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☆ Real Madrid dethroned as ‘Kings of Europe’ as the club looks to usher in new generation of stars
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Even before the full-time whistle blew in Manchester City’s 4-0 mauling in the Champions League semifinal Wednesday, Real Madrid players looked to have accepted their fate. To see a club like Real Madrid get put to the sword is always a surprise, but it’s even more shocking when you consider it was this team – in this competition. Luka Modrić has been one of the best players in the world during his time at Real Madrid. In truth, the chastening defeat against Manchester City has only amplified what madridistas already knew. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti looked on as his side lost 4-0 on Wednesday.

☆ Champions League semifinal: Can Real Madrid stop Manchester City, the 'best team in Europe?'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Real Madrid and Manchester City face each other in a highly-anticipated Champions League semifinal on Tuesday, pitting the defending champion against a team on a sensational run of form. Erling Haaland has broken record after record since arriving at the club last year and has scored 12 Champions League goals this season – four more than anyone else in the competition. It will be a difficult game against City because City is, at the moment, the best team in Europe,” former Madrid manager Fabio Capello told CNN Sport on Monday. Ancelotti admitted on Monday that City is a “more complete team” compared to last year, particularly with Haaland on the pitch. “We’re not setting out just to stop Haaland, but to stop a team that seems unstoppable,” Ancelotti told reporters.

☆ Rodrygo double fires Real Madrid to Spanish Cup final win over Osasuna
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEVILLA, Spain, May 6 (Reuters) - Rodrygo struck twice and Vinicius Jr dazzled as Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-1 on Saturday to win their 20th Copa del Rey title and first since 2014. Brazilian Rodrygo scored the opener after two minutes but Carlo Ancelotti's side were pegged back when Lucas Torro equalised 13 minutes after the break. Real have lost two of the last three games and are virtually out of contention in LaLiga, sitting 14 points behind leaders Barcelona. "I'm very happy because I have just won the only title I didn't have with Real Madrid at only 22 years old. "We were talking this week about how long it has been since Real Madrid have not won this competition and I, personally, was missing it too.

☆ Benzema hits hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-2
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, April 29 (Reuters) - Karim Benzema scored a first-half hat-trick as Real Madrid recovered from a disappointing midweek loss at Girona by beating lowly Almeria 4-2 at home in LaLiga on Saturday. With six-games remaining, second-placed Real maintained their slim title hopes by moving up to 68 points, cutting Barcelona's lead to eight points. Benzema netted his third from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute after Lucas Vazquez was fouled inside the box. Real wasted several chances to extend their lead further with Rodrygo and Vinicius missing sitters from close-range and Benzema and Asensio hitting the post twice each. The referee initially awarded Real Madrid a penalty for a foul on Benzema inside the box, but reversed his decision after checking the VAR replay for an infringement in the build-up.

☆ 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.

☆ Exclusive: Soccer-Ancelotti to Brazil would be a no-brainer, CBF president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Not only Ronaldo Nazario or Vinicius Jr but all those that have played for him," Rodrigues told Reuters in an exclusive interview. He is really a top coach who he has several achievements and we hope he can have even more." But according to Rodrigues, Ancelotti fever has already caught on in Brazil too. "Everywhere I go in Brazil, in every stadium, he is the first name the supporters ask me about. We need a coach who has the players' respect and admiration," Rodrigues added.

☆ Comeback kings Real at it again as Champions League love affair rumbles on
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Peter Hall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LIVERPOOL, England, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Real Madrid always seem to save their best for Europe, with Liverpool the latest victims of the Champions League's comeback kings in a remarkable 5-2 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday. Real's failure to lie down and accept their fate was key to them securing a 14th Champions League crown last season and it seems they have not lost their touch. While Liverpool were in many respects architects of their own downfall, Real have a history of saving their best for when they are up against it and the Champions League brings out the best in them. Two last-gasp goals from Rodrygo took the tie to extra time, with Karim Benzema finishing an astonishing comeback with a decisive penalty. "I told the boys directly after the game a defeat is a defeat if you don't learn from it," Klopp said.

☆ 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.

☆ Real Madrid frustrated in goalless draw against Real Sociedad
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Battling Real Sociedad survived a pounding at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday when they held Real Madrid to a goalless draw in a frantic LaLiga match. Real Madrid recorded 20 goal attempts compared to only seven created by the visitors who held their turf heroically to go home to San Sebastian with a point thanks to a string of saves by goalkeeper Alex Remiro. Vinicius Jr wasted two chances from close range, one in each half, with Remiro denying both. Leaders Barcelona moved to 47 points in the standings after their 1-0 win at Girona on Saturday and are now five points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid. Real Sociedad are third on 39 points, having played one more game than the top two.

☆ Brazil's best shooters should have taken penalties first, says Klinsmann
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, stunned Brazil 4-2 on penalties after Marquinhos and Rodrygo failed to convert. "After conceding the equaliser in the 117th minute, Brazil had no time to switch gears. From the disappointment of conceding a last minute goal to the penalty shootout, there was no time to settle and approach the shootout positively. "With Argentina, they had extra time to play, even with the shock of the (Wout) Weghorst equaliser in the last minute," Klinsmann added. At the end of the game they were far more clearer (in the head) going into the penalty shootout."

☆ Brazil leave the World Cup after another debacle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Brazil chalked up another disappointing World Cup performance as they exited the tournament in a stunning quarter-final defeat on penalties at the hands of Croatia. It was their second consecutive loss in a World Cup quarter-final, their fourth in the last five tournaments at the same stage. What was supposed to be redemption for the Paris St Germain forward, however, was instead transformed into his third World Cup nightmare. At Russia 2018, injuries again hampered his World Cup dream. Brazil will have to wait four more years to try to win a record-extending sixth world title, and their first since 2002.

☆ Distraught Brazil rue what might have been
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Ossian Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

You have to lift your head,” Brazil captain Thiago Silva said. “I'm very proud of the boys and what we've done, but unfortunately, it's part of football. It was in our hands, and it slipped away,” he added, before reflecting philosophically: “Now it's time to keep calm and life must go on.”With two Brazil penalty misses, Neymar never got to take a spot kick, but coach Tite defended the decision to put Neymar fifth. The players know how proud I am of their performance. "Time will tell what my legacy is.”Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Croatia beat Brazil on penalties to reach semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Quarter Final - Croatia v Brazil - Education City Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 9, 2022 Croatia's Dominik Livakovic celebrates with teammates after winning the penalty shootout and qualifying for the semi final REUTERS/Hannah MckayAL RAYYAN, Qatar, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Dominik Livakovic saved Rodrygo's first penalty and Marquinhos hit the post to give Croatia a 4-2 shootout win over Brazil on Friday after their World Cup quarter-final finished level at 1-1. After a scoreless 90 minutes Brazil took a 1-0 lead with a bit of extra time solo magic from Neymar but gritty Croatia refused to quit, Bruno Petkovic equalising in the 117th minute to send the contest to penalties. Croatia now await the winner of Argentina and the Netherlands who clash later on Friday. Reporting by Steve Keating in Al Rayyan. Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Brazil out of World Cup after losing to Croatia on penalties
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Brazil, the favorite to win this year’s World Cup, is out of Qatar 2022 after losing to Croatia on penalties 1-1 (4-2) in Friday’s dramatic quarterfinal. Another Croatia shockAt the World Cup in 2018, Zlatko Dalić’s team won three knockout rounds after forcing the game into extra-time and it beat Japan on penalties in the previous round in Qatar. Croatia, the beaten finalists in 2018, will now face either Argentina or the Netherlands for a place in the World Cup final, while Brazil will be left to come to terms with another missed opportunity. Another upsetIt’s already been a World Cup of upsets and this was another to add to the list. Brazil was the top-ranked team at the World Cup and possessed an incredible array of talent, with the likes of Neymar and Vinícius Jr. lighting up the tournament.

☆ Croatia oust favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties to reach semi-final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In an evening filled with tension and drama, Brazil superstar Neymar thought he had won the game when he rifled in an extra-time goal for the five-time world champions. Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic's left-footed equaliser three minutes from the end of extra time drew his side level, breaking Brazilian hearts in Doha's Education City Stadium. Croatia initially refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents and in the first half successfully stifled most Brazil moves early. Apart from a weak Vinicius Jr. shot, Brazil had little else to offer in terms of attack with Neymar off the pace and shut out by a hard-working backline. But the Croats refused to surrender with Petkovic's equaliser forcing penalties and coming out on top in the shootout with Livakovic saving Rodrygo's spot kick and Marquinos hitting the post.

☆ Cameroon strike late to stun Brazil's second-string team 1-0
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Simon Jennings | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

They will face Group H runners-up South Korea, who beat Portugal 2-1, in the next round. Brazil's first-ever defeat to an African opponent at a World Cup will, however, no doubt sting as their reserve players were left to rue the fact they did not take the chance handed to them by their coach. "It's a warning signal," said the 39-year-old Dani Alves, one of the players brought in for the game. Cameroon, whose last win at the World Cup was in 2002 against Saudi Arabia, were on the back foot for most of the match but sprung to life at the death. But in the end it was Cameroon who got the only statistic that actually counted.

☆ Casemiro magic sends Brazil through as Vini shines
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Ossian Shine | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The midfielder's spectacular 83rd minute goal sent Brazil through with a game to spare and lit a touch paper to a contest that up to then had struggled to smoulder. "Thank God we scored that goal," Casemiro said. This Monday night clash looked to be heading for another stalemate before Casemiro’s moment of pure magic - one which saw him named man-of-the-match. As important as Monday's victory was for Brazil, perhaps of more importance was the performance of Vinicius Jr – Vini to his team mates. But with a plug-and-play genius like Vinicius Jr ready to take on the mantle of chief playmaker, Tite and the whole of Brazil can rest easy.

☆ Paqueta illness gives Brazil another selection headache
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Five-times world champions Brazil could be without midfielder Lucas Paqueta for their next World Cup Group G game against Switzerland on Monday. The World Cup favourites trained behind closed doors at the Al Arabi Stadium on Saturday and coach Tite gave no clue about team selection in his news conference on Sunday. The versatile 21-year-old forward played in Neymar's position in three practice games in Turin before the World Cup. "I believe that Neymar and Danilo will play again in the World Cup," said on Sunday. "I believe we will be able to count on them in the World Cup again."

☆ Odds-on favorite Brazil face strong Serbia in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Brazil are keeping their cards close to their chest under the spotlight of being the odds-on favorites as they prepare to face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday. The pressure is on as Brazil aim for a record extending sixth title with a squad loaded with talent but full of young players, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut. Paring the young guns with an in-form Neymar have made Brazil a juggernaut, winning 37 of the 50 games played since their 2018 World Cup quarter-finals loss to Belgium in Russia. They conceded 19 goals in this World Cup cycle, finishing 33 of those 50 matches with a clean sheet. Serbia have never moved past the group stages at the World Cup since the breakup of Yugoslavia but will be looking to seize momentum in a strong Group G that also includes Switzerland and Cameroon.

☆ EXCLUSIVE Soccer-Brazil's Vinicius wants to use football for greater good
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Neymar went through so much as a young player, having to play at such young age and with a lot of pressure. So he is the one that makes sure today that everything is easier for the new generation," Vinicius told Reuters in Turin on Thursday, where Brazil are training before flying to Qatar on Saturday. Well spoken and mature for his years, Vinicius welcomes the pressure that comes with the responsibility of being the face of Brazil's new generation. "This new generation has learned a lot from the old generation," Vinicius said. "When you start to become an important player, rivals come after you harder.

☆ Brazil's Guimaraes and Telles suffer injury scares in training
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 25-year old Guimaraes, who was celebrating his birthday, left the practice field for several minutes to receive medical attention after forward Rodrygo stepped on his right foot. Telles received a rough tackle from behind by Neymar and also needed medical assistance. Brazil coach Tite ordered the practice match to stop for a few moments, before Telles returned to the action. Brazil's technical staff stressed that they wanted to assess the physical condition of the players when they reported for international duty on Monday. Brazil begin their World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia on Nov. 24 before facing Switzerland and Cameroon.

☆ Brazil at the 2022 World Cup: who is in Tite's 26-man squad?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Brazil are looking to win a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 in Qatar tournament in Qatar. Who is in Brazil's World Cup 2022 squad? * Brazil will meet Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.What was Brazil's squad at the 2018 World Cup? Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris St Germain), Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Fagner (Corinthians), Pedro Geromel (Gremio), Danilo (Manchester City). Forwards: Neymar (Paris St Germain), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk).

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ Factbox: List of squads for the 2022 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Midfielders: Aaron Mooy (Celtic), Jackson Irvine (FC St. Pauli), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Keanu Baccus (St Mirren). Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras). Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Casemiro (Manchester United), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United). Midfielders: Thomas Delaney (Sevilla), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur). JAPANDefender Yuta Nakayama was called up but will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury.

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