JEROME PUGMIRE

AP Sports Writer
Lyon's Wendie Renard, right, and Selma Bacha embrace, while Bayern's Pernille Harder, left, walks away, at the end of the Women's Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Olympique Lyonnais at the FC Bayern Campus in Munich, Germany, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Lyon needs Renard and Hegerberg to shine against Arsenal in women’s CL semis, Barca faces Chelsea
When Wendie Renard scored in front of 14,000 fans in the women’s Champions League final 14 years ago she helped Lyon win the trophy for the first time.
 
Strasbourg players celebrate after Strasbourg's Emanuel Emegha scored his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Lyon and Strasbourg at the Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, file)
English coach Rosenior driving Strasbourg’s Champions League bid in France
Strasbourg’s push for a Champions League place is peaking at the right time under Liam Rosenior. The Alsace-based club is unbeaten in nine games ahead of Saturday’s trip to Monaco, which is second in Ligue 1.
 
Resurgent Lyon beats Auxerre to move up to fourth in Ligue 1
Forward Georges Mikautadze scored one goal and set up another as resurgent Lyon won 3-1 at Auxerre to climb into fourth place in Ligue 1.
 
Monaco moves closer to a Champions League spot after beating Marseille
Monaco moved closer to a Champions League spot for next season after downing struggling Ligue 1 rival Marseille 3-0 at home.
 
Marseille's Adrien Rabiot, right, jumps for the ball with PSG's Willian Pacho during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Marseille at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Race for Champions League places promises an intense finish in France
The one-sided Ligue 1 title race ended with a whimper but the chase for Champions League places promises to be an intense sprint finish in France.
 
French rugby team player Sebastien Chabal attends a training session at the National Rugby Center in Marcoussis, south of Paris, on Feb. 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
France rugby star Chabal does not remember ‘a single second’ of his career due to concussion
Rugby star Sébastien Chabal won two Six Nations titles with France, reached a World Cup semifinal and played 62 times for his nation as a powerful forward.
 
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, on the ground, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Kvaratskhelia’s wonder goal helps PSG beat Aston Villa 3-1 in 1st leg of CL quarterfinals
A wonder goal from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia upstaged a brilliant curling shot from teammate Désiré Doué as Paris Saint-Germain beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
 
Britain's Prince George, with his father Prince William, attends the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Royal hugs as Prince William watches his beloved Aston Villa play in Paris
Die-hard Aston Villa supporter Prince William was in the crowd once again to watch his beloved team play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarterfinals.
 
Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in action during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Hostile reception for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from PSG fans
There was no surprise as Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez received a hostile reception when he took the field for his side’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Paris Saint-Germain. It ended in a 3-1 win for PSG.
 
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique, celebrates winning the French League One championship title after the soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Angers at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Franck Fife, Pool Photo via AP)
Luis Enrique dismisses talk of PSG being the favorite against Aston Villa in Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has shrugged off talk of his team being the favorite against Aston Villa ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal match Wednesday.
 
PSG head coach Unai Emery reacts at the end of the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday March 8, 2017. Barcelona won the match 6-1 (6-5 on aggregate). (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)
Painful memories travel with Villa coach Unai Emery as he returns to PSG in Champions League
Aston Villa coach Unai Emery returns to Parc des Princes for the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and it may stir up some difficult memories.
 
Rabiot stars as Marseille beats Toulouse to reclaim second spot in Ligue 1
Adrien Rabiot scored with a volley and created another goal as Marseille beat Toulouse 3-2 to reclaim second place in Ligue 1. The much-needed win also saw a brilliant strike from forward Mason Greenwood.
 
Paris Saint-Germain players throw PSG's head coach Luis Enrique in the air after they won the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Angers at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
A closer look at how PSG won the French title without losing a game
Unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain has won Ligue 1 in early April with six games to spare. Only the 2016 PSG side has won the French league earlier. Here’s a closer look at how PSG clinched a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title under coach Luis Enrique.
 
PSG's Ousmane Dembele kicks the ball during the French League One soccer match between Saint-Etienne and Paris Saint Germain at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
By the numbers: PSG won Ligue 1 without losing a game. Here’s a by-the-numbers look at the season
Paris Saint-Germain has clinched a record-extending 13th French league title without losing a game and with six matches remaining.
 
Paris Saint-Germain players throw PSG's head coach Luis Enrique in the air after they won the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Angers at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Coach Luis Enrique’s guile guides PSG to 13th Ligue 1 title without defeat
Luis Enrique was mobbed by staff members and thrown into the air in celebration when Paris Saint-Germain won a record-extending 13th Ligue title with six games to spare.
 
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Paris Saint-Germain looks to clinch a record-extending 13th French league title
The one-sided Ligue 1 title race could end on Saturday with Paris Saint-Germain only needing a draw at home against Angers to clinch a record-extending 13th crown. PSG has a massive 21-point lead and is unbeaten in 27 league games.
 
Paris Saint-Germain reaches French Cup final by rallying past Dunkerque 4-2
Paris Saint-Germain avoided a huge upset when it rallied from two goals down to beat second-tier Dunkerque 4-2 and reach the French Cup final.
 
France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey races in to score a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
France winger Bielle-Biarrey wins Six Nations best player award
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been voted the Six Nations player of the tournament after scoring eight tries in France’s title-winning campaign.
 
Goalkeeper loses the ball while trying to dribble as Lille beats Lens 1-0
Lille has profited from a goalkeeping blunder to beat northern rival Lens 1-0 at home and move level on points with fourth-placed Nice in Ligue 1.
 
PSG's Desire Doue celebrates after scoring during the French League One soccer match between Saint-Etienne and Paris Saint Germain at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, France, Saturday, March 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Paris Saint-Germain made to wait a little longer for 13th Ligue 1 title after Monaco beats Nice
Unbeaten Paris Saint-Germain has moved within touching distance of a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title after overwhelming Saint-Etienne 6-1.
 
Nice's Evann Guessand, left, runs holding the ball after scoring during the Europa League opening phase soccer match against Union St. Gilloise at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Dec 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, file)
Battle for second place heats up down south as PSG closes in on Ligue 1 title
While the finish line is in sight for runaway Ligue 1 leader Paris Saint-Germain, the fight for second place is heating up down south.
 
France's Michael Olise, left, and Croatia's Duje Caleta-Car vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Olise’s creative spark in midfield is just the right fit for France
Michael Olise’s emergence for France comes at the right moment in a team needing a creative spark in midfield. Olise was outstanding in the 2-0 win against Croatia on Sunday.
 
Spanish players celebrate their victory after the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg match between the Netherlands and Spain at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Spain and France need penalty shootouts to join Germany and Portugal in Nations League semifinals
Defending champion Spain and France have needed penalty shootouts to reach the Nations League semifinals and join Germany and Portugal. Spain drew the second leg with the Netherlands 3-3 after extra time Sunday for a 5-5 aggregate score.
 
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villarreal and Real Madrid in Villarreal, Spain, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
Mbappé criticizes himself for previous mistakes as he returns to captain France
Kylian Mbappé returns to lead France against Croatia after a six-month absence and is openly critical over how he handled the captaincy before.
 
Marseille's Adrien Rabiot, left, challenges for the ball with PSG's Willian Pacho during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Marseille at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Koundé calls for ‘firm’ action against PSG supporters who insulted Rabiot and his mother
France defender Jules Koundé says “firm” action should be taken against Paris Saint-Germain fans who unfurled an insulting banner aimed at Adrien Rabiot and his mother in the game against Marseille.
 
The French team celebrate with the trophy after the Six Nations rugby union match between France and Scotland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
France wins Six Nations after beating Scotland with record flourish
France has seen off a resilient Scotland 35-16 and clinched the Six Nations title with a tournament-try record in Paris. Coach Fabien Galthié’s side needed only a victory at chilly Stade de France to ensure a first title since 2022 on Saturday.
 
PSG's Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
PSG can move closer to another Ligue 1 title with victory over Marseille
Unbeaten leader Paris Saint-Germain can take a big step toward another Ligue 1 title with a home win against bitter rival Marseille on Sunday.
 
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after a penalty shootout at the end of the Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Mbappé recalled by France to face Croatia in Nations League quarterfinals
Kylian Mbappé has been recalled to the France squad for the Nations League quarterfinal against Croatia and is set to captain the side next week in Split.
 
France's Louis Bielle-Biarrey, top, celebrates after his teammate Damian Penaud scored a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and France, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Records could tumble as try-hungry France chases Six Nations title against Scotland
France enters Saturday’s Six Nations rugby finale against Scotland with the title at stake and a host of records up for grabs in Paris. Prolific wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud eye record-breaking tries.
 
Lyon coach Fonseca watches from the stands as his substitutes score in a 2-0 win at Nice
Coach Paulo Fonseca watched from the stands and saw his substitutions pay off as Lyon won 2-0 at Nice to maintain its push for a Champions League place.
 
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