By: Casey Rhine
Ohhhh El Clásico, where to begin. One of soccer's most heated, yet most deeply cherished rivalries.Few of you readers get to experience El Clasico, in Barcelona, while it's happening. This was my mission on December 23rd and should be your mission on May 6th if you are not lucky enough to go to the game in the Camp Nou.
"If it's not a banger, don't count it" — Federico Valverde, probably.
Just days after a gut-wrenching Champions League quarterfinal exit at the hands of Arsenal, Real Madrid found redemption in dramatic fashion at the Santiago Bernabéu after Federico Valverde fired home a thunderous volley in the dying minutes to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a resolute Athletic Bilbao side, reigniting hopes in the LaLiga title race.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will serve a one-match suspension following his tackle on Alaves' Antonio Blanco, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday.
The Frenchman was shown a straight red card in Sunday's game against Alaves for a violent challenge on midfielder Blanco, with the referee overturning his initial decision to give him a yellow after a VAR review.
Mbappé one game ban
Real Madrid’s turbulent week took another dramatic twist on Sunday as Kylian Mbappé was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Alavés midfielder Antonio Blanco in the Galacticos' away 1-0 win at Mendizorrotza Stadium.
The flashpoint came just minutes after Eduardo Camavinga had given Los Blancos a glimmer of redemption with a thunderous long-range strike, putting the visitors ahead in what was expected to be a bounce-back performance following their humiliating Champions League defeat to Arsenal.
Two unbelievable Declan Rice free kicks vs Real Madrid stunned the Spanish giants and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as Arsenal soared to a 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.
After a relatively quiet first half, Rice sent the crowd inside Emirates Stadium into a frenzy with a marvelous bending free kick in the 58th minute. The ball bent so far around the wall it was reminiscent of Roberto Carlos’ free kick vs. France in 1997.
Declan Rice free kicks vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger have been fined for misconduct after their Champions League win over Atlético Madrid and handed one-game bans, suspended for a year, leaving them free to play against Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Rüdiger was fined $44,000 while Mbappé was fined $32,800. However, their one-match suspensions are "not immediately enforced" and are subject to a probationary period of one year, UEFA said on Friday.
Mbappé and Rüdiger ban
Real Madrid overturned a two-goal deficit against Real Sociedad to reach the Copa del Rey final after an extra-time header by substitute Antonio Rüdiger secured a barnstorming 4-4 draw on Tuesday for a 5-4 aggregate win.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad highlights
The visitors gave Real Madrid a scare as they grabbed the lead through Ander Barrenetxea in the 16th minute but a lovely dinked effort by Endrick levelled the score 15 minutes later.
Four Real Madrid players could be in trouble after UEFA announced that an ethics and disciplinary investigation is being launched for the club’s celebrations against Atlético Madrid during their Champions League Round of 16 victory.
Kylian Mbappé, Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Ceballos and Vinícius Jr. were the quartet of Madrid players that UEFA named. The investigation will be for “indecent conduct.”
UEFA Real Madrid investigation
A video of the Antonio Rüidger run after scoring the game-winning penalty kick vs. Atlético Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 has gone viral.
Certain players have trademark moves or skills named after them. The “Rüdiger run” isn’t a term people use, however if you say that phrase everyone will know what you’re talking about.
When sprinting at full speed the German defender loves to get his knees as high up as possible. After scoring the winning penalty he did his iconic run and nearly all of his Real Madrid teammates followed suit.
UEFA said the correct decision was made to disallow Julian Alvarez's penalty in Atletico Madrid's Champions League loss to city rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday but European soccer's governing body would enter discussions to review the rule.
A livid Atletico enquired with UEFA after Alvarez had his shootout penalty ruled out by the referee in their last-16 tie that saw Real reach the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition.