Toni Kroos has enjoyed one of the most garlanded careers in world football, but on Sunday he finally collected something rather less treasured than his many medals: a red card.
In his 634th competitive top-flight game at club level, Kroos was dismissed for the first time as Real Madrid were held 1-1 by Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Germany international had already been booked when he cynically fouled Aleix Garcia as Girona looked to break at speed in stoppage time.
That meant the 32-year-old had to go, with referee Mario Melero Lopez ordering him off.
Kroos played at the highest level in Germany for Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, where he had an 18-month loan spell early in his career.
After making his Bundesliga debut in 2007 and gra…
Newcastle United have been attempting to reel in expectations since their controversial owners arrived in the Premier League last October promising glory at home and in Europe within five to 10 years.
Head coach Eddie Howe has repeatedly refused to reveal a target for this season, while he spent the past week attempting to clarify comments on Newcastle s ambitions.
Long term, the club have huge plans and huge ambitions, Howe said after Jurgen Klopp congratulated Newcastle for having no ceiling . But at the moment, the reality of what we re working towards and working with, there is a ceiling.
Antonio Conte seemingly disagreed with Howe s assessment ahead of the Magpies visit to Tottenham on Sunday, however.
You have to consider Newcastle for the presen…
Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah is close to signing a new contract, according to . Quansah’s current deal with Liverpool runs until 2027, and the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners are keen on handing him fresh terms with a higher wage package.
The Times has noted that Newcastle United were interested in signing Quansah in the summer of 2024, but Liverpool did not want to let go of the 21-year-old centre-back. The youngster is now part of the first team at Liverpool and has also played six times for the England Under-21 international side.
Quansah has made one appearance each in the Premier Leauge and the Carabao Cup and also played four times in the FA Cup for Liverpool so far this season. The youngster made 13 starts and four substitute appear…
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have reached an agreement with Chelsea over the transfer of Ian Maatsen. The Birmingham club will be paying a fee of £37.5 million for the services of the 22-year-old Netherlands international, who is currently representing his country at the Euros.
Maatsen spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and played an important role as the Bundesliga side made it into the Champions League final. Dortmund were said to be keen to make the transfer permanent, but they were eventually put off by Chelsea s valuation of the young left-back. Aston Villa have obviously stepped in since and made the most of the situation.
At this point, Villa are discussing the personal terms of a contract with Maatsen and his r…
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said Chelsea will not provide a “mental obstacle” for his players ahead of their League Cup final showdown at Molineux on Sunday.
Chelsea, who are bidding to complete a quadruple in Emma Hayes’ last season in charge, beat the Gunners 3-1 in the Women’s Super League just a fortnight ago.
However, Arsenal did see off the Blues in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium in December, and were also victorious in last season’s League Cup final between the two sides.
Sunday marks our 10th final.
Let s do this together, Gooners
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC)
Chelsea, who booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals earlier this week, are the favourites to win at Molineux.
But speak…
Argentina captain Lionel Messi confirmed that Sunday s final against Morocco or France will be his last World Cup appearance as he seeks to bow out in style.
The 35-year-old played a leading role in Argentina s 3-0 semi-final win over Croatia with a goal and an assist.
Messi, a seven-time Ballon d Or winner, had previously indicated this would be his last World Cup finals, which he reinforced after Tuesday s triumph.
I am proud to be able to finish my World Cup journey playing this final, Messi told reporters. What I m experiencing is exciting. Sunday will be my last game in a World Cup.
It will be many years before the next one [2026] and I don t think I ll be able to make it, so I hope I can finish in the best way.
Messi s goal against Croati…
Wales are to play Northern Ireland and Ukraine in friendlies prior to the European Championship in France this year.
Chris Coleman s side qualified for their first major tournament in 58 years by finishing second in Group B while Northern Ireland topped Group F to reach their first European Championship.
Prior to Euro 2016, Wales will face their near-neighbours at Cardiff City Stadium on March 24 before taking on Northern Ireland s Group C rivals Ukraine at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev four days later.
Wales boss Coleman said: We are delighted to be playing the two fixtures and they will be ideal preparation for our group games at Euro 2016.
Michael O Neill has done a fantastic job as manager of Northern Ireland and I am delighted for him. This will be a…
After Day One of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival delivered premium excitement as expected, the second day of the greatest show on turf kicks off with the 1.30PM Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.
And while Willie Mullins’ Yorkhill is among the frontrunners, it is Yanworth that has been made the favourite to win following the impressive showing in the trials back in January. With that in mind, you should know that Yanworth is available at 14/1 special price to win.
In order to qualify, you need to , entering promo code ZHRC38. Then place your bet on Yanworth to win the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in the New Customer market. If you do that and the bet wins, you will not only be paid at the enhanced price, but also stand to earn another €100 in f…
Xavi admitted his Barcelona team failed to match the intensity of Athletic Bilbao as they tumbled out of the Copa del Rey at the last-16 stage, another blow in a dismal season.
Barcelona may yet claw their way into the Champions League places in LaLiga, but their trophy pursuit looks doomed to failure. Beaten by Real Madrid last week in the Supercopa semi-finals, a 3-2 defeat after extra time against Athletic on Thursday was another bitter pill for head coach Xavi and his players.
Add in the blow of losing substitute Ansu Fati to what Barcelona described as a femoral biceps injury in his left thigh , and it was a calamitous night at San Mames for the visitors.
Barca are out of the LaLiga title reckoning, and Europa League play-off opponents Napoli will surely fan…
Andrea Agnelli says Juventus is bigger than any man following his surprise resignation as chairman this week.
Juve announced after an emergency meeting on Monday that Agnelli, vice-president Pavel Nedved and managing director Maurizio Arrivabene had all quit their roles.
It comes amid an investigation into alleged tax fraud, which Juventus have denied, and on the back of the club registering a record loss of €254.3million for 2021-22.
Agnelli had held his position as chairman of Juve since 2010, when becoming the fourth member of his family to run the club after his father, uncle and grandfather.
Juve won nine Serie A titles during Agnelli s tenure, but it was agreed that stepping aside was the best option for all parties involved.
Juventus is…