World Cup News

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Archie Rhind-Tutt as Arsenal get a late winner against Sporting and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich play out a belter at the Bernabéu On the podcast today: a vital win for Arsenal in the Champions League. Having lost their previous two Arsenal had to find a way and in injury time Gabriel Martinelli drew the defence and Kai Havertz slotted home. Elsewhere, a much better game at the Bernabéu. Should Bayern have put it to bed? Trent Alexander-Arnold’s perfect ball for Kylian Mbappé means the tie remains alive. Plus, there’s a big Easter of Football League action to look back on, a salute to Aaron Ramsey and your questions answered.

On Wednesday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news from the Champions League, the international game and the Premier League. Arsenal take a first-leg advantage after a late 1-0 win away to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. Substitute Kai Havertz scores stoppage-time winner in Lisbon. Mikel Arteta praises Arsenal’s bench impact ahead of the second leg. Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabéu. Goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane give Bayern the edge. Kylian Mbappé pulls one back after a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Vincent Kompany insists Bayern will not sit back in the return leg. Antonio Rüdiger says Madrid’s goal could prove vital. Liverpool travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in tonight’s quarter-final first leg. Arne Slot warns Liverpool must improve after recent poor form. Luis Enrique says there is no favourite between PSG and Liverpool. Europa League quarter-finals begin with Sporting Braga hosting Real Betis. Discussion around Benfica prospect Jaden Umeh and a potential Ireland call-up. Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick backed by Amad Diallo. Tribute paid to Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu following his passing aged 80. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join

Bayern's cohesion, and their ability to carry out a well-crafted gameplan, makes them strong favourites to progress to the semi-finals

Borussia Dortmund plans for next season are already well under way. In an interview with German outlet Sport Bild, BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken discussed the club's strategy to replace the outgoing Julian Brandt and whether former star Jadon Sancho could return for a third stint to fill the void.

A REAL MADRID fan got a haircut at the stands of the Bernabeu during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Real suffered a 2-1 loss to Bayern in the first leg of the quarter-finals with Kylian Mbappe hitting back after goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane. Thousands of fans filled up the Bernabeu...

The Premier League has guaranteed itself a fifth Champions League slot for next season. English sides have been rewarded for their place in the UEFA Coefficient Table by being handed a European Per…

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named the 'best team in the world' after the Champions League quarter-finals got underway.

LEGENDARY right-back Philipp Lahm made a low-key appearance at Bayern Munich's Champions League clash last night. The German giants faced 15-time European champions Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Lahm, 42, appeared to be in amongst the home support as he was surrounded by Real Madrid fans. He watched his former club prevail in the first...

Luis Díaz believes he made the right decision to join Bayern Munich from Liverpool last summer.

Plus: teams who went out of Europe without losing a game, and rare competitive meetings Mail us with your questions and answers “What’s the furthest a team has gone in Europe while being relegated in the same season?” wonders Matt Reilly. This question was probably asked in reference to Tottenham, who were still in the Champions League at the time, but it’s still relevant to some of this year’s quarter-finalists. Nottingham Forest are three points above the relegation places in the Premier League; Fiorentina only have a five-point cushion in Serie A. Real Zaragoza 2001-02, first round; 2007-08, first round Alavés 2002-03, second round Celta Vigo 2006-07, last 16 Real Zaragoza 2007-08, first round Real Betis 2013-14, last 16 Espanyol 2019-20, last 32 Blackburn Rovers 1998-99, Uefa Cup first round Bradford City 2000-01, Intertoto semi-final Ipswich Town 2001-02, Uefa Cup third round Ruda Hvezda Brno 1960-61, Cup Winners’ Cup Dynamo Zilina 1961-62, Cup Winners’ Cup Espanyol 1961-62. Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Napoli 1962-63, Cup Winners’ Cup Bayern Munich 1962-63, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1. FC Magdeburg 1965-66, Cup Winners’ Cup Lyn 1968-69, Cup Winners’ Cup Beroe Stara Zagora 1973-74, Cup Winners’ Cup Real Betis 1977-78, Cup Winners’ Cup Bologna 1990-91, Uefa Cup First round Artmedia Bratislavia (2-2 away, 3-1 home) Group stage Sparta Prague (2-0 away), Zulte Waregem (6-2 home), Ajax (2-0 away), Austria Wien (1-0 home) Last 32 Livorno (2-1 away, 2-0 home) Last 16 Maccabi Haifa (0-0 away, 4-0 home) Quarter-final Benfica (3-2 home, 0-0 away) Semi-final Werder Bremen (3-0 home, 2-1 away) Final Sevilla 2-2 (1-3 pens)

Manuel Neuer earned the player of the match award for his performance in Bayern Munich's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League, but was tetchy post-match

Bayern Munich and Freiburg's European ties against Spanish opposition in the 2025/26 quarter-finals will be extra important as the Bundesliga look to secure an extra UEFA Champions League qualifying spot for the following season.

Manuel Neuer was the best goalkeeper in the world in his 20s and 30s, and arguably still is after turning 40 at the end of March. Just ask Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior...

After the second Bayern Munich goal went in, Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras could be seen arms outstretched before the restart, desperately urging those around him to provide some help. He was simply unable to cope with Michael Olise alone.

After the second Bayern Munich goal went in, Real Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras could be seen arms outstretched before the restart, desperately urging those around him to provide some help. He was simply unable to cope with Michael Olise alone.

Mikel Arteta has been warned Arsenal are ‘not at the level’ of two Champions League rivals despite their quarter-final win over Sporting.

Bayern Munich claimed a crucial 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Bernabéu, with goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane giving the defending Bundesliga champions a deserved advantage in the tie.

After arriving in Heidenheim via Arminia Bielefeld, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund’s reserves in 2018, it is an understatement to say Patrick Mainka has developed into a mainstay of the side as he approaches a rare feat in the modern game.

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany hailed goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after his team secured a 2-1 Champions League quarter-final first leg win at Real Madrid on Tuesday. Luis Diaz and Harry Kane’s goals gave the Bundesliga leaders a strong lead on a dominant display but Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for Madrid, with Neuer making a […] The post Bayern’s Kompany praises ‘special’ Neuer display in win at Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer America.

Steven Gerrard admits he would welcome Luis Diaz back at Liverpool and believes the club have no chance of signing Michael Olise this summer.

Vincent Kompany said he's "impressed every day" by Manuel Neuer after the veteran goalkeeper made nine saves in Bayern Munich's 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Lacking Bernabéu magic, Real Madrid can tee up a more spectacular comeback in Munich in the Champions League. They've done it before.

Coach Álvaro Arbeloa said Real Madrid's chances of progressing in the Champions League are "still alive" after Kylian Mbappé's second-half goal saw Madrid beaten 2-1 by Bayern Munich in their quarterfinal first leg.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Key midfielder will be missing for return leg at Allianz Arena

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.

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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.

Bayern Munich took a 2-1 lead against Real Madrid, while Sporting CP and Arsenal failed to score on the first day of UEFA Champions League quarterfinals action.

“This is why you guys come to these games,” Vincent Kompany had said, and especially here. For the quality, the chaos and the goals, the edge, the drama and the history that invades every moment. Another wild Champions League night had this place believing in another crazy comeback, the noise level rising towards what appeared destined to be one, last thunderous crescendo as Real Madrid rose again and went for their biggest European rivals. In the end, though, Bayern Munich held on for a win that sets up another, definitive battle at the Allianz Arena next week. Strikes from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane either side of half-time had given Bayern a 2-0 lead, underlining an incontestable authority in the opening hour. But a Kylian Mbappé goal 16 minutes from the end began a rebellion that could have left the tie on even more of a knife edge than it is, Madrid finding chances for a draw or even another victory. They also found Manuel Neuer rolling back the years, aged 40, with nine saves.

A breathtaking first leg saw the Germans prevail at the Bernabeu to take a narrow lead back to Bavaria for next week's return

⚽ Champions League updates from 8pm BST ⚽ Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich – live reaction ⚽ Email Yara | Read the latest Football Daily The teams are out and the Champions League anthem is being played. ‘You are my life’ reads the tifo, an ode from Sporting fans to their beloved club. Great energy in Lisbon so far – mostly from the home fans but the pocket of 2,600 Arsenal away fans are doing their best. Kick-off up next. A look at the pre-match post bag. After the last 2 losses, nothing can be taken for granted and I don’t think Arsenal are favourites for this game tonight. Arteta is trying to convince himself but the truth is: he is panicking! Zubimendi and Rice are our two most important players tonight. If they have a good game, I think we will take a good lead to the Emirates. Shocking that all the players Arsenal withdrew from international duty are now in the starting XI. How does that work? I am quite surprised that Viktor Gyökeres has gotten a decent reception during the warmup … We all know Alexander Isak would not receive the same warm welcome on Tyneside. What is the difference between how the two forced moves?

⚽ Updates from this 8pm kick-off at the Bernabéu ⚽ Six of the best Bayern and Real Madrid face-offs ⚽ Read Football Daily | Sporting 0-1 Arsenal – live At the end of tonight’s game, a Real Madrid fan will charge onto the pitch, chin Harry Kane and flatten the referee Michael Oliver. No, of course they won’t. But that is essentially what happened at the end of the first ever meeting between Real and Bayern. The footage is kinda bonkers: watch for the affronted gentleman who sprints into view from behind the goal.

European giants clash in huge Champions League quarter-final

HARRY KANE helped end 14-years of Real Madrid pain for Bayern Munich. The England captain returned from his ankle scare with a goal as Bayern ended a run of nine without a win against Real and set course for the semi-finals. Manager Vincent Kompany had not yet lifted a Premier League trophy with Manchester City...

Bundesliga champions were dominant as European giants clashed

DAYOT UPAMECANO was guilty of a horror miss in Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid. The Frenchman, 27, had a golden chance to put the German giants ahead just eight minutes into the game at the Bernabeu. Joshua Kimmich had floated a perfectly timed ball into the area that the visitors failed...

Steven Gerrard says he’d love to see Luis Diaz make a sensational return to Liverpool. The winger proved decisive for Bayern Munich by scoring his side’s opener in Tuesday’s 2-1 Champio…

It's advantage Bayern Munich as they win a thrilling Champions League quarter-final first-leg at the Bernabeu 2-1, while Kai Havertz' injury-time winner snatches a 1-0 win for Arsenal away to Sporting.

Thibaut Courtois has missed Real Madrid's Champions League match against Bayern Munich due to a thigh injury.

REAL MADRID stars were greeted by a STREAKER as they made their way to the Bernabeu for their Champions League clash. Fans looked to give players a memorable welcome for their huge quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich. Real Madrid fans love to provide what they call a "Busiana" - essentially a lively welcoming of...

A blockbuster meeting awaits the football world with Real Madrid hosting Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League

Premier League legend Gareth Barry has backed Arsenal to reach the Champions League final but believes they will miss out on the trophy.

Bayern are amongst the favorites to win the Champions League, while Real Madrid have been in up-and-down form all season long

The Champions League returns this week with some blockbuster clashes across the quarter-finals - here's how to tune into Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich

The 2025/26 Champions League final is already on the horizon, with the remaining European giants setting their sights on Budapest. Last year’s final saw Paris Saint-Germain secure the ultimat…