Kick Off: Bayern builds lead after 1st leg; Havertz's late goal seals win

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headlines

Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern: Luis Diaz & Kane help Bavarians earn first-leg advantage

Bayern Munich closed out a dramatic 2-1 win at the home of 15-time UEFA Champions League (UCL) winners Real Madrid in the first leg of their showpiece quarter-final tie, making Die Roten the favourites to advance to the last four for the 22nd time.

Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz nets late winner to seal victory for Gunners

Arsenal won their first European knockout game played in Portugal at the seventh attempt, after an injury-time Kai Havertz goal saw the Gunners earn a 1-0 victory in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Sporting CP at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

These Things Happen

Arsenal remains the only unbeaten team in this year's Champions League

As of April 7th, after Arsenal defeats Sporting CP 1-0, with Harvertz scored the determining goal at 90+1', the Gunners is still the only team who is invincible in this year's Champions League tournament. 

Milestone! Kompany reaches the 100th official match as Bayern Munich manager

Bayern Munich will visit Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. This match is also a milestone battle in the coaching career of Bayern coach Kompany.

136 starts! Neuer ties Messi for the Second-Most UCL starts for a single club

Bayern Munich announced the starting line-up for their Champions League quarter-final first leg away against Real Madrid, with 40-year-old Neuer making his comeback from injury.

Premier League guarantee 5 clubs to qualify for the next season's UCL

After Arsenal defeated Sporting CP in the 1st leg of the Champions League Quarter-Finals, the Premier League has officially gained 5 spots for the next season's Champions League qualification.

OFFICIAL: 40-year-old Neuer has been named POTM over Real vs Bayern clash

Manuel Neuer has been named Player of the Match. The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: "He showed great composure in key moments, making very important saves and showing outstanding ability in one-on-one situations"

OFFICIAL: Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has been chosen as Player of the Match

The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: "He gave a high-level performance. He was influential at keeping a clean sheet for Arsenal, really alert and secure and made a save which became one of the moments of the game for Arsenal."

OFFICIAL: Harry Maguire renews his contract at Man Utd until 2027

According to Manchester United official announcement, Harry Maguire signs a renewal contract with the club until 2027, with an option for a further year.

Ramsay on his social media: I have decided to retire from football

Aaron Ramsey, the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder, announced his retirement on social media. 

Romanian football legend Mircea Lucescu passes away at the age of 80

Legendary former player and coach Mircea Lucescu passed away on Tuesday, April 7th, at the age of 80. Lucsescu was most recently the head coach of the Romanian national team.

 UCL Quarter-Finals Starting XI: 7 players from RM and FCB in

Transfermarkt revealed the most valuable Starting XI upon UCL Quarter-Final stage. 4 Real Madrid and 3 Barca players were in. No Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP players are included.

Transfermarkt lists the most valuable center backs: Saliba tops with €90m

Transfermatkt releases the latest standing for the most valuable centre-backs after a round of updates, Saliba from Arsenal remains the most expensive center-backs with €90m market price. 

Transfermarkt lists the most valuable left backs: Nuno Mendes tops with €75m

Transfermart released the latest standing for the most valuable left-backs. Nuno Mendes the 23-year-old PSG left back continues to crown at the top with €75m market value, Carreras and Balde are placed 2nd and 3rd. Two Man City players, O'Reilly and Ait-Nouri, are on this list simultaneously.

Transfermarkt lists the most valuable right backs: Hakimi and Timber lead

Transfermart released the latest standing for the most valuable right-backs. Achraf Hakimi, Timber and Kounde lead the top 3 on this table, as Trent Arnold steps down. 

Paul Scholes names eight players Man Utd players should sell in brutal takedown

Paul Scholes has named eight Manchester United players he feels the club should sell this summer as they look to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League

Man Utd players decide on Carrick as squad's feelings on head coach clear

Michael Carrick has enjoyed a largely successful interim head coaching stint with Manchester United, and one player in particular has voiced his opinion

Champions League power rankings as Arsenal and Liverpool face gloomy reality

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are bringing red-hot form into the Champions League quarter-finals as Arsenal look to get back on track and Liverpool face a daunting task against PSG

Wirtz disagrees with VVD's  'gave up' criticism after Man City FA Cup rout

Liverpool attacker Florian Wirtz does "not agree directly" with captain Virgil van Dijk's belief that they gave up in their FA Cup humiliation at Manchester City.

Yamal, Cubarsi among academy graduates powering Barcelona's UCL push

Barcelona face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals this week having made history in the round of 16. Their 7-2 second-leg win at home to Newcastle was the biggest by a Spanish side against an English opponent in 60 years.

Liverpool name 21-man squad for UCL tie at PSG: Wirtz, Szoboszlai and Isak in

Liverpool have named a 21-man squad for the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain in France.

Liverpool handed major Isak boost as £125m signing returns for PSG showdown

Liverpool take on French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter finals of the Champions League later this week with boss Arne Slot able to welcome back a high-profile name

What They Say

La Liga Referees: Martin's serious foul should be a Red, VAR shall not intervene

On April 8th, the Spanish Royal Football Federation updated the latest issue of "Review Time" on social media. The referee technical committee stated in the program that in the 30th round of La Liga, in the Atletico Madrid against Barcelona match, the action of Gerald Martín stepping on Almada should have been a red card, and VAR should not have intervened.

Havertz after Sporting heroics: Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world

Kai Havertz declared David Raya the best goalkeeper in the world after his saves helped Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over Sporting in their Champions League quarter-final first leg in Lisbon.

Arbeloa: Anyone who doesn't believe in UCL comeback should stay in Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa has urged anyone who does not believe Real Madrid can turn around their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich to "stay in Madrid" for the second leg.

Griezmann 'one of the most important players I have ever had', says Simeone

Diego Simeone says he is lucky to be able to coach Antoine Griezmann, labelling him "one of the most important players I have ever had" at Atletico Madrid.

Fixtures of the Day

Europa League

Sporting Braga VS Real Betis 2026/04/08 16:45 UTC

UCL

Barcelona VS Atletico Madrid 2026/04/08 19:00 UTC

Paris Saint-Germain VS Liverpool 2026/04/08 19:00 UTC