Spain

Zaza zaps Madrid to liven title tussle

Two goals in the opening eight minutes from Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana blew the La Liga title race wide open as Valencia beat leader Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday.

The loss left Madrid's lead over second-place Barcelona at just a point, with Sevilla three adrift in third, but the leader still has a game in hand over its nearest rivals.

"We lost this match in the opening 10 minutes, 10 bad minutes where we let two goals in," Real coach Zinedine Zidane told Spanish TV.

"I'm not worried, I'm angry more than anything, because we only have ourselves to blame."

Madrid fullback Marcelo agreed with his coach's assessment.

"We're still on top but we have to do something to change things, learn from our mistakes," he said. "We got off poorly and it's our own fault."'

Brazil

Mangy Maracana back in the game

Rio's mythic Maracana stadium, which has fallen into disrepair since taking center-stage at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, is due to reopen next month.

Left abandoned due to political and legal disputes over its upkeep, the legendary venue will stage its first game of the year on March 8 when Brazilian club Flamengo hosts Argentine side San Lorenzo in the Copa Libertadores.

The fabled arena is in a sorry state - the grass on the pitch is yellowing, the stands are rusting and thieves have stolen seats.

First opened in 1950, the 79,000-seat venue was renovated ahead of the 2014 World Cup for $372 million - twice the initial budget - in a project tainted by corruption allegations.

England

Lallana lands new Liverpool deal

England midfielder Adam Lallana has signed a contract extension with Liverpool, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The Reds did not disclose the new deal's length, but British media said it will expire in 2020, with an option for an extra 12 months.

The 28-year-old will reportedly earn around $140,000 a week.

Lallana, who arrived from Southampton in 2014, told Liverpool's website: "I'm very proud and feel quite humbled by the show of faith from the club and the manager (Jurgen Klopp) in particular.

"Signing for a club like Liverpool is obviously a big thing, but to re-sign shows you've obviously contributed enough that the people who make the decisions want you to stay longer."

Argentina

Messi happy at Barca, says Bauza

Lionel Messi could not be happier than at Barcelona, and can crown his status as an all-time great by winning the World Cup with Argentina, the country's national coach, Edgardo Bauza, said on Wednesday.

"I can see just how happy he is at Barcelona with his family around him," Bauza said of Messi, who was part of Argentina's World Cup runner-up squad in 2014.

"Of course when Leo is happy that helps him give his best performance, morale is crucial for form.

"A player is happy when he is playing and winning, otherwise he is rarely happy," added Bauza, who became Argentina coach in August.

Barca lost 4-0 at Paris Saint-Germain last week and with his contract running out in 2018 there is speculation he may leave, with Manchester City strongly linked with the 29-year-old.

But Bauza, 59, would not be drawn on the superstar's future.

"At Barcelona, Manchester City or wherever, that's his decision to take. I just want him to play and that's all."

France

Disgraced Platini's St-Etienne show

Former UEFA president Michel Platini on Wednesday returned to a soccer stadium for the first time since being handed a four-year suspension in 2016.

The France great watched from the stands at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in central France as Ligue 1 Saint-Etienne was knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United.

Platini, who played for Saint-Etienne from 1979-82, is suspended from soccer-related activities for conflict of interest over a $2 million payment he received from FIFA in 2011.

Platini did not go to any Euro 2016 games in his native France last summer despite the FIFA ethics committee saying he could attend.

Agencies