Van Dijk, who joined Liverpool in 2017 for a world record fee for a defender reported to be 75 million pounds ($99.29 million), has been the bedrock of a defence that has helped them win numerous trophies, including a first Premier League title.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta thanked Premier League rivals Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola after his side defeated holders Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The 33-year-old sustained a serious knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to return to full fitness, though his recent form at Santos was rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad in March.

Bayern Munich earned a draw at the San Siro against Inter Milan on Wednesday but ultimately bowed out of the Champions League, leaving manager Vincent Kompany to reflect on the injury crisis that hit his side ahead of the quarterfinal.

Inter will face Barcelona in the last four thanks in large part to Pavard's thumping header in the 61st minute at a soaking San Siro.

Declan Rice said Arsenal are on course for "special things" after beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to cruise into the Champions League semifinals 5-1 on aggregate.

Following Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury’s debut for Bangladesh against India last month, interest among expatriate footballers in representing the national team has seen a notable rise. Canada-based midfielder Shamit Shome has already expressed his desire to play for Bangladesh.

It was Neymar’s first start since a left thigh issue ruled him out of Brazil’s March fixtures and Santos’ Paulista semi-final defeat to Corinthians.

Real Madrid suffered their 12th defeat of the season, by contrast to just two across the whole of the previous campaign.

Saka missed a first-half penalty but scored the opening goal in his side's 2-1 victory in the Bernabeu to seal a 5-1 aggregate win for the English club.

Inter Milan reached the semifinals of the Champions League on Wednesday after drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich to win a pulsating last-eight tie 4-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal snuffed out any chance of a famous Real Madrid comeback to reach the Champions League semifinals after a 2-1 victory in the Bernabeu Stadium completed a 5-1 aggregate win on Wednesday.

The opposition of Montagliani, who heads the confederation for the 41 member associations in North and Central America and the Caribbean, follows similar stances taken by UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Andre Onana will be recalled for Manchester United's season-defining Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon after his costly goalkeeping errors in the first leg, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's men last week demolished the defending champions 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final in London and are favourites to reach the last four of Europe's top club competition for only the third time.

The National Sports Council (NSC) has called upon all federations in the country to integrate high-skilled athletes of Bangladeshi origin and encourage them to represent Bangladesh. 

"They made our lives very hard but what was important is we made it to the semi-finals."

With Prince William watching on, Villa defender Ezri Konsa did a facepalm gesture as he and teammate Youri Tielemans tried to contain their laughter, while PSG's Fabian Ruiz and Ousmane Dembele exchanged puzzled glances.

Maradona died on November 25, 2020, aged 60, while recovering at home from brain surgery for a blood clot. He had battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for decades.

The French side, who have never won Europe's elite club competition, will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in their second semi-final in two years.