BBC Sport, December 5 — Jude Bellingham’s fourth goal in four games was not enough to prevent Real Madrid falling to their second La Liga loss in an enthralling encounter at Athletic Club.
The England midfielder put Carlo Ancelotti’s side on level terms in the 78th minute after he reacted first to a poor save from Julen Agirrezabala.
However, Athletic Club surged upfield and an uncharacteristic mistake from Federico Valverde sent Gorka Guruzeta through on goal and he coolly slotted past Thibaut Courtois.
Before Bellingham’s equaliser, Kylian Mbappe was given the chance to level from the spot after Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rudiger but the Frenchman’s penalty was well saved – as happened in last week’s loss at Liverpool in the Champions League.
“He is not at his best level, but you have to give him time to adapt. He has scored 10 goals and is working to do better,” said Ancelotti after Wednesday’s defeat.
“I haven’t spoken to him. It was a complicated match – even, competitive. When we equalised we could think of having control and small details penalised us tonight.
“We missed the penalty. I don’t have to evaluate a player’s game because of a penalty that is sometimes scored and sometimes missed. Obviously he is disappointed but we have to continue.”
It was a tough moment for Mbappe to endure at Anfield where his side fell to a 2-0 defeat, but a goal on Sunday was the Frenchman’s eighth in the league and provided a platform to build from after a shaky start to life in Spain.
However, his display at the San Mames showed there is still plenty of work for Real’s coaching staff to do if they are to fully integrate Mbappe into the European champions’ way of working.
Despite the absence of Vinicius Junior on the left, Mbappe started in his unfavoured central role and often found himself drifting wide – leaving huge gaps in Real’s attacking play.
There have been glimpses of Mbappe in full flow but they have been few and far between since his summer move from Paris St-Germain.
The hosts had taken the lead eight minutes into the second half through a tidy Alex Berenguer finish from a sumptuous cross by Nico Williams.
Real pushed hard in the final minutes for an equaliser with Mbappe coming close, but Ernesto Valverde’s side held on to send San Mames Stadium wild.
Their second defeat of the La Liga season means Ancelotti’s team remain four points adrift of leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.
Athletic Club’s first league win over Real since March 2015 moves them three points behind third-placed Atletico Madrid.
The sun dipped behind the tree line on the western border of the Dinwiddie High School football field late Saturday afternoon, casting shadows across the Generals’ pristine, ecru-hued turf.
As Coach Billy Mills’ guys celebrated their tougher-than-the-score-might-indicate 70-35 — yes, you read that right — victory over King George in the Class 4B semifinals, the cannon deployed on the track behind the east end zone delivered its ear-jarring report one last time, and the wail of a nearby squad car’s siren filled the crisp, clear air.
A few moments later, as the always-boisterous, forever-faithful home crowd dubbed Navy Nation headed for the gates and the visitors collected their thoughts before boarding their bus, Harry Dalton, Dinwiddie’s senior quarterback, stood near midfield, a smile crossing his expressive face, and spoke of his luminous performance as if it were just another day at the office.
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The 6-2, 210-pound Southern California recruit ran for six touchdowns and threw a 68-yard catch-and-run to Caleb Bowles for another.
He accounted for 473 total yards: 317 rushing on 24 carries and 156 passing on 11 completions in 20 attempts against two interceptions.
Entering the game, Dalton had amassed a combined 7,618 yards and 107 touchdowns throughout his storied career. Even by his lofty standards, his performance against the Foxes (9-3) was a sight to behold.
“Honestly, they just couldn’t stop me,” he said without a hint of braggadocio. “There was a lot of heart involved in all this.”
Early on, the Foxes served notice that they were a force with which to be reckoned.
After stopping Dinwiddie on a three-and-out, King George quarterback Dylan Koch engineered a fast-paced 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown reception to Walter Reger.
After running two more ineffective offensive series, the Generals (11-1) forced three first quarter turnovers, converted two of them into touchdowns, and in the process found their footing.
The first touchdown was a 72-yard pick-6, a game-breaker, actually, by junior safety T’Mari Buford at 5:25 of the first quarter, which, with the first of Victor Pacheco’s 10 points-after, tied the score 7-7.
Daiveon Wilson recovered a King George fumble on the ensuing kickoff, setting up a short-field series that ended with Dalton’s first score on a 10-yard run at 3:59.
The Generals held a 28-19 lead at halftime.
A 13-yard scoring pass from Koch to Charles Johnson (followed by a Koch-to-Johnson 2-point conversion) at 8:48 of the third quarter cut Dinwiddie’s lead to 28-27.
That’s when Dalton & Co. went to work and the Generals’ defense tightened its collective grip.
Every time the Foxes scored, it seemed the Generals responded more strongly. As the game progressed and twilight descended, it was the home team almost solely putting points on the board.
“We had to scrap and get it done,” said Mills, whose squad hosts Varina Saturday for the regional title.
After three quarters, Mills’ crew led 42-27, then used a 28-8 final quarter to seal the deal.
Koch, a 5-11, 192-pound senior, completed 19-of-38 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns, three to Reger and one each to Johnson and Ky’Mani Carpenter.
“We tried to bring pressure on the quarterback,” Mills said, “but he got it out of his hands quick. We kept it (our defense) mixed up and made him make some mistakes and hung on there at the end.”
All told, the Foxes accounted for 468 yards and 21 first downs on 63 plays. They coughed up six turnovers — four interceptions (two by Niyon Mason, one each by Brady Slade and Buford) and two fumbles — four of which led directly to touchdowns.
Ahead 49-35 with 6 minutes remaining, the Foxes stopped the Generals on their 3-yard line. After a false start penalty moved the ball to the 1-yard line, Dalton raced 99 yards on the first play from scrimmage to end any possibility of a comeback.
Dinwiddie produced 592 total yards, including 436 rushing rushing, and 23 first downs on 59 plays.
Rushing: King George—Charles Johnson 3-30; Simeon Battle 19-88.
Passing: King George—Dylan Koch 22-37-4, 385, 5TD; Charles Johnson 0-1-0.
Receiving: King George—Gunnar Reger 7-119, 3TD; Ky’Mani Carpenter 6-133, TD; Charles Johnson 5-57, TD; Xavier Pryor 4-76
BIG RAPIDS – Revenge is sweet it’s said, and the Whitehall football team relished the taste Nov. 8 when the Vikings upset Big Rapids, 17-7 on the Cardinals’ field to win the Division 4 district title and move on to this week’s regional championship.
The Cardinals (9-2) dealt the Vikings a heartbreaking 28-27 loss in last year’s district final, but couldn’t anything going against the Vikings in this one, ending their nine-game winning streak.
Whitehall held the Cardinals to just 185 yards total offense, including just 74 yards rushing in establishing complete control of the game, and the time of possession.
Meanwhile, the Vikings displayed a balanced offensive attack, totaling an impressive 287 yards, 139 rushing and 142 passing in smashing the Cardinals.
“It was a lot of fun. It was pretty special,” Viking coach Tony Sigmon said. “There were some untimely penalties on us, and they were all effort-based penalties like holding and stuff like that. Just kind of at the wrong time.
“I felt like we were really behind the sticks for really pretty much the whole first half, and then we had a couple of balls that were on the ground.
“We lost one fumble as we were getting ready to go into the red zone. It seemed like any time we had momentum in the first half something just kind of stalled it, whether it was a ball on the ground or an untimely penalty.
“Truthfully, road games are tough, but road playoff games are even tougher.”
Despite some first half foibles, the Vikings kept the Cardinals offense under wraps by forcing some fumbles as well, and getting some key stops at crucial times.
Judd Musk gave the Vikings a slim 3-0 lead at the half with a 28-yard field goal after a fumble deep in Big Rapids territory cost them an earlier chance to score.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but the Vikings would strike two minutes into the fourth to extend their lead to 10-0 when quarterback Camden Thompson pitched a 28-yard scoring strike to Hunter Osborne and Musk kicked the extra point.
Osborne also scored on an 11-yard run with just 3:23 left and Musk again booted the extra point to make it 17-0.
Big Rapids finally cracked the scoring column with 2:11 to play.
“The defense was fantastic all night long, and I think that starts in a couple areas,” Sigmon said. “Number one, all the credit goes to our kids because they have stepped up in a big way, in a lot of different places.
“A lot of places on the defensive line, the linebacking corps and the secondary this year. We’ve been beat up a lot this year, and it seems we’ve had to sub a person in that maybe wasn’t on the original starting lineup from what we projected Week One.
“Our team has done a wonderful job, and that showed on defense (against Big Rapids). And then a lot of credit has to go our assistant coaches. They put together a heck of a game plan, and they were able to teach it at high level, and really put our kids in a great position to be successful. There’s a lot of finger prints on that game.”
Gavin Craner had 79 yards rushing on 19 carries to lead the Vikings, Nathan Betz contributed 36 on seven carries and Thompson added 23 on 14 runs.
Thompson, who was a nearly perfect 5-of-6 passing in the first half, hit on both of his throws in the second half to end the night completing 7-of-8 for 142 yards and one score.
Osborne caught three passes for 84 yards and a TD, while Corde Anderson had two receptions for 38.
Anderson was in on nine tackles to lead the Vikings defense, and had one sack. Craner finished with seven stops, and Jack Ambrose five.
Whitehall will be looking for more revenge this week when the Vikings (8-3) host Grand Rapids South Christian (7-4) in the regional finals.
The Sailors defeated top-ranked Hudsonville Unity Christian, 35-28 in their district title game. They lost to Harper Woods, 33-27, in last year’s state final.
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Quinn Bramble carries the ball while West York defends during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York head coach Ron Miller during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Corban Rumsey, left, moves in to take down West York’s Jensen Ferber just as he passes the ball to teammate Tayvon Thomas during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Tayvon Thomas competes a pass from teammate Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action agains Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Tayvon Thomas competes a pass from teammate Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action agains Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Kamal Brown, back, takes down West York quarterback Jensen Ferber during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti, right, hands the ball off to Nuh’si Valenti during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York quarterback Jensen Ferber carries the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Nuh’si Valenti runs the ball to gains some yardage during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Zere’Quez Robinson, center, looks on as teammate Blake Manzanet, right, moves in to take down West York’s Julius Madden during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York head coach Ron Miller during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action against Eastern York at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York head coach Bud Kyle during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti looks to pass the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York’s Ijaimi Valenti passes the ball during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
Eastern York head coach Bud Kyle during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York’s Issac Roberts, right, runs the ball to gain some yardage while Eastern York’s Kamal Brown defends during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York vs. Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. West York would win the game 5-3. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
The York Dispatch
West York celebrates a 5-3 win over Eastern York during PIAA District III, Class 4A football quarterfinal action at West York Area Senior High School in West Manchester Township, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (Dawn J. Sagert/The York Dispatch)
SAUK RAPIDS — New London’s own Blake Schultz potted the game-winning goal in Granite City’s shutout win against the Willmar WarHawks in an NA3HL West Division game on Saturday.
The left-handed forward scored shorthanded for his second goal of the season in the middle frame in the Lumberjacks’ 3-0 victory against Willmar.
Granite City is an undefeated 11-0-0-0 in the division and the WarHawks are 4-6-0-0.
Kai Girard had a busy night between the pipes for Willmar. The goaltender from Chaska made 50 saves on 53 shots faced, good for a .943 save percentage.
Granite City got a pair of third-period insurance goals from Seth Terhell and Patty Dunaiski. It marked the fourth tally of the season for Terhell, who is from Cambridge, and the fifth goal for Dunaiski, who is from Cloquet.
The WarHawks host the Minnesota Wilderness for another NA3HL West Division game at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at Willmar Civic Center Arena.
Granite City 3, Willmar 0
Willmar (4-6-0-0) 0 0 0 — 0
Granite City (11-0-0-0) 0 1 2 — 3
FIRST PERIOD – No scoring. PENALTIES: (1) W: Jett Wheeler (checking from behind-minor), 7:16 … (2) W: Gabriel Adams (hooking-minor), 13:17 … (3) GC: Bryden Prelvitz (elbowing-minor), 16:01.
SECOND PERIOD – (1) GC: Blake Schultz 2 (Connor Miller 4), 11:38 SH. PENALTIES: (4) GC: Seth Terhell (cross checking-minor), 9:43 … (5) W: Adams (cross checking-minor), 14:01 … (6) GC: Prelvitz (too many men-minor), 16:08.
Michael Lyne joined the West Central Tribune as a sports reporter in May 2022, following his graduation from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he graduated with a bachelors degree in journalism and a minor degree in Spanish studies.
You may reach Michael at mlyne@wctrib.com, or by calling (320) 214-4345.
