UCL Power Rankings: Arsenal back on top ahead of QFs

  1. Man Utd MUST upgrade full-backs to go to next level

    Michael Carrick instantly solved one of Manchester United's biggest problems from the Ruben Amorim era by simply playing Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot in their natural positions. The full-backs have started all nine games under the former Red Devils midfielder, playing their part in the coach's astonishing run of seven victories, one draw and one defeat thus far.

  2. Salah goes from zero to hero while Szoboszlai stars again

    Liverpool cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday with a 4-0 win over Galatasaray at Anfield. Arne Slot's side made up for last week's 1-0 defeat in Turkey with a dominant showing in front of their own supporters. Dominik Szoboszlai was once again in inspirational form for the Reds, while Mohamed Salah also played a starring role despite missing a penalty in the first half.

  3. ICONS: Why Germany wore red in 7-1 Brazil thrashing

    In the summer of 2014, Germany didn’t just win the World Cup on Brazilian soil - they left behind one of the most powerful and unexpected symbols of unity football has ever seen. Beyond the unforgettable 7–1 semi-final victory over the hosts, a match that shocked the world, a red and black jersey came to represent something deeper than victory or defeat: respect, empathy, and an unlikely bond between two footballing nations. This is Icons, a GOAL feature and podcast series that revisits the last 10 World Cups through the moments, characters, and controversies that defined them, bringing the spirit of each tournament back to life.

  4. Red-hot Raphinha leads the way as Barca run riot

    Barcelona eventually cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they ran riot in the second half against Newcastle to win the second leg of their last-16 tie 7-2, earning an 8-3 aggregate victory. Raphinha was heavily involved in six of the goals, scoring two himself, while Robert Lewandowski also netted a brace, with Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez all on the scoresheet to boot.

  5. Rosenior at risk of taking Chelsea back to Conference League

    Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have a rather unique cross-border rivalry. Its roots stem way back into the 2010s, long before their summer 2025 meeting in the Club World Cup final, but that served to only intensify the dislike between these current sets of players. In the United States, the Blues crowned themselves as 'champions of the world', but it's a title that looks more and more hollow as we distance ourselves from that tournament.

  6. Simons shines but Alvarez ends spirited Spurs' UCL dreams

    Tottenham were knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage on Wednesday after falling to Atletico Madrid 7-5 on aggregate, albeit they won 3-2 in the second leg back in north London. Spurs' mauling in the Spanish capital last week meant they had a mountain to climb on home soil, and they ultimately gave themselves too much to do despite a spirited performance.

  7. Keating must take rare City chance to stake Lionesses claim

    Less than two years ago, Khiara Keating appeared to have the world at her feet. Aged 19, she emerged as Manchester City's starting goalkeeper, won her first senior England call-up and, at the end of the 2023-24 season, became the youngest player ever to win the Women's Super League Golden Glove. And yet, on Sunday, she made just her third league appearance of the current season, having been left out of the Lionesses senior squad last month due to a lack of game time.

  8. Chelsea talent Potter spares Hampton's blushes in WSL win

    Alyssa Thompson's brilliant header and Lexi Potter's first Women's Super League goal allowed Chelsea to open up a four-point cushion inside the Champions League spots on Wednesday with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton. Amid growing injury concerns, Sonia Bompastor could only name two senior outfield players on her bench and the Seagulls gave her side plenty to worry about as they coped with a short turnaround from Sunday's League Cup final victory. But as was the case at the weekend, Chelsea showed all their experience to get a vital win.

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Transfer news and done deals 🤝

  1. Newcastle scout Inter star Esposito

    Newcastle United are actively surveying the European market for elite young talent, and Francesco Pio Esposito has emerged as a primary target. The Magpies have intensified their scouting efforts recently, with reports indicating that a club representative was in attendance at the San Siro on Saturday. The scout watched as Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta, a match in which the young forward managed to find the back of the net.

Video

  1. 'Not here to give advice to Arteta!' - Guardiola snaps back at reporter

    A nonplussed Pep Guardiola dismissed a question from a reporter that related to Mikel Arteta chasing his first Premier League title as a manager, insisting that he had not attended his pre-match press conference to offer advice to the Arsenal boss. Manchester City face Leeds on Saturday evening as they look to close the gap at the top of the table to two points, with the Gunners not in action until Sunday, when they host Chelsea.

  2. 🎥 | Are these the transfers that would SAVE football?!

    From Marcus Rashford rocking up at Chelsea to Enzo Fernandez making the switch to Liverpool - watch as GOAL's Front Three debate some highly controversial transfer moves and whether the players involved would be good enough to break into the starting XIs of their new teams.

This is the Premier League

  1. Fans plot protest as clubs demand answers over Chelsea fine

    Stunned senior figures from top-flight sides contacted Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and chairwoman Alison Brittain to ask how Chelsea, who admitted to £47 million ($63m) in secret, illicit payments, escaped a points deduction. Fans are now set to launch a major protest as executives demand an explanation over the leniency of the £10.75m fine, expressing "exasperation to disbelief."

  2. Amorim linked with shock Benfica move

    Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United came to an abrupt end in January after a tenure that lasted just 14 months. However, the former Red Devils boss might not be out of work for long, with reports in Portugal suggesting he is the leading candidate to take over at Benfica. Such a move would be layered with tension, given Amorim's deep-rooted history with their fierce local rivals, Sporting CP.

  3. Arsenal scramble to meet Dowman demand

    Arsenal are facing an unprecedented scramble behind the scenes as staff rush to satisfy the soaring demand for Max Dowman merchandise. The 16-year-old sensation has become the hottest name in North London following his historic exploits on the pitch.

  4. Premier League to change spending rules

    Premier League clubs have agreed to amend the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, replacing the current PSR. The new proposal rewards financial sustainability and is expected to be finalised for the 2026/27 season. This shift aims to support clubs that operate responsibly over a sustained period.

Queens of football 👑

  1. Catarina Macario USWNT

    Macario leaves Chelsea for record San Diego deal

    Catarina Macario is set to make history by leaving Chelsea to join the San Diego Wave in the National Women's Soccer League. This groundbreaking transfer is reported to be the most lucrative contract ever signed in women's professional football, signalling a massive shift in the sport's financial landscape and bringing the American international back to where her career began.

  2. League Cup triumph shows bruised Chelsea remain a force

    Winners win trophies. That was the simple message that Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor gave her players before Sunday’s League Cup final. It clearly got through, too, because her Blues put on a performance of champions to beat Manchester United and win the first silverware of the season, while sending a message to the rest of England - and Europe - that, despite a disappointing campaign so far, they are still a huge threat.

Superstars of the future

  1. Why Bayern & more are tracking Anderlecht's towering teen

    Nathan De Cat is the next big thing to come out of Belgium - both figuratively and literally. At just 17 years old, the midfielder already stands at a towering six feet and three inches tall - and he still has plenty of growing to do. The latest gem to emerge from Anderlecht's famed youth system, his height isn't the only reason he's caught the attention of some of Europe's elite.

  2. Spurs' future captain who could help their current crisis

    For a club the size of Tottenham, their academy hasn't produced too many successful graduates since the turn of the century. Of course, Harry Kane is the standout name and would be the shining example of any youth system, but beyond him, the pickings are slim. The full list of active alumni from the Spurs academy who went on to play for the first team is as follows: Kane, Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp, Kyle Walker-Peters, Andros Townsend, Troy Parrott, Nabil Bentaleb, Massimo Luongo, Maksim Paskotsi, Milos Veljkovic, Anthony Georgiou and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

  3. Ex-Madrid forward's son earning interest from Europe's elite

    Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.

The Chaaaaaampions 🎶

  1. Chelsea find PSG mole

    A mole has been unmasked after Chelsea identified the culprit behind the team news leaks during their Champions League defeats to PSG. Before their last-16 first-leg away at PSG in the Champions League, Rosenior’s entire XI was published. The situation worsened before the return leg when news leaked that Wesley Fofana would be dropped.

Hall of Fame

  1. Shevchenko social

    Hall of Fame: How Shevchenko became a Milan legend

    For a particular generation of AC Milan fans, those who grew up in the early 2000s, one name stands out above any other. Andriy Shevchenko combined technical skill with a ruthlessness in front of goal that made him one of the best strikers the game has ever seen, a Ballon d'Or winner and a worthy entrant into GOAL's Hall of Fame...

  2. Hall of Fame: How Platini became 'The King'

    Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

  3. Hall of fame Roberto Carlos

    Hall of Fame: Roberto Carlos - the greatest full-back in history

    Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

  4. Hall of Fame: Why Beckham is such an underrated player

    One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Rebel United

  1. Mario Basler

    Rebel United: Bayern icon who got drunk before the UCL final

    Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

  2. George Best

    Rebel United: George Best - Man Utd's 'fifth Beatle'

    In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Hidden Gems FC

  1. Hidden Gems FC: How Orban's goals lifted him from poverty

    Gift Orban may only be 23 years of age, but he has already spent time in five different European countries while scoring at a rate of a goal every other game. A move to an elite club likely awaits for a player who went through plenty of hardship as a child, with Orban easily one of the continent's biggest Hidden Gems...

  2. Hidden Gems FC: Roefs' rise to Premier League star

    Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

  3. Hidden Gems FC: The rise of N'Golo Kante

    On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.