VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain--A stoppage time header by fullback Lucas Vazquez earned 10-man Real Madrid a 1-0 victory at lowly Alaves in LaLiga on Thursday, with defender Nacho handed his marching orders following a sliding tackle. The win left Real Madrid on top of the standings on goal difference, level on 45 points with surprise package Girona who were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis earlier on Thursday. Barcelona are third on 38 points. Real's old rivals Barcelona are a distant third on 38 points, three ahead Atletico Madrid who have a game in hand and host Sevilla on Saturday. A toothless Real Madrid failed to create almost any opportunities as they looked to be heading towards a dull goalless draw against a rugged Alaves who are struggling standing on 17th place in the LaLiga standings, but are tough to beat when roared on by their fans at the Mendizorroza stadium, having earned 13 of their 16 points playing at home. They made it difficult for Real, whose only real chance in the first half was when Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde unleashed a thunderous strike from range that goalkeeper Antonio Sivera punched away in the 37th minute. But after loosing Nacho to a straight red in the 54th minute after an awful studs up sliding tackle to Samu Omorodion's ankle, Real started to show signs of life. While Alaves looked content to snatch a point from their giant rivals, Real were more purposeful going forward, missed some half chances and nearly drew first blood when Rodrygo barely missed the top left corner with a curling strike in the 75th minute. But they finally scored one minute into added time when Toni Kroos lifted a corner to Vazquez who headed home from the crowded box. A last-gasp goal and triumph that were passionately celebrated by Real Madrid players and staff, who let off steam after a troubled night and a narrow win. "This team has unknown energies," Carlo Ancelotti told a press conference. "It was a complicated match and with one man down... everyone thought that today would be a typical day for us to slip up. "But we held on well with ten men, we defended well and, in the end, we were rewarded."
BARCELONA-- Two second-half goals from Sergi Roberto rescued a 3-2 home win for champions Barcelona against bottom side Almeria in LaLiga on Wednesday, putting an end to their three-game winless run in all competitions as they head into the Christmas break.
JEDDAH- - Jhon Arias and John Kennedy scored in the second half to give Brazilian side Fluminense a hard-fought 2-0 win over Egypt's Al-Ahly in their Club World Cup semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City on Monday.
MADRID-- Getafe fought back to grab a 3-3 draw at 10-man Atletico Madrid on Tuesday as Borja Mayoral scored his second with a stoppage-time penalty to level a pulsating LaLiga encounter in which Antoine Griezmann equalled the hosts' all-time scoring record.
FLORIDA--Raheem Mostert rushed for two scores to set a franchise single-season record for total touchdowns and the Miami Dolphins dismantled the New York Jets 30-0 on Sunday afternoon at Miami Gardens, Fla. Bradley Chubb had a field day and matched his career high of three sacks to go with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as the AFC East-leading Dolphins (10-4) won for the fourth time in the past five games. Brandon Jones intercepted two passes for Miami, which routed the Jets twice this season by an average of 25.5 points. Tua Tagovailoa completed 21 of 24 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown for the Dolphins. Tyreek Hill (ankle) missed the contest as Jaylen Waddle stepped into the lead role and had eight receptions with a season-best 142 yards for Miami. The Jets (5-9) lost for the sixth time in seven games with quarterback Zach Wilson departing late in the second quarter with a concussion. He completed 4 of 11 passes for 26 yards and was sacked four times, while under duress on multiple other occasions. Trevor Siemian replaced Wilson with 1:03 left in the first half and finished 14-of-26 passing for 110 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked twice. New York was held to 103 total yards and committed four turnovers. The Dolphins had 290 yards while playing turnover-free football. Mostert increased his season touchdown count to 20 with two short scoring runs in the first half. The former club record of 18 was held by legendary receiver Mark Clayton, who set the mark in 1984. New York was outgained 197-4 in the first half and trailed 24-0 at the break. Miami's first touchdown was set up when Chubb and Christian Wilkins combined to sack Wilson and Chubb dislodged the ball and Zach Sieler recovered and returned it 3 yards to the Jets' 1-yard line. Three plays later, Mostert scored from the 2 to break Clayton's record. Jason Sanders kicked a 37-yard field goal with 13:56 left in the second quarter. Six-plus minutes later, immediately after a New York punt, Tagovailoa threw deep and connected with Waddle on a 60-yard scoring pass to make it 17-0. With 1:03 left in the half, Mostert scored from the 1 to boost the lead to 24. Sanders added field goals of 27 and 35 yards in the second half for Miami.
