UEFA

Teenagers and grown adults celebrated a triumphant moment of growing independence yesterday as they learned they’d no longer need their parents’ cable television login credentials to watch the UEFA Champions League online. A monumental deal between Facebook Inc. and Fox Sports will see the page livestream two matches on Tuesday and two on Wednesday throughout the group stage, four matches from the round of 16 and four quarterfinal games during the 2017-18 tournament.

We’re less than a year away from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but only eight teams have assured themselves of a spot in the 32-team tournament, one of them being the host nation.

Qualifying began back in March 2015 and will continue through this November, when the final berths will be booked. 

How does each confederation decide which nations will attend the World Cup? Read on. 

Africa (CAF)

Nations: 53

Spots: 5

Rounds: 3

With their 4-1 win on Saturday, Real Madrid took home the Champions League trophy for the second straight time (and third in four years), making them the footballing kings of Europe. In spite of this, they won’t be the team taking home the most prize money from this year’s competition. That title belongs to their final counterparts, Juventus.

Less than 10 minutes into the first leg of the Madrid derby Champions League semifinal, Cristiano Ronaldo did what he always does in this competition: he scored UCL goal number 101. Flying nearly two heads above every Atletico defender, Ronaldo buried a perfect cross from Casemiro.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the first leg of their 2016-17 UEFA Champions League semifinal matchup on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. These fierce derby rivals have made a habit of meeting each other in the later stages of this competition in recent years with Real defeating Atletico in the 2013-14 final, the 2014-15 quarterfinals and the 2015-16 final that was decided on spot kicks. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the match, either live streaming online or on TV through your cable provider.