Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Champions League Round of 16
Galatasaray bbc.com survived a stunning second-leg fightback from 10-man Juventus, scoring twice in extra time to win 7-5 on aggregate and reach the last. Victor Osimhen espn.com ended the Italian side's rally with a goal in the extra period, while Juventus' bbc.com Lloyd Kelly was sent off for a second yellow card that sparked debate, with many calling the decision an 'awful' straight red bbc.com. Atalanta espn.com also progressed after a bloody foul on Nikola Krstovic led to a winning penalty converted via the VAR system. Real Madrid espn.com reached the last 16 with a 2-1 win over Benfica, though their defensive vulnerabilities were laid bare despite Vinícius Junior espn.com scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu. Paris Saint-Germain bbc.com held on against a 10-man AS Monaco side after Mamadou Coulibaly's red card, while Bayer Leverkusen bbc.com and Newcastle United bbc.com also secured comfortable progression.
Transfer Rumors & Squad News
Celtic bbc.com are linked with Plymouth Argyle forwards Anto Tolaj and Ryan Loft, while Hearts consider a move for a Rangers defender. Mohamed Salah bbc.com is happy to stay at Liverpool until 2027, and Philippe Coutinho espn.com is weighing an MLS move or retirement at. Denis Bouanga espn.com signed a multiyear Designated Player extension with LAFC after a prolific scoring run.
Domestic League Focus
Aston Villa bbc.com are under scrutiny as potential overperformers in the Premier League, with questions about their sustainability. Tottenham skysports.com face severe criticism from Jamie O'Hara, who claims they have no stomach for a relegation fight skysports.com. Hearts bbc.com suffered a major blow with Stuart Findlay out for six weeks and record signing Eduardo Ageu ruled out for the season, impacting the Scottish title race. Manchester United espn.com CEO Omar Berrada stated cost-cutting measures are paying off as financial results improved, though the club was linked to Victor Osimhen before the Africa Cup of Nations became a big stumbling block bbc.com. Sir Alex Ferguson skysports.com is reportedly rooting for Hearts to win the Scottish Premiership, according to Derek Mc Innes.
Other Football Developments
FIFA espn.com president Gianni Infantino faces criticism from Shakhtar Donetsk's CEO over comments about Russia, while the governing body backs Mexico espn.com to host World Cup matches amid unrest. England's Lionesses bbc.com will host Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier at Everton's stadium in June. Chelsea and West Ham bbc.com were fined £325,000 and £300,000 respectively for a mass confrontation in January. Scotland fans espn.com received FIFA approval to wear traditional kilts and sporrans at the World Cup. Real Madrid's bbc.com win over Benfica was called a victory against racism by Aurelien Tchouameni after alleged abuse from visiting supporters. Bodo/Glimt bbc.com continue their remarkable European run, having toppled giants like Manchester City and Inter Milan to reach the last.