The 2030 Commonwealth Games baton has officially been handed over to India, marking the beginning of preparations for the next edition of the Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

India is planning a larger, multi-sport event featuring 15 to 17 disciplines, significantly expanding on Glasgow's scaled-down edition. Two sports being strongly considered for inclusion are Yoga and Kabaddi, both deeply rooted in Indian heritage. Officials believe the 2030 Commonwealth Games could become a major milestone in India's sporting ambitions while also strengthening Ahmedabad's bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. The inclusion of Yoga and Kabaddi could provide both disciplines with unprecedented global exposure.

India Eyes Yoga & Kabaddi for 2030 Commonwealth Games | Ahmedabad Set to Host Mega Event

India's 'golden boy' Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the final of the javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. All three Indian made it to the final, which will take place on Friday.

Three Indians qualify for CWG Javelin Final | Wion Sports 

India has suffered a major setback ahead of the Commonwealth Games as judoka Tulika Maan has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) over three whereabouts failures within a rolling 12-month period. The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medalist has been withdrawn from the competition pending an emergency hearing. In this video, we explain what a whereabouts failure is, why elite athletes must regularly update their location for out-of-competition testing, and how three missed filings or missed tests within 12 months can result in suspension under anti-doping rules.

Tulika Maan Suspended From Commonwealth Games | What Is a Whereabouts Failure?

RB Leipzig eased past struggling Werder Bremen 3-0 on Saturday to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga, two points ahead of champions Bayern Munich. Having failed to win in their last four games in all competitions, Leipzig were desperate to bounce back on their home ground and Lukas Klostermann's 18th-minute goal quickly put them in the driving seat.

RB Leipzig eased past struggling Werder Bremen 3-0 on Saturday to reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga, two points ahead of champions Bayern Munich. Having failed to win in their last four games in all competitions, Leipzig were desperate to bounce back on their home ground and Lukas Klostermann's 18th-minute goal quickly put them in the driving seat. Patrik Schick, who had set up Klostermann, then grabbed one himself, heading in his sixth league goal in the 39th minute before Nordi Mukiele latched on to a deep through ball to fire in their third goal a minute after the restart. [ Leipzig's French defender Nordi Mukiele (C) scores the 3-0 goal past Bremen's Czech goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka (R) during the German first division Bundesliga football match (Courtesy: AFP) ] Leipzig, who face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday, move up to 45 points, with Bayern, in action against Cologne on Sunday, on 43. Borussia Dortmund, winners 4-0 over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, are in third place on 42. "We played a good game and fully deserved to win," Czech international Schick told reporters. "I am happy for my goal but more importantly it is a big boost ahead of Spurs." Lars Stindl scored twice as Borussia Moenchengladbach stormed to a 4-1 win at Fortuna Duesseldorf - their first away win since November - to join Dortmund on 42 points. Also Read: Claudio Pizarro joins Werder Bremen for a fourth and final stint Former champions Werder, who have now lost eight of their last nine league games, are stuck in 17th place, a point above last-placed Paderborn. Bayer Leverkusen kept their Champions League hopes intact when Karim Bellarabi struck in stoppage time to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory at Union Berlin to keep them within striking distance of a top-four spot, in fifth place on 40. The game was repeatedly interrupted after fans lit flares and smoke bombs in the stands. Hertha Berlin made a winning start to life after Juergen Klinsman, beating Paderborn 2-1 with a goal from Dedryck Boyata and an own goal from Jamilu Collins, in their first game since their former coach's surprise departure this week. Klinsmann, a former Germany and U.S. national team coach, quit after only 76 days in charge, complaining about a lack of trust and support. Hertha's win lifted them further away from the relegation zone and into 13th place. Dutchman Wout Weghorst scored a hat-trick in VfL Wolfsburg's 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim, who twice come back from a goal down only to lose.

Bundesliga: Leipzig back on top with 3-0 win over strugglers Werder

Liverpool manager&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-klopp-may-pull-liverpool-out-of-league-cup-over-fixture-pile-up-258925" target="_blank">Juergen Klopp</a>&nbsp;said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

With City's domestic title challenge all but over, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-boss-juergen-klopp-says-players-are-psychologically-ready-179931" target="_blank">Liverpool&nbsp;</a>25 points ahead after beating Norwich City 1-0 away on Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-might-need-105-points-to-win-title-says-juergen-klopp-185833" target="_blank">Klopp&nbsp;</a>said the news on Friday about the European ban for the Manchester club had taken him by surprise.

<img alt="Pep Guardiola" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="254c1184-8af6-40d3-814d-5c4ec6a07332" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_21.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-players-must-fight-with-every-fibre-juergen-klopp-196169" target="_blank">Liverpool players must fight with every fibre: Juergen Klopp</a>

"It was a shock. Complete wow!" he told Sky Sports. "The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/it-was-clever-of-neymar-juergen-klopp-complains-of-psg-playacting-180211" target="_blank">the football pitch is exceptional</a>. The rest, I don't know. I feel for them, Pep and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juergen-klopp-hails-salahs-sensational-finish-267582" target="_blank">see what happens</a>&nbsp;then. It is serious."

"But the football they played was exceptional and will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hes-still-an-influencer-in-football-says-juergen-klopp-on-wengers-outgoing-131709" target="_blank">always be exceptional</a>." European soccer's governing body UEFA said City had committed "serious breaches" of its FFP regulations by "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-be-fooled-by-5-0-win-last-year-juergen-klopp-warns-liverpool-211084" target="_blank">break-even information</a>&nbsp;submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016."&nbsp;

City denied any wrongdoing and said they will appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said he had sympathy for his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the wake of the English champions' two-year ban from European football dished out by UEFA for allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play rules. With City's domestic title challenge all but over, with Liverpool 25 points ahead after beating Norwich City 1-0 away on Saturday, Klopp said the news on Friday about the European ban for the Manchester club had taken him by surprise. [ Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Liverpool players must fight with every fibre: Juergen Klopp "It was a shock. Complete wow!" he told Sky Sports. "The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on the football pitch is exceptional. The rest, I don't know. I feel for them, Pep and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will see what happens then. It is serious." "But the football they played was exceptional and will always be exceptional." European soccer's governing body UEFA said City had committed "serious breaches" of its FFP regulations by "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016." City denied any wrongdoing and said they will appeal to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Klopp shows sympathy for Guardiola after Manchester City European ban

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/basketball-giannis-powers-nba-best-bucks-to-win-lakers-rip-spurs-278710" target="_blank">NBA</a>&nbsp;commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/celebrity-news-oscars-2020-nba-legend-kobe-bryant-to-be-honoured-on-the-awards-night-277345" target="_blank">NBA's</a>&nbsp;Chinese sponsors cut ties in a fierce mainland backlash following Morey's tweet in October, just before two NBA teams played preseason exhibition matches in China.

State broadcaster CCTV also stopped airing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tonight-is-for-kobe-nba-legend-remembered-at-grammy-awards-hours-aftre-his-death-276826" target="_blank">NBA</a>&nbsp;games for the country's millions of ardent basketball fans and has not resumed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-fines-orlando-magic-coach-steve-clifford-25k-over-outburst-279415" target="_blank">NBA fines Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford $25K over outburst</a>

"The magnitude of the loss will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Silver told a press conference on the sidelines of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryant-and-daughter-gianna-laid-to-rest-in-private-funeral-280401" target="_blank">All-Star</a>&nbsp;Weekend in Chicago.

"Probably less than $400 million, maybe even less than that," he said. However, "it's substantial", he added. "I don't want to run from that ... But I don't have any sense that there's any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kobe-bryants-widow-vanessa-bryant-refuses-to-accept-death-of-her-husband-and-daughter-279982" target="_blank">permanent damage</a>&nbsp;to our business there."

The commissioner said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasts of NBA games but did not give a timeframe.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday the league expects to lose "several hundred million dollars" due to a row with China over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong pro-democracy protesters. The NBA's Chinese sponsors cut ties in a fierce mainland backlash following Morey's tweet in October, just before two NBA teams played preseason exhibition matches in China. State broadcaster CCTV also stopped airing NBA games for the country's millions of ardent basketball fans and has not resumed. Also Read: NBA fines Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford $25K over outburst "The magnitude of the loss will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars," Silver told a press conference on the sidelines of the All-Star Weekend in Chicago. "Probably less than $400 million, maybe even less than that," he said. However, "it's substantial", he added. "I don't want to run from that ... But I don't have any sense that there's any permanent damage to our business there." The commissioner said he expected CCTV to resume broadcasts of NBA games but did not give a timeframe.

NBA loses 'hundreds of millions' in China over Hong Kong tweet

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-bayern-seal-last-16-berth-as-lewandowski-strikes-again-260439">Bayern Munich scored</a> three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in his 22nd league goal in the eighth minute and Thomas Mueller and Thiago Alcantara added two more to lift the Bavarians to 42 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig who drew 2-2 at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bayern-demolish-schalke-lewandowski-strikes-early-276615">Bayern's fast start</a> was enough to kill off the game and Mainz, who cut the deficit on the stroke of halftime through Jeremiah St Juste, rarely threatened although Leandro Barreiro hit the post. The Bavarians also set a club record with 58 goals in their 20 league games in a boost for interim coach Hansi Flick, whose future at the club is still unclear.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-dortmund-loose-out-on-two-goal-lead-to-draw-3-3-with-rb-leipzig-268861">Football: Dortmund loose out on two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with RB Leipzig</a>

<img alt=" Benjamin Pavard" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="045e20c8-7192-46b9-b9a4-e39b48d5cf8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T124532.290.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard in action (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"I was fascinated by our opening 30 minutes," Flick said. "After that, we did too little. We took the speed and pace out of our game. "We defended well and brought the three points home," he said as Bayern prepare to face Leipzig next week. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bundesliga-hoffenheim-stun-borussia-dortmund-after-late-strike-269439">Borussia Dortmund</a> enjoyed an even more dominant afternoon, demolishing Union Berlin 5-0 with two goals from Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, the first player in Bundesliga history to score seven goals in his first three matches.

Leipzig had to come from two goals behind to salvage a point against Gladbach thanks to Christopher Nkunku's 89th-minute equaliser. Gladbach, down to 10 men on the hour, had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half but a Patrik Schick goal in the 50th and Nkunku's shot rescued a point for the hosts. 
&nbsp;

Bayern Munich scored three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win.

Bayern Munich scored three goals in the opening 26 minutes to defeat Mainz 05 3-1 away on Saturday and go a point clear at the top of the Bundesliga with their sixth straight win. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski headed in his 22nd league goal in the eighth minute and Thomas Mueller and Thiago Alcantara added two more to lift the Bavarians to 42 points, one ahead of RB Leipzig who drew 2-2 at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Bayern's fast start was enough to kill off the game and Mainz, who cut the deficit on the stroke of halftime through Jeremiah St Juste, rarely threatened although Leandro Barreiro hit the post. The Bavarians also set a club record with 58 goals in their 20 league games in a boost for interim coach Hansi Flick, whose future at the club is still unclear. Also Read: Football: Dortmund loose out on two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with RB Leipzig [ Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard in action (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "I was fascinated by our opening 30 minutes," Flick said. "After that, we did too little. We took the speed and pace out of our game. "We defended well and brought the three points home," he said as Bayern prepare to face Leipzig next week. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed an even more dominant afternoon, demolishing Union Berlin 5-0 with two goals from Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, the first player in Bundesliga history to score seven goals in his first three matches. Leipzig had to come from two goals behind to salvage a point against Gladbach thanks to Christopher Nkunku's 89th-minute equaliser. Gladbach, down to 10 men on the hour, had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half but a Patrik Schick goal in the 50th and Nkunku's shot rescued a point for the hosts.

Dortmund's Haaland scores; Bayern beat Mainz to reach the top

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/with-rashford-sidelined-uniteds-solskjaer-eyes-signings-275370">Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side</a> were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-manchester-united-hit-new-low-after-getting-defeated-by-burnley-276109">Premier League</a>. The result leaves United in sixth place, six points behind Chelsea who occupy the fourth Champions League spot, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fa-cup-man-utd-held-by-wolves-man-city-cruise-through-272201">Wolves </a>are seventh, level on 35 points with United. Sheffield United are a point better off in fifth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/solskjaers-man-utd-scrap-plans-to-set-training-camps-in-middle-east-amidst-high-tensions-274342">United </a>now have a two-week break before their crunch game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 17. Portugal international Fernandes, who joined United on Thursday from Sporting in a move which reportedly cost an initial 55 million euros ($61 million), was thrown straight into the starting midfield. The 25-year-old was heavily involved in United's build-up play, playing in an advanced role in the first half and then switching to a deeper holding role after the break.

<img alt="Premier League" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d18eba49-377a-4a06-b4d0-0db46f885320" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T125348.422.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Manchester United's Fred, Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard react (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"Bruno is a top player," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hard-night-ahead-for-manchester-united-solskjaer-271952">Solskjaer</a>. "It's the first game. First half everyone was getting the ball into feet and Bruno is one of those who, when he gets into feet, he wants players moving in front of him and we didn't (do that). He'll be a top addition." Fernandes had a good opportunity just before the break with the ball falling to him invitingly but his well-struck effort was straight at compatriot Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fa-cup-solskjaer-needs-time-to-make-lasting-impact-at-manchester-united-guardiola-272687">FA cup: Solskjaer needs time to make lasting impact at Manchester United — Guardiola</a>

The midfielder tested the Wolves keeper with a long-range free-kick after the break and Juan Mata saw an effort flash just wide of the post. After Wolves striker Raul Jimenez tested David de Gea at the end of a swift counter-attack, Romain Saiss then missed a great chance, heading wide from inside the box. United could have snatched the points in stoppage time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a dangerous cross from the right but substitute Diogo Dalot's header was off target.

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was satisfied with his team's effort."It was a good performance at Old Trafford and a good game for us. United are a good team. "It was balanced and both teams had chances and wanted to win. I'm happy with the performance," he said. 
&nbsp;

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

New Manchester United signing Bruno Fernandes was unable to inspire a victory on his debut on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The result leaves United in sixth place, six points behind Chelsea who occupy the fourth Champions League spot, while Wolves are seventh, level on 35 points with United. Sheffield United are a point better off in fifth. United now have a two-week break before their crunch game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Feb. 17. Portugal international Fernandes, who joined United on Thursday from Sporting in a move which reportedly cost an initial 55 million euros ($61 million), was thrown straight into the starting midfield. The 25-year-old was heavily involved in United's build-up play, playing in an advanced role in the first half and then switching to a deeper holding role after the break. [ Manchester United's Fred, Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard react (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Bruno is a top player," said Solskjaer. "It's the first game. First half everyone was getting the ball into feet and Bruno is one of those who, when he gets into feet, he wants players moving in front of him and we didn't (do that). He'll be a top addition." Fernandes had a good opportunity just before the break with the ball falling to him invitingly but his well-struck effort was straight at compatriot Rui Patricio in the Wolves goal. Also Read: FA cup: Solskjaer needs time to make lasting impact at Manchester United — Guardiola The midfielder tested the Wolves keeper with a long-range free-kick after the break and Juan Mata saw an effort flash just wide of the post. After Wolves striker Raul Jimenez tested David de Gea at the end of a swift counter-attack, Romain Saiss then missed a great chance, heading wide from inside the box. United could have snatched the points in stoppage time when Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a dangerous cross from the right but substitute Diogo Dalot's header was off target. Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was satisfied with his team's effort."It was a good performance at Old Trafford and a good game for us. United are a good team. "It was balanced and both teams had chances and wanted to win. I'm happy with the performance," he said.

Manchester United held by Wolves on Fernandes debut

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-real-madrid-frustrated-by-athletic-and-fall-behind-barca-269641">La Liga</a> title credentials. Benzema's strike gave Real their first home <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-sd-eibar-beat-atletico-madrid-for-first-time-in-league-history-275242">victory</a> over their neighbours in the league since 2012 and piled more pressure on Atleti coach Diego Simeone, who was subjected to taunts from the gleeful Santiago Bernabeu crowd.

The victory meant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/real-madrid-keep-pace-with-barca-as-bale-suffers-hostile-reception-264159">Real </a>increased their lead over Barcelona at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-casemiros-double-against-sevilla-takes-real-madrid-top-of-table-275245">top of the table</a> to six points, although the Catalans can reduce the margin to three if they beat Levante on Sunday. Atletico are fifth and trail their local rivals by 13 points, while their injury problems deepened when striker Alvaro Morata limped off early in the second half with a suspected muscle problem.

French forward Benzema had not scored in his previous four league outings but broke the deadlock in the 56th minute of a tight game by side-footing home a cross from Ferland Mendy after coach Zinedine Zidane had sprung a double substitution. Zidane had begun the match with a compact narrow formation containing five midfielders but after failing to break down Atletico he hauled off Toni Kroos and Isco at the start of the second half for natural wingers Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/real-beat-atletico-on-penalties-to-win-11th-spanish-super-cup-273840">Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties to lift 11th Spanish Super Cup</a>

<img alt="Benzema " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08487b16-6076-4308-b672-3d24a772c1d8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T123741.230.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The change instantly gave Real more width and Brazilian teenager Vinicius helped burst open a stubborn Atletico with some patient play in midfield, taking out three defenders by releasing Mendy, who needed only one touch to pick out Benzema. "I wasn't happy with what I was seeing on the pitch so I made the chances to give us more wing play and more pressure in attack but it wasn't the players' fault, it was mine," Zidane told reporters.

"The substitutions changed the game but I don't like taking players off after the first half because it's harsh on the players but it's what I had to do. We were much better in the second half and I think we deserved the victory," he added. Atletico rarely looked like troubling a Real defence that has only conceded 13 goals in 22 league games this season, although they had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Casemiro sent Morata to the ground in the first half.

Morata's injury swelled Atletico's list of injured players to seven, less than three weeks before they are due to host holders Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Argentine has transformed Atletico's fortunes during his tenure including four wins at the Bernabeu but on this occasion, he was subjected to derisory from the home crowd, who chanted "Simeone please stay" as the final whistle approached. 
&nbsp;

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's La Liga title credentials.

Real Madrid twisted the knife into their wounded rivals Atletico Madrid as Karim Benzema fired them to a 1-0 home win in the city derby on Saturday which also underlined Real's La Liga title credentials. Benzema's strike gave Real their first home victory over their neighbours in the league since 2012 and piled more pressure on Atleti coach Diego Simeone, who was subjected to taunts from the gleeful Santiago Bernabeu crowd. The victory meant Real increased their lead over Barcelona at the top of the table to six points, although the Catalans can reduce the margin to three if they beat Levante on Sunday. Atletico are fifth and trail their local rivals by 13 points, while their injury problems deepened when striker Alvaro Morata limped off early in the second half with a suspected muscle problem. French forward Benzema had not scored in his previous four league outings but broke the deadlock in the 56th minute of a tight game by side-footing home a cross from Ferland Mendy after coach Zinedine Zidane had sprung a double substitution. Zidane had begun the match with a compact narrow formation containing five midfielders but after failing to break down Atletico he hauled off Toni Kroos and Isco at the start of the second half for natural wingers Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Jr. Also Read: Real Madrid defeat Atletico Madrid on penalties to lift 11th Spanish Super Cup [ Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their first goal (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The change instantly gave Real more width and Brazilian teenager Vinicius helped burst open a stubborn Atletico with some patient play in midfield, taking out three defenders by releasing Mendy, who needed only one touch to pick out Benzema. "I wasn't happy with what I was seeing on the pitch so I made the chances to give us more wing play and more pressure in attack but it wasn't the players' fault, it was mine," Zidane told reporters. "The substitutions changed the game but I don't like taking players off after the first half because it's harsh on the players but it's what I had to do. We were much better in the second half and I think we deserved the victory," he added. Atletico rarely looked like troubling a Real defence that has only conceded 13 goals in 22 league games this season, although they had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Casemiro sent Morata to the ground in the first half. Morata's injury swelled Atletico's list of injured players to seven, less than three weeks before they are due to host holders Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Argentine has transformed Atletico's fortunes during his tenure including four wins at the Bernabeu but on this occasion, he was subjected to derisory from the home crowd, who chanted "Simeone please stay" as the final whistle approached.

Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid; Karim Benzema scores home win