Summary

  • Latest on Trent Alexander-Arnold - Real Madrid in talks over finalising the signing of Liverpool full-back on free transfer this summer

  • Recap: How did we get here? I Analysis: 'He would be a superstar in Madrid' - McManaman

  • Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg: Arsenal v Real Madrid (20:00 GMT, Agg: 0-2)

  • Former England Under-21s and Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd says he has Parkinson's Disease

  • World Cup qualifier: Wales rescue point with late equaliser in 1-1 draw at North Macedonia

  • Northern Ireland beaten 5-1 by Sweden in friendly

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. 'Bellamy coming in has been unbelievable'published at 09:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Joe Allen looks onImage source, PA Media

    Swansea City midfielder Joe Allen had a night to forget after his backpass gifted North Macedonia the lead in the 91st-minute.

    Former Wales captain Ashley Williams, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "When you play that kind of possession based game, sometimes you are going to make a mistake in possession, and that's just what it is."

    Williams, who played alongside Craig Bellamy for Wales added: "Since Craig has come in, they've done that really well. Every player has paid a massive part in this World Cup qualifier at the moment.

    "That belief and that togetherness, they work so hard on the ball and so much as well off the ball, and they're so hard to break down at times.

    "And for me, it's just one of those where hopefully we can build on this now, in the next few months, and get some more results like that.

    "I think Craig Bellamy coming in as manager has been unbelievable, excellent. Every time you hear him talk, he impresses you. The players are impressive. So things are looking really good for Wales at the minute."

  2. 'Bellamy has to sort out where Johnson can play'published at 09:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Kath Morgan
    Former Wales captain on BBC Radio Wales

    Brennan Johnson is not a number nine [he's more comfortable in wide positions] and I actually feel a little bit sorry for him. His touches are poor, his decision-making is poor in that area because he doesn't understand [the position].

    We are doing him a little bit of an unjust because us pundits are criticising him for his contribution, but he is just not comfortable there.

    Craig Bellamy has a problem there - he has to sort out where Johnson can play.

  3. 'Wales were the better team'published at 09:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Robert Earnshaw
    Former Wales and Cardiff striker on BBC radio 5 Live

    Wales were the better team. If you look at the intention and possession, which was very high, I think over 60 per cent. What that shows is that this new Wales, Craig Bellamy's Wales is now about how the team is doing and also how they can keep the ball because this is their best way of defending because if the other team doesn't have it, we have it, which says we're going to dictate to you how we're going to play the game.

    I though that they were much better [than North Macedonia], there wasn't any real clear cut chances as usual but it's a better approach.

  4. 'Joe Allen will be mightily relieved, like we all are'published at 09:34 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    BBC Radio Wales

    Former Wales international Kath Morgan spoke to BBC Radio Wales about how Joe Allen responded after making a mistake that led to the North Macedonia goal:

    "When you come on as a substitute, the tempo of the game was frantic at that point and, therefore, he has to get up to speed quickly.

    "He's mature, so he needs more time, probably, to get into a game. I have done exactly the same mistake myself, it is just natural - you think you have hit it enough and you have under-hit it.

    "The word resilient, never in a million years did I think that in that 90 seconds we would equalise. That group dug him out of a hole. He was distraught, even after the final whistle - the cameras were on him - but the boys will rally around him.

    "He has retired once, they brought him back and now he is probably thinking 'oh goodness me, I have made a huge mistake that could cost us'. But he is invaluable. He has been working with the youngsters in the camp and I think he will be mightily relieved, like we all are."

    Joe AllenImage source, PA Media
  5. 'It will feel like a win'published at 09:29 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Robert Earnshaw
    Former Wales and Cardiff striker on BBC radio 5 Live

    I know that feeling you get when you go into the dressing room, having just got a point from the last kick of the game. It will feel like a win. It's a sigh of relief that we're still unbeaten and we have four points.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 09:23 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Wales emphatically deserved at least a point. The defence all game was 100% they just needed a little extra up-front, but 1-1 will suffice.

    Darren, Nottingham

    That’s why you persevere with football isn’t it? A fairly drab game, but what an end!

    James, Sheffield

  7. 'It could turn out to be an important point'published at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales in Skopje

    Wales' David Brooks (C) celebratesImage source, EPA

    Wales had dominated for 90 minutes but looked to have fallen for a sucker punch when substitute Joe Allen's backpass was picked off by Bojan Miovski, whose goal had sparked jubilant celebrations among the home players and fans.

    Then came the bedlam as Wales disposed with Bellamy's modus operandi of patient build-up play and launched the ball to big Kieffer Moore, who nodded the ball down for fellow substitute David Brooks to force the ball over the line from close range.

    For all the unfiltered joy of that moment, however, Bellamy could not hide his frustration.

    "To watch it happen was like 'Wow' but, at the same time, to come away with a point actually leaves me disappointed, I have to be honest, due to the performance," he said.

    "In the manner, then we have to take it of course. If I look at the game, we were in control but football can find a cruel way sometimes.

    "Maybe because I haven't suffered defeat in a short reign but I still felt there was something more."

    This was Bellamy's eighth game in charge of Wales and he still hasn't lost yet, with four wins and four draws leading to Nations League promotion and a solid start to World Cup qualifying.

  8. Mr Calm no more - Bellamy revels in Wales' chaospublished at 09:08 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    North Macedonia 1-1 Wales

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales in Skopje

    Wales head coach Craig Bellamy reactsImage source, EPA

    On Saturday, the Wales head coach, Craig Bellamy was described as "Mr Calm" by captain Ben Davies after his half-time speech following a frustrating first half against Kazakhstan.

    For those familiar with Bellamy the player – a combustible, volatile sort – Davies' moniker will have raised a few eyebrows.

    But Bellamy the coach is not the young footballer who his former Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson had said could start an argument in an empty room.

    Now 45 and managing his country, Bellamy has mellowed. After periods of introspection and self-analysis, Bellamy the coach is a different person, one who prides himself on his composure and analytical eye.

    But in North Macedonia on Tuesday night, when Wales bundled in an added-time equaliser after a conclusion of stupefying drama, that cool veneer disappeared in an instant.

    As David Brooks' shot crept over the line, an ecstatic Bellamy leapt in the air and roared with delight. His feet had barely touched the ground when he was asked to summarise his feelings.

    "My main reaction? Probably shock, still," he said.

    "Calm? Not at all. Even now, I'm not. I thought it would have been difficult to accept losing today. But you have to accept certain things as much as you don't want to."

  9. Postpublished at 09:05 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    Plenty on more on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold to come later on.

    First though, let's took a look through Wales' dramatic 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Tuesday night...

  10. Paper talk - 'TAA-ra. then'published at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    Metro

    The back page of Wednesday's edition of MetroImage source, Metro

    And finally, Metro have he headline "TAA-ra, then" in their look at the Trent Alexander-Arnold story.

    They also say that England head coach Thomas Tuchel is "encouraged" after wins over Albania and Latvia in his first two matches in charge.

  11. Paper talk - Tuchel 'Players in Club World Cup won't have break'published at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The I

    The Back page of Wednesday's I paperImage source, The I

    The back page of the Ifocuses on quotes from England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who says that players who feature in this summer's Club World Cup are unlikely to get a long break this summer due to the schedule.

    It also looks at Wales' dramatic draw with North Macedonia.

  12. Paper talk - 'Close to the Real deal'published at 08:55 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The Guardian

    The back page of Wednesday's GuardianImage source, The Guardian

    The focus on the back of The Guardian is also on Trent Alexander-Arnold and his Liverpool future.

    They also look at Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, who was left out of the England squad this month by new head coach Thomas Tuchel.

  13. get involved

    'No player is bigger than the club'published at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Whether Trent Alexander-Arnold leaves or not, the most important priority at the moment is to win the Premier League. LFC have always said “no player is bigger than the club,” Liverpool have always managed to replace players without a lot of fuss.

    Jed, Cyprus

  14. Paper talk - 'Real hopes rise of sealing Alexander-Arnold debut'published at 08:48 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The Daily Telegraph

    The back page of Wednesday's Daily TelegraphImage source, Daily Telegraph

    On the back page of Wednesday's Daily Telegraph, their football focus is on Trent Alexander-Arnold.

    They have used the headline "Real hopes rise of sealing Alexander-Arnold deal."

  15. Paper talk - Tuchel 'left out Maguire due to form'published at 08:44 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The Times

    The back page of Wednesday's edition of The TimesImage source, The Times

    On the back page of The Times, the focus is on Harry Maguire's omission from Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.

    They also discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's future and a look at former players who are currently training to become referees.

  16. 'It's embarrassing' - Marquinhospublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    Argentina 4-1 Brazil

    Marquinhos of Brazil and Emiliano Martínez of Argentina argue at the end of the first halfImage source, Getty Images

    Brazil captain Marquinhos has apologised to the fans after an "embarrassing" display in their 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat by Argentina in Buenos Aires.

    Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone were on target for Argentina, whose World Cup qualification was confirmed before kick-off by Bolivia's draw with Uruguay.

    Matheus Cunha replied for the five-time world champions, who suffered their worst defeat in World Cup qualifying and are not yet guaranteed of a place in next year's finals.

    "What we did here can't happen again," Marquinhos told Brazilian TV station Globo. "It's hard to talk about it in the heat of the moment. It's embarrassing."

    He added: "We started the game badly, far below what we could do and they're on a great run of confidence. They knew how to play smart. I'm sorry for our fans."

  17. Paper talk - 'Lockout threat'published at 08:37 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The Daily Mail

    The back page of Wednesday's Scottish Daily MailImage source, Scottish Daily Mail

    In Scotland, the back page of the Daily Mail is reporting that Rangers could see a stand at Ibrox closed by Uefa if fans reoffend after a "racist and/or discriminatory banner" was displayed. They use the headline "Lockout threat".

    It also looks at quotes from Neil Lennon following his recent appointment as Dunfermline's manager.

  18. Paper talk - 'We're being Kaned'published at 08:32 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    Daily Mirror

    The back page of Wednesday's Daily MirrorImage source, Daily Mirror

    The Daily Mirror looks at those comments from Harry Kane, using the headline "We're being Kaned."

    There is also a look at Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, who was left out of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.

  19. get involved

    'Baffled by the contract strategy'published at 08:27 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I have to say even as a non-Liverpool fan, but admirer, I'm absolutely baffled by the contract strategy there. I think it's shocking that they're letting these players go for nothing, its incredible. I also particularly admire Van Dijk and Salah for keeping a strong mental focus. At the same time I would not be surprised when the news finally hits them that Liverpool just aren't really doing much to keep them. I have heard Slot say a couple of times that it's nothing to do with him and not his responsibility to which I also strongly disagree. If the manager is saying that about his players I'm also confused about how that motivates them and gets them giving 100% week-in, week-out. The only people I'd let go are the ones responsible for contract renewals at Liverpool.

    Adam, London

  20. Paper talk - 'We are ignored'published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 26 March

    The Daily Mail

    The back page of Wednesday's Daily MailImage source, Daily Mail

    The Daily Mail looks at those comments from Harry Kane, using the headline "We are ignored."

    There is also an exclusive report from them which carries quotes from referees chief Howard Webb, who says top referees are earning £240,000 a year.