Mauricio Pochettino’s side were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes after Gonzalo Higuain followed up a sumptuous volley with a penalty, awarded for Ben Davies’ foul on Federico Bernardeschi.

Harry Kane started the fightback after rounding Gianluigi Buffon following Deli Alli’s threaded pass and Higuain then missed a penalty for the hosts with the last kick of the first half, following Serge Aurier’s poor challenge on Douglas Costa.

Spurs dominated possession against the Italian champions and got their reward when Christian Eriksen’s low free-kick evaded Buffon to give Spurs the edge going into the second leg at Wembley on 7 March.

Spurs remain unbeaten since 16 December, and Pochettino said: “We are more mature. The team is growing and have stepped up in this aspect. I think the team was amazing in the way they reacted.”
–
By:BBC

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The Blues needed to win at the Baku National Stadium to make it into the knockout rounds, and were aided by two penalties and a first-half sending off.

Qarabag captain Rashad Sadygov saw red in the 18th minute after pulling Willian’s arm down in the box, before Eden Hazard converted from the spot. The Brazilian then added his own name to the scoresheet in the 36th minute after a well-worked goal from Chelsea.

Willian was involved again as he won the second penalty when Gara Garayev pulled on his shirt in the box. It was Cesc Fabregas (73) who netted from the spot after being made to retake the penalty by the referee before Willian (85) rounded off proceedings with a superb volley.

Chelsea were given an early scare in the 14th minute as Qarabag rattled the crossbar. Mahir Madatov laid the ball off to the incoming Michel, but he could only find the upright with his scooped effort before Richard fired the rebound over the bar.

But four minutes later, and the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Sadygov pulled the arm of Willian in the box and sent him flying, with the referee instantly pointing to the spot and showing the defender a red card. After some delaying from the home side, Hazard converted the penalty low and hard past goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic.

Chelsea doubled their lead in the 36th minute with some superb football. Willian picked out Hazard in the box, and the Belgian took a few strides before deftly flicking the ball back into the path of his team-mate. Willian then made no mistake in slotting the ball home to give Chelsea a healthy half-time lead.

It took 20 minutes of the second half for Chelsea to have a real chance for the third. N’Golo Kante sweetly played in Hazard down the left of the box and the Belgian went for goal, but Sehic made a superb fingertip save to deny him. The Blues did find the back of the net in the 70th minute, but Alvaro Morata – who had replaced Hazard – had his strike ruled out after the man who provided the cross for him, Cesar Azpilicueta, was judged to be offside.

But a minute later, and Chelsea were awarded another penalty as Garayev pulled on the shirt of Willian in the box, with the referee again pointing to the spot. Fabregas scored with his initial effort, but he was ordered to retake it after an encroachment into the area from Davide Zappacosta. Luckily, he also netted the second attempt, hammering it low into the bottom corner.

And it was Willian who rounded off his superb performance with an equally as impressive goal. After a layoff from Pedro in the middle of the park, the Brazilian took a few strides towards the top of the box before hitting a thunderous volley into the back of the net to seal Chelsea’s path to the last 16.

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Source: Sky Sports

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Moussa Dembele had stunned the Parc des Princes with a first-minute opener for Celtic, but Neymar turned the game on its head with two goals (9, 21) for the Group B leaders.

The Brazilian then turned provider as Edinson Cavani tapped in PSG’s third, while Kylian Mbappe ensured he would not miss out on the action when firing past Craig Gordon (35).

After the break, PSG scored three goals in five minutes, with Cavani getting his second (79) in between strikes from Marco Verratti (75) and Dani Alves (80).

The Ligue 1 leaders have now scored 24 goals in five games, seeing them comfortably overtake Borussia Dortmund’s record of 21 goals in last season’s group stage.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich gave Celtic a huge boost in the race for a Europa League spot after running out 2-1 winners over Anderlecht.

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Source: Sky Sports

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In an extraordinary semi-final in Alexandria, Al Ahly constantly ripped the Tunisians’ defence apart as they booked their place in the final for a record eleventh time.

After Ali Maaloul opened the scoring for the hosts after just two minutes, Walid Azarou took the game away from Etoile with three unanswered goals.

An own goal and a fine strike from Rami Rabiaa took Al Ahly to their first final since 2013, with Etoile replying through Rami El Bedwi and Ihab Msakni late on.

Four years ago, Al Ahly beat South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in the final as they successfully defended the title they had won twelve months earlier.

Sunday’s game was played in front of around 40,000 fans in Alexandria, which boosted Al Ahly since many matches in Egypt are played behind closed doors for security reasons.

Coach Hossam El Badry’s side will meet Wydad in the two-legged final, after the Moroccans beat USM Alger of Algeria 3-1 on Saturday to qualify by the same aggregate scoreline.

African champions just once in their history, when beating Sudanese opposition in 1992, Wydad are through to their third final after finishing runners-up to Tunisians Esperance in 2011.

Ahly, meanwhile, can now extend their record of eight African crowns to nine should they beat Wydad.

Their defeat of Etoile, whose sole African Champions League title remains the 2007 success, maintains their feat of having never gone more than three years this century without reaching the Champions League final.

Their previous successes in Africa’s premier club competition came in 1982, 1987, 2001, 2005-2006, 2008 and 2012-2013.

The first leg of the final will be played on the weekend of 27-29 October, with the return leg on 3-5 November.

Whoever wins will represent Africa in Fifa’s Club World Cup in Japan in December.
–
By: BBC

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Eleven-time champions Real are aiming to become the first team since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to retain the trophy.

Italian side Juventus are looking to win the crown for the third time, while Real can extend their own record.

“We never dreamed of this opportunity but the stats are there,” said Spain international defender Ramos.

“It is a wonderful chance to take the cup home, then history speaks for itself. We are extremely excited about the chance to have two successive Champions League trophies.

“We have been very solid. Every time we have had the chance to fight for a trophy, we have done that. We are going to be extremely focused, very concentrated so we make as few mistakes as possible.”

Real Madrid won La Liga ahead of Barcelona this season and have scored 169 goals in all competitions this season.

In a repeat of the 1998 final, which the Spaniards won 1-0 in Amsterdam, Real come up against a side who are unbeaten in this season’s competition

Boss Zinedine Zidane, who played for opponents Juventus between 1996 and 2001, said: “We know all about pressure at Real Madrid.

“We are not favourites, nor are Juventus. It is 50-50. But we are in the final again, and everything is possible. I expect an open game on both sides.

“I have lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there is the famous Catenaccio, but Juve do not just have that.

“We are going to try to play our game, we know we are going to play against a great team. What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final – and I think we will see that.”

Treble-chasing Juventus clinched a record sixth consecutive Serie A title this season and beat Lazio in the Italian Cup.

Juve have been European Cup winners twice, in 1985 and the last in 1996, but have been defeated finalists on six occasions, most recently against Barcelona two years ago.

They have conceded just three goals in 12 games so far, while Real have scored in every single one of their 12 games – a total of 32 goals.

Manager Allegri said: “We have worked hard all year and the wins this season have been all about reaching this game. But on Saturday we need to win and we need to understand when will be the moments to attack and when to defend.

“We have to have the belief that we can bring the cup home and we have to be fiendish to strike when Real offer us an opening.”

–

Source: BBC

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The Gunners began the day a point behind fourth-place Liverpool and were on course to displace the Reds when they took an eighth-minute lead.

But Liverpool, needing a win to ensure fourth, broke Middlesbrough resistance just before the break, and won 3-0.

Manchester City claimed third with a very easy 5-0 win at Watford.

Reaction from the final day of Premier League action
Europa League for the Gunners

Arsenal’s remarkable run of qualifying for the Champions League in 19 consecutive seasons came to its widely anticipated end on Sunday.

Hope grew among the home support when Hector Bellerin gave the Gunners an early lead and news filtered through that Liverpool were struggling against the relegated Teessiders.

But in first-half stoppage time Georginio Wijnaldum put the Reds ahead with a stunning strike, and Jurgen Klopp’s men eventually ran out comfortable winners.

The Reds will play in the Champions League for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Liverpool suffered from early nerves at Anfield before Wijnaldum’s opener on the stroke of half-time eased the tension.

Philippe Coutinho added a second after the break with a free-kick, and Adam Lallana slotted in to make it 3-0.

Manchester City sealed third spot and automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 5-0 win at Watford.

Pep Guardiola’s side required only a point to secure a top-four place, but instead of sitting back went about dismantling their opponents.

Sergio Aguero scored twice, after Vincent Kompany’s opener, with Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus also getting on the scoresheet.

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Source: BBC

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Trailing 3-0 from the first leg, Barca peppered the Italian goal but failed to repeat their last-16 heroics when they overturned a first-leg 4-0 deficit to beat Paris St-Germain.

Lionel Messi, who had earlier been denied by Gianluigi Buffon, fired wastefully over the bar while Luis Suarez and Neymar also spurned chances on a night Barca were restricted to one shot on target.

Juve’s Gonzalo Higuain fired tamely at Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Juan Cuadrado missed another chance but the final whistle was celebrated wildly by the champions of Italy, who have not conceded a single goal from open play in this season’s Champions League.

Juventus join Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Monaco in Friday’s last-four draw (from 11:00 BST).

Juve march on after defensive masterclass

The champions of Italy are 180 minutes away from the final in Cardiff on 3 June after a superb defensive performance as Barca and their formidable strike force failed to score over two legs.

Juventus join Manchester United (2007-08) and Bayern Munich (2012-13) as one of only three teams that have stopped the Catalans scoring in both legs of a Champions League tie.

They were as brave and aggressive as they were calm and disciplined with Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini monumental at the heart of the defence.

When Barca did manage to carve out chances, Suarez, Messi and Neymar failed to deliver.

All three had chances before the interval. In the space of a few minutes, Suarez had a goal-bound shot blocked, Messi dragged a chance from 12 yards and Neymar volleyed wide.

It said everything about Juve’s defensive display that Buffon only had one save to make, the 39-year-old denying Messi before the Barca forward hammered the rebound into the side-netting.

Yet Juve, as adventurous going forward as they were solid at the back, might have beaten the Spanish champions for the second time in a week.

Higuain should have done better from close range after a ball over the top before Cuadrado flashed a chance narrowly wide on the counter.

In the end it did not matter, Juve and their travelling fans celebrated a night to remember.

Barca’s season in danger of unravelling

Barca boss Luis Enrique will leave the Nou Camp this summer having failed to reach the semi-finals for a second successive season.

This was every bit as painful as their exit at the hands of La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid at the same stage 12 months ago.

They had 19 shots on the night – yet only one on target as Juve avenged their defeat against the same opponents in the 2015 final.

Neymar, who scored twice in the 6-1 return leg win over Paris St-Germain in the previous round, ended this game in tears with Barcelona’s season in danger of falling flat.

They face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday (19:45 BST) knowing defeat will leave them six points behind the leaders, who have a game in hand.

Barca are in the final of the Copa del Rey but Enrique knows that even if his side beat Alaves on 27 May, it will be scant consolation if they fail to win La Liga following another disappointing European campaign.

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Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal’s harsh 84th-minute dismissal was the first pivotal moment of a thrilling game, and then Ronaldo was clearly standing in an offside position to score Madrid’s second in extra time.

Needing at least two goals to progress, Bayern had led when Robert Lewandowski confidently drilled in a penalty.

Madrid struggled to find rhythm at a nervy Bernabeu before Ronaldo headed in Casemiro’s precise cross.

Bayern responded just 36 seconds later as Sergio Ramos’ own goal forced extra time, but then crumbled after Ronaldo illegally fired in Madrid’s second.

The Portugal captain tapped in the third – for his 100th Champions League goal – after Marcelo’s marauding run, with Marco Asensio sealing victory by firing into the bottom corner.

Madrid will discover their semi-final opponents when the draw is made on Friday.

Neighbours Atletico Madrid progressed after edging past Leicester City, while the other two ties – Barcelona against Juventus, and Monaco against Borussia Dortmund – take place on Wednesday.

Bayern see red in controversial exit

Anticipation was high when two of Europe’s biggest and most successful clubs were drawn together – and an enthralling tie did not disappoint.

However, it was somewhat tinged by Madrid benefitting from two debatable decisions by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai and his officials.

Chile midfielder Vidal, already booked for an early foul on the edge of the Bayern area, was shown a second yellow card for what appeared to be a clean sliding tackle on Madrid substitute Asensio.

And then Ronaldo was standing at least a yard offside when he met Ramos’ pass and spun to fire Madrid 4-3 ahead on aggregate.

“In a quarter-final you have to put a better referee, or it is the moment to introduce video refereeing, which is what Uefa are trying, because there are too many errors,” Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti said.

Nothing separated the two teams over 180 engaging minutes in Munich and Madrid, only for the German champions to finally run out of steam as they battled a numerical disadvantage.

Bayern also played the final 30 minutes at the Allianz Arena last week with 10 men after Javi Martinez’s dismissal.

Ancelotti’s side remained resolute in the first period of extra time – until the tiring visitors unravelled after Ronaldo put the Spanish league leaders ahead.

History-seeking Madrid get the rub of the green

Madrid are aiming to become the first club to retain the Champions League and moved a step closer by eventually seeing off Bayern.

For long periods, Madrid were edgy defensively and uncertain going forward – with Ronaldo guilty of wasting a number of chances in normal time.

Bayern knew they would have to become only the third side to overturn a first-leg home defeat in a Champions League tie to reach their sixth successive semi-final.

Fewer places are harder to achieve that than the home of the 11-time European champions.

Although only one away team had managed to leave the Bernabeu with victory in Madrid’s previous 33 home matches in all competitions, Bayern looked confident and organised as they quietened the home crowd.

Bayern top scorer Lewandowski, who missed the first leg with a shoulder injury, fired them ahead with a coolly taken penalty before Ramos’ bizarre own goal – the ball ricocheting off his right foot and spinning inside the near post – forced extra time.

But Madrid eventually wrestled control of the tie thanks to their numerical advantage and the decisions of the officials.

Sheer relief greeted the final two Madrid goals as their jubilant players wildly celebrated reaching a record seventh successive semi-final in Europe’s premier club competition.

“I don’t get involved if decisions are right or wrong,” said Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.

“Everyone has their own opinions, some might say it was not a second yellow card for Vidal, some might say it is.

“Cristiano’s goal might have been offside but it doesn’t change anything.”

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Source: BBC

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The Premier League champions progressed to the last eight by beating Spanish title-chasers Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate.

Leicester will play the first leg against last year’s beaten finalists away from home on 12 April, with the return leg on 18 April.

Holders Real Madrid face Bayern Munich, while Barcelona take on Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund play Monaco.

“Facing a team who have reached the final in two of the past three seasons is a massive challenge but it’s just the kind of tie you expect in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” said Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare.

“Atletico Madrid are a very good team with some fantastic individuals with experience in the competition, but we’ll be ready to give everything to progress.

“It will be a brilliant occasion for our supporters and for everyone at the club, but before the players can begin to think about these games, we have Premier League matches to come that are of huge significance to our season.

“They will be our sole focus.”

Atletico are the only side left in the quarter-finals who Leicester have previously played, but the Foxes have not beaten the Spaniards in their four previous meetings.

Diego Simeone’s side were beaten by neighbours Real Madrid on penalties in last season’s Champions League final.

The 2014 Spanish champions are fourth in La Liga this season, five points adrift of third-placed Sevilla.

Full draw:

Atletico Madrid (Spain) v Leicester City (Eng)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany) v Monaco (France)

Bayern Munich (Germany) v Real Madrid (Spain)

Juventus (Italy) v Barcelona (Spain)

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Source: BBC

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Three goals in the last seven minutes for the Catalan giants ensured Luis Enrique’s side became the first side in the competition’s history to overturn a first-leg 4-0 away defeat.

Edinson Cavani’s strike just past the hour mark looked to have sealed the Parisians’ route to the last eight before two goals from Neymar and a late strike from Sergi Roberto handed the hosts a sensational victory.

The hosts went three goals ahead thanks to Luis Suarez, an own goal from Layvin Kurzawa and a Lionel Messi penalty before Cavani looked to have curtailed the building momentum.

But 25-year-old Roberto popped up at the last minute to secure his place in Champions League and Barcelona’s history.

Barcelona had made a flying start to lift hopes of turning the tie around.

Rafinha floated a high cross into the PSG penalty area from the right, which was nodded back up into the air.

As the ball dropped and PSG goalkeeper Trapp hesitated to punch clear, Suarez was alert to head the ball in, which was then hacked out from under the net but it had clearly crossed the line.

PSG, who came to Spain unbeaten in 16 matches with 14 wins, tried to respond quickly and felt they had a strong claim for a penalty after Julian Draxler’s cross looked to have hit Javier Mascherano on the arm, but the referee was not interested.

Barcelona went close again on 17 minutes when Neymar curled his shot narrowly wide.

It was 2-0 on 41 minutes with another scrappy goal.

Captain Andres Iniesta chased what looked a lost cause into the left side of the PSG penalty area, but managed to dig possession out from Marquinhos.

As the ball went back through the six-yard box, Trapp palmed it onto Kurzawa, who could only slice an attempted clearance into the empty net.

Enrique’s men continued on the offensive at the start of the second half.

Neymar darted into the left side of the PSG box, where defender Thomas Meunier was slipping to the floor as he stumbled forwards headfirst and pulled down the Brazilian.

Initially the German referee did not give the penalty, but pointed to the spot once he had consulted with his assistant behind the goal. Messi made no mistake as he drilled the ball past Trapp.

PSG, though, almost put the tie to bed immediately after when Meunier got away down the right and whipped a low ball through the Barcelona penalty area, where Cavani slid in to crash his shot against the near post.

As the hour mark passed, a deep free-kick was lobbed into the Barcelona penalty area.

Kurzawa nodded the ball back down into the path of Cavani, who drilled a half-volley past Ter Stegen which looked to have killed off the tie.

The 37-goal Uruguay forward was denied a second when sent clear as Ter Stegen blocked at the near post.

Barcelona appeared to have run out of steam, before Neymar whipped an angled free-kick from 25 yards direct into the top-left corner with two minutes left.

Suarez then went down under a challenge from Marquinhos, which was enough for the referee to again point to the spot.

This time Neymar converted, before Barcelona kept the pressure on and they were rewarded when Roberto scored his first goal of the season and the most dramatic of winners as the Nou Camp erupted.

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Credit: TalkSports

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