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      Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0: Sensational Rice scores first TWO free-kicks of his career as Gunners have one foot in semis

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      DECLAN RICE had played in more than 400 matches as a professional footballer and never scored a direct free-kick. In fact, Arsenal’s £105million man has barely ever taken aim at goal with a dead ball in almost two seasons at the Emirates. Declan Rice scored two sensational free-kicks that stunned Real MadridCredit: GettyRice incredibly bent his first around the wall and beyond Thibaut CourtoisCredit: GettyHis second was even better, straight into the top cornerCredit: GettyMikel Merino then added a third to surely send Arsenal into the semi-finalCredit: GettySo how about this then? In a Champions League quarter-final against the reigning, and 15-time kings of Europe, Rice decided to score two of them inside a dozen minutes. And both from 25 yards. Both mugging off Thibaut Courtois, one of the finest keepers in the world.As the Emirates erupted in an ecstatic bedlam – bodies everywhere like some kind of an orgy – Arsenal’s non centre-forward Mikel Merino lashed home a third and Mikel Arteta’s men had secured a commanding lead to take into the Bernabeu next Wednesday night. Real Madrid are never knowingly beaten before a tie is over but the Gunners are in touching distance of a first Champions League semi-final in 16 years. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd they have already beaten both of their potential last-four opponents, Paris St Germain or Aston Villa, this season. What a night this was. The best the Emirates has ever known in its 19-year history – better even than the night when Jack Wilshere once skewered Lionel Messi’s Barcelona. Real, with the starriest cast list on planet football, were utterly shell-shocked – blown away by three goals in 17 second-half minutes.  And Rice was simply magnificent. He ought never be employed as a passive holding midfielder again, as he has often done for England. Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRice proved he is worth every penny of the £105m fee paidCredit: GettyRice had never scored a free-kick before tonightCredit: GettyHe very nearly had four goals in this match – a header thwarted by a brilliant Courtois save and a fierce shot cleared off the line by his England midfield partner Jude Bellingham, who was a spectator for large parts of this feverish evening. Arteta’s mission was simple – to defeat the most famous club on the planet without a recognised striker and without a first-choice centre-half. ‘Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsReal had no such issues. Four players, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who had been threatened with a ban for shaking their wotsits at Atletico Madrid fans after the last round all avoided serious punishment to the surprise of precisely no one. Luka Modric at 39, old enough to have played in the classic 4-4 North London Derby here 17 years ago – was fossilising, looking a weak link for the visitors. The former Ballon d’Or winner tripped Bukayo Saka on the edge of the box early on, then was the beneficiary of some generous refereeing from the Bosnian Irfan Peljto, who looked in awe of Arsenal’s visitors and gave them plenty. Real, shoddy on the domestic front of late, were not looking themselves at all – Antonio Rudiger’s attempted clearance cannoning off Eduardo Camavinga and almost costing an own goal. After Myles Lewis-Skelly drifted into central midfield and kippered Modric, Thomas Partey had a shot pushed out by Courtois.  Vinicius pinged one wide after the referee failed to give Arsenal an obvious free-kick, the Emirates howling with rage. It took half an hour before Real decided to join in. Bellingham moonwalked around Jurrien Timber and slipped a pass to Mbappe whose shot was smothered by David Raya. Mbappe was beginning to get footloose but it was more meme content than genuine goal threat.  Saka fired a couple of low centres across the face of goal but, as we thought we knew, there was no centre-forward. Shortly before the break, Courtois had to earn his corn. Rice’s downward header was pushed out instinctively before Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up shot was blocked by the towering Belgian keeper.Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…Arsenal went into the interval heartened yet there was still anxiety around the place. With Real, you never know when the ignition switch will flick. Early in the second half, Ancelotti started performing keepy-uppies in his technical area. The old dude won this thing twice as a player, not just five times as a manager, in case anyone had forgotten.But then the party started. Saka dribbled infield and was upended by David Alaba and for once Peljto gave Arsenal a free-kick to the ironic cheers of the home crowd. There was a lengthy confab between four Arsenal players before Rice was given the honours, ahead of Saka or Martin Odegaard.Rice sized it up, wrapped a foot around the ball and curled it with power around the wall and past a flailing Courtois. Wallop. There was a minor earthquake in the stands and Arteta’s men scented blood. Now every Arsenal challenge, every pass, was cheered. Soon, Lewis-Skelly released Martinelli, whose shot was pushed out brilliantly by Courtois, who then defied the false nine Merino. From the following corner, Bellingham cleared off the line from a fierce Rice drive. The £105million man had the devil in him. And then Saka was fouled again, 25 yards out, as if Real hadn’t learned their lesson. This time Rice went for height and dip, with the same result – Courtois is 6ft 7in, he dived full stretch and didn’t get remotely near it. Soon, it became ridiculous. Lewis-Skelly, full of it, cut inside from the left and fed Merino who whipped a first-time effort past Courtois.  Read More on The SunIt was the Spaniard’s sixth goal since taking over his makeshift striker duties. Arteta’s men were pedal-to-the-metal. Real Madrid – the actual Real Madrid – were roadkill. More

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      Arsenal vs Real Madrid LIVE RESULT: Declan Rice scores TWO stunning free-kicks as Gunners take control of quarter-final

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      ARSENAL have stunned Real Madrid with a 3-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.Declan Rice broke the deadlock just before the hour mark after curling home a sensational free-kick.The England midfield scored ANOTHER stunning free-kick in the 70th minute to send the Emirates into delirium.Minutes later, makeshift striker Mikel Merino made it 3-0 with a superb finish past Thibaut Courtois.The night went from bad to worse for Real after Eduardo Camavinga was shown a second yellow card and his marching orders in injury time.It was a fantastic night at the Emirates for Mikel Arteta’s men as they go to the Santiago Bernabeu next week with a very healthy lead.Match result: Arsenal 3-0 Real MadridArsenal team: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, MerinoReal Madrid team: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe, RodrygoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow Arsenal’s Champions League clash below…Comeback?Real Madrid have never come from three goals behind to win a Champions League tie.Granted, they won’t have been that far behind in a tie after the first leg before.But Ancelotti said: “There is always a first time. You have to try. The only thing you can do together is to try, and we will try.”They are a really good team. Compact all the time and good on the ball. They are a good team. I said this yesterday. No news.”The comeback starts tonight.”Copy linkCopiedOdds next weekReal Madrid are favourites to win next week’s game, but surely this tie is out of sight.Match oddsReal Madrid 9/10Draw 9/4Arsenal 14/5To QualifyReal Madrid 8/1Arsenal 1/14Copy linkCopiedMore from the managerOn the returning Bukayo Saka, Arteta added: “He was key. Again he elevates the level of the team. There’s a fear factor every time he’s on the ball. Team step off him and that creates space. He’s fine, I think he was just hurt from a kick when winning the second free kick.”We need to go there and we know we will have to step up again and we will try to win it.”It’s another step in the right direction as a team. We have to make another one and replicate what we’ve done tonight.”Copy linkCopiedMore from RiceThe last of the reaction from man of the moment, Declan Rice who told Prime Video: “I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid.”We want to win this competition. But we have to take it one game at a time.”Even at West Ham and ever since I’ve been here everyone’s been telling me to shoot more. It’s these little things and you’ve got to be in that mindset to score goals. I do have the ability to do it, but it’s a confidence thing.”I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. I’m delighted.”Copy linkCopiedMatch reportDeclan Rice had played in more than 400 matches as a professional footballer and never scored a direct free-kick. In fact, Arsenal’s £105million man has barely ever taken aim at goal with a dead ball in almost two seasons at the Emirates. So how about this then? In a Champions League quarter-final against the reigning, and 15-time kings of Europe, Rice decided to score two of them inside a dozen minutes. And both from 25 yards. Both mugging off Thibaut Courtois, one of the finest keepers in the world.As the Emirates erupted in an ecstatic bedlam – bodies everywhere like some kind of an orgy – Arsenal’s non centre-forward Mikel Merino lashed home a third and Mikel Arteta’s men had secured a commanding lead to take into the Bernabeu next Wednesday night. Real Madrid are never knowingly beaten before a tie is over but the Gunners are in touching distance of a first Champions League semi-final in 16 years. Copy linkCopiedCarlo reactsA gutted Carlo Ancelotti told Prime Video: “Arsenal were much better than us, they shot two fantastic free kicks and the game at the time changed, we were not able to react and they scored another goal and now it will be very difficult but we have to try.”Mentally we went down, but we will try. They are a good team, compact, good with and without the ball.”Copy linkCopiedWeekend gamesArsenal will also get a day more rest than Madrid ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg.The Gunners host Brentford in the Saturday teatime game.Madrid are in action away to Alaves on Sunday.Copy linkCopied’Pull it out the bag’A disappointed Jude Bellingham told Prime Video: “We were nowhere near it. “That’s the fact and Arsenal were really good. I know two of their goals were free-kicks but they could have had way more. “There is a second leg and that’s what we’re holding on to. We need something really special, something crazy really but one place where crazy things happen is our house. “90 more minutes at home to pull something out of the bag.”Copy linkCopiedMore Rice pleaseMore from Declan Rice, who told Prime Video: “I don’t know whether it will ever sink in. I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one. I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.”To beat Real Madrid in this competition. It’s a big night for us.”The manager just said that then. Even if we’re 3-0 up the individual quality they have is scary. At the Bernabeu special things happen for them. We want to be in the Champions League semi-finals.”Copy linkCopiedPlayer ratings – FORWARDSBUKAYO SAKA – 8: Had his heart in his mouth when his undershot back pass inside five minutes saw Vinicius Jr race clear, thankfully unpunished. In attack however, it has not taken him long to shake off the rust from his three-month lay-off. Left Jude Bellingham for dead down the right and his ball across should have been tapped in, and almost did the same up against David Alaba soon after.Was kicked about a lot so no surprise he got taken off with the game done and dusted.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7: Largely quiet and struggled to get the better of Federico Valverde aside from the odd surging drive. His only real chance where he came alive was a rebound from a tight angle that was straight at Thibaut Courtois.Still, he played his part, ran his socks off, even switching to the right wing when Bukayo Saka was subbed off.MIKEL MERINO – 9: Worked hard off the ball, dropping deep to provide space for his teammates to run in behind and led the line well, albeit without any real chance to seriously worry Thibaut Courtois in the first half.The shackles were off later on. Should have found the net twice in the space of two seconds from six yards but made up for it with a stonking first-time curler that sent this place into orbit.Copy linkCopiedMikel reactsA delighted Mikel Arteta told Prime Video: “Beautiful. So happy so proud of the team. We have the opportunity to make a lot of people proud and we certainly have done that. “I’ve never seen the stadium like this. Before the game they were already singing and already playing the game. “For big European nights you need the big stadiums that create atmosphere and you need individual magic moments and there you go.”That’s the beauty of whoever invented this sport. We hadn’t scored a free-kick since September, 2021. And tonight, against Real Madrid at home in the Champions League, we scored two in 13 minutes.”Copy linkCopiedPlayer ratings – MIDFIELDERSTHOMAS PARTEY – 8: A real calming influence in the first half with some neat turns and nice carries as well as a few crucial interceptions to defuse any Madrid counters. On top of that, he forced Thibaut Courtois into a decent stop with a low driving effort.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 8: A pressing machine. The Duracell Bunny has nothing on this man. The constant heartbeat of Arsenal’s shape and structure, while showcasing some neat bits of magic on the ball in Madrid territory.DECLAN RICE – 11Roberto Carlos eat your heart out. That’s how you score a free-kick. I’ve never heard a noise like it in this stadium and it was fully deserved. To do it once was epic. To do it twice was just outrageous.Rice will have been frustrated not to have scored in the first half, only to score one of the best goals of his career in the second half.At his galloping marauding best on and off the ball, getting forward as often and as quickly as possible with Thomas Partey shoring things up. This is the Rice we love to see, and should have got on the scoresheet.Came close to a first half close-range flick that was well blocked. His brilliant header was then palmed away by Thibaut Courtois.Copy linkCopiedPlayer ratings – DEFENDERSMYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 9: Is this kid genuinely only 18? Check his passport, someone? On such a big occasion he was unflappable, drifting into midfield, finding space and losing his markers on the ball with ease.One or two scary moments early on, but that’s the package with Lewis-Skelly right now, as well as being very fun to watch.JAKUB KIWIOR – 7: A big night for the Pole and his first touch did not fill fans with confidence, letting a throw-in bobble over his foot and allowing Kylian Mbappe an early shot on goal.Another iffy pass put William Saliba in all sorts of bother and Mbappe got in before the offside flag went up. Lucky not to be booked for a late swipe at Luka Modric just before the break, but battled his way through. WILLIAM SALIBA – 9: Had the unenviable task of keeping his fellow countryman Kylian Mbappe quiet without his defensive partner Gabriel, and do so magnificently at times. The Frenchman is slowly developing into one of the world’s very best defenders, proving it against the very team who want to pluck him away from North London this summer.JURRIEN TIMBER – 7: A real mixed bag in the opening 45 minutes, not helped by a nasty late challenge from Kylian Mbappe on his left ankle that took him a while to shake off. Some brilliant work down the right combining with Bukayo Saka, but was dispossessed by Jude Bellingham who fed Mbappe in behind that could have cost them.Copy linkCopiedPlayer ratings – GOALKEEPERA look then at the player ratings for tonight’s home heroes.Jordan Davies runs the rule over the Gunners stars…DAVID RAYA – 7/10: Was lucky that Kylian Mbappe did not quite have his shooting boots on during the first half, but still had to stand tall and make it as tough as possible to find an angle, producing a diving stop just after the 30-minute mark.Remarkably, was barely tested. One of his quieter evenings against the reigning European champions with one of the best attacks in the game…Copy linkCopiedBukayo joyOn Bukayo Saka’s involvement in his first start for four months, Rice added: “Look, to come back in the time he has done is unbelievable. He’s a top guy. “We need to be ready for next week. The Bernabeu, what it’s like to play there. We need to be ready.”Copy linkCopiedQualification oddsThe job is only half done, blah blah blah….Arsenal have more than one foot in the semi finals. In fact, blowing it now would be one of the biggest collapses in English football.The bookmakers think so too, they’re now 1/14 to qualify.Real Madrid now 8/1….Copy linkCopiedOn his two free kick goalsRice added: “It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. “Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought just go for it. And Bukayo said to just feel it.”The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. “I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.Copy linkCopiedRice reactsDeclan Rice was asked about the message from the crowd before the game, telling Prime Video: “That’s been the message from the manager. “That was the message since the weekend. We need to be super convinced we can come and win this game. “As a group we were really convinced. We needed to score in the second half.”Copy linkCopiedElsewhereJust a quick note to say that Bayern have been beaten 2-1 at home by Inter in their first leg tie.Thomas Muller equalised with five minutes to go before Inter scored with a couple of minutes left.Copy linkCopied’Not surprised’On Rice’s two worldie free kicks, Merino added: “We had a few free-kicks in the past week that we didn’t score. “He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. “I’m not surprised, maybe you are. Hopefully more will come in the future.”Copy linkCopiedReactionMikel Merino told Prime Video: “We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side. “The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side. “When this side plays like that the crowd go with us.”Copy linkCopiedFull match statsIn fact, here are the full stats from the game.Interesting to see the possession appear as close as it did given the numbers here…Copy linkCopiedStatsAgain, Charlie is absolutely spot on.If not for Thibaut Courtois, this could well and truly have been tie over.Arsenal had 12 shots on goal in the game, with ELEVEN of them ending up on target!He made a couple of top class saves, while a tremendous David Alaba clearance off the line stopped Mikel Merino scoring earlier than he did.Copy linkCopiedOn thatIn case you were wondering who it was that came out on top, Declan Rice has scored a rating of 11 out of 10 by our reporters.I’ve certainly never seen that before and I’m a bit confused by it.How is it only an 11!?Copy linkCopiedFrom Charlie Wyett at the EmiratesWell, this is a night that no Arsenal fan will ever forget. Not in their wildest dreams could they have imagined this.The reigning champions of Europe have turned up in north London and been absolutely torn apart. Battered.Had it not been for Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois, Arsenal could have won by even more.Declan Rice scored two worldies and Mikel Merino grabbed the third but this was an outstanding team performance.England team-mates Rice and Jude Bellingham came face-to-face in midfield but there was only one winner.Copy linkCopied More

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      Birmingham become first EFL club to win promotion as Tom Brady’s club bounce back to Championship at first attempt

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY have been promoted from League One.Chris Davies’ side have led the way for months and sealed their return to the Championship at the first time of asking after beating Peterborough 2-1.Birmingham City have won promotion from League OneCredit: PABlues secured their return to the Championship with a 2-1 win over PeterboroughCredit: ©MI News & SportPlayers celebrate jubilantly after sealing a place in the top twoCredit: PAAlfie May opened the scoring as Birmingham won 2-1Credit: GettyBirmingham are two points away from becoming championsCredit: PAChris Davies’ side have led the way all season longCredit: PABlues knew a win would guarantee promotion, even if rivals Wycombe won at Huddersfield, which they did.Birmingham are now just two points from becoming champions, but could have their name on the trophy without playing another league game.That is because they play in the final of the EFL Trophy against tonight’s opponents Peterborough at Wembley on Sunday.If Wrexham fail to win at Wigan, Birmingham will be crowned champions, with the promotion winners still capable of reaching an astonishing 113 points.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIf they do so they will set a record number of points in League One, surpassing Wolves total of 103 which they managed in the 2013/14 campaign.They could also set an EFL record, which is held by Reading who got 106 points in the Championship in 2005/06.Birmingham were relegated from the Championship last season – Tom Brady’s first season at the club.Promotion was a forgone conclusion however with Birmingham losing just three of their 40 league games so far.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey were favourites for top spot after spending an eye-watering £34million on transfers.Striker Jay Stansfield was brought in for a League One record fee of £15m, and he is the club’s top scorer this season with 18 goals. ‘You f***ing clown’ – Mick McCarthy reveals team-mate lost it with him after awkward communication blunder More

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      Myles Lewis-Skelly joins Jude Bellingham in exclusive club as Arsenal vs Real Madrid kicks off

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      MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY has joined Jude Bellingham in an exclusive Champions League club.The two England stars went head-to-head in tonight’s first leg quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Real Madrid.Myles Lewis-Skelly has joined Jude Bellingham in an exclusive Champions League clubCredit: RexLewis-Skelly was named in the Gunners starting XI at left-back for the visit of the current holders to the Emirates Stadium.A stunning 3-0 win for Arteta’s Gunners added some serious gloss to Lewis-Skelly’s night under the lights.Declan Rice score two worldie free-kicks, with Mikel Merino slotting a the third in a rampant victory.And at the age of 18 years and 194 days old, teen Lewis-Skelly has become the second youngest Englishman to ever start a Champions League quarter-final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the record is still held by Bellingham, who achieved the feat at just 17 years and 281 days old.The midfielder, who is now 21, did so at Borussia Dortmund in the 2020/21 season.Bellingham started both games as the German giants lost to Manchester City 4-2 on aggregate – though he did score in the second leg.Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri would have joined the exclusive club tonight, but Mikel Arteta had him among the substitutes. Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLewis-Skelly’s start in a Champions League quarter-final comes just 28 games into his senior club career.Since making the left-back position at Arsenal his own, he has started 18 matches in all competitions. Inside a day in the life of an Arsenal player as newly promoted goalkeeper, 19, gives glimpse behind the scenesThe Hale End academy graduate has even already earned his first senior England call-up, which came in the wins over Albania and Latvia last month.Lewis-Skelly capped his dream debut by getting on the scoresheet, with his goal assisted by none other than Belllingham.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

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      ‘That is cold’ – Arsenal unveil ‘beautiful’ tifo of Thierry Henry vs Real Madrid… but something’s missing

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      ARSENAL unveiled a Thierry Henry tifo against Real Madrid – but it was missing something pretty important.The striker is a legend in North London and the club’s record scorer with 226 goals.Arsenal fans paid tribute to Thierry Henry with a huge tifoCredit: ReutersThe tifo honoured his celebration after scoring against Real Madrid in 2006Credit: AFPHenry was at the Emirates to see the tribute while working for CBS SportsCredit: GettyGooners decided to honour Henry with a massive tifo showing his celebration after scoring against Real Madrid in February 2006 – the last time the two sides met.The tifo shows a figure of Henry with his arms outstretched, wearing the captain’s armband and Arsenal’s iconic yellow away kit with the O2 sponsor.Except a crucial detail is missing from the display – Henry’s face.Instead of the Frenchman there is a blank canvas, but fans were still in awe.READ MORE ON ARSENALOne said: “That Henry tifo is coldddd.”Another added: “Henry tifo is class.”A third wrote: “That’s class, the king deserves nothing less.”And another commented: “The Henry tifo is beautiful.”Most read in Champions LeagueArsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHenry, 47, was in attendance at the Emirates to see the fans’ tribute.He was there working for CBS Sports as part of their Champions League coverage, and earlier this week he visited his statue outside with his kids as part of a feature for the broadcaster.Kate Abdo left in disbelief as she hides face after Thierry Henry’s controversial comment live on CBS Sports Arsenal fans may now be preparing a tifo to immortalise Declan Rice as he scored two stunning free-kicks to sink Real Madrid.The midfielder hit two pearlers before Mikel Merino added an exquisite third to seal a 3-0 win in the first leg of the quarter-final. More

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      Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan LIVE RESULT: Latest Champions League updates as Italians take narrow LEAD back to San Siro

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      INTER MILAN snatch an advantage against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.Following a back-and-forth first half, in which Bayern controlled general play, it would be the Italian giants who made the first break as Lautaro Martínez finished off a sweeping transition move. Substitute Thomas Müller would be picked out in the back post unmarked by Konrad Laimer to level the tie with five minutes to go, only for Inter to gallop down the other end minutes later with Carlos Augusto, who squared across to Davide Frattesi to bundle in. The defeat was Bayern’s first at home in the competition in four years. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below… More

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      Inside plans for new F1 track around World Cup stadium as sport eyes return to country for first time in 32 years

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      PLANS for Formula One to return to South Africa for the first time in more than three decades are nearing a decisive decision.F1 fans have long wanted the motorsport to return to Africa, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton one of the most vocal supporters of the move.Cape Town F1 race bidders have released their latest plans for a new street trackCredit: TILKEThe new plans will see it run along the waterfront and past a World Cup StadiumThe track will run next to Cape Town stadium, which hosted a World Cup semi-final in 2010Credit: The TimesAlternatively, the F1 will return to the Kyalami which hosted the last African race in 1993Credit: GettyTalks over a return have been ongoing for years, but the South African government are now close to making a major decision on how they will make plans a reality.One popular idea is to use the refurbished Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit located just north of Johannesberg, which hosted the country’s last F1 race back in 1993.The other proposal would see the construction of a street race circuit running along Cape Town’s waterfront and past a 2010 World Cup semi-final stadium, known as Green Point Stadium.Organisers for the Cape Town bid have detailed their latest changes to the Tilke-designed 5.7km circuit.READ MORE IN F1They hope the central, urban location of the track which will snake around the Green Point harbour and use facilities around the 64,000 capacity Cape Town stadium, will help to edge it across the line.Cape Town GP CEO Igshaan Amlay highlighted the potential capacity of 250,000 visitors – the 2024 British Grand Prix at Silverstone had a record 480,000 visitors – and the natural beauty around the circuit.Amlay, who has been working on a project to bring F1 to Cape Town for over two decades, told Autosport: “The latest design has all the bells and whistles.”It’s partly on the waterfront and it also uses the facilities that have been used for the football World Cup.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”We meet all the requirements, with the airport 15 to 20 minutes away from the circuit; we’ve got a top hospital on site and plenty of hotels within walking distance. “What also plays a big role is the natural backdrops of Robben Island, the waterfront and Table Mountain. Cape Town has a lot to offer as our top holiday destination.Ex-F1 track which hosts 125,000 fans left under METRE of water after torrential rain as home straight turns into a river”We’re up against Kyalami, which has a rich F1 history, so it’s a street race versus a purpose-built circuit. “We’ll be waiting to see what the decision will be. Here we could easily accommodate 250,000 people, so it makes it more accessible to more people.”A decision one way or another is set to be made at the end of April, though work still needs to be done to convince F1 bosses that a being given a spot on the calendar from 2028 would be worthwhile.Bids from a number of other nations have also been heavily lobbied to F1 chiefs, with CEO Stefano Domenicali visiting Thailand over a proposed race there last month.Previous proposals had seen the track run through the Cape Town Stadium.But the latest plans will instead have it run next to ground, with the venue used as a paddock, media centre and hospitality centre.Amlay added: “The purpose of running through the stadium was that it can take a capacity of up to 70,000 people and our intention was to make it accessible to people that can never afford to go to a F1 race.”After speaking to the circuit’s designers, there are a few obstacles and it would be better to actually run along the circuit. DHL Stadium will be used for the paddocks and the media centre. “Everything that was set up for the football World Cup will be reactivated, and it’s already existent within the stadium, so we will make full use of it. “We will still run through the original Green Point athletics stadium, which has a rich legacy.”He continued: “We’ve never shied away from any criticism. Whenever people criticised us, we looked at it seriously and made a few changes.”When we pitched the idea in 2016, we had interest from various sponsors and investors. The big problem we had was we didn’t get the government’s backing. “But now there is a big push, and we have a huge following from the younger generation, who have been following Formula 1 and have been supportive of it.”We’ve come a long way since first envisaging the concept back in 1999, but we’ve always believed in it. If you believe in something and you persevere, then it will happen.”Read More on The SunThe Cape Town stadium the track will run past hosted England during a World Cup group game against Algeria, before playing host to the semi-finals between Uruguay and the Netherlands.South Africa’s last F1 race was won by four-time world champion Alain Prost after the Frenchman also took pole, with icon Ayrton Senna and Brit Mark Blundell completing the podium. More

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      Secret ‘hack’ to get guaranteed World Cup final tickets revealed if you follow unusual strategy

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      FANS have spotted a hack to guarantee they get a seat at the 2026 World Cup final.Fifa are reportedly concerned about the lack of tickets purchased for their revamped Club World Cup (CWC) this summer.Fans have the chance to guarantee their seat at the World Cup final by purchasing Club World Cup ticketsCredit: APFifa are understood to be concerned by the lack of tickets purchased for their revamped Club World CupCredit: GettyAnd in a shock incentive to encourage fans to attend matches, they are offering “ticket packs” that ensures supporters World Cup tickets, even for the final. A CWC “ticket pack” buys fans a seat at two or three of a club’s group stage matches in the US in June.As a reward, they will then receive an exclusive pre-sale code to buy a ticket for a game at next year’s World Cup held across Canada, the US and Mexico.It is currently unclear what matches these codes will be valid for and Fifa are set to choose.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe price of the “ticket pack” varies depending on which matches you go to.But there is also a “super ticket pack” on offer and it is fans’ route to the 2026 World Cup final.It includes seats at 20 CWC clashes, with the terms and conditions stating that the 20 games must include either the tournament opener or final, as well as one of the semi-finals.The rules also say that you cannot choose multiple matches on the same day and you must attend every game you have a ticket for.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBut with just 22 matchdays in total and games spread across the US, it presents fans with a major travel headache.Though the tickets can be passed on to family or friends.Major change to World Cup final confirmed by Fifa chief Gianni Infantino with Coldplay to perform half-time show Buying the “super ticket pack” guarantees you the chance to be at the 2026 World Cup final when they go on sale.Depending on the category you of seats and matches you choose, the price of the package varies from £1,764 to £4,300. Fans have slammed the idea, with one saying: “Buy 20 CWC tickets for an opportunity to buy a ticket for the WC Final? This is a joke. Beyond the logistics aspect, 20 CWC tickets would be an absurdly expensive.”Another added: “Everything that is wrong with modern football.”A third wrote: “The whole competition is a joke.” More