Champions League

Real Madrid have enjoyed an incredible run through to the Champions League final and it may just be written in the stars for them to lift the trophy. The Whites were outplayed for long periods by PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City but somehow found a way through.

Real Madrid showed great spirit to only lose by one goal at Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie. However, the Blues looked much the better team for large parts of a wild night at Etihad Stadium and are still backed to advance at the Bernabeu.

Liverpool didn’t quite fully sink the Yellow Submarine at Anfield but it is hard to see Villarreal overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the second leg. In fact, such was the Reds’ dominance on Merseyside, they are expected to oblige again in Spain in this Champions League semi-final.

Manchester City claimed a slender advantage to take to Madrid as Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half goal put them 1-0 up against Atletico. It was not perhaps the margin of victory that Pep Guardiola’s side would have liked heading to the Spanish capital but they remain firm favourites to make the semi-finals.

Liverpool’s dominant first-leg performance in the Estadio da Luz means Jurgen Klopp’s side have one foot in the semi-finals, with Benfica a massive 26.00 to progress to the last four. January signing Luis Diaz, signed from Benfica’s rivals Porto, returned to haunt the Portuguese giants with a starring role for the Reds as he netted a late third to put Liverpool in full control of the tie.

Chelsea face an uphill task to prolong their Champions League title defence after a miserable quarter-final first leg in London. The Blues lost 3-1 to Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge following a hat-trick from Karim Benzema and are now up against in the Spanish capital.

Bayern Munich have it all to do to reach the Champions League semi-finals. The German champions lost 1-0 to Villarreal after an early goal from Arnaut Danjuma. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side have a strong record in front of their own fans at Allianz Arena.

Juventus had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg but will be confident of completing the job when they host Villarreal with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals at stake. Dusan Vlahovic scored inside the first minute but Dani Parejo’s equaliser boosted Villarreal’s chances.

Chelsea head to France for the second leg of their Champions League tie with a 2-0 lead and it would be a surprise if they fail to make it through to the quarter-finals. A goal in each half from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic secured victory at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United were second best for much of the first leg against Atletico Madrid but returned to Old Trafford level at 1-1 thanks to a late equaliser. They are now firm favourites at 1.42 to reach the Champions League quarter-finals but those odds look too short.

Ajax twice wasted a lead in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Benfica but are expected to be more ruthless in the return match. The teams drew 2-2 in Portugal a fortnight ago but Ajax will feel they wasted the chance to return to Amsterdam with the lead.

PSG were more dominant in the first leg of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid than the result suggested and can highlight their superiority in the Spanish capital. Kylian Mbappe scored the goal which sees the French side head to Madrid with a 1-0 lead.