Spanish football club that reached the Champions League semi-finals and Copa del Rey final in 2026 before losing both.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Atletico Madrid host Arsenal on Wednesday in the Champions League semi-finals
“They host Arsenal on Wednesday in the Champions League semi-finals chasing redemption after their crushing Copa del Rey final defeat little over a week ago.”
Simeone, Atletico chasing redemption against ArsenalThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat at Elche
“Atletico Madrid fell to a 3-2 defeat at lowly Elche, their seventh loss in their last eight matches across all competitions.”
Barca edge Celta but lose match winner Yamal to injuryThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid lost Copa del Rey final 4-3 on penalties to Real Sociedad
“Real Sociedad edged Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to win the Copa del Rey for a fourth time in the club's history after a 2-2 draw in a gripping final on Saturday in Seville.”
Real Sociedad secure Copa del Rey penalty triumph over AtleticoThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid eliminated Barcelona from the Champions League
“No sooner had Atletico Madrid eliminated Barcelona from the Champions League than their fans turned their attention to Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.”
God, destiny, Griezmann: Atletico target rare Copa del Rey successThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League semifinals with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Barcelona
“Atletico Madrid sent 10-man Barcelona crashing out of the Champions League and reached the final four with a 3-2 aggregate victory despite Tuesday's 2-1 quarterfinal second leg defeat.”
Atletico resist Barca to reach Champions League semisThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid took advantage of error-strewn Tottenham to rack up a 5-2 Champions League last 16 first leg victory
“Atletico Madrid took advantage of error-strewn Tottenham in the Champions League to rack up a 5-2 last 16 first leg victory on Tuesday.”
Atletico capitalise on Tottenham's Champions League nightmareThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid progressed into the Champions League last 16 with a 4-1 win over Club Brugge
“Alexander Sorloth's hat-trick fired Atletico Madrid into the Champions League last 16 with an emphatic 4-1 win over Club Brugge on Tuesday, progressing 7-4 on aggregate from the play-off round.”
Sorloth treble helps Atletico past Brugge into Champions League last 16The Namibian
Atletico Madrid defeated Espanyol 4-2
“Atletico Madrid, fourth, got back to winning ways with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Espanyol.”
Leaders Real Madrid stung at Osasuna, Atletico back on trackThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid hammered Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 in semi-final first leg
“Atletico Madrid hammered Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 on Thursday in the first leg of their semi-final clash.”
Atletico rout Barca in Copa del Rey semi final first legThe Namibian
Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round
“Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge.”
Real Madrid to play Benfica, PSG face Monaco in Champions League play offsBarcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon, a 25-year-old left winger, from Newcastle United on a five-year deal until June 2031 for a fee that could rise to 80 million euros. Gordon, who netted 17 goals for Newcastle this season and was the club's top scorer, joins Barcelona as they seek to replace departing striker Robert Lewandowski and bolster their attack.
29 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona confirmed the signing of Anthony Gordon, a 25-year-old left winger, from Newcastle United on a five-year deal until June 2031 for a fee that could rise to 80 million euros. Gordon, who netted 17 goals for Newcastle this season and was the club's top scorer, joins Barcelona as they seek to replace departing striker Robert Lewandowski and bolster their attack.
29 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will compete in his sixth World Cup during the upcoming tournament in North America at age 39, despite having seemingly retired from international football after winning the trophy.
29 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Villarreal claimed third place in La Liga with an emphatic 5-1 victory over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in the final match of the Spanish season, marking the club's highest La Liga placement in 13 years. It was manager Marcelino Garcia Toral's last match in charge and captain Dani Parejo's final game for the club.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid ended their La Liga season with a 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. Mallorca and Girona were relegated from the Spanish top flight despite Mallorca's 3-0 victory over already-relegated Real Oviedo.
24 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Vinicius Junior scored as Real Madrid won 1-0 at Sevilla on Sunday, but Sevilla secured safety from relegation through other results. Mallorca, 19th after losing 2-0 to Levante, and Girona, 18th after a 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, are in danger of relegation.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
With Barcelona already crowned champions, La Liga's penultimate round focuses on other matters, including Antoine Griezmann's farewell at Atlético Madrid and a tight relegation battle involving multiple teams between 10th and 19th place, with only Real Oviedo guaranteed to go down.
15 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 in the Clasico on Sunday, clinching La Liga in consecutive years and moving 14 points clear of second-place Madrid with three matches remaining.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal beat West Ham 1-0 to move five points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race, with a controversial VAR decision ruling out West Ham's late equaliser. Aston Villa drew 2-2 with Burnley, slipping further behind in the Champions League chase.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final second leg, with Bukayo Saka scoring late in the first half to send the team to the final in Budapest on May 30 for the first time since 2006.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Mikel Arteta said Arsenal will play like "beasts" against Atletico Madrid in a Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with the Gunners seeking to reach the final for the first time since 2006 after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
5 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid faces Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, seeking redemption after losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid over a week ago. The club, which has never won Europe's premier competition, can take a first step towards a fourth final appearance under Diego Simeone.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in a Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, seeking their first European title. Declan Rice has called on the team to embrace the weight of history as they pursue a potential treble, having fallen short in the Premier League and Champions League in recent seasons.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Betis drew 1-1 with Real Madrid on Friday in La Liga, with Hector Bellerin scoring a late equaliser to cancel out Vinicius Junior's 17th-minute opener. Barcelona provisionally leads Madrid by eight points after the result.
25 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Barcelona defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 in La Liga, moving nine points clear of Real Madrid with six matches remaining, but lost teenage forward Lamine Yamal to a hamstring injury after he won and converted the match-winning penalty. Joao Cancelo also left the field injured in the tight encounter.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey final in Seville, claiming the club's fourth title. The Basque side came from behind under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, with goalkeeper Unai Marrero saving two penalties to secure victory.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid plays Real Sociedad in Saturday's Copa del Rey final, seeking a rare trophy success under coach Diego Simeone. The match is particularly significant for Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann, 35, who is departing for MLS side Orlando City and hopes to leave with a farewell trophy.
17 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals after a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon secured a 1-0 aggregate victory, though the Gunners played below par and will face Atletico Madrid next. Despite the progression, Arsenal's recent struggles—including losses to Manchester City, Southampton, and Bournemouth—have raised questions about the team's character as they chase the Premier League title.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in their Champions League quarterfinal tie, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2017. Despite losing the second leg 2-1, Atletico's 2-0 first-leg advantage and Lookman's goal held firm as Barcelona finished with 10 men after Eric Garcia's red card.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamine Yamal assisted twice and scored in Barcelona's 4-1 derby victory over Espanyol, extending their advantage over Real Madrid to nine points with seven games remaining. The win came as Barcelona prepare for a Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid drew 1-1 at home against Girona in La Liga, with Fede Valverde's goal cancelled out by Thomas Lemar's strike, leaving Madrid six points behind Barcelona with seven matches remaining. Coach Arbeloa disputed a late penalty appeal involving Kylian Mbappe and complained about VAR's consistency, while Madrid prepare for a Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday with the title race appearing secondary to their European ambitions.
11 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth scored to give Atletico Madrid a commanding 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi sent off before half-time. Barcelona must stage a comeback in the second leg next Tuesday in Madrid to advance to the semi-finals.
9 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina defeated Zambia 5-0 in a World Cup warm-up friendly at home, with the reigning champions preparing to defend their title at the June tournament.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Tottenham face a critical match against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday as relegation fears intensify, while Chelsea seek to bounce back from a heavy Champions League elimination and climb back into the top four. Liverpool, revitalized after a dominant European win, also battle to maintain Champions League qualification pace.
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →
England's six Champions League teams failed to win in first-leg matches against top European clubs, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham trailing by three goals each. Analysts point to fatigue from the Premier League's gruelling winter schedule without a break, physical style of play, and opponents with greater financial resources as key factors behind the disappointing results.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal moves closer to their first Premier League title in 22 years with a seven-point lead over Manchester City, while struggling Tottenham face Liverpool fighting relegation after winning just once in their last 11 league matches. Manchester United and Aston Villa clash for crucial Champions League qualification places as the weekend's fixtures could significantly reshape the season's outcome.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Atletico Madrid dominated a mistake-filled Tottenham to win 5-2 in their Champions League last 16 first leg at the Metropolitano stadium. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky's early errors contributed to Atletico scoring four goals in 22 minutes, though Tottenham salvaged two goals to give themselves hope for the second leg.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamine Yamal scored a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Villarreal, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat in La Liga this century at 18 years old. The victory extended Barcelona's lead at the top of the league to four points above Real Madrid.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid and Manchester City will face each other in the Champions League last 16 for the fifth season running, with Madrid hosting City at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg next month. Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning European champions, drew Chelsea, while other notable matchups include Arsenal facing Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle playing Barcelona.
28 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Alexander Sorloth scored three goals as Atletico Madrid defeated Club Brugge 4-1 to advance 7-4 on aggregate from the Champions League play-off round. Atletico will face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the last 16.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Osasuna on Saturday in La Liga after Raul Garcia's 90th-minute goal, a significant blow to their title hopes as Barcelona trail by just two points. Atletico Madrid bounced back from a four-game winless streak with a 4-2 victory over Espanyol to strengthen their grip on fourth place.
22 February 2026 · The Namibian →