Thiago Alcantara retires from football aged 33

Thiago Alcantara has retired from football after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The former Spain midfielder, 33, was restricted to just one appearance during the 2023-24 season because of injury. Thiago had hip surgery towards the end of the 2022-23 season but was unable to return until February 2024, when he came on as a late substitute in a defeat at Arsenal and suffered another injury.

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Spain strike at the death to send Germany out of Euro 2024

Spain kept themselves on course to win a fourth European Championship as Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute goal sent them into the semi-finals and eliminated hosts Germany following a pulsating encounter at Stuttgart Arena. This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far as it put together the resurgent home nation against arguably the best-performing side to date at Euro 2024 – and it certainly lived up to expectation.

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Spain turn on the style to send Georgia home

Spain set up a blockbuster quarter-final tie with Euro 2024 hosts Germany by surviving an early scare to ease past Georgia. Spain’s Robin le Normand poked Otar Kakabadze’s curling cross into his own net early on but drew level before the break through Rodri. A second half blitz saw further goals from Fabián Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo as the two time champions laid down a statement of intent on a wet night in Cologne.

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Torres scores as much changed Spain sink Albania

Spain maintained their 100% record at Euro 2024 as they defeated and eliminated Albania – a result that meant England, France and the Netherlands all secured last-16 places. Ferran Torres gave a much-changed Spain side the lead in the 13th minute, finishing low first time from Dani Olmo’s pass with the ball bouncing in off the post.

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Verstappen holds off Norris to win Spanish Grand Prix

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen prevailed in a tense, strategic battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the Spanish Grand Prix. Pole sitter Norris lost the lead heading into turn one and was then held up in traffic. Lewis Hamilton took his first podium finish of the year for Mercedes in third, ahead of teammate George Russell. Charles Leclerc was fifth, leading home Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz.

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