Rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, locked in a title battle in La Liga and set to face off in the Copa del Rey final, have "a lot of respect" for each other, says Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti.

French football superstar Kylian Mbappe often leaves defenders stunned and static on the field. For a change, he can now see his waxy doppelganger frozen in his trademark celebration at the famous Madame Tussauds in central London. The model, which was unveiled to Mbappe in Madrid last week, travelled to London where it was presented yesterday as the Real Madrid forward joined a long list of iconic footballers who have their wax statues on display at the world-renowned museum. Photos: AFP 

Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's tax fraud trial wrapped up Thursday in Spain, with public prosecutors maintaining their demand he be jailed for four years and nine months for allegedly hiding income from the tax office.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti denied in court having intentionally committed tax fraud on the opening day of his trial for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain's tax office, the latest in a string of such cases targeting sports figures in the country.

Real booked their place in the final when substitute Arda Guler lifted a corner to Ruediger, who headed the equaliser that put Real Madrid through on aggregate.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won an entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu to put pressure on their bitter rivals, who host Girona in a Catalan derby on Sunday.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will go on trial next week for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain's tax office, the Madrid court which will hear the case said Friday.

Madrid's two superstar forwards, as well as defender Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Dani Ceballos, face potential punishment ahead of their quarter-final first leg clash at Arsenal on April 8.

The defender has long been linked with a move to the Bernabeu on a free transfer and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be making progress.

With 31 goals across all competitions this season, Mbappe has now surpassed Brazilian icon Ronaldo’s tally from his debut campaign in 2002-03.

Following Real's 2-1 comeback win at Villarreal, thanks to Kylian Mbappe's brace, the coach was concerned about his side's physical condition following Wednesday's shootout win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has earned his first call-up from Spain manager Luis de la Fuente on Friday for their two-leg Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands.

Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month's UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up.

Ahead of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, following a 2-1 win in the first, Ancelotti said that he was hopeful his goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Ruediger should be OK after missing Sunday's match with minor issues.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were both on target for Real Madrid as they beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Sunday to pull level with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Getafe's Mauro Arambarri scored a last-gasp quickfire double to upset 10-man Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Sunday as Diego Simeone's side missed a golden opportunity to move top of LaLiga.

A couple of moments of magic from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz helped Real Madrid edge city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 Champions League encounter between the sides at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. 

"This is a heavy blow, we have to bounce back. Losing at this point in the season is tough because everyone is on form and we didn't do well in this game," the Italian told reporters.

Five-time Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings have signed four foreign players, including Argentine forward Juan Eduardo Lescano, who previously played in the youth teams of Real Madrid and Liverpool. This move comes after FIFA lifted the club's transfer ban on Thursday.