Real Madrid's Valverde keeps up scoring run in 4-1 win over Elche

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Federico Valverde kept up his scoring run by notching his fifth goal in three games to help Real Madrid beat Elche 4-1 in the Spanish league on Saturday, with Arda Güler adding a spectacular late goal from well inside his own half.

The Uruguay midfielder scored with a right-footed curling strike that he took from the edge of area to double Madrid’s lead just before halftime.

That came three days after Valverde’s memorable hat trick in a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the first game of their Champions League round-of-16 matchup. Prior to that, Valverde’s last-gasp goal earned a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in the previous La Liga round.

The 27-year-old Valverde has been a key player for Madrid for several years now, with a reputation for being a workhorse in the midfield as well as providing a powerful long-distance strike from open play and free kicks.

But he has stepped up his scoring recently, scoring all seven of his goals this season since the turn of the year, and just when Madrid needed help in that department with Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham sidelined with injuries.

“I am not surprised because I know what Federico Valverde is capable of,” Madrid forward Brahim Díaz said. “It’s an honor to have him as a teammate, I am sure if he keeps shooting he will score many more goals.”

The game against Elche also featured a memorable goal by Güler, who scored Madrid’s fourth goal in the 89th minute when he successfully lobbed a shot from more than 10 yards inside his team’s own half. Elche goalkeeper Matías Dituro could only watch as it sailed overhead and into his net.

The victory at the Santiago Bernabeu kept Madrid within one point of leader Barcelona before it hosts Sevilla on Sunday.

Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring in the 39th when he volleyed in a clearance resulting from a free kick by Valverde. Dean Huijsen made it 3-0 before Madrid’s youth player Manuel Ángel scored an own goal.

Madrid travels to England on Tuesday to play City in their second game with the 15-time European Cup winners eyeing a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said that Mbappé remains doubtful for the second leg of the City tie.

“We will give him a go tomorrow,” Arbeloa said, indicating that the striker would return to team training on Monday.

Mbappé hasn’t played since Feb. 21 because of a left knee problem that has been bothering him since December.

Atletico Madrid got an early goal from wingback Nahuel Molina and held on for a 1-0 win over 10-man Getafe to remain in a distant third place.

Getafe defender Abdel Abqar was sent off with a direct red card in the 55th for pinching the genitals of Atletico’s Alexander Sorloth. Abqar said that he didn’t intend to do so.

Also, last-place Real Oviedo kept alive its hopes of avoiding relegation by beating Valencia 1-0, while Girona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at home.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's Arda Guler celebrates with Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa after scoring his side's fourth goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche CF, in Madrid, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche CF, in Madrid, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche CF, in Madrid, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Federico Valverde celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Elche CF, in Madrid, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

PARIS (AP) — France won back-to-back Six Nations titles after beating England 48-46 on a last-second penalty kick by Thomas Ramos in a thriller for the ages on Saturday.

England scored its seventh try in the 77th minute and converted for 46-45. If the score held for a few more minutes Ireland would have been crowned the champion.

But France pressed yet again with 14 men, lost possession, regained it, and earned two simultaneous penalties after the fulltime siren. Captain Antoine Dupont debated with referee Nika Amashukeli where the penalty spots were. Ramos, who didn't miss a goalkick all night, finally lined up his seventh shot from more than 40 meters out.

He nailed it, seemingly without any nerves, in the 83rd and leaped into the arms of teammates, back-to-back champions for the first time in 19 years.

Of the title-winning goalkick, Ramos said, "It's in my top three, and not just third. I love moments like that. This title rewards our very strong start to the tournament. I’m very happy. It would have been so tough, when you think about the scenario, to lose it at home in the 76th minute.”

In a bewildering and breathless match including 13 tries and six lead changes, Ramos was the difference as France scored only six tries, four to wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

England put up its highest ever score against France on French soil on the 120th anniversary of Le Crunch, but suffered a fourth loss in a single championship for the first time in 50 years.

“We are disappointed to lose but we showed the spirit of this team,” England capain Maro Itoje said.

“You don't want to go through what we have in the last four games but I truly believe we are going places and will be better for it. We knew we had to attack the game more, our conversion of territory into points had to get better and it paid dividends.”

Ireland beat Scotland 43-21 to move to the top of the standings earlier Saturday, leaving the championship closer at the Stade de France as the title decider.

England came into the game under fire for its kick-heavy approach, but ran hard at France and was constantly rewarded. England scored four tries in the first half but suffered a major turning point right on halftime while leading 27-17.

Prop Ellis Genge was sin-binned for collapsing a maul — England's eighth yellow card in the tournament — and France was awarded a penalty try. While Genge was off the field, France rallied from 27-17 down to lead 38-27.

England came back with tries by standout lock Ollie Chessum from an intercept and replacement back Marcus Smith for 39-38.

Then Bielle-Biarrey scored his fourth try of the match, his ninth in the tournament breaking his own record of eight last year. They also extended his own record try-scoring streak in the championship to 10 matches.

But while leading 45-39, France prop Demba Bamba was sin-binned and the defense cracked when center Tommy Freeman finished a counterattack from a goalline dropout. Marcus Smith converted for 46-45 after replacing Fin Smith, who slotted only three of his six goalkicks.

Just over two minutes were left and France didn't hold back. Just as it didn't at the start.

Bielle-Biarrey connected with grubber kicks by Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert to get France away to 14-5. But England drew level on 17 after tries by its own wingers, Tom Roebuck and Cadan Murley, and Chessum's first of the match.

England then led after an Alex Coles try, converted with a drop kick by Fin Smith with players charging after the ball off the tee. England was bossing the game up front at 27-17 until Genge was sin-binned and France pounced.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Louis Bielle‑Biarrey of France scores a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and England in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)