Carlos Bacca claimed the plaudits with a superb double strike, including a late winner to decide a pulsating clash that began at a hair-raising pace with four goals in the first half.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
Arsenal took the race to the final day last season and are strongly tipped to end Manchester City's dominance this time.
Barcelona eased to a 3-0 win over Racing Santander to keep pace with leaders Sevilla in the Primera Liga.
Real have three days to recover from the humbling defeat before Saturday's crunch local derby against Atletico Madrid
Unstoppable duo Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona thrash Sevilla 5-0 to win the King's Cup final for the fourth consecutive season on Saturday as they close in on a likely domestic double.
Lionel Messi helped Barcelona shake off the hangover from their midweek defeat by AC Milan as the leaders rallied to a 2-1 win at home to fellow King's Cup semi-finalists Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday.
Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella has suggested that the only way his side will be able to stop Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez in Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg will be to tie the Chilean up with a rope.
CSKA Moscow upset Sevilla 2-1 on Tuesday to send the Russian team into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 17 years.
Despite two goals from Franco Vazquez, Sevilla's defeat leaves them on 68 points, three behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, but now only five clear of fifth-placed Villarreal -- and they still have to visit Real Madrid on May 14.
Real Madrid set a Spanish record of 40 matches unbeaten in all competitions after they came back from two goals behind to snatch a 3-3 draw at Sevilla with a last-gasp equaliser from Karim Benzema in the King's Cup on Thursday.
Real Madrid produced a gutsy performance to earn a 1-0 win at Sevilla, on Sunday, which took them level on points at the top of La Liga
Dani Alves faces charges of sexual assault of a woman in a Barcelona nightclub last December.
Sevilla earned their first point in four matches when they came from behind to draw 1-1 away to Osasuna.
Barcelona earned a 1-1 draw with holders Sevilla in the first leg of the King's Cup last-16.
Spanish media have reported that Real president Florentino Perez would be keen to recruit former coach Mourinho, currently without a club, should Zidane be relieved of his duties.
Sevilla drew level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga when they snatched a 2-1 comeback victory at home to Villarreal, while champions Atletico Madrid won 1-0 in a bad-tempered clash at Getafe on Sunday.
Sevilla conjured up a dazzling comeback to clinch a record third successive Europa League title on Wednesday, flooring Liverpool with a 3-1 victory that showed why the Spanish side have become masters of Europe's second-tier competition.
Real Madrid beat Leganes 4-2 on Wednesday despite resting key players including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as goals from Alvaro Morata and James Rodriguez helped them stay top of La Liga after Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win over Sevilla.
Alves had maintained the sex was consensual. The prosecutor was seeking a nine-year prison term.
Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico blundered and then made two brilliant late stops as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Alaves on Monday that dented their La Liga title bid.
Sevilla topped the Primera Liga on Saturday with a 3-0 home win over Valencia, who had midfielder David Silva sent off after just 17 minutes.
Sevilla and Real Madrid kept the pressure on leaders Barcelona with home wins in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Dani Carvajal scored a stunning late goal as Champions League winners Real Madrid beat Europa League holders Sevilla 3-2 after extra-time in a UEFA Super Cup thriller in Trondheim, Norway on Tuesday.
Youth team striker Rodri scored a dramatic injury-time winner to give Sevilla a 3-2 victory at Almeria on Saturday to secure fourth place and La Liga's last Champions League qualification berth.
Paco Alcacer enjoyed a rare outing for Barcelona by scoring twice in the club's 2-1 La Liga win over Sevilla at the Nou Camp on Saturday.
AC midfielder Franck Kessie scored from a penalty to give AC Milan a 2-2 draw away to Napoli in Serie A on Sunday, sparing the blushes of his goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma whose mistakes provided the hosts with both their goals. Sevilla closed in on Champions League qualification by beating struggling Real Mallorca 2-0 at home to open up a nine-point gap in the race for fourth spot in La Liga.
Arsenal enjoyed a 3-0 win in Azerbaijan against Qarabag in the Europa League on Thursday and AC Milan beat Greece's Olympiakos Piraeus 3-1 but Sevilla suffered a shock defeat by Russians Krasnodar.
Barcelona and Sevilla claimed the final two places in the King's Cup semi-finals on Thursday, Barca knocking out city rivals Espanyol 3-2 and Sevilla coming through on away goals against holders Valencia. Sevilla, the 2007 winners, will play Athletic Bilbao for a place in May's final in Valencia, while Barca take on Real Mallorca.
The defending champions suffered an extraordinary 4-1 away defeat in the Spanish League.\n\n
Sevilla missed a chance to get their La Liga campaign up and running when the Europa League holders surrendered the lead and were held to a 1-1 draw at Levante on Friday.
James Rodriguez headed the opener before going off injured in Real Madrid's win.
Champions Barcelona suffered their second defeat in three matches in La Liga on Saturday, with Michael Krohn-Dehli scoring and setting up another goal in a 2-1 victory for Sevilla.
Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta died three days after collapsing during a Spanish Primera Liga match.
Sevilla claimed their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League and went top of Group H when they ended Arsenal's unbeaten run this season with a 3-1 comeback win on Tuesday.
Roundup of the Champions League matches played on Wednesday night
Sevilla look set for a baptism of fire when they make their Champions League debut at Arsenal on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho has been charged with using abusive language against a match official, governing body UEFA said
Sevilla's failure to qualify for the Champions League group stages has put coach Antonio Alvarez's future in doubt before La Liga has even started.
Espanyol fought back from a goal down to beat Sevilla 2-1 at home in the Primera Liga on Sunday, denying the Andalucians first place in the standings.
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