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Category: Soccer

Aston Villa Set to Face Lille Again, Nottingham Forest Draw Midtjylland in Europa League Last 16

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Aston Villa will meet Lille for the second time in three seasons after the Europa League last-16 draw on Friday, while Nottingham Forest face a rematch against Denmark’s Midtjylland. Villa, coached by Unai Emery, finished second in this season’s league phase behind Lyon. The first leg against Lille will be in northern France on March 12, with the return in Birmingham scheduled for March 19. Last season, Villa were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, but in 2024, they overcame Lille on penalties in the Conference League quarter-finals. If Villa advance, they would face the winner of the all-Italian tie between Bologna and Roma in the quarter-finals. Forest reached the last 16 after defeating Fenerbahce in the knockout play-off round. They previously lost 3-2 at home to Midtjylland in the league phase. Midtjylland, currently second in the Danish top tier, finished third in the 36-team league phase. Should Forest progress, they would meet either German Cup holders VfB Stuttgart or two-time Europa League winners FC Porto in the quarter-finals. An all-English semi-final could also occur if both Forest and Villa advance. Other intriguing ties include Lyon against Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos facing Real Betis, Ferencvaros versus Braga, and Freiburg taking on Genk. The Europa League final is set for May 20 at Besiktas’ stadium in Istanbul. Europa League Last-16 Draw: Genk (BEL) vs Freiburg (GER) Bologna (ITA) vs Roma (ITA) Ferencvaros (HUN) vs Braga (POR) Stuttgart (GER) vs Porto (POR) Panathinaikos (GRE) vs Real Betis (ESP) Nottingham Forest (ENG) vs Midtjylland (DEN) Celta Vigo (ESP) vs Lyon (FRA) Lille (FRA) vs Aston Villa (ENG)

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UCL Round of 16: Real Madrid and Manchester City Set for Fifth Straight Knockout Battle

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The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 lineup is now confirmed, setting the stage for a series of blockbuster encounters across Europe. At the center of attention is yet another heavyweight clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. This marks the fifth straight season both clubs will meet in the knockout rounds, underlining a growing modern rivalry in the competition. Their recent meetings have swung both ways — Madrid advanced in 2022, City responded in 2023, Los Blancos edged through on penalties in 2024, and last season Madrid knocked City out in the Round of 16. Earlier in this campaign, City claimed a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu during the league phase. Another standout fixture will see Paris Saint-Germain take on Chelsea in a rematch of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where the London side cruised to a 3-0 win over the French champions. Arsenal and Bayern Munich, who topped the league phase standings, have been drawn against Bayer Leverkusen and Atalanta respectively. Meanwhile, surprise package Bodo/Glimt of Norway will battle Sporting Lisbon as they continue their remarkable run. The remaining English representatives also face daunting tasks. Newcastle United go head-to-head with Barcelona, Liverpool square off against Galatasaray led by Victor Osimhen, and Tottenham Hotspur meet Atletico Madrid in another mouthwatering tie. The first-leg fixtures are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with the return legs set to take place the following week.

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Ronaldo Purchases 25% Stake In Spanish Club, UD Almería

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Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% ownership stake in UD Almería, the Spanish second-division club currently occupying third place in the league. The 41-year-old, who continues to play for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is now extending his influence off the field through this strategic investment. The deal was made via his company, CR7 Sports Investments, and forms part of Almería’s international growth strategy led by club president Mohamed Al Khereiji and his SMC Group conglomerate. Mohamed Al Khereiji expressed excitement over Ronaldo’s involvement, saying, “We are very pleased that Cristiano has chosen our club to invest in. He is considered the best player in history, he knows Spanish football very well, and he understands the potential of what we are building here, both in terms of the first team and the youth academy.” Ronaldo also commented on the move, stating, “For a long time, my ambition has been to contribute to football beyond the pitch. UD Almería is a club with solid foundations and clear growth potential. I look forward to working alongside the management team to support the club’s next phase of growth.”

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Bodo/Glimt Make History Beating Inter Milan To Reach Champions League Last 16

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Bodo/Glimt achieved the greatest milestone in their history on Tuesday, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate win. Having taken a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Norway, goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen in the second half stunned the home crowd and set up a showdown with either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the next round. Over 3,000 Bodo fans made the journey to Milan to witness the club’s remarkable debut season in Europe’s premier club competition—a huge turnout for a city of just around 50,000 residents. In contrast, the San Siro hosted more than 20,000 people than the population of Bodo, most leaving disappointed as Inter’s late goal from Alessandro Bastoni failed to ignite a comeback, despite coach Cristian Chivu’s hopes. Inter’s exit adds to Italian football’s struggles in Europe, with all four Serie A sides now likely to be eliminated by Thursday. Juventus and Atalanta trail Galatasaray and Borussia Dortmund respectively, with little expectation of overturning their deficits in the return legs. For Bodo/Glimt, though, it was a historic night. Norwegian champions in four of the past six seasons, they will present a serious challenge to whoever they face next. Inter dominated early, with Pio Esposito heading over from a Federico Dimarco cross in the third minute. Dimarco’s curling effort was tipped over by Nikita Haikin, and Marcus Thuram saw a long-range shot deflected over. Yet as the match progressed, Bodo/Glimt’s defense comfortably absorbed Inter’s wide attacks and crosses. Hauge opened the scoring in the 58th minute after a confused passage involving Inter defender Manuel Akanji, who had just returned following treatment for a cut eyebrow, allowed Ole Didrik Blomberg to get the ball on the edge of the box. Blomberg missed one-on-one with Yann Sommer, but Hauge slotted home his sixth Champions League goal, sending the visiting supporters into ecstasy. Evjen sealed Bodo/Glimt’s progression in the 72nd minute, expertly finishing Hauge’s precise pass into the box. Bastoni’s subsequent goal for Inter proved inconsequential as the Italian side now turns its focus to the Serie A title, currently 10 points ahead of city rivals AC Milan.

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FIFA Considers One-Minute Off-Field Rule For Injured Players To Improve Match Flow

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FIFA has proposed a new rule that would require players receiving treatment for injuries to stay off the pitch for one minute, a move aimed at reducing time-wasting, limiting disruptions, and improving the flow of matches. The proposal is expected to be discussed at the Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday. If approved, the rule would become part of football’s official Laws of the Game globally. Currently, the Laws of the Game do not specify a mandatory off-field period after treatment, leaving domestic leagues to set their own regulations. For instance, the Premier League has applied a 30-second rule since the 2023‑24 season. FIFA tested a two-minute off-field period during the Arab Cup in December. Pierluigi Collina, head of FIFA referees, explained that the trial aimed to reduce time-wasting while maintaining match tempo. In January, IFAB members agreed that a fixed period should be added to the Laws, but the exact duration sparked debate. The proposed one-minute rule is seen as a compromise, balancing fairness with the need to keep games moving. The concept is similar to Major League Soccer in the United States, where players must leave the field if they remain on the ground for more than 15 seconds while receiving medical attention.

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UEFA Suspends Prestianni Over Alleged Racist Remark At Vinicius Jr Ahead Of Madrid Clash

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Gianluca Prestianni will miss Benfica’s upcoming Champions League meeting with Real Madrid after UEFA imposed a provisional one-game suspension over claims he racially insulted Vinicius Junior. The disciplinary action comes as UEFA continues to examine the alleged incident involving the Real Madrid winger during last week’s first-leg encounter in Portugal. The match at the Estadio da Luz was temporarily halted for 11 minutes after Vinicius alerted referee Francois Letexier to an alleged offensive comment. Television footage captured the Brazilian forward explaining the situation to the official, stating that a remark had been directed at him by Prestianni. However, the 20-year-old Benfica player has strongly rejected the accusation, maintaining that the Madrid star “misinterpreted what he thought he heard.” Real Madrid head into the return leg with a slender 1-0 aggregate lead.

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Super Eagles to Play Iran, Jordan in Four-Nation Tournament

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Three-time African champions Nigeria will feature in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, capital of Jordan, during next month’s FIFA Men’s International Window. The mini-tournament will kick off with a clash between the Super Eagles and the senior men national team of Iran, at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium, on Friday, 27th March 2026. The same day, the senior men national teams of Jordan and Costa Rica will be at each other’s jugular at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also in Amman. On Tuesday, 31st March, hosts Jordan will take on 2025 AFCON bronze-medallists Nigeria at the Amman International Stadium, while Costa Rica will confront Iran at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Organizers will announce the time-schedule for the four matches in a few days.

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Pre-WAFCON Friendlies: Ajibade, Nnadozie, 23 Others Top Super Falcons List for Cameroon

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Head Coach Justine Madugu has listed captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo in a 25-player Super Falcons’ roster for the upcoming friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Yaounde. Canada-based midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene makes a return to the squad after a couple of years, and forward Gift Monday, now based in the United States of America, also returns after missing out on last year’s Women AFCON triumph in Morocco. England-based goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor has been called up for the first time, as Mexico-based defender Chidinma Okeke also makes a return to the 10-time African champions. Midfielder Precious Christopher, based in Tanzania, joins up with the group for the first time, while defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashley Plumptre, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Rinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi retain their spots. The first match against the Lionesses will hold on Saturday, 28th February, with the second coming up on Tuesday, 3rd March. The final tournament of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations has been confirmed for the Kingdom of Morocco for the period 17th March – 3rd April, with all four semi-finalists qualifying directly to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil. SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLY MATCHES VS CAMEROON: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Olivia Wynn, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico) Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Christian Lundstrom, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Ottawa Rapids, Canada); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Precious Christopher (Yanga Princess, Tanzania) Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Joy Omewa (Nottingham Forest, England); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy)

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