but she has pledged her future to United, with the length of the deal not disclosed.

Your Friday just got better has signed a new contract with United

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen)

“I’m really happy to sign a contract extension with this great club and look forward to ending the season strong, while continuing to build for the future,” the 22-year-old said on www.manutd.com.

“A big thank you to all our fantastic fans for their great support since I joi…

Market: Vasco win

Odds: 8/13 @

Hoping to claim back-to-back Serie A victories late on Thursday night, Vasco will welcome Coritiba to the Sao Januario.

Starting with the hosts, putting in a rampant performance over the weekend as they landed a 4-2 victory at home against Fluminense, Vasco are enjoying a recent flurry. While Ramon Diaz’s men might have only made their Serie A return this season, the Admirals are desperate to extend on their top-flight status this time around. Opening the midweek fixtures sat five points adrift of safety, the rio de Janerio-based outfit will know that they face another crucial showdown here. However, with their eye-catching resurge underlined by a stellar 1-0 win against top-four contenders Gremio last month, Vasco have suffered …

Rodri claims he “saw only one team” trying to win as he bemoaned Real Madrid’s tactics following Manchester City’s heartbreaking Champions League quarter-final loss.

City’s European title defence ended in agonising fashion at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday as the Spanish giants prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on the night meant the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.

It was a clash the holders completely dominated, racking up 33 attempts on goal to the visitors’ eight, but Real defended deep to frustrate them and ultimately ended their hopes of a second successive treble.

City midfielder Rodri said: “To be honest, I saw only one team. In terms of defending, they defended (well). They knew how to suffer and we know how tough Real Madrid are.

…

Former Real Madrid president Vicente Boluda has announced he will stand against Florentino Perez in the next elections.

The Valencian businessman, a member of the club since 1998 and briefly president in 2009, intends to run against the incumbent Perez in 2021.

Perez, who took over from Boluda in 2009 after the latter had taken office temporarily following Ramon Calderon s resignation, was re-elected unopposed for a new four-year term in 2017.

Real Madrid have a president who is doing really well, Boluda said at a business event in Valencia on Monday, according to Cadena SER.

It s another thing that, next year, there will be new elections and I want there to be elections, and for that there have to be two candidates and one has to be different to the o…

Newcastle signed off from St James’ Park this season with a 100 per cent record of scoring in every home game this season the first time they have achieved that feat in the Premier League era.

However, the Magpies could only muster a 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday, leaving their hopes of securing a top-six finish hanging in the balance.

Newcastle remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League since the start of February (W4 D4), with this point being the ninth they have rescued from a losing position at home in that time the second most of any team over that period (behind only Tottenham on 12).

Eddie’s Howe s side gave everything to score a second goal but were unable to convert their chances.

Sixth spot looks like the highest they can finish…

Robert Lewandowski does not see any chance of a future at Bayern Munich, saying his story at the club is over.

It was confirmed earlier this month that Lewandowski had refused the offer of a new contract at Bayern, whom he joined in 2014 on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

The striker has helped Bayern win eight straight Bundesliga titles, as well as the Champions League in 2020.

Last season, he broke Gerd Muller s Bundesliga record of 40 goals in a single campaign, and this term he netted 50 in all competitions for the Bavarian giants.

However, his contract expires at the end of next season and Bayern now have to face cashing in this year or allowing him to leave for free in 2023.

Lewandowski wants to join Barcelona, whose coach Xavi has …