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      Thierry Henry calls for dramatic Champions League rule change after Barcelona and Inter Milan’s six-goal thriller

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      THIERRY HENRY has claimed he’d like to see the away goals rule return after Barcelona and Inter Milan’s goal-laden Champions League semi-final.Inter Milan were millimetres away from securing an historic win in the first leg after former Arsenal and Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was flagged offside after scoring late in the second half.Thierry Henry has called for the away goal rule to be reinstatedThuram’s clever flick gave Inter Milan the lead after just 30 secondsCredit: GettyThe semi-automated offside showed just how close Mkhitaryan came to giving the visitors the lead going into the second leg at the San Siro next week. Barcelona twice fought back to restore parity in the match and were behind within the first minute after Marcus Thuram’s clever back-heeled flick left Wojciech Szczesny rooted.Then Denzel Dumfries doubled the visitor’s lead with an acrobatic overhead kick following a corner. But only minutes later Lamine Yamal came to life and pulled one back for Barcelona. Read more football newsThe 17-year-old Yamal was electric all match, and Ferran Torres pulled Barcelona level before half-time. Against the run of play, Dumfries scored his second to put Inter ahead once more, but a thunderous strike from Raphinha pegged back the visitors once more.After a breathless display from both sides, Henry suggested that Inter Milan should have perhaps deserved more for their effort.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSpeaking about the away goals rule, Henry said: “I know it’s been like that for a very [long] time, and we have to accept it.Most read in Football”But off air I was talking to Jamie [Carragher], and I was like, ‘how can you score three goals away from home and you don’t have an advantage?”Absolute cinema’ – Kate Abdo dubbed ‘real talent’ after showing off incredible Spanish in Lamine Yamal interviewBut Yamal’s strike brought the hosts back into the gameCredit: Alamy”Away goals for me were massive, you score three goals away and you still don’t have an advantage 0-0 at home.”The rule was scrapped by Uefa in 2021, but gave added weight to goals scored by visiting teams, acting as a tiebreaker in the case that knockout ties ended level on aggregate.During his time as Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger argued that the away goals rule had too much weight and it encouraged the home team to take fewer risks.Without the rule, this semi-final will go to extra-time and penalties if the teams cannot be separated, meaning Inter’s three away goals go unrewarded. The winner will proceed to the Champions League final, with Henry admitting he was surprised by this Inter Milan performance.The French icon said: “I didn’t think that Inter Milan was going to perform how they did for how they played recently.”You have to give them a lot of credit for matching up what Barcelona gave them, coming strong in the game. To be honest, I didn’t expect that.” More

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      ‘World’s sexiest footballer’ Alisha Lehmann ‘BREAKS UP’ with Douglas Luiz as ex-Villa stars prepares to quit Juventus

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      ALISHA LEHMANN has reportedly split from Douglas Luiz.The pair met at Aston Villa and began dating in 2021.Alisha Lehmann and Douglas Luiz have reportedly splitCredit: instagram @alishalehmann7The pair made a double transfer to Juventus last summerCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Lehmann wants to stay in Turin and is under contract until 2027Credit: Instagram @tezenisofficialShe helped Juventus Women win the Serie A titleCredit: instagramThey both completed transfers to Juventus last summer, with Lehmann helping the women’s side win Serie A this season.Lehmann, who is known as the ‘world’s sexiest footballer’, celebrated wildly with her team-mates on the pitch but Luiz was not present at the match.Reports in Italy suggest the couple have split up.It has been claimed by Gazzetta dello Sport that they have not been together for some time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe report adds Luiz is keen to quit Juventus, while Lehmann wants to remain in Turin.The midfielder is contracted at the club until 2027 and is aiming to nail down a regular spot in the team after an injury-hit season.Lehmann, 27, has completed 90 minutes in a match just once since her arrival from Villa.The win over Fiorentina, which clinched the title, was Lehmann’s first start since she completed the match against Sassuolo in November.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFans baffled as Mark Goldbridge ‘chats up Alisha Lehmann’ on Baller League live watchalongLuiz, 26, has also struggled for game time with injuries limiting him to just three league starts.Reports claim he is now expected to leave in the summer with Manchester United interested in signing the Brazilian.Lehmann has been keeping busy while she battles injuries with Juventus by joining KSI’s Baller League in London.She has teamed up with TV host Maya Jama to take charge of MVPs United.Lehmann has plenty of Baller League experience having managed Lehmann’s Streets United in Germany – where the inaugural tournament took place after being founded by ex-Arsenal star Lukas Podolski and Mats Hummels.SunSport has contacted Lehmann’s representatives for comment.Alisha has teamed up with Maya Jama for the Baller League in LondonCredit: Getty More

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      ‘He does things nobody else does’ – Man who discovered Thomas Partey reveals how Arsenal ace would’ve prevented PSG loss

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      ARSENAL midfield machine Thomas Partey could’ve saved the club from a Champions League disasterclass.That’s according to the man who discovered him, Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer.Thomas Partey picked up a needless second yellow card against MadridCredit: ReutersPartey was on his way out but his form could prompt a new dealCredit: GettyArsenal will hope Partey can inspire a win next weekCredit: GettyPalmer, who owns Tema Youth football club in Ghana, gave a young Partey his first opportunity in football, long before the former Atletico Madrid star was tearing up La Liga and the Premier League.The Gunners paid dearly for his absence in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to PSG in their semi-final first leg, after his needless yellow card against Real Madrid.The talent-spotter and club owner believes the Ghanaian midfielder would’ve prevented PSG from dismantling Arsenal at the Emirates.Speaking to The Sun from his base in Ghana, Palmer said: “He does things nobody else does. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”If you look at the goal Arsenal conceded against PSG that’s normally where he dominates. “His importance is quite clear, he does things in that team that nobody else does.”Partey was expected to leave Arsenal at the end of this season, but a rich vein of form has prompted the Gunners to consider offering him a new two-year deal.There are also reports linking him with a move back to Spain to join Barcelona.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBut Palmer says Partey should seize the opportunity to become an Arsenal legend.He added: “This is probably his best season since he went there, and if there’s a chance for him to stay, then that should be his home.How PSG tricked Arsenal to gain Champions League semi-final advantage”The fans love him, and I know he could make more money elsewhere, but I know him and he’s got it in him to play at the highest level for the next five years. “So why not do that at one of the best clubs in the world?”Partey has featured in 31 league games for the Gunners this season, scoring four goals. But it’s his overall impact, breaking lines with his passing and press resistance that has made him such a key member of the team. More

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      Xavi new favourite to replace Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham tipped to make stunning swoop for ex-Barcelona manager

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      BARCELONA legend Xavi is the new favourite to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham should he leave at the end of this season. Postecoglou, 59, has spoken of feeling like he is in “parallel worlds” as Spurs simultaneously sit 16th in the Premier League whilst also being in the final four of the Europa League.Barcelona legend Xavi is the new favourite to take over from Ange PostecoglouCredit: GettyPostecoglou could be relying on Europa League glory to save his jobCredit: RexBut, despite the prospect of European glory, their terrible form domestically has caused many Spurs fans to call for him to be sacked.Postecoglou’s side face Bodo/Glimt in their semi-final first leg tonight and have the chance to win a first trophy since the League Cup in 2008.With the prospect of a ‘back door’ route into the Champions League, this competition is a lifeline for Postecoglou to save his job.However, it would not be a surprise if he were to leave anyway come the end of this season after a tumultuous campaign.Read more footballThere are a substantial list of potential suitors if Postecoglou gets the boot including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola (6/1) and Fulham’s Marco Silva (6/1) who have both enjoyed successful seasons.Brentford manager Thomas Frank is also short in the market at 5/1 after yet another impressive season in west London. But the former Barcelona boss Xavi, 45,  has had his odds slashed with BetVictor into 2/1 from 33/1 to be appointed.Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is second favourite at 11/4 to return to the club after being sacked in 2019, the season after he took Spurs to a Champions League final.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut Pochettino only took over the USA national team last year and will be hoping to lead them into a home World Cup next summer.Xavi won four Champions League titles and eight La Liga crowns as a player with Barcelona and returned to the club as a manager in 2021. Tottenham fans fume at Spurs flops as Ange Postecoglou ‘stays out firing line’ after GOADING them during loss at ChelseaMauricio Pochettino is currently in charge of the USA national team but could be tempted by a returnCredit: ReutersAfter retiring as a player in 2019, Xavi managed Al Saad in the Qatar Stars League before his move back to his boyhood club.He guided Barcelona to a league title in 2022-23, but was sacked by the Catalan giants in 2023 following a disappointing run of results.  More

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      Premier League cult hero, 35, scores last gasp winner in wild seventh tier play-off clash with FOUR stoppage time goals

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      PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Charlie Austin scored a last gasp winner to send his seventh tier side into a promotion play-off final.AFC Totton beat Dorchester Town 4-3 in the semi-final of the Southern League Premier play-offs – but only after some incredible theatrics.Premier League cult hero Charlie Austin booked his non-league side a place in a seventh tier play-off finalCredit: Ben Sayers / Sayers Sports PhotographyAustin scored a last-second winner for AFC TottonOne of the most insane non-league football matches of all time saw FOUR goals scored in stoppage time.Austin’s side were trailing 2-0 in the final minute of normal time and were set to end their season there and then at home.But it was somehow 3-3 by the time the referee’s full-time whistle was blown in the 12th minute of injury time.Former Luton Town striker Scott Rendell, 38, scored from the spot to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTotton’s Tony Lee hit goals in the seventh and 10th minute of added time to lead 3-2.But Dorchester’s Jack Dickson levelled the scores straight away to ensure extra-time.But with penalties looming, former Premier League star Austin stepped up to poke home from close range in the 119th minute.One fan wrote on X: “This was the best end to a game I’ve ever seen live!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAustin was still playing professional football last season for Swindon Town before joining the seventh tier Southampton side in July 2024.The 35-year-old is now at the 15th club of his career, having started in non-league before rising to the glittering heights of the Prem.Charlie Austin goes on furious rant about officials after Southampton’s draw with Watford Austin made 111 top-flight appearances across spells at Queens Park Rangers and Southampton.After scoring 18 goals in his debut Prem campaign with QPR, Austin was called up to the England national team by Roy Hodgson in 2015.He teamed up with former Southampton striker at AFC Totton – James Beattie, who is the club’s Director of Football.It is the second straight season that AFC Totton have reached the final, after they were beaten by Salisbury in May 2024.They will take on Gloucester City, who eliminated Walton & Hersham via penalties after a 2-2 draw in their semi final, on Wednesday. More

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      Marcus Rashford refuses to give up on playing again this season as Man Utd loanee jets to Dubai for rehab programme

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has flown to Dubai in a desperate bid to rescue his season.The Manchester United ace, currently on loan at Aston Villa, is battling back from a hamstring injury that threatens to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his form since moving to VillaCredit: RexThe forward will make a decision on his Man United future in the summerCredit: GettyThere have been reports that he will not play again this season but SunSport understands that Rashford is not giving in at the moment.The 27-year-old has kickstarted a warm-weather rehabilitation programme in the Middle East to speed up his recovery.Sources say he’s targeting a shock return before Villa’s season ends, even if the odds are slim he wants to keep the momentum he’s had since his move to Villa Park.There is still three weeks of the season left with Villa fighting to secure European football next season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe man who scored on his Manchester United debut against Arsenal in 2016 has got his eyes firmly set on pulling on the Three Lions shirt again, with England facing Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on June 7, followed by a Wembley clash with Senegal.After falling out of favour under Gareth Southgate, Rashford was thrown straight back into the mix by new boss Thomas Tuchel, starting both of his first two games in charge.Now he’s determined to prove he’s ready to roar again for club and country.Rashford’s future is still up in the air with reports that he could even take a pay cut to move abroad, with Barcelona and AC Milan recently linked.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe has enjoyed his time at Villa Park with four goals and five assists in the 17 games he’s been involved in under Unai Emery.Premier League club announce plans to expand stadium with new stand and concert venue boosting capacity to over 50,000Villa themselves have been reportedly impressed with his attitude and application but again he will have to take a pay cut to stay there.Rashford is currently earning £350,000-a-week and that would be a stumbling block for most clubs. However the England international wants to enjoy his football again and that could be key in his next decision.Emery will be hoping Rashford can get himself fit againCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Absolute cinema’ – Kate Abdo dubbed ‘real talent’ after showing off incredible Spanish in Lamine Yamal interview

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      FANS have praised Kate Abdo for her incredible Spanish skills during an interview with Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old scored and put in a stunning performance as Barcelona were held 3-3 by Inter Milan in a thrilling Champions League first leg semi-final last night.Kate Abdo stunned viewers with her brilliant Spanish translationCredit: @CBSSportsGolazoThierry Henry asked the questions as Abdo converted the chat to EnglishCredit: @CBSSportsGolazoLamine Yamal was the star of the show in the thrilling first leg semi-final tieCredit: AlamyAfter the game, wonderkid Yamal joined the CBS Sports studio via video link from the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.Presenter Abdo asked Yamal if he could speak English, but he replied just Spanish.She therefore handed the questioning over to Thierry Henry, who is fluent in the language having spent three years at Barca as a player.Abdo took the role as translator and she perfectly relayed what Yamal and Henry were saying for five minutes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans were left stunned by the hidden talent, with one saying: “Abdo is a legend for this. So hard to translate when you were not expecting it. Well done.”Another added: “Real talent, absolute cinema.”A third said: “Henry can speak three languages fluently? French, English and Spanish? Wow!”Jamie Carragher had a go at Spanish and said to Yamal “enhorabuena”, which means congratulations.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe winger began to giggle before replying in English: “Thank you.”Co-pundit Micah Richards then claimed that he would consider dying his hair blonde like Yamal if he fires Barca to Champions League glory this season.’The girls don’t like it’ – Kate Abdo tells Micah Richards off on live TV for using WRONG toilets at CBS studiosOn CBS’ banter-filled show last night, Abdo gave Richards a telling off live on air for his use of the women’s toilets.She said: “The ladies of the building would like me to request that you kindly stop using the ladies’ toilets. I saw you sneaking in there before.”There were gasps from his colleagues as Richards hit back: “Oh did you? Because the mens’ were occupied. Let’s not turn this into something it’s not Jamie.”You know why, because the boys’ ones are disgusting.”Meanwhile, SunSport has looked behind the staggering stats that show Yamal is already miles ahead of two of the game’s greats. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi knocked out of Champions Leagues on SAME DAY as fans say ‘the end is near’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi were both knocked out of their Champions League semi-finals on the SAME DAY.Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were dumped out of the AFC Champions League after losing 3-2 to Japan J-League side Kawasaki.Lionel Messi crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final with Inter MiamiCristiano Ronaldo came close to tears as Al-Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions LeagueAnd just hours later, Messi’s Inter Miami were hammered 5-1 in their Concacaf last-four clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps.Al-Nassr boasted a team packed with top talent including ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane and former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.But despite having 21 shots and 75 per cent possession, Ronaldo, 40, failed to convert a shot from five yards in the final moments.Mane’s deflected strike made it 1-1 in the 28th minute after Tatsuya Ito’s 10th-minute opener for the Japanese minnows.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSYuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga made it 3-1, before Aiman Yahya set up a grandstand finish as Al-Nassr pushed for an equaliser.But Uefa Champions League record goalscorer Ronaldo looked on the verge of tears at full-time after Kawasaki stood firm to set up a final against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.And fans argued “the end is near” when Messi’s MLS side crashed out a few hours later.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSInter Miami, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, were beaten 3-1 at home by the Canadian Whitecaps, who will face Mexican opposition in the final with Cruz Azul and Tigres in the other semi-final, which is finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg.Most read in FootballMessi failed to make an impact, with the GOAT’s former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba grabbing the only goal for his side.Prince William picks Messi vs Ronaldo winner and gives David Beckham a huge boost | Big Shot BattleAnd fans were distraught after seeing arguably the two greatest footballers off all-time suffer in this way.One said: “Our childhood is coming to an end 😔.”A second added: “Messi out. Ronaldo out. Their football era is really ending 💔.”A third replied: “Thank you for everything Ronaldo and Messi. But this is just sad to see.”One more wrote: “My kids didn’t witness the Ronaldo and Messi era but they will witness Lamine Yamal’s magic.”Yamal produced a performance for the ages as he broke a pair of records in Barcelona’s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the first leg of their semi-final.The winger’s outrageous solo goal after 24 minutes made him the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final.The 17-year-old also became the youngest player to reach 100 Barca appearances. And to make matters worse one of Ronaldo’s Champions League records is now in jeopardy. Raphinha needs just two more goal contributions to beat Ronaldo’s record of 21 in a single campaign.Read More on The SunThe Barcelona star grabbed his 20th contribution when he assisted Ferran Torres in the LaLiga side’s 3-3 draw with Inter.That bettered Messi’s most productive season when the Argentine provided 19 contributions in 2011/12. More