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See full list of top 10 players to watch out for in UEFA CL semi-final

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The UEFA Champions League semi-finals delivered exactly what elite European football promises at this stage—tension, tactical battles, and ultimately, decisive moments shaped by individual quality.

Across two tightly contested ties, it was clinical finishing rather than territorial dominance that proved the difference, with Harry Kane emerging as the defining figure.

This is not merely a list of the biggest stars, although many of them are featured, but rather of those players whose presence could be vital to their team reaching the final in Budapest.

According to BBC Sport on Tuesday, the following players could be in the semi-final deciders for the remaining top four teams in the Champions League

Matteo Ruggeri (Atlético Madrid)

A defensive cornerstone. His interceptions and tackling are crucial for Atletico Madrid, especially against attacking sides like Arsenal. If Atletico sit deep, Ruggeri will be central to holding the line.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s attacking rhythm changes with him. Against a low block, his creativity and movement could be the difference-maker.

Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

A modern full-back who plays like a winger. His attacking output is vital for Paris Saint-Germain stretching Bayern’s defence.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

The engine of Bayern Munich. His passing into dangerous areas fuels their attack.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG)

Explosive and unpredictable. His dribbling and goal contributions make him one of PSG’s biggest threats.

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

A breakout star. Creativity, dribbling, and end product—he’s been one of the most dynamic attackers in Europe this season.

David Raya (Arsenal)

Elite shot-stopper. His save percentage highlights his importance to Arsenal’s defensive solidity.

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Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)

Goals + pressing. Atletico rely on his energy and finishing to stay competitive in tight games.

Vitinha (PSG)

The tempo controller. His passing dominance makes him the heartbeat of PSG’s midfield.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

The ultimate difference-maker. Goals decide ties, and Kane is delivering at a historic rate this season.

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Almería donate ticket revenue to late Jesús de Miguel’s family

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Spanish Club UD Almería have announced that they will donate all ticket sales revenue from their home match against CD Tenerife to support the family of Jesús de Miguel.

The initiative was established by club president Mohammed Al Khereiji as the Spanish club seeks to provide financial assistance to the bereaved family following their loss.

Announcing the decision, the club expressed its sympathy and acknowledged that no amount of financial assistance could make up for the loss of a loved one.

As reported by ESPN on Wednesday, the club was quoted as saying, “We are fully aware that nothing can ever compensate for the loss of a loved one, and that no form of support, whether financial or emotional, can ease the pain caused by a tragedy of this kind.”

Despite recognising the limitations of the gesture, UD Almería hope that donating the entire proceeds from the match will provide some support to Jesús de Miguel’s family during this difficult period.

The initiative comes under the leadership of Al Khereiji, who is the club’s president.

It also puts the spotlight on UD Almería’s ownership, with Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo having acquired a 25 per cent stake in the Spanish club earlier this year.

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SEE FULL LIST: Highest-scoring matches in Champions League history

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Borussia Dortmund’s 8-4 victory over Legia Warszawa remains the highest-scoring match in UEFA Champions League history, while Como’s 9-1 demolition of Lens has joined the competition’s list of most prolific encounters.

The Dortmund-Legia encounter produced 12 goals during the 2016/17 group stage, with the German side emerging victorious in a remarkable contest.

According to the UEFA website on Wednesday, the match featured five goals in the opening 32 minutes, including a spell in which three goals were scored within four minutes.

FULL LIST: Highest-scoring matches in Champions League history

Aleksandar Prijović gave Legia a 10th-minute lead, but Shinji Kagawa scored twice in quick succession to put Dortmund ahead.

Marco Reus also registered a brace, while three goals were scored in the closing 10 minutes to complete the 8-4 result.

Como’s 9-1 victory away to Lens on November 4, 2026, also entered the record books, with the 10-goal encounter ranking among the highest-scoring matches in the competition.

Bayern Munich’s 9-2 victory over GNK Dinamo in September 2024 and Monaco’s 8-3 win against Deportivo La Coruña in November 2003 are other notable entries on the list.

Barcelona’s 8-2 defeat of Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 campaign also features among the highest-scoring Champions League matches.

Bayern thrash Barca 8-2

Full list of highest-scoring Champions League matches

• Borussia Dortmund 8-4 Legia Warszawa — November 22, 2016 (12 goals)

• Bayern Munich 9-2 GNK Dinamo — September 17, 2024 (11 goals)

• Monaco 8-3 Deportivo La Coruña — November 5, 2003 (11 goals)

• Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich — August 14, 2020 (10 goals)

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• Lens 1-9 Como — November 4, 2026 (10 goals)

• Paris Saint-Germain 7-2 Rosenborg — October 24, 2000 (nine goals)

• Lyon 7-2 Werder Bremen — March 8, 2005 (nine goals)

• Villarreal 6-3 Aalborg — October 21, 2008 (nine goals)

• Tottenham Hotspur 2-7 Bayern Munich — October 1, 2019 (nine goals)

• Manchester City 6-3 Leipzig — September 15, 2021 (nine goals)

• Paris Saint-Germain 7-2 Maccabi Haifa — October 25, 2022 (nine goals)

• Benfica 4-5 Barcelona — January 21, 2025 (nine goals)

• Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 Paris Saint-Germain — October 21, 2025 (nine goals)

• Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle United — March 18, 2026 (nine goals)

• Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 Bayern Munich — April 28, 2026 (nine goals)

• LASK 3-6 Liverpool — October 14, 2026 (nine goals)

Full list of highest-scoring Champions League draws

UEFA also identified four matches that ended in 4-4 draws, each producing eight goals.

• Hamburg 4-4 Juventus — September 13, 2000

• Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool — April 14, 2009

• Bayer Leverkusen 4-4 Roma — October 20, 2015

• Chelsea 4-4 Ajax — November 5, 2019

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SEE FULL LIST: Como join Liverpool, Madrid in Champions League victory record

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Como have joined Liverpool and Real Madrid in recording the biggest winning margin in UEFA Champions League history after thrashing Lens 9-1 in their Matchday 4 encounter on Tuesday night.

The Italian side’s nine-goal haul secured an eight-goal victory margin, equalling Liverpool’s 8-0 defeat of Beşiktaş in 2007 and Real Madrid’s 8-0 triumph over Malmö in 2015.

According to the UEFA website on Wednesday, Como also became only the second team after Bayern Munich to score nine goals in a Champions League match.

Tasos Douvikas scored a hat-trick in the encounter, while six other Como players also found the net as the competition debutants recorded the biggest away victory in the tournament’s history.

Liverpool were the first team to achieve an eight-goal winning margin when they defeated Beşiktaş 8-0 during the 2007/08 group stage.

Crouch scores two joining Yossi Benayoun who scored hatrick. Ryan Babel also netted a brace and captain Steven Gerrard scored the eight goal

Yossi Benayoun scored three goals, while Ryan Babel and Peter Crouch each contributed two. Steven Gerrard completed the scoring as Liverpool secured the record victory despite having collected just one point from their opening three group matches.

Real Madrid matched the feat on December 8, 2015, when they overwhelmed Malmö 8-0 at home.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals, setting what was then an individual group-stage record of 11 goals, while Karim Benzema registered a hat-trick.

Ronaldo nets four in Malmö thrashing

Bayern Munich also feature prominently in the record books after defeating GNK Dinamo 9-2 on September 17, 2024, establishing a new record for the most goals scored by a team in a single Champions League match.

Harry Kane scored four goals in the encounter, while Michael Olise added two.

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Full list of biggest Champions League victories

Eight-goal winning margin

1. Lens 1-9 Como — November 4, 2026

2. Liverpool 8-0 Beşiktaş — November 6, 2007

3. Real Madrid 8-0 Malmö — December 8, 2015

Seven-goal winning margin

1. Bayern Munich 9-2 GNK Dinamo — September 17, 2024

2. Juventus 7-0 Olympiacos — December 10, 2003

3. Arsenal 7-0 Slavia Praha — October 23, 2007

4. Žilina 0-7 Marseille — November 3, 2010

5. Valencia 7-0 Genk — November 23, 2011

6. Bayern Munich 7-0 Basel — March 13, 2012

7. BATE Borisov 0-7 Shakhtar Donetsk — October 21, 2014

8. Bayern Munich 7-0 Shakhtar Donetsk — March 11, 2015

9. Barcelona 7-0 Celtic — September 13, 2016

10. Maribor 0-7 Liverpool — October 17, 2017

11. Liverpool 7-0 Spartak Moscow — December 6, 2017

12. Manchester City 7-0 Schalke — March 12, 2019

13. Manchester City 7-0 Leipzig — March 14, 2023

14. Paris Saint-Germain 7-0 Brest — February 19, 2025

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