http://www.mail.com/in-en/people/20476-karim-benzema.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.29/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/in-en/people/20476-karim-benzema.html http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2123578-higuain-hes-leaving-real-madrid.html MADRID (AP) — Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain says he's leaving Real Madrid after seven seasons to join a club where he is truly "wanted." Higuain has been linked to Juventus. He made his announcement on Saturday after scoring his 121st and final goal for Madrid in its 4-2 win over Osasuna on the last day of the Spanish league. "I feel like my time here... Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:01:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2123578-higuain-hes-leaving-real-madrid.html 2013-06-01T20:01:54Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2094254-atletico-beats-real-madrid-2-1-to-win-copa-del-rey.html MADRID (AP) — The Copa del Rey trophy was supposed to be coach Jose Mourinho's parting gift for Real Madrid, or at least a consolation prize after a season that will be remembered for his abrasive antics and his team's failure to win silverware. Instead, Atletico Madrid ended a 14-year winless run against its city rival by taking the title on Friday, comi... Sat, 18 May 2013 00:29:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2094254-atletico-beats-real-madrid-2-1-to-win-copa-del-rey.html 2013-05-18T00:29:02Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2090128-nasri-gourcuff-uruguay-brazil-matches.html PARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps recalled midfielders Yoann Gourcuff and Samir Nasri on Thursday for two friendly matches against Uruguay and Brazil next month. FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala and Saint-Etienne midfielder Josuha Guilavogui were among the surprise selections as Deschamps uses the matches to test out younger players. But Patric... Thu, 16 May 2013 13:47:06 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2090128-nasri-gourcuff-uruguay-brazil-matches.html 2013-05-16T13:47:06Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2079092-barcelona-clinches-league-when-real-madrid-draws.html MADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi might have powered Barcelona to this season's Spanish league crown, but it fell to humble crosstown rival Espanyol to finally finish off Real Madrid's title defense with a 1-1 draw on Saturday. So after 10 months of competition, Barcelona's 22nd league title and fourth in five years wasn't decided at Camp Nou, but rather a few m... Sat, 11 May 2013 23:47:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2079092-barcelona-clinches-league-when-real-madrid-draws.html 2013-05-11T23:47:59Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2072376-real-madrid-trounces-malaga-6-2-spanish-league.html MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 200th goal for Real Madrid, helping his club delay rival Barcelona's claim to the Spanish league title by trouncing a 10-man Malaga 6-2 on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu. Had the Spanish powerhouse dropped a point, Barcelona would have lifted its 22nd league crown, its fourth in five seasons. Instead, a deter... Thu, 09 May 2013 00:33:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2072376-real-madrid-trounces-malaga-6-2-spanish-league.html 2013-05-09T00:33:56Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2048660-barcelona-postpones-title-with-draw-bilbao.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona conceded a late equalizer to spoil what would have been another heroic effort by Lionel Messi, with the 2-2 result at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday meaning the leaders must wait another week for a chance to clinch the Spanish league title. With his team trailing 1-0 and limited in its ability to threaten Bilbao's area, Mess... Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:09:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2048660-barcelona-postpones-title-with-draw-bilbao.html 2013-04-27T22:09:03Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2038752-dortmund-goetze-blow-madrid-visit.html Borussia Dortmund's preparations for Wednesday's Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid have been hit by news a star player wants to leave after the season. On the eve of what it calls "the most spectacular home game in Borussia Dortmund's history," the first leg has been overshadowed by Mario Goetze's decision to join Bayern Munich on July 1. Bay... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:36:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2038752-dortmund-goetze-blow-madrid-visit.html 2013-04-23T15:36:43Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2033464-barcelona-madrid-win-champions-semis.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cesc Fabregas scored late to give Barcelona a hard-fought 1-0 win over Levante, while Real Madrid beat Real Betis 3-1 on Saturday as both Spanish powerhouses prepared for the Champions League semifinals. With top-scorer Lionel Messi out trying to heal his right hamstring in time for Tuesday's first leg at Bayern Munich, Barcelona's... Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:56:55 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2033464-barcelona-madrid-win-champions-semis.html 2013-04-20T21:56:55Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1996416-real-madrid-beats-galatasaray-3-0-champs-league.html MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring after just nine minutes as Real Madrid swept to a convincing 3-0 victory over Galatasaray in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday. Ronaldo's delicate chip shot was followed 20 minutes later by a close-range strike from Karim Benzema as a dominant Madrid moved effortlessly thro... Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:41:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1996416-real-madrid-beats-galatasaray-3-0-champs-league.html 2013-04-03T22:41:13Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982840-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html PARIS (AP) — Doing just enough to win but no more can be the measure of a team that is strong and in control. Or it can suggest that a team doesn't have that much more to give. Which is it with Spain? The world and European champions appear to be developing a tendency to be at their brilliant best only intermittently. One day, perhaps as soon as the World... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:23:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982840-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html 2013-03-27T18:23:05Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982630-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html PARIS (AP) — Doing just enough to win but no more can be the measure of a team that is strong and in control. Or it can suggest that a team doesn't have that much more to give. Which is it with Spain? The world and European champions appear to be developing a tendency to be at their brilliant best only intermittently. One day, perhaps as soon as the World... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:37:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982630-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html 2013-03-27T17:37:02Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981004-spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying.html PARIS (AP) — Spain bounced back from its mini-slump and dismissed early talk of a decline by beating France 1-0 on Tuesday to return to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. Pedro Rodriguez bundled home the winner from close range as Spain moved one point ahead with three games now remaining in Group I. The reigning world and European champion was ... Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:55:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1981004-spain-beats-france-1-0-world-cup-qualifying.html 2013-03-26T23:55:02Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1977628-deschamps-vows-france-will-take-attack-to-spain.html PARIS (AP) — France plans to attack Spain in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday even though a draw at home would be enough to keep it in the ascendancy with three qualifiers left to play. A draw will maintain the hosts' two-point lead at the top of Group I and keep the pressure on the Spanish, who slipped to a surprise 1-1 home draw with Finland when Fr... Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:32:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1977628-deschamps-vows-france-will-take-attack-to-spain.html 2013-03-25T18:32:56Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1974150-france-warms-up-spain-beating-georgia-3-1.html PARIS (AP) — France beat Georgia 3-1 to go top of its World Cup qualifying group on Friday, and pile the pressure on Spain ahead of their showdown next week. After missing early chances, France took the lead on the stroke of halftime when Olivier Giroud headed in winger Mathieu Valbuena's freekick from the right. Valbuena ran the show, scoring a superb se... Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:53:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1974150-france-warms-up-spain-beating-georgia-3-1.html 2013-03-22T22:53:45Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1969710-deschamps-with-benzema-giroud-vs-georgia.html PARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps is tempted to pair Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud in attack to give his team more options against a Georgia team likely to pack the defense in their World Cup qualifier on Friday. Deschamps has only played them together once before during his first seven games in charge, but thinks reverting to a more tradition... Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:54:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1969710-deschamps-with-benzema-giroud-vs-georgia.html 2013-03-21T17:54:50Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1968160-european-powers-resume-qualifying-with-easy-games.html LONDON (AP) — The European powers resume qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on Friday with some of the easiest matches they'll play on the road to Brazil. World champion Spain hosts Finland, Group I's bottom team, hoping to avoid picking up any suspensions or injuries before taking on France next week. France is behind Spain only on goal difference and wel... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:52:03 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1968160-european-powers-resume-qualifying-with-easy-games.html 2013-03-20T19:52:03Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1967904-france-strikers-to-find-form-georgia.html CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) — Scoring chances could be scarce against a Georgia team expected to defend in numbers, so France will need one of its misfiring forwards to hit form in their World Cup qualifier on Friday. Karim Benzema has not scored in his past 10 matches for France while Olivier Giroud has scored only twice in 15 appearances for the nationa... Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:37:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1967904-france-strikers-to-find-form-georgia.html 2013-03-20T17:37:36Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1960642-benzema-confident-despite-france-scoring-slump.html PARIS (AP) — Striker Karim Benzema insists he is not feeling the pressure ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Spain, despite not scoring in his past 10 games for France and regularly finding himself on the Real Madrid bench. Benzema was in good form last season for both club and country, but has not scored for France since his brace against ... Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:37:15 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1960642-benzema-confident-despite-france-scoring-slump.html 2013-03-17T11:37:15Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1959670-madrid-fights-5-2-win-mallorca.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid trailed twice before fighting back with three goals in a seven-minute span to beat Mallorca 5-2 in the Spanish league on Saturday and avoid another slip-up to a low-profile side. Mallorca entered the match after back-to-back wins and led 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after goals from Emilio Nsue and Alejandro Alfaro,... Sat, 16 Mar 2013 23:00:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1959670-madrid-fights-5-2-win-mallorca.html 2013-03-16T23:00:47Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1956824-benzema-fined-18000-reckless-driving.html MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been fined €18,000 ($23,400) and had his drivers license revoked for eight months for reckless driving. Benzema was sentenced Friday by a Madrid court after requesting a change in the court date from March 26, with France set to play a World Cup qualifier against Spain in Paris that day. Benzema was caug... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:35:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1956824-benzema-fined-18000-reckless-driving.html 2013-03-15T11:35:01Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1954410-deschamps-calls-up-paul-pogba-to-france-squad.html PARIS (AP) — France coach Didier Deschamps has rewarded teenage Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba for his fine recent form by calling him up for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and reigning European and world champion Spain. France plays Georgia on March 22 and Spain four days later, and two wins will guarantee France taking over top spot in a five-team... Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:35:59 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1954410-deschamps-calls-up-paul-pogba-to-france-squad.html 2013-03-14T16:35:59Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1938000-marcelo-fined-6000-driving-without-license.html MADRID (AP) — Read Madrid defender Marcelo has been fined €6,000 ($7,800) for driving without a license. A Spanish court sentenced him on Thursday. Marcelo faced a possible six months of jail time. The Brazil international was caught for driving with no points on his license when he was pulled over by police on Feb. 12 for failing to heed a yield sign. ... Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:14:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1938000-marcelo-fined-6000-driving-without-license.html 2013-03-07T14:14:17Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927064-madrid-beats-barca-2nd-time-week.html MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid beat Barcelona for the second time in five days, a 2-1 win on Saturday which will do little to prevent its fierce rival from reclaiming the Spanish league title but should boost Jose Mourinho's team for its Champions League trip to Manchester United. Sergio Ramos netted the winner in the 82nd minute when he rose up to head in Luk... Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:01:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927064-madrid-beats-barca-2nd-time-week.html 2013-03-02T23:01:24Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927220-france-to-seek-change-benzemas-court.html MADRID (AP) — France will ask to change Karim Benzema's court day because it coincides with a World Cup qualifier against Spain. France coach Didier Deschamps told Canal Plus television in Madrid that "we will try to find a solution because Benzema is a very important player for us." Benzema has been called to appear before a Madrid court on charges of re... Sat, 02 Mar 2013 18:12:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1927220-france-to-seek-change-benzemas-court.html 2013-03-02T18:12:43Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1924480-benzema-to-face-court-day-france-plays-spain.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — France striker Karim Benzema will appear in a Madrid court on charges of reckless driving on the same day his side hosts Spain in an all-important World Cup qualifier. The Real Madrid player has been called to appear before a judge at 10 a.m. local time on March 26. Kickoff in Paris is 10 hours later in a match that could decide wh... Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:02:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1924480-benzema-to-face-court-day-france-plays-spain.html 2013-03-01T15:02:45Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1921120-benzema-caught-speeding-100-kph-limit.html MADRID (AP) — Spanish police say Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was caught for speeding at more than 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) above the limit. Police told The Associated Press on Thursday that Benzema has been charged with reckless driving after being caught going 216 kph (134 mph) in a speed zone of 100 kph in Madrid on Feb. 3. Police say the ... Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:35:58 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1921120-benzema-caught-speeding-100-kph-limit.html 2013-02-28T10:35:58Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1897648-madrid-beats-rayo-2-0-despite-ramos-dismissal.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid had little trouble hanging on to beat crosstown rival Rayo Vallecano 2-0 despite Sergio Ramos' early sending off, giving coach Jose Mourinho a victory in his 100th Spanish league game on Sunday. Young striker Alvaro Morata put Madrid ahead in just the third minute. Ramos doubled the advantage with a header in the 12th, ... Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:13:31 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1897648-madrid-beats-rayo-2-0-despite-ramos-dismissal.html 2013-02-17T23:13:31Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1890226-united-holds-madrid-despite-ronaldo-stunning-goal.html MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a spectacular header Wednesday as Real Madrid was held to a 1-1 home draw by Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League due to a dominant performance by visiting goalkeeper David de Gea. After Danny Welbeck gave United the lead against the run of play with a header from a 20th-minute corner, Ronald... Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:46:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1890226-united-holds-madrid-despite-ronaldo-stunning-goal.html 2013-02-13T23:46:25Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1880034-ronaldo-nets-3-madrids-win-manu-clash.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo helped Real Madrid prime its attack for its highly anticipated Champions League clash with Manchester United by scoring his 21st career hat trick in a 4-1 home win over Sevilla in the Spanish league on Saturday. After a defensive blunder let Karim Benzema open for Madrid 18 minutes in, Ronaldo unleashed an unstopp... Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1880034-ronaldo-nets-3-madrids-win-manu-clash.html 2013-02-09T22:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1873536-mueller-khedira-score-germany-beats-france.html PARIS (AP) — Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira scored clinical second-half goals as Germany withstood heavy spells of pressure to come from behind and beat France 2-1 in a friendly on Wednesday. France took the lead shortly before halftime when Mathieu Valbuena punished some slack Germany defending to head in from close range after Karim Benzema's freekick ... Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1873536-mueller-khedira-score-germany-beats-france.html 2013-02-06T22:41:00Z