Juventus stayed ahead of a resurgent AC Milan in second place in Serie A with a 1-0 home victory over Udinese in Sunday's late match.
Sevilla retained third place in Spain as Luis Fabiano netted twice in a pulsating 3-2 win at home to Villarreal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the running to win the FIFA World Player of the Year for a second successive year after being named on a 23-man shortlist for this year's award.
Sevilla ended Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a 2-1 victory on Sunday which underlined the Spanish title race will be a three-horse race.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his sensational scoring form as Real Madrid again flattered to deceive before overwhelming bottom club Xerez 5-0 to take top spot in Spain.
Champions League hopefuls Sevilla suffered a disastrous start to the Spanish season as striker Fredi Kanoute was sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Valencia on Sunday.
Even the proudest of Spaniards had to accept defeat; even the most enthusiastic La Liga cheerleaders were forced to pack away their pompoms. The warm glow of the European Championship success still endured -- but the national team was one thing, the nation's teams quite another. The lineup for the 2008-09 Champions League semifinals brought Spain crashing back down to earth.
After an off-season of big-money transfers and endless speculation in Spain the focus finally turns to matters on the pitch. The first round of La Liga fixtures kick off this weekend and Fanzone details what to expect from the new campaign:
Austrian side Rapid Vienna prolonged Aston Villa's miserable start to the season with an upset 1-0 victory in their Europa Cup first leg qualifier on Thursday night.
Return of the Galácticos. Galácticos Strike Back. Revenge of the Galácticos. Galácticos Part Deux.
Juventus stayed ahead of a resurgent AC Milan in second place in Serie A with a 1-0 home victory over Udinese in Sunday's late match.
Sevilla retained third place in Spain as Luis Fabiano netted twice in a pulsating 3-2 win at home to Villarreal.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the running to win the FIFA World Player of the Year for a second successive year after being named on a 23-man shortlist for this year's award.
Sevilla ended Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the La Liga season with a 2-1 victory on Sunday which underlined the Spanish title race will be a three-horse race.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his sensational scoring form as Real Madrid again flattered to deceive before overwhelming bottom club Xerez 5-0 to take top spot in Spain.
Champions League hopefuls Sevilla suffered a disastrous start to the Spanish season as striker Fredi Kanoute was sent off in the 2-0 defeat at Valencia on Sunday.
Even the proudest of Spaniards had to accept defeat; even the most enthusiastic La Liga cheerleaders were forced to pack away their pompoms. The warm glow of the European Championship success still endured -- but the national team was one thing, the nation's teams quite another. The lineup for the 2008-09 Champions League semifinals brought Spain crashing back down to earth.
After an off-season of big-money transfers and endless speculation in Spain the focus finally turns to matters on the pitch. The first round of La Liga fixtures kick off this weekend and Fanzone details what to expect from the new campaign:
Austrian side Rapid Vienna prolonged Aston Villa's miserable start to the season with an upset 1-0 victory in their Europa Cup first leg qualifier on Thursday night.
Return of the Galácticos. Galácticos Strike Back. Revenge of the Galácticos. Galácticos Part Deux.
For Europe's biggest leagues the football season has ended, the boring business of kicking a ball about is over, and now the real fun can begin as the transfer window opens.
Credit crunch and slow economy be damned, the soccer world is still spinning from the record-busting $131 million fee Real Madrid is on the verge of pumping into Manchester United's coffers for FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. That's on top of the $92 million the mysteriously loaded Spaniards already paid for last year's World Player of the Year, Kaká. But there's far more to come in the transfer market. This week, we run through the English Premier League looking at possible transfer targets, and who might be heading for the exit door.
In one of the biggest upsets in international football in recent times the USA beat European champions Spain 2-0 in the first semifinal of the 2009 Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Spain have drawn level with Brazil's record by going 35 matches unbeaten, after second-half goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente gave them a 2-0 Confederations Cup victory over host nation South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims it is only "a question of time" before the club sign David Villa.
David Villa scored a second half goal as Spain beat Iraq 1-0 in Bloemfontein on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick within 11 first-half minutes, as Spain thrashed New Zealand 5-0 in their opening Confederations Cup Group A match in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday.
Brazilian star Kaka expects to be joined by fellow world 'Galacticos' as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez constructs a Spanish Primera Liga side that he hopes will rule supreme.
The summer transfer market is a few weeks away from opening and already the signs are that the global financial crisis is forcing clubs to rethink their annual spending.
Valencia beat 10-man Sevilla 3-1 on Sunday to step up their bid for the fourth Champions League qualifying spot from Spain.
Valencia striker David Villa intends to see out his six-year contract with the Spanish Primera Liga club -- even if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.
David Villa converted two penalties as Valencia hammered 10-man Getafe 4-1 to leapfrog Atletico Madrid into fifth in the Primera Liga table and strengthen their bid for a Champions League place.
Manchester City beat Aalborg of Denmark 2-0 in their UEFA Cup last 16 first leg tie after it's revealed that the Premier League side are in talks to sign striker David Villa from Valencia.
David Villa and Fernando Llorente scored the goals as European champions Spain extended their amazing unbeaten run to 29 games with a 2-0 victory over an England side for whom David Beckham equalled the Three Lions record of 108 caps for an outfield player.
It was six months ago that fans were treated to a scintillating European Championship. Here's a look at how the leading actors of Euro 2008 are now faring:
Valencia stayed top of the Spanish Primera with a 1-1 draw at Recreativo Huelva on Sunday while reigning champions Real Madrid moved to within a point of the leaders with a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao in a later match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
European champions Spain continued their impressive World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 away win over Estonia in Tallinn in Saturday.
David Villa sent Valencia to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Malaga.
In-form striker David Villa scored twice on Wednesday night to help European champions Spain beat Armenia 4-0 to make it two wins from two games in World Cup qualifying.
VIENNA, Austria -- Dr. Monkey-Be-Gone. Or How Spain Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Its Own Distinct Brand of Soccer.
Spain have confirmed that striker David Villa has been ruled out of Sunday's Euro 2008 final against Germany because of a hamstring injury.
Superb Spain stormed into their first European Championship final in 24 years by rolling over Russia 3-0 in Vienna to set up a final against Germany on Sunday.
VIENNA, Austria -- OK, so I've tried my best. I've held my tongue throughout this tournament. But, the fact is, I've had it. I've had enough of people telling me that Miroslav Klose and Karim Benzema are overrated donkeys because they haven't had a good Euro 2008. Or that David Villa is now the best striker in Europe (heck, he's not even the best striker on his national team). Or that Andrei Arshavin is the second coming of Zinedine Zidane.
World Sport's Pedro Pinto casts an eye over the players who have impressed him at the Euros -- and those who have failed to shine. Which teams and players have caught your eye? Tell us below.
As the group stages finish, and with it France's golden generation, the remaining eight nations strive to make progress
My wife thinks I've lost it. And she might have a point.
David Villa scores a dramatic injury time winner to give Spain a 2-1 victory over Sweden in Innsbruck to put them in the quarterfinals of Euro 2008 by finishing top of Group D.
Germany, Holland and Spain set the pace in Europe's classic football championship
David Villa destroyed Russia with the first hat-trick of Euro 2008 as Spain showed their title intent with a dominating 4-1 victory in the opening Group D encounter on Tuesday.
Getafe hope to go one better than last year and win their first trophy when they face Valencia in the final of Spain's Copa Del Rey in Madrid's Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday.
Barcelona moved to within four points of Spanish Primera Liga leaders Real Madrid by beating Valladolid 4-1, while Real crashed to a 3-2 home defeat by cup finalists Valencia.
Getafe continued their fine recent form with a 3-1 victory over Racing Santander in the first leg of their Spanish Cup semifinal on Thursday night.
Barcelona needed an injury-time goal from Xavi to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Valencia in their Spanish Cup semifinal first leg match on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid scored four times in a 13-minute spell as they trounced Valladolid 7-0 and went eight points clear at the top of the Primera Liga.
Valencia defender Alexis faces a four-month layoff after suffering a serious knee injury in Saturday's 2-0 Primera Liga victory at Real Mallorca.
Also in this column: • Lunacy of FIFA's award list
Raul Tamudo is back in Spain's squad to travel to Denmark for a Euro 2008 Group F qualifier on Saturday.
Valencia missed out on the chance to go top of Spain's Primera Liga after suffering a 2-1 home defeat by Espanyol on Saturday night.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba struck a second-half winner against Valencia to give manager Avram Grant his first victory in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Turkey international Nihat Kahveci and American-born Italian Giuseppe Rossi were on target as Villarreal won 2-0 away to Racing Santander to become Primera Liga leaders for at least 24 hours.
Did I miss something? What's going on? It's the third week in June and the transfer market is lifeless. Take away Manchester United (which moved swiftly and effectively to lock up Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani before the end of May) and things look positively dead.
Barcelona went three points clear at the top of the Primera Liga with a 2-1 home win over Deportivo la Coruna.
In the world of sports, "underachiever" is perhaps the most hurtful term you can throw at someone.
David Silva struck a fine 20-meter equaliser for Valencia, who twice hit back to draw 2-2 with Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie at San Siro on Wednesday.
Substitute Andres Iniesta cracked a superb winner as Spain beat a toothless England 1-0 in an international friendly at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Valencia's drive to rejoin the title race gathered momentum as they swept aside Real Mallorca 3-1 at home in the Primera Liga on Tuesday.
Center-forward Ismael Urzaiz struck twice as Primera Liga strugglers Athletic Bilbao hauled themselves out of the relegation zone on Sunday with a 4-2 victory at home to high-flying Recreativo Huelva.
Goals either side of haltime from Miguel Angel Angulo and Fernando Morientes gave injury-ravaged Valencia a 2-0 win at home to Olympiakos Piraeus on Wednesday that ensured them of first place in Group D.
Spain left the pitch in Cadiz to a barrage of jeers and whistles after suffering their third defeat in four games, a 1-0 friendly loss to Romania.
David Villa struck two first-half goals to steer Valencia to a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday and maintain their perfect Champions League start.
Valencia took charge of Champions League Group D on Wednesday after a 2-1 victory over Roma in a high-quality match at the Mestalla.
Eidur Gudjohnsen has become Iceland's joint top-scorer, netting in a 3-0 demolition of Northern Ireland in their Euro 2008 Group F qualifier in Belfast.
Two late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane gave France a 3-1 win over Spain and a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Hanover on Tuesday.
Spain made their best start to a World Cup finals, demolishing 10-man Ukraine 4-0 on Wednesday on an afternoon the tournament debutants would rather forget.
Spain captain Raul Gonzalez will make his first start for his country in three internationals in Saturday's World Cup warm up with Egypt.
Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has been left out of the Spain squad for the World Cup finals after coach Luis Aragones preferred to bolster his side's defense.
Barcelona were denied the chance of wrapping up the Spanish title when a stunning hat-trick from David Villa gave Valencia a 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.
Valencia moved two points clear of Real Madrid in the battle for the Primera Liga runners-up spot by crushing King's Cup winners Espanyol 4-0 on Sunday.
Spain striker David Villa has extended his contract with Valencia until 2013, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.
Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt scored Wednesday to lead the Netherlands to a 1-0 win over Ecuador in a friendly in Amsterdam.
Valencia breathed life into the Spanish title race, snatching a 1-0 win at home to Barcelona that left them just six points behind at the top of the table.
Deportivo Coruna booked a King's Cup semifinal showdown with Espanyol by beating Valencia 2-1 on aggregate as they completed their abandoned quarterfinal tie at the Mestalla on Wednesday.
Valencia closed the gap on the leading pair in the Spanish Primera with a 2-0 win over second-placed Osasuna on Saturday.
Second half goals from David Villa and Fabio Aurelio gave Valencia a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo to move up to fourth place in the Spanish Primera on Saturday.
Spain qualified for an eighth straight World Cup finals Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against Slovakia in Bratislava in the second leg of their playoff.
Valencia strikers David Villa and Mista along with Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes have earned recalls to Luis Aragones' squad for Spain's World Cup qualifiers later this month.
Argentine defender Mariano Pernia scored a 77th minute winner as 10-man Getafe beat crosstown rival Atletico Madrid 1-0 to go top of the Spanish Primera.
Spanish champions Barcelona narrowly avoided a second defeat in a row when they came from a goal down to claim a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia in the Primera Liga on Wednesday.
Valencia have signed Spain striker David Villa from Real Zaragoza and Uruguay midfielder Mario Regueiro from Racing Santander.
Real Zaragoza striker David Villa has been drafted into Spain's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Bosnia, after Raul Tamudo was forced to drop out because of injury.
Uncapped Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina has been named in a 27-strong Spain squad for a team-building session next Monday.
Espanyol midfielder Ivan de la Pena has been given a long-awaited squad call-up by Spain coach Luis Aragones for next week's World Cup Group Seven qualifier with San Marino.
Barcelona produced a sparkling display at the Nou Camp to come from a goal down to roar to a 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza in the Primera Liga on Thursday.
Real Zaragoza maintained their excellent start to the season with a 4-3 home win over Albacete.
A last-gasp strike from Savio allowed Spanish strugglers Real Zaragoza to salvage a 1-1 draw at second division Alaves in a King's Cup semifinal first leg.
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