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SHERIFF HAND REAL MADRID SHOCKING DEFEAT AT THE BERNABEU WITH LATE WINNER

Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol pulled off a remarkable 2-1 win away to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, snatching a shock victory thanks to a sensational 89th-minute strike from Sebastien Thill.

Competition debutants Sheriff went ahead against the 13-time European champions in the 25th minute with a header from Uzbek midfielder Jasurbek Yakhshiboev, who narrowly missed a chance to double the visitors’ lead later in the first half.

Sheriff closed with +2700 odds at Caesars Sportsbook, making it the largest underdog to win in the last three Champions League seasons. The previous biggest upset was Shakhtar Donetsk beating Madrid in the group stage last year at +1300 odds.

“We believed we could win. I spoke to my teammates as captain, motivating them, saying ‘why not dream?’ This is football,” Sheriff Tiraspol captain Frank Castaneda said. “Real Madrid are historic but on the pitch it’s 11 vs. 11. We went for the win and got it.”

Goalkeeper Georgios Athanasiadis, 28 — who plays for Sheriff on loan from AEK Athens — was named UEFA’s Man of the Match for a display that saw him make ten saves.

“I’m really happy,” he said. “It’s very difficult to play against these teams, the best in the world. I’m emotional, if I carry on talking much longer, I’ll end up crying.”

Real dominated the play in both halves but needed a penalty to draw level. Karim Benzema buried his spot-kick in the top corner in the 65th minute after Vinicius Jr was felled and awarded a penalty following a VAR review, having been denied a spot kick after a previous review moments earlier.

Real substitute Luka Jovic spurned a great chance to win it for the hosts, but Sheriff quickly got down the other end and, following a throw-in, the ball fell to Luxembourg midfielder Thill, who unleashed a lethal shot into the far top corner.

“It’s the type of game where when you have total control it’s the little details that decide it,” said Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. “That cost us the game. It can be a good lesson for the future, a game like this, the details cost you. A throw in, a cross, a corner, a pointless foul… They cost you. We lost and the team didn’t deserve it, honestly, for what we did.”

Sheriff, from the unrecognised breakaway state of Transnistria, top Champions League Group D with six points from two games while Real are second with three.

Sheriff came through four rounds of qualifying to become the first Moldovan team to play in the group phase of Europe’s elite club competition and had surprised a highly experienced Champions League side in Shakhtar Donetsk to win their opening game 2-0.

They faced an unbeaten Real side and were outplayed for most of the game but pulled off the biggest result in their 24-year history, making the most of their few chances and relying on a few top-drawer saves from Athanasiadis.

Real made a strong start and Vinicius and Benzema each went close to giving them the lead, Athanasiadis making the first of many saves to tip a stinging shot from Benzema over the bar.

But Ancelotti’s side were outdone on the counter when Cristiano tore down the left wing and crossed to the unmarked Yakhshiboev, who headed into the net.

Real continued to threaten with Benzema and Vinicius each fizzing shots just off target before halftime, although Yakhshiboev could have scored again down the other end following a glaring error from the hosts’ keeper Thibaut Courtois.

The Spaniards looked set to go on to win the game after Benzema levelled from the spot, but Sheriff had the ball in the net again through substitute Bruno, although the goal was ruled out for offside.

Modric was then thwarted by Athanasiadis, who saved a thumping shot from the Croatian with his face, before Brazilian forward Rodrygo fired narrowly over the bar.

A Real winner looked inevitable but instead it came down the other end when Thill tried his luck from the edge of the box, scoring the most important goal in his club’s brief history.

“Sheriff defended well, very tight at the back,” Ancelotti said. “They forced us to go outside. But we combined well, we got in behind, a lot of crosses, what we didn’t go well was the little details, we could have been more focused.”

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BARCELONA-REAL MADRID EL CLASICO SET FOR OCTOBER 24.

Barcelona will host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Oct. 24 in what will be the first El Clasico since the departure of rivalry legends Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.

The clash between LaLiga’s most successful clubs will still have plenty of starpower on both sides, with Madrid striker Karim Benzema facing off against Barca defender Gerard Pique and United States youngster Sergino Dest.

Barca has struggled out the gates this season since Messi left for Paris Saint-Germain on a free agent move this summer, with manager Ronald Koeman already on the hot seat amid a lackluster string of results.

League-leading Madrid have started the campaign on solid footing under Carlo Ancelotti in his second stint as club manager following Zinedine Zidane’s departure in the offseason.

The Catalan side will hope to stop a dubious skid against Los Blancos, with their only home victory over Madrid since 2015 being a 5-1 thumping in October 2018.

Messi won’t be the only key figure now missing out on one of sports’ greatest rivalries, with ex-Madrid stalwart Ramos having also made the move to PSG. Both players are tied at the top of most appearances in El Clasico with 45 each.

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LA LIGA: ASENSIO BAGS HATRICK AS REAL MADRID HIT MALLORCA 6-1 TO GO TOP

Marco Asensio scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid on Wednesday against Mallorca, his boyhood club, as Madrid cruised to a 6-1 win to go top of La Liga. Karim Benzema capitalised on an early Mallorca mistake at the Santiago Bernabeu before three goals in five minutes put Madrid 3-1 ahead, two Asensio strikes coming either side of a curling effort from Mallorca’s Lee Kang-in.

Asensio completed his treble with a bending shot of his own in the second half and went off to a standing ovation, leaving Benzema to add his second and Isco to tap in Madrid’s sixth late on. Benzema’s second goal was his 200th in La Liga, making him only the 10th player to reach the milestone.

“Clearly Karim is playing very well,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “Not just himself but for the team. He is a complete striker.”

Victory lifts Real Madrid two points clear of Atletico at the top of La Liga, with Sevilla up to third after they had earlier eased past Valencia 3-1.

Asensio was born in Palma and began playing for Mallorca aged 10, only to join Real Madrid in 2016.

He declined to celebrate any of his three goals but will have made an impression on Ancelotti, who was giving the 25-year-old his first start of the season.

“Asensio did very well. It is true that from that position he can hurt the opponent, between the lines he has a lot of quality,” Ancelotti said.

Benzema now has eight goals this term and there were noteworthy displays too from Eduardo Camavinga, the hugely exciting 18-year-old midfielder, as well as Madrid’s two central defenders, David Alaba and Eder Militao, whose distribution was instrumental in almost all the goals.

Despite scoring two late goals to beat Valencia on Sunday, Ancelotti criticised his team for again being too open at the back. Mallorca had chances but they were blown away by Madrid’s revitalised attack.

The first goal, though, was a gift, as Josep Gaya failed to control a routine pass across the defence and then slipped trying to recover, allowing Benzema to race clear and finish.

Militao instigated the second with a driven pass out to Vinicius, whose angled pass sent Rodrygo in behind. His deflected cross was prodded out by Mallorca goalkeeper Manolo Reina, for Asensio to finish.

Lee hit back almost immediately, weaving past Militao and Alaba and curving a shot into the bottom corner. But hope of a comeback was brief, as Asensio scored his second, latching onto a slick Benzema touch before sliding home.

Another neat lay-off from Benzema and Asensio completed his hat-trick just before the hour and there was still time for two more, Benzema controlling Alaba’s ball over the top with his back and finishing before Vinicius gave Isco an open net to tap into.

Sevilla had earlier scored three goals in the first 22 minutes against Valencia to win 3-1 and go third.

Alejandro Gomez put Sevilla in front in the third minute at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan before Gonzalo Montiel and Rafa Mir made it three within the first half an hour.

Valencia gave themselves hope when Hugo Duro pulled one back in the 31st minute but Sevilla held their nerve in the second period to record their third win of the season.

Julen Lopetegui’s side are still unbeaten but Valencia’s strong start under new coach Jose Bordalas has been dented in the last few days.

This latest loss comes after they conceded two late goals to lose to Real Madrid on Sunday, with Bordalas’ team dropping to fourth.

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VINICIUS, BENZEMA ON TARGET AS REAL MADRID RALLY TO LATE WIN OVER VALENCIA

Real Madrid forwards Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored within the space of three minutes deep in the second half to propel their side to a 2-1 win at Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday after being outplayed for most of the game.

The hosts went ahead in the 66th minute with a thumping low strike from forward Hugo Duro, who spent last season on loan with Madrid.

Real levelled with a deflected strike from Vinicius in the 86th minute and then the Brazilian turned provider, crossing for Benzema to head home the winner in the 88th.

Valencia would have gone top of LaLiga had they held on for the win but instead Carlo Ancelotti’s Real side lead the standings with 13 points from five games.

“It’s never easy to come here especially when you concede the first goal but we never gave in, we kept working and kept persisting,” said Vinicius.

“We’ve got a great result here thanks to the work of the whole team and things are coming off for us right now.”

The win was on the back of another Real late show in midweek when Brazilian forward Rodrygo struck in the 89th minute to secure a 1-0 victory at Internazionale in their first Champions League group game.

Valencia had made a strong start to the season under new coach Jose Bordalas but suffered a setback in the build-up to kick off when captain Jose Gaya was ruled out injured.

More problems followed as midfielder Carlos Soler, who scored a hat-trick of penalties in last season’s fixture against Real, came off injured in the 15th minute while right back Thierry Correia soon followed him in hobbling off in the 23rd.

But Bordalas’ side still managed to outrun and overpower their opponents for most of the game and took a deserved lead when Duro swivelled to send a bouncing ball beyond the reach of keeper Thibaut Courtois and into the net.

Valencia continued to cause Real problems but eased off in the final 10 minutes and the visitors made the most of their deadly firepower, Vinicius scoring his fifth goal of the season and Benzema netting a sixth after bagging a hat-trick against Celta Vigo last week.

“We know what Real Madrid are like, we know they can turn the game around at any stage,” said Duro.

“We had a tough game, we got two early injuries but still managed to go ahead then the victory escaped from our grasp and they made us pay in two isolated moves. We were very unlucky to not at least get a draw today.”

Ancelotti added: “I have a squad who fight all the time, always, playing well or playing badly. It’s a team that keeps believing to the end, that’s the feeling I have today.

“What we did well was the counterattacks in the first half. But we didn’t have aggression at the back. It can happen, you sit back, and they score. After that the reaction was good, Valencia worked hard in the first half, they ran a lot, I put some fresh players on the pitch and we won the game.

“The subs did well, they came on with motivation and enthusiasm, that changed the game.”

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Liverpool considering move for Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Liverpool.

Despite making a number of sales during the summer window, Jurgen Klopp opted to add just RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate to his first-team squad.

However, according to todofichajes.com, the Merseyside giants may look to take advantage of any opportunities at the midway point of the season.

The report claims that Liverpool are interested in signing Asensio, who has been restricted to appearances off the substitutes’ bench during Real’s opening three La Liga fixtures under Carlo Ancelotti.

Liverpool are allegedly prepared to test the water with a bid of €35m (£30.07m) at a time when Asensio will have just 18 months remaining on his contract.

Los Blancos officials could be tempted into accepting an offer of that size ahead of pushing forward with plans to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

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Eduardo Camavinga “very happy and proud” to join Real Madrid

French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has said that he has realised a childhood dream by joining Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old’s future was the subject of much speculation over the summer transfer window, with a number of clubs said to be interested in signing him from Rennes.

Real Madrid completed a move for the France international just before the deadline, though, with the midfielder penning a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

Camavinga, who made 88 appearances during his time at Rennes, has said that he is “very happy and proud” to have made the move to the Spanish capital.

“My move to Real Madrid was done very quickly. I am very happy and proud,” Camavinga told reporters. “But I don’t want this announcement to change my work with [France’s] under-21s. Whether I play at Rennes or at Real Madrid I will continue to give my best, and of course I dream of the senior team, but step by step.

“Now I’ll go to Rennes to pack my bags, I’ll move to Madrid and I’ll continue on my journey. It’s a dream I had when I was a kid. I can’t wait to discover the stadium, which is very impressive. I hope to play there as soon as the building work is finished.”

Camavinga could make his debut for Los Blancos against Celta Vigo on September 12.

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Kylian Mbappe annoyed with Paris Saint-Germain over failed Real Madrid move

Kylian Mbappe has reportedly been left annoyed at Paris Saint-Germain‘s refusal to sanction a move to Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were supposedly willing to pay £197m to secure Mbappe’s signature in the most recent transfer window, but PSG did not respond to the mammoth offer.

As a result, Mbappe is set to remain at the Parc des Princes for one more season, and Real are expected to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with the 22-year-old in January ahead of a free transfer.

According to Marca, Mbappe was expecting PSG to accept Real’s nine-figure sum on deadline day and has been left “annoyed” with the Parisiens’ board for stalling over the bid.

While Real will have to wait one more year to secure the striker’s signature, PSG are now set to lose him on a free transfer after forking out a total of £163m to sign him from Monaco permanently in 2018.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman already boasts three goals and two assists from four Ligue 1 games this season, but he suffered a reported calf injury in France’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina during World Cup qualifying in midweek

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Paris Saint-Germain yet to respond to latest Real Madrid offer for Kylian Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly yet to respond to Real Madrid second offer to sign Kylian Mbappe this summer.

An opening bid worth around £137m was rejected, but the La Liga giants have since given the Parisian outfit an ultimatum as they have tabled a final offer worth £145.6m.

Mbappe has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Parc des Princes, and with the Frenchman yet to agree terms for a new deal, PSG are at risk of losing the 22-year-old for free next summer, if they are unable to sell him.

According to Marca, PSG have been given a 6pm deadline on Monday to respond to Real Madrid’s latest bid.

If an agreement cannot be reached before this deadline, then Los Blancos are prepared to cancel plans to complete the transfer in this window and wait until January to negotiate a pre-contract agreement to sign the player in the summer of 2022.

Mbappe, started and scored a brace in PSG’s 2-0 victory away at Reims on Sunday, increasing his goals tally for the club to 135 in 175 appearances across all competitions.

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Real Madrid win at Betis amid Mbappe transfer talk

The match was Madrid’s last before the summer transfer window closes Tuesday night.

Amid reports in the Spanish capital that Kylian Mbappe could soon be on his way, Real Madrid won 1-0 at Real Betis in the Spanish league on Saturday.

Right back Dani Carvajal volleyed in a pass from Karim Benzema in the 61st minute on a counterattack led by Vinicius Junior, who again proved decisive to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The match was Madrid’s last before the summer transfer window closes Tuesday night. Paris Saint-Germain acknowledged this week that it had rejected an offer from Madrid to sign Mbappe. But the French club added that it was still open to negotiations over a blockbuster move for the player seen by many as soccer’s leading talent for years to come.

“I think that (Ancelotti) has said it, anything that helps the squad is good, so I hope that we can strengthen the squad in the days that are left,” Carvajal said when asked about the possibility of Mbappe moving to Madrid.

Madrid president Florentino Perez was in the stands at Benito Villamarin Stadium, where it appeared that he was keeping a close eye on his phone.

But club official Emilio Butragueno and Ancelotti were reticent to talk.

“We understand that people are waiting for news . but the truth is that we have nothing to say,” Butragueno said.

While Ancelotti said that it “was an issue for the club” and only wanted to talk about his team’s victory, Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said he would love to be able to sign such a top player, knowing that it is impossible for a club that was unable to pay Lionel Messi’s wages.

“If Madrid has the money, it should sign (Mbappe),” Koeman said. “He is one of the best players in the world. I too would love him for my team.”

Vinicius was the focus of Madrid’s attack in the Brazilian’s first start of the season after he had come off the bench to score goals in a 4-1 win at Alaves and a 3-3 draw at Levante.

Eden Hazard lost his spot in the starting 11 amid rumors that he could be on the move to Juventus to fill the hole left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United in this summer’s shuffle of soccer’s top stars. Hazard went on in the 77th to replace Vinicius.

VINICIUS LEADS

Without injured midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to control the ball, Madrid sought to attack through the pace of Vinicius. He showed how dangerous he can be, even when marked, five minutes into the match when he dribbled down the end line and passed to Benzema, whose shot just missed the post by inches.

Betis settled down once midfielder Sergio Canales latched onto the ball and guided the hosts into Madrid’s half. Nabil Fekir then added some punch with a free kick that forced Thibaut Courtois to make a save in the 11th.

The vibrant exchange became bogged down when the action turned physical in the final minutes of the first half. The referee handed out five yellow cards in quick succession, including one for Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini for complaining.

Vinicius engaged Madrid again after the restart, using a brilliant change of foot and spin to leave two defenders going the wrong way as the visitors pressed Betis into its area.

The 21-year-old Vinicius was key to Carvajal’s goal, sprinting to keep the ball from going out of play. Vinicius then found Benzema to set up Carvajal for the winner.

Koeman’s Barcelona hosts Getafe on Sunday, when Messi could make his debut for PSG in France. Also Sunday, defending champion Atletico Madrid hosts Villarreal and is seeking a third straight victory.
KOUNDE RESTS

Jules Kounde did not travel with Sevilla, which drew 1-1 at Elche, amid speculation that Chelsea is interested in securing the transfer of the central defender.

Inaki William’s first-half goal helped Athletic Bilbao win 1-0 at Celta Vigo, the first victory of the season for the Basque Country club.

Williams was set up by Oihan Sancet after he fought to win a long ball from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, who made his first start of the season.

Real Sociedad beat Levante 1-0.

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Florentino Perez: Paris Saint-Germain issued rude response to Kylian Mbappe bid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said that Paris Saint-Germain issued a ‘rude’ response to the Spanish club’s offer for Kylian Mbappe.

The France international has told PSG that he wants to leave the club before the end of the transfer window, and Los Blancos are believed to have made an offer in the region of £137m for his services.

Perez has revealed that the Ligue 1 giants ‘answered rudely’ when the offer was made, as PSG are believed to be holding out for a much higher fee than the offer said to have been placed on the table.

“They [PSG] have already answered and rudely,” Perez told Spanish journalist Jose Manuel Moreno.

Mbappe has scored 133 goals and registered 63 assists in 174 appearances for PSG since making the move from Monaco, initially on loan, in the summer of 2017.

The 22-year-old’s current deal at Parc des Princes is due to expire next June, meaning that he would be free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs in January 2022 if he remains in Paris beyond the deadline.