SPORTS

Paris, France | AFP | As the stakes mounted in the Champions League, the usual suspects once more rose to the occasion with Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski starring in the last 16, first legs. Season after season, these preeminent performers deliver on the biggest stages and administer …

Doha, Qatar | AFP | Desert country Qatar will plant at least 16,000 trees in a bid to “beautify” its eight planned 2022 World Cup stadiums, tournament organisers said on Thursday. The trees, a mixture of local specimens and other varieties imported from China, Spain and Thailand, will be grown …

Seville, Spain | AFP | Jose Mourinho described Scott McTominay as “fantastic” in response to his decision to select the young midfielder ahead of Paul Pogba for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, first-leg draw with Sevilla. Pogba had been left out of the starting line-up for the goalless draw with …

Seville, Spain | AFP | David de Gea deflected the attention away from Paul Pogba with another spectacular display of goalkeeping as Manchester United came away from their Champions League last 16, first leg against Sevilla in Spain with a 0-0 draw on Wednesday. De Gea made two breathtaking saves …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will not face punishment from the Football Association following an altercation with a Wigan fan after the Premier League leaders’ shock FA Cup defeat. Aguero became involved in a physical exchange with a Wigan supporter as hundreds of fans …

Seville, Spain | AFP | Jose Mourinho played down suggestions that Paul Pogba needs to use the Champions League knockout stage to justify his huge price tag as Manchester United prepare for Wednesday’s clash with Sevilla. “I dont think it’s fair to speak about the responsibilities of a player. When …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the English champions can do “something incredible” by knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League at the Camp Nou on March 14, despite blowing a lead to draw the first leg of their last-16 tie 1-1. Willian gave reason …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | African club football newcomers Deportivo Niefang of Equatorial Guinea, Energie of Benin and La Mancha of Congo Brazzaville reached the CAF Confederation Cup last-32 stage on Tuesday. The progress of Energie was the most dramatic as they scored deep in stoppage time to hold …

Munich, Germany | AFP | Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski netted twice as Bayern Munich thrashed 10-man Besiktas 5-0 on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Disaster struck for Besiktas after just 16 minutes at Munich’s Allianz Arena when Domagoj Vida was sent off …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Chelsea manager Antonio Conte rued one costly mistake as Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Messi struck for the first time in nine games against …