Match Details

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• Why Barcelona have asked UEFA to move Champions League clash

  FC Barcelona has requested that UEFA delay their Champions League round-of-16 second leg by 24 hours to prevent a logistical conflict with the club’s presidential elections scheduled for March 15th. ​FC Barcelona has asked UEFA to move their Champions League knockout tie from March 17th to March 18th. The club aims to avoid a narrow two-day turnaround following its presidential elections on March 15th. While Joan Laporta remains the favorite, officials worry the administrative intensity of the vote could disrupt match preparations. A seeding advantage ensures the crucial second leg remains at the Camp Nou. ​The draw looms with PSG and Newcastle United identified as likely opponents following dominant play-off performances. A home fixture against Sevilla is also scheduled for election day, though La Liga may intervene. Club leadership remains focused on the road to the Budapest final on May 30th. Regarding past transfer interest, Laporta noted the club’s resolve, stating, “People thought we were crazy” for rejecting massive bids.

• Opta Supercomputer picks Champions League winner amid knockout drama

  The Opta supercomputer has identified Arsenal as the primary favorite to secure their maiden Champions League title following a dominant league phase.

  ​Arsenal leads the projections with a 26.86% chance of victory, bolstered by eight consecutive wins. Bayern Munich follows at 15.19%, despite recent domestic struggles.

  Premier League giants Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea round out the top five. Interestingly, the data suggests Newcastle holds a 4.47% chance of glory, notably higher than Real Madrid’s 3.10% likelihood as the knockout stages intensify.

  ​In the playoff round, Newcastle is virtually guaranteed a last-16 spot with a 99.77% progression chance after thrashing Qarabağ 6–1.

  Conversely, Inter Milan faces an uphill battle with only a 42.62% chance of advancing following a 3–1 loss to Bodø/Glimt.

  Despite their underdog status, the Norwegian side’s recent form against elite clubs proves no lead is insurmountable in Europe’s premier competition.

• Why Newcastle’s Qarabag masterclass is a warning to Chelsea

  Anthony Gordon’s four-goal haul in a 6-1 rout of Qarabag has sent a clear message to potential Round of 16 opponents Chelsea.  

  Newcastle United dismantled Qarabag 6-1 to secure a potential Champions League knockout tie against Chelsea.

  Anthony Gordon was the protagonist, netting four goals to bring his tournament tally to ten.

  Playing in a central role, Gordon’s relentless pressing exploited the opposition’s backline, a tactic that poses a significant threat to a Chelsea side currently missing key ball-progressor Levi Colwill due to long-term injury.

  While Chelsea holds a superior historical record, they have struggled against the Magpies recently, winning only three of their last nine encounters.

  Despite a spirited 2-2 comeback in their previous Premier League meeting, the Blues must now weigh the risks of Liam Rosenior’s build-from-the-back style against Newcastle’s high-intensity pressure.

  Fans are already debating the draw, with one supporter noting, “Monaco fc” as a preferred alternative.

• Player ratings: Decisive Vini 8, leads Madrid to win in Benfica

  Despite a match marred by an alleged racist incident and a significant delay, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 win over Benfica through a sensational Vinicius Jr strike.  

  Real Madrid earned a vital 1-0 victory over Benfica in their Champions League play-off opener, thanks to a moment of magic from Vinicius Junior.

  The match was defined by a stunning second-half goal from the Brazilian, followed immediately by a ten-minute suspension of play after he reported a racial slur from an opponent.

  Despite the hostility at the Estadio da Luz, the visitors maintained their composure to bring a slender lead back to Spain.

  ​The opening half was a balanced affair, with Benfica pressing high and testing the Madrid backline early.

  While Kylian Mbappe struggled to find his clinical edge, hitting the woodwork from close range, Trent Alexander-Arnold provided consistent service from the flank.

  The breakthrough finally arrived when Vinicius cut inside to fire a brilliant effort into the top corner, though the celebrations were cut short by the ensuing racial abuse allegations and a lengthy delay.

  ​Player Ratings 

  ​Thibaut Courtois (7/10): The Belgian giant was essential during the opening stages. He produced several sharp saves to deny Benfica an early lead while Madrid struggled to find their rhythm, ensuring a clean sheet on a night where the pressure was constant.

  ​Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10): Operating as a primary playmaker from the right, he delivered several dangerous crosses that nearly resulted in goals. While his defensive work was tested and his attacking output slowed in the second half, he remained a vital outlet for Los Blancos.

  ​Antonio Rudiger (7/10): While some of his distribution was uncharacteristically loose, he was nearly impassable in isolated defensive situations. His physicality and experience in one-on-one duels helped neutralize Benfica’s most dangerous counter-attacks throughout the night.

  ​Dean Huijsen (8/10): The standout performer in the defensive unit, the youngster displayed maturity beyond his years. He led the match in completed passes, dominated his aerial battles, and provided a sense of calm that anchored the entire Madrid backline.

  ​Alvaro Carreras (6/10): It was a complicated homecoming for the former Benfica man. He struggled at times against the pace of the hosts’ wingers and found himself isolated without much support, leading to a few nervous moments on the left flank.

  ​Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): A somewhat disjointed performance from the anchor man. He was guilty of surrendering possession in dangerous areas and lacked his usual defensive bite, though he did manage to progress the ball effectively toward the forward line.

  ​Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): It was a night of extremes for the Frenchman. While he struggled physically and lost the majority of his individual duels, he remained a creative spark, carving out two of the team’s best scoring opportunities during the match.

  ​Federico Valverde (7/10): Reinstalled into his preferred central role, the Uruguayan looked rejuvenated. His trademark energy allowed him to cover immense ground, acting as an effective link between the defense and the attack in a classic box-to-box display.

  ​Arda Guler (6/10): The Turkish playmaker showed flashes of technical brilliance and tested the keeper with a few strikes from distance. However, he struggled to find the final, decisive pass needed to break down a stubborn Benfica defense.

  ​Kylian Mbappe (5/10): A frustrating evening for the superstar, who appeared out of sorts. After missing a golden opportunity in the first half and striking the bar, he became a peripheral figure as the game progressed, failing to leave his mark on the second half.

  ​Vinicius Jr (8/10): Clearly the man of the match, the Brazilian was a constant thorn in Benfica’s side. Aside from his spectacular winning goal, his resilience in returning to the pitch after the racial abuse incident showed immense character as he continued to threaten until the final whistle.

  ​Despite a match marred by an alleged racist incident and a significant delay, Real Madrid secured a 1-0 win over Benfica through a sensational Vinicius Jr strike.

• Folarin Balogun shatters USMNT records in Champions League performance

  Folarin Balogun became the first USMNT player to score a brace in a Champions League knockout game during Monaco’s 3-2 first-leg loss to PSG.  

  USMNT striker Folarin Balogun shattered multiple records during Monaco’s Champions League knockout clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

  The 24-year-old opened the scoring within the first minute, marking the fastest goal by an American in competition history.

  He later doubled his tally, becoming the first USMNT player to score twice in a Champions League knockout match and setting a new single-season scoring record for Americans.

  Despite Balogun’s historic brace, PSG rallied with three unanswered goals to take a lead into the second leg.

  The performance solidifies Balogun as the frontrunner for Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

  While the result favored the visitors, the Arsenal academy graduate’s display was described as the “best-ever individual Champions League season by a USMNT player,” surpassing previous milestones.