Julian Alvarez was deemed to have hit the ball twice when taking his penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid

Why was Alvarez's shoot-out pen vs Real ruled out – and should it have been?

Julian Alvarez’s spot kick was controversially ruled out in Atletico Madrid’s shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League – but why was it disallowed, and did the forward even break the rules at all? Alvarez was second on Atletico’s list of penalty takers in their Champions League last-16 shoot-out, after they had beaten…

Football transfer rumours: Man Utd eye Tchouameni after failed De Jong bid; Liverpool want €100m Dembele

Football transfer rumours: Man Utd eye Tchouameni after failed De Jong bid; Liverpool want €100m Dembele

90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Manchester United have failed with a £55m bid to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer and will now turn their focus to Real Madrid‘s Aurelien Tchouameni, who they hope to sign alongside goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. (Fichajes – Spain) Chelsea hold…

Chelsea vs Copenhagen: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea vs Copenhagen: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea face Copenhagen in the second leg of their Europa Conference League last 16 tie on Thursday evening at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were triumphant in last week’s first leg between the sides, with goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez enough to give them an important 2-1 advantage to protect in west London. Gabriel…

Paper Talk

Papers: Arsenal to move for Toon star Guimaraes as part of triple swoop

The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers… THE SUN Arsenal want to sign Bruno Guimaraes as part of a stunning triple summer transfer spree under incoming new chief Andrea Berta. Premier League owner Tony Bloom has lost £50,000 after betting on his own horse at Cheltenham. Ange Postecoglou snapped at a journalist’s question…

Real Madrid players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Real Madrid beat Atletico on penalties after controversial 'double touch' kick

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in a Champions League penalty shootout – again – to set up a Champions League quarter-final clash with Arsenal. After Atletico had won 1-0 on the night, leaving the tie at 2-2 on aggregate after extra-time, Real defender Antonio Rudiger scored the decisive spot-kick in a 4-2 shootout win after…

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (2-2 agg, 2-4 pens): Match report & 3 talking points as shootout decides tie

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (2-2 agg, 2-4 pens): Match report & 3 talking points as shootout decides tie

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The reigning European champions were 2-1 victors during last week’s last 16 first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Atletico swiftly levelled the tie on aggregate with Conor Gallagher’s early strike the only goal of the return…

Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid 1-0 (4-6) Real Madrid: Los Blancos win on penalties to set up Arsenal showdown

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid. Despite losing 1-0 on the night at the Metropolitano, Los Blancos prevailed 4-2 on penalties after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate. Atletico Madrid got off to a dream start, stunning Real Madrid with a goal…

Ruben Amorim reacts to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's criticism of Man Utd players

Ruben Amorim reacts to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's criticism of Man Utd players

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has challenged his players to change the perceptions of them following criticism this week from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United are on course for the club’s worst season since relegation from the top flight in 1974 and Ratcliffe took aim at underperforming players during a round of media interviews…

Aston Villa

Aston Villa 3-0 (6-1) Club Brugge: Villains set up quarter-final clash with PSG

Aston Villa produced a commanding second-half display to ease past Club Brugge with a 3-0 victory at Villa Park, sealing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate. A brace from substitute Marco Asensio and a goal from Ian Maatsen ensured Unai Emery’s side progressed with ease, despite a sluggish first-half performance. Despite…

Aston Villa

Aston Villa 3-0 (6-1) Club Brugge: Villains set up quarter-final clash with PSG

Aston Villa produced a commanding second-half display to ease past Club Brugge with a 3-0 victory at Villa Park, sealing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate. A brace from substitute Marco Asensio and a goal from Ian Maatsen ensured Unai Emery’s side progressed with ease, despite a sluggish first-half performance. Despite…

98th percentile for goals: Man Utd keen on £67m top Ballon d'Or contender

98th percentile for goals: Man Utd keen on £67m top Ballon d'Or contender

Manchester United are closely monitoring an “unbelievable” star who’s a strong Ballon d’Or contender, and they have the means to make a tempting offer in the summer, according to a new report. Ratcliffe opens up on United’s financial issues In a recent interview with Gary Neville, Sir Jim Ratcliffe went into detail about the extent…

Man Utd star was ahead of Garnacho, then Ten Hag sold him for a "bargain"

Man Utd star was ahead of Garnacho, then Ten Hag sold him for a "bargain"

A 1-1 draw at home can never be celebrated, but there was rightly reason for optimism among those of a Manchester United persuasion following Sunday’s clash with rivals Arsenal. The first-half may have been dull and dour at Old Trafford, yet inspired by Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick stunner just before the break, the Red Devils sprung…

Worth £50m more than Fofana: Chelsea must rue selling "unbelievable" star

Worth £50m more than Fofana: Chelsea must rue selling "unbelievable" star

Chelsea have made some big-money investments during the Todd Boehly era, looking to push the club back towards the top end of the Premier League table. The American has spent over £100m on two separate players, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández costing the Blues £115m and £106.8m, respectively. However, the pair have been worthwhile…

83% duels lost: Ange must axe Spurs dud after an "inexcusable" 4/10 display

£83m player in the making: Spurs could strike gold on "mind-blowing" star

It might be one of the most overused words in the modern football lexicon, but Tottenham Hotspur are undoubtedly going through a project under the management of Ange Postecoglou. That might sound like a bit of nothing phrase, but, in reality, it just means that while things might look bleak at the moment – and…

Liverpool struck gold on "extraordinary" star who's worth more than Dembele

Liverpool struck gold on "extraordinary" star who's worth more than Dembele

Liverpool’s chances of securing a treble in Arne Slot’s first season in charge of the club were quashed against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The Reds were beaten on penalties by the French giants after a 1-1 draw on aggregate with Luis Enrique’s team, as Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones both…

Everton may now sign shock 120-career goal star in discounted £25m transfer

Everton may now sign shock 120-career goal star in discounted £25m transfer

In what would cause a major shock in the summer transfer window, The Friedkin Group could now land a bargain £25m deal to sign a European striker for Everton who has scored over 100 career goals. Everton eyeing shock DCL replacement Of course, what should not come as a shock is Everton’s pursuit of a…