In the first quarter-final of the day, Germany eked out a narrow 3-1 win over Spain via the shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation time. Later, Argentina beat the Netherlands 2-1.
Relief ran through Spanish ranks after Gerard Pique's late header secured a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening Group D match at Euro 2016 on Monday.
Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique had made his stand clear over Catalan independence last week and, on Saturday, had to respond to questions over comments he made backing a possible referendum on independence for Catalonia.
Marcelino dismissed but Valencia keep pressure on Barcelona
Impressive performances from Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati helped Barcelona overcome an early red card to defender Clement Lenglet and win 3-0 at Celta Vigo on Thursday to make it two wins out of two in the new La Liga season.
Alvaro Morata spurned Spain's best opportunity in a dominant first half display from Luis Enrique's side on a scorching evening at Seville's La Cartuja stadium in Group E when he missed the target from inside the area after a defensive slip.
Pop star Shakira and her partner Gerard Pique have welcomed their second child
The Catalans have kept five clean sheets in their last six games, which bodes well for their title run in.
Medvedeva sets world record, Canada lead team event
PSG have set their sights on Messi, with PSG's players, coaches talking of their excitement about the prospect of bringing the Argentine to the French capital
Formula One could cope with up to 10 positive tests for COVID-19 when the sport starts the season in July, according to the chairman of the governing FIA's medical commission. Professor Gerard Saillant told Sky Sports television the sport would still need a 'red line', however, beyond which racing could not continue.
After a tense encounter finished 1-1 following extra time, Villareal's Rulli stepped up after every on-field player scored their spot kicks and he comfortably beat Spaniard De Gea
'I arrived at Manchester United a boy, and I left a man'
'I tried to behave with humility and respect and I hope that is what remains of me when I leave the club.'
Barcelona were hit with more bad news on Sunday when centre back Gerard Pique was ruled out for about two weeks with a calf problem.
The veteran admits Barca have defence problems, slams Dembele
The win took the Highlanders to the second spot with eight points as they remained unbeaten from four matches.
Barcelona were so keen to bring Neymar back from Paris St Germain that the players were ready to accept delays to salary payments in order for the club to afford the Brazilian
Messi, Barca's all-time top scorer, has been a vice-captain since 2015 and takes the club's armband from Iniesta, who succeeded Xavi Hernandez as captain in 2015 but left for Japanese club Vissel Kobe in June.
The Argentine then lifted his shirt to reveal a red and black replica kit of his hometown club Newell's Old Boys bearing the number 10 which Maradona wore during his brief spell at the Rosario side in 1993.
Twenty-three-times Cup winners Athletic Bilbao were dumped out in sensational circumstances by tiny island side SD Formentera, who sneaked a 1-0 win at San Mames with a header by Alvaro Muniz deep in stoppage-time to reach the last 16 for the first time with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Frenchman Gerard Houllier has stepped down as Aston Villa manager after relinquishing control for the last five games of the season due to health problems, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.
The 'Hips Don't Lie' singer Shakira has finally reveals how she fell in love with footballer beau Gerard Pique to the world.
A round-up of Saturday's matches in the English Premier League.
Stokes was named Man of the Match after he broke Kiwi hearts with his gallant show in the epic World Cup final recently.
Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrated the 11th anniversary of his famous Champions League semi-final strike against Chelsea by calling two children conceived after his tie-clinching goal. Nine months later, those celebrations had a rather unexpected result, with maternity hospitals in Barcelona telling local media they were struggling to cope with demand amid a spike in the city's birth rate.
Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira was present at the Nou Camp with son Milan to support partner Gerard Pique.
Madrid's trip to San Sebastian was full of intrigue after Barca failed to beat Sevilla and the Catalan side's defender Gerard Pique said the title was now Madrid's for the taking.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique blamed the club's pre-season trips to the United States and Japan for their shaky start to the season.
With no fans allowed into venues and Real playing their home games at the 6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stefano stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is being refurbished, it will be a title race unlike any other.
Images from the Round of 16 match between Russia and Spain, in Moscow, on Sunday.
Here's a look at the candidates who made it to the British poll.
Images from the UEFA Champions League matches played on Wednesday.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
Alaba strike on Clasico debut gives Real Madrid 2-1 win at Barcelona.
Tennis's flagship team events the Davis Cup and Fed Cup Finals have been postponed until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Friday. Professional tennis has been suspended since March and will not return until August.
Players from European champions Barcelona made up nearly half of UEFA's Team of the Year which was revealed on Friday, while Cristiano Ronaldo made the lineup for a record 10th time. Eight players from La Liga were included in the final XI, voted for by 7.2 million UEFA.com users from a 40-strong shortlist. Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Neymar were the Barcelona players included, while Real Madrid provided Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez.
Neymar should return to Spain with renewed enthusiasm after leading Brazil to their first soccer gold medal at an Olympic Games, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said. Neymar, who has scored 85 goals in 141 games in his three seasons at Barcelona, was given permission to stay in Brazil until after international games early next month. "I think it's a good decision to grant him (Neymar) that," Pique told El Mundo Deportivo. "He has earned it.
Home favourite Su Yiming of China made his Olympic debut on Sunday and received a standing ovation in return.
With the hope that 2018 will be a prosperous and peaceful year, our favourite sports personalities took to their social media handles to wish their fans a very `Happy New Year`.
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