Mohamed Salah's long goodbye from Liverpool signals the end of a glorious era and leaves the Prem...

Mohamed Salah's long goodbye from Liverpool signals the end of a glorious era and leaves the Premier League giants facing another expensive rebuild.The Egyptian superstar announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after a glittering nine-year spell at the club. An emotional Salah, 33, expressed his love for Liverpool, where he stands alongside the all-time greats.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Liverpool is not just a football club. It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not part of this club," he said in a video posted on social media.Salah, who arrived from Roma in 2017, has scored 255 goals for the Reds, putting him third on their list of leading goalscorers, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.He has won two Premier League titles along with a Champions League and other silverware and piled up a remarkable number of personal awards.But beyond his numbers, Salah was the poster boy of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool revolution at Anfield, helping fire the German's team back to the summit of English and European football alongside the now departed Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. Salah was again the main man last season under new boss Arne Slot, scoring 29 goals to collect the Premier League Golden Boot award for a record-equalling fourth time as the club romped to a 20th English title.The winger signed a new two-year deal in April, riding a wave of goodwill, after months of speculation over whether he would stay or go.But serious cracks emerged earlier this season when he said he had been "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool and that his relationship with head coach Slot had broken down after a dramatic dip in form that meant the Egyptian was repeatedly benched.Soon afterwards he left for the Africa Cup of Nations but he returned to the Liverpool fold in January, becoming a regular starter again.Slot tried to draw a line under the incident but Salah did not publicly apologise and speculation over his future never entirely went away.<h3>Champions League glory</h3>Salah is one of the few survivors from the Liverpool side that won the 2019 Champions League under Klopp, along with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and defenders Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.The Reds appeared to have engineered a smooth transition when Slot won the Premier League in his first season before splashing out nearly £450 million ($600 million) on new players including forwards Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak last summer.But there were also many outgoings, which left the club light on options in various areas, while the impact of the death of Diogo Jota in July has been impossible to gauge.A lack of depth has been exacerbated by significant injuries, including to Isak, and a collective loss of form in a disastrous title defence.Salah himself has managed just five goals in the Premier League this season -- a paltry return by his stellar standards.It means Liverpool are braced for another expensive summer transfer window as they seek to return to the top.A wide attacking player to replace Salah will be a major priority and the club will look at reinforcements for an ageing defence that includes captain Van Dijk and Robertson, as well as fresh midfield options.It is unclear though whether Slot will be in place to oversee the rebuild, with uncertainty over the Dutchman's future and continuing speculation linking former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso with the Anfield job.But Liverpool -- and Salah -- can still end the season on a high, with quarter-finals to come against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in the Champions League and FA Cup.They remain fifth in the Premier League table, which would almost certainly bring Champions League football next season, despite a poor recent run.Salah's own future is uncertain -- he has previously been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, while other options include Major League Soccer in the United States or a return Italy's Serie A.But before his departure comes a lengthy and emotional farewell."You deserve a send off that reflects your status at LFC -- the greatest," Robertson posted on Instagram. "Second to none."

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Liverpool fans display a banner with the faces of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 14, 2022 in London, England.

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Salah's exit will mark end of a golden era for Liverpool

Mohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt f...

Mohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt forward announced on Tuesday as he started a farewell to what the club said were nine "illustrious" years at Anfield.The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 before making 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals to leave him third on the Reds' all-time leading goalscorers chart.He has also won the Premier League Golden Boot award on four occasions while starring for Liverpool in both their 2019/20 and 2024/25 title triumphs as well as lifting the 2019 Champions League trophy.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>His Liverpool honours also include a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. But the currently injured Salah has scored just five Premier League goals so far this this season, compared with 29 in last term's title-winning campaign.And his Anfield future became the subject of intense speculation after a dramatic bust-up with Liverpool manager Arne Slot in December.He accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with the Dutch boss.<h3>'Unfortunately, the day has come'</h3>Salah, in a video on social media featuring highlights of his time with Liverpool, said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come."This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season."I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. "It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not of this club."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/mSP9S4pfpu">pic.twitter.com/mSP9S4pfpu</a>— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) <a href="https://twitter.com/MoSalah/status/2036511680725704967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Salah added: "We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life. I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present."And to the fans, I don't have enough words. The support you showed me through the best time of my career, and you stood by me in the toughest times. It's something I will never forget and something I will take with me always."Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family."Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone," insisted Salah in a reference to the Liverpool fans' chant.Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, posted on X: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows."Liverpool said on their website: "Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season."The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield."With plenty still left to play for this season, Salah is firmly focused on trying to achieve the best possible finish to the campaign for Liverpool and, therefore, the time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield," they added.Salah was forced off at Anfield last week after scoring in Liverpool's 4-0 victory against Galatasary, which sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.In-form Salah had scored in three of his past four starts after an uncharacteristic lean spell but missed last weekend's 2-1 loss at Brighton, a blow to fifth-placed Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England.

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Salah leaving Liverpool at season's end after 9 years with club

Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid for MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season, ...

Antoine Griezmann will leave Atletico Madrid for MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season, the two clubs announced on Tuesday.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A game-changer arriving this summer for <a href="https://twitter.com/OrlandoCitySC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OrlandoCitySC</a>. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/mYBJ0Siipo">pic.twitter.com/mYBJ0Siipo</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/2036451469612716034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Atletico's all-time record goalscorer has agreed a two-year deal with Orlando and will become the latest veteran star to move to North America."The forward travelled to Orlando, with the club's permission, during the two days of rest granted to the first team, to finalise his contract with the Florida side," Atletico said in a statement.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 35-year-old Griezmann will be hoping to sign off in style and cap his 10th season as an Atletico player with a second major trophy at the Rojiblancos, after the 2018 Europa League."Let's leave the future in the future for now: because I'm not leaving yet," he said in an Instagram post."I have months left with this shirt, months to give my all in this stadium and away, to lift that Copa del Rey and to dream of going as far as possible in the Champions League."Atletico will face La Liga rivals Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals next month and take on Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on April 18 in Seville.Griezmann, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, retired from international football in 2024 after scoring 44 goals in 137 caps for Les Bleus.He has netted 211 times for Atletico, surpassing the previous record of 173 set by Luis Aragones.Griezmann joined Atletico in 2014 from Real Sociedad and has made 488 appearances for the club, who he left for Barcelona in 2019 before returning two years later, initially on loan.Griezmann has scored 13 goals in 43 appearances for Diego Simeone's Atletico this season.The MLS will add Griezmann to the ranks of well-known players to have made the switch from Europe in recent seasons, including his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez."He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club," said Orlando City owner Mark Wilf."Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the club can achieve."Orlando, who have played in MLS since 2015, have never won the MLS Cup and have lost four of their first five games of the 2026 season.Atletico sit fourth in La Liga this term, but are comfortably placed to qualify for next season's Champions League, with a 13-point lead over fifth-placed Real Betis.Griezmann will make his move to Orlando in July.

BRUGES, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 18: Antoine Griezmann celebrates after Atletico scored the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Club Brugge KV and Atletico de Madrid at Jan Breydelstadion on February 18, 2026 in Bruges, Belgium.

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World Cup winner Griezmann to join Orlando at end of Atletico's season

Tottenham suffered a potentially seismic 3-0 defeat to Premier League relegation rivals Nottingha...

Tottenham suffered a potentially seismic 3-0 defeat to Premier League relegation rivals Nottingham Forest on Sunday, failing to rise to a rallying call from their massed ranks of fans. Thousands lined the streets to cheer the squad before the crunch fixture in north London and there was a crackling atmosphere in the ground as kick-off approached.Spurs bossed the first half but Forest took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Brazilian forward Igor Jesus headed home a Neco Williams corner.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Forest doubled their lead just after the hour mark when Morgan Gibbs-White finished under Guglielmo Vicario and substitute Taiwo Awoniyi compounded Tottenham's misery with a late strike.The vital win for Vitor Pereira's men lifts them above Spurs, who are now just one point and one place above the bottom three.Last year's Europa League winners are staring at the nightmare prospect of relegation from the top tier of English football for the first time since 1977 unless they can arrest their steep decline.As if to underline the club's current plight, a few miles across London, bitter rivals Arsenal were gunning for their first trophy of a potential quadruple in the League Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.Spurs, led by interim boss Igor Tudor, came into Sunday's game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a win in the Premier League since late December.But they were buoyed by last week's 1-1 draw at Liverpool and a midweek win against Atletico Madrid, even though they exited the Champions League on aggregate.<h3>Fans rally</h3>Fan groups set up a initiative ahead of the game called "Show Up, Sing Up, Stay Up", calling for supporters to rally.Fireworks were let off and a section of fans chanted the name of former boss Mauricio Pochettino before the team bus was serenaded with chants of "Come on you Spurs" as white and blue smoke filled the air.A message on the stadium screens from captain Cristian Romero said: "We'll fight for everything, all together."Forest, who started the day just outside the drop zone, looked the more dangerous team in the early minutes but Tottenham settled and started to enjoy the bulk of the possession, with Richarlison heading wide.However, the home side struggled to create clear-cut chances and paid the price when Jesus put Forest ahead in the 45th minute, meeting Williams' corner with a bullet header.Spurs came within a whisker of levelling at the other end but Forest goalkeeper Matz Selz touched Mathys Tel's powerful shot onto the crossbar in the dying seconds of the opening period.As the half wore on the home fans among the crowd of 61,519 became increasingly edgy.And they were shocked into silence when Gibbs-White, a target for Spurs in last summer's transfer window, slotted home in the 62nd minute from Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross.Tudor made a number of attacking changes, bringing on Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons, but to no avail.Awoniyi's goal in the 87th minute sent home fans scurrying for the exits.The only chink of light for Spurs on Sunday was a 2-0 defeat for West Ham against Aston Villa, which leaves the Hammers in the bottom three.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur looks dejected after conceding a second goal scored by Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England.

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Spurs' relegation fears grow after collapse vs. Nottingham Forest

Ronald Araujo's header helped Barcelona extend their lead on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to...

Ronald Araujo's header helped Barcelona extend their lead on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to seven points with a tight 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.Alvaro Arbeloa's Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid, fourth, later on in a derby clash.Araujo nodded home Joao Cancelo's corner after 24 minutes to secure the three points at Camp Nou but goalkeeper Joan Garcia's superb display played just as big a part in their victory.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"We knew how important it was to get this win before the international break, we did it, but it's true we suffered more than we would have liked," Garcia told DAZN."They knew how to cause us damage and we weren't at the level we have been with the ball above all."We knew we had to win and what the other teams do is not up to us."Hansi Flick's side were caught snoozing in the opening stages but Garcia made a fine save to deny Carlos Martin from close range.Called up by Luis de la Fuente to the Spanish national team for the first time ahead of March's upcoming friendlies, Garcia made several excellent saves to keep Rayo at bay, with the Madrid side dominant in the second half.At the other end, Raphinha was guilty of profligate finishing on numerous occasions. The winger scuffed wide after picking Pathe Ciss's pocket and charging through on goal.A few minutes later Ciss appeared to bring down teenage star Lamine Yamal in the area but the Barcelona player's appeals were ignored by the referee.Yamal's superb cross, with the outside of his boot, created another fine chance for Raphinha but the Brazilian's mis-hit effort was tipped over by Augusto Batalla.The champions took the lead through Araujo's header from Joao Cancelo's corner midway through the first half.Araujo has not featured much since taking a mental health break late last year, but came on as a substitute in Barca's 7-2 Champions League rout of Newcastle in midweek.With Eric Garcia rested following a muscle overload, Flick started the Uruguayan at right-back and was rewarded with what proved to be the winner."I feel very good, physically well, it's important that I can help the team," said Araujo."I'm in a good rhythm, working hard to be able to support where I have to, I'm always ready to help the team."<h3>Barca cling on</h3>The Catalans came close to a second after the interval but Yamal dragged a low effort across the face of goal.Inigo Perez's Rayo took control and started generating dangerous chances as they searched for an equaliser.Joan Garcia denied Alvaro Garcia and then produced a spectacular save to push away Unai Lopez's header.Pacha Espino should have pulled the visitors level but, after beating Barca's high defensive line and staying onside, curled over the bar.Garcia pushed away a Jorge de Frutos drive before six minutes of stoppage time were added but Barca clung on to triumph."This is why we bought him," said Flick. "I know how important he is and how (important) his performance today was."The Barca coach had lots of praise for Rayo coach Perez after his team's impressive display."We didn't play our best game but we have to say Rayo played a fantastic game, congrats -- Inigo made a fantastic job," added Flick."His team played really great football, a great style, it's really amazing to see this and I'm really happy for him."Perez's side are 14th and fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone while also playing in the UEFA Conference League."The second half was perfect but we lacked the goal," Perez. "(Joan Garcia) appeared in the key moments when we might have been able to draw."Later on, Alaves produced a sensational comeback from three goals down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3. Quique Sanchez Flores's team climbed to 16th, three points above the relegation zone.Ferran Jutgla struck either side of Hugo Alvarez's goal as Celta, sixth, racked up a seemingly comfortable lead.However, Toni Martinez pulled one back before the interval to spark Alaves's comeback.Angel Perez added another before Martinez scored again to level and Abde Rebbach cut in from the left and fired home to claim a memorable victory for the visitors.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 22: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish league, LaLiga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano at Spotify Camp Nou stadium on March 22, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Araujo's header helps Barcelona beat Rayo, extend lead atop La Liga

Sunderland compounded a miserable week for Newcastle as Bryan Brobbey's 90th minute winner secure...

Sunderland compounded a miserable week for Newcastle as Bryan Brobbey's 90th minute winner secured a 2-1 victory for the visitors in the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday.Humbled 7-2 by Barcelona to exit the Champions League in midweek, Newcastle's hopes of European football next season were dented after Sunderland came from behind.Another defeat to their local rivals will sting ever more as the Black Cats extended a club record unbeaten league run against Newcastle to 11 games.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sunderland's victory also takes them up to 11th and above the Magpies in the table.A famous victory was soured by a report of racist abuse aimed at Lutsharel Geertruida which briefly halted the game in the second half.The Premier League said a full investigation will take place after the Dutch defender reported the incident to the officials.In the first meeting between the sides at St. James' Park for 10 years it looked like Newcastle were finally about to settle some scores.Anthony Gordon fired Eddie Howe's men into a 10th minute lead after Nick Woltemade pounced as Sunderland tried to play out from the back.Sven Botman also hit the post just before the break.But Newcastle's exhausting schedule over recent months caught up with them after the break.No side in Europe's top five leagues have played more games than Howe's men this season, but their campaign is in danger of fizzling out to an anti-climatic finish.Defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea on Saturday had opened the door for Newcastle to get back in the race for a top-five finish.But they remain seven points adrift of fifth and in a battle just to secure Europa or Conference League football next season.Chemsdine Talbi converted from close range to kickstart the Sunderland fightback after Newcastle failed to clear a corner just before the hour mark.Malick Thiaw did have the ball in the net for Newcastle 15 minutes from time, but the goal was disallowed for Jabob Murphy interfering with the goalkeeper from an offside position.Brobbey then rubbed salt in Newcastle wounds when he was picked out by Enzo Le Fee to slam in from point-blank range.Boos rang around St. James' Park at full-time, but there were jubilant celebrations among the travelling support after registering a league double over their Saudi-backed rivals in Sunderland's first season back in the top flight for nine years.

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey (right) celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game as Newcastle United players look dejected uring the Premier League match at St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Picture date: Sunday March 22, 2026.

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Sunderland inflict more derby pain on Newcastle

Como took another step towards a historic qualification for the Champions League after cruising t...

Como took another step towards a historic qualification for the Champions League after cruising to a 5-0 victory over lowly Pisa on Sunday.Assane Diao set Como on their way in the seventh minute with a fine low drive, and further strikes from Tasos Douvakis, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Maximo Perrone ensured a fifth straight win in Italy's top flight.Ambitious Como have never played European football but the team coached by Cesc Fabregas sit fourth, three points ahead of fifth-placed Juventus who were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo on Saturday<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Roma can draw level on points with Juve with a home win over Lecce later on Sunday.Before kick-off, Como held a minute's silence, during which fans broke out into applause, for deceased billionaire co-owner Michael Hartono, who died at the age of 86 on Thursday.Indonesian Hartono and his brother Robert, owners of tobacco giant Djarum which was founded by their father in the 1950s, bought Como in 2019 when the club was in Italy's third division.Como had far too much for Pisa who look set to go straight back down to Serie B after promotion last season.Pisa sit bottom of the division, nine points behind Lecce who are just outside the relegation zone.

COMO, ITALY - MARCH 22: Assane Diao of Como 1907 celebrates with his team-mate Nico Paz after scoring their team's first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Como, Italy.

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Como hammer Pisa to boost Champions League hopes

Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another damaging blow as Everton storm...

Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification suffered another damaging blow as Everton stormed to a 3-0 win on Saturday to compound a miserable week for Liam Rosenior's men.Dumped out of the Champions League 8-2 on aggregate by holders Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the Blues have now lost four consecutive games to put Rosenior under pressure just over two months into his reign.Beto struck twice for the Toffees as they surged into contention for a top-five finish, before Iliman Ndiaye rounded off Everton's best win so far at their new home.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Only two points now separate the sides as Chelsea remain in sixth, while Everton climb to seventh.A place in the top five will almost certainly guarantee Champions League football next season due to the strong performance of English sides in European competitions this season.But Chelsea's chances are fading fast with a tough run-in after the upcoming international break with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool to come in their remaining seven games.The debate over who should start in goal for the Club World Cup winners will also rage on after another error-strewn night for Robert Sanchez.James Garner celebrated his first ever call-up to the England squad with a brilliant pass that allowed Beto to beat Sanchez for the opening goal on 33 minutes.Moments later Jordan Pickford proved the value of a top goalkeeper with a stunning save to tip over Enzo Fernandez's blistering strike.Worse was to come for Sanchez after the break when he allowed Beto's fiercely struck shot to slip between his legs just after the hour mark.Beto even played a part in his side's third as he bullied the Chelsea defence to head Pickford's long ball into the path of Ndiaye.The Senegal international wriggled into the box before blasting into the top corner to this time give Sanchez no chance.Everton have struggled to settle into their new 53,000 capacity stadium.But for the first time they have won back-to-back home league games this season to climb within three points of neighbours Liverpool.And they face off in the first ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Everton's next home game on April 19.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Beto of Everton celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park on March 21, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

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Everton trounce slumping Chelsea to continue climbing EPL table

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday, sco...

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday, scoring for Inter Miami in their CONCACAF Champions Cup clash with Nashville.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The 900th-career goal for Lionel Andres Messi! 💪<a href="https://t.co/dNXpt2ANNt">pic.twitter.com/dNXpt2ANNt</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/2034409390317441336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Messi, 38, needed just seven minutes to reach his milestone, coolly tucking away a low finish to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the regional club competition knockout game. However, his historic goal could not prevent Miami from crashing out of the competition. Nashville's Cristian Espinoza lashed in a 74th-minute equalizer to make it 1-1 on aggregate, and after holding Miami at bay for the remainder of the game, Nashville advanced to the quarterfinals on the away goals rule.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Messi now has 81 goals for Miami following his move to Major League Soccer in 2023.The eight-time Ballon D'Or winner previously scored 672 goals for Spanish giants Barcelona, 32 for France's Paris Saint-Germain, and a further 115 international goals for Argentina.Messi's 900th goal comes some 21 years after his first goal in senior football, when he scored for Barcelona in a 2-0 win over Albacete in 2005 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old.Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, still has some way to go before he catches his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar who is on 965 career goals.Speaking ahead of Messi's 900th goal, Miami manager and former Argentina and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano described the star's goals total as "insane.""I haven't contributed much to him scoring goals, neither with assists nor now as a coach," Mascherano said. "I've been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he's scored, much closer than you all, and that's a privilege. "The number we're talking about (900) is insane, and that's why Leo is a one of a kind."Wednesday's match in Fort Lauderdale carries added significance for Inter Miami, marking a farewell to the team's Chase Stadium.The venue has served as Inter Miami's home since the club entered Major League Soccer in 2020. The team will move into a new purpose-built 26,700-seat facility next month.Messi is strongly expected to play in his sixth World Cup later this year, when Argentina defend their title in the 48-team tournament being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.The Argentine star has already extended his Inter Miami contract through to the end of the 2028 season.Messi's prolific goalscoring has been a hallmark of his career. His 672 goals for Barcelona came in just 778 games -- an average of 0.86 per game -- helping the Catalan club win 35 trophies before departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.In France, he scored 32 goals in 75 matches, winning three trophies including two league titles. In Miami, his 81 goals have come in just 96 appearances, helping the team win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup.His 115 international goals have come in 196 matches, including two in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.Messi's goals tally leaves him second only to Ronaldo according to most recognised statistical records.Brazilian legend Pele is often said to have scored more than 1,000 goals but those numbers have been the subject to debate. Most statisticians put Pele's total for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos at 762.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 18: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on March 18, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is Lionel Messi’s 900th career goal.

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Messi scores 900th career goal, but Inter Miami fall in Champions Cup

Harry Kane scored in each half as Bayern Munich thumped Atalanta 4-1 at home in the Champions Lea...

Harry Kane scored in each half as Bayern Munich thumped Atalanta 4-1 at home in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday, winning 10-2 on aggregate to book a quarter-final date with Real Madrid. Captaining Bayern in the Champions League for the first time, Kane converted a penalty with 25 minutes played and added another goal early in the second-half, bringing his career Champions League tally to 50 in 66 games. Lennart Karl and Luis Diaz also got on the scoresheet for the hosts as Bayern again steamrolled the visitors, who picked up a late consolation through Lazar Samardzic. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Bayern last faced Real in the semi-finals of the 2023-24 competition, crashing out to two Joselu goals in the dying minutes. Bayern have not beaten the Spanish giants since the semi-finals of the 2011-12 competition. Champions League quarterfinals:<ul>
<li>Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich</li>
<li>PSG vs. Liverpool</li>
<li>Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid</li>
<li>Sporting CP vs. Arsenal</li>
</ul>Quarterfinal first legs will be played April 7 and 8. The second legs will be played April 14 and 15.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Who is going all the way to Budapest? 🤔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ovuX4MbT5p">pic.twitter.com/ovuX4MbT5p</a>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/2034393961771434120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Elsewhere, Liverpool's 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield in the second leg of their last-16 tie took them through 4-1 on aggregate and set up a quarterfinal against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. Atletico's 3-2 loss away to Tottenham Hotspur did not prevent them going through 7-5 on aggregate. They now face La Liga peers Barcelona.Few doubted Bayern would progress after their dominant 6-1 win in Bergamo -- no team has ever overturned a five-goal deficit -- but the Bundesliga leaders were forced to pick a weaker side on Wednesday due to injuries and suspensions. With Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer and Alphonso Davies injured, Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise suspended, Bayern received some rare good news from the medical department on game day when goalie Jonas Urbig overcame a concussion and was cleared to play. As the last remaining Serie A side, Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino was realistic, saying pre-match his charges were playing for the pride of Italian football.The visitors were energetic early but their resistance was broken midway through the first-half when VAR found Giorgio Scalvini handled the ball from close range, bringing Kane to the spot. The England captain's first effort was saved but he was given another chance as Marco Sportiello had both feet off his line. Kane obliged, driving a low shot into the corner for his 15th penalty in all competitions this season. Urbig was called into action just before half-time, acrobatically saving a Mario Pasalic attempt to keep Bayern in front at the break. Starting his first match since February, Kane looked fresh and doubled Bayern's lead with 55 minutes gone, shrugging off the attention of four Atalanta defenders and blasting into the top corner on the turn. With Atalanta suddenly shaky, Bayern marched up the field and struck again, Diaz threading a pass for Karl to fire across the face of goal and into the corner. The teenage Bayern forward, tipped by German media for a debut Germany call-up on Thursday, repaid Diaz with 20 minutes left, cutting a high pass over the Atalanta defence to the onrushing Colombian who chipped Sportiello to score. Like they did in Bergamo, Atalanta got a late consolation when Samardzic headed home from close range with five minutes left.

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Harry Kane of Bayern Monaco celebrates his second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany.

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Bayern to meet Real Madrid in marquee UCL quarterfinal clash

Liverpool shrugged off their Premier League malaise to storm into the Champions League quarter-fi...

Liverpool shrugged off their Premier League malaise to storm into the Champions League quarter-finals by thrashing Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield on Tuesday.Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit for Arne Slot's men to set up a reunion with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight."We could (have) won 10-0, but we did a good job. We can be proud," said Ekitike.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Slot needed a reaction from the English champions after they were booed off at Anfield on Sunday for the latest in a series of lacklustre displays in a 1-1 draw against struggling Tottenham.Languishing fifth in the Premier League, the Champions League could save Liverpool's season and Slot's job.The Dutchman had given a rest to some of his stars at the weekend and was rewarded with a dominant display that could have resulted in a far more comprehensive scoreline.Galatasaray's hopes of causing an upset was dealt a massive blow inside the first few minutes when star striker Victor Osimhen injured his forearm in a clash with Ibrahima Konate.The Nigerian international was clearly hobbled as he continued on until half-time before being replaced by Leroy Sane.By that point the Turkish champions' advantage had already been erased.Szoboszlai has been Liverpool's outstanding performer in a troubled season and levelled the tie with a cushioned finish from a well-worked corner on 25 minutes.Galatasaray somehow escaped further punishment before the break.Salah missed a glorious chance to immediately double the Reds' lead when he failed to chip Ugurcan Cakır.Florian Wirtz's deflected effort flew just over and Cakır repelled another sweet Szoboszlai strike.The Turkey goalkeeper then saved Salah's poor penalty after Szoboszlai was upended inside the box.But the floodgates opened on the visitors in the second half.Salah atoned for the penalty miss with a inch-perfect pass for Ekitike to slot home.Two minutes later Gravenberch fired in the rebound after Salah's initial shot was saved.Salah has been a shadow of his former self this season, either side of a public bust-up with Slot after being dropped in December.He could and should have had many more on the night, but did register his 50th Champions League goal in some style with a spectacular strike from Wirtz's backheel.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
50 - Mohamed Salah has scored his 50th UEFA Champions League goal - he is the first African player to hit that landmark. King. <a href="https://t.co/Elnf7hIHoO">pic.twitter.com/Elnf7hIHoO</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/2034380818211107297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"He is a legend," Ekitike said of Salah. "It's clear that some people sometimes say he had a tough season, but tonight he got a lot of opportunities, but still kept the mindset to give me a great ball. I'm so happy for him; he deserves it."Salah also hit the bar before asking to be replaced with an injury concern as Galatasaray offered little resistence to the waves of Liverpool attack.The Reds face a very different challenge against PSG, who crushed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate to reach the last eight.Slot has repeatedly spoken in glowing terms of the French champions.Liverpool came as close as anyone to stopping PSG last season as Luis Enrique's men emerged victorious on penalties in the last 16 after a titanic tussle.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England.

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Salah's 50th Champions League goal helps Liverpool thump Galatasaray

Barcelona stormed to a 7-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quar...

Barcelona stormed to a 7-2 victory over Newcastle on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, winning 8-3 on aggregate.Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha struck twice each for the Catalan giants as Eddie Howe's side crumbled under a scintillating attacking display from the hosts at Camp Nou.Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez were also on target as Hansi Flick's side ran riot and recorded a landslide last 16, second leg victory.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The five-time champions are dreaming of lifting the trophy again, 11 years after they last won it, and showcased the attacking firepower which could make their ambition a reality.By contrast Newcastle were hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history but the Premier League side departed bruised and battered."With the fans supporting us like that for 90 minutes it's hard to beat us at home," Raphinha told Movistar.Barca led 3-2 at the break after a thrilling first half but after Lopez netted early in the second they romped to victory."The confidence that we got in the second half was good to see," said Flick.After Joan Laporta was reelected president at the weekend, spirits were high around the club and they came out flying.They were outplayed in the 1-1 first-leg draw but pledged to improve back on home soil and claimed an early lead through Raphinha.Teenage star Lamine Yamal turned brilliantly away from Malick Thiaw in midfield, leaving the German defender on the turf and released the Brazilian winger to score.Barcelona are notoriously fragile defensively though and Newcastle quickly forced their way back into the game.The Catalan giants were carved open with just a couple of passes between Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, and Anthony Elanga timed his run right to stay onside and sweep past Joan Garcia.Three minutes later Barca were back in front with 18-year-old midfielder Bernal turning home from close range after Gerard Martin nodded down Raphinha's diagonal free-kick.Yamal was so often Barca's hero on their run to the semi-finals last season but was guilty of a mistake which led to Newcastle's second equaliser.The teenager attempted a backheel in his own final third and gave the ball away, with Elanga profiting at the back post as he turned home Barnes's cross.Veteran Polish striker Lewandowski has had a tough season for Barca, looking shorn of confidence, and he spurned two fine chances for the hosts in the first half, with Yamal also blazing over from close range.The Spain international made amends from the spot to give Barca the lead at half-time when veteran defender Trippier pulled back Raphinha. Ramsdale got his fingertips to Yamal's penalty, low to his left, but could not claw it out.<h3>Procession</h3>Raphinha sent Lopez through on goal to bag the fourth early in the second half and it broke Toon spirits.From that point on Newcastle gave up the ghost and Barcelona scored to their heart's content."Scoring the fourth goal quickly after coming out (for the second half) -- that helped us be calm in the game," added Raphinha.Lewandowski nodded home from a corner and celebrated joyously, taking off the mask he has been playing with due to an eye-socket fracture.The goal was liberation for him and the next chance he got he put away too, producing a lethal finish after a superb Yamal assist."He's very experienced player and in these matches he's unbelievable, one of the best strikers in the box," said Flick."I'm happy for him that he scored two goals today."Jacob Ramsey put Barcelona's seventh on a plate for the swaggering hosts, with a poor pass which Raphinha intercepted and dispatched clinically.Fans sent a Mexican wave around the stadium, celebrating the biggest win they have had at Camp Nou since it reopened."Our performance dropped (in the second half) that was quite clear," said Howe."The two set plays (conceded), those are unforgivable because you know how good they are in the other aspects of their play."Howe said his players were affected "psychologically" by conceding a penalty just before half-time and then by Fermin's goal early after the break."When the game was effectively over we didn't react well to that either, so it became a very difficult second half," he added.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 18: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates 1-0 during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Newcastle United at the Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona Spain

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Barca smash 7 goals past Newcastle to reach UCL quarterfinals

Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has been ruled out for "the next few weeks" with an an...

Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola has been ruled out for "the next few weeks" with an ankle injury, the Champions League holders said Wednesday.The France international hobbled off just before the hour mark of PSG's Champions League last-16 second leg at Chelsea on Tuesday.PSG said he had "suffered a severe ligament sprain in his right ankle".<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The French side went on to win the game 3-0 and the tie 8-2 on aggregate to set up a quarter-final against either Galatasaray or Liverpool.Barcola scored in both legs against Chelsea, his first goals in the competition since February last year.Paris are back in action this weekend at Nice, hoping to extend their one-point lead over Lens at the top of Ligue 1.Barcola has been in fine form in recent weeks, netting five times in his last six appearances.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Bradley Barcola of PSG during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2026 in London, England.

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Barcola ruled out for a 'few weeks' with ankle injury

Real Madrid dumped 10-man Manchester City out of the Champions League for the fourth time in five...

Real Madrid dumped 10-man Manchester City out of the Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons as a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium completed a 5-1 aggregate victory for the Spanish giants.City had to make history in overturning a 3-0 first leg deficit against the 15-time European champions, but a difficult task became an impossible one when captain Bernardo Silva was shown an early red card for handling the ball on his own line.Vinicius Junior converted from the spot to effectively end the tie as City exited to Madrid for the third consecutive year.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Erling Haaland levelled for City before half-time, but Vinicius won the game with virtually the final kick off the ball.Elsewhere on Tuesday, holders PSG eased past Chelsea 3-0 in London for an 8-2 aggregate win in their last-16 tie, and Arsenal defeated Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium for a 3-1 aggregate triumph.Meanwhile, City's season is at risk of coming off the rails.Winless in three games, Pep Guardiola's men must raise themselves for the League Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday. They also trail the Gunners by nine points in the Premier League title race and host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next month.Once again City's quest for Champions League glory came unstuck as Madrid proved they have the knack for finding their best come the knockout stages of this competition, despite unconvincing form in La Liga.Alvaro Arbeloa could afford to leave Kylian Mbappe on the bench on his return from injury, while Jude Bellingham could also be back fit by the time they face a likely quarter-final against Bayern Munich.City needed a fast start to have any chance of becoming the first side to ever overturn a three-goal deficit against Madrid in European competition, but nearly found themselves further behind inside a minute.Federico Valverde was the unlikely Real hero last week with the first hat-trick of his career.The Uruguayan had an easier chance than for any of his three goals at the Santiago Bernabeu seven days ago, but fired meekly into the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma after his run from midfield went untracked.<h3>Haaland subbed</h3>City did briefly threaten to bring the tie to life but came up against a familiar foe in Thibaut Courtois.The giant Belgian goalkeeper repelled efforts from Rayan Cherki and Rodri before Madrid's threat on the counter-attack killed off any lingering City hopes.Vinicius had initially been flagged offside in the build up before his effort was turned wide by Silva's left arm.But a VAR review established the Brazilian was onside and left referee Clement Turpin with little choice but to dismiss the City captain and point to the penalty spot.Donnarumma saved a Vinicius penalty in the first leg, but this time was sent the wrong way from the spot.Vinicius should have added plenty more to his 15 goals this season as City pushed forward and left themselves exposed at the back.Twice he fired off target with just Donnarumma to beat before half-time.Haaland now has 43 for club and country, but had netted just twice from open play in his previous 18 games.Even when the Norwegian did equalise, it came from a mishit as he scuffed a shot past Courtois from Jeremy Doku's cross.Courtois failed to reappear for the second half, but his deputy Andriy Lunin twice denied Haaland a double.Haaland was then replaced before the hour mark as Guardiola's mind turned towards Wembley at the weekend.Both sides had two goals ruled out for offside before Vinicius finally had one count when he swept home Aurelien Tchouameni's cross deep into stoppage time.Guardiola has refused to quell speculation this could be his last season after a decade in Manchester.If it is, his return of just one Champions League crown is one of the few disappointments of a golden era for a club that has traditionally lived in the shadow of neighbours Manchester United.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior after the UEFA Champions League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday March 17, 2026.

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Real Madrid dump Man City out of Champions League once again

Paris Saint-Germain snuffed out any chance of a Chelsea comeback with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among...

Paris Saint-Germain snuffed out any chance of a Chelsea comeback with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among the scorers in a clinical 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday which took the holders through to the Champions League quarter-finals 8-2 on aggregate.The Georgian's early opener was soon followed by a brilliant Bradley Barcola strike, quickly ending Chelsea's hopes of turning around their 5-2 deficit from the first leg of the last-16 tie last week.Substitute Senny Mayulu then fired in PSG's third in the second half, as Luis Enrique's men march on to a last-eight tie next month against either Liverpool or Galatasaray -- the Turkish side go to Anfield with a 1-0 first-leg advantage on Wednesday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>PSG's dream of retaining the Champions League title remains very much alive, a year after winning the trophy for the first time in their history.The Qatar-backed side's comprehensive victory in this tie gives them revenge for their loss to the Blues in last July's Club World Cup final, and indicates that they might be finding their very best form again at just the right time."It is amazing. To score three goals away against Chelsea is good and the important thing is that we continue to play very well, so we have to keep going like this," Kvaratskhelia told broadcaster Canal Plus.This was their fourth win in a two-legged knockout tie against Premier League opposition since the start of last year, but while that record is impressive, Chelsea looked a long way short of the level required in Europe's elite club competition.Liam Rosenior's team never really appeared to believe they could come back from their collapse six days ago at the Parc des Princes, when they conceded three late goals to go from 2-2 to 5-2 down."A tough night. We knew it was a tough ask and then we started the game in the manner that we did," Rosenior told TNT Sports.Their attention will now turn back to the fight to qualify for the Champions League again next season, after a miserable week in which two defeats against PSG have come either side of a loss at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League."When you go through a difficult run, you have to make sure your habits are right," Rosenior added."We have a really difficult game at Everton (on Saturday) and we have to be at our best to get a result there."Robert Sanchez started in goal here, as he had done at the weekend, after Filip Jorgensen replaced the Spaniard and was at fault for PSG's crucial third goal in the first leg.<h3>No chance</h3>PSG, meanwhile, gave a start to Kvaratskhelia after he came off the bench to score a late double in Paris which swung the tie decisively his team's way.The Parisians also made the trip undoubtedly feeling fresher after their scheduled weekend Ligue 1 game against Nantes was called off to aid their preparations.Within six minutes here they were ahead as Mamadou Sarr -- making his Champions League debut -- misjudged a long kick downfield from PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and Kvaratskhelia outmuscled the young Chelsea defender before beating Sanchez.The second goal came on the quarter-hour, with Warren Zaire-Emery supplying Achraf Hakimi on the right and the Moroccan finding Barcola who controlled on the edge of the box before sending a superb strike into the top-left corner.The tie was as good as over at that point, and home fans began flooding for the exits when the third goal arrived just after the hour mark.Kvaratskhelia did the spadework this time down the left before his ball into the middle fell to Mayulu -- the 19-year-old, who replaced Joao Neves at half-time, gave Sanchez no chance with a lethal first-time strike.That was the 65th goal Chelsea have conceded this season, and a miserable evening for them was then compounded when Trevoh Chalobah was stretchered off late on, leaving the hosts to finish the game with 10 men as they had used all their substitutes.Rosenior said the defender had a sprained ankle and that he was "praying it's nothing too serious."

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Senny Mayulu of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge on March 17, 2026 in London, England.

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Clinical PSG dispatch Chelsea to reach Champions League quarters

Arsenal eased into the Champions League quarter-finals as Eberechi Eze's stunning strike inspired...

Arsenal eased into the Champions League quarter-finals as Eberechi Eze's stunning strike inspired a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 second leg on Tuesday.Often derided for winning in ugly fashion this season, Mikel Arteta's side produced a pair of eye-catching goals to seal their 3-1 aggregate victory at the Emirates Stadium.Eze broke the deadlock with a long-range rocket late in the first half and Declan Rice's composed finish killed off outclassed Leverkusen after the interval.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Arsenal needed Kai Havertz's late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week, but they were far more commanding in the rematch as they reached the quarter-finals for a third successive season.Beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals last season, Arsenal will face Sporting Lisbon in the last eight after the Portuguese team's remarkable recovery from a three-goal first leg deficit to beat Bodo/Glimt 5-3 on aggregate.The Gunners crushed Sporting 5-1 in Lisbon in the group stage last season.Brushing aside Leverkusen was ideal preparation for Arsenal's bid to win a first trophy in six years against Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.Quadruple-chasing Arsenal, whose last silverware came in the 2020 FA Cup, sit nine points clear of second-placed City at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first English title in 22 years.They are also set to meet second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals later in April.It is shaping up to be an incredible campaign for Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, losing their only final appearance against Barcelona in 2006.After netting against Everton on Sunday to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, 16-year-old Max Dowman was on the bench.Arsenal had no need for the teen sensation as they put Leverkusen to the sword.<h3>Relentless Arsenal</h3>A tidal wave of red poured towards the Leverkusen area right from the start and Gabriel Magalhaes should have done better than head wide from Bukayo Saka's corner.Leandro Trossard's stinging strike from the edge of the area forced a fine save from Janis Blaswich.Attacking with intelligence and pace, Arsenal were tearing through the Leverkusen defence.Saka headed straight at Blaswich before Trossard's low strike from close-range forced a superb save from the Leverkusen keeper.Blaswich came to Leverkusen's rescue yet again as he blocked Trossard's close-range shot and saved Ben White's effort from the rebound.It needed something special to beat the inspired Blaswich and Eze delivered as Arsenal's pressure was finally rewarded in the 36th minute.Eze took a touch on the edge of the area and swivelled to unleash a blistering strike that whistled past Blaswich into the top corner.The only thing Eze got wrong was his celebration, with the midfielder mistakenly pointing to the Adidas logo on his shirt instead of the Arsenal badge.More importantly, the 27-year-old's first Champions League goal extended his recent revival after a disappointing start to his first season with the Gunners following his summer move from Crystal Palace.Suffocating the life out of Leverkusen with their relentless pressing, Arsenal almost doubled their lead early in the second half as Trossard's curler flashed over.They didn't have to wait long to finish off the Germans as Rice struck in the 63rd minute.Stealing possession deep in the Leverkusen half, Rice advanced to the edge of the area before caressing a clinical finish past Blaswich for his first Champions League goal this season.

London, United Kingdom - March 17: Eberechi Eze of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with Leandro Trossard of Arsenal FC and Declan Rice of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Arsenal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

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Eze, Rice send Arsenal into Champions League quarterfinals

Sporting Lisbon made an impressive comeback to hammer Norwegian giantkillers Bodo/Glimt 5-0 on Tu...

Sporting Lisbon made an impressive comeback to hammer Norwegian giantkillers Bodo/Glimt 5-0 on Tuesday and reach the Champions League quarter-finals 5-3 on aggregate.After a 3-0 last 16 first leg defeat last week north of the Arctic Circle, Sporting produced a ruthless display in Portugal to book a spot in the last eight for the first time since the 1982/83 season.Bodo/Glimt have drawn admirers across the world for their superb performances in this season's Champions League but once Goncalo Inacio opened the scoring, the Portuguese champions never looked back.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Pedro Goncalves and Luis Suarez netted to force extra-time and Maximiliano Araujo scored in the 92nd minute to put Sporting ahead for the first time in the tie, before Rafael Nel smashed home a fifth late on."We had the right intensity and energy, we did what we didn't do there," forward Francisco Trincao told Sport TV."We had a different energy, a different kind of joy, and we played a historic game."Everyone believed, the fans also made us feel that energy, and during the game as time went on we realised we were capable and we carried that through to the end."Bodo/Glimt shocked last season's runners-up Inter Milan in the play-off round and defeated Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase before that.Those astonishing results were followed up by the first leg rout of Sporting at the Norwegians' 8,000-capacity Aspmyra Stadium, giving Kjetil Knutsen's side a tantalising sight of the last eight.Perhaps it daunted them, as they seemed to be playing with fear from the start in Lisbon."We've had a fantastic journey, then we enter a game where it seems to me that we're not playing the game, we're playing the opportunity -- and that opportunity is going to be too big for us," Knutsen told TV2."We were thinking about the consequences from the first kick... we were so far from our identity."The hosts dominated, racking up shots at nearly the same rate the Norwegian side were completing passes in the opening phases.Around 2,000 Bodo/Glimt fans made the long trek to Jose Alvalade stadium, where their dream was mercilessly crushed under the rain.<h3>Ruthless rout</h3>Knutsen selected the same line-up for the sixth Champions League match running, a competition record. Rui Borges's Sporting peppered the Bodo/Glimt goal, with Nikita Haikin saving from Colombian striker Suarez early on.Kasper Hogh, who scored in the first leg, had a fine chance to send the visitors ahead against the run of play at the other end but dragged his shot a long way wide.Former Barcelona forward Trincao's effort was deflected off-target, but he helped create the opener with a corner. Inacio rose highest to nod home and start Sporting's comeback.Bodo/Glimt almost pulled back level but Odin Bjortuft headed against the crossbar, with the ball flying upwards and then dropping downwards onto the woodwork again, before Sporting were able to recover.The Portuguese side forged their second goal just after the hour mark with Suarez racing in down the right and pulling the ball across for Goncalves to tap home.The comeback was well and truly on and Suarez got in on the action himself with a penalty after 78 minutes, following a handball by Fredrik Andre Bjorkan.Bodo/Glimt held on to force extra-time but after just two minutes of it Araujo fired home, drilling inside Haikin at the near post for Sporting's fourth.Sporting wisely kept control through the rest of the additional period and wrapped things up at the death when Nel rifled into the top corner.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 17: Maximiliano Araujo of Sporting Clube de Portugal celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammate Daniel Braganca during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and FK Bodo/Glimt at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Sporting's miraculous comeback ends Bodo/Glimt's UCL run

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran's f...

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.Iran's participation at this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the war began last month, with President Donald Trump warning that Iranian players' safety would be at risk if they travelled to the US.Iran's football federation has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches from the United States, though the global governing body has so far maintained that the tournament's schedule remains unchanged.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Asked directly if Mexico was open to hosting the matches, and if the decision will purely come down to FIFA logistics, Sheinbaum told a press conference: "Yes.""Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides," she added.Iran's place at the tournament was thrown into question after the US and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially said that Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team -- scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle -- would still be welcome.But the Republican president then triggered uproar last week after stating that Iran's football team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety".Iran hit back at Trump's comments saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup".<h3>'Lack of cooperation'</h3>Iran were the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place almost a year ago as they topped their qualifying group.On Monday, Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj wrote on social media: "When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America.""We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's matches in the World Cup in Mexico."Iranian soccer authorities "are currently discussing with FIFA whether it is feasible -- since they were originally scheduled to go to the United States -- to see if they can" move Iran's games to Mexico, confirmed Sheinbaum."The matter is under review and we will provide an update in due course."When contacted by AFP on the matter, FIFA said it was "looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025"."FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026," a spokesperson said.The Iran team's base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran's ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced "the US government's lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support" for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy's website.Should Iran not take part in the World Cup, it is not yet clear which country might replace them.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum looks on during her daily press conference at the Women's Oncology Hospital in Mexico City on March 9, 2026. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called on March 9 on the United States to halt the flow of weapons to her country's drug cartels, after President Donald Trump criticized her record on fighting the groups.

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President Sheinbaum: Mexico open to hosting Iran's World Cup games

Kylian Mbappe is ready to return from injury as Real Madrid aim to eliminate Manchester City in t...

Kylian Mbappe is ready to return from injury as Real Madrid aim to eliminate Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday.Mbappe was sidelined by a knee injury for Real's 3-0 win over City in the first leg in Madrid last week.But the France forward, who has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, is set to feature at the Etihad Stadium. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Mbappe is ready to play," Real boss Alvaro Arbeloa told reporters on Monday."I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he'll be important."England midfielder Jude Bellingham has also travelled with the Real squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, but is not ready to feature against City"Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates," Arbeloa said."I'm very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he'll be one of the leaders as he always is."Real are expected to knock City out of the Champions League for a third successive season after establishing a substantial first leg advantage.Real defender Antonio Rudiger believes the key to victory is stopping City striker Erling Haaland from rediscovering his top form after a poor recent run."Players like Haaland, it's a huge pleasure to play against this type of player," Rudiger said."I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I'm looking forward to it."He's a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels."Rudiger acknowledged his combative approach as he addressed recent claims from Getafe defender Diego Rico about his conduct.Rico said Rudiger committed an "assault" against him in a challenge earlier this month."In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him," Rudiger said."He doesn't need to exaggerate because if I'd had the intention to do that he wouldn't have stood up."I don't justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards. "We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being."

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham during the training session at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Monday March 16, 2026.

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Mbappe available, Bellingham still out for Real Madrid's trip to Man City

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday Neymar is "not 100 percent" fit so will miss two frie...

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday Neymar is "not 100 percent" fit so will miss two friendlies later this month as youngster Endrick returns to the squad.Santos' Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury but has played four games for his club since mid-February.The 34-year-old misses out on pre-World Cup friendlies against France on March 27 in Boston and Croatia four days later in Orlando.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Brazil start their bid for a sixth World Cup title, but first since 2002, against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, before also facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C."I haven't called him up because he's not 100 percent," Ancelotti told reporters."But for the final (World Cup) squad, that's another story," the 66-year-old added.Real Madrid forward Rodrygo and Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are sidelined through injury.Endrick, 19, made the last of his 14 international appearances a year ago.But he earned a recall thanks to an impressive string of performances since joining Lyon on loan from Real Madrid.Ancelotti brought Endrick to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024 from Palmeiras.The Italian has selected two uncapped players in Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth teenager Rayan.<h3>Brazil squad</h3>Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

SANTOS, BRAZIL - MARCH 15: Neymar Junior of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2026 match between Santos and Corinthians at Estadio Urbano Caldeira on March 15, 2026 in Santos, Brazil.

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Neymar misses out on another Brazil squad ahead of World Cup

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