Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Mu...

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each as Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in an epic first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday -- an extraordinary encounter that was the highest-scoring match ever at this stage of the competition.The first half alone was crazy, with Harry Kane giving Bayern the lead from a penalty, only for Kvaratskhelia to equalise before Joao Neves headed the hosts in front at an enthralled Parc des Princes.Michael Olise made it 2-2, but a Dembele penalty in first-half stoppage time had the reigning champions back ahead at the interval.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kvaratskhelia, surely the standout player in this season's Champions League, and Dembele both then scored again to have hosts PSG seemingly out of sight, only for Dayot Upamecano to pull one back before Luis Diaz made it 5-4.An unforgettable game -- perhaps better even than last season's semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona -- leaves the tie between the continent's two best teams of the moment wonderfully poised for next Wednesday's return at the Allianz Arena, with a place in the final in Budapest on May 30 on the line."I'm sure everyone who loves football really enjoyed watching that. It was a real pleasure to play in that game, the kind of game we dream of playing in as kids," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.His team will be returning to Munich -- scene of their 5-0 win over Inter in last year's final -- with the advantage, but Bayern will be confident they can overturn the narrow deficit at home."We fought and we clawed and we're back in the tie," Kane told Amazon Prime. "I thought there was amazing defending even though there were nine goals."The French champions are seeking to become just the second side in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy, while the German champions are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2020, when they defeated PSG to lift the trophy for the sixth time.<h3>Instant classic</h3>Vincent Kompany's team arrived in Paris having scored 167 goals this season, led by the remarkable Kane who had netted 53 times in 45 appearances.This tie had a lot to live up to, after Bayern's spectacular win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, but it was an instant classic as both teams showcased their devastating firepower.Bayern went ahead in the 17th minute as Willian Pacho chopped down Diaz and Kane made no mistake with the resulting penalty to make it 54 for the campaign.The visitors won 2-1 here in November in the league phase thanks to a Diaz double and they were the better team early on this time.But their front-foot approach made them vulnerable to the counter-attack, and Dembele should have equalised before the leveller came just after the midway point in the first half.Kvaratskhelia's genius on the wing has regularly been the difference for PSG recently, and he broke clear of Josip Stanisic down the left before cutting inside and firing into the far corner.A classic Kvaratskhelia goal was followed by Neves heading in Dembele's corner on 33 minutes.The action was only just getting started, however, as French international Olise drove towards the PSG box before smashing in for 2-2 with his 20th of the season.PSG then won a penalty at the end of the first half, when a Dembele cross struck the arm of Alphonso Davies, the Canadian making his first start in the Champions League this season after injury.It was given by the Swiss referee after a VAR check, and Dembele beat Manuel Neuer to make it 3-2 at the interval -- a lead which PSG added to after the restart, leaving Bayern stunned.Achraf Hakimi's assist was swept in by Kvaratskhelia for 4-2 on 56 minutes, the Georgian getting his seventh goal in seven games in the knockout phase.Bayern had not been able to reset before Dembele surprised Neuer with a low shot in off the near post to make it 5-2 with his second of the night.But Bayern were not done, as Upamecano headed in Joshua Kimmich's free-kick for 5-3, taking Kompany's side to 170 for their season tally.Diaz, who was sent off in the November meeting, was then played in over the top and dribbled past Marquinhos before slotting in for the night's final goal.Kompany, watching from the stands due to suspension, would have been delighted with his team's response -- even if they were relieved to see Senny Mayulu's late strike for PSG come back off Neuer's crossbar.

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's third goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France.

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Manchester United moved within touching distance of qualifying for the Champions League as Casemi...

Manchester United moved within touching distance of qualifying for the Champions League as Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko sealed a 2-1 win against Brentford on Monday.Casemiro put United ahead in the early stages at Old Trafford and Sesko doubled their lead before the interval.Mathias Jensen's late strike couldn't stop United cementing their grip on third place in the Premier League.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>They are 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton, with the top five guaranteed to reach next season's Champions League.Michael Carrick's side need just two points from their last four matches to ensure their return to Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 2023-24.On Sunday, United host bitter rivals Liverpool, who sit three points behind them in fourth, in a clash that will go a long way to deciding who finishes third.Interim boss Carrick, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January, is still waiting to discover if he will land the United job on a permanent basis.The former United midfielder has made a strong case by steadying the ship after Amorim's turbulent reign.Leading United into the Champions League would be another persuasive argument as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe considers his options.A 1-0 win at Chelsea in their previous match had reinvigorated United's top-five charge after a home defeat against Leeds and a draw at Bournemouth.Brentford last won at Old Trafford in 1937 and they paid the price for a slow start on their latest fruitless visit.<h3>Casemiro strikes again</h3>Kobbie Mainoo scythed through the Brentford defence with a superb run in the second minute, but Amad Diallo wasted the chance with a close-range shot that was cleared off the line by Sepp van den Berg.Harry Maguire was inches away from marking his return from suspension with a goal when the United defender's towering header was clawed off the line by Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.United's pressure was rewarded in the 11th minute as Casemiro finished off a well-worked corner routine.Bruno Fernandes whipped the set-piece to Maguire and his looping header evaded a gaggle of Brentford defenders at the far post as Casemiro rose highest to head home from an acute angle.Casemiro's fourth goal in his last six games underlined the enduring value of the veteran Brazil midfielder, who is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of this season.He celebrated by kissing the badge on his shirt as United fans implored him to stay by chanting "one more year".Michael Kayode nearly silenced the love-in with a header that United keeper Senne Lammens pushed away at full stretch.Igor Thiago's muscular power was a thorn in United's side but the Brazilian couldn't finish, scuffing one chance under pressure from Diogo Dalot before Kelleher saved his close-range drive.Ayden Heaven's last-ditch attempt to deny Thiago almost ended in an own goal, but Lammens spared the United teenager's blushes with a fine save.United took advantage of those misses to double their advantage in the 43rd minute.Diallo's determination to win a tackle deep inside his own half started the move before Fernandes drove towards the Brentford area, slipping a pass to Sesko, who lashed home from 10 yards.Fernandes has 19 assists this season as he chases the Premier League record of 20 in a single campaign set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.United were less dominant in the second half and Jensen whipped an eye-catching curler past Lammens from 20 yards in the 87th minute to set up a tense finale.Carrick's men wobbled but just about held firm as Mikkel Damsgaard's header was clutched by Lammens in stoppage-time.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford on April 27, 2026 in Manchester, England.

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Italian coach Francesco Calzona has stepped down from his job as Slovakia boss after four years i...

Italian coach Francesco Calzona has stepped down from his job as Slovakia boss after four years in charge, the Slovak football association (SFZ) said Monday.Slovakia reached the last 16 at Euro 2024 under the 57-year-old but failed to qualify for this year's World Cup, losing to Kosovo in the play-offs."After an open debate we have agreed that Francesco Calzona will not continue with the national team," SFZ vice-president Karol Belanik said in a statement.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He added the SFZ and Calzona failed to agree on the length of a new contract as the association offered two years, while the coach wanted more.An assistant coach at Napoli from 2015-18 and 2021-22, Calzona signed with Slovakia in 2022 after a recommendation from former Napoli and Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik.He was also Napoli head coach for four months at the end of the 2023/24 season, while also continuing with Slovakia, before being replaced by Antonio Conte.Slovakia comfortably qualified for Euro 2024, where they beat Belgium in the group stage before losing to England after extra time in the last 16.But they were stunned 4-3 by Kosovo at home in the 2026 World Cup play-off semi-finals last month after finishing second behind Germany in qualifying Group A.

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - 2025/11/17: Coach Francesco Calzona of Slovakia seen during European World Cup Qualifiers 2026 football match between Germany and Slovakia at RedBull (Leipzig). Final score Germany 6 : 0 Slovakia.

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Luka Modric will not play again for AC Milan this season after undergoing surgery on a cheekbone ...

Luka Modric will not play again for AC Milan this season after undergoing surgery on a cheekbone fracture suffered in his team's goalless draw with Juventus, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Monday.Croatia captain Modric is expected to be out of action for between six to eight weeks but should be free to play in the upcoming World Cup, potentially with a face mask, the source said.The 40-year-old will, however, have to sit out Milan's final four games of the Serie A season after clashing heads with Juve midfielder Manuel Locatelli at the San Siro on Sunday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Modric subsequently left the field with an ice pack to his face, with Milan revealing earlier on Monday that he had fractured his left cheekbone and would need to go under the knife."Surgery was needed on a complex, multi-fragment fracture of the left cheekbone. The operation... was perfectly successful," said Milan in a short statement.Milan did not say for how long Modric would be out of action, but the latest club statement added that Milan "hoped for a quick recovery in view of the World Cup" for Modric, hinting that his club season was over.Last summer, Modric signed a one-year contract with the seven-time European champions, with an option to extend the deal through to the end of next season.Milan are on course to return to the Champions League, with Massimiliano Allegri's team third in Italy's top flight, six points ahead of fifth- and sixth-placed Como and Roma ahead of Sunday's trip to Sassuolo.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 26: Luka Modric of AC Milan injured during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

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Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the Clasico on May 10 after his club confirmed M...

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for the Clasico on May 10 after his club confirmed Monday he has sustained a thigh injury."He has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left leg," said Los Blancos in a statement, after the France captain went off hurt during Madrid's 1-1 draw against Real Betis in La Liga last Friday.Madrid, second in the Spanish top flight by 11 points from leaders Barcelona, face Espanyol on Sunday before taking on the Catalan giants the following weekend.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Real Madrid initially indicated Mbappe had suffered a muscular overload, but further tests showed their top goalscorer was injured.If Madrid drop points against Espanyol without him and Barcelona defeat Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick's side will be crowned champions for a second successive season.Mbappe has been troubled by injury this season, generating concern in France with the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting on June 11.The 27-year-old, a world champion in 2018, was dogged by a knee issue which lasted for two months, the longest absence of his career, and admitted it caused him "frustration, anger and anxiety".

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF controls the ball during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain, on April 24, 2026.

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The head of referees for Serie A and Serie B has temporarily stepped aside after being placed und...

The head of referees for Serie A and Serie B has temporarily stepped aside after being placed under investigation by prosecutors in Milan for "sporting fraud."Gianluca Rocchi said in a statement released on Saturday that he has decided to "suspend himself" from his role as the man who assigns referees to matches in Italy's top two divisions."This painful and difficult decision ... is intended to allow the judicial proceedings, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed, to run smoothly," said Rocchi.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>VAR chief Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation for the same charge.Rocchi is accused, alongside other unnamed suspects, of having piloted the selection of Andrea Colombo as the referee for Inter Milan's match at Bologna in April last year as he was "liked by Inter."Inter lost that match 1-0 to a last-minute strike from Riccardo Orsolini.Rocchi is also accused of having pressured a VAR official to encourage referee Fabio Maresca to check on the pitchside monitors for a handball offence during Udinese's 1-0 win over Parma in March last year.Both Maresca on the pitch and Daniele Paterna in the VAR room had already ruled the incident was not worth a penalty.In a video of the VAR room, Paterna can be seen turning away from his monitors and saying "it's a penalty" after being spoken to by someone off-camera.Prosecutors allege that it was Rocchi who had banged on the VAR room door in order to pressure Paterna to change his decision not to review the handball, which eventually led to Florian Thauvin scoring the only goal of the game.Sporting fraud is a criminal offence in Italy with a maximum sentence of six years in prison, and the files will also be sent to the Italian Football Federation whose own prosecutors could open their own probe.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 22: Gianluca Rocchi looks during the Supercoppa Italiana final match between SSC Napoli v Bologna FC 1909 at King Saud University Stadium on December 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League as Eberechi Eze's thunderbolt sealed a tense 1-...

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League as Eberechi Eze's thunderbolt sealed a tense 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.For the first time since October, Arsenal had started a league game out of pole position after Manchester City's 1-0 win at Burnley on Wednesday sent them to the summit.But Eze lifted the Gunners back into first place with his sublime strike in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Eze's 10th goal this season opened up a three-point lead over second-placed City, who were booking their place in the FA Cup final with a 2-1 win against Southampton while Arsenal were in league action.It was an essential victory for Arsenal, whose 2-1 defeat at City last weekend was a huge blow to their title hopes.After losing just three of their first 49 matches in all competitions this season, Arsenal had been beaten in four of the previous six, suffering successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.Having blown substantial leads in the title race in 2023 and 2024, allowing City to pip them in the trophy, the north Londoners' recent slump has left them in danger of squandering another golden opportunity to win their first English crown since 2004.City have a game in hand on Arsenal, keeping the destiny of the title in their hands.However, they don't play their next league game until May 4 when they visit Everton, giving Arsenal the chance to move six points clear when they host Fulham next weekend.Before that, Arsenal visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.City's win against Burnley had ended Arsenal's 209-day run as leaders due their superior goals scored tally.While Arsenal are back on top with a one-goal better goal difference than City, their failure to run up the score on toothless Newcastle could come back to haunt them.<h3>Eze magic</h3>Newcastle have been in even worse form than Arsenal and this was their ninth defeat in 12 league games, adding to the pressure on under-fire boss Eddie Howe.Howe's team had managed just one league win in 17 visits to the Emirates and they left empty-handed again despite a vibrant start. Will Osula should have netted from close-range in the opening seconds before Bruno Guimaraes' 20-yard blast whistled just over. Eze drilled narrowly wide from the edge of the area, a warning that Newcastle failed to heed as the England midfielder put Arsenal ahead in the ninth minute.Once again, Arsenal's set-piece mastery paid dividends, but Newcastle were guilty of woeful defending.Martin Odegaard found Kai Havertz inside the area and he teed up Eze -- left unmarked in virtually the same position as his shot moments earlier -- to smash a superb curler into the top corner from 18 yards.Arsenal's 17th goal from a corner this season set a new Premier League record for a single campaign.After playing just six short corners in the league all season prior to facing Newcastle, Arteta's men deployed three in the first-half alone to exploit a vulnerability in the visitors' defence.Arsenal were far from flawless themselves and keeper David Raya was almost caught out by Sandro Tonali's dipping drive from distance.Havertz limped off in the 34th minute to extend his injury-plagued season.And there was more bad news for Arteta on the injury front when Eze was forced off early in the second half.Arsenal lost their rhythm after the injuries and Yoane Wissa should have made them pay when he volleyed over from eight yards.Arsenal's anxiety was palpable in the stands and on the pitch as Dan Burn's header was clutched by Raya in the closing stages.Shaking his head on the touchline, Arteta breathed a sigh of relief as a gripping title race took another twist.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Eberechi Eze of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England.

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Nico Gonzalez's stunning strike fired Manchester City into a record fourth consecutive FA Cup fin...

Nico Gonzalez's stunning strike fired Manchester City into a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola's men produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.The Saints were heading towards a first FA Cup final since 2003 when Finn Azaz's brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.However, City avoided the same fate that Arsenal suffered in the quarter-finals and remain on course for a domestic treble.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jeremy Doku's deflected effort quickly levelled before Gonzalez rifled in from long range three minutes from time.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Two goals for <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ManCity</a> in five minutes and Nico González puts them ahead! 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCMOTD</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballontnt</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsonMax?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsonMax</a> <a href="https://t.co/nJcfQOiZKw">pic.twitter.com/nJcfQOiZKw</a>— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/2048101651412550011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>City will face Leeds or Chelsea in the final on May 16."No team has made four finals in a row. It's extraordinary and hopefully we can arrive with a good momentum," said Guardiola.Defeat ends Southampton's 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.The Saints also knocked out City's title rivals Arsenal in the previous round and will rue a glorious chance missed to return to Wembley next month.Guardiola made eight changes from the side that went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku were among those to miss out and City took 45 minutes to find their feet.Leo Scienza found the bottom corner early on, but Southampton's joy was cut short by the offside flag.City came out for the second half a changed team even before Guardiola turned to his bench to unleash the stars he had kept in reserve.Omar Marmoush missed his chance to shine on a rare start ahead of Haaland.The Egyptian spooned the best of City's chances over the bar before he was replaced by Haaland.Guardiola also introduced Doku, Savinho and Nico O'Reilly to break down Southampton's mass ranks of well-marshalled defence.Daniel Peretz repelled Gonzalez's powerful effort before Southampton pounced to take a shock lead on a rare second-half foray forward.Kuryu Matsuki fed Azaz, who spun before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Finn Azaz with a wonder goal right in front of the <a href="https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@southamptonFC</a> fans! 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCMOTD</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballontnt</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsonMax?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsonMax</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ydug3qmwn0">pic.twitter.com/Ydug3qmwn0</a>— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/2048099636192137417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>However, Southampton could not hold on as City roared back to reach the final once more.Doku's effort from the edge of the box deflected off James Bree to wrong-foot Peretz.The Southampton goalkeeper was then left helpless as Gonzalez's piledriver completed the comeback.Savinho should have added a third in stoppage time after Peretz came forward in search of an equaliser and left his goal gaping, but Matsuki raced back to clear off the line.City, though, did just enough to remain on course to match their own achievement of being the only English side to win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, in 2018/19.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva and John Stones during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Southampton at Wembley Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England.

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Liverpool moved ever closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over...

Liverpool moved ever closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday but will be hoping Mohamed Salah has not played his final game for the club.Salah limped off in the second half at Anfield holding his hamstring with less than a month of his glittering career with the Reds remaining."It's too early to say but we all know Mo and how hard it is for him to leave the pitch," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot. "We have to wait and see how bad it is."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Two goals in five minutes just before half-time tightened the grip of Arne Slot's men on a top-five finish.British transfer record signing Alexander Isak scored his first goal since returning from a leg break as he turned home on the rebound after Alexis MacAllister's initial effort was blocked.Andy Robertson then marked one of his final appearances at Anfield with a fine finish at the end of a lethal Liverpool counter-attack after third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had denied Palace an equaliser.Salah went to ground just before the hour mark holding the back of his left leg and was given a standing ovation as he made way for Jeremie Frimpong.Daniel Munoz reduced the Eagles' arrears despite Liverpool appeals for a foul on Woodman 19 minutes from time."It was a lot more nervy because of the goal. I don't think we deserved to concede it in that fashion," added Slot."Is there a game we play where there isn't a talking point about the referee?"But Florian Wirtz secured the three points deep into stoppage time with just his fifth Premier League goal since a £100 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.Victory moves Liverpool up to fourth and opens up an eight-point lead on sixth-placed Brighton with just four games of the season remaining.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans as he is substituted during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Saturday April 25, 2026.

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Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford's goals took Barcelona to the brink of the La Liga title with a ...

Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford's goals took Barcelona to the brink of the La Liga title with a 2-0 win at Getafe on Saturday.The defending champions moved 11 points clear of second place Real Madrid, who drew at Real Betis on Friday to dent their hopes of finishing the season with a trophy.Hansi Flick's side can win their second consecutive Spanish title if they overcome Osasuna next weekend and Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's not done, we have five more games and we're only focused on the next one," Flick told reporters."We will celebrate when it's time, but not now."Barcelona were without vital injured wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha but still did enough to see off Jose Bordalas's tricky side, sixth, in the Madrid suburbs."We were aware of what was going to happen here, we were going to have few chances and I think we played well, competing well defensively and putting away the chances we had," Lopez told Movistar."We know we've got a big advantage (in the title race) but even so, we can't relax, I know it's a cliche but it's the truth."Getafe set out to disrupt Barcelona's rhythm with small fouls and Barca struggled to create many clear opportunities.Dani Olmo made the first with a neat dribble, speeding into Getafe territory, but pulled his shot wide of the far post.Eventually the hosts made the breakthrough just before half-time when Pedri played in Lopez.Wearing a protective mask after hurting his face in a collision with Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Juan Musso during Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final elimination last week, Lopez stayed calm to slot home.The midfielder imitated Yamal's usual "304" celebration in tribute to the injured teenage star."The truth is he's really important for us, it's a shame that he can't play any more, but the important thing is that he recovers well and is ready for the World Cup," added Lopez.With Getafe needing to come out of their shell to find an equaliser, Barca had more opportunities after the break.David Soria saved from Olmo after he met Jules Kounde's cross, and then the French defender headed a Joao Cancelo ball narrowly off-target.Martin Satriano threatened for the hosts before Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, secured Barcelona's triumph.Robert Lewandowski sent the England international charging through on goal and he slipped a low effort past Soria to help Barca put one hand on the trophy."Marcus, in the second half he came on and used the space they gave us," said Flick."I'm happy that we scored this goal for the team and also for him."Getafe goalkeeper Soria acknowledged Barca were clinical enough to clinch victory."They were very efficient, you give away two chances and they score them both," he said."It's a shame to have gone in behind at half-time because it puts you in a difficult spot."

GETAFE, SPAIN - APRIL 25: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona celebrates 0-2 with Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona, Pedri of FC Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona, Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Getafe v FC Barcelona at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on April 25, 2026 in Getafe Spain

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West Ham scored a late winner on Saturday to stay two points clear of Tottenham in the battle to ...

West Ham scored a late winner on Saturday to stay two points clear of Tottenham in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation on a day of breathless drama.Spurs looked set to escape the bottom three with just minutes remaining after they took the lead against Wolves and West Ham conceded an equaliser against Everton.But substitute Callum Wilson scored a winner in the 92nd minute at the London Stadium to restore West Ham's two-point cushion, with just four games to go.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham travelled to already-relegated Wolves without a Premier League win since December but were blunt in attack.But Joao Palhinha's late goal secured a 1-0 win and travelling Spurs fans celebrated wildly when they learned that Everton had levelled in the 88th minute.At that stage Spurs were out of the bottom three.But West Ham were not finished, with Wilson adding a remarkable postscript."The atmosphere was electric," Wilson told the BBC. "I think the fans and the players have really come together in this period and it has stood us in good stead."We're the ones in the driving seat at the moment and if we take care of our own results it should stand us in good stead come the end of the season."Wolves and Burnley are already down but the race to avoid the final relegation spot has effectively become a two-horse race between Tottenham and West Ham.Nottingham Forest hammered Sunderland 5-0 on Friday to pull well clear of the drop zone.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Joao Palhinha of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at Molineux on April 25, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England.

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Spurs, West Ham get dramatic wins in battle for Premier League survival

Nottingham Forest smashed Sunderland 5-0 on Friday to pull eight points clear of the Premier Leag...

Nottingham Forest smashed Sunderland 5-0 on Friday to pull eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, heaping extra pressure on struggling Tottenham.The stunning result at the Stadium of Light effectively turns the battle to avoid the final relegation spot into a two-horse race between Spurs and West Ham, with Wolves and Burnley already doomed.Vitor Pereira's Forest have found a rich vein of form at just the right time and are now unbeaten in six league games. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sunderland enjoyed the bulk of possession in the early stages of an absorbing contest in the northeast of England but the visitors looked consistently dangerous when they attacked.Forest broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Trai Hume deflected Igor Jesus' header into his own net, but that gave little indication of what was to follow in an extraordinary opening period.Chris Wood doubled the lead in the 31st minute, finishing smartly after Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs gifted possession to the away side.Morgan Gibbs-White volleyed home to make it 3-0 and three minutes later it was 4-0 when Jesus hammered home at the back post, leaving mid-table Sunderland shellshocked.The home side battled harder in the second half. Dan Ballard nodded home on the hour mark but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Nordi Mukiele. But Forest largely remained in control and rubbed salt into Sunderland's wounds when Elliot Anderson passed the ball into the net to make it five in stoppage time.The emphatic win takes Forest to 39 points and the brink of safety.The East Midlands club have had a turbulent season under four different permanent managers but could end the campaign on a real high -- with a Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa to come.Attention now turns to Saturday's matches at the bottom of the table.Tottenham, under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, travel to bottom side Wolves at the same time as West Ham host Everton.Spurs, who were last relegated in 1977, are on 31 points -- two behind the Hammers. Both teams have five matches left.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring his side's third goal with Elliot Anderson and Neco Williams during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Nottingham Forest at Stadium of Light on April 24, 2026 in Sunderland, United Kingdom.

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Nottingham Forest run riot at Sunderland to close in on EPL safety

RB Leipzig moved closer to a Champions League return after thumping Union Berlin 3-1 at home on F...

RB Leipzig moved closer to a Champions League return after thumping Union Berlin 3-1 at home on Friday and handing coach Marie-Louise Eta her second straight Bundesliga defeat. Max Finkgrafe, Romulo and Ridle Baku got on the scoresheet to lift third-placed Leipzig eight points clear of fifth-placed Hoffenheim, who have a game in hand. Danilho Doekhi bagged a late consolation for Union, who are not yet safe from the threat of relegation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Leipzig missed out on Europe this season for the first time since their 2016-17 top-flight debut, but a seventh win in their past eight matches kept them on track for the Champions League next term.Union have lost six of their last eight, including both games since Eta took over. Union's cushion over the relegation play-off spot could shrink to just three points if St Pauli beat bottom club Heidenheim on Saturday.Leipzig controlled the game from the start and Finkgrafe blasted in from a poor Leopold Querfeld clearance after 22 minutes. The hosts added another three minutes later when Romulo pounced on a sloppy Querfeld back-pass to double Leipzig's lead.Yan Diomande laid on a pass for Baku to make it 3-0 just past the hour and Leipzig could've added to their tally, with both Antonio Nusa and Christoph Baumgartner dragging shots just wide of the post.Union pulled a goal back late when Doekhi headed in from a corner but offered little more as the club risk being dragged back into a relegation scrap for the third straight season.

Leipzig's German midfielder #17 Ridle Baku celebrates scoring the 3-0 goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on April 24, 2026. / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO ALTERNATIVE CROP

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Leipzig tighten top-4 grip as Union's Eta suffers 2nd loss

Napoli made sure that Inter Milan will have to wait at least another week to win the Serie A titl...

Napoli made sure that Inter Milan will have to wait at least another week to win the Serie A title with a thumping win 4-0 over Cremonese on Friday.With four matches left in their season, the reigning champions trail Inter by nine points after Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Alisson rattled goals past sorry Cremonese in Naples. Filippo Terracciano was credited with an own goal for Napoli's second.Inter could have had a chance to seal their 21st league crown at Torino had Napoli failed to beat Cremonese, who have dropped into the relegation zone following an 18th defeat of a tough campaign.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Regardless Inter need just four points from their final five games to secure the Scudetto.Napoli might have no realistic chance of retaining the title but Friday's win put them one step closer to qualifying for next season's Champions League.Antonio Conte's team are 11 points ahead of fifth-placed Como and Roma in sixth, with that pair facing respective trips to Genoa and Bologna this weekend.Napoli were in the lead with less than three minutes on the clock through a classic McTominay drive which was set up by De Bruyne.The match was as good as over as a contest when Rasmus Hojlund's deflected effort went in off Terracciano and then De Bruyne struck moments before half-time following slack defending.Brazilian winger Alisson then made it four shortly after the break with a jinking run and strike at the end of a counter-attack launched by goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

Napoli's Belgian midfielder #11 Kevin De Bruyne (2nd L) celebrates with Napoli's Brazilian forward #27 Allison Santos (2nd R) and Napoli's Scottish midfielder #8 Scott McTominay (L) after scoring his team third goal during the Italian Serie A football between match SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Napoli, on April 24, 2026.

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Napoli make Inter wait for Serie A glory by thumping Cremonese

Rodri will not be risked in Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton this weekend ...

Rodri will not be risked in Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton this weekend even though he is recovering from a groin injury, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday. The Spanish midfielder came off late in last weekend's crucial 2-1 win over Arsenal and he missed the midweek victory over Burnley, which took City top of the Premier League.With the club chasing a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons, Guardiola is unwilling to take a chance on the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner at Wembley.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The groin issue is the latest in a series of setbacks for the 29-year-old Rodri since he suffered a serious knee injury early last season and the focus is on proving his fitness for the league trip to Everton on May 4.Guardiola said the midfielder was "better" but was unsure if he would face Everton."Hopefully, but we don't want to take a risk because if he's injured, we're losing him for the next three games, that's why it's so important," he said.The Blues will face a resurgent Southampton who are unbeaten since January and are pushing for a return to the Premier League.Guardiola said that his players would not underestimate the Championship side as City attempt to reach a fourth straight final."They have knocked out Fulham and Arsenal so (their form) speaks for itself," he said. "They are in a good rhythm but this is a real opportunity to get to the final."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Rodri of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England.

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Guardiola: Man City won't risk Rodri in FA Cup semifinal

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Friday that injured teenage star Lamine Yamal would return to...

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said on Friday that injured teenage star Lamine Yamal would return to action at the World Cup this summer with Spain, even "stronger" than he is now.The 18-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury which he suffered on Wednesday as Barcelona beat Celta Vigo in La Liga.Yamal won and converted a penalty to help his side stay nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, but immediately went down injured and was substituted.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It's not easy this situation for us, but also for him," Flick told reporters."He knows it was his first muscle injury. What I can feel is that he is very focused. He has the motivation -- he is out for us, but I think for the World Cup he will be there and he will be stronger, (he will) come back stronger than now."Yamal, who finished second in the Ballon d'Or vote last year and helped Spain triumph at Euro 2024, has been a key figure in Barcelona's attempt to defend their La Liga title.Flick said that Yamal may have been hurt by the foul which brought him down for the penalty, but that he did not realise the situation he was in as he had not suffered such an injury before."He felt something after the foul, but I think it was not so much. And he decided to kick the penalty and after that it's maybe more," said Flick."He never had a muscle injury before, so it's also part of learning about the signal the body gives you."It's not so easy because he is really young, but at the end it's an experience. And this is what he has to learn."Yamal has scored 24 goals and provided 18 assists this season for Barca across all competitions and has nine goals in his last 12 league matches."I really appreciate a lot the last weeks. He was on an unbelievable level. He's more mature than 18," added Flick."He's clever, he's smart and he knows what he wants. Of course, now this injury affects him also... but then you have to focus on what's going on in the process to come back, to get fitter and fitter and better and better."Barcelona visit Getafe on Saturday while Madrid travel to Real Betis on Friday.

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JUNE 05: Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's fifth goal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Spain and France at Stuttgart Arena on June 05, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.

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Barca boss Flick backs Yamal to 'come back stronger' for World Cup

Brazilian winger Estevao is out for the rest of the English season, with his participation in the...

Brazilian winger Estevao is out for the rest of the English season, with his participation in the World Cup in doubt, Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday.The 19-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in last week's 1-0 defeat by Manchester United.McFarlane, back in charge at Stamford Bridge after this week's sacking of Liam Rosenior, delivered the bleak news about Estevao ahead of his side's FA Cup semi-final against Leeds on Sunday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Estevao, unfortunately, won't play for us (again) this season," he said. "He's going to be out for a little bit of time. "So that's really unfortunate, especially for someone so young and so talented, but we're here to support him and be around him."McFarlane was asked whether Estevao would fit for the World Cup, which takes place in Canada, Mexico and the United States from June."I'm not sure on that, if I'm honest," he said. "I just know that he won't be available for us, so I'm sure he's very hopeful he can make the World Cup, but I don't know on that."

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Estevao of Chelsea reacts with an injury during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026 in London, England.

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Chelsea's Estevao at risk of missing World Cup with Brazil

UEFA banned Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches on Friday after a controversial in...

UEFA banned Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for six matches on Friday after a controversial incident in their Champions League clash against Real Madrid in February.The European football governing body said that they had taken the decision to ban the Argentine "for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct", with three of those matches suspended for a two-year probationary period.UEFA said that Prestianni, 20, had already served one of those matches in the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Madrid.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The winger was provisionally banned for that game after Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused him of racism when they clashed in the first leg on February 17, which Prestianni denied.As the two argued, Prestianni spoke to Vinicius while covering his mouth, with the Brazilian subsequently complaining to the referee, leading to the match being suspended for 10 minutes.Real's Aurelien Tchouameni said after the game that Prestianni had told him that he had not racially abused Vinicius but instead called him a homophobic slur.UEFA said that they were asking world football governing body FIFA "to extend worldwide the above-mentioned suspension."

Lisbon, Portugal - April 19: Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the Primeira Liga match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 19, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Benfica's Prestianni banned 6 games for discriminatory conduct

Tiago Tomas' stunning 119th-minute back-heel sent Stuttgart to a German Cup final meeting with Ba...

Tiago Tomas' stunning 119th-minute back-heel sent Stuttgart to a German Cup final meeting with Bayern Munich after a 2-1 extra-time home win over Freiburg on Thursday.Maximilian Eggestein's first-half opener had Freiburg on track for a second German Cup final but Deniz Undav levelled things up with 20 minutes remaining. Moments away from a penalty shootout, Tomas lept high and glanced a clever back-heel into the left-hand corner to keep Stuttgart's German Cup title defence on track. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Stuttgart, who opened the German football season with a home Supercup clash against freshly minted Bundesliga champions Bayern, will now face the Bavarians once again in the final match of the domestic campaign. Freiburg took the lead with 28 minutes gone when Eggestein got a boot to a Matthias Ginter header and edged it past Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel. Former Freiburg forward Ermedin Demirovic had a chance to equalise just before the break but lifted a close-range shot over the bar. Freiburg repeatedly put their bodies on the line to keep Stuttgart at bay, with visiting striker Igor Matanovic's full-body block stopping an Undav shot just before the break. Stuttgart had the ball in the net just after the hour mark when Angelo Stiller cut a shot across the face of goal and into the corner but creator Demirovic was offside. The hosts eventually broke through with 20 minutes remaining when Undav finished off a length-of-the-field counter to level up the scores. Stuttgart had a flurry of chances in the final stages of regulation time. Undav hit the right post and dragged another effort just wide of the left, while Freiburg 'keeper Florian Mueller saved from Chris Fuehrich.Freiburg had cause to complain early in extra time when Lucas Hoeler's goal did not count because the referee blew the whistle for a soft foul moments before scoring, meaning it could not be reviewed by VAR. The match looked headed for penalties but Tomas' incredible display of skill in the final minute booked Stuttgart's spot in the Berlin showpiece on May 23.

Tiago Tomas (VfB Stuttgart) scores and celebrates his teams second goal during Semifinal DFB-Pokal: Stuttgart and Freiburg at MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany on April 23 2026.

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Last-gasp Tomas stunner sends Stuttgart into DFB-Pokal final

Real Madrid's faint hopes of overhauling Barcelona in La Liga suffered a further blow on Thursday...

Real Madrid's faint hopes of overhauling Barcelona in La Liga suffered a further blow on Thursday with both Eder Militao and Arda Guler ruled out for the rest of the season.Brazilian defender Militao has a left thigh injury, while Turkish attacking midfielder Guler is sidelined with a right thigh problem, the club said.According to Spanish media, both players will be out of action for several weeks and miss the last six matches, including the Clasico with Barcelona on May 10.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>For now, neither Militao, 28, nor 21-year-old Guler is considered at risk of missing the World Cup finals, which run from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.Real Madrid trail defending champions Barcelona by nine points in the title race, which represents the only chance of major silverware for both sides this term.

LAS PALMAS, SPAIN - AUGUST 28: Arda Guler of Real Madrid CF helps his teammate Eder Militao of Real Madrid CF during the La Liga match between UD Las Palmas and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Gran Canaria on August 28, 2024 in Las Palmas, Spain.

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Luka Modric (EPL, ENGFA, CHLG, UEFA, EURC, LIGA, ESPCR, WORLDCUP, EURCQ, INTFR, WCQUEFA, NATLEAGUEA, NATLEAGUEB, NATLEAGUEC, NATLEAGUED, NATLEAGUEFNL, ITACI, SERI)