MADRID (AP) — Spain called up Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde to replace injured left back José Gayà on Friday, less than a week before the team's opening World Cup match against Costa Rica.
The 19-year-old Balde has had a breakout season at Barcelona, playing both on the left and right side of the defense.
VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Francesco Bagnaia finished ninth in the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday to become the first Italian MotoGP champion since Valentino Rossi in 2009.
Spaniard Alex Rins won the race in Valencia, while Fabio Quartararo was fourth to finish 17 points behind Bagnaia after blowing a big lead from early in the season.
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid is suddenly showing some signs of weakness after a great start to the season.
Madrid was held by Girona to a 1-1 draw at home on Sunday in the Spanish league to follow up its first loss of the season in all competitions.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona was on the brink of another setback when Robert Lewandowski stretched out his right boot and found the winner.
The Poland striker’s goal in stoppage time snatched a 1-0 victory at Valencia on Saturday, lifting Barcelona back to the top of the Spanish league standings level on points with Real Madrid.
MADRID (AP) — There was relief for Edinson Cavani the moment his penalty kick struck the net.
“What crossed my mind is that it finally went in,” he said after scoring his first goal since signing for Valencia.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Borja Iglesias has been waiting for this moment for a very long time.
The Real Betis striker hopes to make his international debut at age 29 when Spain hosts Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday in Zaragoza.
Carlos Alcaraz is producing the goods for his country as well as himself.
Seven days after winning his first Grand Slam tournament, the top-ranked Alcaraz beat Kwon Soon-woo in straight sets in the Davis Cup Finals to secure Spain victory over South Korea and a spot in the quarterfinals as Group B winner.
No Carlos Alcaraz, no problem for Spain.
In front of a partisan home crown at Valencia, Spain cruised to a 3-0 win over Serbia in the Davis Cup Finals on Wednesday to move top of its group.
The top-ranked Alcaraz had arrived in Valencia the previous day but skipped the opening round, which was taking place only three days after the Spanish teenager won the U.S.
MADRID (AP) — Protesters including brothel owners and sex workers demonstrated Monday in front of the Spanish Parliament over a bill that would penalize prostitution customers and sex club owners or pimps with sentences up to 4 years in prison.
MADRID (AP) — The shrieks of fear-infused excitement as bulls charge through the streets of many Spanish towns during wildly popular summer festivals echo in sharp contrast to the number of people who have died after being gored this year.
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona was busy in the beginning of the transfer window trying to boost its squad and making some high-profile signings that included Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
Ahead of the transfer deadline, though, the focus was mainly on getting rid of players to clear up some extra salary cap room.
MADRID (AP) — Valencia signed veteran Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani on a two-year contract on Monday.
The 35-year-old Cavani had been without a club since his contract with Manchester United expired at the end of last season.
MADRID (AP) — A wildfire burning out of control in Spain's eastern province of Valencia has become one of the country's biggest fires this year, and 35 aircraft were deployed to fight it as the blaze entered its fifth day, authorities said Friday.
MADRID (AP) — Young attacking midfielder Reinier will play for Girona this season on a loan from Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old Brazilian arrived in Madrid at the beginning of 2020 but had played the last two seasons on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
MADRID (AP) — An approaching wildfire in eastern Spain caused a train driver to stop and prepare to change directions to avoid the flames, and several passengers were injured when they got off rather than wait, authorities said Wednesday.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona said Saturday that Nico González has agreed to a contract extension, but that the promising midfielder will play this season on loan at Valencia as he seeks ensured playing time.
MADRID (AP) — After a disappointing season that followed its first Spanish league title in nearly a decade, Atlético Madrid leads the list of challengers to traditional powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.
MADRID (AP) — Atlético Madrid has secured the transfer of Argentina defender Nahuel Molina from Udinese, the Spanish club said Thursday.
Atlético said the 24-year-old Molina has agreed to sign a five-year contract.
MADRID (AP) — Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso agreed to take charge of Spanish club Valencia on Thursday for the next two seasons.
The 44-year-old Gattuso replaced José Bordalás after he was fired last week despite having led Valencia to the Copa del Rey final in his single season in charge.
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona moved a step closer to securing second place in the Spanish league by defeating 10-man Celta Vigo 3-1 on Tuesday despite defender Ronald Araújo leaving the field in an ambulance with a head injury after colliding with a teammate.
The last time Real Betis won a major title, Joaquín Sánchez was there to help it lift the Copa del Rey.
Seventeen years later, the charismatic forward has the chance to put the perfect finish to his long career when his Betis plays Valencia in the final of Spain’s cup competition on Saturday.
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s Civil Guard says it is investigating a businessman in the eastern Valencia region who owned a private taxidermy collection with more than 1,000 stuffed animals, including just over 400 from protected species and at least one specimen of a North African oryx, already extinct.
MADRID (AP) — Valencia prevented Athletic Bilbao from reaching its third straight Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win in the second leg of the semifinals on Wednesday.
Gonçalo Guedes scored in the first half as Valencia advanced 2-1 on aggregate to reach its second Copa final in four seasons after winning its eighth title in 2019.
MADRID (AP) — Valencia may get a much-needed boost for its struggling defense with the return of Spain international José Luis Gayà in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
MADRID (AP) — The last-minute scramble to secure the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has started to pay off for Barcelona.
Aubameyang scored a hat trick for his first goals since joining from Arsenal at the end of the winter transfer window, leading the Catalan club to a resounding 4-1 win at Valencia in the Spanish league on Sunday.
A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Manchester United can open up a four-point gap in the race for the final Champions League qualification spot by beating fierce rival Leeds at Elland Road in the Premier League.
MADRID (AP) — Trying to make it to its third straight Copa del Rey final, Athletic Bilbao was held to a 1-1 draw at home against Valencia in the first leg of the semifinals on Thursday.
Raúl García opened the scoring for the hosts with a header off a free kick by Iker Muniain in the 37th minute, but Valencia equalized in the 65th with a goal from close range by Hugo Duro off the rebound of a shot by Bryan Gil.
MADRID (AP) — Surrounded by defenders inside the area, William Carvalho came up with a solution that would make most top strikers proud.
Without panicking, the Real Betis midfielder pulled off a neat nutmeg to get past the defender standing in front of him, sending the ball in-between his legs before calmly firing a low shot into the back of the net.