Sports
Lamine Yamal and his 14 seconds of Lionel Messi-like magic against Alaves
You wonder what went through the mind of Alaves’ left-back, Manu Sanchez, three minutes into the game against Barcelona at Montjuic yesterday.
Lamine Yamal, the player who Sanchez was assigned to mark for the next 87 minutes or so of his life, had dribbled past him and four other team-mates in practically his first involvement of the match.
Sanchez would have been forgiven for thinking he might be in for a long afternoon.
In a way, Alaves can be happy with how they contained Barcelona overall. The Catalans got a scrappy 1-0 win at home against a relegation-battling side in a must-win game, after Real Madrid lost across town against Espanyol the night before. Hansi Flick’s side are now four points behind their main rivals at the top of La Liga, and the 2024-25 title race feels more alive than ever as we enter February.
A packed fixture list on Madrid’s side, including a two-legged Champions League play-off against Manchester City on February 11 and 19, could do Barca, who are straight through to the round of 16 in March, a favour too.
But weeks and perhaps months will pass, and Yamal’s outrageous early solo run will linger in the minds of those who were present.
It is nothing new to see fans on the edge of their seats every time Yamal gets the football, but the sequence that started at 3:45 on the clock and finished 14 seconds later had most of the 42,900 attending at Montjuic roaring in excitement, louder and louder as he glided by opponent after opponent.
Lamine Yamal. 🤩 #LALIGAHighlights | @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/DNKZSow4Kt
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 2, 2025
It’s sometimes easy to forget that Lamine Yamal is still only 17 years old.
Let’s go back to the very start of this extraordinary move.
Yamal picked up possession on the right-hand side, his comfort zone, but in Barcelona’s half of the pitch. Sanchez was pressing him straight away, but the teenager shifted the ball back in the direction it came, wrongfooting his initial opponent immediately.
After he disarmed Sanchez with a shoulder feint and a dribble on his left foot, Alaves’ left-winger Tomas Conechny was there waiting to double up on the Spain international prodigy.
The 17-year-old shielded the ball, then burst past both players and cut inside towards a central area.
Sanchez admitted defeat at this point and returned to his left-back role, but Conechny chose to persevere, following Yamal and trying to grab his arm.
More backup was needed.
The attacking midfielder Jon Guridi now made an attempt to reach Yamal, but the latter was already operating in a different gear.
Antonio Blanco, one of the visitors’ holding midfielders, tried to step into Yamal but a quick flick of his left foot meant that tackle was useless. Yamal kept moving forward.
Now Conechny was back for round two, this time trying to perform a merciless sliding tackle. In some part of his peripheral vision, the Barca winger saw him coming and quickly switched his ball to the right foot — sending Conechny out for tapas.
Those in the Montjuic stands were loving every second of it, never wanting the run to end.
Guridi and Blanco now tried to take Yamal down again but failed again.
Alaves’ other holding midfielder, Ander Guevara, now stood in Yamal’s path and fancied his luck, but with so many players now crowded around him, Yamal opted to find his team-mate Raphinha in plenty of space out on the left-hand side.
With a trivela pass.
GO DEEPER
Lamine Yamal’s trademark trivela: Dissecting the Barcelona star’s work of art
(Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Raphinha took a shot at goal that went wide, though few in the stadium really cared. The fans were still roaring for Yamal, making the kind of comparisons in their heads with past Barcelona greats that managers understandably tend to try to downplay, for fear of inflaming the hype. But Yamal is no ordinary talent.
“Lamine is already one of the best players in the world, to be honest,” said Alaves full-back Sanchez in an interview with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. And that was before yesterday’s match.
On a similar note, here is Barcelona’s starting goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, in an interview with Italian media outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport last week.
“For me, they’re the two biggest talents I’ve seen in my life, both (Kenan) Yildiz (at Szczesny’s previous club Juventus) and Yamal. They’re very different because Lamine, technically, it’s absurd. Yildiz is stronger physically. He’s already ready physically. But technically, Lamine is… it’s so impressive. So it’s really hard to make a comparison but they’re two extraordinary talents and, in my opinion, they’ll both do big things.”
Yamal’s performance on Sunday went beyond his jaw-dropping run. According to Opta, he attempted 20 dribbles and succeeded with 11 of them, and equalled the most by a Barcelona footballer in a single game since the 2005-06 season at least.
Guess whose record he matched…
Yes, it was Lionel Messi, in 2006-07 against Mallorca. He attempted 20 dribbles that day, completing 10 of them.
Yamal was also involved in the goal against Alaves, which was scored by Robert Lewandowski when he tapped in a volleyed shot by the teenager. La Liga did not count it as an assist, as Yamal’s attempt deflected off Alaves defender Nahuel Tenaglia before reaching Lewandowski. Never mind. He still leads the league for that metric this season with 11 in 19 games.
His progression has been superb since breaking into the Barcelona first team last season, and those around the club feel blessed to have such a talent on their hands.
In the back of their minds, though, there is a silent debate over the best way to handle Yamal. If, at the age of 17, he is already so fundamental to the club’s overall project, what is coming next for him? What is the best way to make sure his development stays on the right track, or to be sure that the teenager’s mind can stay in the right place?
Last week, Flick subbed Yamal off in the dying minutes of their final league-phase match in the Champions League, against Atalanta. The teenager was visibly frustrated with the substitution, as he was enjoying himself after scoring one goal.
As he made his way to the bench, Flick stopped him and had a friendly chat to try to smooth things over. Yamal was then named man of the match, and therefore had some media duties to go through. Initially, he was not feeling in the mood to go and speak to broadcasters but eventually agreed to after a conversation with the club’s press officers.
(Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
It was described more as a heat-of-the-moment situation rather than anything with a deeper significance from those in the dressing room, but in a way reflects how Flick wants to protect Yamal from the public eye and excessive scrutiny during press conferences.
Straight after the win yesterday, he was asked about Yamal’s display and whether it was reminiscent of other club greats such as Messi and Diego Maradona.
“I am not a fan of comparisons and all that,” Flick said. “Lamine is a genius. I’ve already said that in the past. What he did today in some situations was unbelievable. I am so happy that he is a Barca player and I want him to do this week after week.
“Again, he is just 17.”
GO DEEPER
What makes Lamine Yamal such a special footballer?
(Top photo: Josep Lago/AFP via Getty Images)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The group stage is the first step toward World Cup glory.
All 48 nations playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been divided into 12 groups (labeled A-L) of four teams.
With the expanded knockout format of 32 teams advancing past the group stage, winning the group has become more important than ever.
After Germany’s dominant 7-1 win over Curaçao, its odds to win Group E have increased from -210 to -320. Getting three points, combined with gaining a +6 goal differential, has put them in an ideal position after matchday 1.
Ivory Coast also made up a ton of ground after its 1-0 win over Ecuador on Sunday, seeing its odds to win Group E climb from +550 to +260.
Additionally, the U.S. men’s national team’s odds to win Group D saw major movement after its 4-1 win over Paraguay.
USA’s group odds continued to spike after Australia’s upset over Türkiye on Saturday night. Because Türkiye originally had the second-best odds to win the group, their loss had a major impact on the outlook of Group D.
The Stars and Stripes are now -210 to win their group.
Not only did USA’s odds jump, but Australia’s odds to win Group D skyrocketed from +1200 to +300 after its win.
The two nations will play next Friday night at Seattle Stadium for sole possession of first in the group.
Let’s check out the latest odds for all 12 groups at FanDuel Sportsbook, as of June 14.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
Group A winner
Mexico: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)
South Korea: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)
Czechia: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
South Africa: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Group B winner
Switzerland: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)
Canada: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Bosnia: +440 (bet $10 to win $54 total)
Qatar: +2700 (bet $10 to win $280 total)
Group C winner
Brazil: -165 (bet $10 to win $16.06 total)
Morocco: +240 (bet $10 to win $34 total)
Scotland: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Haiti: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
Group D winner
USA: -220 (bet $10 to win $14.55 total)
Australia: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Türkiye: +700 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Paraguay: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Group E winner
Germany: -320 (bet $10 to win $13.13 total)
Ivory Coast: +260 (bet $10 to win $36 total)
Ecuador: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Curaçao: +35000 (bet $10 to win $3,510 total)
Group F winner
Netherlands: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total)
Japan: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)
Sweden: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Tunisia: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Group G winner
Belgium: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Egypt: +480 (bet $10 to win $58 total)
Iran: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
New Zealand: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Group H winner
Spain: -475 (bet $10 to win $12.11 total)
Uruguay: +440 (bet $10 to win $54 total)
Saudi Arabia: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Cape Verde: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Group I winner
France: -230 (bet $10 to win $14.35 total)
Norway: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total)
Senegal: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Iraq: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Group J winner
Argentina: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Austria: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Algeria: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
Jordan: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total)
Group K winner
Portugal: -210 (bet $10 to win $14.76 total)
Colombia: +220 (bet $10 to win $32 total)
DR Congo: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Uzbekistan: +2700 (bet $10 to win $280 total)
Group L winner
England: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Croatia: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
Ghana: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Panama: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
CHICAGO — Dodgers left-hander Jack Dreyer rubbed a new baseball between his hands as he walked back to the mound, a sold-out Rate Field coming alive around him.
Fireworks crackled over the center-field scoreboard. Digital pinwheels spun. Dreyer had just surrendered his second home run of the inning, transforming a low-scoring battle into a lopsided White Sox advantage.
The Dodgers’ recent bullpen problems persisted in a 6-4 loss Sunday, overshadowing a bounce-back effort from Emmet Sheehan. The Dodgers tried to come back in the ninth, but fell short.
“We’ve gotten bit by the long ball, obviously in Pittsburgh, and here tonight,” said bench coach Danny Lehmann, filling in Sunday for manager Dave Roberts while he attended his daughter’s college graduation. “But overall, it’s more the strike throwing and just getting ahead of guys and doing what they’re supposed to do.”
The Dodgers dropped the series 2-1, marking their first series loss since May 8-10 against the Braves.
Sheehan was charged with three runs in five-plus innings, a massive turnaround coming off the second-shortest start of his career, only rivaled by a planned one-inning outing at the end of last season.
Against the Angels last week, Sheehan threw 49 pitches and recorded just four outs before being pulled.
On Sunday, he didn’t give up a hit until the fourth inning.
“He got strike one and then understood when to leave the zone when he needed to,” catcher Dalton Rushing said. “He did a great job of that. I think a couple of those guys picked up on tendencies, jumped on a pitch. I felt they were good pitches. I thought he did his job today and gave us a chance to win.”
Sheehan’s velocity has been an indicator of how synced up his delivery has been on any given start this season.
On Sunday, his 95.1-mph average fastball velocity was 0.7 mph above his season average, according to Statcast — a promising sign. Results followed.
Sheehan retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced, just a hit batter away from perfection. With two outs in the fourth, he gave up a double to Colson Montgomery, on a low line drive up the first-base line, just out of reach of Freddie Freeman as he made a diving attempt.
Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan delivers against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning Sunday.
(Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)
Then against Braden Montgomery, Sheehan worked back from a 2-1 count for an inning-ending strikeout.
Out of Sheehan’s hand, the pitch looked like it was going to cross the plate on the inside corner, about belt high. But as Montgomery started his swing, the firm changeup veered away from his bat at a sharp downward angle.
Montgomery swung over the pitch. A fired-up Sheehan buried his fist in his glove and shouted. With that strikeout, he preserved the Dodgers’ one-run lead.
Freeman provided that run with a solo homer in the first inning. And Sheehan gave the Dodgers plenty of time to extend that lead. In the sixth inning, however, the White Sox finally got to him.
“I definitely felt better early,” Sheehan said. “And then more of the same towards the end. Just pretty frustrating.”
Sheehan’s fastball to Sam Antonacci wasn’t in a bad spot. But in an 0-2 count, he could have put it a little higher or farther inside. Antonacci drove it over the right-field fence.
A single, a stolen base and an RBI double later, Sheehan walked off the mound, the Dodgers trailing 2-1.
Just a few weeks ago, turning the ball over to the Dodgers’ bullpen was a promising move. They were still riding a franchise-record streak of 38 consecutive scoreless innings.
Lately, however, it’s been a rocky ride. The bullpen entered Sunday with a 6.71 ERA since ending that scoreless streak on May 25. Only the Giants and Rockies produced a worse mark over that stretch.
None of the Dodgers’ relievers have been dominant in recent games. Tanner Scott has been credited with three saves but also two losses. Kyle Hurt’s ERA has risen from 0.60 to 4.22. Dreyer, who went 10 straight games without giving up a run before landing on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort, has surrendered five home runs in seven appearances since returning on May 31.
Dreyer gave up three runs and three hits. Then Blake Treinen and Jonathan Hernández held the White Sox the rest of the way.
The Dodgers tacked on three more runs, on a sacrifice fly and an RBI double from Alex Freeland, and a solo homer from Mookie Betts. They stranded runners at the corners in the ninth.
Sports
Former NFL pass rusher Aldon Smith’s last act before his death was donating food for the homeless
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Former NFL pass rusher Aldon Smith spent time on what would be the final day of his life donating food to a charity that feeds the homeless.
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Saturday that Smith, who played in 50 games during his six-year career, died at the age of 36. Just hours before he was found unresponsive, Smith unexpectedly dropped off 10 pizzas to CHAM Deliverance Ministry, a San Jose, Calif., charity that feeds the homeless.
Amir Shirazi, a friend of Smith’s who picked up on Saturday to make the surprise delivery, spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle about the charitable donation before sharing the details of finding him unresponsive in his car.
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers waits between drills at the team’s first training camp practice Thursday afternoon, July 24, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images)
49ERS ANNOUNCE DEATH OF ALDON SMITH AT 36, ONCE THE FASTEST PLAYER TO REACH 30 SACKS IN NFL HISTORY
“He was a very sweet, caring, loving giant,” Shirazi said. “That if you really knew him, you’d know who he truly is.”
After dropping off the pizzas, Shirazi drove them to a grocery store and then back to his home. He explained to the outlet that he quickly ran inside to turn on some lights, and when he returned to the car, Smith was slumped over in his seat.
San Francisco 49ers Aldon Smith runs during practice at the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014. (LiPo Ching/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images)
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
“I came out and he was basically dead in my front seat,” Shirazi said. “I’m just in shock.”
While Smith has a history of substance abuse, Shirazi said that he had not seen the former NFL player use drugs on Saturday and had only seen him smoke marijuana occasionally over the years. He said he believed that Smith’s death was a “natural death.”
“My impression was that this is a young man that wanted to help the homeless, which was great,” Scott Wagers, the co-founder of CHAM Deliverance Ministry, told the outlet. “When the 49ers and people like that want to help the community, that’s everything.”
Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers suits up for the team’s first training camp practice Thursday afternoon, July 24, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) (Photo by Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images) ((Photo by Karl Mondon/MediaNews Group/Mercury News via Getty Images))
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Smith was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft out of Missouri, and made an immediate impact as a rookie, picking up 14.0 sacks and forcing two fumbles in 16 games. The next year he set a 49ers’ franchise record with 19.5 sacks and was named a First-Team All-Pro while leading the team to Super Bowl XLVII.
Smith reached 30 career sacks in just 27 games, making him the fastest player in NFL history to do so, breaking a record previously held by Hall of Famer Reggie White.
In 2013, Smith voluntarily entered rehab and missed five games. In 2014, he served a nine-game suspension for violations of the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
In 2015, the 49ers released Smith in August following his third DUI arrest before he was signed weeks later by the Oakland Raiders.
Smith remained indefinitely suspended from the NFL for four full seasons while dealing with legal and personal troubles. He made a return in 2020 and played a full season with the Dallas Cowboys, starting in all 16 games.
-
Wisconsin7 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for June 14, 2026
-
West Virginia9 minutes agoWest Virginia Falls Short Against North Carolina
-
Wyoming14 minutes agoInside North America’s Only Summer-Only Ski Area: Wyoming’s Beartooth Basin
-
Crypto22 minutes agoMassive Bitcoin Theft Case Draws Guilty Plea in Violent Kidnapping Plot
-
Finance24 minutes agoAussie lawyer warns of ‘middle class’ family battles after budget introduces ‘backdoor death tax’
-
Fitness30 minutes agoFrom Weight Loss to Lasting Value: Structured Exercise and the Economics of GLP-1 Therapy – Health & Fitness Association
-
Videos37 minutes agohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eJpjtyp7wk
-
Movie Reviews39 minutes agoMovie Review: “The Million Dollar Bet” is doomed to Never Pay Off
