Sunday, 12 November 2017

Injury-ridden Real Madrid left sweating as Isco limps off against Costa Rica​


Spain star Isco was forced off in his country's friendly against Costa Rica after being caught on a late challenge.

The Real Madrid midfielder was levelled by a dangerous tackle from Ticos centre-back Kendall Waston, who was shown a yellow card in the 62nd minute for the challenge.

The midfielder was, however, able to walk off the field, and Spain striker Alvaro Morata was optimistic after the game about his former Madrid team-mate's condition.

Isco's name could be added to Madrid's growing list of injuries, with Mateo Kovacic, Keylor Navas, Raphael Varane and Gareth Bale all currently sidelined.

The Blancos face city rivals Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Madrid derby next Saturday, and losing Isco would be another blow for Zinedine Zidane's side.

Morocco and Tunisia secure World Cup spots​

Morocco have qualified for a first World Cup since 1998 after beating their closest Group C challengers Ivory Coast 2-0 away from home on Saturday, and Tunisia joined them in securing passage as they drew 0-0 with Libya.

The Atlas Lions went into the match in Abidjan just needing a draw to consolidate their place as pacesetters in the final group match, but they went one better in what was an assured display.

Nabil Dirar gave the visitors the lead 25 minutes in, cutting in from the right and seeing his left-footed cross go all the way in, raising serious questions over goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

He was partially at fault again shortly after, failing to come and collect a corner delivery which was ultimately directed into the net by Morocco captain Medhi Benatia, who made the most of slack marking.

The hosts poured men forward for most of the rest of the match, but Morocco generally looked in control of things at the back and held on comfortably, giving Herve Renard - the coach who ended Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations drought in 2015 - a famous victory against his former team.

Tunisia also only needed a draw to pip DR Congo – who began the day three points adrift – to top spot in Group A and they duly accomplished that with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Libya.

India ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ rounds up beggars ๐Ÿ‘€ ahead of Ivanka Trump's visit ✈​


Police in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad are doing a last-minute sweep to get beggars off the streets ahead of Ivanka Trump's visit later this month.

The unprecedented order was given by the city's police commissioner earlier this week and will last for two months, according to V.K. Singh, the director general of prisons in Hyderabad.

Speaking on a wider issue surrounding Hyderabad's begging crisis, Singh said: "There is a mafia or a network behind this who force people to beg or kidnap some children and force them into begging."

But the recent campaign to move Hyderabad's beggars off the city's streets only started in late October, prompting speculation that it was in preparation for the summit.

Spain ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Catalonia: Barcelona rally ๐Ÿ’ช urges prisoners' release


Three-quarters of a million people have rallied in Barcelona to protest against Spain's detention of Catalan independence leaders, police estimate.

They shone phone torches in unison at sunset as calls were made to free eight regional ministers and two grassroots campaign leaders being held on remand.

Some of the detainees will be included on the list of a Catalan separatist party at next month's snap election. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is to visit the city on Sunday. 
In another development, Barcelona's mayoress has condemned pro-independence leaders.

Bale will be 'devastated' after latest injury, says Coleman​

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will be "devastated" by his latest injury setback, according to Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Bale, 28, is set to miss another month after confirmation of a strained adductor muscle.The star attacker has played just nine games in all competitions this season, with the last of those coming in September.

Coleman said he was unsure about the severity of Bale's latest setback, but he knows the Wales international will be shattered.

"I don't know the full extent of it. He'll be devastated," he told U.K. newspapers.

"We haven't had dialogue with Real Madrid, but we'll speak with Gareth in the next few days and find out exactly what it is. It's bad luck, bad news, and he'll be gutted.

"The harder you try to get back you get a setback and sometimes you have to go through that."

Morocco and Tunisia secure World Cup spots​

Morocco have qualified for a first World Cup since 1998 after beating their closest Group C challengers Ivory Coast 2-0 away from home on Saturday, and Tunisia joined them in securing passage as they drew 0-0 with Libya.

The Atlas Lions went into the match in Abidjan just needing a draw to consolidate their place as pacesetters in the final group match, but they went one better in what was an assured display.

Nabil Dirar gave the visitors the lead 25 minutes in, cutting in from the right and seeing his left-footed cross go all the way in, raising serious questions over goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

He was partially at fault again shortly after, failing to come and collect a corner delivery which was ultimately directed into the net by Morocco captain Medhi Benatia, who made the most of slack marking.

The hosts poured men forward for most of the rest of the match, but Morocco generally looked in control of things at the back and held on comfortably, giving Herve Renard - the coach who ended Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations drought in 2015 - a famous victory against his former team.

Tunisia also only needed a draw to pip DR Congo – who began the day three points adrift – to top spot in Group A and they duly accomplished that with a 0-0 stalemate at home to Libya.