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Real Madrid Beat Osasuna Ahead Liverpool Champions League Clash

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Fede Valverde and Marco Asensio scored as Real Madrid struggled to beat Osasuna 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, just three days before they head to Liverpool in the Champions League.

Uruguay midfielder Valverde and Spain winger Asensio netted in the final quarter of an hour in Pamplona to cut Barcelona’s advantage to five points at the top of the table before the Catalans host lowly Cadiz on Sunday.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was missing from Real’s matchday squad as coach Carlo Ancelotti rested the France attacker ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Anfield.

READ ALSO: LaLiga: Real Madrid Miss Chance To Go Top After Villarreal Defeat

That will be a re-run of May’s Champions League final which was marred by security issues at Paris’ Stade de France.

On Saturday, Real dominated the early proceedings with centre-back Eder Militao going close with a rushed volley from a free kick on six minutes after midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was fouled.

Less than five minutes later Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior saw his effort dribble past the post despite nutmegging Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

Los Blancos were unable to break the deadlock before the interval as the Basque hosts stepped up their aggression in defence and were shown three yellow cards in 45 minutes.

The home side’s physicality caused Ancelotti to confront the officials as they left the field at the interval as the Italian was unhappy with Osasuna’s special attention to Vinicius as whistles circled around El Sadar.

Less than 70 seconds after the interval, Real came within inches of opening the scoring as Vinicius’ compatriot Rodrygo skimmed the post with a curling effort.

Five minutes later Vinicius thought he had claimed the first goal of the game but the forward was adjudged to be offside.

Osasuna kept a foothold in the match and hit the woodwork just after the hour mark with a low-driven effort from Moi Gomez.

With 12 minutes to play Vinicius was the provider as his low cut-back cross set-up Valverde to half-volley home to open the scoring.

Asensio made sure of the three points in injury time with an assist from teenager Alvaro Rodriguez on his Real debut.

Third-placed Real Sociedad were held 1-1 by 10-man Celta Vigo due to Robin Le Normand’s 93rd minute own goal.

READ ALSO: Champions League: Paul Merson Predicts Five Clubs To Win Trophy This Season

On Sunday, Atletico Madrid in fourth can close the gap on Sociedad to two points with a win against Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish capital.

On Monday, former midfielder Ruben Baraja takes charge of Valencia for the first time as they head to fellow strugglers Getafe.

Los Che have not won a league game since early November, with six defeats in their past seven matches — just one point gained from a possible 21.

AFP

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Former Manchester United Striker, Carlos Tevez Rushed To Hospital

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Former Argentina international Carlos Tevez has been admitted to hospital after suffering chest pains.

The former Manchester United and Manchester City striker reportedly spent the night at a clinic in the upmarket Buenos Aires neighbourhood of San Isidro after seeking medical help.

He was due to undergo more tests today at another nearby hospital.

The club he manages, top-flight Argentinian side Independiente, confirmed his hospital admission overnight as it said the initial results had been ‘satisfactory.’

READ ALSO: Two Premier League Stars Arrested In R@pe Probe, Suspended By Cub’

Local reports have linked the problems to stress. Tevez has yet to make any official comment.

Independente said in an overnight statement on X, formerly Twitter after initially denying the father-of-three had been admitted to the hospital: ‘Our coach, Carlos Tevez, went to the La Trinidad Hospital in San Isidro with chest pain.

‘They carried out the corresponding tests and they were satisfactory.

‘Today he will continue with a series of tests scheduled in advance as part of a general check-up.’

READ ALSO; Commuters Stranded As Petrol Stations Shut In Anambra

It added in a subsequent message: ‘Carlos Tevez will be hospitalised as a precaution until the corresponding tests are completed.’

It was not immediately clear whether he would be able to attend a club training session scheduled for later today.

The hospital where he is set to undergo further tests has been named the Finochietto Hospital in Buenos Aires.

Tevez is understood to suffer from high blood pressure and regularly undergoes medical checks.

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Two Premier League Stars Arrested In R@pe Probe, Suspended By Cub’

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Two Premier League stars who were both arrested in a police rape probe have now reportedly been suspended by their football club.

The two unnamed footballers, both 19, are from the same club and were arrested over the weekend after the alleged victim made a report to police.

One player, 19, was reportedly spoken to by police on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape at the club stadium before he was formally arrested after leaving the grounds.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

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The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

He was detained overnight and was later questioned by police under caution.

The other player, who is also 19, was arrested the next day and was later quizzed by officers on suspicion of rape.

Both players have since been released on bail pending further enquiries, police have said.

The alleged rape reportedly took place on Friday night, with the alleged victim contacting police and filing a formal complaint hours later.

READ ALSO: Commuters Stranded As Petrol Stations Shut In Anambra

The force said: ‘Officers have arrested two men following a report of a rape.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (20 April) on suspicion of assault and aiding and abetting a rape. A second 19-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (21 April) on suspicion of rape.

‘Both men have since been released on police bail.’

A club spokesman told The Sun yesterday: ‘As the matter is now in the hands of the police, the Football Club will not be making further comment at this stage.’

Police officers arrived at the stadium to speak to the footballer and spoke with him in a private room, a source told the paper.

They said the player left with another person and was arrested that night.

READ ALSO: ‘Back To Sender’ – Nicki Minaj Throws Object Back To Fan On Stage [VIDEO]

It is not the first time the Premier League has been at the centre of a police investigation over an alleged rape.

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, 22, was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour in October 2022.

The case against him was subsequently dropped in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan to Spanish club Getafe.

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20-year-old English Midfielder, Bellingham Wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough Award

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Jude Bellingham has been awarded the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year prize in recognition of his startling season for Real Madrid and England.

The 20-year-old English midfielder established himself as the Spanish giants’ main man since moving to the club from Borussia Dortmund last summer,

Bellingham, who has a tally of 21 goals produced another starring role in Sunday’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona.

He scored the late winner that secured a 3-2 win over Barcelona.

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Jude Bellingham wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic and Aitana Bonmati were the other big winners at the ceremony held in the Galeria de Cristal in Madrid on Monday night.

Djokovic was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time after winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open to lead the way with 24 grand slam men’s singles titles.

‘I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award,’ said Djokovic.

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‘I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.

‘It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months.

‘I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.’

The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards took place on Monday 22 April in Madrid, celebrating the leading names in sport from across the globe.

 

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