Real Sociedad defeated Villarreal 1-2 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 36 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal. Guillermo Cuadra officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Villarreal vs Real Sociedad meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Villarreal and Real Sociedad. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 5 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Real Sociedad defeated Villarreal 1-2 in La Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 36 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal. Guillermo Cuadra officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Villarreal vs Real Sociedad meeting in La Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Villarreal and Real Sociedad. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
La LigaRecorded meetings: 5 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Viktor Gyokeres scored 14 goals last season to help Arsenal win the Premier League (Photo: Getty) Viktor Gyokeres has heaped praise on one of Arsenal’s summer signings but has dismissed any notion that they are the favourites to win the Premier League. Following their impressive Community Shield win over Manchester City, the Gunners begin their title defence against Championship champions Coventry City on Friday night. In Cardiff, Mikel Arteta handed a debut to £75million summer signing Bruno Guimaraes who performed well, but it was fellow debutant Christos Tzolis who really caught the eye. The Greek winger provided two assists, carrying over his good form from pre-season and from Club Brugge, where he recorded 22 goals and 29 assists last season. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. No player in Europe set up more goals last season, prompting Arteta to splash £34m on the former Norwich star, and Gyokeres reports that Tzolis is settling in nicely at the Emirates. ‘He’s a top guy. He’s a very nice guy outside and of course a very good player on the pitch,’ the striker told talkSPORT. ‘He contributes a lot and he’s very good in his decision making. In the final third, he makes good decisions there and managed to get a lot of goal contributions. Christos Tzolis got two assists on his Arsenal debut in the Community Shield (Photo: Getty) ‘That’s what every team needs and of course everyone that plays in our team wants to do that when they’re on the pitch and if he does that, it’s only good.’ With nearly all their main rivals changing managers and undergoing rebuilds this summer, Arsenal have been installed as the clear and early favourites to retain their title in 2026/27. But Gyokeres does not believe his team have gone from ‘the hunters to the hunted’, and insists anything can happen this season: ‘Everyone starts on zero points. Arsenal will start the season against Coventry – Gyokeres’ former club (Photo: Getty) ‘I think it doesn’t matter what they’ve done last season or the season before that or whatever. It’s a new season; it’s the same for everyone. ‘Everyone’s going to play the same amount of games. So, we have to do it all over again. ‘We don’t have to defend it, we just have to win as many games as we can and then hopefully, we’ll be there in the end again.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Real Betis host Real Sociedad at the Estadio de La Cartuja in round two of the new LaLiga season, with both sides coming off very different summers. Betis arrive with continuity and confidence, Sociedad with a squad still catching its breath after a busy close season. Verdict: Real Betis to win Odds: 2.01 Bookmaker: 1xBet […] The post Prediction: Real Betis vs Real Sociedad appeared first on SoccerNews.
Chelsea are preparing for the possibility of a blockbuster late departure, with Manchester City continuing to pursue Enzo Fernandez despite the Blues previously attempting to shut down the transfer saga. The Argentina international remains one of Chelsea’s most valuable assets, and the club are determined not to lose him cheaply. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez replacement as Man City interest refuses to go away appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
After Thiago Mendes denied him a handshake, Neymar issued a harsh response to the midfielder: "He's a nobody." Neymar was involved in one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend in Brazil after Thiago Mendes snubbed him during the pre-match handshakes before Santos faced Vasco da Gama. Following the match, the former Barcelona star offered a blunt response regarding the midfielder, stating: “He’s a nobody.” Santos traveled to face Vasco on Sunday, August 16, in a critical match to climb out of the relegation zone. Tensions flared early when the teams lined up for pre-game greetings, as Thiago Mendes was captured on camera refusing to shake Neymar’s hand, leaving the forward’s hand hanging before Neymar smirked and proceeded to greet the match officials. الاسطورة نيمار يمد يده ليصافح تياغو مينديز ولكنه يتجاهل نيمار 😨😨😨😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/rYOAdTpbgR— Team Neymar (@TeamNey10) August 16, 2026 Behind goals from Gabriel Barbosa, Willian Arao, and Luan Peres, Santos secured a vital 3-0 victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but post-match discussions remained centered on the pre-game friction between the two captains. Speaking in the mixed zone at the Estadio Sao Januario, Neymar was asked directly about the snub and pulled no punches: “To be honest, I don’t care much about that guy. To me, he is a nobody. In 2020, he broke my ankle, which I think he did on purpose. And I didn’t let it go: we had a little fight in our last match against each other, which I think is normal in a football match.” Reflecting on their history across European and Brazilian soccer, Neymar continued his critique. “I wasn’t even thinking much about him in today’s match because I don’t care. He refused to shake my hand, which I see as very disrespectful. The most important thing is that we still won against them and he can keep crying. Everyone knows Neymar Jr., but nobody even knew Thiago Mendes’s name until today,” he concluded. The viral moment drew widespread attention across social media, with Santos’ official Instagram account adding fuel to the fire by posting a video referencing the snub. Neymar commented on the post with a laughing-crying emoji, adding the caption: “Pride comes before a fall.“ Neymar and Mendes’ history of friction Despite both hailing from Brazil, the rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes dates back to their time playing in Europe, specifically in France. During a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury, forcing the superstar off the pitch in tears. Essa foi a famosa entrada do Thiago Mendes "para quebrar" o Neymar.Uma fake criada em época que o Neymar era intocável para os brasileiros.Alguém sem clubismo acha realmente que isso é uma falta absurdamente dura?Você sabia que o piti do Neymar era um lance "normal" assim? pic.twitter.com/wTgZ66BWGc— Rafael Rocha (@RR_VASCO) August 18, 2026 Medical reports later confirmed Neymar suffered a severe left ankle sprain, though initial fears had pointed to a fracture. The two players crossed paths again in February 2026 during a 2-1 victory for Santos, where they engaged in a heated mid-pitch argument that ended with Mendes aiming a headbutt at the Santos captain. Following that February incident, Neymar addressed Mendes’ conduct during his post-match press conference: “He is always the one starting problems, he always tries to act tough, he is always like that. With all due respect, he is an idiot. He broke me once at PSG and he made me a promise today. Let’s see if he has the manhood to break me again.“
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Viktor Gyokeres scored 14 goals last season to help Arsenal win the Premier League (Photo: Getty) Viktor Gyokeres has heaped praise on one of Arsenal’s summer signings but has dismissed any notion that they are the favourites to win the Premier League. Following their impressive Community Shield win over Manchester City, the Gunners begin their title defence against Championship champions Coventry City on Friday night. In Cardiff, Mikel Arteta handed a debut to £75million summer signing Bruno Guimaraes who performed well, but it was fellow debutant Christos Tzolis who really caught the eye. The Greek winger provided two assists, carrying over his good form from pre-season and from Club Brugge, where he recorded 22 goals and 29 assists last season. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. No player in Europe set up more goals last season, prompting Arteta to splash £34m on the former Norwich star, and Gyokeres reports that Tzolis is settling in nicely at the Emirates. ‘He’s a top guy. He’s a very nice guy outside and of course a very good player on the pitch,’ the striker told talkSPORT. ‘He contributes a lot and he’s very good in his decision making. In the final third, he makes good decisions there and managed to get a lot of goal contributions. Christos Tzolis got two assists on his Arsenal debut in the Community Shield (Photo: Getty) ‘That’s what every team needs and of course everyone that plays in our team wants to do that when they’re on the pitch and if he does that, it’s only good.’ With nearly all their main rivals changing managers and undergoing rebuilds this summer, Arsenal have been installed as the clear and early favourites to retain their title in 2026/27. But Gyokeres does not believe his team have gone from ‘the hunters to the hunted’, and insists anything can happen this season: ‘Everyone starts on zero points. Arsenal will start the season against Coventry – Gyokeres’ former club (Photo: Getty) ‘I think it doesn’t matter what they’ve done last season or the season before that or whatever. It’s a new season; it’s the same for everyone. ‘Everyone’s going to play the same amount of games. So, we have to do it all over again. ‘We don’t have to defend it, we just have to win as many games as we can and then hopefully, we’ll be there in the end again.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
Real Betis host Real Sociedad at the Estadio de La Cartuja in round two of the new LaLiga season, with both sides coming off very different summers. Betis arrive with continuity and confidence, Sociedad with a squad still catching its breath after a busy close season. Verdict: Real Betis to win Odds: 2.01 Bookmaker: 1xBet […] The post Prediction: Real Betis vs Real Sociedad appeared first on SoccerNews.
Chelsea are preparing for the possibility of a blockbuster late departure, with Manchester City continuing to pursue Enzo Fernandez despite the Blues previously attempting to shut down the transfer saga. The Argentina international remains one of Chelsea’s most valuable assets, and the club are determined not to lose him cheaply. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add […] The post Chelsea target Enzo Fernandez replacement as Man City interest refuses to go away appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Cristiano Ronaldo is edging closer to his return for Al-Nassr, with Ange Postecoglou increasingly confident about the condition of his captain. While the Portuguese superstar has watched the early stages of the campaign from the sidelines, the latest developments suggest his comeback is progressing exactly as the club hoped. Ronaldo has already returned to training after receiving an extended break following Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign and his wedding to Georgina Rodríguez. The 41-year-old missed the opening Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Fateh and Tuesday’s King’s Cup clash with Al-Diriyah, but his absence has allowed Postecoglou to assess his squad without its biggest star. Al-Nassr began the new campaign impressively, beating Al-Fateh 3-0 before overcoming Al-Diriyah 4-1 in the King’s Cup. Joao Felix played a starring role against Al-Diriyah, scoring twice, while Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan also found the net. Ronaldo was present around the team despite being unavailable for selection. Before the opening league game, he was filmed encouraging his teammates with a passionate message, telling them, “Passion… play, play, play, play, play. First game is always the difficult one.” Chills 🗣️🔥 Ange Postecoglou & Cristiano Ronaldo combined for a huge pre-game rev up before Al Nassr’s first game of the season. pic.twitter.com/B3Sy8Vjurp— Football360.com.au (@football360au) August 18, 2026 Postecoglou has also been careful to avoid rushing his captain back into competitive action. Ronaldo’s return from his post-World Cup break has been accompanied by a special fitness plan designed to build his match sharpness, with the coaching staff focused on making sure he begins the season in the best possible condition. Postecoglou reveals major Ronaldo update After the King’s Cup victory over Al-Diriyah, Postecoglou offered the clearest indication yet that Ronaldo’s return is moving in the right direction. “Ronaldo is working very hard. He had the World Cup, and he’s important to us. He was busier than any other player, and it’s crucial that he starts the season ready,” the Australian said. The Al-Nassr manager added that the Portuguese superstar has already completed a training session and suggested supporters will see him back with the squad soon. “He’s had a training session, and I’m happy. Day by day, you’ll see him soon,” Postecoglou explained, determined to give his captain enough time to regain full match fitness after a demanding summer. Cristiano Ronaldo in Al-Nassr training Will Al-Nassr change its system for Ronaldo? One of the most interesting parts of Postecoglou’s update concerned how Ronaldo will fit into the team’s tactical approach once he returns. Despite the Portuguese forward’s enormous influence, the coach insists that Al-Nassr’s strategy will remain largely unchanged when its captain comes back. “I don’t think we’ll change our strategy with Ronaldo’s return. When he joins the team, we’ll have more room for improvement,” the Australian manager said. That suggests that he believes Ronaldo can be integrated into the structure already taking shape rather than forcing the team to completely reorganize itself around him. That could be encouraging for the veteran forward, especially after Al-Nassr produced two convincing victories without him. The early performances from Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Al-Hamdan have given Postecoglou additional attacking options while Ronaldo works his way back.
After Thiago Mendes denied him a handshake, Neymar issued a harsh response to the midfielder: "He's a nobody." Neymar was involved in one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend in Brazil after Thiago Mendes snubbed him during the pre-match handshakes before Santos faced Vasco da Gama. Following the match, the former Barcelona star offered a blunt response regarding the midfielder, stating: “He’s a nobody.” Santos traveled to face Vasco on Sunday, August 16, in a critical match to climb out of the relegation zone. Tensions flared early when the teams lined up for pre-game greetings, as Thiago Mendes was captured on camera refusing to shake Neymar’s hand, leaving the forward’s hand hanging before Neymar smirked and proceeded to greet the match officials. الاسطورة نيمار يمد يده ليصافح تياغو مينديز ولكنه يتجاهل نيمار 😨😨😨😨😨😨😨😨 pic.twitter.com/rYOAdTpbgR— Team Neymar (@TeamNey10) August 16, 2026 Behind goals from Gabriel Barbosa, Willian Arao, and Luan Peres, Santos secured a vital 3-0 victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro, but post-match discussions remained centered on the pre-game friction between the two captains. Speaking in the mixed zone at the Estadio Sao Januario, Neymar was asked directly about the snub and pulled no punches: “To be honest, I don’t care much about that guy. To me, he is a nobody. In 2020, he broke my ankle, which I think he did on purpose. And I didn’t let it go: we had a little fight in our last match against each other, which I think is normal in a football match.” Reflecting on their history across European and Brazilian soccer, Neymar continued his critique. “I wasn’t even thinking much about him in today’s match because I don’t care. He refused to shake my hand, which I see as very disrespectful. The most important thing is that we still won against them and he can keep crying. Everyone knows Neymar Jr., but nobody even knew Thiago Mendes’s name until today,” he concluded. The viral moment drew widespread attention across social media, with Santos’ official Instagram account adding fuel to the fire by posting a video referencing the snub. Neymar commented on the post with a laughing-crying emoji, adding the caption: “Pride comes before a fall.“ Neymar and Mendes’ history of friction Despite both hailing from Brazil, the rivalry between Neymar and Thiago Mendes dates back to their time playing in Europe, specifically in France. During a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Olympique Lyonnais in 2020, Mendes committed a heavy tackle on Neymar that resulted in a severe ankle injury, forcing the superstar off the pitch in tears. Essa foi a famosa entrada do Thiago Mendes "para quebrar" o Neymar.Uma fake criada em época que o Neymar era intocável para os brasileiros.Alguém sem clubismo acha realmente que isso é uma falta absurdamente dura?Você sabia que o piti do Neymar era um lance "normal" assim? pic.twitter.com/wTgZ66BWGc— Rafael Rocha (@RR_VASCO) August 18, 2026 Medical reports later confirmed Neymar suffered a severe left ankle sprain, though initial fears had pointed to a fracture. The two players crossed paths again in February 2026 during a 2-1 victory for Santos, where they engaged in a heated mid-pitch argument that ended with Mendes aiming a headbutt at the Santos captain. Following that February incident, Neymar addressed Mendes’ conduct during his post-match press conference: “He is always the one starting problems, he always tries to act tough, he is always like that. With all due respect, he is an idiot. He broke me once at PSG and he made me a promise today. Let’s see if he has the manhood to break me again.“
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
