Real Madrid defender Nacho was the unlikely hero as they snatched a 1-0 win at Real Valladolid on Sunday to capitalise on Barcelona's defeat at Valencia this weekend and move three points clear of their rivals at the top of La Liga. Serie A leaders Juventus suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at Napoli on Sunday, with coach Maurizio Sarri returning to his former club for the first time, though Cristiano Ronaldo still managed to score for an eighth league game in a row for the visitors.
Arsenal had scored 10 goals in two matches against BATE Borisov in the same competition in 2017 but never looked like being as prolific in the freezing temperatures of Belarus.
In other European football action Real Madrid were left frustrated after a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao in their La Liga match on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in all three of his team's goals as Juventus came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 in a Serie A top-of-the-table clash on Saturday to maintain their perfect start to the season.
Borussia Dortmund snatched a late goal at Atalanta to progress with a 1-1 draw, while AC Milan and Atletico Madrid, both with three-goal leads from the away legs, completed the formality of qualifying with 1-0 wins at home on Thursday.
Former European champions Celtic were helped by two own goals as they thumped Astana 5-0 at home and a late goal from Wissam Ben Yedder gave Sevilla a 2-1 win at Istanbul Basaksehir in torrential rain.
No wonder Caroline Wozniacki could not stop hugging the trophy she referred to affectionately as 'Daphne' on Saturday after outlasting Simona Halep to win the Australian Open title.
World Cup hosts Russia got their Nations League campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win away to Turkey thanks to goals from Dennis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba on Friday.
Roger Federer reached the Rogers Cup semi-finals on Friday after coming to the net early and often in a straight sets victory over Roberto Bautista Agut on a windy day in Montreal.
A round-up of Saturday's action in Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga.
Galatasaray win 22nd Turkish title after beating closest rival
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Wrestler Sandeep Tomar secured an Olympic quota place for India in the men's 57kg freestyle category with a bronze-medal finish on the final day of the 1st World Olympic Qualifying tournament in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Ace Indian discus thrower Vikas Gowda got a morale booster ahead of the upcoming Asian Games as he finished overall fourth in the prestigious IAAF Diamond League Series to pocket $ 3,000 prize money.
Napoli rediscovered their scoring touch as they brushed aside Inter Milan 3-0 on Friday, sending their opponents' new coach Stefano Pioli back to the drawing-board.
Pole vaulters Renaud Lavillenie and Jenn Suhr claimed the first gold medals of the World Indoor Championships with record-breaking clearances on Thursday, while IAAF chief Sebastian Coe was reminded that restoring fan trust could take time.
Alexandre Lacazette's free-kick sent Arsenal into the Europa League semi-finals with a comfortable 1-0 win away over Napoli, while Chelsea beat Slavia Prague 4-3 in a roller-coaster game, helped by a Pedro brace.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Ethiopia's Genzebe Dibaba eased through to the finals of the women's 5,000 metres on Thursday to stay on course for a world athletics championships double, while American Brittney Reese saw her six-year long jump reign end.
American Noah Lyles shot to 200 meters world championships gold on Tuesday, providing a bright finish to a day darkened by yet another doping scandal.
Photos from matches played in the French Ligue 1 and Serie A matches played on Saturday
Indians had a disappointing outing on the opening day of the track and field events at the Rio Olympics, Vikas Gowda, Manpreet Kaur and Jinson Johnson failing to progress to the next round, on Friday.
Winners from the Big Picture photography competition
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
IMAGES from the 2020 Euro Qualifiers played on Monday
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Friday.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Wednesday
Paulo Dybala came off the bench to give unbeaten Serie A leaders Juventus a 1-0 win away to a brave Bologna side who had the better of the match and hit the post in stoppage time on Sunday.
An Aaron Ramsey strike and a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal gave Arsenal a 2-0 victory over Napoli in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final, while Chelsea beat a stubborn Slavia Prague 1-0.
Inter Milan staged a late smash-and-grab raid as goals by Mauro Icardi and Matias Vecino secured a 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur in their Champions League Group B opener on Tuesday.
Roger Federer stared down defeat and saved two match points before knocking Tomas Berdych out of the Miami Open on Thursday with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(6) victory in their thrilling quarter-final.
Iran's unbeaten streak in the ongoing Kabaddi World Cup came to a grinding halt after they were stunned by minnows Polland 25-41 in their league clash at the TransStadia in Ahmedabad on Monday.
A terrific raiding performance by England saw them record a comfortable 68-28 win over Argentina in the Group A clash of the Kabaddi World Cup at the The Arena by TransStadia` in Ahmedabad on Friday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Images from Champions League matches played across Europe on Tuesday
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers played across Europe on Sunday
A round-up of results from the Athletics World Championships in London on Saturday
A summary of the results of the major European football league matches on the weekend.
It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasised more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances