By Tim Stannard

Real Madrid to unveil stolen goods from Spain

Winning friends and influencing people. Real Madrid is certainly achieving the latter with the club’s antics over the past 48 hours, not so much of the former with the Spanish goliaths managing to skewer Spain’s chances of victory in Russia 2018 and steal the wind of the World Cup which kicks off in a matter of hours.

This whole chaotic kerfuffle began with the announcement on Tuesday that the club had chosen the then-national team coach of Spain, Julen Lopetegui as Coach Zizou’s replacement.

A day later on Wednesday and Lopetegui was fired by his bosses, ostensibly for betraying the Spanish cause with some underhanded Real Madrid negotiations.

A day later on Thursday just minutes after the end of the first game of the World Cup, Russia v Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid will be formally presenting Lopetegui at the Santiago Bernabeu – an hour after Spain’s pre-match press conference for Friday’s clash against Portugal - just to really steal the media wind and leave newspaper editors in Spain with absolutely no idea of where to turn.

Sports Burst tip – expect Real Madrid to announce to departure of Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday, Gareth Bale on Sunday, the purchase of Neymar on Monday, host Ariana Grande’s wedding on Tuesday and flood the Santiago Bernabeu to recreate great sea battles of the past for Wednesday.

Head to a Russia 2018 hour-long XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for the best analysis of Real Madrid’s wind-stealing day and what it means to the universe in general.  

No room for failure for Russia in World Cup opener

Well, Sports Burst has already flown into the media-spotlight fly trap of Real Madrid by only remarking that the 2018 World Cup is kicking off in Moscow.

Unfortunately, the opening clash is not one that particularly whets the appetite as it features the two lowest ranks teams in the tournament – Russia against Saudi Arabia. However, one way to enjoy the 90 minutes is to see a) how much VAR is going to down in flames or b) how increasingly terrified the Russian players will look as they fail to beat their opponents with both Mother Russia and happy-go-lucky Vladimir Putin watching on. However, stalwart Russia boss, Stanislav Cherchesov, says he is ready – “well, my job is that way these days. It is modern life. Everyone has to be able to face criticism.

You know who else will be watching on? beIN SPORTS finest minds – head to our USA Facebook page for every half-time (whilst the commercials elsewhere are running) for an amazing 360 degree no-hiding-place-from-the truth punditry experience.

Salah set for frantic Friday as Spain face the fury

While Russia and Real Madrid will be doing their thing on Thursday, expect the six teams in action tomorrow to speak to the media ahead of Friday’s matches – that will of course include the aforementioned Spain, although Sports Burst is not sure there will be too many questions put to coach Fernando Hierro – a subdued build-up over all. However, Portugal will also be chatting and that means a lot of questions about a) Spain and b) Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal v Spain is the last match on Friday. The whole day gets underway with Egypt taking on Uruguay and the chat is over whether Mo Salah will play and what Uruguay’s boisterous defense will do to the Liverpool man and his knacked shoulder if he does take to the field. Pharaohs coach, Hector Cuper, is certainly feeling confident -  “I can almost assure you 100 per cent he'll play.”

Friday’s filling in a sandwich of fun has Morocco – on a downer perhaps after losing the 2026 World Cup bid to North America – taking on Iran.

Catch the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for the best previews and predictions ahead of the game.

Alisson to Real Madrid and Antoine Tease-man releases future plans

Transfer Tracker! Nope, you don’t escape that during the World Cup.  

Aaaaaand Real Madrid might be stealing the day here with a rumor from Mundo Deportivo that Brazil’s number one Alisson is the chosen one to replace poor Keylor Navas between the sticks. The agent of Anthony Martial confirmed on Wednesday that his client wanted out of Manchester United and Chelsea has apparently turned down a bid from Arsenal for David Luiz.

Expect a lot more news around PSG departures over a story that failed the fight for oxygen on Wednesday that Financial Fair Play rules were forcing the club to sell around $75 million of talent to balance the books – that could well be Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Guedes.

And finally, Antoine Tease-man might well be announcing his departure to Barcelona / commitment to Atletico Madrid in the form of a video to be released at 3:15PM ET / 12:15AM. Expect the latter as Barca’s own media department will not be enamored with the other option for a superstar signing.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.