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• Garvey Maceo rise from cusp of defeat to stun McGrath High and clinch third daCosta Cup crown

  It is often said that it’s never over until it’s over, and Garvey Maceo High epitomized that saying when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 5-3 win on penalties against first-time finalist McGrath High in a pulsating ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup final at the National Stadium on Saturday.

  The Linstead-based McGrath High seemed destined for glory after Devone Davis struck in the 15th minute, but Omarion O’Brian shattered their dreams with a last-gasp equalizer in the 90+7 minute to send the game into the dreaded penalty shootout.

  Much like they did in the semi-final against Glenmuir High, the Clarendon-based Garvey Maceo held their nerves best from the 12-yard spot to secure their third title, adding to their triumphs in 2007 and 2021.

  Acting Head coach Lester Hibbert was overwhelmed with pride, having stepped in seamlessly for Merron Gordon, who took a sabbatical this season.

  “We just had to believe. We never gave up, even when the odds were stacked against us, because a true believer is a real believer. We did it. Being past students of the institution is what drove us and gave us the passion to keep going. Even when it seemed as if the time was going to run out on us, we fought, and this one is for those who never stopped believing in us,” a beaming Hibbert said in a post-game interview.

  

  Both teams began the contest with attacking intent, and McGrath drew first blood when Davis dispossessed defender Malik Robinson and unleashed a fierce left-footer that whistled past Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper Garfield Tomlinson for his 12th goal of the season.

  Garvey Maceo pressed for an equalizer and created half-chances but failed to capitalize.

  McGrath, eager to extend their lead, also missed crucial opportunities, as they remained 1-0 up at the break.

  The second half offered little in terms of clear chances. However, McGrath’s Dontae Anderson nearly doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, but Devany McIntosh cleared his header off the line after Tomlinson spilled a corner from Shane Pusey.

  Minutes later, Jim Mitchell had an opportunity to seal the game for McGrath but fired into the side netting in the 77th minute.

  With time ticking away, Garvey Maceo launched a desperate push, and it paid off in the dying moments of added time when O’Brian twisted and turned before finding space for a low right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box that sailed past Orlando Griffiths, sparking wild celebrations.

  

  In the shootout, Garvey Maceo again showed nerves of steel, converting all five of their attempts through Devany McIntosh, Tyreek McKenley, Delano Thompson, Malik Robinson, and Rajay McLaughlin.

  Meanwhile, Jim Mitchell, David Hutchinson, and Marcelo Gordon found the net for McGrath, but Isaac Mason’s effort was denied by Tomlinson.

  McGrath’s Head coach, Jermaine Thomas, who guided the school to its historic Ben Francis Cup win last year, must wait a little longer for a first daCosta Cup crown but was still gracious in defeat.

  “Once Devone was out, it was always going to be difficult for us, but nevertheless, they fought and fought gallantly. We turned up and we showed Jamaica that this is the school from Linstead and we can compete, but a lapse in concentration at the back cost us in added time, but still they played their hearts out, and I am extremely proud of them,” Thomas noted.

   

• LA Galaxy 2-1 New York Red Bulls: Paintsil and Joveljic goals secure MLS Cup

  The LA Galaxy claimed a record-extending sixth MLS Cup by beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1, with early goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic securing the trophy.

  The Galaxy raced into a two-goal lead within 13 minutes as they made a blistering start on home soil at Dignity Health Sports Park, and they held firm after the Red Bulls halved the arrears midway through the first half.

  Gaston Brugman threaded a lovely throughball into the path of Paintsil, who slotted his finish under Carlos Coronel for a ninth-minute opener.

  Four minutes later, Greg Vanney's men had breathing space as Joveljic escaped the Red Bulls backline to prod home with the outside of his boot.

  Daniel Edelman narrowly avoided putting through his own net soon afterwards, then New York clawed one back through captain Sean Nealis, who volleyed home following an inswinging corner Emil Forsberg. 

  Noah Eile missed one glorious chance before teeing up another for Dante Vanzeir, but the Galaxy held firm, almost adding a third goal when Miki Yamane cannoned a shot against the post shortly after the hour-mark.

  Data Debrief: Galaxy out on their own

  The LA Galaxy already held the record for most MLS Cup triumphs ahead of Saturday's showpiece game, with their sixth success now taking them two clear of D.C. United.

  The win ended their 10-year wait for a title, last claiming the crown when a team containing Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane beat the New England Revolution in 2014.

• Girona 0-3 Real Madrid: Bellingham and Mbappe score as Blancos close on Barcelona

  Real Madrid closed the gap on LaLiga leaders Barcelona to two points with a commanding 3-0 win at Girona, with goals from Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe.

  Second-placed Madrid have 36 points with a game in hand on Barca, who drew 2-2 at Real Betis earlier on Saturday, after inflicting Girona's sixth loss of the campaign.

  Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute by capitalising on a loose ball and firing home from the centre of the box, with the England international then turning provider for Madrid's second goal.

  Ten minutes into the second half, his defence-splitting throughball teed up Guler to double Madrid's lead, though Bellingham was withdrawn with an injury soon afterwards. 

  Mbappe then added further gloss shortly after the hour mark, firing home from a tight angle for his ninth league goal of the season. 

  Data debrief: Mbappe brings up double century

  Mbappe's ninth league goal for Madrid was also his 200th in his career across Europe's top five leagues, on his 261st such appearance.

  He netted 16 times for Monaco and 175 times with Paris Saint-Germain. 

  He was not the only Blancos star with something to celebrate, as Bellingham made it five straight games with a goal for the very first time in Europe's top leagues, though his second-half exit will concern Carlo Ancelotti.