Real Madrid 4-2 Osasuna

Real Madrid 4-2 Osasuna: Benzema beauty sees Mourinho bow out as Blancos boss with a win

Los Blancos let a two-goal lead slip as the Portuguese's final game as manager threatened to end in disarray, but Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon ensured no upsets late on.

The Portuguese was the center of attention long before kickoff, with throngs of photographers swarming to get a glimpse of the 50-year-old on the touchline, and first-half goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Michael Essien set him on his way to a winning send off.

Osasuna threatened to spoil the occasion with second-half strikes from Roberto Torres and Alvaro Cejudo to restore parity, but Karim Benzema put the hosts back in front before a late Jose Callejon effort sealed a victorious end to a disappointing Blancos season. 

Cristiano Ronaldo was one of a number of first team players missing through injury and suspension, as the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Callejon and goalkeeper Jesus were pushed into the starting XI.

Osasuna fired an early warning shot in Madrid’s direction moments after kickoff when Joseba Llorente found space at the far post to angle just wide of the goal.

The visitors went even closer after a quarter of a hour, Llorente involved once again by picking out Emiliano Armanteros from the wing, but his header was met in spectacular fashion by Jesus, who tipped around the post expertly.

Despite the positivity from Osasuna, the match still struggled to get off the ground, with both teams doing little to really push the tempo beyond a pedestrian level.

Madrid finally showed signs of life 25 minutes in when a mazy run from Luka Modric saw him beat two players, but he was stopped at the last by Ruben, just before he was about to pull the trigger.

But Jesus was soon called into action again, reacting well to keep out Llorente’s low shot, after another Osasuna attacking move caused problems for the hosts.

The visitors looked far better bets to grab the first goal, but instead, it was Madrid who would strike first with 10 minutes remaining in the half.

Angel Di Maria played an excellent flick into Higuain’s path, which freed the Argentine forward to place a smart finish past Asier Riesgo.

Osasuna barely had time to regain its composure before the hosts struck again, Essien arriving first to Mesut Ozil’s corner to nod home – with the Ghanaian immediately making his way to embrace Mourinho on the touchline.

Madrid came close to extending its lead minutes into the second half, as Ozil saw a close range effort saved by Riesgo after combining excellently with Benzema inside the area.

But in the 53rd minute, Osasuna was back in the game, when Torres cut in from the right, evaded the attentions of Alvaro Arbeloa, and lashed a shot into the far corner to get his side off the mark.

Callejon attempted to respond in kind with a low effort that was beaten away by Riesgo, but with just over an hour played, Madrid would see its two-goal lead evaporate as Osasuna leveled the match.

David Timor set things in motion with a purposeful run and cross from the left which Manu Omwu flicked into the path of Cejudo, who planted a firm header into the top corner.

However, parity did not last for long. With 21 minutes remaining, Benzema sent Madrid back in front, collecting Ozil’s pass at the top of the box, shrugging off Ruben and firing expertly into the back of the net.

With stoppage time looming, Callejon put the finishing touches on the game by getting on the end of a scintillating counterattack to finish off the season on something of a high.

Liverpool striker Suarez dismisses criticism from Prime Minister David Cameron

The Uruguayan is fed up of apologizing for his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, which the PM described as an "appalling example to young people in our country"

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has brushed off criticism from Prime Minister David Cameron regarding his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The striker has refused to commit his future to Liverpool amid rumors that Real Madrid is interested in making an offer for the striker, and has grown increasingly tired of the media attention he receives in England.

Suarez was banned for 10 games for the incident, and has responded to Cameron’s views by insisting he does not need to offer any more apologies.

"Some minister of something, I don't know what, said I don't know what about me, that Suarez is I don't know what to the kids, to his son," he said in a press conference.

"He should care for the English people, he should try to do his job. I won't ask for more forgiveness."

Cameron initially told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I made my own views clear, just as a dad watching the game.

"I have a seven-year-old son who loves football, loves watching football and when players behave like this, it sets the most appalling example to young people in our country. As a dad and as a human being, do I think we should have tough penalties when football players behave like this? Yes."

Valdes tips Liverpool goalkeeper Reina to be his Barcelona successor

The 31-year-old, who has announced he will leave the club in 2014, believes his fellow Spain international has the necessary quality and experience to replace him next summer

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes his fellow Spaniard and Liverpool No.1 Pepe Reina could replace him at Camp Nou next summer.

Valdes announced on Friday that he will almost certainly see out the rest of his contract which expires in June 2014, with Reina heavily touted as the favorite to replace him.

The 30-year-old came through the club's youth system and made 30 league appearances before joining Villarreal in 2002, and Valdes believes the Anfield star has the edge over any other potential replacements.

"Pepe is an international keeper who has shown his quality," Valdes told reporters. "He knows the club. We were here together in the past - he is a good friend of mine.

"He is a very valid keeper to play at any club in the world, including Barcelona." 

Reina has already admitted he would find it difficult to refuse a return to his former club should it look to sign him.

Chelsea midfielder Benayoun interested in MLS move

The Israel international, whose deal with the Blues is set to expire, is angling for a move to the United States after almost signing for New York Red Bulls last year

Yossi Benayoun has revealed he is targeting a move to MLS when his contract with Chelsea expires on June 30.

The Israeli joined the Europa League winner in 2010, but made just one league start for the club before being sent on loan to first Arsenal and then West Ham.

The 33-year-old has not been offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge, and has now set his sights on securing a move to the United States.

“I’m in talks with several European teams. I’m checking out the options, but to tell you the truth, America is one of my favorite options,’’ Benayoun told the New York Post.

“I’m trying do everything I can to come to America and to play in MLS, and hopefully it works out in the next few weeks.

“I love America. Any interesting, good city that you have a nice lifestyle I could give my wife and family. It is more important for me to give them a good lifestyle, schools, everything and then hopefully to enjoy football.

“Of course New York would be great. But Chicago, Los Angeles — America has a lot of options.’’

Benayoun's agent, Ronen Katzav, admits they are weighing up a number of offers for his services from European clubs, but, having already come close to signing for New York Red Bulls, the MLS remains the Israeli's preference.

“Last season he was very close to signing with Red Bull, and now we are checking our options. Normally they were very interested with us,’’ said Katzav.

“We also have options in Europe, of Spain, Germany, of course England. But we’re trying to change a little bit the mentality of life a little bit from Europe.’’

Chicharito se convierte en el quinto goleador histórico del Tri

Justo un día antes de su cumpleaños número 25, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández se dio el regalo de superar a Enrique Borja en la tabla de goleo histórica del Tri con un doblete.

El delantero mexicano del Manchester United, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández logró hacer historia anoche frente a Nigeria, en un partido amistoso disputado en el Reliant Stadium de la ciudad de Houston Texas. El mexicano logró su sexto doblete y superó los 31 goles de Enrique Borja en la tabla histórica de goleadores del Tri ante la selección de Nigeria.

‘Chicharito’ está a tres goles de los 35 que comparten Carlos Hermosillo y Luis Hernández. En el que sería su sexto doblete con la Selección Mexicana, ‘Chicharito’ se convirtió en el quinto máximo goleador en la historia del Tri.

Lo más asombroso de este paso goleador de Hernández, es que con el promedio de goles que lleva, anotará los 14 goles que le hacen falta para igualar a Jared Borgetti como el máximo goleador en la historia de México con 46 goles, esta marca seguramente la romperá durante el 2014.

Javier logró superar a Borja, justo un día después de su cumpleaños número 25, ahora Hernández buscará superar a Luis Hernández, Carlos Hermosillo, Cuauhtémoc Blanco y por último, a Jared Borgetti. Esta hazaña del mexicano tiene más valor, por el promedio de goles con partido que posee. ‘Chicharito’ maneja mejores números que todos los goleadores de la lista histórica del Tri.

Ribery on the verge of Bayern extension

The France international has already stated more than once that he wants to end his career at his current club and is set sign a new deal shortly

Franck Ribery is on the verge of signing a new deal with Bayern Munich after agreeing terms with the Champions League winner.

The 30-year-old's current deal with the Bavarians runs until the summer of 2015, but club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed that the winger is close to inking a two-year extension.

"I can reveal that we have agreed terms in principle," Rummenigge told Bild.

"When Franck joined us in 2007, he had the reputation of being a player who switches clubs every one to two seasons.

"However, he has now already been here for six years. His family and he are feeling very good here in Munich."

Ribery joined Bayern from Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2007 and has since made over 150 Bundesliga appearances for the Allianz Arena side.

Neymar: 'England won't be a threat at the World Cup'

The Brazil international says he does not fear Roy Hodgson's team ahead of their friendly clash and also revealed he rejected offers from English sides before joining Barcelona

Brazil superstar Neymar has dismissed England's chances of winning the 2014 World Cup, with the sides set to meet at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

The 21-year-old was part of the Selecao side that lost 2-1 against England in February at Wembley, but he believes the Three Lions will pose little threat at the 2014 World Cup.

“I have respect for a lot of the England players as they have achieved great things at their clubs,” Neymar told The Sun.

“But, as a national team, I don’t look at England and think they are going to be a real threat at the World Cup.

“We want to win the World Cup in front of our home fans and the two nations I look at as a real threat are Germany and Spain. After that it’s a group including Argentina, Holland, Italy and one or two more.

“But England I don’t even think about.”

Neymar, who has scored 20 goals in 32 appearances for Brazil, recently joined La Liga giant Barcelona, and he has revealed he rejected the advances of several English clubs before moving to the Camp Nou.

“There was interest from teams in England and Spain,” Neymar continued. “But my family spoke to me about joining a club where you could not just win things but where there’s stability.

“I didn’t want to play for a team that changed its coach every season.”

The ex-Santos attacker is also eager to secure victory against England to celebrate the first match at the Maracana since its renovation, and believes competition to get in Luiz Felipe Scolari's side is fierce.

“It’s a big game for us on Sunday because we want to open the new stadium with a win,” he added.

“The most important thing is we impress the coach though. There are only 11 places in the team for the opening game at the World Cup and each player needs to prove to the coach he’s worth being in one of those places.”