Football

Jude Bellingham's arrival at Real Madrid has been nothing short of spectacular. The English midfielder has already etched his name into the club's history books by becoming the first player to score in his first two Clasicos since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2007.Bellingham's impact was evident in Real Madrid's thrilling 3-2 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. After Andreas Christensen gave Barcelona an early lead, Bellingham's fellow countryman Vinicius Junior equalized from the penalty spot.In the second half, Fermin Lopez put Barcelona back in front, but Real Madrid responded with a swift equalizer from Lucas Vazquez. With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Bellingham emerged as the hero.In the 91st minute, Vazquez sent a teasing cross towards the far post, which Bellingham met with a clinical left-footed strike. The Bernabeu erupted in a chorus of "Hey Jude," as Bellingham sealed the victory for Real Madrid.Bellingham's performance was all the more impressive considering the absence of key players like Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. The 19-year-old showed maturity beyond his years, dictating the tempo of the game and creating chances for his teammates.Barcelona's defeat was a major setback in their pursuit of the La Liga title. The Catalan giants are now 11 points behind Real Madrid with just 15 games remaining. Xavi Hernandez, who is stepping down as Barcelona manager at the end of the season, expressed his frustration with the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga.Despite the defeat, Xavi praised Bellingham's performance. "He's a special player," Xavi said. "He has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world."Bellingham's rise to prominence has been meteoric. After impressing at Borussia Dortmund, he joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €100 million. In his first season at the Bernabeu, he has already established himself as a key player for Carlo Ancelotti's side.With his exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Jude Bellingham is poised to become a legend at Real Madrid. The future looks bright for the English star and the Spanish giants.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez believes that a victory in the upcoming El Clasico is crucial for his team's hopes of challenging Real Madrid for the La Liga title. The Catalan giants trail their arch-rivals by eight points with just seven games remaining in the season.Real Madrid have been in impressive form this season, winning 24 of their 31 league matches and reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona, on the other hand, have struggled to keep pace, losing their second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.Xavi is aware of the importance of the El Clasico and knows that a win would give his team a much-needed boost in their title bid. "We have to win the Clasico," Xavi said. "It's the only way we can stay in the title race."Real Madrid will be looking to extend their winning streak to five matches in La Liga when they host Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. The hosts have not lost in their last 16 league games and will be confident of maintaining their dominance over their rivals.Barcelona, however, have a strong record at the Bernabeu, having won 17 of their last 38 meetings there. They will also be buoyed by the return of Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 13 goals in La Liga this season.The El Clasico is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in world football and is sure to be a thrilling encounter. Barcelona will be desperate to win to keep their title hopes alive, while Real Madrid will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Antonio Rudiger's stellar performance against Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals not only secured Real Madrid's place in the semi-finals but also highlighted his exceptional defensive prowess. The German defender's ability to neutralize Erling Haaland's threat across both legs was crucial in Madrid's 4-4 aggregate draw and eventual penalty shootout victory.Rudiger's unwavering presence at the heart of Madrid's defense was evident in his ability to contain Haaland, one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. Despite City's dominance in possession, Rudiger's physicality and tactical awareness prevented Haaland from adding to his impressive goal tally.In the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, Rudiger's resolute defending helped Madrid withstand City's relentless attacks. Despite Rodrygo's early goal, City pressed forward, but Rudiger and his defensive partner Nacho Fernandez remained unyielding. Their ability to block shots, intercept passes, and clear crosses kept City at bay.In the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rudiger's personal battle with Haaland continued. The defender's physicality and anticipation allowed him to anticipate Haaland's movements and disrupt his rhythm. Rudiger's ability to read the game and position himself effectively prevented Haaland from finding space or creating clear-cut chances.Rudiger's defensive contributions extended beyond his individual battles with Haaland. His leadership and communication skills helped organize Madrid's defense, ensuring that they remained compact and disciplined throughout the tie. His ability to cover for his teammates and make crucial interceptions was instrumental in Madrid's defensive resilience.While Rudiger's defensive performance was exceptional, he also played a pivotal role in Madrid's penalty shootout victory. After Luka Modric missed for Madrid, Rudiger stepped up to take the decisive penalty. With nerves of steel, he calmly slotted the ball past Ederson, securing Madrid's passage to the semi-finals.Rudiger's performance against Manchester City showcased his versatility and importance to Real Madrid. His ability to defend against world-class attackers, organize his defense, and contribute in crucial moments makes him an invaluable asset to Carlo Ancelotti's team. As Madrid prepare to face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, Rudiger will be confident in his ability to continue his impressive defensive displays and help Madrid reach the Champions League final.

Real Madrid's unwavering "mentality" proved decisive as they overcame Manchester City in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final second leg, securing a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory after a 1-1 draw.Jude Bellingham, who scored one of Real's penalties, hailed the team's ability to handle pressure under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti. "Our biggest strength is he finds a way to let a lot of boys play with freedom," Bellingham said. "As a man, he fills you with calmness and confidence."Real took an early lead through Rodrygo, but Kevin De Bruyne's late equalizer forced the match into extra time. Despite City's dominance, Real held firm, with Bellingham crediting their belief and character. "You have to see it as a responsibility, not a pressure, if you want to play for a team like Real Madrid," he said. "Today it came down to mentality."Bellingham acknowledged City's formidable opposition, but expressed satisfaction with Real's revenge for last season's semi-final defeat. "It's belief," he said. "We stood up really well."Ruben Dias, City's defender, expressed disappointment at the result. "We dominated the game," he said. "It's obviously difficult to take."The victory was particularly special for Bellingham, who played in front of his brother Jobe for the first time since joining Real. "It's beautiful," he said. "My brother is here today, the first time he's seen me play for Madrid."Real's triumph sets up a semi-final clash with either Chelsea or Arsenal, while City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

Manchester City's Champions League title defense came to a heartbreaking end at the Etihad Stadium as Real Madrid held their nerve to win a thrilling penalty shootout 4-3 after a 1-1 draw in extra time.The match started with both teams cautious, but it was Real Madrid who struck first in the 11th minute. Vinicius Junior's brilliant run and pass found Rodrygo, who tapped the ball into an empty net.City dominated possession and created chances, but they struggled to find a way past the resolute Real Madrid defense. Haaland had a header cleared off the line, while Foden and Grealish were denied by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.In the second half, City continued to press, but it was De Bruyne who finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. A cross from the left was not properly cleared by Antonio Rudiger, and De Bruyne smashed it home from close range.Just two minutes later, De Bruyne had a golden opportunity to put City ahead, but his shot was tipped over by Lunin.Extra time saw City replace Haaland with Julian Alvarez, but it was Real Madrid who created the better chances. Doku came close to scoring from a pass from the left, but no one got a foot to it.The match went to penalties, and Real Madrid held their nerve to win it. City missed two of their first three penalties, while Real Madrid converted all four of theirs.The victory sends Real Madrid into the semi-finals, while City's treble hopes are over.

FC Barcelona's Champions League hopes were dashed by a resurgent Paris Saint-Germain, led by the unstoppable Kylian Mbappe. The French superstar, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, proved to be Barcelona's nemesis once again, scoring a stunning brace to seal PSG's 4-1 victory.Barcelona had taken an early lead through Raphinha, but Ronald Araujo's red card in the 29th minute proved to be a turning point. PSG capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Ousmane Dembele equalizing before Vitinha gave them the lead. Mbappe then took center stage, converting a penalty in the 61st minute and adding a second in the 89th minute to complete his brace.Mbappe's performance was a reminder of his immense talent and the threat he poses to any defense. The 25-year-old has now scored 41 goals this season, including eight in the Champions League. He is the first player in Europe's top flight to reach the 40-goal mark this season.Barcelona's elimination from the Champions League has also confirmed Atletico Madrid's berth in the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Barcelona were behind Atletico in the rankings, and their defeat to PSG secured Atletico's qualification for the FIFA event.

Manchester City, on the cusp of a historic second consecutive treble, face a formidable challenge as they host Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The match marks a rematch of last season's Champions League semi-final, where City humiliated Madrid 4-0.Despite City's impressive form, Erling Haaland has faced criticism for his recent performances. The Norwegian striker, who has scored 31 goals in 38 games this season, has failed to find the net in City's three meetings with Madrid in the past year.Haaland's critics, including former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane, have questioned his all-around contribution, claiming he is a "luxury player" who lacks "world-class" status.The Spanish press has also been critical of Haaland's performance in the first leg of the Champions League tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, describing him as "impotent" and "clumsy."However, City manager Pep Guardiola has defended his star striker, highlighting his impressive goal record and the team's collective success since Haaland's arrival. Guardiola believes Haaland's presence creates space for other players, allowing them to score crucial goals.Despite the criticism, Haaland remains a key figure for City. His ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates makes him a valuable asset in their quest to retain the Champions League and complete the treble.City hold a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League and face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. A victory over Real Madrid would further boost their chances of achieving their ambitious goals.

Real Madrid maintained their commanding lead in La Liga with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mallorca on Saturday. Aurelien Tchouameni's long-range strike in the second half proved decisive, extending Madrid's unbeaten league run to 25 games.Despite resting key attackers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City, Madrid controlled the match. Jude Bellingham came close for Mallorca in the first half, but his effort rattled the crossbar.Tchouameni broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half with a deflected drive from outside the area. Brahim Diaz and Fede Valverde had chances to extend Madrid's lead, but their attempts were denied by Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.Vinicius entered the fray in the final 30 minutes, but Madrid failed to add to their tally. Sergi Darder's spectacular shot forced a fine save from Andriy Lunin, but Madrid held on for the victory.Barcelona kept pace with Madrid by securing a 1-0 win at Cadiz. Joao Felix's clever overhead kick in the first half proved to be the difference. Xavi Hernandez made several changes to his team, but they still managed to extend their clean sheet streak in the league to six games.Atletico Madrid continued their resurgence with a 3-1 victory over Girona. Antoine Griezmann scored twice, including a penalty, to help Diego Simeone's men move within four points of their opponents. Angel Correa also found the net for Atletico, who are now firmly in the race for Champions League qualification.Rayo Vallecano and Getafe played out a goalless draw in the other La Liga fixture on Saturday.

Real Madrid face a crucial test of their title credentials when they visit Real Mallorca on Saturday, as they seek to maintain their focus on La Liga amidst their captivating Champions League battle with Manchester City.Carlo Ancelotti's side, holding an eight-point lead at the summit, must navigate a delicate balancing act ahead of the second leg at the Etihad next Wednesday, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg. However, taking their eye off the domestic prize could prove costly, with the Clasico against Barcelona looming on April 21.Resurgent Barcelona, currently second, will be desperate to close the gap when they visit the Santiago Bernabeu, eager to defend their crown. Copa del Rey runners-up Mallorca have enjoyed a strong season, and despite falling short in their bid for their first cup triumph since 2003, they will receive a rousing reception at their Son Moix stadium.Javier Aguirre's team, sitting 15th, must swiftly shift their attention back to La Liga, as they remain only six points clear of the relegation zone with eight matches remaining. If Ancelotti opts to rotate his squad to preserve players for the Champions League, Mallorca could capitalize, although the Italian has ample quality in reserve.Brahim Diaz, Joselu, and veteran Luka Modric could all feature, while defender Eder Militao may make his first start since recovering from a long-term knee injury. Ancelotti has praised his forwards, including leading scorer Jude Bellingham and Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, for their tireless efforts against City.However, there is a history of animosity between Mallorca defenders and Vinicius. Last season, full-back Pablo Maffeo mocked the Brazilian, prompting a social media backlash from Real Madrid fans. Maffeo has since deleted his Twitter account due to the abuse he received.If Ancelotti decides to field Vinicius, their individual duel will be a captivating subplot. Aguirre believes Mallorca's Copa del Rey defeat will motivate his players in La Liga.