Spain News

PARIS : Xabi Alonso emerged as the two-goal hero as Spain downed Argentina while England came up short against five-time world champions Brazil in World Cup warm-ups on Saturday.

Alonso scores twice as Spain beats Argentina 2-1 Eds: APNewsNow. Spain 2, Argentina 1. AP Photo VC117, PW109 By PAUL LOGOTHETIS AP Sports Writer MADRID Xabi Alonso scored twice to lead European champion Spain over Argentina 2-1 Saturday night in a matchup of teams that figure to be among the most-watched at next year's World Cup.

Iker Casillas said disappointments will likely outnumber highlights when he looks back over his international career while preparing to play in his 100th game with Spain on Saturday.

Madrid Argentina coach Diego Maradona has told superstar Lionel Messi to take charge of his country's World Cup dream, starting by masterminding victory over European champions Spain on Saturday.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will not be forced to sell off key players if the club make an early exit from the Champions League, co-owner Tom Hicks said.

Athletic Bilbao were dumped out of the King's Cup by second division Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, last season's beaten finalists managing only a 2-2 home draw in the second leg to lose 4-2 on aggregate.

Real humiliation complete Real Madrid midfielder Kaka gestures during a King's Cup football match against Alcorcon at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on November 10, 2009.

A comfortable but uninspiring 4-2 win against Mallorca gave FC Barcelona another three points that keeps Pep Guardiola' s side top of the BBVA Primera Liga in Spain.

Spain 10/11 Draw 9/4 Argentina 5/2 Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Sevilla winger Jesus Navas has been named in the Spain squad for the upcoming friendly internationals against Argentina and Austria.

Pedro netted twice and Thierry Henry scored his first of the season to set leaders Barcelona on their way to a 4-2 win over Real Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday that kept the champions a point clear of Real Madrid.

David Villa netted his eighth goal of the season as Valencia beat promoted Real Zaragoza 3-1 in La Liga on Sunday to climb into third place.

First-half goals steered Valencia to a 3-1 win over Zaragoza on Sunday, while Sporting Gijon and Athletic Bilbao also picked up victories to maintain their strong early season form in Spain.

Pedro Rodriguez helped Barcelona rediscover its scoring touch Saturday as his two goals led the defending champions to a 4-2 win over Mallorca in the Spanish league.

Deep in the heart of Spanish port city Santander, on the country's north coast, is a homely restaurant called Cambrinus.

Top sports stories from the national newspapers: THE SUN: Pepe Reina has branded Liverpool's European campaign a disgrace.

LIVERPOOL and Spurs will go head to head for the title on Sunday. But it will not be for Premier League glory - the two clubs are going wheel to wheel in the decider of the Superleague Formula motor racing championship.

STEVEN Gerrard has admitted that Liverpool are badly missing the influence of Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, who quit Anfield for Real Madrid in a 30-million-pound deal in August.

FERNANDO TORRES flies to France today with a hernia problem that will require surgery unless Liverpool can successfully nurse him through a series of must-win games.

Over the past week, the Argentine press had reported that Inter Milan stalwarts Esteban Cambiasso, Walter Samuel, and Javier Zanetti could all return to the National Team, but when Maradona announced the list to face Spain, only Cambiasso's name was present.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed goalkeeper Jose Reina is to be offered a new contract to keep him on Merseyside.