Japan forward Takefusa Kubo scored in the first half to lead third-placed Real Sociedad to a 3-2 win at relegation-threatened Espanyol in the La Liga on Monday.

The result ended a three-game winless streak for Sociedad, which also scored in the second half through Alexander Sorloth and an own-goal by Espanyol defender Leandro Cabrera.

Sociedad moved within three points of second-placed Real Madrid, who host lastplace Elche on Wednesday.

Barcelona sit 11 points ahead of Madrid at the top. They won 1-0 at Villarreal on Sunday for their 11th straight victory in all competitions.

Wasteful Inter held

Second-placed Inter Milan were held to a 0-0 draw at lowly Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday as Simone Inzaghi’s side were left to rue a flurry of missed chances on a foggy Genoa night.

Inter have 44 points and trail leaders Napoli by 15 after 22 games, with Atalanta, AS Roma and AC Milan are all on 41 points.

Goalie dies after saving penalty

Brussels: Goalkeeper Arne Espeel of Belgium died after he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday moments after saving a penalty for an amateur team.

Winkel Sport B, who play in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, were 2-1 up against Westrozebeke when their opponents were awarded a penalty in the second half.

According to reports in Belgian media, Espeel, aged 25, saved the spot kick but dropped to the ground immediately afterwards. Emergency services tried to revive him with a defibrillator but he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to a hospital.

The game was played at the club’s home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Flanders Province.

“Winkel Sport is in very deep mourning by the sudden death of Arne Espeel,” the club said in a statement. “We wish family and friends of Arne our heartfelt condolences. Football is an afterthought.”

A report in the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper said more than 1,000 people turned up to pay tribute to Espeel on Monday.

Reuters