Chelsea and Bayern Munich secured the last remaining two Champions League quarter-final places on Wednesday, completing a stunning line-up for the remainder of Europe's elite club competition.
The draw for the next round takes place on Friday at 3pm in Nyon, Switzerland, and here are the remaining contenders, their pedigree in the European Cup, and how they reached the last eight this season.
Liverpool
Group stage: Group D winners
Last-16 result: 4-0 versus RB Leipzig (A: 2-0, H: 2-0)
European Cup best: Winners - 6 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019)
Despite inconsistent domestic form which has scuppered the defence of their Premier League title, Jurgen Klopp's side have been lifted by the solid displays in seeing off RB Leipzig 2-0 in each leg to book a quarter-final place. After the then holders were knocked out by Atletico Madrid in the last 16 a year ago, the Reds are hungry for another crack at a seventh European triumph.
Real Madrid
Group stage: Group B winners
Last 16 result: 4-1 versus Atalanta (A: 0-1, H: 3-1)
European Cup best: Winners - 13 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Real Madrid swept past Atalanta to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in three seasons. Los Blancos may not be the force they once were, but Zinedine Zidane's squad have hit a decent run of form, unbeaten since the start of February, and remain one to avoid in the draw.
Manchester City
Group stage: Group C winners
Last 16 result: 4-0 versus Borussia Monchengladbach (A: 2-0, H: 2-0)
European Cup best: Semi-finals (2016)
Manchester City cruised into the last eight for the fourth year in a row after comfortably dispatching Borussia Monchengladbach. For all their domestic prowess, sitting 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League, boss Pep Guardiola knows European glory remains top of the agenda as his free-scoring side chase a potential unprecedented quadruple. Last season's disappointment of being knocked out by Lyon in a one-legged quarter-final will only fuel the desire to set the record straight.
Borussia Dortmund
Group stage: Group F winners
Last 16 result: 5-4 versus Sevilla (A: 3-2, H: 2-2)
European Cup best: Winners (1997)
Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland is this season's Champions League top scorer with 10 goals. However, despite a formidable forward line, the Bundesliga side still look a bit vulnerable at the back, and conceded twice in both legs against Sevilla. As exciting a ride as it has been, facing one of Europe's heavyweights in the last eight could prove a stage too far for Edin Terzic's squad - who are hoping England winger Jadon Sancho can recover from an ankle injury in time for the quarter-finals in April.
Paris Saint-Germain
Group stage: Group H winners
Last 16 result: 5-2 versus Barcelona (A: 4-1, H: 1-1)
European Cup best: Runners-up (2020)
Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick helped the French side dispatch Barcelona in the last 16 following a superb 4-1 first leg win. Mauricio Pochettino is looking to progress the squad which finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in last season's truncated tournament finale. While they may be playing catch-up behind Lyon in Ligue 1, PSG remain a threat to any side pulled out of the draw on Friday.
Porto
Group stage: Group C runners-up
Last 16 result: 4-4 versus Juventus, won on away goals (H: 2-1, A: 2-3 aet)
European Cup best: Winners - 2 (1987, 2004)
Built around the midfield industry of Jesus Corona, Porto are the dark horses of the last eight, having shocked Juventus in the last 16 with a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra-time to progress on away goals over Cristiano Ronaldo's star-studded side. Domestically, Porto trail Sporting Lisbon by 10 points, but will fancy their chances of further progress in Europe no matter the opposition.
Bayern Munich
Group stage: Group A winners
Last 16 result: 6-2 versus Lazio (A: 1-4, H: 2-1)
European Cup best: Winners (holders) - 6 (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020)
Holders Bayern had all but made sure of their quarter-final place with a 4-1 win in the away leg against Lazio and completed the job on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena. The Bundesliga leaders will fear no-one as they aim to march on towards the final in Istanbul and, with prolific Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in top form, they will take some stopping along the way.
Chelsea
Group stage: Group E winners
Last 16 result: 3-0 versus Atletico Madrid (A: 0-1, H: 2-0)
European Cup best: Winners (2012)
Olivier Giroud's goal had given the Blues a slender 1-0 lead to protect at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night before a 2-0 victory sent them through. New boss Thomas Tuchel has found a winning formula both at home and in Europe, with Chelsea now very much in the mix for a top-four Premier League finish again. Unbeaten through 14 games in all competitions, the Blues look set for another strong finish to the campaign.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RoboCop%3A%20Rogue%20City
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars
Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
The biogs
Name: Zinah Madi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and links
Nationality: Syrian
Family: Married, Mother of Tala, 18, Sharif, 14, Kareem, 2
Favourite Quote: “There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything.”
Name: Razan Nabulsi
Occupation: Co-founder of Dots and Links
Nationality: Jordanian
Family: Married, Mother of Yahya, 3.5
Favourite Quote: A Chinese proverb that says: “Be not afraid of moving slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”
Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
