Europe

MADRID — Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham sustained a muscle injury during training, the Spanish club said on Friday, and will miss key games for club and country.

The 21-year-old England international, who was a key player last season when Real won the Champions League and LaLiga titles, will be sidelined for several weeks, according to club sources.

Jude Bellingham injury

Chelsea defeated Swiss club Servette FC 2-0 in the Europa Conference League playoffs on Thursday, however a Marc Guiu miss is the big talking point.

The Chelsea youngster was given his first start for the Blues and ended up having a lowlight that will give him nightmares years from now.

In the 51st minute the 18-year-old had the entire goal gaping in front of him after robbing possession from Servette’s goalkeeper. All that was needed was a pass into the goal.

Instead Guiu made a mess of things.

Marc Guiu miss vs. Servette

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer announced his retirement from international soccer on Wednesday after playing 124 times for his country since 2009.

The 38-year-old Bayern Munich player won the golden glove when Germany won the World Cup in 2014.

Manuel Neuer retires

United States men’s national team and Leeds United forward Brenden Aaronson had himself a day in the EFL Championship opening weekend on Saturday. The American scored a 95th minute equalizer to draw Leeds level at 3-3 with Portsmouth.

Unfortunately for Aaronson he’ll likely remember the game more for the wasted opportunity to win the game that came moments later.

Aaronson was brought on as a substitute in the 72nd minute with the score tied at 2-2. It looked like the opening game would end in disaster for Leeds when Portsmouth scored in the 92nd minute to take the lead.

PARIS — Spain secured the gold medal in the Olympic men's soccer tournament after Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to earn a dramatic 5-3 win over hosts France in a nail-biting final at Parc des Princes on Friday.

The teams were locked at 3-3 at the end of normal time but Camello scored 10 minutes into the extra period and scored another at the end to earn Spain their first Olympic title since 1992.

PARIS — Germany secured the bronze medal in the women's Olympic soccer tournament with a 1-0 win over Spain thanks to a Giulia Gwinn penalty after the world champions missed a penalty deep in added time at the Lyon Stadium on Friday.

Germany, who lost to the United States in the semis, grabbed the lead in the 65th minute when Gwinn earned the penalty and converted after a foul by Spanish keeper Cata Coll.

¡GOL DE ALEMANIA! ¡YA LO GANAN!

Portugal defender Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old said on Thursday.

Pepe's last game came at Euro 2024, where Portugal were defeated by France on penalties in the quarter-finals, and he became the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals tournament.

Pepe retires

OFFICIAL: Pepe announces his retirement at 41 years old.

878 games, 34 trophies and one of the best defenders around for years…

Christian Pulisic looks set for another terrific season in Italy as he impressed during his first start for AC Milan in the 2024-25 preseason. AC Milan drew Barcelona 2-2 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday with the American involved in both of his side’s goals.

This was Milan’s third and final preseason game of their USA tour having already faced Manchester City and Real Madrid. Pulisic was brought on as a substitute in both of those games.

Charlotte FC acquired U.S. men's national team defender Tim Ream from Premier League side Fulham FC.

The deal, announced Wednesday, runs through 2026 with an option for 2027. Terms were not disclosed.

Ream, 36, spent the past 12 years in England after an MLS stint with the New York Red Bulls from 2010-11.

Tim Ream Charlotte transfer

A veteran leader ready to fight #ForTheCrown.