Spain

Spain is widely considered a rising power in women’s soccer, and la Roja had a tremendous opportunity to accentuate that sentiment with a victory over two-time world champion Germany on Wednesday. But they blew it, and their failure is compounded by the fact that they’re now possibly on a collision course with the USWNT in the Round of 16.

The majority of the first half was dominated by Spain, and two glorious opportunities fell to Nahikari García to open the scoring in the opening 14 minutes. 

For the third game in a row, Manchester United’s David De Gea found himself out of the starting 11 for the Spanish national team in favor of Kepa Arrizibalaga. The Chelsea keeper has proven his worth, having allowed one goal over the three games he’s started, with the goal coming off a cheap deflection against the Faroe Islands.

What hurts more, a man getting kicked in the crotch or a woman giving birth?

It’s a question that is just about impossible to answer accurately. Determining pain thresholds for men compared to women is about as easy to do as herding cats, and it’s an issue scientists for decades have struggled to even appropriately consider.

Scoring on your rival? Awesome. 

Scoring on your rival in a knockout tournament? Awesomer.

Scoring on your rival with a goal from midfield? Awesomest.

Antonio Blanco ripped a shot from 45 yards in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona on Saturday, advancing Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate into the Copa del Rey Juvenil semifinals.

Blanco’s equalizing goal came with the match in the balance. Barcelona attempted to cross midfield only for the Madrid player to steal the ball, take one touch and blast a long-range effort over the Barça keeper.

According to reports from ESPN and the BBC, Real Madrid and Chelsea have finally agreed to a transfer fee to send Eden Hazard from Stamford Bridge to the Santiago Bernabéu. The Eden Hazard transfer fee is being priced at $113 million, but that sum could rise to as high as $165 million should the 28-year-old Belgian attacker reach “realistic bonuses” along with additional payments that Real will make. 

After a minor injury that spiraled into 10 operations, an infection that ate away at his tendon and threatened foot amputation, a skin graft that resulted in part of his left arm tattoo moving to his right foot and ultimately, a spell of 636 days without football, Santi Cazorla made a remarkable comeback with Villarreal last season, appearing in 46 matches, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists. 

Real Madrid’s youth movement continued apace Tuesday with news that 21-year-old Serbian striker Luka Jović had completed his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt on a six-year deal worth $67.5 million. 

Jose Antonio Reyes, a fan favorite wherever he went, died in a car crash on Saturday morning at the age of 35.

The crash occurred in Reyes’ hometown of Utrera outside Seville, Marca reported.

We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qeGl2nsi3c