Spain

Spain in charge; Czechs notch second win; Poland extend lead

Spain made it four wins out of four and took control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group by beating closest rivals Sweden 3-0 on Monday after overpowering the visitors in the second half with two penalties and a late strike from Mikel Oyarzabal.
England edge Spain in five-goal thriller

England ran riot with three first-half goals, including two from Raheem Sterling, to stun Spain and earn a 3-2 away win in the Nations League on Monday as they moved back into contention in League A Group 4 of UEFA's new competition.
Enrique brings winning record, fiery personality to Spain job

A serial winner on the pitch and in the dugout, Spain's new coach Luis Enrique brings a proven track record to an underachieving national team as well as a direct playing style and a reputation for personality clashes.
'I'm the coach - get used to it!', says Hierro

Celebrating a first win just one week into the job, Spain's new boss Fernando Hierro said he was happy with the narrow 1-0 defeat of Iran - and people had better get used to him being in charge.
Costa sees Spain past Iran

Spain squeeze 1-0 past dogged Iran in their World Cup Group B encounter on Wednesday thanks to a fortuitous goal from Diego Costa.
Spain appoint Hierro following Lopetegui sacking

Spain named federation sporting director Fernando Hierro as its World Cup coach to replace Julen Lopetegui, who was sensationally sacked after his appointment as Real Madrid manager.
Iniesta's display against Germany shows what Spain would miss

Andres Iniesta may be considering international retirement and winding down his club career in China but Spain's creator-in-chief demonstrates why he might be leaving too soon.
Silva leads Spain's assault on Costa Rica

Manchester City midfielder David Silva plays a starring role as an irresistible Spain show their class to thrash Costa Rica 5-0 in an international friendly.
Belgium to decide on ex-Catalan leader’s arrest

A Belgian judge is going to decide on Spain’s arrest warrant for sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his associates after they turned themselves in to Belgian police, a spokesman for Brussels prosecutors says.
Arrest warrant sought for ousted Catalan leader

Spain's state prosecutor seeks a European arrest warrant for former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, now in Belgium, after he failed to appear at a High Court hearing.
Catalonia leader calls for opposition to Spanish takeover

Catalonia's separatist leader calls on Catalans to peacefully oppose Spain's takeover, in a staged appearance that seems to convey that he refuses to accept his firing, which was ordered by central authorities.
Catalan leader blasts Spain move to sack separatists

Spain takes drastic measures to stop Catalonia from breaking away, announcing plans to dismiss its separatist government and call fresh elections in a move the region's leader compared to the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
Italy seeded for World Cup play-off draw

Italy will be one of the four seeded teams in the draw for the European play-offs for next year's World Cup, FIFA's latest world rankings reveal.
Crisis averted for now as Spanish PM has upper hand

The decision of Catalonia's separatist leaders to delay their unilateral declaration of independence from Spain may have averted an immediate showdown between the regional government in the Catalonian capital Barcelona, and Spain's central government in Madrid.
Ramos desires free and democratic country

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos suggests that he and Barcelona's Gerard Pique are on the same boat and conveys wish to live in a free and democratic country.
Barca offer to mediate in Spain-Catalonia conflict

FC barcelona offer to mediate in the conflict between the Spanish government and Catalonia concerning Catalonia’s independence referendum.
Catalonia independence "in a matter of days"

Spain is braced for further political upheaval after Catalonia's leader said the region would declare independence "in a matter of days".
Pique jeered by fans at Spain training session

Barcelona's Catalan defender Gerard Pique becomes the target of angry Spain fans during an open training session with the national team the day after the Catalonia independence referendum that was declared illegal by the Government.
Isco stars in politicised Madrid win

Isco scored twice as Real Madrid reduce the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to seven points courtesy of a 2-0 win over Espanyol.
Police seal off 1,300 polling stations in Catalonia

Police in Catalonia has already sealed over half of the 2,315 polling stations in the region to stop an independence referendum from taking place, the Spanish government says, as separatists remained determined to fight for their right to vote.
Ramos disapproves of Pique’s independence stance

Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos disapproves of Spain teammate Gerard Pique's stance on Catalonia's referendum.
Spain using goats to prevent forest fires

Spain has taken a very unusual step this time to prevent its forests from catching fire. Much of Europe was scorched this summer, with numerous forest fires breaking out and in Spain goats and sheep are helping to fight the blazes - one nibble at a time, Business Insider UK.
Germany beat Spain to win under-21 Euros

Mitchell Weiser scores with a looping first-half header to hand Germany a 1-0 victory against Spain in the final of the under-21 European Championship title in the southern Polish city of Krakow.
Lacklustre Atletico held at Alaves

Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home continued when they were held to a goalless draw at Alaves on Saturday, dropping points on the road for a second consecutive week and losing Uruguay international Jose Maria Gimenez to injury.
Sevilla snap up Montoya

Sevilla made Argentine midfielder Walter Montoya their third signing of the January transfer window on Saturday on a four-and-a-half year deal from Rosario Central.
Alaves ease into semis

Alaves became the first side to book their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday as a 0-0 draw at home to second division Alcorcon was enough to seal a 2-0 aggregate win.
Sevilla win, Atleti slip

Sevilla produced another late fightback to remain just one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid after twice coming from behind to edge out rock bottom Osasuna 4-3 on Sunday.
Healthy Nadal overcomes Mayer

Rafael Nadal powered into the second round of the Australian Open with a commanding straight-sets win over Germany's Florian Mayer on Tuesday.
Nadal hopes schedule change brings success

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal hopes a dramatic change to his longstanding schedule will lead to success in the Australian Open later this month.
Dortmund's hot-shots eye goal record at Real

Borussia Dortmund can set a new Champions League goal record at Real Madrid on Wednesday if the likes of Marco Reus, Ousmane Dembele or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang score at the Bernabeu.