CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica). He conceded three goals. But it could have been twice as many. The Greece international had a busy evening against Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz. He can expect a demanding one at Anfield next week, too, but he has just about kept Benfica’s slim hopes in the tie alive. Getty
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK (4-3-3): GK Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica). He conceded three goals. But it could have been twice as many. The Greece international had a busy evening against Liverpool at the Estadio da Luz. He can expect a demanding one at Anfield next week, too, but he has just about kept Benfica’s slim hopes in the tie alive. Getty
RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Not for the first time on a late-phase, big-stage Champions League night, the Liverpool right-back took the initiative and epitomised his team’s self-belief. A terrific long pass helped create one goal, a super through ball to Mohamed Salah nearly made another. EPA
RB Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool). Not for the first time on a late-phase, big-stage Champions League night, the Liverpool right-back took the initiative and epitomised his team’s self-belief. A terrific long pass helped create one goal, a super through ball to Mohamed Salah nearly made another. EPA
CB Juan Foyth (Villarreal). An outstanding showing from the former Tottenham Hotspur player, disciplined in his containing of the livewire potential of Bayern Munich’s left-sided attacking players but also proactive. He was involved in Villarreal’s early goal in the surprise 1-0 win for the underdogs. EPA
CB Juan Foyth (Villarreal). An outstanding showing from the former Tottenham Hotspur player, disciplined in his containing of the livewire potential of Bayern Munich’s left-sided attacking players but also proactive. He was involved in Villarreal’s early goal in the surprise 1-0 win for the underdogs. EPA
CB Felipe (Atletico Madrid). Towering in the air, astute in his positioning and careful in how he timed his more aggressive challenges, the Brazilian endured a sapping night of constant vigilance against Manchester City. He set the tone for his team’s defensive rigour. EPA
CB Felipe (Atletico Madrid). Towering in the air, astute in his positioning and careful in how he timed his more aggressive challenges, the Brazilian endured a sapping night of constant vigilance against Manchester City. He set the tone for his team’s defensive rigour. EPA
LB David Alaba (Real Madrid). The go-to man in Madrid’s back four when calm needs restoring. Alaba, ex of Bayern Munich, played his 100th Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge. He marshalled the defence in masterly fashion, always with a sharp eye on the chance for a counter-attack. EPA
LB David Alaba (Real Madrid). The go-to man in Madrid’s back four when calm needs restoring. Alaba, ex of Bayern Munich, played his 100th Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge. He marshalled the defence in masterly fashion, always with a sharp eye on the chance for a counter-attack. EPA
RM Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal). An inspired, dynamic showing from one of Villarreal’s several former Spurs players. A step ahead of his Bayern’s opponents in his vision, inventive in his passing, and the crosser who made the goal that puts his team 1-0 ahead going to Bavaria next week. AP
RM Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal). An inspired, dynamic showing from one of Villarreal’s several former Spurs players. A step ahead of his Bayern’s opponents in his vision, inventive in his passing, and the crosser who made the goal that puts his team 1-0 ahead going to Bavaria next week. AP
CM Naby Keita (Liverpool). One error in possession, but beyond that a commanding display for a midfielder yet to fully convince that he is good value for his high transfer fee, but getting to the point where he soon may. Bold and mobile in Lisbon, he helped set up the important third Liverpool goal. AFP
CM Naby Keita (Liverpool). One error in possession, but beyond that a commanding display for a midfielder yet to fully convince that he is good value for his high transfer fee, but getting to the point where he soon may. Bold and mobile in Lisbon, he helped set up the important third Liverpool goal. AFP
LM Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). Where avenues are forever closed, De Bruyne will keep probing. City came up against a low block of warrior defenders - all 11 of them for much of the time Atletico resigned themselves only to damage-limitation - and it was the tireless Belgian who eventually breached the wall. Reuters
LM Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City). Where avenues are forever closed, De Bruyne will keep probing. City came up against a low block of warrior defenders - all 11 of them for much of the time Atletico resigned themselves only to damage-limitation - and it was the tireless Belgian who eventually breached the wall. Reuters
RW Phil Foden (Manchester City). The man with the key to unlock an exceptionally stubborn Atletico Madrid. Foden was introduced as a substitute, asked to seek out the tiny gaps in a deep-set, highly-choreographed opponent. Foden obliged, setting up the one goal of the night. Getty
RW Phil Foden (Manchester City). The man with the key to unlock an exceptionally stubborn Atletico Madrid. Foden was introduced as a substitute, asked to seek out the tiny gaps in a deep-set, highly-choreographed opponent. Foden obliged, setting up the one goal of the night. Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on April 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP
LW Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). Andreas Christensen, the Chelsea defender, has homework over the next six days, analysing how Vinicius utterly mastered his territory in the first half of Madrid’s 3-1 win. ‘Vini’ could have opened the scoring, hitting the bar. His fine cross invited Benzema to make it 1-0. AFP

Sport

Football

Real Madrid pair lead attack after Chelsea thrashing: Champions League team of the week

Liverpool and Manchester City have two players each in the XI after wins against Benfica and Atletico

Ian Hawkey
Ian Hawkey

April 07, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The first leg fixtures of the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals were played out this week and there were some stunning results across Europe.

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Chelsea v Real Madrid player ratings: Havertz 7, Mendy 4; Benzema 9.5, Vinicius Jr 9

On Tuesday, Liverpool put one foot in the semi-finals after comfortably defeating Benfica 3-1 in Portugal, with goals from Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane, and Luis Diaz. Dawid Nunez got on the scoresheet for the Lisbon side to provide a glimmer of hope ahead of the return fixture at Anfield next Wednesday.

On the same night, Manchester City earned a slender lead in their tie with Atletico Madrid after Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the game at the Etihad.

While Tuesday's matches went largely as expected, Wednesday was a different story. Villarreal stunned German giants Bayern Munich 1-0 - and could have won by more - through Arnaut Danjuma, while Real Madrid thrashed holders Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick. Kai Havertz pulled one back for the Blues, who now face a huge task to overturn the deficit at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

Assessing the performances from the Champions League quarter-final first legs, Ian Hawkey has selected his team of the week in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

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RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: M'A Yaromoon, Jesus Rosales (jockey), Khalifa Al Neydai (trainer)

5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: No Riesgo Al Maury, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Mahmouda, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AS Jezan, George Buckell, Ahmed Al Mehairbi

7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Winner: Dolman, Antonio Fresu, Bhupath Seemar

MEYDAN CARD

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

The National selections:

6.30pm AF Alwajel

7.05pm Ekhtiyaar

7.40pm First View

8.15pm Benbatl

8.50pm Zakouski

9.25pm: Kimbear

10pm: Chasing Dreams

10.35pm: Good Fortune

More from Sholto Byrnes
Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)

MATCH INFO

France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')

Italy 1
Bonucci (36')

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

My Country: A Syrian Memoir

Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
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  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ACC 2019: The winners in full

Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia

Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi  

Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia  

Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki

Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky

Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
 

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Updated: April 07, 2022, 4:19 AM`
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