Football

<p>Julian Alvarez hits the penalty which was later ruled out</p>

Miguel DelaneyFootball

Atletico were knocked out by an absurd penalty rule that must change

Julian Alvarez was ruled to have hit the ball twice before scoring in Atletico’s penalty shootout defeat to Real Madrid, but only after VAR intervened to make the controversial judgement

<p>Marco Asensio, second left, will be eligible to play against PSG in a boost for Aston Villa</p>

Richard Jollyat Villa Park

The Villa star who represents remarkable rise and offers key boost

Can Marco Asensio play for Aston Villa against PSG?

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Arteta insists Arsenal are capable of beating Real Madrid

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Richard Jolly

‘Overpaid’ Man Utd left with only one way to save their season

Miguel DelaneyLong read

American money and Premier League power: How Covid changed football

Five years on from the pandemic’s outbreak in the UK, Miguel Delaney speaks to executives inside English football who watched as Covid-19 changed the face of the beautiful game

<p>Mohamed Salah scores a goal for eventual champions Liverpool in June 2020</p>

Premier League

Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney says it “hurts” watching the team at the moment (Mike Egerton/PA)

Manchester United look ‘lost’ and ‘scared’ on the pitch – Wayne Rooney

Newcastle beat Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate to reach a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons (Owen Humphreys/PA)

From Nottingham to Wembley – Newcastle’s route to the Carabao Cup final

Liverpool and Newcastle met in the 1974 FA Cup final at Wembley (PA)

Contrasting 50-year paths lead Liverpool and Newcastle to Wembley reunion

Unai Emery’s side breezed into the last eight (Nick Potts/PA)

Unai Emery proud as Aston Villa compete against the ‘best teams in the world’

European football

<p>Thibaut Courtois dives as Julian Alvarez’s penalty goes in</p>

Courtois ‘sensed’ Alvarez ‘double touch’ before VAR controversy

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Inside Atletico’s ‘inferiority complex’ hanging over Real Madrid tie

<p>Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a thorn in Liverpool's side in Paris</p>

The PSG wildcard that can hurt Liverpool and transform tie

International football

<p>Thomas Tuchel has long admired Marcus Rashford and may select him in his first England squad</p>

How Rashford has left Tuchel almost no choice around England recall

<p>Justin Cochrane will continue in his role at Brentford alongside duties with the national team</p>

Tuchel completes England coaching staff with key appointment

<p>Phil Foden has endured a difficult season so far</p>

Southgate played me out of position, claims Foden

Football League

<p>Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has spoken out against regulation</p>

English game nears new dawn under regulator despite Tory resistance

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Shrewsbury captain Marquis matches record for fastest red card

<p>A view of Queens Park Rangers' ground at Loftus Road </p>

QPR players arrested on suspicion of voyeurism after nightclub episode

Football betting

<p>There’s no shortage of football betting sites and we’ve highlighted our favourites</p>

Best football betting sites in the UK for 2025

<p>The Independent’s racing journalist and betting tipster Sam Turner picks his top 10 online bookies</p>

Best Betting Sites UK: Top Online Bookmakers Ranked and Reviewed

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The best free bets and betting offers

How to bet on football