SPORTS

Real Madrid missed the chance to go second in La Liga as Girona came from behind to record a surprise away win. Casemiro powerfully headed in from Toni Kroos’ deep cross from the right wing to give the hosts a first-half lead. Cristhian Stuani’s penalty made it 1-1 after Sergio Ramos’ handball and Girona’s Portu then hit the crossbar. Portu ...

Lionel Messi scored one penalty and missed another as Barcelona beat Real Valladolid to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga. Messi scored his 30th goal of 2018-19 when he converted his first spot-kick after Michel had fouled Gerard Pique. Barcelona were awarded a second penalty when substitute Philippe Coutinho was brought down by Kiko Olivas, but ...

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has signed a one-year contract extension. The 55-year-old Spaniard also has the option of a further year, which would see him remain in charge until the end of the 2020-21 season. The former Barcelona forward replaced Luis Enrique in May 2017 and won La Liga and the Copa del Rey in his first season in charge. ...

Brendan Rodgers said “basic mistakes” cost Celtic dear after a 2-0 home loss to Valencia in the Europa League. Goals either side of half-time from Denis Cheryshev and Ruben Sobrino left Celtic’s hopes of qualifying for the last 16 in tatters. And the Celtic manager lamented the self-inflicted wounds from the Scottish champions. “The lessons are you need to really ...

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says he is looking for some consistency from his side after they claimed a 2-1 victory in Malmo in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie. It followed their 6-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday. “In the last period we’ve had the problem of up and down, up ...

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has denied getting booked on purpose late on in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first-leg at Ajax. Ramos fouled Kasper Dolberg in the 89th minute with Real leading 2-1, earning a suspension for the second leg. Television commentators intimated he sought the booking but Uefa rules state a player who purposely obtains a booking can be ...

La Liga have asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to sanction Gareth Bale for a “provocative gesture” as he celebrated scoring in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win against Atletico Madrid. The Welshman made an arm gesture after scoring his side’s third goal and his 100th for the club in the 74th minute. Bale raised his bent arm and hit it with ...

Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe called for an end to the “scare stories” about injuries to star players Neymar and Edinson Cavani after he led his side to a 2-0 win a Old Trafford. Neymar and Cavani were absent as PSG scored two away goals in the Champions League last-16 first leg – Mbappe adding to Presnel Kimpembe’s opener. “We ...

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Juventus in the summer in a deal that will earn him over £400,000 a week. The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year contract that will see him join the Italian champions as a free agent, ending his 11-year spell with Arsenal. Ramsey passed a two-part medical in January, having picked ...

England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks has died aged 81. Regarded as one of the game’s greatest in his position, Banks was named Fifa goalkeeper of the year six times and earned 73 caps for England. He is perhaps best known for his wonder save from Pele during the 1970 World Cup against Brazil. Born in Sheffield, he won ...