From stunning McGill Martlets home games to historic soccer rivalry matches, The Tribune Staff Writers share their sports highlights of the week
McGill: Martlets Basketball secures a comfortable win at home against Concordia Stingers on Jan. 16
With the Stingers pressing high and the Martlets looking to reset, Emma-Jane Scotten, U5 Arts, saw it coming before it happened. Concordia’s #23 telegraphed the pass, and Scotten jumped with perfect timing to get a fingertip on the ball. The deflection sent it flying toward midcourt, and that was all the invitation Daniella Mbengo needed.
Mbengo, U2 Social Work, plays guard for the team and has already racked up 16 points for the Martlets this season.
Already in motion, Mbengo turned on the jets and scooped up the loose ball in stride. The crowd roared; Mbengo surged forward, the open court ahead of her. She left Concordia’s Nelly Owusu behind quickly and easily. First two hard dribbles, then three, before she laid the ball off the glass.
The ball dropped through clean, and McGill’s bench erupted. Concordia’s frustrated defence was disarrayed.
Mbengo shouted, triumphant, as she turned back toward her teammates. Scotten was there first, and they met in an explosive chest bump. Erica Simeone, U1 Science, sprinted over, clapping Mbengo’s hand approvingly. The Martlet energy surged.
That single play—Scotten’s anticipation, the speed and poise of Mbengo—was more than just two points. It was a momentum-pin, and Mbengo’s strength of presence may well have won McGill the game. A spark that ignited the Martlets, as they ricocheted into the next possession, already in control of the game.
The game closed out 69-62, and put the Martlets above 1,000 points recorded this season. With an 11–7 record, the Martlets have continually impressed and made McGill proud—despite suffering a loss away against Concordia Jan. 18, two days later.
The Martlets will play the Bishops Gaiters on Jan. 23 at Love Competition Hall.
International: Barcelona’s five-star fiesta in El Clásico comeback stuns rickety Real Madrid
In a historic Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, FC Barcelona mounted a stunning comeback to dismantle Real Madrid 5-2, securing their record-extending 15th title. The match epitomized everything great about El Clásico: Goals, intense rivalry, and moments of individual brilliance.
Madrid struck first through Kylian Mbappé, who showcased his trademark pace by breaking free from the halfway line after regaining possession on account of Vinícius Júnior’s defensive acumen. The French forward made no mistake, clipping the ball past Wojciech Szczesny to give Los Blancos an early lead. However, Barcelona’s response was swift and decisive.
Seventeen-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal equalized the match with a brilliant individual effort, cutting in from the right and finding the near post with a precise low finish. The momentum shifted further when Eduardo Camavinga’s late challenge on Gavi resulted in a penalty, which Robert Lewandowski calmly converted to put Barcelona ahead.
The floodgates opened as Raphinha added a third, connecting with a cross to head home. Before halftime, Barcelona’s counterattacking excellence was on full display as Yamal and Raphinha combined to set up for the fourth. After the break, Raphinha notched his second, completing Barcelona’s five-star performance.
The drama was not over, as Szczesny received a red card for his reckless tackle on Mbappé outside the area. Rodrygo offered Madrid a glimmer of hope with a well-executed free kick past substitute keeper Iñaki Peña, but it proved merely a consolation. Despite Madrid’s numerical advantage, Barcelona’s commanding lead proved insurmountable. Carlo Ancelotti’s post-match assessment was telling: “We defended badly and that cost us the game.” For Barcelona, this victory not only secured silverware but also reinforced their dominance over their eternal rivals, following their 4-0 triumph in October’s league encounter.
