Atletico thrash Madrid 4-2 to lift Super Cup

TALLINN: Life without Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane was already looking like a struggle for Real Madrid after the triple Champions League holders lost the UEFA Super Cup to local rivals Atletico Madrid 4-2 after extra time on Wednesday.

After falling behind to an early strike from Diego Costa, goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos put Real back into a winning position against Atletico but they surrendered the lead.

Saul Niguez and Koke struck in the first half of extra-time as Atletico finally got revenge on Real in Europe after losing the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and being knocked out of the competition by their neighbours in 2015 and 2017.

FRANCE TOP FIFA RANKINGS; INDIA 96TH

ZURICH:WORLD champions France predictably shot to the top of the FIFA rankings published on Thursday while previous leaders Germany slumped to 15th after their humiliating first round exit in Russia.

The rankings were the first to be issued since France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final. The Indian team improved a spot to be placed at the 96th position.

KOLASINAC, MAITLANDNILES INJURED

LONDON: Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac and midfielder Ainsley Maitland-niles have been ruled out until October with injuries, the Premier League club has said.

Kolasinac, 25, sustained a left knee injury in a pre-season match against Chelsea earlier this month while Maitland-niles was substituted off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat by champions Manchester City in their opening league fixture.