24 h. ago European football: Mbappé spot on to deliver first Real Madrid win for Arbeloa

Raúl Asencio also on target in 2-0 win over LevanteLautaro Martínez gives Inter 1-0 victory at UdineseReal Madrid ended a turbulent week with a much-needed 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Levante, courtesy of second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asencio, after being met with boos from a restless Bernabéu crowd before the breakthrough arrived.The win snapped Real’s two-match losing run and offered brief respite after a bruising week. They looked flat in the first half, still carrying the scars of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de España, followed by the departure of Xabi Alonso as manager the next day and a shock 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago No cups, no Europe, 40 matches: is this Manchester United’s post

As Michael Carrick prepares for Saturday’s derby, fans wonder if this is the club’s worst moment – but they are spoilt for choiceManchester United, without a permanent head coach or European football and knocked out of both domestic cups at the first time of asking, are facing another bleak season. In the almost 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, the club have struggled to find stability, with his shadow stretching down from the directors’ box to the dugout, emphasised by the stand named in his honour staring back.Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday in the opposite position, having had Pep Guardiola in post for a decade, amassing 18 major trophies. Michael Carrick will take charge of United for the first time since being appointed until the end of the season at a club who appear to be without a functioning long-term plan. This will be a campaign of only 40 competitive games for United, their fewest since 1914-15, with some fans thankful for being able to cut down ...

Politics

3 d. ago European football: Inter edge Lecce to stretch lead, Bayern earn comeback win

Esposito scores 78th-minute winner at San SiroNapoli 0-0 Lecce, Cologne 1-3 Bayern MunichFrancesco Pio Esposito was the hero for Inter, the substitute’s 78th-minute goal earning a 1-0 home win over lowly Lecce to boost their title hopes.The Serie A leaders laboured against stubborn opposition before Esposito scored from a rebound with 12 minutes remaining. Inter move six points clear of Milan and Napoli with victory in what could be a major turning point in this season’s title race. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Man United players show true colours as Marcus Rashford celebrates major Barcelona milestone

Marcus Rashford added the Spanish Super Cup to his growing list of trophies after Barcelona beat Real Madrid to win the competition in Saudi Arabia on Sunday

Sport

6 d. ago Marcus Rashford completes first Barcelona mission after making Man Utd transfer stance clear

Marcus Rashford helped Barcelona beat Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah on Sunday night

Events

6 d. ago Spanish media all agree as Marcus Rashford dealt another blow during Barcelona trophy win

Marcus Rashford secured his first trophy after leaving Manchester United on loan as his Barcelona team won the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid

Economics

6 d. ago Marcus Rashford completes first Barcelona mission after Man United transfer stance made clear

Marcus Rashford helped Barcelona edge past Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah on Sunday night

Events

6 d. ago Marcus Rashford showed true colours in new footage after win over Real Madrid

Marcus Rashford was celebrating on Sunday night after Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup success but he still found time to acknowledge Real Madrid's stars after they fell short

Culture

8 d. ago Will Kylian Mbappe face Barcelona? Injury latest on Real Madrid star before Spanish Super Cup final

Mbappe sat out Real Madrid’s semi-final win over Atletico Madrid

Events

1 week ago Juventus deliver tale of humiliation and redemption inside three days | Nicky Bandini

On Saturday, Jonathan David’s lazy penalty cost Juventus a win. By Tuesday, he was the best player on the pitchFour years have passed since Andrea Agnelli, still the chairman of the European Club Association and president of Juventus back then, floated the idea of selling 15-minute viewing subscriptions for football games. A response to research showing that younger generations – “tomorrow’s spenders” – had shorter attention spans.Agnelli’s judgement has been called into question a few times since, between the failed launch of a European Super League and his suspension from Italian football following an investigation into financial irregularities at Juventus. But perhaps he was right about the need to serve modern audiences a faster fix of sporting theatre. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How Scandinavian clubs fell behind the WSL – can they regain lost ground?

Once they seemed an unstoppable force but a huge gap between the Nordic leagues and Europe’s elite has emerged in the past 20 yearsFor a brief period in the early 2000s, Scandinavian clubs seemed unstoppable in European women’s football. Umeå lifted the Uefa Women’s Cup in 2003 and again in 2004, using a blend of technical skill and tactical intelligence. The Swedish side were a powerhouse and attracted top talent from around the world, including Marta, widely regarded as the greatest ever female player.That dominance feels very distant. In 2025, a Norwegian, Swedish or Danish club winning the Women’s Champions League is almost unthinkable. Vålerenga were the only Scandinavian team to reach the Champions League league stage this season and they did not qualify for the knockout phase. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: Napoli hold off Lazio in fiery contest with three red cards

Spinazzola and Rrahmani goals earn 2-0 away winSevilla slump to 3-0 home defeat against LevanteFirst-half goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani helped Napoli claim a 2-0 victory at Lazio on Sunday in a heated contest that featured three red cards.Victory moves Napoli back to one point behind Serie A leaders Milan, who won 1-0 at Cagliari on Friday. Inter sit third but can reclaim top spot with victory at home to Bologna later on Sunday.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: García back to haunt Espanyol as Barcelona go seven clear

David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against LecceChelsea target Rosenior’s Strasbourg draw at NiceThe Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed Joan García as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after the former Espanyol player delivered a decisive performance against his old club in the Catalan derby on Saturday.García was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory, producing a series of outstanding saves, with the league leaders extending their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to seven points. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against Lecce

McKennie equalises in 1-1 draw but Juve’s title bid hitEspanyol ban fans with Barcelona shirts at city derbyJuventus’s Serie A title hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-battling Lecce on Saturday, with the hosts coming from behind but failing to win after Jonathan David had a Panenka-style penalty saved.Juventus remain fifth on 33 points, five off the leaders, Milan, who have played a game less. Lecce are 16th on 17 points, five points above the relegation zone.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago European giants watching Cardiff City talent after nudge from familiar face

The Cardiff City youngster has enjoyed a stellar few months for club and country

Politics

3 w. ago John Robertson: ‘The Picasso of football’ who helped Nottingham Forest to two European Cups

The Scotland winger won the European Cup in successive seasons with Forest, scoring in the 1980 final

Politics

3 w. ago John Robertson, Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, dies aged 72

Winger was important part of Brian Clough’s famous sideScored in Scotland’s 1981 win over England at WembleyJohn Robertson, the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, has died at the age of 72. Robertson was a hugely important part of the great Forest team that under Brian Clough rose from the second tier of English football to win multiple major honours, most famously back-to-back European Cups.Robertson assisted the decisive goal in the first European Cup triumph in 1979 and scored the decisive goal in the second, contributions that mark him out as one of the most remarkable players in British football history. He earned 28 Scotland caps, notably scoring the winning goal in a Home Championship victory over England at Wembley in May 1981. Clough described him as “the Picasso of our game”. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Tories call EHRC chair’s comments a ‘disgrace’ after she warns ‘demonisation of migrants’ bad for UK – politics live

Chris Philp says Mary-Ann Stephenson is dismissing ‘legitimate concerns about mass migration’The Green party has broadly welcomed the government’s animal welfare strategy. In a statement, the Green MP Adrian Ramsay said:There is much to welcome in the animal welfare strategy, but it must have real teeth to deliver for animals. Ministers must set clear timescales to phase out crates and cages, properly support farmers through the transition and not allow imports that don’t meet UK standards.I welcome the action on snares, hunting and puppy farming. Puppy legislation must end breeding for extreme, unhealthy traits in dogs. The strategy could go further for animals, particularly by ending greyhound racing, as the Welsh government is doing. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago European football: Lamine Yamal on target as Barcelona battle past 10

Barcelona head into new year on top of La LigaKoke, Gallagher and Griezmann strike for AtléticoBarcelona secured a composed 2-0 La Liga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors’ favour when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break.It took just 12 minutes for Barcelona to take the lead from the penalty spot after Santi Comesana blocked Raphinha with his back as the winger tried to break through and the Brazilian calmly converted the spot-kick.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Vinicius Junior sends cryptic Real Madrid message as Xabi Alonso makes admission

Vinicius Junior was jeered by Real Madrid's own supporters during their unconvincing 2-0 win against Sevilla on Saturday, and he's responded with a social media post

Events