World Cup News

Barcelona President elect Joan Laporta has promised that the Catalan side will be filing a second official complaint to UEFA after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Barcelona have already had one complaint to UEFA rejected. The Catalan side filed a complaint to UEFA over the officiating in the […] The post Barcelona President Joan Laporta promises second UEFA complaint after ‘intolerable’ officiating appeared first on Football España.

Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and Catalan club chiefs have been left furious by the officiating in the knockout match

Barcelona’s sporting department are set to spring into action after the Blaugrana were eliminated from the Champions League. With Barcelona on course to win a second consecutive La Liga title, and out of the cup competitions, the final six weeks of their season look relatively straightforward. Atletico Madrid ran out 3-2 winners over Barcelona on […] The post Barcelona to accelerate talks for defensive signing this week after Champions League elimination appeared first on Football España.

With a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg against Sporting CP, Arsenal are on the verge of securing the ticket to the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinals. Arsenal host Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday, looking to punch their ticket to the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinals. Coming off a crucial first-leg victory, the Gunners have several paths to the next round as they look to navigate this quarterfinal clash. In a thrilling opening leg at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, David Raya emerged as the hero for Arsenal, with the Spanish goalkeeper forced into a string of high-caliber saves to keep Sporting at bay. In the dying moments of the match, Gabriel Martinelli perfectly picked out Kai Havertz, who slotted home the only goal of the series to give the Gunners the advantage heading into the home leg. Despite the first-leg win, a 2-1 weekend stumble against Bournemouth has dented Arsenal’s momentum, and Mikel Arteta must now navigate several key absences for the return leg. Conversely, Sporting CP head to London buoyed by a 1-0 away win against Estrela Amadora in Liga Portugal, a result that could serve as a confidence booster for this afternoon’s high-stakes tilt. How an Arsenal win affects the UEFA Champions League bracket A victory against Sporting CP would propel Arsenal into the Champions League semifinals, marking the club’s first appearance at that stage since the 2008-09 season, when they were ousted by Manchester United. William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after the team’s victory over Sporting CP. In the semifinals, Arsenal would move on to face Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, a side they have already dismantled in this year’s competition. During the league phase, the Gunners secured a dominant 4-0 win at the Emirates, a result that stands as a promising omen for their hopes of maintaining an unbeaten run. How an Arsenal draw affects the UEFA Champions League bracket Should Arsenal play to a draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates, the Gunners would still advance to the next round regardless of the scoreline. Thanks to the 1-0 advantage secured in Lisbon, a stalemate would be insufficient for the Leoes to overturn the deficit. How an Arsenal defeat affects the UEFA Champions League bracket If Sporting manage to pull off an upset on Wednesday, the fallout will depend entirely on the margin of victory. A one-goal defeat for the Gunners would send the match into extra time, with a penalty shootout looming if the aggregate score remains deadlocked after 120 minutes. However, if Arsenal are beaten by two or more goals on home soil, Sporting CP would complete the comeback and advance to the semifinals. Such a result would deal the Gunners their first (and final) defeat of the current Champions League campaign.

Barcelona star Raphinha has apologised for his gestures towards Atletico Madrid fans after their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night. The Brazilian was seen indicating to the Metropolitano that Atletico would be going out in the semi-finals. Raphinha was caught on camera seemingly indicating that Los Colchoneros would lose their next clash against Arsenal or […] The post Barcelona star Raphinha apologised to Atletico Madrid fans – ‘Not in my character’ appeared first on Football España.

The Brazilian star was at the center of a viral moment when he copied a recent move by Yamal against Barcelona. Leer

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said "disgraceful" refereeing decisions led to Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal elimination to Atlético Madrid as he promised to take the issue to UEFA.

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid on Tuesday

Diego Simeone tells Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero and Alessandro Costacurta that Atletico Madrid have...

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! While Barcelona’s night at the Metropolitano was pretty well summed up by the accompanying image of poor Fermín López shipping six studs in the mush, Lamine Yamal’s cross in the buildup should be framed and hung in the Louvre. Using a minimum of backlift, the preposterously precocious 18-year-old had arced the ball directly into the path of the midfielder with the outside of his left boot, only for López to be denied by a splendid Juan Musso save that left the already bandaged Barça midfielder drenched in claret. Had López scored, Barcelona would have gone 3-0 up on the night and ahead in the tie, having already restored parity courtesy of goals scored by Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres in a blistering and blood-drenched opening 30 minutes. Moments later, Charlton Athletic academy graduate Ademola Lookman scored the decisive goal that sent Atlético Madrid into Bigger Cup semi-finals, much to the not entirely surprising delight of their head coach Diego Simeone. “Playing in a [Bigger Cup] semi-final, how wonderful,” he honked before an appointment with Arsenal or Sporting. “We’ll go there with all our enthusiasm and faith. We know our strengths and weaknesses. We’re ready.”

In the aftermath, Yamal addressed the defeat with a message that reflected both realism and ambition. The spotlight once again fell on Lamine Yamal as Barcelona bowed out of the UEFA Champions League dramatically. The teenager played a decisive role on the night, yet the result left the club facing another painful European exit. Barcelona arrived at the Metropolitano needing a response against Atletico Madrid after the first-leg setback. The start could hardly have been more promising, with Yamal inspiring belief by striking early and setting the tone for a frantic opening. The team surged forward with confidence, and the deficit was erased during an electric first half. However, the momentum shifted after the break, as Atletico regained control and ultimately secured a 3-2 aggregate victory, ending the Catalans’ European hopes. Yamal’s influence was evident from the opening seconds, as he tested the goalkeeper almost immediately before finding the net. His energy and creativity helped Hansi Flick’s side push to the brink of a famous turnaround, but the effort proved insufficient in the end. As the match wore on, fatigue crept in, and control slipped away. The host capitalized on key moments, and a late red card further complicated Barcelona’s task, sealing a defeat that will linger. What did Lamine Yamal say on social media? In the aftermath, Yamal addressed the defeat with a message that reflected both realism and ambition. “We gave it our all, but it wasn’t enough. This is just part of the journey: to reach the top, you have to climb, and we know it won’t be easy, nor will they make it easy for us. But giving up is not an option.” His words struck a balance between acknowledging the setback and reinforcing belief in the future. The tone suggested a player already thinking beyond the immediate disappointment. The 18-year-old’s message did not stop at reflection, as he also looked ahead with determination. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @lamineyamal “We have plenty of reasons to be hopeful, and we’re going to go all out for them. Every mistake is a lesson, and rest assured, we’ll learn from each one.” He then delivered a statement that resonated deeply with supporters. “We are Barca, and we’ll be back where we belong. My parents taught me that a man’s word is his bond… and we’ll bring that to Barcelona.” Moment of maturity despite disappointment What stood out after the final whistle was not frustration, but composure. Instead of retreating into disappointment, Yamal remained on the pitch, moving from teammate to teammate in a show of support. Así se ha ido Lamine Yamal del Metropolitano. pic.twitter.com/NQLuxlzYjn — Lluís Bou Morera (@lluis7bou) April 14, 2026 The image of the 18-year-old consoling others, including more experienced players, captured a different kind of leadership. It was a clear sign of maturity, as he chose unity over individual frustration in a difficult moment.

Two Arsenal stars are at risk of picking up a Champions League suspension for a potential semi-final against Atletico Madrid

The angry fall-out from Barcelona's defeat to Atletico Madrid has continued this afternoon

What builds a pro soccer player? In this episode, Gotham FC rookie Talia Sommer joins Chasing the Game to talk about youth soccer development, parent pressure, girls playing with boys, creativity, free play, and the road from New York and Israel to Butler and the NWSL. Talia’s story is one of the most revealing we’ve had on the show because it goes far beyond résumé. She explains how playing with boys shaped her mentality, why turning pro young in Israel changed her perspective, what American players do well, what can still be missing, and why one of the hardest lessons for families is knowing when support starts to feel like pressure. If you are a soccer parent, coach, or player trying to understand what really shapes development, this conversation gets into the middle of it. In this episode: • Youth soccer parent pressure vs. support • Girls playing with boys • Gotham FC and the pro pathway • Butler soccer and college recruiting • Israel vs. U.S. soccer culture • Creativity vs. structure in player development • Free play, extra training, and what actually helps • Advice for serious young players Chapters 00:00 Why Talia Sommer’s story matters 02:13 Harlem, Tel Aviv, and falling in love with soccer 05:46 Playing with boys, Manhattan SC, and Maccabi 08:05 Turning pro at 14 in Israel and the road to Butler 10:14 Parents, freedom, and the line between support and pressure 14:01 “I need you to be my dad” 16:57 Playing up, college, and learning from older players 19:03 Israel vs. the U.S. vs. Europe in women’s soccer 22:54 American players, creativity, and what can be missing 28:34 Free play, extra training, and the 1,000 touches debate 35:45 Choosing Butler over Atlético Madrid 39:04 Advice for young players, and what parents should hear Subscribe for more conversations about youth soccer in America. #YouthSoccer #GirlsSoccer #WomensSoccer #NWSL #GothamFC #soccerparents "In case you missed it. Talia Sommer had an Atlético Madrid opportunity and still chose Butler University. It is one of the clearest examples of choosing fit over hype. Full episode is live on the channel. @butlerathletics @NJNYGothamFC​

A tough one to call...

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news of the Irish international women's team, the Champions League and the EFL. Liverpool exit the Champions League after defeat to PSG, with Arne Slot highlighting missed chances and a worrying injury to Hugo Ekitike. Barcelona are also knocked out, while Atletico Madrid reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2017 after a dramatic tie. Spanish football writer Graham Hunter discusses Atletico’s ambitions to banish past European disappointments. Arsenal look to seal a semi-final place against Sporting Lisbon, holding a narrow first-leg advantage. Mikel Arteta calls it the biggest opportunity of his tenure, while squad morale remains positive despite recent setbacks. Bayern Munich take a 2-1 lead into their second leg with Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena. Eoin Doyle reflects on how VAR could have altered key moments in his playing career. Ireland secure a thrilling 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Poland in Gdansk. Goals from Emily Murphy, Katie McCabe and Marissa Sheva earn the points, with Carla Ward praising her side’s performance. Championship and League One round-up, including Ipswich slipping up, Southampton climbing, and Rotherham relegated. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Bayern Munich are reportedly exploring attacking reinforcements ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, with Brian Brobbey emerging as a player of interest following his encouraging debut campaign in the Premier League. According to The Independent, the German champions have been closely tracking the Sunderland forward, who has made a positive impression during his first […] The post Bayern Munich eye impressive Premier League striker as potential back up to Harry Kane appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona star Raphinha could be in hot water after the Blaugrana exited the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid. The Brazilian did not hold back following a 3-2 aggregate defeat at the Metropolitano. Raphinha traveled to Madrid to support his teammates, and was seen out on the pitch before the match with them. […] The post Barcelona star facing Champions League ban after Atletico Madrid clash appeared first on Football España.

Manchester United’s search for long-term stability in the dugout appears to be gathering pace, with fresh reports suggesting that club officials have recently reached out to the representatives of Julian Nagelsmann. According to a source circulating on social media platform X, contact between United and Nagelsmann’s camp was made within the last 24 hours, signaling […] The post Contact made: Man United make initial inquiry to appoint promising young manager appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has told the press that his side showed personality in order to be able to get back into the game against Barcelona, having gone two goals down in the first half. Ademola Lookman’s goal put Los Colchoneros back in front on aggregate, and they won out 3-2 eventually. Simeone was […] The post Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone – ‘We attack better than we defend, goals are the difference’ appeared first on Football España.

How the Barcelona media have reacted to Marcus Rashford’s performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

It’s no secret that focusing on just one competition can be beneficial to a team when it comes to the cut-throat run-in to any given season. That’s simply common sense. Fewer games mean star players can sit out games of lesser importance in order to be in tip-top condition for those that matter. Never has […] The post Can Atletico Madrid Follow in the Footsteps of These Two Teams That Famously Solely Focused on the Champions League? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Raphinha believes that bad refereeing decisions across their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid robbed his team of a spot in the final four. Barcelona were eliminated from the competition despite winning Tuesday’s second leg 2-1 at the Metropolitano, with Ademola Lookman’s 31st-minute strike proving decisive. Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres had wiped out […] The post Barcelona robbed of Champions League semi-final, says Raphinha appeared first on Soccer News.

Barcelona star Raphinha has not held back after his side exited the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Los Colchoneros eliminated Barcelona from a second cup competition in the space of two months, after making it to the Copa del Rey final too. Raphinha played no part in their Champions League encounter following […] The post VIDEO: Barcelona star Raphinha enrages Atletico Madrid fans after Champions League exit appeared first on Football España.

Cristian Chivu is on course to win the Scudetto in his first full season as...

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has promised to bring the Champions League back to the club, after their drought in the competition was extended to 11 years on Tuesday night. The 18-year-old opened the scoring against Atletico Madrid, but was powerless to stop Los Colchoneros going through 3-2 on aggregate. The Blaugrana were convinced that they […] The post Lamine Yamal sends message after Barcelona Champions League exit: “We’ll bring it back to Barcelona” appeared first on Football España.

ATLETICO MADRID brutally trolled Barcelona after kicking them out of the Champions League. The three-time winners of the competition were knocked out by their Spanish rivals last night despite an early goal from Lamine Yamal. The clash ended 3-2 on aggregate with Ferran Torres adding to Yamal's effort before Ademola Lookman scored to regain the...

Barcelona star Raphinha did not take his side’s exit from the Champions League lying down. Atletico Madrid ran out 3-2 winners on aggregate against the Catalan giants, after a 2-1 loss at the Metropolitano that was sufficient to take them through to the semi-finals. Raphinha, who did not feature in the tie due to injury, […] The post “It was a robbed match” – Raphinha fumes over Barcelona exit to Atletico Madrid appeared first on Football España.

Following Barcelona’s Champions League elimination, Marcus Rashford was chastised by the Spanish media, leaving his future in Spain in doubt. The Manchester United academy product joined the Blaugrana on loan last summer, with an option to buy for £26 million. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – […] The post “He lacks the character” – Man Utd star facing uncertain future after ‘lacklustre’ display appeared first on Stretty News.

Diego Simeone is still astonished by the competitive edge his Atletico Madrid team can find after they saw off Barcelona in the Champions League. Atletico lost the quarter-final second leg 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Tuesday, but Ademola Lookman’s strike proved enough for them to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory. Simeone’s Atletico have reached the […] The post Simeone continues to be astonished by Atletico´s competitive edge appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus could find himself at the center of transfer speculation this summer, with reports suggesting the Brazilian striker is willing to consider potential offers should interest arise. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the 29-year-old recently changed representation, a move that often signals preparation for key career decisions, although his immediate focus […] The post Arsenal star open to summer exit, change of agent sparks speculation over future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

La Gazzetta dello Sport calls Matteo Ruggeri ‘heroic’ after Atlético Madrid’s aggregate win over Barcelona,...

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat, with Marcus Rashford given just 20 minutes to make a difference

Marcus Rashford was a second half substitute as Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid, with the England forward's performance coming under fire from the Spanish media

Il talento brasiliano del Barcellona ironizza contro i tifosi dell’Atletico Madrid dopo il ko della sua squadra in Champions e poi attacca in zona mista: “Partita rubata”.

Omar Alderete has become one of those signings that only looks obvious in hindsight. Sunderland’s recruitment in their push to survive in the Premier League has rightly drawn attention for the headline additions, with Nordi Mukiele adding athleticism and recovery pace to the defensive unit, Enzo Le Fée giving them flair, and Granit Xhaka providing […] The post Omar Alderete Scout Report At Sunderland 2025/2026: The Black Cats’ Defensive Stabiliser – Player Analysis appeared first on Total Football Analysis.

Atletico Madrid wasted little time in mocking Barcelona after knocking them out of the Champions League

Barcelona's Raphinha will likely be suspended for the start of next season's Champions League

Lewandowki lascerà il Barcellona in estate a parametro zero e ha una ricca offerta dalla MLS: in Italia si sono messe sia il Milan che la Juventus

Hansi Flick says Barcelona ‘deserved to be in the semi-final’ following their Champions League elimination against Atletico Madrid. The Blaugrana were trailing 2-0 from the first leg and needed a big comeback on Tuesday to make it to the final four. Lamine Yamal reduced the deficit in the fifth minute when he slid the ball […]

Morning. This feels like such a strange week because at the forefront of my mind is Sunday’s trip to face Man City, but tonight we have the chance to make the semi-finals of the Champions League when Sporting visit. I suspect this might be much more a supporter mindset than anything else, and the players […] The post We have a big game on Wednesday, not just Sunday appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.

Possible Arsenal starting XI against Sporting CP, injury team news and how to watch the game on TV and live stream today.

Diego Simeone's team are a different proposition to what many are used to as they seek to win the trophy for the first time in their history

Arsenal are intensifying their efforts to secure the signing of Julián Álvarez, with the Atlético Madrid striker emerging as one of the club’s primary targets ahead of the summer transfer window. The North London side are understood to be acting swiftly to position themselves ahead of rival suitors, particularly Paris Saint-Germain, who have maintained a […] The post Sources: Arsenal willing to sell Jesus and Havertz to make way for €120 million attacker appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona forward Raphinha made a gesture to Atletico Madrid fans after the Champions League quarter-final and appeared to make a prediction

Diego Simeone's team held on after an early charge by Barcelona to make it back to the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time in nearly a decade