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David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, according to his Arsenal team-mates - and the Spaniard played a key role in his side's 1-0 win at Sporting.

Italy legend Dino Baggio shared his opinion on why Diego Maradona is considered even better than Lionel Messi. Approaching the end of his professional career, Lionel Messi is regarded by many as the greatest player of all time. However, in that debate, other heavyweights come into play, such as Diego Maradona, whom Italy icon Dino Baggio considered the number one. During an interview with Diario AS, the former Juventus and Parma midfielder was asked about his view of modern soccer, particularly Serie A, comparing it with the 1980s and 1990s. Baggio acknowledged that it was more difficult to play in Italy back then: “Perhaps Messi could have had problems here in his day.” That led the conversation toward the differences in soccer over the years. Dino based his opinion on the fact that a few decades ago referees were more lenient when it came to physical contact, resulting in a harsher sport for talented players. “Today, fouls are called before contact, practically,” Baggio noted, before highlighting who he considered the best player in the world during those years. “Maradona, in modern times, would score a thousand goals per season. You can’t imagine what they would hit him with when he was at Napoli,” said the 1994 FIFA World Cup finalist. Dino Baggio playing for Italy vs England in a World Cup qualifier in 1997. Immediately, Dino Baggio compared the two Argentine superstars and pointed out the difference between them: “Messi, back then, would have been equally brilliant, but completely, absolutely crushed. That’s why I say Diego was the greatest. The God of world soccer.” Comparisons between Messi and Maradona Dino Baggio is not the first to highlight the contrast between the leniency of the past and the extreme caution of modern soccer. This is usually one of the arguments used to place stars from previous decades, like Diego Maradona, Pele, or Alfredo Di Stefano, above modern geniuses like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Some statistics support this view. FIFA shared an analysis on its official website a few years ago regarding the number of fouls committed in each edition of the World Cup (with records starting in Chile 1962) and the players who were most frequently fouled. There is an indisputable leader in the rankings. Diego Maradona is the player who received the most fouls in World Cup history, totaling 152 across his four tournaments (1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994). He doubles the second player on the list, Lionel Messi, who was fouled 75 times across his five tournaments from 2006 onwards. Further down are Brazil’s Jairzinho (64), Neymar (60), and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (58). The most astonishing fact is that Maradona ranks first, second, and third for the most fouls received in a single World Cup. In Mexico 1986, he was fouled 53 times; in Italy 1990, 50 times; and in Spain 1982, 36 times. Only in fourth place does another player appear—curiously also Argentine—Ariel Ortega, with 33 fouls in France 1998.

The French player has just one match left to achieve it if Real Madrid aren't eliminated. Leer

Bayern were dominant in a 2-1 win at Real Madrid on Tuesday, earning an advantage ahead of the second leg of the quarterfinals

Thomas Tuchel's doubts about Trent Alexander-Arnold and reliance on Harry Kane are confirmed on the England manager's Madrid mission.

Alvaro Arbeloa has urged anyone who does not believe Real Madrid can turn around their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich to “stay in Madrid” for the second leg. Los Blancos lost the quarter-final first leg 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe keeping Madrid’s hopes alive after earlier goals from Luis Diaz and […] The post Arbeloa: Anyone who doesn´t believe in Champions League comeback should stay in Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.

The quarterfinals get underway on Tuesday night with two MLS teams facing two Liga MX clubs

Sporting CP coach is convinced of something special against Arsenal in Champions League quarter-final second leg

Mikel Arteta hailed David Raya as "extraordinary" after his goalkeeper's stunning performance in Arsenal's late 1-0 Champions League win against Sporting Lisbon.

Kai Havertz declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after his saves helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over Sporting in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Kai Havertz declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after his saves helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over Sporting in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Mikel Arteta discovered that playing your best goalkeeper can be a good idea as his side recovered from cup exits with late win in Lisbon There was a temptation to fixate on the moment when Arsenal won this game with a goal that could change their season. Mikel Arteta had urged his players not to panic, not to sink away with hopes of a quadruple long gone, and Kai Havertz got the memo. Gabriel Martinelli crossed from the left and, as the ball dropped, Havertz caught the Sporting defence napping at last, controlled with a feathery touch, took a breath and rolled a finish past Rui Silva to give Arsenal victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. It had been a slog at Estádio José Alvalade. Arsenal attempted 488 passes and it was not until the first of two added minutes that they made one really count. Before then it was a grind. Arsenal were often constipated in open play. Although they controlled the game, at least until allowing it to become ragged during a fraught finale, there were long spells when the best the Premier League leaders offered was set-piece wrestling. Noni Madueke, mostly ineffective as he deputised for Bukayo Saka on the right wing, curled an early corner against the bar. Viktor Gyökeres was recorded as being on the pitch. Leandro Trossard tried to score from 40 yards. Leandro Trossard did not score from 40 yards.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side "had a point to prove" following back-to-back defeats and praises his side's reaction, as Kai Havertz's stoppage-time winner secures a first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting.

Havertz goal offers response after back-to-back defeats Arteta praises ‘extraordinary’ Raya for crucial saves Mikel Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal had a point to prove against Sporting after losing their last two matches and believes that Kai Havertz’s late winner could prove to be a “big moment” in their season. Arsenal had David Raya to thank for making three superb saves that kept the scores level before Havertz came off the bench to seal a priceless away victory. It was a huge relief for Arteta, who had urged his players to rediscover their identity after they suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup.

Big boost for Sporting CP ahead of second leg next week

Substitute Kai Havertz struck in injury time to put Arsenal on course for the semi-finals

Key matches are coming up that could define everything Leer

Relive Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Sporting Lisbon host Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Zidane watches from the stands as Mbappé keeps Madrid breathing. Leer

Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal: Kai Havertz’s last-gasp goal ensured Mikel Arteta’s side emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins in Lisbon

There will be at least five Premier League teams in the Champions League next season after Arsenal beat Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.

Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich: Harry Kane’s second-half goal earned the German side a slender lead after an impressive performance in an enthralling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu

Raya was back in goal for Arsenal after sitting out cup defeats to Man City and Southampton

Arsenal have guaranteed the Premier League a fifth Champions League spot for next season by beating Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory in Portugal on Tuesday night. Kai Ha…

MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out of the Premier League International Cup after their Under-21s manager's sweeping subs backfired. Real Madrid stunned Old Trafford by overturning a two-goal deficit to eliminate United with a crushing 4-2 quarter-final victory. Adam Lawrence’s strong starting XI were in cruise control after early goals from Jack Moorhouse and Shea Lacey inside...

Kai Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner to fire Arsenal to a crucial 1-0 victory against Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal in Lisbon.

Harry Kane delivered for Bayern Munich on his return from injury, scoring a goal and helping set up another in his team's 2-1 win at Real Madrid.

The Premier League has secured a fifth Champions League spot for next season's competition - although that could yet rise to seven places.

Kai Havertz popped up with a stoppage-time goal to snatch Arsenal a much-needed 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. It looked like Arsenal were set to ensure another frustrating outing, but Havertz came off the bench to net another late goal for the Gunners, giving them a lead to […] The post Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz snatches dramatic late winner in quarter-final first leg appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal grab a late quarter-final win v Sporting through a Kai Havertz 91st minute goal!

Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich: The visitors dominated a classic Champions League tie but may be left ruing missed chances in next week’s second leg

Bayern Munich left the Santiago Bernabeu with a 2-1 advantage in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappe reduced the deficit for Los Blancos after goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane on either side of half-time, and though Bayern missed plenty of golden opportunities, they also heavily relied […] The post Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich: Kane gives Kompany´s men first-leg advantage in Champions League thri appeared first on Soccer News.

Key midfielder will be missing for return leg at Allianz Arena

Kai Havertz came off the bench and scored a 91st-minute winner as Arsenal clinched a 1-0 victory over Sporting in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon.

Tottenham choose Guglielmo Vicario replacement, Liverpool monitor Italy defender, Manchester United set to miss out on England midfielder.

Harry Kane earned Bayern Munich a priceless 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Kylian Mbappé delivered when it mattered most, scoring a crucial goal and reaching a historic milestone. Leer

Kai Havertz believes David Raya is 'underestimated in world football' after his impressive performance in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League

Arsenal’s super subs to the rescue again in victory over Sporting

Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz’s stoppage-time strike ensured the Gunners have the advantage going into next week’s second leg

Irish international Finn Azaz was on target as FA Cup semi-finalists Southampton continued their Sky Bet Championship charge as they thrashed Wrexham 5-1 at Stok Cae Ras to replace the Welsh side in the play-off places.

Kai Havertz came off the bench to score Arsenal's late winner at Sporting Lisbon and Theo Walcott insists the Gunners are far better when the German is starting

Arsenal get the result they needed after a recent slump as Max Dowman offers another glimpse of his talent

Arsenal's 1-0 win over Sporting CP confirms Premier League will get five Champions League places for 2026/27 season, with Man Utd, and Liverpool set to benefit

Kylian Mbappe scored for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich and joined stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a select UEFA Champions League group. On Tuesday, Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Kylian Mbappe scored for the Spanish side, joining Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in an elite group: players who have scored the most goals in a single edition of the competition. In the 74th minute, Real Madrid were down 0-2 and Bayern Munich had chances to extend their lead, which would have all but sealed the tie. In that context, a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold found the French forward inside the box for Los Blancos’ goal. That was Mbappe’s 14th goal in this season’s European campaign. So far, only six players had scored that many or more in a single Champions League edition since its creation in 1955, according to statistics expert Mister Chip on his X account. Top scorers in a single Champions League edition The first player to score 14 goals in a single Champions League edition was Jose Altafini, an AC Milan legend, who reached that mark in 1963 while leading the Italian side to its first European title. That record stood until 2003, when Ruud van Nistelrooy matched it with Manchester United. Real Madrid are back in the tie 👊 Kylian Mbappé with a fine finish from an incredible assist by Trent Alexander-Arnold ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9wFJWh4XVk — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 7, 2026 From that point on, several other players have reached – and surpassed – the 14-goal mark: Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese star holds a special place on this list, as he is the only player to achieve it on three separate occasions. Mbappe can keep making Champions League history Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu does not mean the tie is settled in Bayern Munich’s favor. The teams will meet again next week in Germany, where anything can happen. Kylian Mbappe will not only look to help his team reach the semifinals but also continue adding to his goal tally. At best, he could have up to four more matches left in the Champions League if Real Madrid reach the final. That could allow him to challenge Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a single edition of the competition. The Portuguese forward set the mark in 2013-14, scoring 17 goals during Real Madrid’s title run. Mbappe is just three goals away from that record, and at his current pace, he could realistically reach it. At the same time, the French star is climbing the all-time scoring charts in European competitions. On Tuesday, he matched Filippo Inzaghi with 70 goals, placing him seventh on the list. His next target is another active player, Harry Kane, who has 75. Above them are Raul Gonzalez (76), Karim Benzema (92), Robert Lewandowski (117), Lionel Messi (132), and Cristiano Ronaldo (145).

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HARRY MAGUIRE snubbed Sir David Beckham’s offer of a mega-money Inter Miami move and wants to finish his career at Manchester United. The England defender, 33, was due to become a free agent in the summer but has extended his Red Devils contract by one year, with an option for a further 12 months. Maguire,...

Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold put on a show for Thomas Tuchel as Bayern beat Real

Bayern Munich took control of their Champions League quarter-final with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, earning a slender first-leg advantage after a high-tempo contest in the Spanish capital.

Kai Havertz’s late goal changes the complexion of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg