Bayern Munich took control of their Champions League quarter-final with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, earning a slender first-leg advantage after a high-tempo contest in the Spanish capital. Vincent Kompany’s side struck just before halftime when Serge Gnabry slipped a precise pass through for Luis Diaz, who beat the offside trap and fired low past keeper Andriy Lunin in the 41st minute.
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Arsenal were stung by a late goal from Southampton’s Shea Charles as the Premier League leaders fell to defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The match was Arsenal’s first after their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, despite Arsenal dominating possession it was Southampton who were the side to create the better chances. They were duly rewarded, with exuberant celebrations breaking out at full-time at St Mary’s.
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The Republic of Ireland were unable to soothe the pain from Prague with victory as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by North Macedonia in their friendly at Aviva Stadium. If the penalty shootout in Czechia last Thursday had gone the Boys in Green’s way, this would have been a play-off decider with a World Cup spot at stake. Instead Ireland and their visitors were left to battle it out in a fixture with nothing to play for.
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Jan Kliment fired Czechia to within 90 minutes of the World Cup finals as they broke Republic of Ireland hearts in a dramatic penalty shootout to set up a showdown with Denmark. Ireland saw a 2-0 lead evaporate in Prague and again lead in the shootout but missed kicks from Finn Azaz and Alan Browne mean the long wait for an Irish return to the World Cup finals will continue.
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Manchester City ended Arsenal’s bid for an historic quadruple with a deserved victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. Nico O’Reilly scored twice in four second-half minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side overpowered the Premier League leaders with an outstanding display. It was a day of pain for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, whose decision to keep faith with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in this competition instead of first choice David Raya backfired badly.
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