Digest

SOCCER

Madrid on brink of Spanish title after win

After its ninth straight win following the pandemic break, Real Madrid is on the verge of reclaiming the Spanish league title.

Madrid defeated Granada 2-1 on Monday to move within two points of winning the trophy.

Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema scored first-half goals to keep Madrid four points ahead of second-place Barcelona with two rounds to go.

Madrid can clinch its first title since 2017 on Thursday with a win at Villarreal, or if Barcelona loses points when it hosts Osasuna. Two draws in the final two rounds will also be enough to secure Madrid a record-extending 34th league title.

"We are a step closer but we can't relax, we haven't won anything yet," Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said. "There are still points to be won. We depend on ourselves and we have a game at home coming up, hopefully we can win it and celebrate the league title."

United's Saints slip tightens top-four race

Manchester United conceded a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Southampton in the English Premier League on Monday, missing a chance to climb back into the top four for the first time since September.

It was the latest twist in the hard-fought race for Champions League qualification, coming on the day second-place Manchester City overturned its two-year ban from European competition. That means a finish in the top four is required to get into next season's Champion League, rather than the top five.

Saints substitute Michael Obafemi scored from close range at a corner to deny all three points for United, which stayed in fifth place and is now behind Leicester on goal difference with three games remaining. Chelsea is one point ahead of them in third place.

Leicester hosts United on the final day of the season.

Brazilian wonder-kid Maia bound for Barca

Barcelona has exercised an option to sign teenage forward Gustavo Maia from Brazil's Sao Paulo, according to reports in the South American country.

The Catalan club paid one million euros ($1.1 million) to acquire the right of first refusal for Maia in March, following the 19-year-old's impressive performances for Sao Paulo's under-20 team.

According to Globo Esporte, Barcelona agreed to pay 3.5 million euros ahead of a July 15 deadline to proceed with the deal.

Former Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Neto is currently the only other Brazilian in Barcelona's squad following the June departure of midfielder Arthur to Juventus.

Maia, who can play as a second striker, winger or an attacking midfielder, joined Sao Paulo's youth academy as a 14-year-old.

BASEBALL

Braves rule out name change, review chant

The Atlanta Braves say they have no plans to follow the lead of the NFL's Washington Redskins and change their team name.

"We will always be the Atlanta Braves," the team said in a letter to season-ticket holders on Friday. The letter was obtained by Associated Press on Monday.

The tomahawk chop chant used by Braves fans is under review, however.

The team said in the letter it is seeking input from the Native American community, fans, players and former players as it examines the fan experience, including the chant.

The Redskins announced on Monday they will change their name and Indian head logo.

The Braves say they have established a "cultural working relationship" with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina and formed a Native American Working Group.

The name came with the team on its move from Milwaukee to Atlanta in 1966. The name was adopted in 1912, when the team was based in Boston.

Heavy hitters join A-Rod, J-Lo Mets bid

Celebrity power couple Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez reportedly have turned to some big names associated with other sports in yet another bid to purchase the New York Mets.

Per ESPN, Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, former NFL running back DeMarco Murray and retired offensive lineman Joe Thomas have joined the NBA's Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) and Mason Plumlee (Denver Nuggets) as investors in the bid.

The group reportedly made an initial bid of $1.7 billion, per ESPN.The former New York Yankees slugger and Bronx-born actress/singer have reportedly fronted up $300 million of their own money toward the bid.

The sum total, however, trails the $2 billion made by hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen, according to a report by the New York Post.

Xinhua - Agencies