Football

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior emerged as the hero on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick to propel the Spanish giants to a resounding 4-0 victory over Osasuna in La Liga. The triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu provided a much-needed confidence boost for Carlo Ancelotti's side, which had suffered consecutive home defeats in the league and Champions League.Despite the absence of injured stars Kylian Mbappe, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo, Madrid dominated the match from the outset. Vinicius opened the scoring in the 34th minute, finishing off a pass from Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, who had been instrumental in Madrid's success last season, added to the lead with a fine lob just before halftime.Vinicius continued his impressive form in the second half, completing his hat-trick with two more goals. The first came after a long ball from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, while the second was set up by Brahim Diaz.Mbappe, who has struggled to find the net in recent matches, was unable to add to his tally despite playing in his preferred position on the left flank. However, Madrid's clean sheet helped end a run of nine goals conceded in three consecutive home matches.The victory moved Madrid to within six points of league leaders Barcelona, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday. "We won by a margin, we had a complete game in terms of work and effort," said Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz. "Madrid always have to win and we'd suffered two consecutive defeats... The fans deserved a victory, we can still give more, we are an incredible team."

Real Madrid's Champions League woes continued on Tuesday as they suffered a humiliating 3-1 home defeat to AC Milan. The loss marked Madrid's second in four matches and left them languishing in the middle of the table.Kylian Mbappe, who has struggled to find his best form since joining from Paris Saint-Germain, failed to score again and has now netted just once in his last six matches for Madrid. The French striker was denied by Mike Maignan in the first half and again before halftime.Milan took the lead in the 12th minute through Malick Thiaw's header from a corner. Vinicius Junior equalized from the penalty spot after being fouled by Emerson Royal, but Alvaro Morata restored Milan's lead before the break.Tijjani Reijnders sealed the victory for Milan in the second half, finishing off a superb solo run by Rafael Leao. Madrid's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Antonio Rudiger's goal was ruled offside.Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that his team is "not giving a good account of itself" and called for improvements in compactness and organization. "We have to be worried," he said. "The team's not giving a good account of itself."Milan coach Paulo Fonseca praised his team's bravery and work rate. "The players came here with courage, didn't have any fear... in the first half we created plenty and in the second half we were on the back foot, but we fought together," he said.Madrid's next Champions League match is at Anfield against Liverpool, by when Ancelotti will hope to have solved some of his team's growing problems.

Kylian Mbappe's departure from Paris Saint-Germain has left a significant void in the team's attack, particularly in the Champions League. Despite a strong start to the Ligue 1 season, PSG have struggled in Europe, with just four points from three games.The French giants' struggles were evident in their 1-0 victory over Girona, where they managed 26 attempts but only scored thanks to a late own-goal. A 2-0 defeat at Arsenal followed, exposing PSG's lack of attacking prowess. In their most recent Champions League outing, they drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven, again failing to convert their chances despite 26 attempts.PSG's poor finishing has been a recurring issue, dating back to last season's Champions League semi-finals, where they failed to score against Borussia Dortmund despite 45 attempts. This season, they have scored just two goals from 62 attempts in Europe.The absence of a reliable center-forward has been a major factor in PSG's attacking woes. Goncalo Ramos, who was expected to fill the void left by Mbappe, suffered an ankle injury early in the season and is yet to return. Randal Kolo Muani, signed for a hefty 90 million euros, has failed to impress and has been an unused substitute in the last two games.Despite their struggles in the Champions League, PSG remain dominant in Ligue 1, sitting six points clear at the top of the table. However, their European ambitions are in jeopardy, and they face a crucial clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.Atletico, known for their strong defense, will pose a significant challenge for PSG. The French side will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to secure a positive result and keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Kylian Mbappe's transition to Real Madrid has been a gradual one, with the French superstar yet to fully establish himself as a pivotal figure in the team. However, Saturday's La Liga Clasico against Barcelona presents an ideal opportunity for Mbappe to showcase his brilliance and accelerate his adaptation to life in the Spanish capital.Mbappe's move to Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June was a long-awaited dream come true, but the 25-year-old has not yet reached his peak performance level. With eight goals in 13 matches across all competitions, Mbappe has shown glimpses of his potential, but he has also struggled to find his place in Carlo Ancelotti's tactical setup.The Clasico is a stage where heroes are made, and a standout performance from Mbappe could propel him to new heights. Should he score against Barcelona and help Real Madrid match the Catalans' record of 43 consecutive La Liga matches without defeat, it would be a significant step forward in his integration into the team.Ancelotti has expressed satisfaction with Mbappe's contributions, acknowledging his goalscoring prowess. However, the coach believes that Mbappe is still finding his feet and has the potential to improve significantly.Mbappe's predecessor at Madrid, Jude Bellingham, set a precedent for the Frenchman last season, scoring twice on his Clasico debut and netting a last-minute winner in the second league clash against Barcelona. Ancelotti has emphasized Mbappe's goal-scoring abilities, hoping that he will take on the mantle of the team's primary attacking threat.Despite his goal-scoring exploits, Mbappe has faced some challenges in recent weeks. He was not on the scoresheet in Real Madrid's 5-2 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, and he has been embroiled in off-field controversies, including a rape investigation and a dispute with PSG over unpaid wages.The Clasico will not erase Mbappe's problems, but a dazzling performance would shift the focus back to his footballing abilities. He has scored six goals in four matches against Barcelona, all in the Champions League for PSG, and he will be eager to add to that tally in the iconic fixture.Mbappe's role in the Madrid team is still evolving, with the forward often drifting to his favored left side and swapping positions with Vinicius Junior. The Clasico will be a test of his adaptability and his ability to make a decisive impact in a high-pressure environment.If Mbappe can deliver a standout performance against Barcelona, it would not only boost his confidence but also silence the critics who have questioned his impact at Madrid. The Clasico is a stage where legends are born, and Mbappe has the opportunity to etch his name into the annals of the rivalry.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of Kylian Mbappe's goal-scoring prowess over his defensive contributions. The Spanish giants have struggled to find their rhythm this season, and Ancelotti believes Mbappe's primary focus should be on finding the back of the net."I prefer that he scores goals than he presses," Ancelotti stated. "The central striker position in our team has not changed. I ask him the same I asked of Karim (Benzema)."Mbappe has scored eight goals in 12 appearances for Madrid this season, but his output has been overshadowed by Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 14 times in 12 games. The French forward has also faced criticism for his absence from France's recent Nations League matches due to a thigh injury.Ancelotti's comments come amid concerns about Mbappe's impact on the team's balance. The arrival of the former Paris Saint-Germain star has pushed Jude Bellingham into a more defensive role, and the English midfielder has yet to score this season."We're satisfied with his work... because he works a lot on the pitch," Ancelotti said of Bellingham. "The truth is he hasn't scored the goals he did last year, but the surprise isn't this year, it's last year."Ancelotti acknowledged Madrid's attacking prowess, which includes Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, and expressed his preference for end-to-end matches. "I want (rock and roll football) because I have players with these characteristics," he said.Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin emphasized the need for a strong mentality and collective effort to overcome Madrid's attacking threats. "It's only possible (to succeed) as a collective, not just against these two, but against all of Real's players," he said.Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt stressed the importance of closing down Madrid players quickly. "It's about working even more defensively... you probably shouldn't give them any breathing room to get close to our goal," he said.

Jude Bellingham's second season at Real Madrid has been a tale of contrasts. After a stellar debut campaign marked by goals and glory, the England international has faced challenges in his sophomore year.Bellingham's first season in Madrid was a whirlwind. Thrust into the attack after Karim Benzema's departure, he scored 10 goals in his first 10 games. His performances earned him the admiration of fans and critics alike.However, this season has been different. Bellingham has been tasked with more defensive responsibility, a role that has limited his attacking output. He has yet to score in nine games across all competitions.Bellingham's frustration was evident during Madrid's recent win over Celta Vigo. He appeared furious with Vinicius Junior for not passing him the ball when he was well-placed to score.Manager Carlo Ancelotti defended Bellingham, saying that his reaction showed "balls and character." However, he acknowledged that Bellingham's role has changed and that he should be appreciated for his contributions to the team.Bellingham's struggles have coincided with Madrid's inconsistent form. The team has struggled to find the right balance in midfield, with Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes all vying for attacking roles.Despite his challenges, Bellingham remains a key player for Madrid. His work rate, passing ability, and defensive awareness make him a valuable asset to the team.As Madrid prepares for crucial matches against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, Bellingham will be determined to make a significant contribution. Whether he scores or not, his presence on the pitch will be vital for the team's success.

Real Madrid's relentless pursuit of La Liga glory continued on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Celta Vigo. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior emerged as the heroes for the Spanish giants, scoring crucial goals to secure the three points.Mbappe, despite facing allegations of rape, showcased his brilliance on the pitch. The French striker opened the scoring with a stunning long-range effort, leaving Celta goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin helpless. Williot Swedberg equalized for the hosts, but Vinicius restored Madrid's lead with a clinical finish.Madrid's victory was not without its challenges. Celta Vigo played with determination and created several scoring opportunities. However, Thibaut Courtois stood firm in goal, making crucial saves to deny the Galicians.Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid's manager, praised his team's resilience. "I'm happy because we won after the international break, which is not always easy," he said. "When they equalized, our changes gave new energy to the team, and it was a very important win."Ancelotti also highlighted the impact of Luka Modric, who came off the bench to provide the assist for Vinicius's winning goal. "It's a pleasure to coach Modric," he said. "He's a top professional and a great guy."The victory keeps Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The two giants will face off in the highly anticipated Clasico next weekend, which promises to be a pivotal moment in the title race.

French soccer star Kylian Mbappé's representatives have vehemently denied allegations of a rape investigation against him in Sweden, labeling the reports as "false and irresponsible."Swedish media outlets, including Expressen and Aftonbladet, reported that the Real Madrid striker was the subject of a rape claim following a visit to Stockholm last week. However, Swedish prosecutors have since issued a brief statement confirming a rape report but refraining from naming any suspects.Mbappé's communications team has condemned the Swedish media for spreading "slanderous" rumors. They emphasized that Mbappé "will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation, and honor being sullied by unfounded insinuations."The French star himself took to social media to dismiss the allegations as "FAKE NEWS!!!!" and linked to a French article covering the Swedish reports. He also hinted at a possible connection between the reports and a legal hearing in Paris regarding unpaid wages from his former club, Paris Saint-Germain.Swedish media had previously reported on Mbappé's brief stay in Stockholm, publishing photographs of him and his entourage. The French star had been granted permission to skip international duty due to a minor thigh injury.Mbappé's lawyers have expressed bewilderment over the allegations, stating that they are unaware of any specific complaint against their client. They emphasized that a complaint does not constitute proof of guilt.The allegations have sparked widespread attention and concern, given Mbappé's status as one of the world's most prominent soccer players. His representatives have vowed to take legal action against any media outlets that continue to spread false information.

Kylian Mbappé's premature return to action has sparked controversy within the French national team, with head coach Didier Deschamps and his staff expressing outrage. Mbappé, who was expected to be sidelined for three weeks after sustaining an injury against Real Madrid, made a surprise appearance against Lille in the UEFA Champions League just nine days later. He subsequently played 70 minutes against Villarreal on Saturday.Deschamps and his coaching staff are reportedly unhappy with Mbappé's decision to rush back into action, as they believe it was solely motivated by his desire to play for Paris Saint-Germain. They feel that the French captain has "erased himself from the national team" by prioritizing his club commitments over his international responsibilities.France's recent loss to Italy in the UEFA Nations League has further fueled the controversy. The team currently sits in second place in Group 2 and faces crucial matches against Hungary and Belgium in the coming weeks. Mbappé's absence from the squad has raised questions about his commitment to the national team and his ability to lead the team to success.The situation has also drawn criticism from former France and Manchester United captain Patrice Evra. Evra questioned the decision to hand Mbappé the captaincy, arguing that he is not yet on the same level as Karim Benzema. He also criticized the team's decision to give Mbappé preferential treatment, suggesting that it could undermine the team's motivation.Mbappé's actions have sparked a wave of backlash, with many fans and pundits expressing their disappointment. The controversy has cast a shadow over the French national team and raised concerns about Mbappé's future with the team.