Wolfsburg and Juve reach Diego deal

Ten-man Real Madrid scored in a record 30th consecutive UEFA Champions League game as they beat Galatasaray 4-1 to qualify for the last 16.

Carlo Ancelotti s side shrugged off the first-half dismissal of Sergio Ramos, the 17th red card of his Real career, with goals from Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel di Maria and Isco eclipsing Umut Bulut s strike.

Ramos match was ended for a foul on Bulut after just 26 minutes, although the Turkey international appeared to make the most of minimal contact when he was through on goal.

Bale rifled in a long-range free-kick eight minutes before the interval, only for Bulut to level almost immediately.

However, Arbeloa provided a collector s item of a goal in the second half, finding the net for the first time since November 20…

Paco Alcacer is desperate to seize his opportunity for Spain when they travel to face Ukraine in their final Euro 2016 qualifier on Monday.

The Valencia striker scored twice in a 4-0 win over Luxembourg on Friday, a result which guaranteed the European champions place in France next year, but both David Silva and Alvaro Morata were forced off with ankle and leg injuries respectively.

With Diego Costa having been left out of the latest squad, Alcacer is now determined to make the most of his playing time in Vicente del Bosque s side as he looks to build some consistency at international level.

We re happy to reach the finals, but that s tempered by the first-half injuries. Hopefully they can be with the group soon, he said after the match. 

Obviously fo…

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insisted there is no rift between himself and manager Manuel Pellegrini after returning to the starting XI to help the Premier League leaders to a 0-0 draw against rivals Manchester United.

Kompany started City s previous two matches on the bench having gone against Pellegrini s wishes to play in Belgium s Euro 2012 qualifier against Israel – his first action after missing five club matches with a calf injury.

The City skipper was restored to play a full part in his 19th and, arguably, most forgettable Manchester derby – a turgid contest of few chances at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Everyone knows how much this game means to me, Kompany told Sky Sports. I was disappointed to be left out of the team but it is all about o…

Market: Portugal win

Odds: 

Already booking their spot in the final four of this years UEFA Nations League, Portugal will look to continue their unbeaten run when they host the already relegated Poland on Tuesday.

Starting with the hosts, although Portugal s World Cup run may have come to an end at the last 16 stage, Fernando Santos side have enjoyed an impressive post-Russia run. Picking up a point and their spot as group winners thanks to their 0-0 draw with Italy over the weekend, the 2016 European champions are now unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, they have also managed to do this without Cristiano Ronaldo. Putting three past Poland in the reverse fixture last month, we re backing Portugal to end their campaign with yet another vi…

Arsene Wenger says the best approach for Arsenal is to pay no attention to the Premier League table as his players prepare for what he expects to be a physically testing clash against West Brom.

The Gunners are level on points with leaders Manchester City ahead of Saturday s trip to The Hawthorns, where they face Tony Pulis 13th-placed side, who have lost their last two matches to Leicester City and Manchester United.

Arsenal go into the game with an impressive away record having picked up 31 points from a possible 36 in their last 12 Premier League contests on the road.

But Wenger is certain a difficult challenge awaits and warned his team to forget the form guide and ensure they do not make any key mistakes.

I watched West Brom against Manchester Unite…

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 12/11 @

Two sides who are seeking a much-needed boost this weekend, Coritiba will welcome Santos to the Couto Pereira on Saturday night.

Starting with the hosts, although Coritiba might have clung to their Serie A status last season, the Coxa appeared destined for another relegation scrap in 2023. Only continuing to show a string of domestic issues since opening the 2023 campaign, Antonio Carlos Zago’s side already sit rock-bottom of the table and tipped as a landslide contender to be hit with a second-tier return this time around. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they slumped to a routine 3-1 loss away at Brazilian giants Palmeiras, the Parana-based outfit have remarkably failed to collect a single win from an…

Antonio Conte declared himself proud of Tottenham s development after they closed in on the Premier League summit by beating Everton 2-0 on Saturday.

The Toffees turned in a stubborn first-half display in Conte s 50th match in charge of Spurs, who were fortunate not to fall behind when Amadou Onana and Demarai Gray squandered glorious chances.

However, Tottenham ultimately came good after the break. An injury to former Everton talisman Richarlison led to Yves Bissouma s introduction, and Spurs change in shape overwhelmed Everton.

Jordan Pickford s blunder gifted Harry Kane a penalty to break the deadlock, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg rounding off the win late on.

Everton failed to muster a single shot in the second half, and did not get one attempt on targe…

The Greek football federation Thursday called for a thorough investigation into suspected match-fixing and for those who responsible to be punished.

We will do everything possible to facilitate the investigation at all stages so that a clear and strong documentation can be made of the suspected cases, an announcement by the federation said.

The comments by the federation came shortly after it was confirmed that General Secretary for Sports Panos Bitsaxis had passed a file to the state prosecutor and the financial crimes squad of the Finance Ministry to investigate fully 15 pro matches of last season suspected for match-fixing by European football governing body UEFA.

The matches in question concern four clubs from the top flight Super League, eight teams from t…

Spain winger Juan Mata has agreed to a new deal with Valencia, contracting him to the La Liga club until 2014.

Mata, 22, joined Valencia in 2007 after failing to make the grade during four years with Real Madrid.

Following the departure of David Villa and David Silva from the Estadio Mestalla in the close season, Mata has become an increasingly important part of the Valencia first team.

An attacking midfielder, he made his national team debut in 2009 and has already won 10 caps for Spain, scoring three goals.

The president told the board the news of a successful conclusion to negotiations with Juan Manuel Mata, who has extended his contract with the club through to June 30th, 2014, the club said in a statement.

The deal will be made official o…

Matteo Darmian proved to be Manchester United s unlikely hero as they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Wednesday to close to within a point of the Premier League s top four.

The full-back s low cross was turned into the Palace net by Damien Delaney after just four minutes and he fired in a second for Louis van Gaal s side shortly after the break, as United recorded another straightforward home win to follow Saturday s victory over Aston Villa.

Palace made six changes to their starting line-up ahead of their FA Cup semi-final with Watford on Sunday, and it was stand-in goalkeeper Julian Speroni making just his second appearance of the season who kept United at bay for much of the game.

But fine saves to deny Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard in particular pro…