World Soccer

Diego Tuson (AFP/Getty Images) Barcelona closed to within five points of Real Madrid at the top of the Primera Liga. Barca had a controversial 2-1 win at Real Zaragoza on Saturday while Real Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis. Barcelona substitute Ronaldinho fired home from the penalty spot seven minutes from time after Zaragoza defender [...]

Luca Bruno (AP) Serie A leaders Internazionale pulled 11 points clear of second-placed Roma after a 2-0 defeat of Livorno. The capital side lost 1-0 at Juventus in the evening kick-off meaning the Nerazzurri will have to collapse spectacularly if anyone else is to win the Scudetto. Honduras international David Suazo scored twice in four first-half minutes to [...]

Antonio Calanni (AP) Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his right knee during AC Milan’s 1-1 draw at home to Livorno on Wednesday and faces nine months on the sidelines. AC Milan confirmed the extent of Ronaldo’s injury on their website, which he suffered just minutes after entering the fray as a second-half substitute and was taken to [...]

Real Madrid have predictably topped the list of the Deloitte’s Football Money League for 2006/7. Madrid have retained their top spot for a third year in the row, while Manchester United have jumped up from fourth to second. United had previously led the list but were overthrown by the Spanish giants three years ago, who have not [...]

Glyn Kirk (AFP) Arsenal opened a five-point gap at the top of the Premier League by beating Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday. A Philippe Senderos header after four minutes and a cool finish in injury time by Emmanuel Adebayor, who has now scored in nine consecutive games, were a fair reward for Arsenal’s [...]

Manchester United’s chances of retaining the Premier League title were dented when they fell to an upset 2-1 defeat by local rivals City at Old Trafford on Sunday. First-half goals from City’s Darius Vassell and debutant Benjani Mwaruwari handed United their first home defeat of the season. Instead of moving back above Arsenal, United face the prospect [...]

(Foto Marca) Raul and Guti both scored twice as Real Madrid smashed promoted Valladolid 7-0 on Sunday. Julio Baptista, Arjen Robben and Royston Drenthe added the rest as Real punished a side who tried to play an open, attacking game against the Primer Liga’s deadliest finishers. Real have 56 points, Barca 48 from 23 games.

Marcello Paternostro (AFP) Internazionale Milan re-established their eight-point cushion at the Serie A summit on Sunday evening courtesy with a 2-0 win at Catania. The hosts were the better side in the first half but Inter had a lucky break on 64 minutes when Esteban Cambiasso’s tap-in from Javier Zanetti’s header was allowed to stand despite him [...]

Adrian Dennis (AFP) Fabio Capello oversaw a winning start to his tenure as England manager on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Switzerland. Despite England’s abject failure to qualify for the European Championships in June their first game under Capello was warmed by fine goals from Jermaine Jenas and Shaun Wright-Phillips. Germany, Italy and the Netherlands continued their [...]

A second-half strike by Robinho gave Brazil a 1-0 win over Ireland in a friendly on Wednesday. The Real Madrid striker broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when he slammed the ball into the back of the net after receiving a pass from Diego who had linked up with Luis Fabiano. Before Robinho opened the scoring [...]