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☆ Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Xavi had to call up eight academy players for their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, as the Catalonian side grapple with injuries to eight key players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Barca secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Shakhtar thanks to a brilliant display by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez, who is becoming a regular in the first team. It's a match in which we need to be at 100%," Xavi told a press conference on Wednesday. Real lead the LaLiga standings, level with Girona, the surprise package of the season so far, on 25 points from 10 games. Barcelona are third on 24 points, two ahead of Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Persons: FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, Pedro Nunes, Xavi Hernandez, Xavi, Robert Lewandowski, Barca, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie De Jong, Jules Kounde, Pedri, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Joao Felix, It's, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Gueler, Englishman Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, Fernando Kallas, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FC Porto, FC Barcelona, Estadio, FC Barcelona's, REUTERS, Rights, Real Madrid, El, Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk, Shakhtar, Lewandowski, El Clasico, Barca, Borussia Dortmund, Braga, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Thomson Locations: Porto, Portugal, Rights BARCELONA, Barcelona, Catalonian, Camp Nou, Portuguese, Girona

☆ Lukaku backs Belgium return for Courtois after spat with coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Belgium's stand-in captain Romelu Lukaku said he would welcome Thibaut Courtois back into the national team with open arms after the goalkeeper walked out of the squad in June. Courtois tore knee ligaments and underwent surgery in August, delaying any resolution, but earlier this week Belgium fullback Timothy Castagne said he did not think Courtois could return to the squad without any explanation. “The day Thibaut decides to return, he will simply return. You know, I would like to call on the media not to constantly write that Thibaut Courtois or any other player said this or did that. Lukaku was chosen ahead of Courtois as captain in June, standing in for the injured Kevin De Bruyne.

Persons: Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Courtois, Domenico Tedesco, Timothy Castagne, “, ”, Thibaut, “ Thibaut, Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Castagne, I've, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: Estonia, Real Madrid, Austria, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Belgium, Vienna, Paris

☆ Diaz and Joselu on target as wasteful Real sink Las Palmas
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Real Madrid bounced back from their painful derby loss with a 2-0 home LaLiga win over lowly Las Palmas on Wednesday thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz and Joselu. The hosts were by far superior side but squandered more than a dozen clearcut chances in the first half, with Diaz and Joselu missing sitters from close range. Arda Guler, who was expected to be available against Las Palmas after recovering from a knee operation, sustained a thigh injury in training that will further delay his debut for the team. Vinicius did come off the bench in the second half after missing four consecutive games for his club. Real moved up to second place on 18 points, leapfrogging third-placed Barcelona who were held to a 2-2 draw by Mallorca on Tuesday.

Persons: Brahim Diaz, Joselu, Carlo Ancelotti, Jude Bellingham, Diaz, Alvaro Valles, Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Vinicius Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Vinicius, it's, Movistar, Fernando Kallas, Ed Osmond Organizations: Madrid, Las Palmas, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Las, Real, Mallorca, Tuesday, Villarreal, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Las, Las Palmas, Rodrygo, Barcelona, Girona

☆ Real Madrid's Guler suffers new injury blow
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's close-season signing Arda Guler has sustained a thigh injury, the LaLiga club said on Tuesday, in another setback for the midfielder that will further delay his debut for the team. "After the tests carried out on our player Arda Guler, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the left rectus femoris muscle," Real said in a statement. The 18-year-old Turkey international returned early from the club's pre-season tour with a knee injury, for which he underwent surgery in August. Guler returned to training a few days ago, but his latest injury has thwarted his anticipated debut against Las Palmas on Wednesday. The club did not give details about his recovery, but Spanish media reported he could be out for three weeks.

Persons: Arda Guler, Real, Guler, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Javier Leira, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: Turkey, Las Palmas, Thomson Locations: MADRID

☆ Vinicius Jr sidelined for several weeks with thigh injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks after the LaLiga club said he had suffered a thigh muscle injury during last Friday's match at Celta Vigo. Jr by the Real Madrid medical services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the right biceps femoris muscle. The 23-year-old's injury is the latest setback to hit Real Madrid, whose goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao are expected to be out of action for the rest of the season with ACL tears. New-recruit Arda Guler will also be sidelined for several months as he recovers from knee surgery. Midfielder Dani Ceballos and fullback Ferland Mendy are also recovering from muscle injuries suffered during the first few weeks of the season.

Persons: Vinicius Jr, Vini . Jr, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Fernando Kallas Organizations: Real Madrid, Celta Vigo, Reuters, Bolivia, Vini, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Real, Peru

☆ Ancelotti rules out Real Madrid move for Mbappe in this window
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Real Madrid have ruled out signing Kylian Mbappe before the transfer window closes next week, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Thursday as the Paris St Germain forward continues to be linked with the LaLiga club. Ancelotti added that Real are unlikely to do any more transfer business in the current window which closes on Sept. 1. When asked about France striker Mbappe, he told reporters: "No, I rule it out 100%. The transfer window remains open in Saudi Arabia beyond Sept. 1, which means clubs from the Gulf nation could still poach Europe's best players, but the Real boss was not concerned. Midfielder Luka Modric did not start Real's first two league games, leading to speculation that the Croatian is unhappy with the situation, something which Ancelotti denied.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Carlo Ancelotti, Paris St Germain, Ancelotti, Mbappe, Luka Modric, Luka, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Real's, Andriy Lunin, Thibaut Courtois, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Paris St, France, Celta Vigo, Chelsea, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Real Madrid, Saudi Arabia, Real's

☆ Real sign goalkeeper Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - May 13, 2023 Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File PhotoMADRID, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Real Madrid and Chelsea have reached an agreement for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's season-long loan to the Spanish club, the clubs announced on Monday. He has reportedly been targeted by Bayern Munich as the German side are seeking to replace their own injured goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, but Real Madrid moved faster to secure the deal. Courtois joined Real from Chelsea in 2018 after winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge. Real Madrid had only one other goalkeeper in their first team squad, Ukraine's Andriy Lunin. The 24-year-old Lunin has made only nine Spanish league appearances for the club since signing from Zorya Luhansk in 2018.

Persons: Kepa, Peter Nicholls, Kepa Arrizabalaga's, Thibaut Courtois, Arrizabalaga, Robert Sanchez, Manuel Neuer, Courtois, Ukraine's Andriy Lunin, Fernando Kallas, Robert Birsel Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, REUTERS, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bayern Munich, Real, League, FA, Stamford, Liverpool, Zorya, Leganes, Thomson Locations: Stamford, London, Britain, Real, Spanish, Paris, Zorya Luhansk, Spain, Valladolid, Oviedo

☆ Manchester City's Rodri named Champions League Player of the Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 11 (Reuters) - Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the Champions League's Player of the Season by UEFA on Sunday after a stellar 2022-23 campaign. Rodri appeared in all but one of City's Champions League matches, scoring twice. Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named the Champions League's Young Player of the Season, capping a remarkable campaign for the 22-year-old Georgian. Kvaratskhelia won the league title with Napoli and also claimed Serie A's Player of the Season award earlier this month. Team of the season:Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)Defenders: Kyle Walker (Man City), Ruben Dias (Man City), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter)Midfielders: John Stones (Man City), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Rodri (Man City)Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Erling Haaland (Man City), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rodri, Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Kvaratskhelia, Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior, Tommy Lund, Toby Davis Organizations: Manchester City, UEFA, Spain international, City, Inter Milan, City's Champions League, Napoli, Inter, Midfielders, Real, Thomson Locations: Saturday's, Real Madrid, Man, Gdansk

☆ Benzema scores on farewell but Real held at home by Bilbao
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, June 4 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's Karim Benzema netted a penalty in his final LaLiga game at the Bernabeu but was unable to inspire them to victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Real held onto second place despite the draw, as 10-man Atletico Madrid were held 2-2 at Villarreal following Jorge Pascual's 92nd-minute equaliser. Diego Simeone's side finished the season with 77 points, one behind local rivals Real. Osasuna secured a spot in the Europa Conference League, beating Girona 2-1 to finish seventh, two points above Bilbao. Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Karim Benzema, Real, Ballon, Benzema, Thibaut Courtois, Mikel Vesga, Sancet, Eder Militao, Yuri Berchiche, Jorge Pascual's, Diego Simeone's, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bernabeu, Athletic Bilbao, Bilbao, Real, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Osasuna, Europa Conference League, Girona, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Saudi Arabian, Al Ittihad, Bilbao's, Bilbao, Nashik, India

☆ Real Madrid player Vinícius Jr. racially abused during Spanish La Liga match
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, was subjected to racist chanting during his team’s defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium in Spain’s La Liga, according to club manager Carlo Ancelotti. Vinícius Jr. was sent off in the final minutes of the game for his involvement in an altercation with Valencia player Hugo Duro. ‘This isn’t football, this is @LaLiga’”The Real Madrid player then posted a longer statement on his Twitter. “Valencia CF wishes to publicly condemn any type of insult, attack or downgrading in football,” it reads. “Valencia CF can’t tolerate someone accusing our fans of being racist, we strongly reject Ancelotti’s comments,” the post said.

☆ Manchester City: Is 'unstoppable' team the best in the world?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For years, this City team has dominated English football – winning four Premier League titles in the last five seasons – but it has failed to really stamp its authority in Europe. “I think that first half performance is one of the best I’ve ever seen,” former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told Sky Sports. The timing of it, in the Champions League semifinal, that felt like one of the biggest games ever at that stadium. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed a special night. Only one English team, Manchester United, has ever achieved the historic feat, but you’d be brave to bet against Manchester City in its current form.

☆ Man City outclass Real Madrid to reach Champions League final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MANCHESTER, England, May 17 (Reuters) - Manchester City marched into the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons after outclassing holders Real Madrid 4-0 for a 5-1 aggregate victory at a raucous Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. With Inter Milan awaiting in the final, City will now be huge favourites to finally deliver the trophy Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour has craved since buying the club in 2008, having lost to Chelsea two years ago. Just as in the Spanish capital, City took an early stranglehold with Real barely stringing two passes together and finding it almost impossible to escape their own half. City toyed with the 14-times champions for the rest of the half and could have been further ahead. With their place in the Istanbul showpiece secured, City can win their fifth Premier League title in six seasons this weekend and they also have an FA Cup final to look forward to.

☆ City will be 'unstoppable' at home against Real, says Grealish
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 10 (Reuters) - Manchester City will be "unstoppable" at home when they host Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, winger Jack Grealish said. City earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg in the Spanish capital on Tuesday after Kevin De Bruyne's stunning low strike cancelled out Vinicius Jr's opener for Real. The reigning Premier League champions are unbeaten at home since November and will hope to stretch that record in the second leg on May 17. Grealish said the team "learned so much" since they were knocked out by Real in the Champions League semi-finals last season. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said the second leg will be like a "final" for the Spanish side, who are record 14-times Champions League winners.

☆ Real Madrid eases past Celta de Vigo 2-0 to put pressure on Barcelona
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Real Madrid eased past Celta de Vigo 2-0 on Saturday in what was a relatively calm and assured performance for Los Blancos to cut Barcelona’s lead atop La Liga to eight points ahead of Atlético Madrid’s visit to the Camp Nou on Sunday. Vinícius Jr. proved a dangerous threat to Celta throughout the match, including getting his 17th assist of the season across all competitions. Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto/Getty ImagesThe 1-0 marked Asensio’s 11th goal of the season in all competitions and Vinícius’ 17th assist across all competitions. In the 48th minute, Asensio took a great corner into the area, where an on-rushing Militão powered a header into the bottom left corner for his fifth league goal of the season past a helpless Villar. Militão puts his powerful header into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-0.

☆ Rodrygo double eases Real Madrid into semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Real looked capable of killing the tie whenever they moved forward and Rodrygo, who scored a vital goal against Chelsea at the same stage last year, smashed a shot against the post. Home keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then beat away a Vinicius Junior effort before Real's master craftsman Luka Modric forced another save from Arrizabalaga. "It was a second yellow card, which means a red, which means 30 minutes with us a man up," Lampard said. Real then switched gears and Rodrygo skipped past Chalobah's wild slide on the right and his cross was eventually played back to him by fellow Brazilian Vinicius Jr to calmly slot home. ($1 = 0.8048 pounds)Writing by Martyn Herman in London Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Real Madrid beat 10-man Chelsea 2-0 as Benzema strikes again
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Finals - First Leg - Real Madrid v Chelsea - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 12, 2023 Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Albert GeaMADRID, April 12 (Reuters) - European champions Real Madrid beat 10-man Chelsea 2-0 in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg courtesy of a tap-in by Karim Benzema and a powerful strike by substitute Marco Asensio in the Spanish capital on Wednesday. Benzema, the scourge of Chelsea at the same stage of the competition last season, converted from point blank range in the 21st minute when Kepa Arrizabalaga saved from Vinicius Junior but could only touch the ball in the direction of the Frenchman. Chelsea went close to scoring in the first half through Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling but they were thwarted by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois playing against his former club. The win at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium puts the 14-time European champions in the driver's seat ahead of the second leg at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on April 18. Writing by William Schomberg in London Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Real Madrid crash to Villarreal defeat as title chances fall further away
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 8 (Reuters) - Samu Chukwueze scored twice to inflict a further blow on Real Madrid's title hopes as they were beaten 3-2 by Villarreal at home in LaLiga on Saturday despite twice taking the lead. Real host Chelsea on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Vinicius Jr restored Real's lead two minutes into the second half with a simple finish in front of the Villarreal goal for his ninth league strike of the season. "It's a crazy goal," Chukwueze said. Villarreal, who climbed to fifth place in the battle for a Champions League spot, host relegation-threatened Valladolid next Saturday.

☆ French insurer AXA outlines bond exposure to SVB and US regional banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, March 16 (Reuters) - French insurer AXA (AXAF.PA) has a relatively small corporate bond exposure to Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB.O), group Deputy CEO Frederic de Courtois told a Morgan Stanley investor conference this week. "On direct impact, we have 66 million corporate bond exposure to SVB. On regional banks of the size and the type of SVB, the lightly regulated regional banks, we have about 300 million exposure on corporate bonds," he said. The details of his March 15 presentation at the conference were made available on AXA's website. Courtois did not specify to which currency he was referring, in his comments on AXA's exposure.

☆ LVMH rejigs beauty division, names Stephane Rinderknech CEO
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - LVMH (LVMH.PA), the world's largest luxury company, on Monday named Stephane Rinderknech as chairman and CEO of its beauty division, rounding out a series of broader management changes at the owner of Guerlain and Parfums Christian Dior. Rinderknech will take up global responsibility for the group's beauty business, while Guerlain head Veronique Courtois becomes president and CEO of Parfums Christian Dior. Make Up For Ever head Gabrielle Saint-Genis Rodriguez will be president and CEO of Guerlain. The changes come as luxury groups, which have been riding a strong wave of post-pandemic demand for designer labels, look to expand in their beauty activities. As part of that process, the group in January folded Tiffany into the watches and jewellery division, under the management of Stephane Bianchi.

☆ AXA lifts 2023 targets as full-year earnings miss expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Blames fall in valuation of bond assetsRaises 2023 earnings growth guidanceAnnounces 1.1 billion-euro share bay-back programPARIS, Feb 23 (Reuters) - French insurer AXA (AXAF.PA) posted lower-than-expected full-year earnings on Thursday as the rise in interest rates weighed on the valuation of its bond assets but raised its 2023 targets. Europe's second-biggest insurer after Germany's Allianz (ALVG.DE) said net income fell by 8% year-on-year to 6.7 billion euros ($7.12 billion) in 2022. Gross revenues over the year were up 2% to 102.3 billion euros, in line with the Refinitiv analyst consensus estimate. AXA yet raised its 2023 guidance, saying it now targeted an underlying earnings per share growth above 7%, up from a previous target of a growth in the high end of its 3% to 7% range by 2023. It also announced a share buy-back programme of up to 1.1 billion euros this year and a dividend of 1.70 per share, up 10% from 2021.

☆ Real Madrid ease past Al Ahly to reach Club World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RABAT, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Real Madrid reached the Club World Cup final after goals from Vinicius Jr, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas secured a 4-1 win over Egypt's Al Ahly in Morocco on Wednesday. Vinicius shot wide in the 28th minute and Rodrygo hit the post but Real opened the scoring right on halftime. Vinicius twice wasted opportunities to extend the lead and Al Ahly received a lifeline when Eduardo Camavinga tripped Hussein El Shahat inside the area in the 65th minute and defender Ali Maaloul tucked away the penalty. Real will face Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the final in Rabat on Saturday after they shocked South American champions Flamengo 3-2 in the first semi-final. "We have the excitement to play the final and the concern to play it well.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

☆ Real Madrid slump to 2-1 defeat at Villarreal as Moreno shines
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - LaLiga - Villarreal v Real Madrid - Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain - January 7, 2023 Villarreal's Gerard Moreno scores their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Pablo MoranoJan 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on Saturday after a goal and assist from striker Gerard Moreno, giving leaders Barcelona a chance to move ahead in the title race. Real stay second, level on 38 points with Barca who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Villarreal's third straight league win moves them up to fifth spot. Yeremy had the best chance of the first half after he was played through on goal by Moreno, but Thibaut Courtois was quickly off his line to block the shot. Madrid grew into the game following Villarreal's goal, with Benzema and Vinicius continuing to orchestrate the champions' attacking efforts. Moreno converted after Madrid's protests had calmed down, sending Courtois the wrong way to put his side back in the lead.

☆ Belgium knocked out of World Cup after goalless draw with Croatia
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Belgium was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup on Thursday after a goalless draw with Croatia left it third in Group F.In what was a frustrating evening for the Red Devils, both Romelu Lukaku and Yannick Carrasco spurned good opportunities to score the goal which would have sent Belgium through. For Belgium, it is another disappointing end to an international tournament, but manager Roberto Martínez said afterward that Belgium can go home with its “heads held high.”“It’s not easy to win games in the World Cup. We’re out, but we can leave with our heads held high.”Belgium's Timothy Castagne looks dejected after being eliminated from the World Cup. After the break and following the introduction of Inter Milan striker Lukaku, Belgium increased the tempo as it pressed for a vital goal – Lukaku heading straight into the arms of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković. In the previous World Cup, we won three games in the group stage, we wanted to go all the way.”

☆ No Lukaku but Belgium make three changes for Morocco game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Belgium departing for the World Cup - Brussels Airport, Belgium - November 15, 2022 Belgium's Romelu Lukaku departs for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 REUTERS/Johanna GeronDOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku was again left out of the starting line-up as he recovers from a hamstring injury but coach Roberto Martinez made three changes to his side for the World Cup Group F clash with Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday. Tall midfielder Amadou Onana will start in the place of Youri Tielemans having impressed off the bench in the 1-0 win over Canada, while Thorgan Hazard, brother of captain Eden, comes in for Yannick Carrasco. Right back Thomas Meunier was preferred to Leander Dendoncker. Morocco are unchanged from the 0-0 draw with Croatia as left back Noussair Mazraoui has recovered from a hip injury sustained in that game. Belgium will qualify for the last 16 with a victory and will hope for a much-improved performance compared to the win over Canada, which Martinez called "technically the worst" showing of his six years in charge.

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