Arsenal beat Real Madrid again to book Champions League semi-final spot in style
Arsenal secured their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years after a historic 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Spain Sport News
Arsenal defeat Real Madrid to reach Champions League semis
MADRID: Arsenal staved off Champions League holders Real Madrid’s superstars and rich history of unlikely comebacks to snatch a 2-1 victory on Wednesday and reach the semifinals with a superb 5-1 aggregate triumph. The Gunners’ 3-0 quarter-final first leg triumph last week gave them a vital cushion in the Spanish capital as they made the final four for the first time since 2009, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain. Bukayo Saka, who missed a first-half penalty, sent Arsenal ahead and although Vinicius Junior levelled the 15-time winners were never close to making up the deficit. Gabriel Martinelli rubbed salt in their wounds with a stoppage-time winner for Arsenal, who have never lifted the Champions League trophy. Los Blancos, far more brittle than when they won a Champions League and La Liga double last season, were convinced they could turn the game around but created too little against Arsenal’s tight defense. The Premier League side held their nerve to reach the semifinals for only the third time in their history. Kylian Mbappe chested home in the opening stages but was clearly offside, with the forward gesturing to the crowd to turn up the volume to create the fabled aura which helps Madrid pull off near-impossible feats at the Santiago Bernabeu. David Alaba was booked for hacking down Saka as Madrid tried to add the grit they badly lacked in their first leg demolition in London, and the Arsenal winger also had a drive fielded well by Thibaut Courtois. Arsenal were awarded a penalty seemingly out of the blue when the VAR booth instructed French referee Francois Letexier to review an incident from an earlier corner. Raul Asencio pulled back Arsenal forward Mikel Merino in the area and Letexier pointed to the
Iraq boots Casas citing unpermitted exit as World Cup hopes hang by a thread
BAGHDAD: Iraq has sacked national team coach Jesus Casas Garcia after the Spanish manager left the country without permission, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Tuesday. “The association announces the termination of the contract of Spanish coach Jesus Casas Garcia and his technical staff due to their serious breach of contractual obligations, including leaving the country without official permission and failing to comply with invitations and warnings issued to them by the association. We officially informed FIFA with that decision,” the IFA said in a statement on its Facebook page.
Holger Rune, Arthur Fils Reach Barcelona Open Quarter-Finals
Holger Rune battled back from a set down to beat Sebastian Baez 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the Barcelona Open quarter-finals. The world number 13 pulled out of Monte Carlo with food poisoning last week but roared back to defeat his Argentine opponent in three sets on the clay after a troubled opening. Baez broke in the first game, consolidating for a 2-0 advantage and served it out to claim the first set, with Rune committing 15 unforced errors to 10 winners.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s ‘mindset is to win’ in Madrid despite healthy lead
Mikel Arteta insists a ‘bold and brave’ Arsenal do not fear Real Madrid and wants his side to secure their place in the Champions League semi-finals by beating the Spanish giants in their own back yard.
Octogenarian skateboarder shreds concrete in Spain's Bilbao
BILBAO, Spain :Grinning mischievously, Juanjo Urbizu dons a baseball cap, tucks his T-shirt neatly into his sweatpants and adjusts the velcro straps on his elbow pads before positioning his skateboard on the bowl's edge, ready for the "drop".
WTA roundup: Camilla Rosatello upends Alycia Parks in Rouen
Camilla Rosatello, ranked No. 288 in the world, pulled off an opening-round upset of sixth-seeded American Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-3 at the Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole on Tuesday in Rouen, France.
ATP roundup: Three top 10 seeds fall in Munich
Unseeded Mariano Navone of Argentina pulled off the biggest upset of the day, taking down No. 3 seed Felix Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the first round of the BMW Open on Tuesday in Munich, Germany.