Brazil midfielder Ramires signed a new five-year deal with Chelsea that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2017.
Goals by Uruguay's Maxi Pereira and Portugal international Nelson Oliveira sent twice European champions Benfica into the Champions League quarter-finals with a convincing 2-0 win over Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.
Sepp Blatter and Brazil 's sports m inister pledged to mend relations after the FIFA president personally apologised for disparaging remarks made by a top official about the country's slow progress in preparing for the 2014 World Cup.
Chelsea fans, fed up and disillusioned with a series of bewildering decisions by the sacked Andre Villas-Boas, cannot wait to find out the team his successor Roberto Di Matteo picks for his first game in charge.
Golf's new world number one Rory McIlroy tried his hand at a different sport, winning a rally against Maria Sharapova during his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki's tennis exhibition.
Milan survived a grilling at Arsenal to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 4-3 on aggregate despite losing the second leg of their last 16 tie 3-0 in north London.
Dwight Howard is the face of the Orlando Magic franchise but the towering center and scoring leader's uncertain future in Florida following a trade request is taking its toll on team moral.
Ecuadorean Deportivo Quito defeated Vélez Sársfield 3-0 in the match for the Group 7 of the Libertadores de América Cup.
Brazil's Fluminense defeated Boca Juniors 2-1 in the match for the Group 4 of the Libertadores de América Cup held at "La Bombonera" Stadium.
Lionel Messi took Bayer Leverkusen apart with a record five-goal Champions League haul as Barcelona swept past the Germans and into the quarter-finals 7-1 on the night and 10-2 on aggregate.