U.S. into Olympic qualifying semifinals
Carli Lloyd scored off a rebound of her own penalty kick in the 80th minute and the United States beat Mexico 1-0 on Saturday in Frisco, Texas, to clinch a spot in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying semifinals.
Lloyd’s penalty shot, following a Mexico hand ball in the penalty area, went to the middle of the goal and was blocked by Cecilia Santiago. Lloyd buried the rebound, with Santiago still on the ground, for her 84th career goal.
“I guess you can’t make all of them all of the time,” Lloyd said. “Luckily, the rebound came right back to me and there was no hesitation and just put it in the back of the net.”
The winners of the semifinals — set for Houston on Friday night — will qualify for the Rio Olympics.
The Americans will conclude group play Monday night against Puerto Rico. The other match Monday between Mexico and Costa Rica will determine Group A’s other semifinalist. Costa Rica won the opener Saturday at Toyota Stadium, beating Puerto Rico 9-0.
Europe: Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the top of the Spanish league’s scoring table with his 20th and 21st goals this season in a 4-2 win for Real Madrid over Athletic Bilbao.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the third minute of an attractive first half at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium that finished with James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos giving Madrid a 3-1 lead by the break.
The Portugal star added a fourth goal in the final minutes after teammate Rapael Varane was sent off with a second yellow card.
While Madrid provisionally rose into second place behind leader Barcelona, Gary Neville finally got his first Spanish league victory in charge of Valencia. Substitute Alvaro Negredo and newcomer Denis Cheryshev scored in the final 20 minutes of a 2-1 comeback win over visiting Espanyol.
Seeking its fifth consecutive title, Juventus got a late goal to beat Napoli 1-0 and snatch the lead of Italy’s Serie A from its southern rival. Juventus moved one point ahead of Napoli after substitute Simone Zaza scored two minutes from the expiration of time.
An own goal by goalkeeper David de Gea cost Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United another loss in the English Premier League, 2-1 at relegation-threatened Sunderland. The latest embarrassing loss for United was sealed by de Gea in the 82nd minute, with a goal-line clearance from Anthony Martial cannoning off the back of the goalie and into the net.
Chelsea produced its most emphatic win of the season, routing Newcastle 5-1 to climb to 12th place. Manager Guus Hiddink remains unbeaten since replacing Jose Mourinho in December.