Page 5 - Football

France's Champions League qualification race set for an intense finish

The one-sided Ligue 1 title race ended with a whimper, but the chase for Champions League places promises to be an intense sprint finish in France. With at least six teams still in contention and six games left, this weekend's matches could shake up the standings. The top three get an automatic spot and the side in fourth enters the qualifying rounds. French champion Paris Saint-Germain has secured one of the spots, leaving three. Only five points separate second-placed Marseille from Lille in seventh spot, while Monaco can leapfrog Marseille into second place if it wins their encounter on Saturday. But if Monaco fails to win at Stade Louis II, then Strasbourg will move into third place with a home win on Saturday against Nice, which is sixth and in poor form following three defeats in the last four games. That has opened the door for resurgent Lyon in fifth place. Should Monaco and Strasbourg both lose, then seven-time French champion Lyon would move into third with a win at Aux

Copa Libertadores stampede: Two fans die before Colo Colo-Fortaleza match

Two fans died on Thursday before the start of a Copa Libertadores match between the host Colo Colo and Fortaleza of Brazil near Santiago's estadio Monumental, a local prosecutor said. According to authorities, a group of fans attempted to force their way into the stadium and tore down one of the venue's protective fences. The victims were reportedly trapped beneath them. The match was later suspended in the 70th minute due to unruly fans, although it was not immediately clear if it was related to the earlier deaths. The Eastern Flagrancy Prosecutor, Francisco Morales said that a group of fans tried to access the estadio Monumental through the Casa Alba, a building adjacent to the venue and the police tried to prevent them from entering. A stampede ensued, resulting in the collapse of a fence, added Morales. We are currently investigating whether a police vehicle was involved in the death. Authorities said one of the persons died at the scene and the other at a nearby medical ...

Champions League 2025 Q/F: Barcelona vs Dortmund live time and streaming

The live streaming of the UCL quarterfinal between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund will be available on the SonyLIV app.

Champions League 2025 Q/F: Bayern vs Inter live match time and streaming

Bayern vs Inter Milan football live streaming in India: The live streaming of the UCL quarterfinal match between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan will be available on the SonyLIV app.

Champions League 2025 Q/F: Arsenal vs Madrid live match time and streaming

Champions League quarterfinal live streaming & telecast: Arsenal vs Real Madrid live football match available for stream on Sony LIV and live telecast on Sony TEN 2 HD/SD in India

Real Madrid vs Barcelona legends: Real beat rivals Barca 2-0 in Mumbai

From young kids jumping with excitement to old-timers reliving their glory days, the atmosphere at the DY Patil Stadium was electric.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona legends match: Date, live time, and streaming info

Check the date, live match time, and live streaming details of the Barca vs Real Madrid legends match here.

Maradona's autopsy experts testify that he had an abnormally large heart

Experts involved in Diego Maradona's autopsy testified on Tuesday at the trial of seven health professionals accused of negligent homicide that the Argentine soccer star had an abnormally large heart, suffered from cirrhosis, and showed no traces of alcohol or drugs at the time of is death. Forensic expert Alejandro Ezequiel Vega told the court that Maradona's heart was enlarged and weighed about 503 grams, when the average weight is between 250 and 300 grams. Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, died on Nov. 25, 2020. He was 60. Vega explained that the examination of Maradona's heart showed that the former star suffered from long-standing ischemia, with lack of blood flow and oxygen. The autopsy concluded that Maradona died of acute pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure. Maradona died in a house on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, days after undergoing surgery for a hematoma that formed between his skull and brain. According to the prosecutio

Man City's striker Haaland faces weeks on sidelines with ankle injury

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is set for a long spell on the sidelines due to his ankle injury in the FA Cup quarterfinal win. Haaland had just scored his 30th goal of the season on Sunday against Bournemouth when he was hurt in a challenge by midfielder Lewis Cook. After scans on Monday, City said Haaland will see a specialist to determine the full extent of the injury. The only timeframe City gave for Haaland's recovery was that he should be fit before the end of the season. City is in a fight to qualify for the Champions League next season. It is fifth in the Premier League, outside the top four qualifying spots, with nine rounds remaining. There's also the FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest at Wembley on April 26. "Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis," City said on its website. "The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Premier League live time, streaming

Manchester United are looking to secure consecutive league wins for the first time this season when they take on Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal vs Fulham Premier League live match time, line-ups and streaming

Mikel Arteta's side is a long way off the title race, but a victory on Tuesday would reduce the gap to leaders Liverpool to single digits.

Inter and Napoli remain last two real contenders for 2025 Serie A title

Victor Osimhen left in September. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia departed in January. Now it's almost April and Antonio Conte's Napoli somehow is still in contention for the Serie A title. Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku scored first-half goals, Alex Meret saved a second-half penalty kick from Santiago Gimenez, and Napoli beat visiting AC Milan 2-1 on Sunday for a statement victory. Luka Jovic pulled one back for Milan in the 84th to set up a tense finale during which Milan came close to equalizing. The result kept Napoli within three points of Serie A leader Inter Milan, which edged Udinese 2-1 earlier. It's developing into a two-team title race after third-placed Atalanta lost its second straight game, falling 1-0 at Fiorentina to drop nine points back. While Lukaku has filled the void left by Osimhen after the Nigeria striker left to sign a loan deal with Galatasaray, it has taken a group effort to replace Kvaratskhelia's output after the winger signed with Paris Saint-Germain. On

AC Milan need derby win vs Inter to book their place for Europe next year

For AC Milan, it could be the only way to qualify for Europe. For Inter Milan, it's the least important of the three competitions that the Nerazzurri are still competing in this season. The rival clubs are in completely opposite forms entering the first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Milan was virtually eliminated from contesting for the Champions League spots with a 2-1 loss at Napoli in Serie A on Sunday that left the Rossoneri in ninth place nine points behind fourth-place Bologna, which faces Empoli in the other semifinal on Tuesday. Winning the Italian Cup guarantees a Europa League spot. It's very frustrating, because we didn't deserve this defeat, Milan coach Sergio Conceicao said, referring to how Milan nearly equalized with some late fight at Napoli. We want to change the outlook and on Wednesday we have the chance to do so. It will be the fourth derby of the season after Milan won the first two, followed by a draw. Milan's 2-1 win in Serie A in Sept

Arsenal football club hire Andrea Berta as club's new sporting director

Arsenal confirmed the appointment of Andrea Berta as the club's new sporting director on Sunday, with the Italian having established a strong reputation after spending 12 years at Atletico Madrid in a similar role. The 53-year-old Berta succeeds Edu a former midfielder for Arsenal and Brazil in a position that has been vacant since November. Berta, who has a background in banking, held roles with Italian teams Parma and Genoa before joining Atletico in 2013, initially as technical director. He left in January. During his time with the Diego Simeone-managed club, the team won two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and Europa League, as well as the UEFA Super Cup. Among the best signings made by Atletico during Berta's tenure are Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann. I am delighted to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club, said Berta. I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone

Messi shines on return, helps Inter Miami overcome Philadelphia 2-1

Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, with what became the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the Herons into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pass from Luis Suarez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter Miami lead. It was Messi's second goal in three Major League Soccer matches this season. He did not start the match, but was cleared to play earlier in the week after missing some time including two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina with an adductor injury. Daniel Gazdag got the goal for Philadelphia (4-2-0) in the 80th minute, but Inter Miami held on from there. Messi also was dealing with an issue with his left thigh along with the ..

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest seal FA Cup 2025 semi-final spots

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest booked places in the semifinals of the FA Cup on Saturday. Eberechi Eze starred for Palace with a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win at Fulham. Goalkeeper Matz Sels was the hero for Forest with two saves in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Brighton after the game ended 0-0. Eze's match-winning performance came after he also scored for England in Monday's World Cup qualifying win over Latvia. That's what we expect from him, and that's why we love him, Palace defender Marc Guehi said. I tell him every day he's one of the best, but it's not about saying it, it's about showing it and he's done it. On Sunday, second-division Preston faces Aston Villa and Manchester City travels to Bournemouth. Palace on winning road streak ==================== With victory at Fulham, Palace recorded a club-record sixth away win in row, according to statistician Opta. It's this group, the character of this group, the attitude of this group, the work rate of this g

FA Cup highlights: Crystal Palace beat Fulham 3-0, advance to semis

Crystal Palace advanced to the semifinals of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday. Palace became the first team to book its place in the next round with victory at Craven Cottage in the quarterfinals through goals from Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah. Eze struck a brilliant long-range effort in the 34th minute and then provided the cross for Sarr to head in for the visitors four minutes later. Nketiah came off the bench to complete the win in the 75th. Brighton was hosting Nottingham Forest later Saturday. On Sunday, second-division Preston faces Aston Villa and Manchester City travels to Bournemouth.

Brazil coach Dorival fired after worst defeat in World Cup qualifiers

Brazil coach Dorival Jnior was fired on Friday after 14 months amid poor results and disappointing performances from the national team. Jnior's sacking by Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues came three days after a 4-1 defeat to bitter rival Argentina in Buenos Aires, Brazil's heaviest defeat in a World Cup qualifier. The confederation announces that Dorival Jnior's cycle is over, Rodrigues told media in Rio de Janeiro. From now on, we will work in the search for a substitute. Much has been said about (the confederation) contacting A, B or C coach, but I should say that (comment) was never coming from this president or anyone that the president authorized. Brazil is fifth in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The top six qualify automatically. Under the 62-year-old Jnior, Brazil won seven matches, drew another seven, and lost two. But it has won only one of its last four games. The team scored 25 goals and conceded 17. In the Copa America la

Spanish Court to try Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti for tax fraud

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will stand trial on tax evasion charges in Spain on Wednesday. Spanish state prosecutors have accused the highly successful Italian coach of defrauding the state of 1 million euros ($1 million) in 2014 and 2015. A Madrid-based court set the trial date on Friday. State prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to four years and nine months on two counts of tax fraud. They accused Ancelotti in March 2024 of having used shell companies to hide his true earnings. Ancelotti has denied any wrongdoing. The 65-year-old Ancelotti is one of soccer's most successful coaches. He is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times, three with Madrid and twice with AC Milan, and the only coach to have won domestic league titles in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. He coached Madrid from 2013-15 before starting his current stint in 2021.

Man City stand between the FA Cup and another underdog fairytale

Manchester City is the only thing standing in the way of a soccer fairy tale in the FA Cup. Take away City the behemoth of the English game over the past decade and the clubs remaining in the famous old competition heading into this weekend's quarterfinals have not won a major trophy between them this century. Heck, four of them have never won any major silverware. What a chance, then, for Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Preston, Aston Villa and Bournemouth to create some history and spark some more life into English soccer. In the modern-day English game, trophies and titles are typically concentrated in the hands of a few clubs. Leicester (2016) is the only team outside a group of five Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to have won the Premier League since Blackburn in 1995. Only three teams outside that star quintet have won the FA Cup this century Portsmouth (2008), Wigan (2013) and Leicester (2021). This season might prove an