Kylian Mbappé scored a brilliant goal and assisted another as Real Madrid triumphed 4-2 over Sevilla, moving up to second place in La Liga and narrowing the gap to Atlético Madrid to just one point ahead of the winter break.

The match began with a spectacular strike from Mbappé, who fired a thunderous shot from outside the box to give Madrid a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Federico Valverde doubled the advantage with a long-range effort. In the 34th minute, Rodrygo added a third, finishing off a cross from Lucas Vázquez. Sevilla pulled one back almost immediately as Isaac Romero headed home a cross in the 35th minute, but Brahim Díaz restored Madrid’s three-goal cushion in the 53rd minute after a clever assist from Mbappé and Vázquez.

Sevilla scored again in the 85th minute through Dodi Lukebakio, but Real Madrid held on for the win, which left them two points ahead of third-place Barcelona.

Mbappé, who had struggled to adapt to life at Madrid and had missed penalties in recent weeks, spoke of the importance of bouncing back from difficult moments. “I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game. I hit rock bottom,” Mbappé said, reflecting on his penalty miss earlier this month. “I realised at that moment I have to give my all for this shirt and play with personality.”

Dortmund strikes three times to beat Wolfsburg in Bundesliga

In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-1 victory at Wolfsburg, thanks to three goals in five first-half minutes. Donyell Malen opened the scoring with a close-range volley in the 25th minute, followed by Maximilian Beier’s excellent finish just three minutes later. Julian Brandt, making his return from injury, added a third before halftime. Wolfsburg pulled one back in the 58th minute through Denis Vavro’s header, but Dortmund hung on to secure the three points, moving to 25 points and sitting in the final European spot. Wolfsburg remains in mid-table with 21 points.

Atalanta tops Serie A after De Ketelaere’s late goal

Atalanta regained the top spot in Serie A with a thrilling 3-2 win over Empoli. Charles De Ketelaere proved to be the hero, scoring the match-winning goal in the 86th minute. The Belgian weaved through defenders before calmly slotting home from the edge of the box. Empoli had taken the lead through Lorenzo Colombo’s early volley, but Atalanta responded with two goals before halftime: De Ketelaere’s diving header and Ademola Lookman’s calm finish. Empoli equalized early in the second half with a penalty from Sebastiano Esposito, but De Ketelaere’s late strike ensured Atalanta claimed all three points and moved to 40 points, two ahead of second-place Napoli.

Roma crush Parma in 5-0 victory

Paulo Dybala scored twice and set up another in Roma’s commanding 5-0 win over Parma. The Argentinian forward netted a penalty in the first half and pounced on a rebound early in the second to help Roma bounce back from recent setbacks. Roma’s dominant performance came after a difficult loss to promoted Como the previous week, as they secured their fifth league win of the season.

Juventus end winless streak with 2-1 victory at Monza

Juventus snapped a four-match winless run in Serie A with a 2-1 win at Monza. Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a volley from a corner, but Monza equalized through Samuele Birindelli’s volley eight minutes later. Nicolás González’s strike in the 39th minute restored Juve’s lead, and despite some late pressure from Monza, Juventus held on to claim all three points, moving to 31 points in sixth place.

As Europe’s top leagues head into the winter break, the race for the titles and European spots remains tightly contested, with thrilling matches expected in the new year.

Allan Border, one of the legends of Australian cricket, has praised Jasprit Bumrah as a potential future captain for India, following the pacer’s remarkable leadership in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth.

Bumrah, who captained India for the first time during the rescheduled Test against England in 2022, led his team to a remarkable 295-run victory over Australia at Optus Stadium.

Border commended Bumrah’s captaincy, emphasizing his excellent decision-making and tactical skills. “He will do a very good job. In Perth, he utilized his resources effectively. You couldn’t fault his field placements and captaincy,” Border stated.

Bumrah showcased exceptional leadership, particularly in managing his own bowling and establishing strategic field placements, both of which played a crucial role in India’s success. He has been outstanding throughout the series, emerging as the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets over three Tests, including a key six-wicket haul in Brisbane.

Border also pointed out that Bumrah’s unique bowling style significantly contributed to his success. “Bumrah is currently on a different level. His wrist action and release points differ from other bowlers. Due to his hyperextension, he releases the ball a full foot further down the pitch compared to others. His unconventional run-up and the snap of his wrists make him exceptional,” Border remarked.

The fourth Test is set to begin at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, with India eager to stage a strong comeback in the series. With 21 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 2.60, Bumrah has been instrumental in India’s strong performances thus far, and the team will be counting on their star bowler to deliver once again.

Bumrah’s outstanding performance has allowed him to eclipse Kapil Dev’s record of 51 wickets in Australia. By the time of the third Test in Brisbane, Bumrah had become India’s leading Test wicket-taker on Australian soil, amassing 53 dismissals.

In Perth, Bumrah showcased his match-winning capabilities, claiming figures of 5 for 30 in the first innings to help restrict Australia to just 104 runs. He followed that up with 3 for 42 in the second innings, contributing to India’s impressive 295-run victory. His remarkable display earned him the Player of the Match award.

Not only has Bumrah demonstrated his prowess as a bowler, but he has also shown himself to be a competent leader. Allan Border’s accolades reflect Bumrah’s potential to thrive as a captain, akin to the success of Pat Cummins.

Australia 291/7 (Sutherland 105, McGrath 34, Penfold 4-42, Carson 2-65) defeated New Zealand 122/5 (Kerr 38, James 27, Garth 2-17) by 65 runs (via DLS)*

Australia secured a commanding 65-run victory over New Zealand in a rain-affected second ODI at the Basin Reserve, with Annabel Sutherland once again taking center stage with an unbeaten 105. The rain-hit match, which saw Australia post 291 for 7, was halted after 31 overs with New Zealand on 122 for 5, ensuring Australia’s 14th consecutive win over their trans-Tasman rivals.

The contest began with anticipation surrounding Alyssa Healy’s return to the international fold after a lengthy injury layoff. Healy, playing as a specialist batter, contributed a steady 34 off 32 balls, providing solid support at the top of the order. However, it was Sutherland’s explosive innings that truly dominated the day.

Sutherland, who had recently made an impressive 110 against India in Perth, showed her prowess in tough batting conditions. She became the first player to hit back-to-back ODI centuries from the No.5 position, guiding Australia to a challenging total. With the ball swinging in the seaming conditions, New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain her. Sutherland launched two sixes in the final overs and reached her century off just 78 balls, sealing her third ODI ton with a boundary.

After a rain delay disrupted play, New Zealand found themselves needing to chase a steep target, and the early loss of key wickets left them in a difficult position. Debutant Bella James was aggressive early on, pulling Megan Schutt for a six, but her knock ended at 27 when she was caught off Kim Garth. Suzie Bates, who had presented James with her debut cap, was dismissed cheaply, leaving New Zealand at 60 for 3.

Captain Sophie Devine’s departure after edging Ellyse Perry further put New Zealand on the back foot, and although Jess Kerr and Frankie MacDonald showed resilience, the required run rate was steadily climbing. New Zealand’s hopes were dashed as the heavens opened up, signaling the end of the match with them still well short of the target.

The rain-shortened match reflected not just Australia’s superiority with the bat, but also the challenges New Zealand faced in the field. Notably, debutant James had a tough outing, dropping three catches, including one when Sutherland was on 26. Despite a spirited 4-46 from Molly Penfold, New Zealand’s fielding lapses proved costly.

For Australia, the win was a continuation of their dominant form after their 3-0 whitewash against India. New Zealand’s defeat has complicated their path to directly qualifying for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, with the team sitting precariously in sixth position on the Women’s Championship standings.

The match marked a significant milestone for Healy, who made her return after a lengthy injury layoff. Although her knock was brief, it was a welcome sight for Australia’s leadership. She has been working hard in the nets to regain form, and her boundary off Rosemary Mair’s second ball was a signal of her readiness for the challenges ahead.

The ODI series will now shift focus to the third and final match, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory as the Women’s Championship points race continues.