Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisted Wednesday that a "catastrophic" run of Champions League matches against some of Europe's best sides had set his team up perfectly for the play-off round as he shrugged off suggestions not qualifying directly for the last 16 was a failure.

The record 15-time European champions fell to a 4-2 defeat at Jose Mourinho's Benfica, finishing ninth in the league phase table.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe admitted his team were not consistent enough for a top eight spot as his side slipped into the Champions League play-off round on Wednesday.

Barcelona stormed back in the second half to claim a 4-1 victory over Copenhagen at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, sealing a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United were forced into the Champions League playoff round after a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes in Wednesday's final round of the league phase left both outside of direct qualification for the last 16.

Arsenal became the first side to win all eight matches in the Champions League league phase as the Gunners secured top spot with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah ended his Liverpool goal drought as the Reds crushed Qarabag 6-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16 and ease the pressure on Arne Slot.

Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with the winning brace in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Napoli which secured a top-eight finish and eliminated his team's Italian hosts.

Jose Mourinho condemned his former employers to a ninth-placed finish in the league phase as his Benfica side beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a stoppage-time header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin keeping the Portuguese alive in the competition.

Anika becomes only the second foreign-based player in the women’s squad after Matsushima Sumaya

Napoli are on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League as the troubled Italian club face Chelsea on Wednesday racked by a deep injury crisis and a faltering Serie A title defence.

Mourinho's Benfica side will face Real Madrid on Wednesday in a make-or-break Champions League encounter.

With the mid-term transfer window of the Bangladesh Football League (BFL) set to close on January 31, the league’s smaller outfits are moving decisively to reshape the title race and relegation battles, capitalising on a rare opening created by restrictions on the country’s traditional powerhouses.

Manchester City's players must step up to help Erling Haaland end his goal drought, manager Pep Guardiola said on the eve of his team's crucial Champions League match against Galatasaray.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo said Tuesday it is "crazy" to compare teenage winger Lamine Yamal to club great Lionel Messi.

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the signing of teenage talent Dro Fernandez from Barcelona on Monday, with the Catalan giants' president Joan Laporta left upset over what he said was an "unpleasant" situation.

Brazil formally has told FIFA it wants to host the 2029 Club World Cup, according to a report by ESPN Brazil.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl on Monday confirmed the club are in talks to extend Harry Kane's deal at the club.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday suggested he supports fans boycotting World Cup matches in the United States this year due to security concerns.

Inter had cranked up the pressure in the title race with a 6-2 comeback win against Pisa on Friday.