Champions League

Champions League news

Anthony Gordon Kieran Trippier

'Emotions get high' - Gordon explains bust-up with Trippier

Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier have explained why they argued on the pitch during Newcastle United's 6-1 win at Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday. Gordon scored four times as the Magpies all but secured their place in the last 16, but there was a notable incident just before the half-time break between the forward and Trippier.

Harry Kane Anthony Gordon Newcastle Champions League 2026

Gordon joins Kane in exclusive Champions League club

Anthony Gordon has joined Harry Kane in an exclusive Champions League goal club after scoring four times during Newcastle United's 6-1 win at Qarabag in the Champions League. The Magpies winger struck his quadruple in the first half of the first leg of their knockout round play-off in Baku, effectively sealing Eddie Howe's side's place in the next round with more than a game still to play.

Anthony Gordon Newcastle HIC

Gordon the great scores FOUR to continue UCL love affair

Newcastle all-but secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as Anthony Gordon scored four first-half goals in a dominant 6-1 win over Qarabag in Wednesday's play-off round first leg. The Magpies ran riot from minute one in Baku, and might even feel that they should have won by a heavier margin given the chances they created on the night.

Gianni Infantino Vinicius Junior Real Madrid Champions League 2026

Infantino 'shocked and saddened' by Vinicius racial abuse allegations

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is "shocked and saddened" by the allegations of racism from Vinicius Junior against Gianluca Prestianni. Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Benfica was paused for ten minutes after referee Francois Letexier initiated the anti-racism protocol before the fixture resumed. A strike from Vinicius proved to be the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Los Blancos.

Luisao Vinicius Junior Benfica Real Madrid Champions League 2026

Benfica legend accuses Prestianni of lying about 'racist act'

Benfica legend Luisao has criticised Gianluca Prestianni for lying about what he allegedly said to Vinicius Junior during Real Madrid's victory in Portugal on Tuesday night. The Champions League game was halted after the Brazilian reported racist abuse to referee Francois Letexier, but Benfica and manager Jose Mourinho have since defended Prestianni and accused Vinicius of inciting racism. Argentine midfielder Prestianni has also claimed Vinicius and his team-mates misheard the words he insisted he used.

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'It's a shame' - Juve defender responds to Bastoni apology after red card

Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu has broken his silence regarding the controversial red card incident involving Alessandro Bastoni that has dominated Italian football headlines this week. The French centre-back found himself at the centre of a heated debate following an expulsion during the recent clash against Inter, an episode that saw the referee come under intense scrutiny for his decision-making. Despite the noise surrounding the apology issued by the Inter vice-captain, Kalulu appeared keen to move past the drama during a difficult week for the Bianconeri.

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SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Benfica slam 'defamation campaign' against Prestianni

Benfica have said that Gianluca Prestianni is the victim of a "defamation campaign" while backing up the winger's claim that he did not racially abuse Vinicius Junior in Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Vinicius alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur at him after the Real Madrid star celebrated scoring the opening goal in the first leg of the knockout stage play-off tie.

SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

UEFA confirms investigation into Vinicius' racist abuse allegations

UEFA has officially opened a disciplinary investigation into Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni following allegations of racist behaviour during the first leg of their Champions League play-off clash against Real Madrid. The European governing body confirmed the appointment of an ethics and disciplinary inspector to look into the events at the Estadio da Luz, where Madrid secured a 1-0 victory. The flashpoint occurred shortly after Vinicius Jr found the net, leading to a significant delay as the Brazilian international and several team-mates confronted the opposition and the referee regarding a deeply offensive slur.

Borussia Dortmund v Atalanta BC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Guirassy explains emotional t-shirt message after goal in Dortmund win

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy was the undisputed hero on the pitch during the 2-0 Champions League victory over Atalanta, but it was his actions after finding the back of the net that truly resonated. After enduring a frustrating dry spell earlier in the campaign, the Guinean international has hit a rich vein of form, netting six goals in his last four competitive outings. However, his latest strike was accompanied by a poignant tribute that revealed a deeply personal struggle behind the scenes.

Vinicius Jr Thierry Henry

Henry calls on Prestianni to tell truth about Vinicius incident

Thierry Henry has called on Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to tell the truth about his altercation with Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz. Vinicius has alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur at him during the game, which led to the match being halted for 10 minutes. Henry has now responded with an emotional speech regarding the continued prevalence of racism in football.

Jose Mourinho Vinicius Junior racism row GFX

Hypocrite Mourinho hit new low with Vinicius racism row reaction

Did Gianluca Prestianni racially abuse Vinicius Junior at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night? We don't know. Not yet at least. And that's mainly because the Argentine very deliberately covered his mouth with his shirt as he exchanged words with Vinicius after being inexplicably enraged by the Brazilian celebrating his 50th-minute goal with a little dance in front of the corner flag.

Nicolas Otamendi Vinicius Jr

'Messi won that for you!' - Otamendi roasted for taunting Vinicius

The fiery Champions League encounter between Benfica and Real Madrid has sparked a war of words off the pitch, with former Los Blancos midfielder Wesley Sneijder leading the charge. The Dutch legend did not hold back in his assessment of Nicolas Otamendi’s behaviour during the clash at the Estádio da Luz, where the veteran defender was seen taunting Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior following a heated exchange on the field. The tension reached boiling point during a stoppage related to the competition's racism protocol, during which Otamendi chose to flex his ink in the face of the Real Madrid winger. The former Manchester City man pointed specifically to his tattoos commemorating Argentina's recent triumphs, including the 2022 World Cup, the Finalissima, and the Copa America, in an apparent attempt to pull rank over the young Brazilian regarding international honours.

Vinicius-Mourinho-Benfica fans

Benfica fans spotted directing racist gestures at Vinicius Jr

Benfica fans have been spotted directing racist gestures at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League clash with Los Blancos. An ugly night at the Estadio da Luz also saw the match halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse to the match referee after an altercation with Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.

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Benfica defend Prestianni amid Vinicius racism row

The fallout from a volatile Champions League knockout phase playoff clash between Benfica and Real Madrid has taken a dramatic turn, as the Portuguese giants have moved to publicly defend Gianluca Prestianni. The fallout from the match, which was marred by serious allegations of racism directed at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, has descended into a series of public statements and finger-pointing. After Prestianni initially denied the accusations, Benfica took to social media to offer an unwavering show of solidarity with their young Argentine midfielder.

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VIDEO: Osimhen rages at Galatasaray teammates after Juventus demolition

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen left fans bewildered after footage emerged of him furiously berating his own team-mates moments after the final whistle of their stunning 5-2 Champions League victory over Juventus. Despite the Turkish giants securing a commanding first-leg lead in the knockout round play-off, the Nigerian forward appeared incensed, sparking suggestions that his failure to get on the scoresheet had soured the historic night.

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Another setback for Dembele! PSG star forced off in UCL

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele suffered yet another injury setback on Tuesday in the Champions League. The Ballon d'Or winner lasted just 27 minutes of PSG's Champions League knockout stage play-off clash against Monaco before having to be replaced. Desire Doue took over from Dembele and scored twice in a 3-2 first-leg win for Luis Enrique's side at the Stade Louis II.

Jose Mourinho & Vinicius Junior

Mourinho accused of 'justifying racism' with Vinicius comments

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has been accused of "justifying racism" following his comments on Vinicius Junior after Tuesday's Champions League between his side and Real Madrid. The game had to be halted for 10 minutes after the Brazil international alleged a racial slur had been directed at him by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni after he had scored what turned out to be the winning goal.

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Vini Jr issues statement accusing 'coward' Prestianni of racial slur

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has issued a statement accusing Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur at him during Tuesday's clash between the two sides in the Champions League. Vinicius scored the winning goal early in the second half at the Estadio da Luz but the game was subsequently stopped for 10 minutes after the Brazil international reported alleged racist abuse to match referee Francois Letexier.

SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Mourinho points finger at Vinicius after alleged racist abuse

Jose Mourinho has sensationally claimed that Benfica 'cannot be a racist club' after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused one of his players of abuse during Los Blancos' 1-0 win over the Portuguese side in the Champions League knockout play-offs. Instead, the former head coach of the Spanish club has claimed that the Brazilian international incited Tuesday night's chaos in Lisbon.

Real Madrid - HIC - 2:1

Vini has the last laugh - but UCL win completely overshadowed

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of an otherwise controversial fixture as Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. The Brazilian forward's second-half strike was followed by a lengthy delay for an alleged racist remark from a Benfica player to Vinicius. Play continued, and Madrid held on for a crucial lead in the tie.

SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Vini Jr goal sparks UCL chaos as Benfica player is accused of racism

Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash against Benfica descended into chaos after Vinicius Junior gave Los Blancos the lead in the first leg in Lisbon. The Brazilian winger fired in an unstoppable opener just five minutes into the second half, but his celebration sparked ugly scenes and a 10-minute delay ensued as the goal-scorer accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racism.

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WATCH: USMNT's Balogun makes UCL history with knockout brace

Folarin Balogun scored two goals inside 18 minutes in Monaco's Champions League knockout round playoff with Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain. The goals were Balogun's fourth and fifth in the Champions League this season and among the most vital scored in the striker's career. Balogun is the first American with a brace in a UCL knockout game.

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Mourinho explains 'special' Benfica exit clause amid Madrid return talk

Jose Mourinho is preparing for an emotional reunion as his Benfica side host Real Madrid in a high-stakes Champions League play-off on Tuesday. With "The Special One" dominating the pre-match narrative, speculation is mounting over a potential return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Amidst the noise, the Portuguese manager has finally addressed the rumours and clarified the existence of a unique clause in his contract that has Europe’s elite on high alert.

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...

Jose Mourinho Real Madrid GFX

Why Madrid shouldn't rule out re-hiring Mourinho

No one can create a siege mentality like Jose Mourinho. Benfica were almost universally written off when they welcomed Real Madrid to Estadio da Luz in the final round of league phase fixtures for this season's Champions League, having lost five of their first eight games, including a shocking 3-2 home defeat to Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag.

Frequently asked questions

Multiple ticketing options are in place for La Liga games, from individual match passes to season tickets and additional hospitality packages. 

To purchase La Liga tickets, the most reliable method is to go to the official club websites, where you will then need to navigate to the 'Tickets' section. Tickets are often released a few weeks before each match and you may need to create an account and provide personal information. 

If tickets are sold out on official channels or you are looking to secure seats in advance of official release or snap up last-minute tickets, you may wish to consider secondary resale retailers such as StubHub

Yes, In addition, fans can purchase seats at La Liga matches on the secondary market on channels and aggregators such as StubHub. They are legitimate merchants in the resale marketplace and a safe place for fans to buy tickets.

While it’s not essential to become a club member to buy La Liga match tickets, it can make the process much easier. This is particularly true at some of the bigger clubs, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid for example. Getting a membership moves you up the ticket priority order and it also includes other benefits such as welcome gifts, discounted tours and museum admissions. Check specific club websites for more information.

Real Madrid are the most successful Spanish club, with 36 league titles, followed by Barcelona with 28. Barcelona has won the Spanish double (domestic league and cup success in the same season) a record nine times, ahead of Athletic Bilbao's five.