ARGENTINA 4 - 1 SPAIN: Messi, Higuain and Agüero bury Spain (Highlights)

Well it had to come to an end at some point. And in what style! Carlos Marchena had gone 57 matches unbeaten in Spanish colours, a record that began way back in June 2003. But a dazzling first half performance from Argentina put pay to the Sevillanos hopes of making it 58, as the Argentinian Liga select helped the home side into an early 2-0 lead in what was billed as 'The World Cup final that never was'. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a sumptuous chip, Higuain notching the second with a typically well-taken strike after rounding the stranded Pepe Reina. Things got worse for the Liverpool keeper when he slipped at just the wrong moment whilst receiving a backpass, allowing little battler Carlos Tevez to steal in and scramble the ball home. 3-0 and the game was done and dusted. Spain improved in the second half and got a late consolation through Fernando Llorente, but Sergio Agüero regained Argentinas three-goal cushion with a well placed header in the final seconds of the match.

Del Bosque certainly didn't name a first choice select, with Casillas, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Torres and Xavi all on the bench, whilst Argentina came out with all their stars on show, but even so Vicente will have been worried with a lacklustre opening 45 minutes. In truth, nothing went right for La Roja, David Villa striking the woodwork twice in his search for that elusive 44th international goal and Santi Cazorla suffering the same misfortune later on. Pepe Reinas slip pretty much summed up their luck. Best for these things to happen in friendlies rather than World Cups and qualifiers.

Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo to the double: Real Madrid return to the top

Getafe 2 - 4 Real Madrid
(1-0) 13' Ronaldo, (2-0) 20' Higuain, (3-0) 23' Higuain, (4-0) 37' Ronaldo, (1-4) 38' Parejo, (2-4) 80' Pedro Leon

It had been widely reported before the match that Real Madrid had a worse game to points ratio in El Coliseum than in the Camp Nou. If it had even entered the minds of Real Madrids stars, it certainly didn't show. The first half of this match was so one-sided, such an incessant wave of white movement, it was almost embarrasing to watch. Xavi Alonso was majestic in the middle, ordering his artillery ahead of him with the precision he so often demonstrated at Anfield. Shots rained down on Ustaris goal with such alarming regularity, Getafe must have felt like throwing in the towel at half time. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain in this mood, you havn't got much hope.

The first goal came courtesy of yet another Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick, as he continues to consolidate his position as the deadliest player from set pieces on the planet; todays was his sixth this season. Most players have to choose between power or precision. Not Cristiano. Todays free-kick was only inches outside the box, yet he managed to curl it up over the wall and into the top corner with such force, it had flown past Ustari before he had time to react. Then Gonzalo Higuain took over with two typically Higuain goals. The Argentine is dynamite in the area. His goals just so effortless, with the striker almost strolling through the Getafe defence and past the keeper for his second. If Higuain is the silent assassin, Cristiano is a full-on missile launcher. Having bamboozled Mario with a series of stepovers, he let fly with another short, sharp swing of his right boot; the ball a blur as it shot past a shellshocked Ustari.

Getafe hit back with two goals of their own, but it was just a case of salvaging pride. Parejo took advantage of a Casillas mistake to stroke into an empty net, although many will feel the goal was unjust as Casillas lay stricken on the turf after being subject of a robust, although perfectly legitimate, challenge from the goalscorer. The match inevitably slowed down after that avalanche of goals, with Pedro Leon netting the final goal with ten minutes remaining. As the game peetered out, Pedro Mosquero was finally handed his debut. A talented midfielder who has worked his way up from the Castilla reserves, Madrid fans will hope he is the first of many youngsters to make the breakthough in the coming years. In the meantime it is the job of their Galacticos to ensure that Barca don't walk away with a second successive league title. The Clasico in three weeks promises to be electric, but  before Barca come to town they have a derby to take care of.

Atletico Madrid 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao

(1-0) 54' Forlan, (2-0) 86' Agüero

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways after their horror show in Mallorca with a vital victory against Athletic Bilbao which reignited their push for Europe. Lead by an impeccable performance from Tomas Ujfalusi, who handled big Fernando Llorente as well as any defender this season, Atletico survived a first half onslaught from the Basque side and hit them with two second half sucker punches. Diego Forlan got the first just before the hour, as he took advantage of a slide rule pass from Valera to sidefoot past  Gorka Iraizoz. The goal was his tenth against Atheltic, more than against any other side, and the celebration had more than tinge of anger, as he let out a few weeks of frustration by gesturing angrily to the crowd. 'People have a short memory' he said after the match, a clear sign that the fans complaints about his lack of form havn't gone unnoticed.

Bilbao tried to fight back, but in vain and the game was over when Sergio Agüero tricked his way into the area before firing in. Athletic will feel hard done by, with Javi Martinez and Gabilondo both putting in impressive shifts. How they needed the killer instinct of Atleticos front two. So Atletico move towards the Bernabeu in high spirits. Only five points off the UEFA spots, in the final of the Copa del Rey and in the last eight of the Europe League. Crisis? What crisis?

Check out what the lads at MadridAtleticos thought about the match HERE!

Sporting Lisbon 2 - 2 Atletico Madrid | Werder Bremen 4 - 4 Valencia

Virtuoso performances from David Villa and Sergio Agüero ensured the Spanish contigent of Atletico Madrid and Valencia passed through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. On a night full of goals, Sergio Agüero provided two of his own, as his one-man show in the first half was enough to push Atlético over the line. The diminutive striker, one of the best around on his day, was unplayable during the first 45 minutes. He set his first strike in motion as his burst set Simao away in the third minute, and when Antonio Lopez finally played the ball into the box, Agüero was there at the front post to knock the ball in and give Atletico a priceless early away goal. Although Atletico fell asleep to allow Leidson to draw Sporting level on the night, Agüero put his side firmly in the driving seat with a clever cutback and finish after a delightful through ball from Jose Antonio Reyes. Atletico dozed off again when Polga was given far too much time and space in the area to nod past De Gea, and the tie was very much in the balance from then on. But David de Gea was not going to let another one past, and Atleti held on to reach the quarters of a European competition for the first time in 11 years.

As for Valencias tie, where do you start. Eight goals, countless chances and incredible tension as Valencia and Werder Bremen played out one of the games of the season so far in the Weserstadion. David Villa helped himself to a hattrick as he proved that when it comes to sticking the leather in the net, there are few better in the world. David Silva played a vital role in all of Valencias first three goals as he pulled Werder all over the pitch with his clever movement and cunning passes. But credit must go to Tomas Schaafs team for never throwing in the towel, and every time Valencia looked out of sight, the Germans found another gear and pulled themselves back. Goals from Almeida, Torsten Frings, Marko Marin (one to look out for in the future) and Claudio Pizarro made Valencia sweat for their ticket to the quarters, but thanks to some vital stops from in-form Cesar they made it through to the last eight.

Atletico Madrid on the charge

Say it quietly, but Atlético Madrid could well be a force to be reckoned with as we enter the business end of the season, and it might even yield a trophy or two. The last few weeks (let's pretend that miserable defeat to Almeria never happened) have seen the men from the Vicente Calderon sweep aside one of the finest Barcelona sides La Liga has ever seen; leave the footballing equivalent of hell with a stunning win that has them among the favourites for the UEFA Europa League; and they have just thrashed a Valencia team that have been the best of the rest as Real Madrid and Barca negotiate their own personal battle at the top.

Much credit has to go to Quique Sanchez Flores, who inherited an absolute mess, but has turned it around in only four months. He has instilled confidence into a squad that was on its knees, through sheer hard work on the training pitch and if Marca is to be believed, through borrowing some famous words by Al Pacino in 'Any Given Sunday'. The victory against Barcelona could easily have been put down to the famous Jekyl and Hyde nature of this enigmatic football club, but the manner in which they knocked out Galatasaray in the fearsome Ali Yemi Sen Stadium, and then systematically dismantled a rejuvenated Valencia (it could so easily have been 7 or 8 that day), shows that Atlético mean business.

Jose Antonio Reyes has also been instrumental in this upsurge (again this has to be down to Quique who nurtured Reyes back to form at Benfica last year), with some sparkling performances on the wing, which has helped Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero to finally rediscover their midas touch infront of goal. Winter signing Tiago has been a revelation in the middle of the park, which has also taken some pressure off Raul Garcia and Assuncao. Bar the odd mishap, Perea and Tomas Ujfalusi might just be getting the knack of defending at the highest level, and David De Gea is beginning to prove he could well be the succesor to Iker Casillas' throne. Quique has grumbled about his sides fixture congestion, but it might well be that 17 matches in only two months has galvanised his team; they've simply had nowhere to hide and have come out fighting.

They look more solid as a unit, and whilst we all knew what Forlan, Agüero, Jurado, Reyes and Simao were capable of, they are finally beginning to gel, as nine goals in their last four matches would suggest. Atlético still need to eradicate silly laps of concentration at the back and to motivate themselves for all matches and not just those against champagne opposition. But if they manage to ride this wave of good form into May, they can look forward to the Copa del Rey final, the Europe League run-in and a push for the UEFA spots in La Liga with renewed optimism. They could win or they could lose: but will they win or lose like men? Only time will tell.

Copa del Rey: Atlético Madrid - License to thrill

Atlético Madrid are pure entertainment. The Jekyll and Hyde of Spanish football added another chapter to their colourful past as they achieved what no other team had ever achieved in Copa del Rey history; to come back from a first-leg 3 goal deficit. And in typical Atlético style, they did it hard way. It was looking like that run in the snow had worked wonders when they stormed into a four goal lead, through goals from Aguero (x2), Simao and Ujfalusi. But halfway through the second half, Recreativo pulled a goal back, after the obligatory defensive shocker from Atlético, to lead on away goals. Shortly after, Assuncao received a second yellow for a needless trip from behind and left his team staring at a farcical cup exit. But with a vociferous Vicente Calderon and an animated Quique urging them on, they took the lead in the tie once more as Simao stepped up with seven minutes remaining to curl a sumptuous free kick into the top-right corner to send the 'Mattressmen' flying into the quarters. The last two games have seen them score nine and concede two, and they're my bet to go on and win the cup looking at that draw: Quique deserves a nice manly pat on the back.

 

Copa del Rey Results 14.01.10

Atlético Madrid 5 - 1 Recreativo Huelva (Atlético through 5-4 on aggregate)
Mallorca 3 - 1 Rayo Vallecano (Mallorca through 4-3 on aggregate)

Copa del Rey Quarter-Final Draw:

Deportivo La Coruña v Sevilla

Mallorca v Getafe

Atlético Madrid v Celta

Racing Santander v Osasuna

'El Resumen' 16.11.09 Fabio gives Spain the Birdie

England Manager Fabio Capello believes that Brazil are in a better position to win the World Cup next summer than Spain. He states Brazil's greater physicality and defence as putting them a level above the Spanish.

Having beaten Argentina, Spain return to the top of the FIFA rankings, with Brazil dropping back down to second. Spain fell from first position last summer after being defeated by USA in the Confederations Cup, with Brazil going on to win the competition.

Johan Cruyff's first match in charge of the Catalunya national side will be against Diego Maradona's Argentina on December 22 in the Camp Nou, although the controversial coach will not be present as FIFA ban him from footballing activities for two months following his outburst at the Argentinian press last month.

Sergio Agüero is regarded as the most valuable under-21 footballer in the world. Following their dismal start to the season, Atlético will struggle to hold onto their star beyond next summer. Teams will be put off signing Agüero until then as he would be cup-tied in the Champions League having already appeared for the 'Rojiblancos' in this years edition.

Striker Borja Gonzalez of Atlético Madrid finished the Under-17 World Cup as topscorer with 5 goals, following in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas who achieved the same feat in the 2003 tournament in Finland.

And the Under-17's had further cause for celebration as they beat Columbia to finish the tournament in third place. They won 1-0 with Isco of Valencia scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute.

Miguel Portugal is the hot favourite to return to his old club as Racing Santander continue their search for a replacement for Mandiá. Ex-Zaragoza coach Victor Fernández was interviewed but had to turn the offer down due to television commitments with TVE.

Sergio Garcia was Real Betis' saviour with a goal in the 78th minute which rescued a draw against Celta Vigo at home. The point keeps Betis in touch with those at the top of 'La Segunda' as the fight for promotion promises to be as tight as ever.

AND FINALLY: Anyone wondering what Maradona did to deserve a two month ban from footballing activities? The reason lies below. Naughty Diego.
   

The Ten Year Jinx

Tonight sees the second most important fixture in Spanish football; the Madrid derby. For the fanatical following of Atletico Madrid, though, it's by far the most important. But for ten long, agonising years, they have not sampled the sweet taste of victory against their most bitter of rivals. Amazingly, a total of 85 players have come and gone through the gates of the Vicente Calderon without experiencing the glory of a derby win against their city neighbours; one of them 'El Niño' Torres. Sergio Agüero was 11 years old when it last happened; a 1-3 reversal in the Bernabeu in 1999. Ironically, the year they were relegated.

Since then it's has been a wave of white supremacy lead by their sacred number seven, Raúl Gonzalez Blanco. It could have been so different had the Atletico president Jesus Gil not thrown Raúl out of the club in 1992 when he eradicated the Cadete system which Raúl had been a part of since 1990. Two years later 'El Ferrari' signed for Real Madrid, and set upon a one man mission to heap misery upon his former employers. He scored his first goal for Real in the derby, his second match, and set up two more in a 4-2 win. 10 further goals in 25 derbys would definitely constitute revenge in my books.

Much of the build-up to the match has been built around whether Raúl will start, and if Atletico's 'saviour' Sergio Agüero can break the ten year jinx. Yesterday Real manager Pelligrini, hinted that Raúl would be given a start, only to name him among the subs today. Only time will tell if this decision comes back to haunt the Chilean, but Raúl's derby experience, as well as scoring record against Atletico, is a priceless asset. The manager has bowed to pressure from some sections of the Bernabeu to drop Raúl; Benzema had better prove them right.

Agüero knows what it's like to score against Real, but it was in vain; another deflating 2-1 defeat in the Bernabeu last year. So will today be a case of commeth the hour, commeth 'El Kun'? More important will be the opening minutes and Atleticos defence. Real have made a habit of putting the game to bed within the first 5 minutes of the derby, as much as Atletico's defence has made a habit of capitulating. What Atletico need to do is start a habit of winning derbys......and then staying up.

Watch Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid live HERE