La Liga

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI brushed aside his midweek blank against former side Bayern Munich by netting twice against Elche.The £42.5million summer signing helped Xavi’s side go top of La Liga ahead of tomorrow’s Madrid derby.
Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring from close rangeCredit: Getty
The striker has scored 11 goals in eight games for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
Lewandowski swept home his second after the breakCredit: Reuters
Lewandowski, 34, now has EIGHT goals in just six league appearances for his new side, and 11 in eight games in all competitions.
Elche were reduced to 10 men less than 15 minutes into the game, defender Gonzalo Verdu being shown a straight red for hauling down Lewandowski with the striker through on goal.
After fluffing his lines in midweek against his old team, Lewandowski couldn’t miss after 33 minutes when Alejandro Balde squared it for him when he was stood three yards out from goal.
Memphis Depay added another four minutes before the break, with Balde again the provider.
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The Dutchman showed impressive strength to hold off a defender as the ball was played into his feet, and fancy footwork to roll it onto his left foot before slamming into the roof of the net.
The home side thought they had scored again two minutes later, but Gavi’s effort was ruled out for offside.
Barca though were always going to score again, and barely looked like they broke sweat on their way to a fifth league win of the season.
Sure enough the third came minutes after the restart.
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And, as all the best strikers are, Lewandowski was in the right place at the right time for the third.
A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to him eight yards out, and he made no mistake to sweep home for his second of the match.
That’s now five wins out of six for Xavi’s side, and the perfect way to put Tuesday’s disappointing result in Munich in the rear-view mirror.
Barca end the day top of the league, a point ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Although Carlo Ancelotti’s side can return to the summit if they win tomorrow’s derby against Atletico.
Memphis Depay netted in between Lewandowski’s strikesCredit: EPA More

REAL MADRID and Atletico Madrid ultras geared up for this weekend’s derby by having a FIGHT in a park.A violent scrap between the bitter rivals was organised ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Real Madrid and Atletico ultras organised a fight ahead of tomorrow’s derbyCredit: MARCA
Pictures showed the two sets of fans engaged in a violent brawlCredit: MARCA
Pictures of the 20-person 10 vs 10 brawl were posted on social media and credited to Marca.
The Real Madrid ultras were dressed in white, while their Atletico counterparts wore red.
The two sets of supporters were snapped brutally trading kicks and punches in an unknown location.
But social media users were quick to hit out at the ultras for their foolishness.
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One wrote: “This is actually just ridiculous.”
Another said: “Stupidity at the highest, highest level.”
And a third simply commented: “Idiots.”
It’s not the first time so-called fans have used football to organise a mass brawl.
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Back in 2017 footage went viral of Russian hooligans fighting in a field following a Moscow derby between CSKA and Spartak.
Real Madrid make the short trip across town for tomorrow’s game looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have won all five of their LaLiga games so far this season.
Atletico meanwhile have drawn one and lost one out of their five games so far. More

REAL MADRID chiefs have vowed to take legal action if any of their players are subject to racist remarks.This comes after Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr was told to “respect rivals and stop playing the monkey” by Spanish agent Pedro Bravo after he celebrated scoring against Mallorca.
Vinicius Jr was heavily criticised for his celebration after scoring against MallorcaCredit: EPA
The winger has vowed to continue his celebrations despite Bravo’s commentsCredit: EPA
Bravo’s comments led to numerous accusations of racism which are currently being dealt with by Real Madrid.
An official club statement read: “Real Madrid C.F. condemns all types of racist and xenophobic language and behaviour in football, sport and life in general, such as the regrettable and unfortunate comments made against our player Vinicius Junior in the last few hours.
“Real Madrid would like to express its affection and support for Vinicius Junior, a player who regards football as an attitude towards life through joy, respect and sportsmanship.
“Football is the most global sport there is and should be a model of values and coexistence.
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“The club has directed its legal services to take legal action against anyone who makes racist remarks towards our players.”
Vinicius has also spoken out on the issue and has insisted that he will continue to dance and celebrate as it makes him happy.
In a heartfelt video, he said: “They say that happiness bothers.
“The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more.
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“But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that.
“You can’t even imagine it. I was a victim of a xenophobic and racist comment. But none of that started yesterday.”
The Brazilian superstar then pointed out that he was not the first player to dance in celebration after scoring, listing a number of other players who have done the same but have not been called out for it.
He added: “Weeks ago they began to criminalise my dances. Dances that are not mine.
“They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, [Lucas] Paqueta, [Antoine] Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha… they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers, and black Americans.
“Those are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I’m not going to stop.”
Bravo has since apologised, claiming that the comment was not intended to be viewed as racist.
The Spaniard tweeted: “I want to clarify that the expression “playing the monkey” that I have misused to qualify Vinicius’ goal celebration dance was done metaphorically (“doing stupid things”).
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“Since my intention was not to offend anyone, I sincerely apologise. I am sorry!”
Real Madrid are set to take on rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday before the international break kicks off next week. More

FOOTBALL fans are convinced Barcelona star Gavi was handed a girl’s phone number during his shirt signing.The 18-year-old signed a new deal with the Catalan giants earlier this week to keep him stay at the club until 2026.
The woman gave Gavi a note after he signed a Barcelona flag for herCredit: Twitter
Gavi took the note and put it on his lapCredit: Twitter
He then posed for a photo with the girl before she moved onCredit: Twitter
Following the announcement, he hosted a shirt signing for the fans after pledging his future to the Spanish outfit.
But one female fan was spotted handing him a piece of paper before posing for a photo with the teenager.
And social media is convinced she was handing Gavi her number during the brief encounter.
One person said: “Gavi, renewal and phone number to take 😂😂.”
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Another added: “Now that he has renewed and is going to collect his money, now the girl leaves her number.”
Gavi had attracted interest from a host of clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

And the clock was ticking on Barca agreeing a new deal as his existing contract expired in the summer.
But now an extension has been confirmed, with a startling release clause of €1billion (£868million) included in the terms.
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Gavi has already played 53 times for Barcelona, scoring two goals.
And on the international stage he has amassed ten caps for Spain.
Alongside Pedri, Gavi is seen as the future of his club and country’s midfield.
Under LaLiga rules it is mandatory for every player to have a release clause in their contract.
And big release clauses are nothing new in Spanish football.
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In fact, Barcelona youngsters Ansu Fati and Pedri both have £868m buy-out clauses in their current deals.
New summer signing Jules Kounde – a target of Chelsea – also has the same bumper clause in his contract. More

SPANISH FA chief Luis Rubiales has been accused of using federation funds to pay for sex parties – by the uncle he sacked.Juan Rubiales, who was booted from his role as chief of staff at the FA’s Madrid headquarters in 2020, alleged his nephew organised the “private party” with “eight or 10 young girls” and made him pay for it with association funds.
Luis Rubiales has been accused of using Spanish FA funds to pay for sex partiesCredit: AP
Rubiales is president of the Spanish FACredit: EPA
Rubiales senior made the claims in a testimony to Spain’s anti-corruption prosecution office on May 30, but the details have just been published.
It is understood that in his voluntary statement, he told of “a party in a private chalet” in the town of Salobrena in Granada province in early 2020.
His evidence to the corruption department was that the event was officially designated as a “work” event but that “it was not so”.
Instead, he claimed, the rental of the house was “solely for the enjoyment of Luis Rubiales and his closest advisors”, with the cost paid from FA funds.
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Critically, he also alleged that a long-standing former team-mate of ex-Levante and Alicante defender Rubiales – he played three games for Hamilton Academicals at the end of his career in 2009 – organised the party guests.
Juan Rubiales said: “A group of eight or 10 young girls was invited by the President’s friend and former player Nene.”
Rubiales also alleged that in August 2020 he had been told by his nephew to “find a formula to get money” to his father, also named Luis, who is a local politician and former mayor of the Granadan town of Motril.
According to Juan Rubiales, he offered to find the money from his own pocket but was instead ordered to ensure the money came from FA funds, causing a blazing row between the two.
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The allegations brought firm denials and an angry response from the Spanish FA on Rubiales’ behalf.
In a statement the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) said it “deeply regrets and categorically denies the statements” made by Juan Rubiales.
It added: “This is once again a new exercise in falsehoods and manipulation by a former federative employee motivated by spite, as well as by his demonstrated alliances and recognized by those who seek a constant deterioration of the image of the president of the RFEF.”
The federation dismissed the claims of “irregular and inappropriate behaviour at a work meeting with other department directors at which he was present.”
And in direct denials to the sex party claims, it added: “The former chief of staff refers to a coexistence of planning and organisation of federative executives in the town of Salobrena.
“The accommodation was entirely paid by each attendee, including Juan Rubiales. Neither the employees nor the RFEF were involved in any irregularity. 
“Despite the seriousness of the alleged facts, Juan Rubiales has not provided a single piece of evidence either in the Prosecutor’s Office or in court to support his accusations. 
“Neither on that date nor on any other was a single euro dedicated to issues that are not specific to the federation’s activity. 
“This is one more step in the infamous campaign that the president has been suffering in recent months.”
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That referred to the scandal which enmeshed Rubiales over a £20m commission paid by the RFEF to Barcelona star Gerard Pique for organising the Spanish Super Cup that was played in Saudi Arabia.
Tapes of private conversations with members of the Spanish government also emerged while Rubiales claimed to be the victim of a hacking “mafia” targeting him, suggesting the “criminal” gang behind the leaks might consider killing him or planting drugs in his car. More