Switzerland defeated the defending World Cup champions, France, in the 2020 Euros via penalty kicks on Monday.

Switzerland opened the scoring with a Haris Seferovic header and carried this 1-0 lead through halftime. A Swiss penalty kick was turned away by French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and Karim Benzema furthered this momentum in the form of a goal to level the score at 1-1. Another goal quickly thereafter from Benzema pushed France to a 2-1 lead. Paul Pogba then struck a beautiful ball past the Swiss goalkeeper to double France’s lead and it seemed that the sluggish French start had been shrugged off.

Haris Seferovic, though, headed in his second goal of the game in the 80th minute, and another quick tally from Mario Gavranovic knotted the score at 3 apiece.

Kylian Mbappé had an extraordinary chance in extra time to send France to victory, but his in-tight shot was hammered into the side netting rather than the back of the goal. This miss, alongside no Switzerland conversions, sent the game to penalty kicks for a final decision.

Mbappé had a chance to redeem himself at the spot, but his shot was deflected away by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, clinching the upset victory for Switzerland.

“It’s hugely disappointing. We completely messed up our first half. We reacted in the second half but then left them space and they came back,” noted France defender Raphael Varane.

With the win, Switzerland faces perennial powerhouse Spain in the quarterfinals, who won in extra time against Croatia by a score of 5-3.

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema will face trial due to his involvement in a ‘sex tape’ blackmail case that involved his former France national team teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

In 2015, Benzema was accused of blackmailing Valbuena to release a sex tape that featured Valbuena. Benzema reportedly paid other people to get money from Valbuena by threatening him to release the tape. The French striker even spent the night in custody at the Versailles police station and was questioned over his involvement. Another French player, Dijbril Cisse was also involved in the case.

Since Benzema’s alleged involvement in the case, he did not make an appearance for the French national team. Regarding this incident, the president of the French Football Federation Noel Le Graet told Paris Breizh Media, “Maybe I have protected Karim excessively in this matter, but I really like him and we all make mistakes. He got carried away by stupidity in this case. He has been stupid like a donkey. But I don’t believe in lecturing people.”

Even former French president Francois Hollande claimed in his book that Benzema is not an example of good character. 

At the time, his lawyer Sylvian Cormier undermined Benzema’s involvement in the case, he claimed, “Karim Benzema will show his good faith in this matter as soon as possible. He was charged by the judge who notified him that he was a suspect … It is not a declaration of guilt.”

After the Versailles prosecutors announced that Benzema will face trial, Cormier told AP, “This decision is as much absurd as it was predictable.” 

In reaction to the trial announcement, Benzema responded on his Instagram by claiming that the trial announcement is a “masquerade.” 

The exact date for the trial has still not been announced. If charged, the player could face a prison sentence and pay a fine. 

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema was caught criticizing his teammate Vinicius Junior in the tunnel during the Borussia Monchengladbach and Real Madrid game.

Benzema reportedly told teammate Ferland Mendy not to pass the ball to Vinicius Junior during the game. In context he said, “He does what he wants. Brother don’t play to him. On my mother’s life. He is playing against us.” Benzema was clearly frustrated at how Vinicius Jr. was playing during the match. 

Vinicius Junior was replaced by Eden Hazard during the second half. The fixture ended with a draw after Benzema scored a goal assisted by Casemiro and then Casemiro himself scored a goal assisted by Sergio Ramos. 

After the incident, Benzema responded with a post on Instagram, that says “And while the dogs bark, the number nine ignores it.” This post is clearly intended to respond to the released tunnel conversation. 

Real Madrid head coach Zidane responded to the incident by claiming that both Benzema and Vinicius Junior talked to each other about the matter and resolved it. Everything is now “perfect” between the two players. Zidane also claimed that incidents like that happen a lot on the pitch, especially during a heated moment, but afterward, everything is forgotten. This incident shows the team’s character. 

Clearly, Vinicius Junior who is a very young player with a lot of talent and potential, might still not be able to make the best decisions on the pitch like other experienced players in the team including Benzema. With time, the player can improve his decision-making skills on the pitch. 

This is not the first time a Real Madrid player was caught criticizing a member of the club. Recently, Isco was captured criticizing head coach Zidane. 

Real Madrid secured their first La Liga title since 2012 on Sunday with a 2-0 victory at Malaga thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. 

Real Madrid wins 33rd La Liga Title With 2-0 Win vs. Malaga

Ronaldo opened the scoring in just the second minute by holding onto Isco’s through ball after Malaga’s Luis Hernandez accidentally fed the Real Madrid midfielder. After taking Isco’s passs, Ronaldo side-stepped Cameroonian goalkeeper Carlos Kameni near the edge of the area and shot into an empty net for his 25th goal of the season.

The 32-year-old Portuguese striker has recorded 14 goals in his last nine games with Los Blancos. 

“Goooal from @Cristiano, goooooal from @realmadrid, horrible mistake on defense by the hosts that the Portuguese star takes advantage of, #beINLaLiga” beIN SPORTS Español tweeted in a video of the game’s opening goal:

Ten minutes after halftime, Benzema doubled the visitors’ lead following Sergio Ramos’ shot on goal off Toni Kroos’ corner-kick. Kameni blocked Ramos’ effort, but Benzema took the rebound to score his 11th goal of the season.

“Goooooal from @realmadrid, gooooal from @Benzema who takes advantage of a dead ball in the are and scores the second merengue, #beINLaLiga” beIN SPORTS Español also tweeted in a video of the French forward’s goal:

Malaga’s Sandro Ramirez had the opportunity to tie it 1-1 after 12 minutes, but Madrid goalie Keylor Navas saved his low shot at the near post where the hosts’ players were seeking to score off a cross.

Navas suffered a rib injury in the 20th minute, when he crashed into the goal frame while making a one-handed block to turn the ball around the post on a free-kick from Ramirez.

Kameni made a great save to deny Ronaldo in the 33rd minute, when Benzema’s cross was permitted to run by Mikel Villanueva. The hosts’ goalie also stopped a low shot from Kroos shortly afterwards.

Ronaldo appeared to suffer a knee injury at the beginning of the second half following a challenge from Malaga’s Federico Ricca, but the Portuguese forward chose to keep playing.

The win gave Real Madrid their 33rd Spanish league trophy. Los Blancos next face Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final on June 3 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Should Real defeat the Italian club, they will become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League.

Zinedine Zidane’s team, who needed only one point to secure the title, are also the first squad in franchise history to score in every La Liga game of the season, including 58 goals on the road, the highest ever in a Spanish League season. Los Blancos finished the 2016-2017 campaign with 93 points.

Barcelona, who had won La Liga the past two years, rallied from 2-0 down to defeat Eibar at home on Sunday, but would have needed Real Madrid to lose in order to secure the title for the third straight year. The Catalan club ended the season with 90 points.

Zidane won the La Liga title as a player for Real Madrid in 2003, and Sunday marked his first Spanish league victory as a manager. The Frenchman, who will be 45 in June, took over Carlo Ancelotti’s position as the club’s head coach in 2016. Zidane also won the Champions League just six months into his new role last summer.

Jose Mourinho was the last manager to lead Real to a La Liga trophy in 2012.

“It was very important [to win the league]. It was a lot of years without winning it and we knew that the league is everything,” Zidane said. “For Real Madrid, because it is the best club in the world, we have to return with this league title.

“It has been a difficult season that we worked hard for, with some tough moments, but after 38 games we are top and that is it.

“The Spanish league is the best in my opinion and to win it in this way is incredible – I am very happy.

Real have scored in their last 64 games in all competitions, the best run by a team from the top five European leagues.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is the all-time top-scorer in the top five European leagues (369), surpassing Jimmy Greaves (366).

MALAGA, SPAIN – MAY 21: Idriss Carlos of Malaga makes a save from Karim Benzema of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between Malaga and Real Madrid at La Rosaleda Stadium on May 21, 2017 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund rallied from two goals down to tie with Real Madrid 2-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu and secure the top spot in Champions League Group F.

Borussia Dortmund Ties Real Madrid 2-2 To Secure Top Spot In Champions League Group F

Marco Reus scored the 88th minute equalizer for the German club.

Only a win would have seen Real beat Dortmund for the top group spout on Wednesday. Karim Benzema scored both of the Spanish team’s goals, one in each half.

Benzema opened scoring in the 28th minute. Dani Carvajal found plenty of space to race down the right lane and crossed for the French striker, who beat a Real defenseman at the far post to finish from close range.

Dortmund nearly tied it before the break. Ousmane Dembele set up 18-year-old U.S. international Christian Pulisic after 38 minutes, but the young midfielder was denied by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Benzema then netted his second goal at the 53rd minute, heading home at the back stick after James Rodriguez had tossed up a cross in his direction.

By then, Dortmund seemed like they needed much help to come back, and French-born Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided the spark. Gonzalo Castro picked out Marcel Schmelzer breaking in behind, and his volleyed cross found Aubameyang, who finished with a one-timer.

Real Madrid then nearly responded with a third goal, but Dortmund goalie Roman Weidenfeller denied Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot from the edge of the box, before Benzema saw his header cleared off the line by Reus from the resulting corner kick.

Ronaldo then took a shot in the 78th minute, but his effort struck the post after he found himself unmarked in the box by Lucas Vazquez. 

Finally, in the 88th minute, Aubameyang found Reus in the middle with a low cross, and the German winger perfectly slotted home past Navas.

With the win, Dortmund took the record for most goals in a Champions League group stage with 21. Real would have needed three goals to clinch the top group spot.

Meanwhile, Italian club Juventus also head into the knockout stages after defeating Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 at home on Wednesday.

Poland’s Legia Warsaw also beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 to leapfrog them in Group F and claim a Europa League spot.

German team Bayer Leverkusen beat Monaco 3-0, but still finished second behind the French club in Group E.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8NzTlOXH7Y

MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 07: Lukasz Piszczek of Borussia Dortmund (L) attempts to take the ball past James Rodriguez of Real Madrid (R) during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Real Madrid CF and Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu on December 7, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

James Rodriguez scored a goal late in the first half, and Karim Benzema added another midway through the second half to lead Real Madrid to a 2-0 road victory over Espanyol on Sunday.

James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema Lead Real Madrid To 2-0 Win Over Espanyol

Rodriguez, a 25-year-old Colombian midfielder, put Real ahead two minutes into first-half stoppage time with an impressive solo effort. He was linked with a move away from Real Madrid in the summer.

After taking a pass from Toni Kroos about 30 yards from goal at the edge of the box — which came after Rodriguez had slipped the ball through the legs of Pape Diop — the Colombian shot a left-footer low into the corner past goalkeeper Diego Lopez. 

The goal was one of Rodriguez’s best since he scored on a spectacular volley shot with Colombia against Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Rodriguez received a congratulatory handshake from his manager, Zinedine Zidane, when he came off the field for midfielder Isco midway through the second half.

Zidane, a former Real Madrid star, has now become only the second manager in Spain to compile 16 consecutive wins. Barcelona did it during the 2010-2011 season under Pep Guardiola, who is now the head of Manchester City.

Madrid was missing two major players on Sunday: Wales forward Gareth Bale picked up a hip problem in the 2-1 Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, while Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out with flu.

Despite their share of unimpressive moments in the first half, Real began strong, and defenseman Sergio Ramos was all over the place while guarding Leo Baptistao. He could have been ejected with a red card, but escaped with only a yellow. Ramos then hand-balled later in the half and again received the benefit of the doubt from the referee.

Baptistao had Espanyol’s best early opportunity when Hernan Perez’s strong header in-field played him in, although his shot was deftly blocked by goalie Kiko Casilla. Casilla was playing agains his former team, and remained busy early on.

Espanyol had lost Argentine winger Pablo Piatti to injury after just ten minutes, but it had not knocked them off their stride and soon, Real’s Casemiro limped off as injuries on both sides evened. Casemiro had clashed with Diop and was unable to brush off the injury.

Kroos replaced Casemiro and the tone immediately lifted.

Benzema scored 40 minutes into the game, but his header from a Marcelo cross was ruled out correctly for offside. The French striker was then taken down by Oscar Duarte, who picked up the game’s third yellow card.

Benzema then doubled Real’s lead in the 71st minute, meeting Lucas Vazquez’s low cross for a simple tap-in from close range.

Isco’s trickery on the touchline stunned Espanyol, and when he fed Dani Carvajal, the full-back played in Vazquez. The winger crossed to Benzema, who buried it.

Real, undefeated thus far this season, are now at the top of Spain’s La Liga standings with 12 points, while Barcelona and Las Palmas follow at second and third respectively, with nine points apiece.

Former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores has just two points from his opening four games since taking over at Espanyol in the summer.

Espanyol had a penalty shout in the second half when Pepe challenged Baptistao, but the referee waved away the appeal.

When Marco Asensio headed Lucas Vazquez’s pass back to Benzema he was denied by Lopez’ superb point-blank save. He denied his former team-mate again with 20 minutes left.

Real’s last 11 goals have come from 11 different players, and it’s been 16 games in the league since they have lost.

Madrid will next host Villareal on Wednesday, while Espanyol will visit Osasuna on Thursday for their next La Liga match.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 18: James Rodriguez of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF at the RCDE stadium on September 18, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

France striker Karim Benzema has complained that the national team manager Didier Deschamps “bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France” when making the decision to omit him from the squad for the Euro 2016 tournament.

Karim Benzema Accuses Manager Didier Deschamps Of ‘Bowing To Racists’

Benzema has scored 27 goals in 81 appearances for his country, but will not participate in the championship finals on home soil this summer after being suspended by the French Football Federation (FFF) last December.

The decision related to the Real Madrid forward being placed under criminal investigation over an attempt to blackmail international teammate Mathieu Valbuena in relation to a sex-tape. FFF president Noël Le Graët stated it was crucial for the sake of “strong harmony” within the squad that Benzema, 28, was not chosen to play.

Deschamps, 47, supported the decision, something Benzema criticized in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, alleging it had more to do with his North African origins than the scandal with Valbuena.

“He [Deschamps] has bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France,” said Benzema, who is of Algerian heritage. “He has to know that in France the extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections.”

The striker scored 29 goals for Real Madrid last season as the club finished second in La Liga and won the Champions League.

“I do not know, therefore, whether it is a decision only for Didier because I’ve gotten along with him, with the president, everyone,” Benzema continued. “I do not have a problem with anyone. I am with France and wish them well.”

Benzema’s remarks come on the heels of those made by former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona, 50, who in an interview with the Guardian questioned Deschamps’ decision to leave not only Benzema but also OGC Nice midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who is also of North African heritage, out of France’s Euro 2016 squad.

“Deschamps, he has a really French name,” Cantona said. “Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name. Nobody in his family mixed with anybody, you know. Like the Mormons in America.

“So I’m not surprised he used the situation of Benzema not to take him,” Cantona continued. “Especially after [Manuel] Valls [the French prime minister] said he should not play for France. And Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today. But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that.”

Deschamps’ lawyer, Carlos Brusa, responded to Cantona’s comments by saying he was launching proceedings against the former Man U star to penalize “the unacceptable slanderous and defamatory statements that harm Mr Deschamps’s integrity”. Le Graët also described Cantona’s remarks as “ridiculous”.

France’s junior minister for sports, Thierry Braillard, took to Twitter to call Benzema’s statements to Marca “unjustified and unacceptable. Total support to FFF and Didier Deschamps”.

Here is the final 23-man French squad selected to play in Euro 2016:

Goalkeepers: Benoit Costil (Rennes), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille).

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Roma), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Samuel Umtiti (Lyon), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Adil Rami (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Morgan Scheiderlin (Manchester United), N’Golo Kante (Leicester), Blaise Matuidi (Paris Saint-Germain), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle).

Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Dimitri Payet (West Ham).

The tournament begins in Paris on June 10.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 04:  Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real’s opening goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League Final will see a clash of dramatically different styles in the battle of Madrid rivals, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.  This round of the Madrid Derby will come down to the unstoppable force crashing into the immovable object.

The unstoppable force is Real Madrid’s offense.  Led by the most feared player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, who holds several Champions League records, among them are most goals in a Champions League season (17) and most career Champions League goals (93), 10 more than rival Lionel Messi of Barcelona.  Ronaldo possesses a rare combination of size, speed, athleticism, dribbling skills and shot making ability that makes him a nightmare for defenses.  He is able to score with either foot in a variety of ways, whether off the dribble, one touch, in close, or far out, he even is an aerial threat to head the ball in due to his leaping ability.  Ronaldo has scored 52 goals in 52 matches throughout all competitions this season.

Ronaldo isn’t the only threat for Los Blancos, he is joined on the attacking front by striker Karim Benzema (31 goals) and right winger Gareth Bale (20 goals).  Bale is also a great setup man with 12 assists and will need to be in top form to help set up Ronaldo and Benzema for goal scoring opportunities against the stingy defense of Atlético.  Only Barcelona scored more goals per match than Real but Atlético gave up the fewest goals among Europe’s top four leagues.

Atlético should have no fear going into this matchup with their hatred rivals as they have already toppled mighty Bayern Munich and Barcelona,  Atlético’s defense has proved to be it’s strong point, with opponents struggling to figure out it’s 4-4-2 formation.  The defense provides an arduous task for any offense to take on as Atlético has found a unique way to blend both high pressing and deep defending, hoping to use it’s next defensive prowess to set up counterattacks.  Counters have accounted for 20% of Atlético’s goals this season.

Atlético’s biggest offensive threat it Antoine Griezmann who has 33 goals in 54 appearances throughout all competitions.  There is a real drop off in goal production after Griezmann as Fernando Torres‘ 12 ranks second on the team.  As a whole, Atlético has scored 16 goals during the Champions League, the same as Ronaldo by himself.

If Atlético is to win it’s first UEFA Champions League title, it’s defense will be the biggest reason.  After allowing Bayern and Barcelona to score four goals in four games, they cannot afford to let Ronaldo and company exploit any cracks in the formation to good looks at the goal.  I think Madrid’s offense is too much, and this time, the unstoppable force trumps the immovable object as I think Real Madrid claims it’s eleventh UCL title.

The Champions League Final kicks off at 2:45 EST and will take place at San Siro, Milan, Italy.

French striker Karim Benzema, who is part of the starting lineup for Real Madrid, has been arrested and questioned by French authorities for his involvement in a blackmail scandal involving an ex-teammate.

Yesterday, Benzema was summoned by authorities to a police station in Versailles to ask him questions about his blackmailing of ex-teammate Mathieu Valbuena for an alleged sex tape that was recorded with a cell phone. According to The Guardian, authorities want to see if Benzema and Valbuena had a conversation during a French national team meeting and to see if it was “friendly advice or part of the plot.” Authorities also wanted to see if Benzema was part of a criminal entourage in exploiting Valbuena. After questioning, Benzema was held in a cell for the night before more questioning would be available for him.

Back in July, former French and Liverpool striker Djibril Cissé was questioned for his potential involvement in the blackmail case, in which he protested his innocence throughout and was eventually released from questioning. In France, attempted blackmail is punishable by up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Photo: MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 04: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real’s opening goal during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Vicente Calderon Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)