Football

Open Extended Reactions The path to the 2025 Champions League final is now mapped out following Friday’s draw for the round of 16, and there will be some titanic clashes on the way to the showpiece game in Munich on May 31. Defending champions Real Madrid, Premier League leaders Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal must

Jeff CarlisleFeb 21, 2025, 12:23 AM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Open Extended Reactions United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes said she felt “pride” at Catarina Macario’s return to the USWNT, one that the Chelsea forward celebrated with a goal in a 2-0

Adriana Garcia Feb 21, 2025, 05:22 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Kylian Mbappé put on his ownership hat and made a surprise visit to his struggling Ligue 2 side Stade Malherbe Caen on Thursday. The Real Madrid forward, who acquired a majority share of Caen last summer, took advantage of his day off in Spain

Open Extended Reactions Enzo Maresca has urged dissenting fans to resist the urge to protest against Chelsea‘s ownership and said victory in all seven home games will be enough to secure Champions League qualification. Chelsea travel to Aston Villa on Saturday aiming to improve on a run of just three wins from 12 games across

Open Extended Reactions It shouldn’t be that difficult. Real Madrid are the world’s most successful club, the reigning LaLiga and European champions. Vinícius Júnior is one of their brightest stars, last year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up and FIFA’s The Best winner. His goals helped Madrid win two of the last three Champions League finals. So why

Open Extended Reactions Liverpool have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16, while holders Real Madrid face local rivals Atlético Madrid. Elsewhere in Friday’s draw, there will be an all-German tie as Bayern Munich meet Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal will take on PSV Eindhoven, and Barcelona will play Benfica. Aston Villa

Feb 21, 2025, 07:27 AM ET Open Extended Reactions The Appeals Committee of the Spanish Football Federation on Friday dismissed Real Madrid‘s appeal against Jude Bellingham‘s two-match ban. Bellingham saw red in Madrid’s 1-1 LALIGA draw at Osasuna on Saturday with referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero stating in his report that the midfielder had insulted

Feb 21, 2025, 04:57 AM ET Open Extended Reactions England goalkeeper Mary Earps has said she appreciates having the space to grow as a footballer away from the spotlight after her move to Paris Saint-Germain last year. Earps, who won the FIFA Best goalkeeper award in 2022 and 2023, made a move to the French

Jeff CarlisleFeb 20, 2025, 11:04 PM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Open Extended Reactions Since the start of the year, there had been a lot of talk about head coach Emma Hayes’ desire to “bridge the gap” within the U.S. women’s national team. The first tier

Lizzy Becherano Feb 20, 2025, 10:45 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Concacaf has disciplined referee Marco Antonio Ortiz Nava after he was seen appearing to ask Lionel Messi for his shirt following Inter Miami CF‘s Concacaf Champions Cup win over Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City. After the