Kroos nets volley as Madrid beat Cadiz to cut gap on Barca
In the last league match before the break for the Qatar World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti's side were playing catch-up on their bitter rivals, who beat Osasuna on Tuesday.
Carlo Ancelotti Sport News
Lukaku, Hazard included in Belgium squad for World Cup
:Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has included injured striker Romelu Lukaku and playmaker Eden Hazard in his 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar, saying he will give the former "every second" to regain his fitness for the tournament.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham eliminated from League Cup
MANCHESTER, England: Just how important Nick Pope’s penalty shootout saves prove to be for Newcastle may not be known until February.
Ministry of Sports reveals details of the 3×3 Basketball World Tour Championship in Diriyah season
RIYADH: The 3×3 Basketball World Tour Championship will be held as part of the second Diriyah season on Nov. 11-12, the Ministry of Sport announced during a press conferance on Wednesday.
Swiss crush Italy in Billie Jean King Cup Finals
GLASGOW: Switzerland powered to a clean sweep against Italy as last year’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals runners-up started their campaign with a 3-0 victory in Glasgow on Wednesday. Jil Teichmann put Switzerland ahead by saving a match point in a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto before Belinda Bencic beat Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-3. Bencic and Teichmann combined to see off Paolini and Martina Trevisan 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in the doubles.
Varane and Giroud named in France squad for World Cup
PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender’s recent injury problems, while in-form striker Olivier Giroud was also called up. Deschamps selected 25 of a possible 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, where France will attempt to become the first team to defend their World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Eleven members of the 2018 title-winning squad return, including captain Hugo Lloris and reserve goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, along with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann. Karim Benzema, who has missed a series of games for Real Madrid this season because of injury, is set for his first World Cup appearance since 2014. Paris Saint-Germain center-back Presnel Kimpembe was picked despite thigh and Achilles problems that have limited him to five appearances since the start of September.
Saudi Arabia get ready for final test before World Cup starts
RIYADH: With less than a fortnight to go before Saudi Arabia kick off their World Cup campaign against Argentina, the Green Falcons are preparing to make final tweaks with a friendly against Panama.
Ancelotti defends Benzema for not playing ahead of World Cup
MADRID: Carlo Ancelotti defended Karim Benzema from accusations he is not playing with Real Madrid to be ready for the World Cup, saying Wednesday the France striker himself is upset about his lack of minutes going into Qatar. The 34-year-old Benzema, who has been dealing with muscle fatigue, will miss his sixth straight start when Madrid host Cádiz in the Spanish league on Thursday. It will be the club’s last match before the World Cup break.