Europe

Defending champions Real Madrid will renew their Champions League rivalry with 2023 winners Manchester City in a blockbuster knockout phase playoff tie after the two teams were pitted against each other in the draw held in Nyon on Friday.

Both Real and City failed to advance automatically to the last 16 as one of the top eight sides after they finished 11th and 22nd, respectively, in the new league-phase format.

Teams that finished ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to advance to the last 16.

UCL playoff draw

MLS is going big.

Major League Soccer is reportedly considering a significant change to its season schedule, potentially shifting its traditional February-to-November (or Spring-Fall) calendar to align with the European model of August-to-May (Fall-Spring).

According to MLSMoves on X, Sportico spoke to representatives from two dozen MLS teams that expressed overwhelming support for this move. The shift, if it was to be confirmed, would likely take effect in the Fall of 2026, coinciding with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico co-hosting the FIFA World Cup.

MANCHESTER — Manchester City kept their Champions League campaign alive by beating Belgian side Club Brugge 3-1 in a nervy must-win match on Wednesday thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and substitute Savinho, and a Brugge own goal.

The victory in their league-phase finale secured Pep Guardiola's men a spot in the two-legged playoff knockout round. They finished 22nd in the table, three places above elimination. They face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout stage.

A Watford women’s referee stunned fans on Sunday with some of the worst decisions we’ve ever seen. Watford had two players sent off for hardly doing anything while the opposing side, Lewes LFC committed a red card offense but escaped with a yellow.

The incidents took place during a FA Women’s Premier Division game in the third tier.

Watford women’s referee makes shocking decisions

LONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim defended his decision to again omit forward Marcus Rashford from his squad for Sunday's 1-0 win over Fulham, insisting he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.

Rashford has not featured for United since mid-December, after he admitted that he was ready for a new challenge in his career, with the England international not in the team's travelling party for Sunday's narrow Premier League victory.

Welcome to this week’s edition of USMNT Abroad, where we bring you the latest updates on American soccer players making waves across Europe. 

From standout performances to key transfers, rumors and injury reports, The18 has got you covered with all the action involving U.S. men’s national team players in Europe’s top leagues. 

C’mon, you yanks!

USMNT Abroad this weekend: The latest on American players in Europe

Josh Sargent (Norwich City)

MANCHESTER — Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season, the two clubs announced on Friday.

Milan said in a statement that they also have an option to buy the England right-back, with Sky Italy saying Walker would cost around $5.24 million.

Kyle Walker Milan loan

PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain clawed back from two goals down to stun Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday and leave the English club outside the playoff places and in danger of elimination.

Goals from PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos turned the match on its head after City had taken the game by the scruff of the neck.

Man City vs PSG highlights