Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid were thankful to a late missed penalty from Duje Cop to open up a seven-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

Lionel Messi's prodigious talent is matched by his startling humility, which he displayed again on Thursday by denying that Barcelona's fate is determined by his presence in the team.

Atletico Madrid sealed top spot in Champions League Group D after second half goals from Frenchmen Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann gave them a comfortable 2-0 win at home to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is keen to play the same kind of role Lionel Messi performs at Barcelona, the Chilean international said.

Real Madrid suffered a huge injury scare just 11 days before facing Barcelona in La Liga as Gareth Bale hobbled off with a right ankle injury in the European champions 2-1 win at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted he has no doubt Cristiano Ronaldo will be the deserving winner of a fourth Ballon d'Or come January, but his hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid on Saturday may convince others.

Spain midfielder Ander Herrera will preserve the memory of his international debut by framing the shirt he played in at Wembley on Tuesday.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu predicts that Lionel Messi would not only extend his contract with the Catalan club but also end his playing days there too.

Isco scores in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Spain launch an improbable fightback to snatch a 2-2 friendly draw against England with both their goals coming after the 89th minute at Wembley.

European Golden Shoe winner Luis Suarez said negotiations to extend his contract with Barcelona until 2021 were running smoothly.

Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a "dream year" by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid on Monday.

Stars of Emmy-winning television epic "Game of Thrones" got a front row seat at the Lionel Messi show on Sunday as the Argentine superstar scored his 500th Barcelona goal.

Three-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new five-year contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid on Monday, the club confirmed on Sunday.

Valencia's poor La Liga season continued as Los Che remain just a point above the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at fellow

Barcelona centre-back Jeremy Mathieu joined the club's mounting injury list and faces three weeks out after hurting his right calf,

Steven N'Zonzi's winner 17 minutes from time ended Atletico Madrid's unbeaten start to the season and sent Sevilla top of La

Ex-Italy coach Cesare Prandelli got off to a winning start in La Liga as his new Valencia side triumphed 2-1 at Sporting Gijon on Sunday, while Villarreal maintained their impressive opening to the season by thrashing Celta Vigo 5-0.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane praises his side's attitude after they put a four-game winless run behind them by thrashing Real Betis 6-1 in a relentless display away from home.

Argentina's pain is Barcelona's gain as Lionel Messi returns for the Spanish champions when Deportivo la Coruna visit the Camp Nou on Saturday after being sidelined for three weeks with a groin injury.

The Catalans host Real Madrid at Camp Nou on December 3 and while they may not be ahead of their fiercest rivals in La Liga at the moment, they hold the advantage in economic terms.