MADRID: European champions Real Madrid  flew off to the United Arab Emirates to defend their Club World Cup title on the back of a 1-0 derby win over Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league.

Madrid play Japan’s Kashima Antlers in the world semi-final on Wednesday hoping to win to qualify for a final against home club Al Ain or newly-crowned South American champions River Plate.

In midweek they suffered their worst-ever home defeat in the Champions League by 3-0 against CSKA Moscow and were jeered off. Coach Santiago Solari appealed for fans to get behind the team but that lasted only so long against Rayo.

An early goal from Karim Benzema, who later went off injured, proved enough in a game preceded by a presentation to midfielder Luka Modric of his Ballon D’Or award from Paris magazine France Football. A fine double save from Thibaut Courtois in stoppage time to prevent Rayo from grabbing a point.

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann struck twice in a thrilling 3-2 win at Real Valladolid, after they had thrown away a two-goal lead, taking them level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Croat forward Nikola Kalinic scored for the second league game in a row to put Atletico ahead in the 26th minute, sliding to the ground to produce a powerful finish after latching on to a wonderful pass from Griezmann.

The Frenchman doubled Atletico’s lead on the stroke of half-time by hammering a penalty into the top corner after it was awarded with the help of the video assistant referee, but Valladolid came out fighting in the second half.

Fernando Calero headed the home side back into the game from a corner in the 57th minute, and six minutes later they levelled with an own goal from Atletico’s Saul Nigue after another corner. Griezmann had the final say with 10 minutes left, arrowing the ball into the far corner from close range after Valladolid failed to clear.

This was Diego Simeone’s side’s a first away win in LaLiga since beating Getafe 2-0 on Septyember 22.

In Italy . . .

Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty to help Juventus beat city rivals Torino 1-0 in Serie A. Ronaldo failed to score in his previous two matches, the first time that had happened since September. He scored 20 minutes from time as Juventus moved 11 points clear of second-placed Napoli.

Torino were hit early when goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu fell awkwardly and needed treatment for several minutes on his hip. He continued and produced a stunning save to keep out a Ronaldo volley. However, he fell on the same hip and despite trying again to continue had to make way for Salvador Ichazo.

The Uruguayan goalkeeper kept out efforts from Giorgio Chiellini and Blaise Matuidi but gave away the penalty by bringing down Mario Mandzukic after a terrible backpass from former Juventus forward Simone Zaza.

Ichazo almost managed to keep out Ronaldo’s spot kick as he got a touch to it. Juventus thought they had doubled their lead but Mandzukic’s effort after Ronaldo headed on a free kick was ruled out for offside.

Inter Milan ended a seven-match winless run across all competitions by beating Udinese 1-0 at home. Mauro Icardi scored a cheeky, chipped penalty 14 minutes from time. Inter remain third, 14 points behind Juventus. Inter scored after being awarded a penalty on video review when Seko Fofana handled in the area.

Icardi converted by chipping the spot kick down the middle, over a diving Musso.

In Germany . . .

Borussia Dortmund went nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a 2-1 home win over Werder Bremen as nearest rivals Borussia Monchengladbach were held to a goalless draw.

Dortmund raced into an early two-goal lead as Paco Alcacer scored after 19 minutes, with Marco Reus doubling the advantage eight minutes later. Max Kruse pulled a goal back for Bremen 10 minutes before half-time. Borussia Monchengladbach remain second despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Hoffenheim, who climb to sixth as a result of picking up a point.

Joshua Kimmich inspired Bayern Munich to a 4-0 victory at struggling Hanover which moves them level on points with Monchengladbach.

Bayern have struggled this season but Kimmich showed them the way, giving them the lead after two minutes and also playing a part in two of their other goals.David Alaba, former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski were also on target.

Hertha Berlin dropped out of the top six after their 2-1 defeat at Stuttgart, who are three points clear of the bottom two after the win. Maximilian Mittelstadt gave Hertha the lead after 38 minutes but Stuttgart secured the points thanks to Mario Gomez’s double after 64 and 76 minutes.

In France . . .

Strasbourg players wore special shirts to honour the victims of Tuesday’s shooting in the city as they were defeated 2-1 in Reims.

Mathieu Calaro scored a 65th-minute winner for the hosts after Strasbourg’s Adrien Thomasson had cancelled out Moussa Doumbia’s early opener. The visiting players wore shirts on which sponsor logos had been replaced with the phrase “Strasbourg Mon Amour”.

A fifth weekend of ‘yellow vest’ protests accounted for the postponement of games at Dijon, Amiens and Nantes.

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