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
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
MLS is the real deal, folks.
Major League Soccer has solidified its position among the world’s top-tier soccer leagues, now ranked as the ninth-best league globally, according to Opta Analyst.
MLS ranked as ninth-best league in the world, over EFL Championship and Eredivisie
This milestone places MLS above renowned leagues like the English Championship and the Dutch Eredivisie — two leagues in Europe with long histories of having top soccer talents.
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
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
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.
In a surprising move, FIFA has significantly slashed ticket prices for this summer’s inaugural 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
2025 Club World Cup ticket price drop: FIFA 'panicking' amid low fan interest
Reports from Mail Sport indicate that the cost of the cheapest seats for matches at the last-16 stage and beyond has been reduced by as much as $385, with some tickets for the semi-finals plummeting from an eye-watering $526 to just $140.