Federico Valverde's sensational hattrick against Manchester City helped Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, but his words after the game may prove more crucial still.

Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold said his team surprised a lot of people who expected them to get "battered" by beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The statement from Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali on Wednesday that Iran could not take part in a World Cup being co-hosted by the United States offered the clearest indication yet of the potential for a first withdrawal from global soccer's showpiece event in the modern era.

Lionel Messi was denied his 900th career goal on Wednesday as reigning MLS champion Inter Miami played a 0-0 draw at Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

December 18, 2022 -- Lusail Stadium. More than 88,000 spectators in the stands were on the verge of holding their breath, while millions of football fans around the world stared fixedly at their television screens. In the middle of the pitch stood a group of battle-weary warriors. After regulation and extra time, the scoreboard showed a 3-3 deadlock.

Bangladesh captain Afeida Khandaker spoke to The Daily Star’s Anisur Rahman about the AFC Women's Asian Cup experience and what lies ahead.

The Norwegians racked up a remarkable fifth consecutive win in the competition in the last-16 first leg at Aspmyra Stadion.

Former Leverkusen player Havertz converted the late spot kick to cancel out Robert Andrich's 46th-minute header for the hosts, marking the first time this season that quadruple-chasing Arsenal had fallen behind in Europe's elite competition.

Luis Enrique’s side twice went ahead through Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele but were pegged back each time by Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez, only for Vitinha and Kvaratskhelia, with a double, to add three late goals for the hosts.

Los Blancos were missing several key players including Kylian Mbappe but Uruguayan midfielder Valverde's stunning treble, netted inside a 22-minute spell, crushed Pep Guardiola's team at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A Barcelona fan's navigation mishap turned into an unexpected adventure when he arrived at the wrong St James' Park on Tuesday for a Champions League clash, ending up 366 miles from where his team was actually playing.

Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against the country alongside Israel, killing its leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that he met with United States President Donald Trump, who told him he welcomed Iran’s participation in the 2026 Soccer World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Arne Slot was left to rue Liverpool's sloppy finishing as Galatasaray earned a 1-0 win in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg.

Lamine Yamal's penalty with the last kick of the game rescued Barcelona from defeat at Newcastle in a 1-1 Champions League last 16, first leg draw on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday by sweeping aside Atalanta 6-1 in a powerful demonstration of why the German giants are one of the favourites to win the competition.

Atletico Madrid took advantage of error-strewn Tottenham in the Champions League to rack up a 5-2 last 16 first leg victory on Tuesday.

Few stories in football history are this dramatic, this human, this poetic.

Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday as Mario Lemina's goal left the Reds in danger of a shock exit.

The defender last pulled on an England shirt in a friendly against Senegal in June and was notably absent from recent squads for World Cup qualifiers despite playing 27 Premier League games for Burnley this season.