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      Jude Bellingham begs fan for his sign to parade around pitch after Real Madrid’s Super Cup final win over Barcelona

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM urged a fan to give him a Grand Theft Auto-style sign following Real Madrid’s Super Cup win over Barcelona.Carlo Ancelotti’s men thrashed their LaLiga rivals 4-1 in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to clinch the trophy.
      Jude Bellingham took a sign from an adoring fanCredit: Twitter / Totalcristiano
      He walked off with the banner and began parading it around the pitchCredit: Twitter / Totalcristiano
      It showcased Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in a Grand Theft Auto styleCredit: AFP
      The title of the banner read ‘Super Copa de Espana XIII’ as it was Real Madrid’s 13th Super Cup triumphCredit: AFP
      Vinicius Junior was the star of the show as he struck a first-half hat-trick to inspire Los Blancos to victory.
      But it has been Bellingham – who assisted the opening goal – that has stolen the show for much of the season so far.
      The England international, 20, has scored 17 goals and provided six assists in 24 matches.
      And when he headed over to the Real Madrid fans at the end of their Super Cup triumph, he located an incredible sign one fan was holding that he wanted to take.
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      Bellingham reached over and collected the banner from the supporter, before he paraded it around the pitch.
      It depicted himself, Vinicius and Rodrygo all in suits in a GTA-style image.
      And the title written above the artwork read: “Super Copa de Espana XIII.”
      This referenced the fact that Real Madrid have now won 13 Spanish Super Cups in their history.
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      That is still one fewer than the 14 collected by Barcelona, but Real have claimed three of the last four Super Cup trophies.
      Ancelotti’s side also sit seven points clear of Barcelona in the LaLiga table.
      They are second, but are just one point behind Girona with a game in hand. More

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      Caglar Soyuncu lined up for shock Premier League transfer return just six months after Atletico Madrid move

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      CAGLAR SOYUNCU has been lined up for a shock return to the Premier League, according to reports.The defender could leave Atletico Madrid before the end of the transfer window just six months after joining the club.
      Caglar Soyuncu has been linked with a Premier League return amid interest from FulhamCredit: Getty
      Soyuncu completed a free transfer to the Spanish giants in the summer following five years at Leicester.
      Despite signing a four-year deal through to 2027, the 27-year-old has made just one league start for Atletico this season.
      He is now being linked with a January loan move and is even attracting Premier League interest.
      According to A Bola, Fulham are one of three clubs currently interested in Soyuncu.
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      The Cottagers are said to be facing competition from Porto and Roma for his signature, though.
      Fenerbahce have also made a move for Soyuncu, but were rejected by the player, according to the report.
      However, Atletico are understood to be open to a loan deal before the window closes.
      The Turkish international has made just nine appearances for the club across all competitions this season.
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      Of those, just two have come from the start, with his solitary LaLiga start ending after 45 minutes.
      Soyuncu was withdrawn at half-time in a 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in December.
      During five years in England, the defender scored four goals in 98 appearances for Leicester.
      He was also part of the Foxes’ FA Cup-winning side in 2021 and played for the club in Europe. More

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      World Cup winner Angel Correa robbed at gunpoint with family after four armed thugs break into Madrid home

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      ATLETICO Madrid striker Angel Correa and his family have been robbed at gunpoint by armed intruders at their home near Madrid.The 28-year-old Argentina international was reportedly forced to hand over jewellery and cash to four masked robbers.
      Angel Correa has been robbed at gunpoint by armed intruders at his home in MadridCredit: Getty
      Correa’s long-time partner, Sabrina Di Marzo, 28, is believed to have been home at the time of the robberyCredit: Instagram
      The other people in the house have not been named, but understood to be the couple’s young three daughtersCredit: Instagram
      Atletico Madrid striker is reportedly considering a £52 million contract to play in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
      The other people in the house in the upmarket municipality of Boadilla del Monte west of Madrid’s city centre have not been named but are understood to be his long-term partner Sabrina Di Marzo, 28, and their daughters Lola, seven, Luz, two, and Lia who will be one next month.
      The drama occurred around 9pm last night, less than 48 hours after Correa had returned from Saudi Arabia with his team after they lost 5-3 to Real Madrid in a thrilling Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
      Fortunately no-one was injured.
      Civil Guard officers have already visited the property to assist the footballer and his family and search for any clues including fingerprints.
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      No arrests are yet thought to have been made.
      Correa, said to be considering a huge £52 million contract over three years to play in Saudi Arabia, becomes the latest in a long list of LaLiga stars to fall victim to break-ins.
      In October former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao was targeted.
      Several men broke into his property in an upmarket suburb of Madrid while he was enjoying dinner with his family at a nearby restaurant.
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      The 37-year-old father-of-four, regarded as one of the greatest Colombian footballers of all time, had scored a last-gasp penalty earlier in the day to secure his current side Rayo Vallecano a valuable point at home against LaLiga rivals Mallorca.
      The intruders are said to have taken designer bags, watches and some jewellery before being surprised by an employee and fleeing.
      In June 2019 former Chelsea frontman Alvaro Morata’s wife Alice Campello was confronted by armed intruders while she was alone at their home north of Madrid with a nanny and twins Alessandro and Leonardo, then aged just one.
      They took valuables and family momentos.
      The Italian beauty admitted afterwards she would be “afraid for a long time to come.”
      She said in a social media message: “I think this is one of those things that are not easily forgotten, one of those things that makes you realize how much love and life is worth.
      “Knowing that you have your children at home and thinking they can touch them or do something to them is really an inexplicable emotion.
      “Fortunately we are all well and know it could have been much worse.
      “They have stolen so many memories but it’s over now.
      “Now I will try not to think about it and think about our family and try to forget.”
      Correa, whose Atletico contract runs until 2026, came off the bench to play half-an-hour at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Wednesday as they lost to rivals Real Madrid.
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      The Argentina international is said to be “open” to a move away this month after becoming frustrated at not being used by Atletico Madrid as often as he would like.
      The Saudi Pro League club said to have offered him a lucrative contract has not been named. More

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      Mason Greenwood reveals ‘best feeling so far’ in rare interview after Getafe aces ‘take Man Utd loanee under their wing’

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      MASON Greenwood has told how his new club have “taken him under their wing” in a rare interview.The Manchester United forward is on loan with Spanish club Getafe after Old Trafford bosses ruled he couldn’t play for the club following abuse allegations.
      Mason Greenwood during the LaLiga match between RCD Mallorca and Getafe CFCredit: Getty
      The decision came after allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling coercive behaviour were dropped by the CPS when a key witness refused to co-operate with the prosecution.
      The 22-year-old has scored five goals and provided four assists in 15 games since moving to Getafe in September.
      Now he has given an interview to Getafe club media about life in Spain – and thanked fans for their support.
      Greenwood said: “Everything’s fine, I adapted pretty quickly. My team-mates took me under their wing and I’ve just been happy ever since coming here, training and playing the games.
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      “The fans mean a lot to me. The best feeling so far is when I scored my first goal here at the stadium and it meant a lot to me, I heard the fans quite a lot.
      “Also we had the training day and a lot of fans came out and watched so we always appreciate the fans, they’re like an extra man out there on the pitch when they’re out there supporting us.”
      His future remains uncertain with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan all keeping tabs on his form.
      SunSport revealed this week that Barcelona are eyeing a £40million move and are prepared to offer the winger Lionel Messi’s old number 10 shirt to secure his services.
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      Argentine World Cup hero and eight-time Ballon D’or winner Messi, 36, left Barca in August 2021 and his number was handed to Ansu Fati.
      But it has not had an owner since Fati moved to Brighton on loan in September this year.
      It comes after Greenwood enjoyed a family Christmas at home after jetting into Manchester with his partner Harriet Robson.
      He was pictured shopping with Wag Harriet in Hale, Cheshire, in the run up to Christmas.
      The couple, who have a baby daughter, flew back to the UK to see family during the La Liga winter break which runs from December 23 to January 3.
      Meanwhile Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his 25 per cent takeover at Manchester United.
      The British billionaire has purchased a £1.3billion stake in the Red Devils from the Glazer family.
      Ratcliffe, who will run football operations at the club, had initially wanted to become the majority owner, but has now settled for a minority stake.
      And it has been confirmed he will inject £237million into the club. More

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      Top 10 most expensive football transfers ever including TWO Todd Boehly signings, Mbappe to PSG and a Barcelona flop

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      £100MILLION transfers are the going currency rate for football stars – but who ranks in the Top 10 most expensive deals.Inflation, along with increasingly eye-watering TV deals, have driven fees up and up.
      Paul Pogba, 30, was let go by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012 to Juventus for £1.5mCredit: Reuters
      And you won’t stand a chance of scooping one of the game’s biggest names unless you have a nine-figure wadge to spend.
      Manchester United were the first giant to edge close to the £100m barrier way back in 2016, when they splashed £89m to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.
      And that set the ball rolling, with transfer spends in elite league increasing every year.
      According to Fifa’s official figures last year, Premier League spent £1.6 BILLION on players with the up-and-coming Saudi Pro League coming runner-up with £701MILLION.
      £100million is the new benchmark for top talent. And even that’s not always enough.
      According to AS, Liverpool failed in their attempt to secure £100m Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle in the summer, after Chelsea gazumped them for Moises Caicedo.
      While Brentford have warned that even that incredible sum might not secure the services of Ivan Toney this winter.
      Here, SunSport takes a look at the most expensive football transfers – and not all have lived up to their massive price-tags…
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      10 – Declan Rice (£105m, 2023)
      Declan Rice is the second-most expensive English playerCredit: Getty
      Tipped to be Arsenal’s future captain, Declan Rice made the move from West Ham in a £105m last summer after skippering the Irons to Europa Conference League glory.
      Rice attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Manchester City.
      Former Stamford Bridge boss, Frank Lampard admitted he wanted to sign the Englishman to make him the Blues’ long-term captain.
      Ultimately, Rice made his own decision on his next steps, and that was to join Arsenal in a club record deal.
      Arsenal’s acquisition for the 24-year-old was not easy after facing strong competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
      City saw their £90m bid rejected as Arsenal gazumped them.
      9 – Antoine Griezmann (£108m, 2019)
      Antoine Griezmann is fourth in France’s all-time top goal scorers listCredit: AFP
      2018 World Cup-winner Antoine Griezmann left Atletico Madrid to link up with Lionel Messi and Barcelona for a huge £108million in 2019.
      The Spanish giants, included a buyout clause of a staggering £690m.
      Unfortunately, the Frenchman flopped after his big money move, scoring just 35 goals in 102 matches in 3 seasons for Barcelona.
      Remarkably, Griezmann has never won a LaLiga which was his expectation when he joined 27-time winners.
      In 2022, Griezmann, now 32, decided to re-join old boss Diego Simeone at Atletico and has immediately got back to his best, scoring 11 goals and registering 3 assists in this LaLiga campaign.
      And in January 2024, he become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, overtaking the legend Luis Aragones.
      8 – Enzo Fernandez (£110m, 2023)
      Enzo Fernandez broke British-record transfer when he joined Chelsea for £110m from BenficaCredit: Getty
      Enzo Fernandez’s remarkable performances in the 2022 World Cup saw his value astronomically rise, catching the eye of Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly.
      Fernandez, 22, was bought by Todd Boehly in a £106m deal, rising to £110m, after winning the Young Player Award at the World Cup which caused his astronomical value to rise.
      The 22-year-old had only played 29 games in Europe for Benfica since joining from River Plate.
      His time at Chelsea has been mixed so far, although he still has eight years of his nine-year contract left to prove himself.
      7 – Joao Felix (£112m, 2019)
      Joao Felix won the 2019 Golden Boy award at Atletico Madrid beating the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty
      Atletico Madrid spent their Griezmann cash on Portuguese prospect Joao Felix in a staggering £112m deal from Benfica.
      He had impressed in his first full campaign in the Primeira Liga, with the forward scoring 15 goals and registering 9 assists from 21 starts
      That prompted Atletico to make him the then-fifth most expensive player of all time.
      However, he never hit the heights at Atletico, and is currently with Barcelona after a failed loan at Chelsea.
      6 – Jude Bellingham (£115m, 2023)
      Birmingham City decided to retire Bellingham’s previous number which was 22Credit: Getty
      The hottest talent in world football made the move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for £115m.
      Bellingham was the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy in 2023.
      The Birmingham graduate made his official first-team debut at the age of 16, in their 0-3 defeat to Portsmouth in the EFL Carabao Cup.
      And his world-class talent was clear to see in his first few games.
      In 2020, Manchester United reportedly offered Birmingham City £30m for the then 16-year-old.
      Bellingham snubbed the move and made his decision to join Borussia Dortmund.
      Few years later he earned his massive move to Madrid, becoming the most expensive British player ever.
      The 20-year-old has taken his game to the next level with the star recording 17 goals and 5 assists in his 23 games for Real Madrid.
      And his is already the main man at the Bernabeu.
      5 – Moises Caicedo (£115m, 2023)
      Moises Caicedo has had a tough time adapting to life at Stamford BridgeCredit: Alamy
      Just when everyone thought Chelsea owner Todd Boehly couldn’t break the bank even more, he smashed the British transfer record.
      The Blues gazumped Liverpool to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in a crazy £115m transfer after one of the sagas of the 2023 summer transfer window.
      The Seagulls had bought his for just £4m from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle two years earlier.
      He has had a tough time justifying his mega transfer fee at Stamford Bridge – and the jury is still out on that deal.
      4 – Ousmane Dembele (£138m, 2017)
      Ousmane Dembele has never lived up to his feeCredit: AFP
      Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for an upfront fee on £96.8m – with the transfer potentially rising for a WHOPPING £135.5m.
      Unfortunately, the two-footed forward has since endured several injuries which has derailed his potential.
      He won three LaLiga titles with Barca… but never played a truly key role in the side.
      And now, still only 26, he finds himself back in his home country with Paris Saint-Germain – after joining for just over £40m in 2023.
      That represents a pretty substantial loss on the player for the now cash-strapped Catalans.
      3 – Philippe Coutinho (£145m, 2018)
      Philippe Coutinho flopped at Barcelona with the Brazilian recording 25 goals and 14 assists in 106 appearances.Credit: AFP
      Philippe Coutinho moved to Barca from Liverpool in 2018 for an incredible £145m, including hefty add-ons.
      Like Dembele, Coutinho never hit the heights at Barcelona despite his impressive spell with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.
      Liverpool, on the other hand, spend the money on Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, transforming themselves into perennial title challengers.
      Coutinho, now 31, now finds himself in Qatar with Al-Duhail, on loan from Aston Villa.
      He is tipped to end up in the USA.
      2 – Kylian Mbappe (£162m, 2018) 
      Kylian Mbappe is closing in on Olivier Giroud on France’s all-time top goalscorers listCredit: Getty
      Kylian Mbappe has almost certainly worth every penny of the £162million PSG spent on him from Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.
      Well, apart from his continued failure to win them the Champions League.
      He’s fired the French heavyweights to five Ligue 1 titles in six years and a bunch of cups. But the closest he got to European glory was a final loss to Bayern Munich in 2020.
      Add in a World Cup with France in 2018 and hat-trick in defeat to Argentina in final in 2022, and he’s cemented himself as without doubt one of the best players in the world.
      He is expected to leave in the summer of 2024, with Real Madrid his expected destination.
      1 – Neymar (£198m, 2017) 
      Neymar still holds the most expensive transfer of all time SEVEN years from the MEGA-DEALCredit: AFP
      Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona for an astonishing £198MILLION deal, which smashed the then-world record £89m United paid for Pogba.
      Brazilian forward reportedly felt he was in Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona so he took it upon himself to move.
      Life at Paris saw Neymar record 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 games, but injuries affected the 31-year-old career.
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      Neymar, like Mbappe, thrived domestically with PSG but failed to get that elusive European glory.
      He ultimately left for a very lucrative switch to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, earning a mouthwatering £2.5m-A-WEEK. More

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      Jose Mourinho’s incredible managers prediction from four years ago goes viral as fans say ‘Special One for a reason’

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      XABI ALONSO has wowed football fans with his managerial heroics at Bayer Leverkusen – but Jose Mourinho won’t be surprised.That’s because the Special One tipped the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder to be a top boss FOUR years ago.
      José Mourinho predicted Xabi Alonso was going to be a ‘very good’ coachCredit: YOUTUBE @topeleven
      Bayern Leverkusen manager Alonso is unbeaten this season in the BundesligaCredit: AFP
      Leverkusen are surprise leaders of the Bundesliga, four points above Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, having gone unbeaten so far this season.
      And much of the credit has gone to Alonso, 42, in his first managerial job.
      The former Spain international has already been linked to some of the top jobs, including Real, Liverpool and Manchester City.
      And Mourinho, who coached Alonso while he was playing at Real Madrid from 2010-2013, predicted he would excel in his managerial career.
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      An interview from four years ago has gone viral where the Roma boss revealed, “Xabi has conditions to be a very good coach.”
      And fans could not agree more as they took to Twitter to praise Mourinho’s prediction.
      As one said: “He’s so good in analysis. Special one for a reason.”
      While another put: “That’s why Mou will remain to be the GOAT.”
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      Then a third fan added: “Mourinho is the goat for a reason, this man’s footballing brain is great and he knows when a great player will take that next step above…”
      Alonso was perhaps destined to be a great boss with football running through his veins as his father Periko was a player and manager.
      Periko won La Liga twice with Real Sociedad and then a third time with Barcelona.
      He then went on to coach lower league Spanish sides including Beassain and Hercules before ending his managerial career back at Sociedad.
      Now his son and World Cup-winner Xabi who played for Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich has not disappointed since retiring from playing in 2017.
      The three-time Bundesliga winner is now dominating the top-flight German league as a manger.
      After taking over the leading role at Leverkusen in 2022, he guided the team to the semi-finals of the Europa League, but was booted out by Mourinho’s Roma side last term.
      However, this season the German club are the frontrunners for Bundesliga glory with not a single defeat and only drawing against Stuttgart, Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. More

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      Real Madrid ‘considering making transfer move for Erling Haaland’ as fresh doubts emerge over Kylian Mbappe switch

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      REAL MADRID could turn their attention to Erling Haaland if they fail to sign Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.The Paris Saint-Germain star has just six months left on his deal in the French capital, meaning he is allowed to negotiate with other clubs ahead of a summer move.
      Real Madrid are concerned they won’t be able to agree a deal with Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      Erling Haaland is an alternative for Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Real Madrid are in talks with the superstar but no agreement has been struck.
      Reports suggest that Mbappe will have to take a pay cut to secure a move to Los Blancos.
      And Real Madrid have put an end of January deadline on discussions to force him to pen a pre-contract.
      This has reportedly left Mbappe “unimpressed” with their approach as he planned to make a decision later this year.
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      Real Madrid are desperate to sign a marquee forward this summer.
      Should Mbappe reject them, the club could instead go for Haaland.
      Outlet AS claim the release clause in his Manchester City deal is closer to £100m than £200m.
      City have never confirmed a figure.
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      Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta revealed in November that the striker is open to a transfer in the future.
      She said: “Erling is the master of own destiny, always.
      “He will always do what’s good for him and for Man City.
      “When they all are open to make a change, it will happen.
      “Erling will always be respectful. For sure respect has to be on both club and player side. I’ve no doubts, Man City will respect him.
      “If something has to happen one day, we will agree on every step together with the club. It’s always about respect.”
      His dad Alf-Inge previously suggested his son wants to play all over Europe, saying: “I think Erling wants to test out his capabilities in every league.
      “Then he can stay in every league for three to four years maximum.
      “He could have two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half in England, and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?” More

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      Three ex-Chelsea stars combine as Kepa howler sees Real Madrid let in ‘most impressive own goal ever’ against Atletico

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      THREE ex-Chelsea stars combined for the “most impressive own goal ever” as Real Madrid beat Atletico 5-3 in a Spanish Super Cup semi-final thriller in Saudi Arabia.Real keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga flapped the ball onto his shin and over the line – with flailing team-mate Antonio Rudiger adjudged to have got the final touch.

      Real Madrid keeper Kepa and Antonio Rudiger watch as the centre-back nets an own goal as fellow ex-Chelsea ace Alvaro Morata hoversCredit: AFP
      Legs were flying everywhere as the ball goes in off Rudiger via Kepa’s fumble
      There was nothing Real could do once the ball ricocheted off Rudiger
      And the calamity was all done under pressure from a third former Blues’ player – Atletico striker Alvaro Morata.
      It was the most undignified moment of an unbelievable game in Riyad.
      The tie later went to extra-time at 3-3 before an own goal from Atletico’s Stefan Savic and Brahim Diaz’s freak breakaway strike nicked it for Real.
      Yet it had all begun so much better – not to say calmer – for Rudiger.
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      Mario Hermoso headed Atletico in front early on – but the German centre-back nodded the home side level midway through the first half.
      Ferland Mendy cleverly edged Real in front.
      But Antoine Griezmann’s pinpoint finish and Rudiger’s unlucky moment meant Atletico led 3-2 with just 12 minutes of normal time remaining.
      However, Dani Carvajal hammered Real all square.
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      And in the 116th minute a cruel deflection off Savic spiralled in.
      Diaz rounded off victory by tapping in on the counter-attack after desperate Atletico stopper Jan Oblak went up for a corner at the other end and was left stranded.
      But despite that sizzling climax, many fans focused on Rudiger’s earlier misfortune.
      Kepa came out hesitantly to meet an inswinging cross from Rodrigo Riquelme but pawed the ball downwards.
      It then veered in off the stopper’s leg at the same time as Rudiger appeared to get a touch in an ungainly scramble.
      Most viewers blamed the Costa Rica No1, who is on loan for the season from Stamford Bridge.
      One observer posted: “That’s the most impressive own goal I’ve ever seen. Fair play Kepa.”
      Another baffled fan wrote: “What did this mean LOL.”
      “Bizarre,” was another online verdict, with the harshest assessment of all being: “Kepa being a goalkeeper just shows that I can also be a player.” More