Boston, June 22 (IANS) Germany have suffered a major setback in their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after central defender Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle ligament injury.The Borussia Dortmund defender picked up the injury during Germany’s 2-1 Group E win over the Ivory Coast on Saturday. He had to leave the game at half-time, and Antonio Rudiger took his place. Scans the following day confirmed a torn ligament in his left ankle.“Schlotterbeck …
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Madrid, May 26 (IANS) Real Madrid’s presidential election has placed an unexpected pause on preparations for the 2026-27 season, with current president Florentino Perez facing a challenge from businessman Enrique Riquelme for control of one of world football’s most powerful clubs.Perez’s decision to call elections just 16 months after returning unopposed appeared designed to tighten his grip on the club, but the move has instead opened the door to scrutiny from club members frustrated by a secon…
Berlin, May 21 (IANS) Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has come out of his international football retirement as Germany announced their provisional 26-member squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 to be played in Mexico, America, and Canada from June 11.The 40-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who had stepped away from international football following UEFA Euro 2024, is set to lead Germany’s challenge as the country’s first-choice goalkeeper. The tournament will mark Neuer’s fifth FIFA…
Madrid, May 9 (IANS) FC Barcelona entertains Real Madrid in the Camp Nou on Sunday night in a game that could decide this season’s title race, but where a great deal more is on the agenda.Barcelona welcomes its historical rival with an 11-point lead over Real Madrid and with just 12 points left to play for this season, so a draw in front of its own fans would see Hansi Flick’s side confirmed as La Liga winners for the second consecutive year.However, recent events at Real Madrid have almost serv…
Madrid, May 9 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa denied there were tensions in the club’s dressing room when he spoke to the press ahead of Sunday’s visit to play FC Barcelona in the El Clasico.The game, in which Barcelona can seal this season’s La Liga title with a draw, comes just three days after a well-publicized dressing room fight between Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde ended with Valverde needing stitches and diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma, which means he is likely to m…
Madrid, May 7 (IANS) French star footballer Kylian Mbappe has become the centre of attention ahead of Real Madrid’s crucial Clasico clash against FC Barcelona on Sunday, with questions surrounding both his fitness and long-term future at the club.Barcelona can secure the La Liga title with a draw at home, while Real Madrid are fighting to delay their rivals’ celebrations in what has been a disappointing season for the Spanish giants. Mbappe missed last weekend’s 2-0 win over Espanyol due t…
Madrid, April 24 (IANS) Any slim chance Real Madrid had of winning La Liga this season almost disappeared as Alvaro Arbeloa’s side was held to a 1-1 draw away to Real Betis.A win would have increased the pressure on FC Barcelona ahead of its tricky trip to Getafe on Saturday, but the draw now means Barca can move 11 points clear at the top with a victory.Real Madrid started strongly with Kylian Mbappe having a pair of early chances before Vinicius Jr opening the scoring in the 17th minute. Betis…
Berlin, March 31 (IANS) Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann faces growing concerns over his striking options ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with no clear first-choice forward emerging.Nagelsmann travelled to Eindhoven to watch group opponent Ecuador in a friendly against the Netherlands, but questions persist over Germany’s attacking line, particularly the lack of a reliable penalty-box striker.The coach has been relying on Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, and Stuttgart’s Deniz …
Madrid, March 10 (IANS) Real Madrid has a large part of its season at stake and coach Alvaro Arbeloa has his future on the line when Manchester City visits the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night.Real Madrid goes into the game four points behind FC Barcelona in La Liga, but knowing the Champions League has traditionally been the club’s favorite competition and that success in Europe can cure any domestic woes, reported Xinhua.The fl…
Jeddah, Jan 12 (IANS) Raphinha was FC Barcelona’s hero as his side retained the Spanish Super Cup with a 3-2 win over Real Madrid.The Brazilian scored his side’s first goal and then netted the winner in the second half with a touch of fortune to decide a thrilling game where Madrid looked for an equalizer until the final moments.Madrid started with Kylian Mbappe in the bench and Dean Huijsen in for Antonio Rudiger in defense, with coach Xabi Alonso adopting a pragmatic policy of getting his side…