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Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga have taken a hit after they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Girona. Federico Valverde put Real ahead in the 51st minute, but Girona levelled in the 62nd minute through Thomas Lemar.The draw extends Girona's winless run to three games in all competitions and gives leaders Barcelona the chance to stretch their advantage at the top. Barca have 76 points, six ahead of second-placed Real, who have now played a game more. The Catalan side visit Espanyol on Saturday and can move nine clear with seven matches left.Real began the night under pressure, having slipped to a loss at Mallorca last weekend to trail Barca by seven points. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa opted for a full-strength side despite Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Bayern Munich looming.The contest finally flickered into life after halftime, with Real pushing for a winner but Girona holding their shape with discipline to frustrate the crowd. The final whistle was greeted with unease around the Bernabeu, as Real's stuttering form leaves the title race tilting ever more firmly towards their old rivals Barca.

Paris Saint-Germain's defense of their UEFA Champions League title remains on track after a commanding 2-0 win against Liverpool in the quarterfinals' first leg.The French side took an early lead through a deflected effort by Desire Doue in the 11th minute, which looped over Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.Liverpool, already out of their English Premier League title defense, struggled to respond but managed to stay in the game until halftime. However, the second half was a different story, with PSG dominating the match.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled PSG's lead in the 65th minute with a well-taken goal, dribbling into the box and rounding the keeper.PSG registered 18 shots throughout the game, with six on target, while Liverpool managed only three shots, none of which were on target.Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged his team's struggles, stating, "We should be grateful we only lost 2-0; they had so many chances."The win puts PSG in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday, where Liverpool will need a special performance to overturn the deficit.

Atletico Madrid stunned Barcelona 2-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg match, with Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scoring crucial goals at Camp Nou on Wednesday.The La Liga leaders dominated the game after Pau Cubarsi was sent off for bringing down Atletico's Giuliano Simeone, who was through on goal. Alvarez whipped home a free kick, and Sorloth doubled their advantage with 20 minutes remaining, giving Atletico a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Diego Simeone's side, who have never won the competition, reached the 2014 and 2016 finals but were beaten by rivals Real Madrid on both occasions. Barca, semifinalists last season, need a huge comeback next Tuesday in Madrid to stand a chance of lifting the trophy they last won in 2015.Barcelona started well, with Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, their main threat down the left. However, Atletico's defense held strong, and they capitalized on Cubarsi's red card to secure the win.Atletico knocked Barca out of the Copa del Rey in the semifinals in March, and this was the second of three meetings between the sides in a space of two weeks. The win gives Atletico a significant advantage ahead of the second leg next Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest secured a crucial draw against Porto in the Europa League quarterfinal, with a comical own goal by Porto defender Martim Fernandes giving Forest a vital equalizer. The match ended 1-1, with Forest's Chris Wood returning from a six-month injury layoff and registering 48 minutes on the pitch.The New Zealand striker was withdrawn at halftime, with manager Vitor Pereira mindful of the bigger picture and Sunday's Premier League match against Aston Villa. Pereira handed Wood a starting berth, and although he had a quiet game with just 11 touches in the first half, his presence on the pitch was a boost for Forest.Porto took the lead through William Gomes, who converted Gabriel Veiga's diagonal pass into the box. However, Fernandes's comical own goal leveled the score, with the Porto defender beating Diogo Costa with a blind back pass from close to halfway.Forest began sloppily, but Pereira's substitutions and tactical changes helped the team regain control. The draw sets up a tense second leg at the City Ground next Thursday, with Forest seeking to advance to their first continental semi-final since 1984.

Barcelona is set to host Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their highly anticipated Champions League quarterfinal match. This encounter comes just four days after Barcelona secured a win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga, adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash.The match is scheduled to take place at Camp Nou, with kickoff at 9pm (19:00 GMT). The home team's recent form and the competitive history between these two Spanish giants make this a must-watch event in the soccer world.

Arsenal's quest for a quadruple has hit a roadblock, with their UEFA Champions League hopes put to the test by Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon, courtesy of a late Kai Havertz strike, but the performance left many questions unanswered.The team's recent back-to-back defeats in the League Cup final and FA Cup quarterfinals have raised concerns about a late-season slump. Despite leading the Premier League by nine points, Arsenal's consistency has been questioned, and Mikel Arteta's intensity has come under scrutiny.Arteta's emotional displays, particularly in defeat, have been a concern for some members of Arsenal's hierarchy, who worry that his temperament could be holding the team back. However, Arteta remains convinced that his side can handle the pressure and secure silverware.The team's midfielder, Christian Norgaard, emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive body language and focusing on the upcoming games. David Raya, the goalkeeper, expressed his confidence in the team's ability to win the Champions League, stating that belief is key to success.As Arsenal prepares for the second leg against Sporting Lisbon, they must address their concerns and capitalize on their strengths to achieve their goals. The team's performance will be crucial in determining their fate in the Premier League and Champions League.

Arsenal bounced back from their recent domestic struggles to secure a vital 1-0 win against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarterfinals. Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, capitalizing on a superb pass from Gabriel Martinelli to beat the offside trap and slot past Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva.The Gunners arrived at the Jose Alvalade Stadium reeling from successive defeats to Manchester City in the League Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Despite a lackluster performance, Arsenal's resilience and Havertz's clinical finish earned them a crucial victory.Mikel Arteta's side will be favorites to advance to the semifinals in the second leg at home on April 15. However, they will need to significantly improve their form to win the tournament for the first time. Arsenal's Premier League title hopes remain strong, with the team sitting nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City.Sporting Lisbon, seeking their first Champions League semifinal spot since 1983, were unable to capitalize on their 17-game home winning streak. The hosts created several chances, including a fierce strike from Maxi Araujo that David Raya tipped onto the crossbar and a low drive from Geny Catamo that Raya smothered.Arsenal's injury-hit squad was still without several key players, including Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka. However, the team's depth and Arteta's tactical acumen ultimately paid off, as they secured a hard-fought win in Lisbon.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed his commitment to protecting teenage sensation Lamine Yamal from criticism, following the 18-year-old's recent displays of frustration on the pitch. Yamal, a rising star in Spanish football, has been making waves with his impressive skills, but his emotional reactions have sometimes drawn negative attention. Flick emphasized that Yamal's youth and inexperience are factors to consider, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential to become one of the best players in the future. The coach acknowledged that while Yamal's outbursts can create unwanted headlines, he will continue to support and defend him against criticism. Yamal's recent behavior was on display during Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday. The teenager was visibly irritated after being admonished by a member of the Barcelona coaching staff for shooting instead of passing. This incident, along with his reactions to being substituted, has sparked concerns about his temperament. Flick also discussed the upcoming Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid, describing it as a tough and intense matchup. He praised Atletico's defensive capabilities and emphasized the need for Barcelona to perform at their best to secure a positive result. In other news, Marcus Rashford is expected to start on the left flank in place of the injured Raphinha. Flick noted that while Rashford has improved defensively, he still needs to work on his defensive work rate to fully integrate into the team.

Bayern Munich took a slender lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid after a thrilling 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. Harry Kane and Luis Diaz scored the goals for the German champions, while Kylian Mbappe netted a late consolation for Real Madrid.The match lived up to its billing as a European classic, with both teams creating numerous chances. Bayern dominated the first half, with Konrad Laimer's rasping effort narrowly missing the target. The German champions should have taken the lead through Dayot Upamecano, but he fluffed his lines from point-blank range.Bayern's opening goal came through slick combination play, with Gnabry exchanging a one-two with Kane and pushing the ball in behind for Diaz to stroke home past Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute. Kane doubled Bayern's lead less than a minute into the second half, fizzing a curling effort into the bottom corner.Mbappe kept Real Madrid in the tie with a 74th-minute goal, smashing home off the crossbar after a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite the late goal, Bayern take a narrow lead into the second leg.Harry Kane told TNT Sports that he was delighted with the victory, saying: 'We played some really good stuff today, for sure. Some areas we could have done better as well, maybe the final ball and the final finish, we had some good chances there.'Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger lamented his side's defensive errors, saying: 'We came out after half-time and screwed up again; both goals we conceded were gifts.'