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At the Metropolitano, Barcelona appeared to be in control early on, with Lamine Yamal delivering a pinpoint cross that set up a near‑certain goal for Fermín López. The strike was thwarted by a spectacular save from Juan Musso, leaving López drenched in claret. Had the ball found the net, Barcelona would have taken a 3‑0 lead and an advantage in the tie after already scoring through Yamal and Ferran Torres in the opening half‑hour.The deadlock was broken when Charlton‑trained forward Ademola Lookman netted the decisive goal, sending Atlético Madrid into the Bigger Cup semi‑finals. The victory sparked an exuberant reaction from coach Diego Simeone, who praised his side’s enthusiasm and readiness for the next challenge, hinting at a possible showdown with Arsenal or Sporting.In the aftermath, Barcelona winger Raphinha launched a scathing critique of referee Clément Turpin, alleging that the officiating had robbed his team not only in the second leg but also in the first. The Brazilian warned that his comments could land him on UEFA’s disciplinary “naughty step,” with precedent suggesting a suspension of at least three matches for such language.The controversy deepened as Turpin refrained from issuing any bookings to Atlético players and denied Barcelona what they believed were two clear penalty opportunities across both legs. Musso, who had earlier saved López’s chance, dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that the match was decided on the pitch and that disciplinary actions are part of the game’s reality.Further coverage of the European fixtures, including live updates from the Bigger Cup quarter‑finals and analysis from Guardian experts, is available on the publication’s football portal.

When the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) arrived in France for the 1998 World Cup, 16 Major League Soccer (MLS) players featured in the 22‑man squad – a deliberate move by the fledgling league to showcase its talent after its 1996 launch.Since that high point, the MLS presence has steadily receded: the 2002 quarter‑final run averaged 5.4 MLS starters per match, 2006 fell to 3.33, 2010 to 2, and the 2022 tournament saw only oneno MLS players at all, a first since the league’s inception.The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was an outlier, with an average of 4.75 MLS starters across four matches. That spike reflected a brief MLS push to lure high‑profile Americans – Clint Dempsey from Tottenham and Michael Bradley from Roma – back to Seattle and Toronto.Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup on home soil, the realistic outlook is that only two MLS players could start: goalkeeper Matt Freese (NYC FC) or, less likely, Matt Turner (New England Revolution), alongside veteran defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC). Even head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s favored midfielder Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) is unlikely to displace established stars such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie or Malik Tillman.This contraction raises the question of whether the World Cup serves as a referendum on MLS’s quality. With the tournament split between the United States and Canada, the scarcity of MLS starters will be starkly visible, yet it does not mean the league’s influence has vanished.Indeed, the league’s impact now lies in its academy pipeline. Of the 27 players the Guardian’s US soccer desk identified as “on the squad” or “in contention,” 19 were products of MLS academies – up from 16 in the 2022 roster. Including Tim Weah’s brief stint with the New York Red Bulls youth set‑up would raise that figure to 20.The only non‑academy players are dual nationals who grew up abroad, with the notable exception of Christian Pulisic, who left the U.S. as a teenager to develop at Borussia Dortmund.Unlike 2014, MLS has not supplied any established national‑team regulars for the 2026 campaign (aside from Toronto FC’s Josh Sargent, whose World Cup chances appear slim). Consequently, American fans may not see the tournament’s stars on their local MLS pitches, a factor that could challenge fan‑base growth.Nevertheless, this aligns with MLS’s long‑term strategy: investing in the development of domestic youth and promising talent from the wider hemisphere rather than chasing marquee signings. The forthcoming USMNT may lack a pronounced MLS imprint on the field, but its DNA will still be rooted in the league’s developmental system.

Cricket Australia (CA) has yet to secure the backing of two pivotal state bodies for its proposal to sell minority stakes in Big Bash League (BBL) franchises, casting doubt on the timeline for a major private‑investment push.Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon publicly rejected the plan on Wednesday, confirming that the Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers will not participate in any valuation process overseen by CA.CA chief executive Todd Greenberg responded that the consultation with states is ongoing and that the organisation remains “open to discussing any questions or concerns” while emphasizing a “respectful and collaborative” approach.The Australian body aims to emulate the UK’s The Hundred model, where the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) auctioned franchises last year for £520 million (≈ $1 billion). CA’s proposal would allow up to 49% of each state‑run BBL team to be sold, with potential valuations of as much as $200 million per club, potentially generating a half‑billion‑dollar windfall.Proceeds would be split between an immediate cash injection to the state associations and ongoing annual payments, while a portion would seed a future development fund for Australian cricket.Germon warned that external investors could introduce goals misaligned with the existing cricket ecosystem, describing the current system as “working very effectively and very well now.” He highlighted risks of “external investors who will not have aligned goals with the states or Cricket Australia.”Meanwhile, Cricket Queensland chief executive Terry Svenson said no final decision has been made, noting the board is awaiting further clarification from CA on several points before reaching a verdict.Facing pushback, Cricket NSW is exploring an alternative financing strategy that sidesteps equity sales. The plan focuses on boosting revenue through ticket yields, attendance, commercial sponsorships, and wagering partnerships, aiming to fund the BBL’s growth without relinquishing club ownership.When asked about the increasing reliance on gambling revenue, Germon acknowledged that wagering is already part of cricket’s commercial mix and that its role will be reassessed as part of the broader funding discussion.CA’s ambition arrives amid rising competition from emerging T20 leagues in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, which are vying for players and audience attention during Australia’s traditional summer window.

An overwhelming majority of Israelis oppose the US-Iran ceasefire deal announced last week, with 61% of respondents in a recent poll expressing their disapproval. The poll, conducted by the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), also found that 73% of respondents expect fighting with Iran to resume within the next year.The ceasefire deal, which was negotiated without Israel's direct involvement, has been met with skepticism by many Israelis who feel that it does not address the root causes of the conflict with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised a final showdown with Iran, but the deal has left the Iranian government still standing.The Israeli public's disappointment with the ceasefire deal is reflected in the 69% of respondents who support continued military action in Lebanon, despite talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments. Israel has continued to attack Lebanon, killing over 300 people in the past week.Analysts say that Netanyahu's problem is that he had oversold the war's objectives, promising regime collapse and the destruction of Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles. However, these goals were unrealistic, and the ceasefire deal has exposed the gap between Netanyahu's rhetoric and the reality on the ground.The opposition to the ceasefire deal is not limited to Netanyahu's critics, with opposition leaders like Yair Lapid also expressing their disappointment. Lapid has accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into a protectorate state that receives instructions from the US on matters of national security.Despite the backlash, Netanyahu has given public support to the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that Israel and the US are in constant coordination. However, analysts say that Israel is unlikely to break with the US while it is leading negotiations with Iran.

Atletico Madrid has sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League, securing a spot in the semifinals with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite a 2-1 quarterfinal second leg defeat.Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres fired visitors Barca ahead inside 24 minutes on Tuesday, but Ademola Lookman's strike gave Atletico the edge in the gripping all-Spanish tie once again after their 2-0 win in the first leg.Diego Simeone's side returned to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 by holding on against the La Liga champions in a compelling and bloody battle. Barcelona ended the game with 10 men as Eric Garcia was sent off for bringing down Alexander Sorloth as he ran in on goal, hampering their chance of finding a third goal to force extra time.Atletico, who have never won the competition and lost the 2014 and 2016 finals with Simeone at the helm, will face Arsenal or Sporting Lisbon in the semifinals.Barcelona coach Hansi Flick benched forwards Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski for workhorses Torres and Gavi, looking to press Atletico relentlessly in the sixth match between these sides this season.Lamine Yamal fired the visitors ahead after just four minutes when he harried Clement Lenglet into giving the ball away. Torres nudged it back to Yamal, who slipped a low shot through Musso's legs to hush the home fans and ignite Barca's attempted comeback bid.Barcelona doubled their lead in the 24th minute to level the tie on aggregate when Torres left Lenglet trailing, reached Olmo's pass and fired across Musso into the top corner.Atletico pulled their way back into the game in the 31st minute after Barca switched off defensively for the first time. Marcos Llorente charged down the right behind the Catalans' high defensive line and crossed for Lookman to convert.The game spun away from Barca when Eric Garcia was sent off for clipping Sorloth's heels as he ran through on goal, similar to Pau Cubarsi's red card in the first leg.Flick threw centre-back Ronald Araujo up front for the final stages, but there was no way back, and Atletico gritted their teeth through eight minutes of stoppage time before the celebrations could begin.

The pursuit of a 'Greater Israel' has been a longstanding ambition for some factions within Israel, but Iran's persistent opposition continues to pose a significant challenge to its realization. The concept of a 'Greater Israel' generally refers to the expansion of Israeli territory to include areas that are currently part of neighboring countries, a notion that has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions in the region. Iran's stance on this issue is rooted in its historical and ideological opposition to Israel, viewing it as a strategic threat in the region. Iran's active engagement in supporting Palestinian groups and its vocal criticism of Israeli policies have been key aspects of its approach to countering Israeli influence and expansion plans. The geopolitical dynamics involving Iran and Israel are complex, with implications extending beyond bilateral relations to impact the broader Middle Eastern landscape. The 'Greater Israel' project, if pursued, could potentially redraw the regional map, leading to far-reaching consequences for peace and stability in the area. Despite these ambitions, Iran's resistance underscores the challenges Israel faces in achieving its territorial goals. The situation remains a critical point of tension, with international implications that could affect not only the Middle East but also global geopolitics.

UEFA announced on Tuesday that it has ruled Barcelona's protest concerning a handball incident in the Champions League quarter‑final first leg against Atletico Madrid as inadmissible. The decision was issued by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 13 April 2026.Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone, secured a 2‑0 victory at Camp Nou, a result Barcelona attributes in part to a disputed moment when defender Marc Pubill handled the ball after a perceived goal‑kick was passed to him.Barcelona claimed the incident warranted a penalty and argued that referee Istvan Kovacs was not instructed to consult the VAR team. The club labeled the non‑award of a penalty a “major error” that directly influenced the match outcome.Despite the club’s appeal, UEFA’s statement confirmed that the protest does not meet the criteria for review, leaving the original 2‑0 scoreline intact as the teams prepare for the second leg.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, as Bayern Munich hosts Real Madrid in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matchup. The German side holds a 2-1 aggregate lead, making Real Madrid's task even more daunting.Real Madrid's season has been a rollercoaster, with the team struggling to find consistency. Despite their recent 1-1 draw against Girona in La Liga, which has effectively ended their title hopes, they must now focus on overcoming Bayern Munich. The Spanish giants have had a remarkable history in the Champions League, having won the competition 14 times, a record in the tournament.Bayern Munich, on the other hand, has been in stellar form, extending their lead to 12 points at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 5-0 win over St Pauli on Saturday. Their star striker, Harry Kane, is expected to return after sitting out the league match due to a minor injury.The most pressing concern for Real Madrid is the facial injury sustained by Kylian Mbappe in training. However, given his importance to the team and the significance of the match, it's likely that he will be patched up to play. Mbappe has been in exceptional form, leading the Champions League scorers' list with 14 goals this season.In terms of team news, Bayern Munich will be without Lennart Karl and Sven Ulreich due to injuries, while Serge Gnabry has a minor knee problem but is expected to be available. Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, and Aurelien Tchouameni due to injuries and suspensions.This matchup between two European giants is the most played fixture in Champions League history, with 29 meetings between the sides. Real Madrid has won 13 matches, while Bayern Munich has emerged victorious on 12 occasions.

Ghana has named Portuguese veteran Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the men’s national team, a move made less than two months before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that Queiroz will assume immediate responsibility for the squad’s tournament preparations, working alongside key stakeholders to finalize the roster.“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA said in an official statement.At 73, Queiroz recently departed his role as Oman’s manager after the side failed to qualify for the World Cup, but his appointment marks his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance, this time guiding Ghana.Ghana found itself without a coach 72 days before the tournament after parting ways with Otto Addo following friendly defeats to Austria and Germany in March.Queiroz’s World Cup résumé includes leading Portugal to the round of 16 in 2010 and steering Iran through three editions, recording three wins in 13 matches.Born in Mozambique, the former goalkeeper has also managed Egypt, Japan, Colombia and South Africa, and previously helmed Portugal in the early 1990s.“This is not just another job – it is a mission,” Queiroz said. “I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of people.”He was chosen from more than 600 local and foreign applications because of his extensive World Cup experience.Ghana have been drawn into Group L alongside Croatia, England and Panama.The Black Stars will fine‑tune their tactics in warm‑up matches against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2.