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.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Tuesday his team should not feel inferior to Champions League opponents Manchester City, even without injured striker Kylian Mbappe.

Meanwhile, with a match in hand against winless Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club, Brothers Union have all but secured a semifinal berth.

Japan stayed perfect in the women's Asian Cup group stage as they eased to a 4-0 win over Vietnam, who crashed out of the tournament.

Manchester City will face Liverpool in a blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final, while quadruple-chasing Arsenal travel to Southampton.

With both well-known and lesser-known statistics, this feature takes a closer look at the fascinating world of World Cup hattricks. Let us explore some intriguing questions about these remarkable feats.

The tie also rekindles memories of the clubs’ famous first Champions League meeting in 1997, when Newcastle stunned Barcelona 3-2 with a hat-trick from Faustino Asprilla.

Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi was specifically asked about Iran, whose participation in the World Cup is uncertain due to the war waged on the country by Israel and the United States.

Santos said Neymar's absence was precautionary but the timing is awkward, with Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti having organised a trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to watch the 34-year-old in action.