Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal thought he was being clever. In the waning moments of a 6-0 victory over APOEL on Nov. 21, Carvajal decided to hold the ball instead of throwing it back into play. The referee didn’t like this time wasting and showed him a yellow card.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the 2017 Ballon d'Or from France Football. It is his fifth such award. Ronaldo and Messi are now the only players with five Ballon d'Ors.

Ronaldo's exploits in 2017 include winning the Champions League and La Liga, as well as continuing to be the highest-scoring Champions League player of all time.

I don't think I can say anything about Christian Pulisic that hasn't already been said. The kid is good. Just ask Real Madrid.

Ronaldo will just keep scoring. This goal makes Ronaldo the only player in Champions League history to score during every group stage match. 

Ronaldo is the 1st player to score in all 6 #UCL group stage games.

And he did it in style. https://t.co/ZQ6Baf8Rop

Welcome to the second tier, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid. Sure you’ve been a part of three of the last five Champions League finals, but sweet Thursday night road trips are in your future after finishing third in your respective UCL groups to earn the Europa League parachute. 

Atletico played in the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, losing to crosstown rival Real Madrid both times. Los Colchoneros are ranked No. 2 in UEFA’s club coefficients, a rating score based on the previous five seasons of European play.