Forlan tops scoring charts after Atletico charge

Atletico Madrid claimed Spain's fourth Champions League place with a 3-0 win over visiting Almeria on Saturday night. Diego Forlan's 32nd league goal of the season confirmed his second Pichichi top goalscorers' award with his highest ever tally. Twenty five goals had been enough to win it in 2005 when he also shared the European Golden Boot with Thierry Henry, a surprise achievement as Forlan was considered a flop when he left Manchester United for Villarreal in 2004.

"It's an incredible life I'm living," beamed the Uruguayan, 30. "It feels very special and I have to thank all of my teammates and coaches who have worked with me this season. What's most important is that we play again in the Champions League." Forlan surged into the lead after scoring 12 goals in the last nine games of the season, Atletico winning eight of those matches. The coach Abel Resino, who took over in February with the club in seventh place, also achieved his aim of a top four finish. Discussing his future, decided today, Resino said: "I am happy and calm. I am in no rush and we will now sit down and see what the situation is."

Atletico finished fourth behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla, two points ahead of Villarreal, who beat Mallorca 3-2 away. Samuel Eto'o rescued a 1-1 draw for treble winners Barcelona at Deportivo La Coruna with his 30th league goal of the season. As in 2005, Eto'o finished second to Forlan in the race for the Pichichi. Valencia beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home to finish sixth and will play in the Europa League. David Villa scored his 27th and 28th goals of the season and finishes third in the Pichichi. "I don't think that I've just played my final game for Valencia," said Villa. With his club in financial turmoil and needing to cash in on their star after failing to reach the lucrative Champions League, he may not have a choice.

amitten@thenational.ae

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Race card

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.

2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.

2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.

3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.

The National selections:

1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed

2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey

2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol

3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart

3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial

4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold

4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil

Forlan tops scoring charts after Atletico charge

Atletico Madrid claim Spain's fourth Champions League place with a 3-0 win over visiting Almeria.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

Race card