12/03/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | MAR 12, 2026

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Brilliant Bayern hit six

KYLE WALKER hung up his England boots yes terday, four matches shy of a landmark 100 caps, bringing the curtain down on a 14-year interna tional career that saw him twice finish as a European Championship runner-up. The 35-year-old right back announced his retirement from international football three months ahead of the World Cup, ending a jour ney that began with his debut in 2011 and included five major tournaments with the Three Lions. The defender last pulled on an England shirt in a friendly against Senegal in June and was notably absent from recent squads for World Cup BAYERN MUNICH put one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals yesterday by sweeping aside Atalanta 6-1 in a powerful dem onstration of why the German giants are one of the favourites to win the competition. In front in the 12th minute in Bergamo through Josip Stanisic, Bayern are all-but through following a stunning brace from standout player Michael Olise and further strikes from Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and Jamal Musiala. Bayern have lost just once at home this sea son and yesterday’s marauding display, which came with Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala both starting on the bench, left Atalanta with basically no chance of progressing. A blockbuster tie against one of Real Madrid Injuries test Havertz KAI HAVERTZ admits the injuries he has suffered over the last two seasons have been the toughest challenge of his career. The Arsenal forward required surgery on a serious hamstring injury last term, and then needed a knee operation earlier this season. “It was stop and start, but some times football is like this. I haven’t really faced a challenge like this before in my career,” said the 26 year-old. “For me it was just tough because I never felt that pain before in my life and it just came randomly. “But I tried to go through these things and obviously I got my support from at home as well and my family. You know, that helped me a lot during that time. “Having two surgeries one after another is not easy. But I think I’m professional enough to know that’s also part of football sometimes. “And I know that there are so many play ers out there that went through stages of their career also. I’m still young, so I have a lot of years hopefully in front of me.” Havertz came through Leverkusen’s academy and scored 46 goals in 150 appear ances before moving to Chelsea in 2020. The Germany international is deter mined to put his injury problems behind him and help the Gunners chase glory on four fronts. “I’m confident. I’m feeling good, I’m feel ing better,” he added. “Obviously things can always happen, but I’m feeling 100 per cent ready to play games. “I’m feeling fit and I can’t wait to help the team in the next couple of months.” Boss Mikel Arteta admitted it has been a tough 18 months for Havertz but backed him to come through it stronger. “It’s been something new for him,” said Arteta. “When you look at his injury records, it’s just blank. Then last year he had his ham string injury that required the surgery, and then the knee injury. So it’s been a tough period. “But when you talk about a 15 or 20-year career, you’re going to have to go unfortu nately, most likely, through these moments. “And if there is a person that has the right combination of humbleness, patience and love for the game, and a competitive edge, that’s certainly Kai.” – The Independent

in the Champions League for this season. Being knocked out by European royalty is not disgrace for the traditionally tiny club punching way above its weight over at home and abroad the last decade. But it was a chastening night for both Raffaele Palladino’s players, who were applauded off by their vociferous support both at half-time and the final whistle, and Italian football. “You can’t say anything other than compli ment Bayern… unfortunately it didn’t go as we’d hoped and we have to accept the defeat,” said Mario Pasalic, who scored the hosts’ consolation goal in stoppage time. “We just have to try to play the second leg with a bit of pride.” – AFP

back too far after the thrilling way they got past Borussia Dortmund and into the last 16, and their elimination would end Italy’s par ticipa tion

or Manchester City awaits Bayern in the next round, save for a his toric collapse in next week’s second leg in Munich. “That was the kind of performance we wanted. We were dangerous right through out the match,” said Kompany to Prime Video . “We’ve got talent and quality in the team… So it’s no surprise when the lads deliver like this.” For Atalanta it will be a come

Barca’s Lamine Yamal (left) celebrates with Marc Casado after scoring late equaliser against Newcastle during the Champions League last 16 first leg match at St James’ Park yesterday. – AFPPIC

Yamal denies Newcastle Howe sees ‘hope’ for Magpies despite blow of Barcelona equaliser

L AMINE YAMAL’S last-gasp penalty earned Barcelona a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie yesterday. At St James’ Park, Newcastle were heading for a night to savour when Harvey Barnes broke the deadlock on 86 minutes as he turned in a Jacob Murphy cross for his sixth Champions League goal this season. However, Barcelona

lost his England place to Reece James. England boss Thomas Tuchel paid tribute to Walker’s contribution to the national team, describing him as an England‘great’despite their brief working relationship. “Although I only worked with him for a short period of time, I was always aware that he was one of England’s greats who fully embraced the highest honour of representing his country,” Tuchel said. “An international career spanning 14 years and five major tournaments is testament to Kyle’s dedication. He can look back on his time with the Three Lions with great pride.” – Reuters the intensity up, which is very difficult to do against them for for so long. “The moment at the end obviously taints that in a negative light, but I think it was one of our best performances.” He added: “In the cold light of day when we wake up tomorrow, we’ll see the positives. The tie is very much alive, we played really well. “We showed our qualities. We’ve been really competitive. “The challenge is we need more on a consis tent basis. We’ve showed we can play against the very best when we’re at our best.” Barca boss Hansi Flick agreed the Spanish champions were lucky to leave Tyneside on level terms, but said he would have settled for 1-1 before kickoff due to the number of players he had unavailable. Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde were missing for the Catalan giants, while Eric Garcia was left on the bench as a precaution. “With the ball we made not a good game. We lost too many balls, easy mistakes,” said Flick. “We have to do much better next week. “With a 1-1, I was always happy. This is what what I can say.” The sides will meet again for a place in the last eight on March 18. – AFP/The Independent

Camp for the return next Wednesday as they aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. The winners of that tie look likely to face Atletico in the last eight, after Diego Simeone’s side tore apart Spurs at the Metropolitano, with Julian Alvarez scoring twice. Howe believes Newcastle can upset Barcelona in the Nou Camp to make the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time despite the blow of conceding late to draw yesterday. Howe’s men sit 12th in the Premier League, but he believes he saw enough in their display to oust the La Liga leaders and five-time European champions. “There’s hope, of course there is. We believe in ourselves, we believe in our capabilities. I think we’ve shown that today,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “I thought we were outstanding, a really good performance. We kept

were awarded a penalty deep in injury time when Dani Olmo was tripped by Malick Thiaw and Yamal – a peripheral figure

throughout the game – converted with the last kick of the match in the 96th minute. That will make Newcastle’s task harder going to the Nou

Walker calls time on England career

four caps short of century

I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup. “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.” Former Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur defender Walker experienced the agony of major tourna ment heartbreak twice, fin ishing as a runner-up at the Euros in 2021 and 2024 but has

qualifiers despite playing 27 Premier League games for Burnley this season. “After more than a decade repre senting my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of,” Walker wrote on Instagram . “Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of

the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along and