Since the 2014 World Cup, Karim Benzema’s output for Real Madrid in La Liga and Champions League matches reads like this: 114 matches played, 64 goals scored, 23 goals assisted. With a record of over a goal per every two matches, the 29-year-old French forward is one of the most feared in Europe.
Today, May 18, 2017 — a date which will live in history — the Football Association voted, in unison, to introduce retrospective two-match bans for players found guilty of diving or feigning injury, an offense which heretofore was a shameful stain upon our beloved game.
Mathematically eliminated from a top-four finish in the Premier League, Manchester United now know that they need to win the Europa League in order to qualify for next year's Champions League.
Juventus got back to winning ways, cruising past Lazio to earn their third consecutive Coppa Italia. The Old Lady are now the only team in Italy to achieve this feat.
Dani Alves is in the midst of one of the best seasons in his career, and he opened the scoring in the 12th minute off a beautifully orchestrated goalzo. Alves has constantly displayed how versatile he is throughout the pitch, and he's now scoring goals as if he were playing a number 9 role.
A team that has netted 104 goals in a single league season - with a game still left to play - deserves to be champions. With the help of a young, fearless attack paired with a seasoned goalscorer, AS Monaco ended Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 trophy winning streak at four.
Behind a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid earned a 4-1 victory at Celta Vigo to move within a point of clinching La Liga.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a stellar left-footed strike from 18 yards out, and he went to his left boot again in the 48th minute to extend Madrid's lead. His first goal, number 367 in league competition, made him the all-time leading scorer across all five major European Leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s unbelievable form at the most pivotal point of the season continued today with this wonder strike against Celta Vigo. With Real Madrid needing to avoid defeat to give the league to Barcelona before Sunday’s final matches, Ronaldo eased any pressure on his side with this left-footed shot from 18 yards out.
GOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!
Ambidexterity: the quality or state of being ambidextrous.
Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday all but secured their place in next season’s Champions League, ensuring that Pep Guardiola will be able to attract the talent he craves while performing a massive player clear out at the club.
The likes of Eliaquim Mangala, Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri and Joe Hart will certainly be sold in the summer, and the futures of Fernando, Jesus Navas, Fabian Delph, Nolito, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Yaya Toure and perhaps even Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany may lie elsewhere.
Diego Costa's hysterical antics have been in full swing this season. From the tractor incident to funny post match interviews, the list keeps growing. During halftime of Chelsea's travels to West Brom, Costa fancied himself a nutritious snack, and Conte was informed of this after the match.
Relegation is a blessing and a curse in itself. For the clubs, it means a substantial loss of television revenue and can hinder growth for years to come. For the best players on relegated teams, it acts as a restart. Premier League clubs sign the players who are eager to stay at the top level. We should expect to see the following players in the Premier League next season:
Hull City: Andrew Robertson, Harry Maguire, Sam Clucas