Madrid take the bite out of Suarez

The bite was taken out of Luis Suarez on Saturday as Real Madrid overpowered Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season.

The Uruguayan set up Neymar for the opening goal, but Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Pepe rendered it irrelevant as the hosts secured an impressive 3-1 win.

Sunday, 26 October 2014 14:21

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Peas release me: Chicharito leaves the bench behind

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There's a new kid on the block at Real Madrid and he goes by the name of Chicharito.

The summer signing from Manchester United bagged two goals from the bench in Madrid's 8-2 demolition of Deportivo and could well have forced his way into Carlo Ancelotti's next starting XI.

That could mean the end for Karim Benzema's run in the team who missed out on the goalscoring party on Saturday as Gareth Bale (two), Cristiano Ronaldo (three), James Rodriguez (one) all found the net instead.

Sunday, 21 September 2014 12:45

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Benzema not affected by Madrid boos

Karim Benzema insists he is not affected by the jeers directed his way from Real Madrid fans.

The France international has been criticised for his early-season form but maintains that even the greatest players in Madrid's history have felt the wrath of the club's supporters.

"I am at a big club and there is always a lot expected of me. I am a Real Madrid striker and that means I have to score in every game. That’s the way it is," Benzema said.

"I was booed last season. Iker Casillas has been booed. All of the great players who have played for Madrid have been booed: Ronaldo, [Zinedine] Zidane...

"For me it’s not a problem. I will continue to work hard to change the situation."

Friday, 19 September 2014 15:00

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Tired Costa run into the ground

Diego Costa may have made an electric start to his Chelsea career, leading the Premier League scoring charts already, but the Blues may struggle to rely on the Spain international for the whole season.

The Brazilian-born forward endured an injury-plagued end to last term with Atletico Madrid, which led to a miserable World Cup, and has been struggling with various problems in recent weeks, notably withdrawn from the Roja squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier.

Costa was then omitted from the starting XI to face Schalke on Wednesday night, with Jose Mourinho revealing that his star forward is unable to play so many games so close together as Chelsea prepare to wrap the 25-year-old in cotton wool.

"Diego Costa is not in a condition to play three matches in a week," said the Portuguese after the side's 1-1 draw with the Bundesliga strugglers.

"He has problems at this moment. When he plays one game he needs a week to recover to be in condition to play in the next game. We play now in midweek – he can’t do it."

On the other hand Real Madrid's Benzema and Liverpool's Balotelli finally scored their first goals this season in the Champions League opening.

Thursday, 18 September 2014 11:00

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Ronaldo the ultimate star of Madrid's Galacticos

Real Madrid have spent close to £100 million this summer on the signings of James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

But it was Cristiano Ronaldo who once again stole the show as Madrid left Cardiff as Uefa Super Cup winners on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla as Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded side kicked off their season with a trophy win.

The new-look Galacticos boasts Bale, Benzema, James, Kroos, Modric and more, but Ronaldo remains the star attraction.

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 13:30

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France 2014 Tribute

Don't forget to watch GoalToons episode about France world cup history: 

 

Ronaldo drags Real Madrid closer to La Liga title

Despite going 1-0 up via Karim Benzema's strike in a violent Madrid derby on Sunday, Real had to rally and come from behind to salvage a point against Diego Simeone's side.

Goals from Koke and Gabi gave Cristiano Ronaldo the perfect platform to salvage a point and help his side move closer to the La Liga title with his

The 2-2 draw leaves Carlo Ancelotti's side top and one point ahead of Barcelona and three ahead of their city rivals with 12 games to go.

Monday, 3 March 2014 11:05

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Benzema, Bale & Cristiano turn to 'BBC' broadcast

Real Madrid obliterated Schalke on Wednesday night with two goals apiece from Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-1 win leading to the trio being coined the 'BBC'.

Allegedly, their next trick is to turn to broadcasting with the actual BBC and deliver the news as accurately as their shooting and the weather as precise as their passing.

Thursday, 27 February 2014 10:37

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Watch & learn: Benzema in awe of Ronaldo

Karim Benzema equalled former Brazil striker Ronaldo's goal tally at Real Madrid on Saturday, with his two strikes against Villarreal moving him onto 104 for the Liga club.

But just where does the former Lyon star draw inspiration from?

Yep, you guessed it. It's the legendary former Inter, Barcelona and Madrid sensation himself - Ronaldo. Speaking to AS, Benzema said: "He inspired me in many respects. Firstly, his will to score goals. But I have also learned a lot from him in terms of movement in front of goal.

"I followed Ronaldo as a child and I still watch videos of him before matches."

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:00

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One thousand eyes on Real Madrid’s attack

Real Madrid take on Valladolid on Saturday with coach Juan Ignacio Martinez claiming his side will need "1,000 eyes" to handle los Blancos star-studded attack.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have scored 40 league goals already this season and a staggering 20 in their last four Liga games and Martinez is wary ahead of the clash.

"Madrid leave you with very few options,” he was quoted as saying by Marca.

“It's clear they are superior and we know it will be difficult, but in football nothing is impossible, although we will have to go out there with a thousand eyes because in the game last Wednesday they scored four goals with one less player".

Friday, November 29, 2013 11:41

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Rooney & Ronaldo lead Champions League scoring spree

It was raining goals on Tuesday night as the Champions League returned to action with a bang, and European football's biggest names were all on song.

Real Madrid were rampant in Turkey, scoring six in a comprehensive victory over Galatasaray as Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick.

While at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United beat Bayer Leverkusen 4-2.

United's rivals Manchester City were also among the goals, as Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero led Manuel Pellegrini's side to a 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen.

And the reigning champions Bayern Munich scored three of their own, cruising past CSKA Moscow at the Allianz Arena, with big-spending Paris Saint-Germain putting four past Olympiakos.

With the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund still to play, there could be plenty more to come on Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 11:30

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Benzema the latest to escape Wenger's paws

It's fair to say Arsene Wenger has had a tough time of it in the transfer market this summer. After Gonzalo Higuain got away as Arsenal turned their attentions to Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan himself proved to be off limits!

There appeared to be some light at the end of the tunnel, though, when it emerged that Karim Benzema was next on Wenger's hitlist. But now the Frenchman will not be coming either, it remains to be seen if the Gunners boss has the energy to carry on transfer hunting.

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Ronaldo's stars align as he tops the Goal.com 50

 

This year's Goal.com 50 has been announced with Cristiano Ronaldo revealed as the top player of the past 12 months.

Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas was surprisingly placed second with Lionel Messi shunted down to third after Los Blancos' title-winning exploits in La Liga last term.
The list has sparked debate and intrigue among fans and pundits alike, and is likely to continue to do so for time to come.

Not everyone has the time to pore over the facts and stats of the list in full so we have brought the entire 50 to you in the simplest of forms.
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Deschamps calls on old friends as Ribery, Nasri et al get binned

 

 He was, then he wasn't, but now he definitely is. On Sunday it was announced that Didier Deschamps had officially become national team coach of France.

The former Les Bleus midfielder will have to get the side's house in order after a tumultuous Euro 2012 campaign that saw bust-ups involving Hatem Ben Arfa, Alou Diarra and, most explosively, Samir Nasri.
The France campaign at World Cup 2010 was also marred by internal strife and Deschamps will be keen to instill the kind of discipline and harmony that saw France win world football's biggest prize on home soil in 1998 before further triumph at Euro 2000.

Under pressure to weed out the trouble-makers and bring glory back to Les Bleus, could Deschamps turn to the successful class of '98 in order to get the job done?
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Blanc puts his Euro 2012 cards on the table...

 

France capped their Euro 2012 preparations with an impressive 4-0 victory over Estonia on Tuesday as Laurent Blanc's side look in good shape for their Group D opener against England next Monday.

Blanc's charges started their European Championship warm-up in unconvincing style as they found themselves two goals behind in their first friendly against Iceland, but second-half strikes from Mathieu Debuchy, Franck Ribery and Adil Rami secured victory and boosted confidence within the French camp.
A tricky tie against Serbia was next up for France, but Les Bleus grabbed a 2-0 victory courtesy of early goals from Ribery and Florent Malouda.

Ribery was on target once more as he got his French side on their way against Estonia before Karim Benzema's double and a late strike from Jeremy Menez sealed Tuesday's convincing win.

With France looking so strong, can they brush aside England, Sweden and Ukraine to top Group D and make a challenge on Spain's Euro 2012 crown?

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Benzema or Higuaín

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