Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: March 12, 2026, 6:57 AM ET
Champions League Drama
Real Madrid stomped Manchester City 3-0 skysports.com in a Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday, with Federico Valverde scoring a hat-trick espn.com that put the Spanish giants firmly in control of the tie. Pep Guardiola admitted his side had "not much" chance espn.com of advancing after the comprehensive defeat, while Manchester City's Semenyo experienced Champions League football espn.com after rising through every rung of English soccer from non-league to the elite competition. The match featured Doku and Savinho both starting for Man City skysports.com as Guardiola searched for the right combination, but it was Real Madrid's clinical performance that stole the show.
PSG Dominate Chelsea
Paris Saint-Germain routed Chelsea 5-2 espn.com in their Champions last-16 first leg, with João Neves and Ousmane Dembélé returning from injury espn.com to help the French champions make a statement. The reigning European champions displayed why they're considered front-runners espn.com as Chelsea crumbled late on in what was described as a damaging defeat skysports.com. Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior defended his goalkeeper choice espn.com despite Filip Jørgensen's costly error, while Jamie Carragher claimed Chelsea won't compete with elite teams skysports.com until they fix their goalkeeping issues. The match ended controversy when Pedro Neto apologized for shoving a ball boy espn.com during the final moments of the match.
Arsenal Set-Piece Woes
Arsenal's 100% record ended bbc.com as Bayer Leverkusen scored from a corner in a 1-1 Champions League draw, with the Gunners undone by their own set-piece weapon. Nicolas Jover, Arsenal's set-piece coach, was seen exchanging words with Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand after the goal. Kai Havertz haunted his former club espn.com by equalizing from the penalty spot, though questions remain about whether the foul should have been awarded after controversial VAR review espn.com. With Arsenal joining Manchester City in the race espn.com for Newcastle defender Tino Livramento and considering a summer move skysports.com, the Gunners face both Champions League challenges and transfer decisions as they look to prove they're Europe's best.
Premier League Reputation Damage
The Champions League damaged the Premier League's reputation bbc.com as none of its six entrants won their first-leg ties this week. Everton's formidable away form bbc.com could throw open the title race as the Toffees prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal for a fifth time in six away games. Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard wore the captain's armband bbc.com in the Fantasy Premier League team of the week, with the versatile midfielder continuing his reliable form despite no Erling Haaland making the cut. The league's best-in-the-world status faces scrutiny after English clubs failed to impress on Europe's biggest stage.
Transfer Targets and News
Arsenal show interest in Tino Livramento bbc.com from Newcastle, while Manchester United eye Nottingham Forest defender Murillo bbc.com in the latest transfer gossip. Sheffield Wednesday face a 15-point deduction bbc.com for next season if a deal with their new preferred bidder goes through, adding to their off-field troubles. Walsall sacked head coach Mat Sadler bbc.com after Tuesday's defeat further dented their League Two promotion challenge, with the club in dire need of a turnaround. In international news, Northern Ireland women will play their remaining home qualifiers bbc.com at Mourneview Park, while Mexico goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón will miss the World Cup espn.com after suffering an Achilles tear.
Scottish Football Developments
Rangers could sell Fernandez for £40m bbc.com amid speculation about the defender's future, while Aberdeen moves for Stephen Robinson bbc.com seemingly earlier than expected, with the club appointing a new manager despite initial plans to wait until summer. Scotland midfielder Lennon Miller believes he has "definitely got better" bbc.com since his move to Udinese and is eager for World Cup consideration. Celtic and Rangers faced criticism bbc.com from police chief Jo Farrell after Old Firm disorder, with the chief constable noting that no-one from either club had come out to condemn the violence at Sunday's match at Ibrox.