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Champions League news

Atletico de Madrid v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

📽️ | Rice’s reaction to overturned Arsenal penalty

Declan Rice’s furious reaction to Arsenal’s overturned penalty against Atletico Madrid has been caught on camera, with the midfielder now facing the threat of UEFA disciplinary action. The England international claimed the hostile home crowd influenced the officials’ decision during the Champions League semi-final first leg.

San Lorenzo v Santos - Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026

Ex-Brazil star claims Neymar would be 'headless chicken' in PSG-Bayern thriller

Neymar has been told he no longer possesses the intensity required to compete at the highest level of world football following his latest display for Santos. Former Brazil international Walter Casagrande has suggested that Neymar "doesn't deserve" a World Cup spot while claiming the forward would be an anonymous figure in a game at the level of Paris Saint-Germain's 5-4 Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League trophy

‘Three things’ that mean Ronaldo could still star in UCL

Cristiano Ronaldo could still star in the Champions League at 41 years of age, the Portuguese GOAT’s former Manchester United team-mate Louis Saha has told GOAL. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, is considered to have “three things” that make him “unique” and capable of gracing any stage.

Simeone

Simeone slammed for 'atrocious' touchline antics vs Arsenal

Diego Simeone has found himself at the centre of a post-match firestorm after his touchline conduct during Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Arsenal was labelled "atrocious". The Argentine tactician was accused of exerting undue influence over referee Danny Makkelie during a pivotal VAR review that saw the Gunners denied a second-half penalty.

Atletico de Madrid v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

Revealed: Why Griezmann turned his back on UCL anthem

Antoine Griezmann has opened up on a highly emotional night at the Metropolitano, with the touching reason behind his decision to turn away during the Champions League anthem having been revealed. The French superstar was the standout performer in Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, but his focus was as much on the stands as it was on the pitch during his European home farewell.

Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid Champions League 2025-26

Will UCL & Ballon d’Or luck change for ‘black cat’ Mbappe?

Kylian Mbappe has been unable to get his hands on Champions League and Ballon d’Or prizes, but former France international Louis Saha has used Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why fortunes can change quickly for a “black cat”. Luck has not been on Mbappe’s side, despite being a World Cup-winning superstar, but the most prestigious of honours are expected to come his way eventually.

Ben White Diego Simeone Arsenal Atletico Madrid 2025-26

📽️ | Simeone slaps White in bizarre 'walking on badge' row

The match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal was a cagey affair on the pitch, but it was the post-match scenes that truly ignited. Diego Simeone was involved in a remarkable confrontation with Gunners defender Ben White following a tense 1-1 draw in the Champions League. The Rojiblancos boss appeared to hunt down the England international after taking exception to his conduct when leaving the Metropolitano turf.

Harry Kane Wayne Rooney Alan Shearer England

‘England’s greatest No.9’ - Kane has eclipsed Rooney & Shearer

Harry Kane is considered to have become “England’s greatest No.9”, with Joe Cole explaining to GOAL why the prolific Bayern Munich striker has eclipsed the efforts of Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer. As the Three Lions’ all-time leading goalscorer, and ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Kane is currently in the process of chasing down Champions League and Ballon d’Or honours.

Arteta

'Against the rules!' - Arteta vents FURY at officials over Eze reversal

Mikel Arteta was left in a state of disbelief after witnessing what he termed a "completely unacceptable" refereeing U-turn during Arsenal's 1-1 Champions League semi-final draw with Atletico Madrid. The Gunners boss saw a potential match-winning penalty for Eberechi Eze scrapped by VAR, leaving the tie on a knife-edge heading into the second leg.

Arsenal Atletico Madrid ratings GFX

Gyokeres rises to the occasion for Arsenal in Atleti draw

Arsenal were forced to settle for a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, but they will feel aggrieved to have been denied a late penalty that could have won it after Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez had already traded spot-kicks either side of half-time.

Julian Alvarez Atletico Madrid HIC

Alvarez bounces back to earn draw for Atletico

Atletico Madrid fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Julian Alvarez netted from the penalty spot to equalise Viktor Gyokeres' own spot-kick as a tactical tweak from Diego Simeone helped the Rojiblancos battle back and avoid defeat on home soil in the Spanish capital.

FC Bayern München Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

Kompany: Bayern willing to 'die on the pitch' to reach UCL final

Vincent Kompany has issued a defiant battle cry following Bayern Munich’s breathless 5-4 semi-final first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, insisting his players are willing to "die on the pitch" to reach the Champions League final. Despite trailing after a nine-goal thriller in the French capital, the Belgian coach remains adamant that the tie is far from over as the action heads back to Bavaria.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

Dembele admits PSG 'stopped playing' after taking 5-2 lead vs Bayern

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele has offered a blunt assessment of his side's second-half performance after they survived a late scare in a nine-goal Champions League thriller against Bayern Munich. Despite securing a 5-4 victory in the first leg of their semi-final clash, the Frenchman admitted that the hosts lost their way after establishing what looked like a commanding three-goal lead.

Arsenal GFX

Arteta must prioritise EPL push - even if he sacrifices UCL hopes

Arsenal are about to experience a whole new level of pressure. After wrestling their teetering Premier League title chase back on course with a much-needed victory over Newcastle, the Gunners are now preparing to enter Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano cauldron in the Champions League semi-finals. However, while the prospect of a domestic and European double is tantalising, head coach Mikel Arteta must see the bigger picture.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

Kane blasted by Rooney for hailing 'amazing defending' in PSG-Bayern thriller

Harry Kane found himself on the receiving end of a verbal volley from Wayne Rooney after the Bayern Munich star offered a bizarre assessment of the defensive displays in a nine-goal Champions League epic. Despite seeing his side ship five goals in a chaotic semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, the England captain insisted the backlines were "outstanding", prompting a fierce response from Manchester United legend Rooney.

Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg

'Not in the spirit of the game' - Kimmich calls for rule change

Joshua Kimmich has called for a rule change following Bayern Munich’s 5-4 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The flashpoint was the controversial penalty awarded to PSG just before half-time, which Ousmane Dembele converted to make it 3-2 to the home side. "More of an unfortunate decision," Kimmich told Amazon Prime after the match, adding, "It’s just not in the spirit of the game".

Frequently asked questions

Since the Conference League's inception in 2021, three teams have lifted the trophy: Roma, West Ham United, and the current champions, Olympiacos.

The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format.

Mainz 05 midfielder Hong Hyun-seok and Gent captain Sven Kums have made 39 appearances each in the Conference League, making them the players with the most appearances in the competition.

As for top goalscorers, Arthur Cabral leads the list with 21 goals to his name, including those scored in the qualifying phase. However, without taking into account goals scored in the qualifying phase, three players have scored the joint-most goals in Conference League with 12 each to their names: Arthur Cabral, Eran Zahavi, and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Darian Males, Gavriel Kanichowsky, and Cristiano Biraghi have the most assists in Conference League history, registering eight assists each.

Veteran Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, while playing for Villarreal in 2023, became the oldest player to feature in the Conference League at 40 years and 175 days.

Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi holds the record as the Conference League's youngest-ever player at the tender age of 16 years and 3 days.

Stars such as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Tammy Abraham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins,Co Mario Gotze, Kasper Schmeichel, Cody Gakpo, Stephan El Shaarawy, James Maddison, Jonathan David, and Edin Dzeko have played in the Conference League.

Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Unai Emery, David Moyes, and Ange Postecoglou are among the most famous managers to have managed in the Conference League.