Champions League: previews and predictions for the quarter-finals

All the stats for Sporting v Arsenal, Real Madrid v Bayern, Barcelona v Atlético Madrid and PSG v Liverpool

By WhoScored

Arsenal arrive in Lisbon having seen their quadruple dreams unravel after back-to-back defeats to Manchester City in the League Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Those missed opportunities, though disappointing, should focus the players’ minds on a Double that is very much attainable.

Published: April 7, 2026, 11:21 am

Drone racing to drone strikes: have war and sport become indistinguishable?

The Trump administration’s pushing of the war in Iran reflects a sporting culture driven by clipped-up content, shameless tribalism and a lust for escalation

Among the more surprising continuities of 2026 has been the visual kinship between the Winter Olympics and the US’s illegal and unprovoked war in Iran. High-speed camera drones were a highlight of TV coverage of the recent Games in Milano Cortina, bringing viewers within kissing distance of the action as Olympic athletes hurtled down the slopes and around the tracks in the skiing and sliding events. The incessant screech of the drones aside, the introduction of quadcopter-borne cameras felt like a real step forward in coverage of the winter sports, bringing a (literal) new perspective to events that had become, over recent decades, fairly static as a viewing experience.

No sooner had the Olympics finished than aerial video was back on our screens – only the footage, in this case, was of a far darker variety. In place of the ludicrous hip flexibility of the slaloming skiers and the high-speed cornering of the monobobbers, for the past month our feeds have been flooded with satellite and drone imagery of the US military blowing Iranian aircraft, ships, vehicles, munitions buildings, and citizens to smithereens. The aerial perspective that brought the strength and speed and elasticity and joy of Olympic competition to our screens now transmits the daily horrors of war in easily snackable, two-minute clips on to our phones. In the era of the milkshake duck, it’s almost expected that anything positive in our culture will eventually turn sour – and technology, of course, is ethically agnostic, a tool that can be used for both good and evil ends. But even in a culture as depraved and hypocritical as ours, the seamless transition from drone-supplied footage of Olympic excellence to drone-supplied footage of war crimes has felt genuinely jarring.

Published: April 7, 2026, 11:00 am

The Masters is a welcome oasis in golf’s fractious world, despite its stuffy foibles | Ewan Murray

No phones, no littering, no cheering bad shots – ‘patrons’ face strict rules at Augusta, but what a contrast to last year’s disgraceful Ryder Cup

It is easy to poke fun at the prissy traditions of the Masters. Golfers, never mind spectators, enter a state of panic over what horrible fate may befall them should they break the rules inside Augusta National. It is preposterous in so many ways; adults consumed by fear over missteps at a golf tournament. People do not typically feel this way inside the Sistine Chapel.

This year, there are reasons to be grateful for Augusta’s unapologetic approach. The Masters provides a welcome break from the ear-bashing noise of the modern world. The United States is an especially fractious place. This major also offers a timely escape from the racket within golf itself. Brief serenity should be appreciated.

Published: April 7, 2026, 7:00 am

USMNT striker Patrick Agyemang to miss World Cup after ‘serious’ achilles injury

• Derby striker was stretchered off after awkward landing

• 25-year-old had scored for US in friendly v Belgium

US national team striker Patrick Agyemang will miss this summer’s World Cup after suffering a “serious” achilles tendon injury during Derby County’s 2-0 win over Stoke City on Monday, the club said.

The 25-year-old, who is in his first season at Derby, rose to settle a ball in the 37th minute and landed awkwardly. Play stopped for five minutes before he was stretchered off by medical staff.

Published: April 7, 2026, 1:11 pm

Michigan outlasts UConn to win first NCAA men’s basketball title since 1989

• Elliot Cadeau scored 19 points and won Final Four MOP

• Foul trouble haunts Huskies in low-scoring affair

• As it happened: Read Beau Dure’s live play-by-play

High-scoring Michigan had to get down and dirty to dig out the national title Monday, making only two three-pointers all night but still muscling its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn.

Elliot Cadeau led the Wolverines with 19 points, including the team’s first basket from beyond the arc, which came 7:04 into the second half. He was later named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Published: April 7, 2026, 3:38 am

Jason Day hits out at ‘selfish’ Tiger Woods after DUI charge

• Australian golfer saddened by his ‘hero’ facing struggle with addiction

• Five-time Masters champion to miss first major after car crash and arrest

Australian ace Jason Day has expressed sadness at Tiger Woods’ plight but taken issue with the golf great’s “selfish” judgement for driving under the influence.

Woods has reportedly checked himself into rehab in Switzerland after being arrested and charged on 27 March after crashing his car near his home on Jupiter Island in Florida.

Published: April 7, 2026, 12:38 am

Chicago Sky trade Angel Reese to Atlanta Dream in first major move of WNBA offseason

• Two-time All-Star had strained relationship with Sky

• Free agency opens with more than 100 players on market

• Sign up for WNBA 30: a limited run women’s basketball newsletter

The Chicago Sky have traded star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the teams announced Monday.

The trade is the first blockbuster move of the WNBA offseason, which is operating on a condensed timeline after months of negotiations between the league and its players over a new collective bargaining agreement finished last month.

Published: April 6, 2026, 4:37 pm

The FA Cup still has an important place. This weekend was proof

From exposed anxieties to unexpected heroes, this weekend’s cup contests papered over a weird three-week Premier League break

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The soccer calendar has been particularly quirky this year. There’s always an international break in March, but because this year’s edition involved World Cup qualifying playoffs, most games were scheduled for the Thursday and the Tuesday, which meant there was very little soccer played over the weekend; barely even a smattering of friendlies.

For a Saturday in early spring, it all felt very weird; it was a day for pacing the floors, wondering how on earth people who don’t like soccer fill the time. And with the Carabao Cup final falling the previous Sunday, and the FA Cup sixth round this weekend, that has meant a three-week hiatus in the title race. Which has been disorienting and, perhaps, not entirely to Arsenal’s benefit.

Published: April 6, 2026, 3:45 pm

Pogacar among riders under investigation after running red light during Tour of Flanders

• Slovenian cyclist said signal to stop came too late

• Riders could face fine and suspension if found guilty

Tadej Pogacar is among the riders being investigated for running a red light at a railway crossing during the Tour de Flanders on Sunday. Pogacar, who won the race for a record-equalling third time, was in a group of riders who went through the crossing without stopping. Most of the peloton behind them had to stop before the railway.

Belgian officials confirmed on Monday there was an investigation into the riders who allegedly ran the red light. They said no further details were immediately available. Local media said the riders could face a fine and driving suspension if found guilty.

Published: April 6, 2026, 2:06 pm

David Squires on … the shocks and flops from the FA Cup quarter-finals

Our cartoonist on humiliating exits for Arsenal and Liverpool, low-hanging fruit and Hugo Ekitike’s shirt swap

• Buy one of David’s cartoons | His favourites from 2025

• And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now

Published: April 7, 2026, 12:06 pm

Barcelona’s Vicky López: ‘I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness’

Winger explains her rapid ascent from shy 16-year-old Barça signing to a record-breaking hero

At 19 years, eight months and 12 days Vicky López is a history maker, record breaker and Barcelona hero. The Spaniard has played more than 120 matches for the club of her dreams, scoring 32 goals along the way.

López signed in July 2022 at 16, making her first-team debut that season under Jonatan Giráldez and leaving no doubt she belongs among the best. No Barcelona player, male or female, has made their Camp Nou, Champions League or el clásico debut as young as López. The following season she became the club’s youngest goalscorer in el clásico.

Published: April 7, 2026, 11:41 am

Bay Collective to buy Sunderland Women and sets ambitious target

• Multi-club group also owns Bay FC in United States

• Bay FC forward Keira Barry gets first England call-up

Sunderland’s women’s team are to be taken over by the multi-club ownership group Bay Collective, which has agreed to buy a majority stake in the Women’s Super League 2 club, subject to league approval.

The deal comes with plans to enhance Sunderland’s training ground and academy to create a “platform for sustained success at the highest levels”. Sunderland are eighth in WSL2 with two matches remaining.

Published: April 7, 2026, 3:01 pm

Marseille were ablaze when De Zerbi left but at least they had some spark | Luke Entwistle

Habib Beye was given the Marseille job as he knows the club but his style is smothering the team’s attacking flair

By Get French Football News

Habib Beye quoted Pape Diouf, the late former Marseille president, when he was appointed as the club’s new manager in February, saying: “Pape Diouf, who I considered my spiritual father, always told me: ‘When the fire burns in Marseille, sometimes you have to let it burn because it will go out on its own.’ This club brings you immense emotions but from time to time you have to be able to stay cool, calm, and collected.”

The club was ablaze when Roberto De Zerbi’s tumultuous reign came to an end. His exit heralded a wave of fan discontent and incited change in the boardroom. Beye spoke about letting the fire burn out, but he would have been better advised to keep the flame alive. Under the Italian, Marseille were imperfect and inconsistent, but capable of brilliance. He played to the strengths in the squad. The attack was scintillating at times; the problem was the goals they shipped at the other end. Beye has not played to his squad’s strengths. Instead, his radical departure from his predecessor’s style has only accentuated Marseille’s weaknesses.

Published: April 7, 2026, 2:00 pm

Enzo Fernández may captain Chelsea again despite being dropped for Madrid comments

• Midfielder suspended by club for remarks on future

• Argentinian remains part of leadership group at club

Chelsea are open to Enzo Fernández captaining the side again this season and hope to reintegrate the midfielder after his comments over his future. Fernández, who is on Real Madrid’s shortlist as they look to revamp their midfield, was dropped after whipping up a storm during last month’s international break.

The Argentina international was not particularly subtle when he mentioned Madrid as the European city in which he would most like to live and praised the former Real Madrid midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. He also angered Chelsea by questioning the departure of Enzo Maresca, who was replaced by Liam Rosenior as head coach in January.

Published: April 7, 2026, 1:41 pm

Napoli president says he would allow Antonio Conte to leave for Italy job

• Conte says he should be considered to succeed Gattuso

• Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri also linked with role

Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has said he would not stand in Antonio Conte’s way if the coach asked to take the vacant Italy job, after Conte said he ought to be under consideration to succeed Gennaro Gattuso.

Gattuso resigned as the Azzurri’s coach on Friday after Italy failed to reach the World Cup for a third straight time. Conte’s deal at Napoli runs until 2027 and the Italian champions are seven points off the Serie A leaders, Inter, with seven matches remaining.

Published: April 7, 2026, 2:13 pm

Joey Barton pleads not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm in golf club incident

• Former footballer denies assault in north-west England

• Barton to remain in custody with trial set for 1 September

Joey Barton has denied assaulting a man outside a golf club in north-west England. The 43-year-old former Manchester City and Newcastle midfielder appeared via video link from Liverpool prison for the plea hearing at Liverpool crown court.

He pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Kevin Lynch on 8 March. Barton’s co-defendant, Gary O’Grady, was not asked to enter a plea to the charge on Tuesday.

Published: April 7, 2026, 2:41 pm

Harry Maguire takes wage cut to sign Manchester United contract extension

• Defender’s deal goes to 2027 with option for extra year

• Says playing for United is ‘the ultimate honour’

Harry Maguire has described playing for Manchester United as “the ultimate honour” after signing a one-year contract extension, with the option of a further season. The centre-back struggled under Ruben Amorim, putting his future into doubt, but he has become integral to Michael Carrick as United battle for a Champions League place.

The 33-year-old has agreed to wage reduction, with his previous deal – which expires this summer – worth £190,000 a week. Maguire has been an ever-present since Carrick replaced Amorim and earned an England recall last month. He made two appearances in the friendlies, putting him in contention for the squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Published: April 7, 2026, 9:10 am

Sale believe Courtney Lawes can regain England place after veteran signs one-year deal

• Former captain spent past two seasons at Brive

• Alex Sanderson: ‘He’s still got the ability’

Courtney Lawes has been backed to regain his England place following confirmation he will be joining Sale Sharks this summer on a one-year deal. The former national captain has spent the last two seasons with Brive in France’s ProD2 but has indicated he would love to play international rugby again should the chance arise.

While Lawes will be 38 next February and retired from the Test arena after the 2023 World Cup in France, he still feels he can make an impact at the top level of the game. That view is shared by Sale’s director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, who is much looking forward to welcoming the former Northampton stalwart to Manchester.

Published: April 7, 2026, 2:38 pm

Australia cricket legend David Warner faces court over drink-driving charge

• Batsman tested positive after roadside stop in Sydney

• The 39-year-old will appear in court on 7 May

One of Australia’s most decorated cricketers will face court after alleging blowing twice the legal limit in a random breath test on Easter Sunday.

David Warner was allegedly stopped at a roadside breath testing unit at Maroubra in Sydney’s east.

Published: April 7, 2026, 12:09 pm

Aaron Ramsey, former Wales captain and Arsenal midfielder, retires aged 35

• Had been without a club since end of last year

• ‘It has been my privilege to wear the Welsh shirt’

The former Wales captain Aaron Ramsey has announced his retirement from football at the age of 35. The midfielder, who spent more than a decade with Arsenal before stints with Juventus, Nice, Cardiff and Rangers, has been without a club since leaving the Mexican side Pumas at the end of last year.

Having won the last of his 86 caps for the national side in 2024, due to a combination of injuries and limited game time, he was overlooked for Wales’s recent World Cup playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Wales’s defeat in that game ended Ramsey’s hopes of a grand finale on the biggest stage and he has now confirmed the end of his playing days.

Published: April 7, 2026, 10:41 am

Courtney Lawes ‘officially un-retiring’ for England after announcing Sale move

• Veteran’s Prem return makes him eligible for internationals

• Forward will ‘never forget’ time at French second-tier club

The former England captain Courtney Lawes is returning to the Prem to join Sale at the end of the season after two years withBrive. The 37-year-old retired from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup and made the move to France after winning the 2023-24 Premiership title with Northampton.

Sale confirmed on Tuesday that he would be moving to the north-west of England with his return making him eligible again for international duty. Lawes said: “I’m really excited to be joining Sale. My body feels good and I’m still performing at a high level. I feel like I can compete with the best of them, and then some, and if I retired now, I’d probably regret it when I was older.

Published: April 7, 2026, 9:18 am

Championship roundup: Coventry stay 12 points clear at top despite Hull stalemate

• Results elsewhere favour Frank Lampard’s side

• Norwich deal blow to Millwall’s promotion push

Coventry crept closer to promotion to the Premier League despite an off-colour display in a goalless draw at Hull.

Setbacks for promotion rivals Millwall and Middlesbrough meant a win for Coventry would have moved them to within two points of guaranteeing a return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years. While the Sky Blues were second best for large spells at the MKM Stadium and fortunate to avoid defeat, they retained their 12-point lead at the top of the table.

Published: April 6, 2026, 9:24 pm

Michigan defeats UConn to win NCAA men’s basketball championship – as it happened

Elliot Cadeau scored 19 points as the Wolverines held off a late rally by UConn to capture their first title since 1989. Read Beau Dure’s live play-by-play

UConn 4-9 Michigan, 15:42 left, first half: Solo Ball works inside to get two for UConn, but then he gets called for blocking at the other end. Questionable call, to be honest. He seemed set.

Cadeau misses a three, but Michigan get a second and third chance. Johnson converts the tip-in.

Published: April 7, 2026, 3:34 am

MLS weekend wrap: Revel in the joy and agony of absurd long-range goals

In the era of VAR where most goals get picked apart, strikes from distance offered a much-needed immediate emotional hit

In an era where the sport’s biggest moments are scrutinized in slow-motion to find an inch of infraction, the long-range goal has become a necessary thrill. VAR only comes into play if a loitering teammate is caught between the shooter and goalkeeper. They also hatch a comfortingly familiar point of debate: was there anything that could’ve been done to save it?

We can safely count Zavier Gozo’s wonder goal this weekend among the unsaveable. The Real Salt Lake homegrown has been one of the best players in Major League Soccer’s early weeks, a 19-year-old danger down the right flank who can slot in as a winger or wing back with similar impact. He’s quickly become one of the most proven progressive dribblers in the entire US player pool, and has shot up the scouting priority queues of several major European clubs.

Published: April 6, 2026, 11:00 am

NCAA Tournament 2026 men’s final predictions: will UConn or Michigan cut down the nets in Indy?

From the key matchups to the bold predictions, our writers assess how Connecticut’s system stacks up against Michigan’s size in Monday night’s championship game

The Huskies must lean on discipline and patience to avoid getting dragged into a high-possession shootout. They have to execute their off-ball actions cleanly, force Michigan to defend across the full shot clock and get efficient production from star center Tarris Reed Jr inside. If they can limit the Wolverines’ second-chance points and drill timely threes, the upset is there for the taking. BAG

Published: April 6, 2026, 9:00 am