Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Champions League Drama
Bodo/Glimt bbc.com stunned European giants again with a 4-1 win over Dortmund, converting a last-gasp penalty to advance 5-2 on aggregate. The Norwegian club's victory over Inter Milan was labeled "one of the biggest upsets" as they proved they belong among Europe's elite. Real Madrid bbc.com also advanced with a 2-1 win over Benfica, while Newcastle bbc.com comfortably beat Qarabag 3-2 to reach the last. PSG espn.com narrowly avoided a scare against 10-man Monaco, with Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia scoring in quick succession after Coulibaly's red card. Atletico Madrid bbc.com sealed their spot with a 4-1 win over Club Brugge, thanks to Sorloth's hat-trick. Atalanta espn.com shocked Dortmund with a last-gasp penalty, while Galatasaray espn.com stunned Juventus in extra time to cap a chaotic day of Champions League action.
Domestic League Updates
Cristiano Ronaldo espn.com scored in his third straight match since returning from a boycott, leading Al Nassr to a 5-0 win over bottom-side Al Najma and back into first place in the Saudi Pro League. Denis Bouanga espn.com signed a multiyear contract extension with LAFC, securing the high-scoring forward's future. Chelsea bbc.com and West Ham were fined £325,000 and £300,000 respectively for a "mass confrontation" between players in their January match. Manchester United espn.com CEO Omar Berrada said extensive cost-cutting measures are starting to pay off as the club released their latest financial results. Philippe Coutinho espn.com is considering a move to MLS or retirement at age, according to sources.
Managerial and Player News
Martin O'Neill bbc.com branded VAR "debilitating" for officials on the pitch and called the Scottish FA's appeal process "worthless." Hearts skysports.com head coach Derek Mc Innes revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson is rooting for his side to win the Scottish Premiership title. Weston Mc Kennie espn.com is on the verge of signing a new contract with Juventus, sources told ESPN. John Terry bbc.com expressed frustration at being overlooked for a caretaker role at Chelsea following Enzo Maresca's departure. Shakhtar Donetsk espn.com chief executive Sergei Palkin called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to visit Ukraine and witness the destruction caused by war.
Transfer and Contract News
Barcelona espn.com are interested in Omar Marmoush as a potential alternative to Julián Álvarez, according to transfer rumors. Premier League bbc.com clubs are tracking Celtic's top scorer Benjamin Nygren while Hearts await injury updates on five players. Benni Mc Carthy bbc.com revealed that the Africa Cup of Nations proved to be "a big stumbling block" when Manchester United discussed signing Victor Osimhen. MLS espn.com has hired a search firm to lead the recruitment drive for a potential successor to league commissioner Don Garber, whose contract expires at the end of 2027.
International and World Cup News
Scotland espn.com fans have been given the all-clear to wear their sporrans at the team's matches at this summer's World Cup. FIFA espn.com are monitoring the situation in Mexico but have "full confidence" the country can host World Cup games amid recent unrest and violence. Gianni Infantino bbc.com has clashed with unions and European football but remains in an impregnable position after 10 years as FIFA president. US government officials bbc.com warned of "catastrophic" security consequences if World Cup host cities do not receive frozen funding. The Republic of Ireland's bbc.com home Nations League fixture against Israel on October 4 will be played at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
Player Performances and Controversies
Bad Bunny espn.com paid tribute to Pelé with a jacket from the 1966 World Cup and changed a lyric in "Monaco" to reference scoring "after Pelé and Maradona" instead of "after Messi and Maradona." Benfica espn.com fans loudly booed Real Madrid forward Vinícius Junior at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Lionel Messi espn.com "deeply regrets" not learning English, speaking of his regret over not applying himself in his studies when young. Chucky Lozano espn.com was supposed to be the face of San Diego FC and the Mexican national team, but it's now unclear when he'll play soccer again. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre espn.com said his federation promised everyone will be safe at a friendly against Iceland in Querétaro amid recent security concerns.
Other Football News
Sheffield Wednesday skysports.com saw preferred bidders withdraw as Mike Ashley remains in contact with administrators. Hearts bbc.com will be without defender Stuart Findlay for six weeks while record signing Eduardo Ageu will miss the rest of the season due to injuries. The Scottish Women's Premier League skysports.com released post-split fixtures as clubs battle for the title and to avoid relegation. Jack Draper's skysports.com return to ATP Tour action ended with a three-set defeat to Arthur Rinderknech at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson bbc.com believes the Scottish Premiership title race is going to "go to the wire" but is "confident" of Old Firm victory over Celtic on Sunday.