Spain

"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.

LaLiga leaders Barcelona fought back from 3-1 down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 in a rollercoaster encounter on Saturday, with a stoppage-time penalty by Raphinha extending their lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table to seven points.

With the score tied at 3-3 after Celta's Borja Iglesias netted a hat-trick, the game seemed to be heading for a draw when Dani Olmo won a penalty deep into added time and Raphinha stepped up to score and seal the three points.

Raphinha vs Celta Vigo

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.

Imperious Barcelona thumped visitors Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday after Robert Lewandowski netted twice against his old club to earn the Catalans a sizeable lead ahead of next week's return visit to Germany.

Barcelona vs Dortmund highlights

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.

MADRID — The top court in Spain's Catalonia region on Friday overturned Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves' rape conviction, saying the case against him had inconsistencies and contradictions.

The 41-year-old defender was convicted last year of raping a woman in the restroom of a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 and sentenced to 4-1/2 years in prison.

Dani Alves rape conviction overturned

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

The second leg of the Madrid Derby in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday had high drama with the main focus being a Julián Alvarez penalty being disallowed during the shootout which Real Madrid won 4-2 after drawing 2-2 on aggregate.

Alvarez appeared to convert Atlético Madrid’s second penalty when he powered his penalty kick into the roof of the net despite slipping.

BARCELONA — Raphinha scored twice and Lamine Yamal netted with a stunning strike as a superb Barcelona dismantled Benfica 3-1 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, advancing to the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate victory.

It was an inspired evening for teenager Yamal who was virtually unplayable running up and down the right channel, creating most of Barca's scoring chances.

Lamine Yamal goal vs Benfica