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Mail & Guardian
Thomas Allnutt

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Thomas Allnutt

Allnutt is a Spanish Football Correspondent, Agence France-Presse, based in Madrid, covering Real, Barcelona and La Liga.

Wales’ Gareth Bale celebrates. (Reuters/Rebecca Naden)

Bale’s latest act of rebellion poses new problem for Zidane

Again, Bale has stirred the nest. Again, Zidane’s patience will be tested.

Joao Felix signed for Atletico Madrid for €126-million from Benfica in the summer transfer window. He was also shortlisted as a Ballon d’Or nominee. (Getty Images)

Benfica, Portugal’s talent factory, proud of its ‘gems’

The club surpassed bitter rivals Sporting Lisbon, cradle of Ronaldo, as the chief talent factory of Portugal

Boost to women’s football in Spain sparks fresh power battle

The idea supporters might watch their women’s team, in the same ground and just as often, as the men’s side, remains a distant concept in Europe

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal with Luis Suarez and team mates. (Reuters/Albert Gea)

Messi shows Barcelona the way

Messi has shown many facets during his spell-binding career but in Barcelona’s win over Liverpool on Wednesday, the dominant one was of a leader

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial during training (Reuters/Carl Recine)

United target another rescue act against Barcelona

Solskjær returns to Catalonia with his side trailing 1-0 again and needing an unlikely turnaround if they are to reach the tournament’s last four

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be in for a stressful night at the Camp Nou. (Reuters/Eddie Keogh)

Solskjaer draws upon spirit of 99 for another Camp Nou miracle

The Red Devils travel to Barcelona looking to overturn a 1 goal first leg deficit, but their manager is confident that his side are ready.

A brace from Lionel Messi in the first half and a second half strike from Philippe Coutinho saw the Catalan giants blow the Red Devils away on Tuesday night(Marcelodel Pozo/Reuters)

Fantastic Messi hat-trick blows away Betis

The little magician had the Real Betis fans applauding him after he struck a magnificent treble against them on Sunday.

Killing the bull has been illegal in Portugal for 200 years (Reuters)

Bullfighting enthusiasts woo kids to boost numbers

A recent bullfighting day at the Campo Pequeno arena in Lisbon became a family affair

Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari shakes hands with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag at the end of the match. (Susana Vera/Reuters)

Solari pledges to continue after Madrid dumped out by Ajax

In seven days, Madrid have been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, La Liga’s title race and now the last 16 of the Champions League

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi shoots to score his team’s second goal during the football match between FC Barcelona and SD Eibar at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images)

Messi scores 400th La Liga goal, sends Barca five points clear

The victory saw Valverde’s side restore their advantage over Atletico Madrid

Comeback: Partially blind Jorge Pina teaches boxing to autistic children at Olivais School in Lisbon. (Patricia de melo Moreira/AFP)

Former boxer’s vision is now for deprived children on the ropes

Forced to abandon his world title dreams, Jorge Pina devotes his time to helping troubled youngsters from rough neighbourhoods

“I didn’t learn anything at all,” Mourinho said. “Nothing surprised me at all.” (Getty)

Mourinho says ‘nothing’ surprised him about Valencia defeat

United were beaten 2-1

Lopetegui’s last game proved a humiliation as Madrid were hammered 5-1 by rivals Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday. (Albert Gea/Reuters)

Lopetegui gambled everything and lost the lot after being sacked by Real Madrid

​Julen Lopetegui’s brief and inglorious reign as Real Madrid coach lasted just 139 days after the club confirmed he had been sacked on Monday

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez celebrates scoring their fourth goal and completing his hat-trick (Paul Hanna/Reuters)

Suarez hits hat-trick as Barcelona blow away Madrid

​Barcelona ran riot in the Clasico on Sunday

Shepherds direct their herd as they migrate to summer pastures in Serra da Estrela, near Seia, Portugal. (Rafael Marchante/Reuters)

Goat brigades help battle Portugal’s deadly wildfires

Hoping to contain wildfires that threaten its mountains each year, Portugal has hired goats to create natural, cost-effective fire barriers

Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he is sent off while Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia looks on (Heino Kalis/Reuters)

Ronaldo sent off but 10-man Juventus ease past Valencia

A tearful Ronaldo left the pitch in disbelief in the 29th minute, having aimed a petulant kick at Valencia defender Jeison Murillo

There will be no HIV cure without Africa’s involvement. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Pogba will always be welcome at Barça, says Suarez

The Barcelona striker believes his Man United counterpart should be fighting for more trophies than he is at his current club

IRFA vice president Geraldine Fowler

Spain’s blame game after World Cup penalty heartache

Following humiliation at the hands of the Netherlands in 2014 and a limp defeat to Italy at Euro 2016, this was perhaps the most galling exit of all

(Getty Images)

Salah could be out for ‘three to four weeks’ — Liverpool physio

The Liverpool player was injured during Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid

After initially taking treatment

Messi strike helps 10-man Barca earn draw as Ronaldo goes off injured

​Lionel Messi weaved his magic to keep 10-man Barcelona’s unbeaten season alive as a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou