Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's recall to the Wales squad for next week's World Cup qualifier with group leaders Serbia is a "no-brainer", according to manager Chris Coleman. Coleman included the 25-year-old — as well as in-form fellow midfielder Joe Allen — for a match the Euro 2016 semi-finalists need […]

Madrid (AFP) – Defeat to Manchester City shouldn't dent Barcelona's chances of Champions League progression but the manner in which the English side stormed to victory exposed the brittleness of a Barca side badly missing the injured Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta. Barca had won all five previous meetings between the sides over the past […]

London (AFP) – The troubled London Stadium came under the spotlight again on Wednesday as Labour's London mayor Sadiq Khan ordered an investigation into the escalating costs. A spokesperson for the mayor slammed the previous Conservative administration of Boris Johnson for leaving the stadium's finances in a "total and utter mess". Johnson said the cost […]

Sydney (AFP) – Record scorer Tim Cahill has been left out of Australia's squad for their World Cup qualifier against Thailand as he recovers from "soreness", the team said on Wednesday. The 36-year-old veteran, who now plays for Melbourne City after 18 years abroad, also missed last weekend's A-League win over Adelaide United. Australia coach […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Ilkay Gundogan scored twice as Manchester City sank Barcelona 3-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday to give manager Pep Guardiola an electrifying victory over his former club. Barca had won 4-0 when the sides met two weeks ago, but although Lionel Messi put them ahead, City stormed back in […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had established a benchmark for future Champions League success with their stirring 3-1 comeback win over his former club Barcelona. City lost the reverse fixture 4-0 two weeks ago, during a run of six games without a win, and fell behind in the 21st minute […]

Eindhoven (Netherlands) (AFP) – Arjen Robben says Bayern Munich's performances must improve as Robert Lewandowski's two goals rescued a 2-1 come-back win at PSV Eindhoven to put them in the Champions League's knock-out phase. With two games still to play, Bayern are guaranteed a place in the top two in Group D following Tuesday's result […]

Paris (AFP) – Manchester City got their revenge on Barcelona as Ilkay Gundogan scored twice in a 3-1 win in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Arsenal were one of four sides to secure progress to the last 16. Pep Guardiola's side had lost 4-0 away in Barcelona two weeks ago but they showed tremendous […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his pride after his side overwhelmed his former club Barcelona 3-1 in a classy Champions League victory on Tuesday. Beaten 4-0 at Camp Nou two weeks ago, City fell behind to Lionel Messi's 21st-minute goal, but roared back to win through Ilkay Gundogan's brace […]

Mönchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Celtic are still alive in the Champions League after Moussa Dembele's penalty allowed them to come away from their trip to Borussia Moenchengladbach with a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. The Scottish champions seemed to be heading for elimination with two matches to spare in Group C after Lars Stindl gave the […]

Paris (AFP) – Mesut Ozil scored a superb winner as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to beat Ludogorets 3-2 in Sofia on Tuesday and qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are the two big names in Group A and both were in a position to advance to the […]

Eindhoven (Netherlands) (AFP) – Robert Lewandowski netted twice on Tuesday as Bayern Munich came from behind to win 2-1 at PSV Eindhoven and seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti's side are guaranteed a place in the top two in Group D with two matches still to play after […]

Madrid (AFP) – Antoine Griezmann scored a 93rd-minute winner as Atletico Madrid secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over FC Rostov at the Vicente Calderon. Griezmann's brilliant volleyed effort gave Atletico the lead just before the half-hour mark, but Rostov immediately replied through […]

Paris (AFP) – Last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid were one of four teams to clinch a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two group matches to spare on Tuesday. Atletico beat Russian side Rostov 2-1 in Spain with Antoine Griezmann scoring both goals as they sealed their progress from Group D […]

Geneva (AFP) – The Palestinian football chief told AFP Tuesday he would appeal to the world's top sports court if FIFA fails to punish Israel over clubs based in the occupied West Bank. At issue are six small-time Israeli football clubs which play in Jewish settlements that are considered illegal under international law, alongside travel […]