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MADRID — Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz scored a second-half winner as the hosts edged out neighbors Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a scrappy first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday after Julian Alvarez had cancelled out Rodrygo's opener.

Real started on fire when Rodrygo scored a fine opener four minutes after kick-off but Atletico slowly got into the game and Alvarez equalized with a stunning strike in the 32nd minute.

Julian Alvarez goal vs Real Madrid

The headline of this story might be one of the more unique ones I’ve written in my five years with The18. An American striker scored a key goal at the same time a squirrel was invading the pitch.

Sargent’s squirrely goal took place during Norwich City’s 1-1 draw against Hull City on Saturday in the EFL Championship. In the 47th minute Norwich left back Kellen Fisher was running stride for stride with a furry rodent on the near sideline.

Despite the excellent run made by Hammy from “Over the Hedge” Fisher elected to swing the ball into the box toward Sargent.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the holders a 3-2 first-leg victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat Champions League knockout phase playoff on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappé and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland.

England international Bellingham scored the winner in the 92nd minute when Vinicius looped the ball over from the left and the Englishman got in front of John Stones to tap home.

Bellingham goal vs Man City

United States men’s national team fans received devastating news on Thursday as Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad reported that star U.S. and PSV striker Ricardo Pepi is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season, the two clubs announced on Friday.

Milan said in a statement that they also have an option to buy the England right-back, with Sky Italy saying Walker would cost around $5.24 million.

Kyle Walker Milan loan

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta brought out an ancient excuse that we haven’t heard in 15 years for why his players couldn’t hit the target in their 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.

Arteta said the game balls were different.

The last time someone tried to blame the ball for their team’s failures was the 2010 World Cup with the infamous Jabulani ball. Arsenal’s boss now claims there are key differences between the Carabao Cup balls and Premier League balls.

Mikel Arteta Carabao Cup ball complaint

DOHA — Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was named FIFA men's player of the year in Doha on Tuesday, with Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati winning the women's award for the second year in a row.

Vinicius scored 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions to help Real Madrid clinch the LaLiga and Champions League double, and he also netted in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.

The Brazilian won the award ahead of Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri and his teammate at Real, England's Jude Bellingham.

Aston Villa will be disappointed with their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, however an unbelievable Emiliano Martínez save was one big highlight they can smile about.

In the 60th minute with the score tied at 0-0 Martínez seemingly broke the laws of physics with an unreal save. Nottingham Forest’s Nicolás Domínguez thought for certain he’d scored the opening goal with a close-range header but was denied by the paw of Martínez.

Emi Martínez save vs Forest