FIRST 11: Madrid’s UCL Victory, Pinnick’s Re-Election Failure… Biggest Sports Stories

This past few days, it has been another whirlwind of events in the money-spinning sporting cycle. The Champions League once again dominated the news; the Super Eagles were also in the headlines ahead of the team’s World Cup qualifiers.

First 11 – your weekly recap of the biggest stories in sports – will cover these and other events in a breezy manner. Stick around!

Real Madrid! Always Finding Their Way

When they say a cat has nine lives, Real Madrid appears to be the definition of that adage, especially regarding the Champions League. Once again, the Galacticos, on the brink of exit from Europe’s elite competition, roared back to life, qualifying for the last eight.

Having won the first leg 2-1, Real Madrid were pegged back in the second leg of the encounter against Atletico Madrid, forcing the game into penalties after extra time finished 2-2 on aggregate. But Carlos Ancelotti’s men won the ensuing spot-kick, reminiscing their round of 16 playoff win over Manchester United.

Like Atletico, Liverpool were knocked out at home against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, ending their hopes of winning the treble. The match was tied at 1-1 on aggregate, needing shootouts to separate the Premier League leaders and the French side after the end of normal and extra-time.

Other teams that made the last eight of this season’s Champions League include Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern München, Inter Milan, and Aston Villa. The full quarter-final fixtures and dates are all here.

But this return leg of the Champions League did not come without controversy. Julian Alvarez thought he had scored to level things for Atleti in the penalty shootout. But a VAR review suggested the Argentine international committed a double kick that marked his kick missed, leading to debates among fans, coaches, and pundits.

That prompted UEFA to consider reviewing the rules for penalties.

Meanwhile in the Europa League, Manchester United survived a first-leg scare to beat Real Sociedad 5-1 on aggregate in the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Spanish side held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture. But at Old Trafford on Thursday, Bruno Fernandes’ hattrick fired United to the quarter-finals where they will face Lyon.

Returning to the homefront, the Super Eagles are finetuning preparations for two must-win matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. To get closer to their goals, Coach Eric Chelle has pruned his list of invitees for the games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, axing veteran Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho from the initial 39-man squad. The match against Rwanda will be played on Friday, March 21, 2025, with the return Zimbabwe tie four days later.

That squad selection came just as a former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick lost out in his FIFA Council re-election bid. He came short by a single vote when the election was held during the 14th CAF Extraordinary Congress in Cairo, Egypt.

However, it was all smiles for CAF chief Patrice Motsepe who was re-elected unopposed to lead the continent’s football governing body.

Motsepe was elected by acclamation in Morocco four years ago, succeeding Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad, who had been suspended by FIFA over financial misconduct. CAF secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba is among those who have credited the South African with improving the finances and governance of the organisation.

On the race track, F1, Lewis Hamilton said he was excited over his Ferrari debut. After 12 years with Mercedes he will race for the first time in the Ferrari red at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, knowing expectations are high.

Meanwhile, there is good news for Manchester United fans. That’s because the club plans to build a new home ground. The Premier League side said the 100,000-capacity stadium is close to their historic Old Trafford home, with co-owner Jim Ratcliffe promising it would be the “world’s greatest” football ground.

The momentous decision by the Premier League club comes after an extensive consultation process on whether to develop their creaking current ground or move.

Heading over to the boxing ring, heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been mandated to start negotiations to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title against Joseph Parker.

The move could end British fighter Daniel Dubois’ hopes of a re-match with the Ukrainian.

In volleyball, Nigeria’s men’s U-23 handball team defeated Moldova 25-22 to secure a semi-final place at the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship in Varna, Bulgaria. Nigeria now becomes the first African country to reach the semi-finals of the championship.

First 11 returns next week for all the biggest sports stories!