Latest news with #SPAIN
The 42
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Spain star Aitana Bonmati in hospital with viral meningitis days before Euro 2025
SPAIN MIDFIELDER AITANA Bonmati is being treated in hospital for viral meningitis just days before the start of Euro 2025. The 27-year-old Barcelona player, who has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years, was absent for her country's 3-1 friendly win over Japan on Friday. She posted a picture on Instagram of herself watching the match, which was played in the Spanish city of Leganes, from a hospital bed. Advertisement Euro 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, with world champions Spain set to begin their campaign a day later against Portugal in Bern. National team head coach Montse Tome, whose side also face Belgium and Italy in Group B, told a press conference: 'Initially all the tests came back fine but the last one confirmed she has viral meningitis. 'The word is scary but the doctor tells me it's under control. She will remain hospitalised; we don't know the timeline of her recovery. 'She's an extremely important player for us and we will wait for her, no matter what, as long as we have to.' Bonmati was a key member of the Spain squad which won the 2023 World Cup – following victory over England in the final – and the 2024 Nations League.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Spanish island's bold message to Brits as notorious party town gets £4m overhaul
One of Spain's most infamous party regions is distancing itself from rowdy Brits through a series of brutal clampdowns, and a multi-million pound regeneration that has just completed its first phase A popular Spanish resort appears to be ditching its boozy reputation thanks to a major transformation. For years, Majorca's infamous town of Magaluf has become synonymous with rowdy, drunken Brits, cheap alcohol, and blaring nightclubs. The Magaluf Strip, officially known as Calle Punta Ballena, was the place for Stag and Hen Dos, as well as those wanting to get so drunk they'd forget all about the 'I HEART SPAIN' tattoo they had inked on their bum cheek the night before. However, as anti-tourist sentiment gains momentum across Spain and the Balearics - it seems Magaluf's party-mad status is about to change. The town has already cracked down on binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour through a series of brutal rules. This includes all-inclusive resorts capping alcoholic beverages to just six a day, while bar crawls and public drinking are both prohibited. The clamp-down has slowly altered Magaluf's questionable image, paving the way for a fresh start. This has recently been epitomised by a huge promenade refurbishment that was inaugurated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend (Sunday, June 22). The promenade, which is now called Paseo Marítimo having been renamed after the founder of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer Julià, has undergone a 'complete rearrangement and beautification' with all of its infrastructure and services being 'renewed'. This includes new lighting, sewage systems, street furniture, and an irrigation network. As previously reported, 650 metres of the promenade has been revamped in the initial phase, starting at the corner of the famous Nikki Beach and extending to Pirates Square. The work also includes the introduction of artificial sand dunes and palm trees grouped to form a 'small oasis area'. According to Daily Majorca Bulletin, the refurb has been funded thanks to a €4 million grant from the EU Next Generation funds as well as €1 million of tourist tax revenue (equating to around £4.28 million). It is believed the second phase, which is also being partly funded by tourist taxes, will commence later this year - as early as November. Mayor Juan Antonio Amengual, who attended the inaugural event, is said to have highlighted the 'importance' of the work that has been completed, arguing it is a further landmark in the 'transformation of Magaluf' which aims to bring about a 'change in image'. While the impact of British tourists wasn't explicitly mentioned, it's clear the town is trying to distance itself from its party-mad past. To mark the work being complete, the town hall is believed to have organised a 'special day of events'. This includes a Gastro Fair, beach sport games, and a folk dance, reports local media. Brits keen to check out Magaluf's new and improved image can fly directly from a slew of major UK airports, including London, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £28 in July. Accommodation in Magaluf is equally affordable, home to a slew of no-thrills apartments, hostels, and cheap hotels. For example, a week's stay (July 21-28) at the three-star HSM Don Juan will set you back £1,161. This is based on two people sharing. However, if you want a more luxurious week away in the sun, check out Sol Barbados. This beachfront hotel boasts its very own waterpark and outdoor pool, as well as kids' entertainment, modern rooms, and a 24-hour front desk. Staying here on the exact same dates costs £2,402. *Prices based on Skyscanner and listings at the time of writing.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Ciganda ends LPGA title drought with Meijer Classic win
SPAIN 's Carlota Ciganda ended her eight-and-a-half year title drought with a one-shot victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday. The veteran Spaniard, who had been part of a six-way tie for the lead after Saturday's third round, closed with a five-under-par 67 to clinch her first win since winning in Mexico in 2016. Ciganda snatched the lead to move to 16 under after back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, edging her just in front of South Korea's Choi Hye-jin, who shot a closing 68 to finish on 15 under. Lee Somi was third after a dazzling seven-under-par 65 to finish on 14 under, ahead of three players tied on 13 under including France's Celine Boutier and US star Lexi Thompson. But the day belonged to Ciganda, whose round included seven birdies with two bogeys. 'Winning is always very special,' Ciganda said afterwards. '(The last) was in Mexico in 2016. I wanted to win in the US and I think winning against all these really good players -- it's very special. 'I think a lot of mental work that I put in on these months and years. I think when you win it's when you realize all the hard work pays off.'
NDTV
09-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo's Equaliser Before Portugal Beat Spain On Penalties In Nations League Final
Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front after 21 minutes. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. PORTUGAL VS SPAIN HIGHLIGHTS AMD SHOOTOUT! #UNL #PORESP #Ronaldo — Just Football (@JustFootball_20) June 8, 2025 - Portugal equalise twice - While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals -- against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronaldo left in tears as Portugal beat Spain on pens to win Nations League
PORTUGAL 2-2 ( pens.) SPAIN: Cristiano Ronaldo and Mikel Oyarzabal stole the headlines in normal time but Ruben Neves proved to be the hero as Portugal secured the Nations League title Portugal lifted their second Nations League title as they beat Spain via a dramatic penalty shootout in Munich. Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty after a thrilling 2-2 draw went the distance. Portugal initially looked to be in for a long night after Spain dominated the opening portion of the game before Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi gave them a deserved lead. But Ronaldo's men were not denied for long as Nuno Mendes replied with a brilliant strike to level matters five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, the match winner in the Euro 2024 final, restored Spain's lead just before the break with a lethal finish. Bruno Fernandes thought he had hauled his nation back into the game but saw his strike ruled out by an offside flag. Where the Manchester United man had failed, Cristiano Ronaldo succeeded as he stabbed home an equaliser with half an hour to go. The game eventually headed into a penalty shootout, with Alvaro Morata seeing his spot-kick saved by Diogo Costa, handing the title to Portugal. Take a look at what fans have been saying, particularly when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo: Ronaldo vs Yamal It was initially billed as the battle of the past and the future in Munich as Ronaldo faced off with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The young Spaniard looks likely to be the one to carry the baton of one of the world's best over the next years. And to be fair, Yamal's performances have been so sensational that even Ronaldo himself has billed the youngster to be one of the contenders for the Ballon d'Or. But the Portuguese veteran proved he still had plenty left within the opening few minutes of the clash as he chased back to steal the ball away from his Yamal. And fans were full of praise. One wrote: "Ronaldo (40) taking the ball off Yamal(17) .. this is CINEMA," with another adding: "Ronaldo dispossessing Yamal that's my goat." A futher supporter said: "40 years old Cristiano Ronaldo just dispossessed 17 years old lamine yamal. Ronaldo is winning the battle already." Offside debate Typically, Ronaldo had a big role to play in Portugal's equaliser. The Al-Nassr forward sprinted beyond the Spain defence and set the ball back to Bernardo Silva. He initially looked as though he had drifted offside but the flag stayed down long enough for Nuno Mendes to pick the ball up and lash it low into the far corner. VAR looked at the strike but saw no reason to cancel it - a decision that was debated by fans. One said: "That was a clear offside by Ronaldo. This tournament is rigged for Portugal," while another replied: "How Ronaldo manages to beat the offside trap is serious." Oyarzabal continues to shine While Ronaldo was previously the man for the big occasion, it appears someone else has claimed his glittering stage - Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad wideman has developed a very handy nack of finding the net in major finals. England fans probably don't need reminding that he scored in their recent Euros heartbreak. And he's followed that up with another decisive goal in Germany. That form follows goals in the 2020 Copa del Rey final, the Olympics final of 2020 and the 2021 Nations League showpiece. And fans were quick to praise the forward. One said: "Oyarzabal has achieved what Cristiano has always dreamed of but has never been able to: score in a final with his country." Ronaldo reacts That fan was very quickly made to eat their words as Ronaldo levelled for Portugal with half an hour to go. Mendes raced down the left once more and lifted an excellent cross into the box. It drifted over the head of Chelsea star Marc Cucurella, with Ronaldo sticking out a boot to divert it into the net. And fans simply could not get enough. "Cristiano Ronaldo equalizes in the final," one wrote. "The most clutch player ever in the biggest stages!!" Pointing out his stunning goalscoring record, another said: "Ronaldo is inevitable ain't he. 138 goals for his country. 138." Penalties decisive as Ronaldo departs Ronaldo's evening was to end early after seemingly picking up an injury late on in normal time. As he departed, he handed the armband to Fernandes. Unfortunately for Portugal, they were not able to find a way through Spain with the game heading to penalties. And many will have hoped that Ronaldo would take one. But it mattered not as Morata missed and Ruben Neves secured the trophy for Ronaldo's men in Munich.
