The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Luka Modric

  • Record-breaking Real Madrid beat Juventus, retain Champions League title

    Record-breaking Real Madrid beat Juventus, retain Champions League title

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as holders Real Madrid of Spain on Saturday emerged champions of Europe for a record 12th time after overwhelming 10-man Juventus of Italy.

    In a high-quality UEFA Champions League final match in Cardiff, the Portugal captain put Real Madrid ahead with a first-time finish from 16 yards before Mario Mandzukic equalised.

    He scored from just inside the area with a sensational overhead kick beyond Keylor Navas, a goal that should stand out as one of the best.

    But Real took control of the game after the interval, with Brazilian midfielder Casemiro’s deflected shot restoring the lead.

    Ronaldo then sealed victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side after poking home from close range following Luka Modric’s cross.

    Juventus played the last six minutes with 10 men, after substitute Juan Cuadrado got booked twice inside 18 minutes, before substitute Marco Asensio hit the fourth after Marcelo’s fine pass.

    Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has now won back-to-back Champions League titles since he took charge in January 2016.

    In addition to this, the former Real player won the season’s La Liga title.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Juventus, who are the Serie A champions, have now lost five Champions League finals since they last won the competition in 1996.

  • Madrid confirm Modric and Marcelo injury blows

    Madrid confirm Modric and Marcelo injury blows

     

     

    Luka Modric and Marcelo have sustained respective abductor and hamstring injuries, Real Madrid confirmed on Monday.

    The pair were substituted during Saturday’s 2-1 LaLiga success at home to Malaga, as the European champions bounced back from successive defeats to Sevilla and Celta Vigo.

    But the win came at a cost, with head coach Zinedine Zidane expressing his frustration at seeing the pair added to an injury list that already includes Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Danilo and Fabio Coentrao.

    A club statement confirmed Modric had suffered an injury to his right abductor, while Marcelo has a grade II tear in his left hamstring.

    Madrid gave no indication of a possible recovery for timescale for either player, although they seem certain to miss the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg at Celta on Wednesday, when Zidane’s side will look to overturn a 2-1 deficit.