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UCL Matchday 4: Liverpool host Real Madrid, Bayern face PSG, other fixtures

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The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League hits its halfway mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Matchday 4 arrives with drama scripted across Europe.

Eighteen games, countless storylines, and a stage where heroes, heartbreak, and history are never far apart.

From Anfield to Paris, Turin to Prague — the world’s greatest club competition enters its next act.

These preview details were obtained from the UCL website on Monday.

1. Liverpool vs Real Madrid

A rivalry defined by glory and grief — from Kyiv to Paris to Anfield’s famous nights.

Last season, the Reds finally broke their curse, a 2-0 victory ending an eight-game winless run against Los Blancos. Now, Arne Slot’s men return to Anfield, chasing a 16th straight European home win — an Anfield fortress roaring under the lights.

Mohamed Salah stands on the brink of greatness: two goals from becoming the first African player to reach 50 in the Champions League. Across the pitch, a familiar face wears white now — Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Scouser turned Galáctico, facing the Kop for the first time.

Madrid’s own prodigy, Jude Bellingham, could rewrite history too. At 22 years and 128 days, he’s set to become the youngest ever player to make 50 Champions League appearances — eclipsing Iker Casillas, the symbol of Madrid’s golden past.

It’s not just a match. It’s memory, emotion, and destiny colliding.

2. PSG vs Bayern Munich

Paris have lost just two of their last 41 home Champions League group stage games, and the Parc des Princes is again a fortress. But Bayern are serial conquerors, with 13 wins in their last 15 meetings against French opposition.

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All eyes will be on Ousmane Dembélé, who’s lived every twist of this rivalry — scorer, provider, even villain. He faces his old Bundesliga tormentors with something to prove. Meanwhile, Lucas Hernández meets his former teammates after switching red for blue.

At the other end, Harry Kane continues his European rampage — 11 goals in his last ten UCL appearances — while Joshua Kimmich eyes his 100th Champions League match for Bayern, joining legends Müller, Neuer, Lahm, and Kahn in elite company.

It’s a battle of old foes and new ambitions — with the scent of late drama thick in the Paris air.

3. Slavia Praha vs Arsenal

In Prague, memories of 2021 linger — when Arsenal crushed Slavia’s quarter-final dreams with a 4-0 rout.
Four years later, the Czech champions seek payback on home soil.

Slavia have found their scoring rhythm — goals in 26 of their last 27 European home games — but face an Arsenal side in imperious form. The Gunners are unbeaten in ten against Czech clubs, with seven straight UCL league-phase wins.

Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in all three of Arsenal’s group games — and the Brazilian’s fearless energy has made him Mikel Arteta’s symbol of this new Arsenal: vibrant, ruthless, relentless.

History favors the Gunners — but Slavia’s home spirit, under the lights of Eden Arena, makes this more than a formality. It’s redemption, reimagined.

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4. Juventus vs Sporting CP

In Turin, it’s about legacy.

Juventus, chasing their 500th European Cup goal — the first Italian team to do so — meet Sporting CP, winless against Italian opposition since 2011.

The Bianconeri have stumbled on the continental stage lately — only two wins in their last 11 European games — and must rediscover their old ruthlessness. Sporting, ever daring, have scored in 19 straight group-stage matches, and will not come quietly.

For both sides, this isn’t just a fixture. It’s a test of belief.

Elsewhere Across Europe on Tuesday:

Tottenham vs Copenhagen

Napoli vs Frankfurt

Atlético Madrid vs Union Saint-Gilloise

Bodø/Glimt vs Monaco

Olympiacos vs PSV Eindhoven

PUNCH Online reports that the remaining games will take place on Wednesday.

Pafos vs Villarreal and Qarabağ vs Chelsea kick off early.

Ajax vs Galatasaray

Club Brugge vs Barcelona

Inter vs Kairat

Man City vs Dortmund

Newcastle vs Athletic Club

Marseille vs Atalanta

Benfica vs Leverkusen

PUNCH Online also reports that only five teams have maintained a perfect start winning all three games from the previous match days.

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Zidane signs deal to become France coach until 2030; read details

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French football legend, Zinedine Zidane, has reportedly signed a deal to become the new head coach of the French national team until June 2030.

Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano,  made the claim in a post shared on Facebook on Tuesday, saying the former Real Madrid manager would be officially unveiled in the coming days.

“Zinedine Zidane has signed as the new France coach until June 2030. The story has been confirmed as Zizou will be unveiled as the new head coach in the next days — back to work with France,” Romano wrote.

According to the Italian journalist, Zidane is expected to lead France in the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Romano ended the post with his trademark phrase, “Here we go, confirmed.”

Zidane, 54, has been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 after a second spell in charge of the Spanish giants.

During his time at Madrid, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, as well as two La Liga crowns and several other domestic and international trophies.

The 1998 World Cup winner has long been linked with the France job and was widely considered a potential successor to Didier Deschamps, who has managed Les Bleus since 2012.

Deschamps is expected to leave the role after the 2026 World Cup cycle, and Zidane has long been linked with the France job and has publicly expressed interest in coaching the national team.

As of the time of filing this report, the French Football Federation had not issued an official statement confirming Zidane’s appointment.

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FBI revealed US recorded zero major security incidents during World Cup

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The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, has said the United States recorded no major security incidents during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the tournament as the largest sporting event in history.

Patel disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Sunday, praising the coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in securing the tournament.

According to him, the competition shattered previous attendance records and was successfully staged across the United States without any major security breach.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the largest sporting event in the history of the world, shattering the previous attendance record by double digits. America — we got it done, ZERO major security incidents across our nation while we hosted the equivalent of 78 Super Bowls in 38 days, along with 40 base camps, endless fan zones, and celebrations in nearly every state,” Patel wrote.

He credited President Donald Trump for prioritising security preparations ahead of the tournament, noting that the White House FIFA Task Force was established about 16 months before the competition.

“President Trump promised his administration would deliver the safest, most secure, and fun environment for FIFA. He started by establishing the White House FIFA Task Force some 16 months ago, and we got right to work,” he said.

Patel disclosed that the FBI committed nearly 5,000 personnel from its headquarters, field offices and international offices across the 16 host cities, describing it as the bureau’s largest-ever deployment for a single event.

“This FBI led the charge, dedicating nearly 5,000 personnel to the effort out of HQ, field and international offices across 16 host cities. None of what we accomplished is possible without our federal, state and local partners who all put in the same relentless effort. It’s the largest resource dedication the FBI has EVER made for any event,” he added.

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According to the FBI director, the agency established a Joint Operations Centre, an International Police Coordination Centre, and an Intelligence Coordination Centre to facilitate real-time intelligence gathering and information sharing throughout the tournament.

He also revealed that the FBI created the first-ever counter-unmanned aircraft systems training school for law enforcement officers ahead of the World Cup, adding that authorities seized more than 700 drones that entered restricted airspace around FIFA venues.

“We established the first-ever counter-UAS drone school, training members of law enforcement from across the country for the World Cup. We seized over 700 drones near FIFA airspace,” Patel said.

He added that security agencies also managed other major national events held during the same period, including UFC 250, SAIL 250 and State Fair 250, while ensuring the World Cup concluded safely.

“President Trump’s leadership set the course; he led the way, and this FBI and our partners rose to the challenge. Thanks to all our partners, FIFA, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House FIFA Task Force and its Director, Andrew Giuliani,” Patel stated.

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Spain become first nation to hold men’s, women’s World Cup titles simultaneously

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Spain have become the first nation in football history to simultaneously hold the FIFA Men’s World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.

FIFA announced the milestone in a post on its official X handle on Sunday following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York.

Celebrating the achievement, FIFA wrote, “History-makers Spain have become the first nation to hold both the @FIFAWorldCup and @FIFAWWC simultaneously!”

Spain’s triumph in the men’s tournament came three years after the country’s women’s team lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time by defeating England 1-0 in the 2023 final in Sydney, Australia, thanks to Olga Carmona’s decisive goal.

The latest success also marked Spain’s second men’s World Cup title, having previously won the tournament in South Africa in 2010.

By claiming the 2026 crown while remaining the reigning women’s world champions, Spain achieved a feat no other nation has managed since the inception of the two FIFA World Cup competitions.

The historic double further highlights Spain’s recent dominance in international football.

In addition to holding both World Cup trophies, the country’s men’s team won the UEFA European Championship in 2024, while its women’s side has remained among the leading forces in world football since capturing its maiden global title in Australia and New Zealand.

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