Despite Kylian Mbappe's promising start for Real Madrid, the team was held to a 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca on Sunday. The French superstar's efforts were hindered by Mallorca keeper Dominik Greif, and Madrid's victory seemed uncertain as the hosts' Vedat Muriqi scored an equalizing header. Despite their star-studded lineup, Madrid struggled to break down Mallorca's defense and their chances of winning the game were jeopardized when Los Blancos defender Ferland Mendy was sent off in stoppage time.
Real Madrid Draws 1-1 with Mallorca Despite Mbappe's Efforts
Spanish football giants, Real Madrid, were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Real Mallorca in a match that saw Kylian Mbappe, the team's new star signing, struggle to make an impact.
Background:
Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer of 2022 for a transfer fee of €160 million. The French forward has been one of the most sought-after players in world football and his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu was met with great excitement and anticipation.
Match Summary:
Mbappe started the match brightly for Real Madrid, but he was well-marshaled by Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif, who made several impressive saves to deny the French superstar. Despite Mbappe's efforts, the visitors struggled to break down Mallorca's resolute defense.
In the 28th minute, Vedat Muriqi, the Mallorca striker, rose highest to meet a cross from Antonio Raillo and headed the ball past Thibaut Courtois in the Real Madrid goal.
Real Madrid pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but they were dealt a blow when defender Ferland Mendy was sent off in the 64th minute for a second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid continued to press for a goal and eventually found it through Eder Militao in the 87th minute.
Top 5 FAQs:
Punjab Kings made a statement at the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing the services of Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer for a whopping INR 26.75 crores. This made Iyer the most expensive player in IPL history, before being surpassed by Rishabh Pant who was bought for INR 27 crores by Lucknow Super Giants. PBKS had the largest purse of INR 110.5 crores and retained only two players from last season, making impressive signings such as Yuzvendra Chahal and coach Ricky Ponting.
Punjab Kings made waves in the IPL 2022 auction by acquiring top-rated spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for a record-breaking price of INR 18 crore. Despite being out of the national team, Chahal's alluring performance in previous IPL seasons and his skills as a leg-spinner made him a hot property in the auction. With this signing, Punjab Kings have further strengthened their already formidable team, making them a top contender for the upcoming season.
The 2025 IPL mega auction saw the Rajasthan Royals make some strategic purchases, with the team adding five new players to its roster. Among its top picks were England pacer Jofra Archer and Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Fans can look forward to an exciting season as the team gears up for 2025.
In a pivotal moment of the first Test between India and Australia, stand-in captain Virat Kohli convinced ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah to take the Decision Review System (DRS) after the on-field umpire initially ruled out debutant Nathan McSweeney. The review ultimately led to McSweeney's dismissal, giving India the crucial breakthrough they needed. Despite a rocky start for the Indian top-order, a partnership between Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy helped them reach a total of 150 before the end of the day. With Australia still trailing by 83 runs, India will look to build on their momentum in the second innings.
In a dominant display, Kerala Blasters defeated Chennaiyin FC 3-0 in an Indian Super League match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Despite a strong start from Chennaiyin, who were missing key players due to illness and suspension, Blasters took the lead early in the second half and never looked back. The win keeps Kerala in the hunt for a playoff spot, while Chennaiyin's hopes of a top-four finish took a hit.
Zimbabwe pulls off a shocking upset against Pakistan in the first match of their three-match One Day International series. Despite a shaky start, Zimbabwe manages to put up a respectable 205 runs thanks to Sikandar Raza and Richard Ngarava's partnership. With an impressive performance from debutant Faisal Akram, Zimbabwe bowls out Pakistan for just 125 runs, securing an 80-run win on the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern system. This report is brought to you by Reuters.
After being a key member of the Mumbai Indians' title-winning campaign in the IPL 2020 season, Trent Boult returns to the franchise in the mega IPL 2025 auction. The 35-year-old New Zealand pacer has established himself as one of the best new ball bowlers in the world, with a total of 317 test wickets, 211 ODI wickets, and 83 T20I wickets. Known for his ability to swing the new ball, Boult has also been a crucial member of India's test team, helping them win the ICC World Test Championship in 2021. After playing for five different IPL franchises, Boult's return to Mumbai Indians is bound to make headlines in the cricket world.
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive batting and off-spin bowling, will be rejoining Punjab Kings for the IPL 2025 season. This will mark his fourth stint with the franchise, having previously played for Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians as well. Despite attracting interest from other teams, Maxwell's value of INR 4.2 crores came as a surprise to many, given his reputation as one of the top players in the T20I format. Fans can look forward to a strong partnership between Maxwell and Shreyas Iyer in the Punjab Kings' middle order.
The IPL 2024 Auction saw intense bidding for former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer, who was eventually sold to Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs 26.75 crore, the highest ever bid in IPL history. KKR and Punjab Kings engaged in a heated bidding war for Iyer, with the player's base price of Rs 2 crore quickly escalating to Rs 20 crore. In the end, it was Punjab Kings who secured Iyer for their team, leaving fans stunned and excited for the upcoming season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction witnessed a heated bidding war for young wicket-keeper opener Ishan Kishan. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman was eventually bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping price of INR 11.25 crore. With his success in international cricket and impressive IPL record, Kishan has become one of the most sought-after players in the auction. His previous teams, Gujarat Lions and Mumbai Indians, also showed interest in him but it was SRH who secured his services.