Europe

United States men’s national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso played a key role in Real Betis’ 2-1 upset victory against Real Madrid on Saturday. The American headed in an equalizer from close range in the first half.

With Madrid leading 1-0 early in the first half, Johnny chose perhaps the best time to score his first LaLiga goal of the season. In the 34th minute a Betis corner was swung into the box and a wide-open Johnny was there to smash in the equalizer.

Johnny Cardoso goal vs Real Madrid

Crystal Palace ace Jean-Philippe Mateta was removed on a stretcher and taken to the hospital during his side’s FA Cup match vs. Millwall on Saturday after being the victim of a horror tackle.

Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish gave an interview at halftime and called the tackle Mateta suffered, “the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.”

Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was handed a four-match ban and fined by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on Thursday following his comments about Turkish referees after a match at Galatasaray.

The TFF fined the 62-year-old Portuguese $44,000 after he criticized the match officials in a press conference following the 0-0 Super Lig draw on Monday.

José Mourinho ban for comments on referees

Real Betis forward Antony received great news on Wednesday when he learned he will be eligible for his side’s match vs. Real Madrid on Saturday after winning a red card appeal. 

Antony was sent off in his last LaLiga game vs. Getafe with a straight red card following a tackle on Getafe's Juan Iglesias. Betis appealed to the Spanish Football Federation and won, meaning Antony is cleared to face off against Los Blancos.

Here was the moment Antony learned the news.

Antony reaction to red card overturned

BARCELONA — Atletico Madrid clawed back from two goals down to rescue a 4-4 draw at Barcelona in a rip-roaring battle in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday.

Atletico stunned the home side early on, taking a two-goal lead with Julian Alvarez opening the scoring inside the first minute and Antoine Griezmann extending their advantage five minutes later.

Barcelona vs Atletico highlights

The Champions League last-16 draw threw up some mouth-watering matches with holders Real Madrid playing local rivals Atletico Madrid while Bayern Munich were drawn against Bundesliga title challengers Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.

Champions League draw bracket

Christian Pulisic wasn’t happy about false reports of him seeking a summer departure from AC Milan and spoke publicly about the situation on Thursday.

Fans of Pulisic know that the American star is rather reserved when it comes to speaking out, so to see him so openly refute reports was surprising.

MADRID — Spain's High Court has found former soccer federation boss Luis Rubiales guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso without her consent and fined him over 10,000 euros ($10,434) in a case which caused a nationwide furore.

It acquitted him of a charge of coercion, the court said on Thursday in a ruling seen by Reuters. Rubiales told Reuters he would appeal, saying: "I am going to keep fighting."

Real Madrid dispatched Manchester City 3-1 with a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick on Wednesday in their Champions League playoff second leg at a raucous Santiago Bernabeu stadium, earning them a 6-3 aggregate victory and a place in the last 16.

Last year's champions will face either Bayer Leverkusen or city rivals Atletico Madrid, depending on Friday's draw, as they seek a record-extending 16th title.

Mbappé scored his second goal in the 33rd minute with a close-range strike after a humiliating cutback that left defender Josko Gvardiol on the floor.