Perfect Vancouver, Newcastle ends trophy drought and Mbappe lifts Real to victory
Kick your Monday off with all the news from this past weekend
Good morning! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The weekend brought with it soccer’s version of March Madness in MLS and across the Atlantic.
In MLS, Vancouver is off to a great start, while Newcastle defeated Liverpool to take the English League Cup, it’s first trophy since 1955.
In Spain, Barcelona took control of La Liga with a win against Atletico Madrid, while Inter Milan extended its lead over Napoli in the race for the Serie A title.
Here’s a look at the big storylines from this past weekend:
MLS: Vancouver off to a perfect 4-0 start
The Vancouver Whitecaps have a perfect 12 points through four MLS games this season, becoming just the seventh team in league history to open the season with four straight wins.
Tristan Blackmon scored in the 51st minutes — his first goal since 2023 — and Vancouver didn’t allow a shot on goal as the visiting Whitecaps defeated FC Dallas 1-0 on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls erased a pair of one-goal deficits to salvage a 2-2 draw at home against Orlando City SC on Saturday at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting scored his first goal for the team from the penalty spot in the 29th minute and Dennis Gjengaar picked up his first of the season just two minutes into the second half, canceling out two Orlando first-half goals from Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic.
For all the MLS scores from this past weekend, click here.
Carabao Cup: Newcastle overcomes Liverpool 2-1
Newcastle ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by defeating Liverpool 2-1 to win the League Cup at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. Goals in each half from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak ignited a Geordie celebration, marking a historic moment for the club.
It was fitting that local hero Burn opened the scoring in the 45th minute, heading home to reward Newcastle’s dominant first-half performance. With a sea of black-and-white fans cheering them on, the Magpies extended their lead just after the break when Swedish striker Isak fired a shot past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the 52nd minute.
Liverpool, runaway leaders in the Premier League, managed to pull one back in stoppage time with a goal from substitute Federico Chiesa, but the damage had been done. Newcastle held firm to claim the club’s first domestic trophy since 1955.
Two years ago, Newcastle suffered heartache in the League Cup final, losing to Manchester United in what was their ninth consecutive defeat at Wembley. However, they were determined to make history this time, drawing energy from their passionate fans.
Liverpool appeared flat and seemed to be struggling with the aftermath of their midweek Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties. A telling statistic from the match was that Mohamed Salah, for the first time in his Liverpool career, failed to have a shot or create a chance, despite playing the full 90 minutes.
La Liga: Barcelona takes over first and Mbappe scores twice for Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to help Real Madrid fight back to beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday — although it was rivals Barcelona who had the bigger weekend.
Real opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Alex Baena's corner was deflected by Aurelien Tchouameni, allowing Juan Foyth to score from close range.
Real Madrid levelled it in the 17th minute when Mbappe pounced on Brahim Diaz's blocked shot and the ball landed at his feet for a close-range finish. Six minutes later, the French star tallied his 20th league goal of the season, latching on to Lucas Vazquez's through ball and slotting it home.
On Sunday, Barcelona regained the top spot following a 4-2 road win against Atletico Madrid.
Two stoppage time goals — from Lamine Yamal in the 92nd minute and Ferran Torres in the 98th — to win the game. Barcelona and Real Madrid are tied for 60 points, although Barca has a better goal differential.
In other news: Champions League qualification is getting tantalizingly close for Nottingham Forest. Forest, a team many might have thought would be battling relegation this season in the Premier League, moved just a point behind second-place Arsenal by beating Ipswich 4-2 on Saturday. More importantly perhaps for Forest, the gap to fifth-place City grew to six points after the soon-to-be-deposed champions drew 2-2 at home to Brighton. … The reigning champion Orlando Pride opened the National Women's Soccer League season on Friday night with a 6-0 home field rout over the Chicago Stars. Barbra Banda scored a pair of goals for the Pride, who tied the club record for most goals in a game. … Inter Milan moved three points clear at the top of Serie A standings after beating third-placed Atalanta 2-0 on Sunday. Napoli, who sit second, were held to a goalless draw by Venezia earlier in the day and Inter seized the opportunity to open up daylight in the race for the title.