Europe

MADRID — Four people have been arrested and questioned in Spain on suspicion of conducting an online hate campaign encouraging fans to racially abuse Real Madrid star forward Vinicius Jr, police said on Thursday.

The men were detained on Oct. 14 and 15 then released as investigations continued into social media slogans which urged fans to wear face masks so they could insult the Black Brazil international without being identified, police added.

BARCELONA — Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead them to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouse.

After six consecutive losses in which they were outscored 22 goals to four by Bayern, including a humiliating 8-2 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, Barcelona got their revenge with a great attacking performance led by their Brazilian captain.

Barcelona vs Bayern highlights

José Mourinho cheekily said he is looking to add a fourth Premier League medal to his glittering cabinet if Manchester City are stripped of their titles and rivals Manchester United are awarded the Premier League trophy for the 2017-18 season.

Mourinho, who won three titles with Chelsea, guided United to a second-place finish behind City in that campaign, 19 points behind Pep Guardiola's record-breaking side.

MADRID — Real Madrid fought back from two goals down as Vinicius Jr grabbed a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-2 win over visitors Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In a rematch of last-season's final, Dortmund lit up the game with a two-goal blitz around the half-hour mark from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens to silence the Bernabeu crowd.

However, the champions were livelier after the break and broke Dortmund's resistance with Antonio Rüdiger's header on the hour before Vinicius equalized with a close-range strike.

The Christian Pulisic Olimpico goal vs. Club Brugge saw the AC Milan star find the back of the net in the most peculiar of ways.

Milan were on the backfoot in the first half as a feisty Brugge side had several quality chances to take the lead. The Italian giants needed something special and who better to count on than their man in form, Pulisic.

In the 34th minute Pulisic swung in a corner kick that somehow avoided everyone and crossed the line. A Brugge defender tried to clear the ball but was too late.

Pulisic Olimpico goal vs. Brugge

BOURNEMOUTH — A brilliantly-worked goal by Ryan Christie and a Justin Kluivert penalty gave Bournemouth a shock 2-0 Premier League win at home to 10-man Arsenal on Saturday, with Gunners defender William Saliba shown a straight red card in the first half.

The defeat brought Arsenal's unbeaten start to the league season to a shuddering halt and leaves them third in the standings on 17 points, one behind leaders Liverpool and behind Manchester City on goal difference, with both sides in action on Sunday.

Christian Pulisic assisted Samuel Chukwueze for the lone goal in AC Milan’s 1-0 victory vs. Udinese on Saturday. 

The United States forward was the focal point of scrutiny from critics after leaving the national team’s October camp early to get extra rest. Pulisic received criticism from former USMNT players Alexi Lalas and Tim Howard earlier in the week for missing the friendly vs. Mexico.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to return to football after having his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months and said he dreams of playing at the 2026 World Cup with France.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the 31-year-old's ban earlier this month after he was provisionally suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 following a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels.

LONDON — England head coach Thomas Tuchel strode confidently in to Wembley Stadium on Wednesday with a single-minded vision to win the 2026 World Cup for the success-starved soccer nation.

A whirlwind week has seen the 51-year-old German sign an 18-month contract to lead England to the tournament being played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Thomas Tuchel. Our #ThreeLions head coach from 2025.