Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Espanyol during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Bale scored one in Real Madrid's 2-0 victory. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Watch: Bale’s perfect return within 13 minutes

GARETH Bale made an instant impact on his return from injury as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

Leckie goes from hero to villain in Bundesliga win

Leckie goes from hero to villain in Bundesliga win
MATHEW Leckie helped Ingolstadt to the perfect start against Eintracht Frankfurt. But then his outing turned tragic after a vicious foul.

Video: Balotelli’s baffling red card

Video: Balotelli’s baffling red card
MARIO Balotelli was sent off on his return to the Nice team but Lucien Favre’s side held on for a 1-0 win, but the reason why is still confusing.

Moore denies Rangers link

Moore denies Rangers link
MARCO MONTEVERDE CRAIG Moore remains committed to his role as Brisbane Roar football director despite being linked with a return to Scottish club Rangers.

Video: Barton’s shocking attempt to get player sent

Video: Barton’s shocking attempt to get player sent
Caitlin Murray, Fox Sports US PREMIER League “bad boy,” Joey Barton who is known more for his controversies than his talent, had a rough outing on Saturday, even for him. Now he’s left trying to defend his actions.

Isaias out but AFC door still shut on Carrusca

Isaias out but AFC door still shut on Carrusca
Val Migliaccio MARCELO Carrusca won’t get his AFC Champions League chance during the group stage, even if Isaias is ruled out of action long-term.

Football’s most disgraceful dive?

Football’s most disgraceful dive?
Caitlin Murray, Fox Sports US PREMIER League “bad boy” Joey Barton has been left trying to defend his actions after a shockingly blatant dive.

‘Unheard of’: One of greatest FA Cup upsets ever

‘Unheard of’: One of greatest FA Cup upsets ever
FA CUP WRAP: A historic day was capped by a fifth-tier side pulling off one of the greatest upsets ever, while Leicester also suffered a shock defeat and Chelsea won.

Mooy missing as City star’s targeted in stalemate

Mooy missing as City star’s targeted in stalemate
MANCHESTER City face an unwanted replay in the last 16 of the FA Cup after labouring to a 0-0 draw at Huddersfield, who were unable to play star man Aaron Mooy.

Blues fire where Reds went up in flames

Blues fire where Reds went up in flames
LIVERPOOL couldn’t beat them but second-half goals from Pedro and Diego Costa earned Premier League leaders Chelsea a 2-0 win in a difficult FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Pitch invasion as Foxes hit new low in last minute

Pitch invasion as Foxes hit new low in last minute
LEICESTER City’s woes have hit a new low after being stunned very late in the fifth-round of the FA Cup. That sparked manic scenes as fans stormed the pitch.

Adelaide needs identity as fans go missing

Adelaide needs identity as fans go missing
Val Migliaccio OVER the past two matches Adelaide has attract 6006 fans against Perth Glory nine days ago and just 6642 turned up to see United beat Newcastle Jets.

Invincibles run OVER! Wanderers end Derby hoodoo

Invincibles run OVER! Wanderers end Derby hoodoo
Tom Smithies OF all the teams in all the towns in all the world, it had to end like this. Sydney FC’s quest for an unbeaten run has ended at the hands of their bitter city rivals.

United fan favourite forced into retirement

United fan favourite forced into retirement
Val Migliaccio ADELAIDE United fan favourite Gyawe Jonas Salley has ended his playing career without the big bang the Ivorian-born Australian’s career deserved.

City make big statement with five-goal mauling

City make big statement with five-goal mauling
David Davutovic MELBOURNE City remains within striking distance of second spot after a clinical 5-1 win away to woeful Wellington Phoenix last night.

Aussie rejects insane pay rise

Aussie rejects insane pay rise
Graeme Bryce SOCCEROO midfielder Jackson Irvine has turned his back on a stunning weekly raise in order to stay in England.

Robbie Slater: Targets we must hit

Robbie Slater: Targets we must hit
Robbie Slater FOOTBALL in Australia has reached a critical stage. With expansion and club ownership being debated, Robbie Slater breaks down where he believes the game should be in five years time.

Roar cop triple blow, throw away more points

Roar cop triple blow, throw away more points
Marco Monteverde BRISBANE Roar gave up a two-goal lead last week and now have twice conceded after going ahead to draw with Perth — with concerns over the fitness of key players.

Muscat not biting at Rangers talk

Muscat not biting at Rangers talk
DAVID DAVUTOVIC KEVIN Muscat has reaffirmed his desire to coach abroad, but gave little away amid speculation linking him to his former club Glasgow Rangers.

‘Crazy’: Star’s bizarre border conundrum

‘Crazy’: Star’s bizarre border conundrum
AAP with staff writers A FORMER Sydney FC and Manchester United legend says he has been denied entry into the United States for his passport.

Aussie rejects insane pay rise

Aussie rejects insane pay rise
Graeme Bryce SOCCEROO midfielder Jackson Irvine has turned his back on a stunning weekly raise in order to stay in England.

Robbie Slater: Targets we must hit

Robbie Slater: Targets we must hit
Robbie Slater FOOTBALL in Australia has reached a critical stage. With expansion and club ownership being debated, Robbie Slater breaks down where he believes the game should be in five years time.

Roar cop triple blow, throw away more points

Roar cop triple blow, throw away more points
Marco Monteverde BRISBANE Roar gave up a two-goal lead last week and now have twice conceded after going ahead to draw with Perth — with concerns over the fitness of key players.

Muscat not biting at Rangers talk

Muscat not biting at Rangers talk
DAVID DAVUTOVIC KEVIN Muscat has reaffirmed his desire to coach abroad, but gave little away amid speculation linking him to his former club Glasgow Rangers.

‘Crazy’: Star’s bizarre border conundrum

‘Crazy’: Star’s bizarre border conundrum
AAP with staff writers A FORMER Sydney FC and Manchester United legend says he has been denied entry into the United States for his passport.

Our reputation is waning: Ange

Our reputation is waning: Ange
DAVID DAVUTOVIC THINK of the Socceroos and names like Jedinak, Cahill and Luongo spring to mind. But national coach Ange Postecoglou says that’s far from the case overseas.

‘Made to feel like a criminal’: Dwight’s US denial

‘Made to feel like a criminal’: Dwight’s US denial
AAP with staff writers FORMER Sydney FC marquee man and Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke says he has been denied entry into the United States because of an Iranian stamp in his passport.

Wenger’s defiant statement about future

Wenger’s defiant statement about future
AP UNDER intense pressure after the hammering by Bayern Munich, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has struck a defiant note about his managing future.

Is derby Popa’s last at Wanderers?

Is derby Popa’s last at Wanderers?
Tom Smithies ANYONE of a certain age knows there comes a difficult moment in any friendship group, when it’s obvious that a couple whom you’ve all known for years isn’t happy.

Ninkovic built to go the distance

Ninkovic built to go the distance
Tom Smithies MILOS Ninkovic works with an intensity that would shame players years younger, regularly covering more ground than any other player in Sydney FC colours.

Mark Bosnich previews the Sydney derby

Mark Bosnich previews the Sydney derby
Mark Bosnich I don’t see there being many surprises, which is why this derby will be decided between the ears as much as the goalmouths, writes Mark Bosnich.

‘Young’ City on right track: van’t Schip

‘Young’ City on right track: van’t Schip
David Davutovic FORMER Melbourne City boss John van’t Schip is proud to see his former proteges making an impact, as the club persists with young players.

Resurgent Reds strike blow to Jets’ finals hopes

Resurgent Reds strike blow to Jets’ finals hopes
A SPIRITED Adelaide United ground out a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium on Friday night thanks to a second-half penalty from Marcelo Carrusca.

Teenage kicks for Matildas prodigy

Teenage kicks for Matildas prodigy
DAVID DAVUTOVIC JACYNTA Galabadaarachchi said she’s a step closer to fulfilling her childhood dream of playing for the Matildas, after spending three days with her ‘idols’.

Video: Ibrahimovic’s first United hat-trick

Video: Ibrahimovic’s first United hat-trick
Staff writers ZLATAN Ibrahimovic resumed his torment of Saint-Etienne with a hat-trick as Manchester United claimed a 3-0 victory in their Europa League last 32 first-leg encounter.