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Barcelona demolished rivals Real Madrid 6-0 to progress to the women’s Champions League semifinals with a convincing 12-2 aggregate score. The Catalan football giants, led by Alexia Putellas, shone in their first game at the rebuilt Camp Nou, building on their 6-2 quarterfinal first leg victory. Caroline Graham Hansen netted twice and Putellas also scored in Thursday’s rout, as three-time winners Barca reached an eighth consecutive semifinal. Pere Romeu’s dominant side, runners-up to Arsenal last year, will face Bayern Munich in the semifinals after the German side knocked out Manchester United on Wednesday. Despite missing key player Aitana Bonmati, Barca put on a tour de force to entertain a 60,000-strong crowd, the fourth-highest attendance in the competition’s history. Putellas put Barca ahead on her 500th appearance for the club early on, turning home a rebound after Misa Rodriguez saved from Ewa Pajor. Graham Hansen swiftly added the second for the Liga F leaders with a header from a Putellas cross, as Irene Paredes headed home from a corner for Barca’s third. Polish striker Pajor grabbed the fourth with a close-range finish, while Graham Hansen netted Barca’s fifth early in the second half. Esmee Brugts notched the sixth with a tap-in after a neat move involving Patri Guijarro and Clara Serrajordi. Barca’s jubilant fans gave Putellas a deserved ovation as she was replaced late on, with the 32-year-old star out of contract at the end of the season.

French giants OL Lyonnes have booked their place in the Women's Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Arsenal. This comes after a convincing 4-0 win over Wolfsburg in extra time, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory. The result ensures a repeat of last season's semi-final, which Arsenal won 5-3 on aggregate. OL Lyonnes, the record eight-time European champions, will enter the match with confidence after their impressive display against Wolfsburg. Despite Wolfsburg holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg, OL Lyonnes fought back with Lily Yohannes's early deflected strike drawing the teams level. The French side dominated the game, forcing 19 corners, but had to wait until the 102nd minute for Melchie Dumornay to score the decisive goal. Damaris Egurrola's header and Tabitha Chawinga's late finish further solidified OL Lyonnes's control over the game, reflecting the 4-0 victory on the night. In another match, Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 12-2 on aggregate, showcasing their strong form ahead of the semi-finals. They will face Bayern Munich, who eliminated Manchester United, in the next round. The first legs of the semi-finals are scheduled between April 24 and 26, with the second legs taking place between May 1 and 3. The final will be held in Oslo on May 23.

Bayern Munich's impressive performance in the Bundesliga has raised questions about their goal difference and points tally. With a goal difference of +72 and 70 points, their average margin of victory is 3.32 goals. Historically, Hearts achieved a goal difference of +103 in the 1957-58 season, which would have earned them 91 points in the modern era.The article explores various instances of teams achieving significant goal differences, including Rangers in 1898-99 with a GDP of +7 and Liverpool in 1895-96 with +6. Additionally, it mentions Ajax in 1966-67 with +6 and Gretna in 2004-05 with +3. Furthermore, the article touches on Sweden's qualification for the World Cup with a minimal number of victories and discusses historical cases of teams qualifying without winning a match, such as Switzerland in 1934 and Belgium in 1934. The article also mentions other interesting football facts, including Kuwait's 20-0 win over Bhutan in 2000 and Roy Hodgson's return as Bristol City's manager.

Manchester United Women saw their Women's Champions League campaign end in the quarter‑finals after Bayern Munich scored two late goals to win 5‑3 on aggregate.The English side led for the first 70 minutes, thanks to Melvine Malard’s opener. However, Bayern’s relentless pressure produced a Glódís Viggósdóttir header and a Linda Dallmann half‑volley, sealing a comeback that left United stunned.United’s manager Marc Skinner lamented the impact of injuries, noting that eight first‑team players were unavailable. “If we had those players, I honestly think we could have gone through tonight,” he said, emphasizing the need for a squad with greater experience and depth.Skinner’s remarks came on the same day the Football Association disclosed that six WSL clubs spent more on agent fees than United in the year to February 2026, while United’s wage bill was reported to be only half that of Arsenal. The manager added, “We need to design the squad with that depth of experience in order to reach that stage… we’ll learn what investment is really needed.”Despite a spirited first half—United dominated possession, created several chances and kept the aggregate level at 3‑3—fatigue set in. Skinner observed, “Bayern rested seven players at the weekend, and it showed in the second half. Freshness was the key difference.”The defeat means United must finish in the top three of the Women’s Super League to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Currently fourth, they face challenging away fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea, making their qualification hopes uncertain.

Manchester United's financial accounts have revealed that their wage bill for the last season was significantly lower than that of their Women's Super League rivals, Arsenal. The £5.88m total wage bill, including social security and pensions costs, was far closer to that of fifth-placed Brighton, whose total was £5m.In contrast, Arsenal, the only other club among the WSL's big four to have published their accounts, paid their players and staff £9.9m and their wage bill, including social security and pensions costs, reached £11.3m. This disparity in spending highlights the challenges faced by Manchester United as they prepare for a crucial Champions League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich.Despite the lower wage bill, Manchester United recorded a profit before tax of £510,000 and total revenue rose by 16% to £10.74m, thanks largely to a big increase in what the accounts labelled “services recharged to other group undertakings”. The club's matchday revenue fell sharply, from £1.87m in 2023-24 to £1.22m, while broadcasting revenue and commercial revenue also dropped.Manchester United's manager, Marc Skinner, will be looking to overcome a 3-2 deficit against Bayern Munich, a team that has been in impressive form. Skinner emphasized that if his team were to progress to the semi-finals, it would rank as highly as their FA Cup triumph at Wembley in 2024.

England's World Cup preparations took a hit with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Japan, with Harry Kane's absence from the squad being keenly felt. Coach Thomas Tuchel experimented with various formations and players in Kane's absence, but the team struggled to create scoring opportunities.Tuchel deployed a fluid front four consisting of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Anthony Gordon against Japan, but the system failed to yield the desired results. The lack of creativity and goal-scoring threat without Kane was evident, raising concerns about England's reliance on their captain for goals this summer.“Why would Argentina not rely on Messi or Portugal on Ronaldo?” Tuchel said, highlighting the importance of key players to top teams and nations. He emphasized that Bayern Munich and no other team in the world have the same threat without Kane, underscoring his influence on the team.Tuchel, who was also without several key players including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, John Stones, Reece James, and Bukayo Saka, tried different approaches in recent matches. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that England can win games without Kane, but acknowledged that having him makes it “easier to win matches.”The coach reiterated that he is not looking for a second Harry Kane, as there is no replacing the influential striker. Tuchel stated that Kane's absence disrupts not only the team's on-field performance but also the squad's dynamics, given his role as captain and a key personality.Tuchel's comments suggest that England's World Cup prospects are heavily dependent on Kane's form and availability. The team's performance in their final camp before the World Cup has given Tuchel “more clarity” over his 26-man squad selection, but the absence of Kane and other key players has raised concerns about their readiness for the tournament.

After clinching the 2026 Asian Cup in Australia, 35‑year‑old defender Saki Kumagai was asked to rank the trophy among the many she has collected over a 17‑year career. She smiled, shook her head and said, “I never compare my titles… this team is from a different generation, so winning this tournament means a lot.” Kumagai is the sole remaining player who lifted the Women’s World Cup in 2011 – the first and only Asian nation to do so. At 21, she scored the decisive penalty in the shoot‑out against the United States, a victory that came just months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. Today, the squad she captains features teenagers who were toddlers when she made history: forward Maika Hamano was seven, centre‑back Toko Koga five, and top scorer Riko Ueki twelve when Kumagai’s winning penalty was replayed on TV. Kumagai admits she offers little direct advice, but she leads by example, saying, “I try to pass the baton to the next generation to show them how to perform in these moments.” The transition is no accident. In 2005 the Japanese Football Association unveiled a 50‑year vision aimed at expanding participation, climbing FIFA rankings and eventually hosting – and winning – a World Cup. Halfway through that plan, Japan now sits fifth in the FIFA women’s rankings, having added an Olympic silver medal (2021), a second World Cup final (2015), and three Asian Cup titles (2014, 2018, 2026) to its résumé. While the men’s game has progressed more slowly, the women’s side has surged ahead, bolstered by the launch of Asia’s first full‑time professional women’s league in 2021. This structural backbone has produced a squad “propelled by young stars,” as Kumagai notes. Currently playing for the London City Lionesses after spells at Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich and Roma, Kumagai sees herself as a bridge between eras. She hopes her experience will help Japan reclaim the sport’s summit. “We have a lot of good young players,” she says. “They have confidence, they’re gaining experience in Europe, and as an experienced player I want to create a supportive environment for them.”

Mohamed Salah's future has become a hot topic in the football world, with several top clubs vying for his signature. The Egyptian forward is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season after a highly successful nine-year stint. Salah has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Liverpool.Egypt's national team director, Ibrahim Hassan, has expressed concerns about Salah potentially moving to Major League Soccer (MLS). Hassan believes that a move to MLS would cause Salah to fade into obscurity, comparing it to the current situation with Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023.“Personally, I would prefer him to stay in Europe,” Hassan told On Sports. “I have heard about offers from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league.”However, MLS Commissioner Don Garber has expressed interest in seeing Salah in the league. San Diego FC's billionaire owner, Mohamed Mansour, also believes Salah would be an “asset” to any team, including his own club.If Salah does move to the United States, San Diego FC has been heavily linked with the forward, not least due to their British-Egyptian owner, Mansour. Mansour praised Salah, stating that he is proud of the Egyptian forward and believes he would add a lot to the league and the team.Salah is currently sidelined by injury and will miss Egypt's ongoing training camp as they prepare for the World Cup in North America. Egypt faces Spain in a friendly in Barcelona on Tuesday after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Friday.

Egypt's national team director, Ibrahim Hassan, has issued a warning to Mohamed Salah against making a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) when he departs Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah has been with Liverpool for nine successful years, during which he won two Premier League titles and the Champions League.Hassan expressed his preference for Salah to stay in Europe, mentioning potential offers from top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Italian league clubs. He believes a move to MLS would put Salah out of the spotlight, drawing a comparison with Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023.“I would prefer him to stay in Europe,” Hassan told On Sport. “I have heard about offers from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and clubs in the Italian league. A move to MLS? He would be far too out of the spotlight. You won’t remember Salah any more than I remember [Lionel] Messi now; I don’t even try to watch him.”As an alternative, Hassan suggested that the Saudi Pro League could be a suitable option for Salah if he chooses not to stay in Europe, citing the presence of big names like Cristiano Ronaldo.Salah is currently sidelined by injury and away from Egypt's training camp as they prepare for the World Cup in North America. Egypt face Spain in a friendly in Barcelona on Tuesday after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Friday. The seven-times African champions are in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Iran at the World Cup.