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The Kings League seven-a-side soccer format announced on Tuesday it had raised $63 million from investors led by U.S.-based Alignment Growth to support global expansion projects, taking its total funding since its launch in 2023 to over $160 million, Reuters reported. 

“We have proven that our model works at scale. This funding allows us to accelerate our expansion, continue innovating the format and explore strategic M&A opportunities that support our long-term vision,” Kings League CEO Djamel Agaoua said in a statement.

Created by former Spain defender Gerard Pique in 2022, the league has regional hubs in European countries including Spain, Germany and France. The investment led by Alignment Growth, a media and entertainment investor, will support its launch in the U.S. following its recent start in Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters. 

Adrien Rabiot scored one goal and laid on another as AC Milan eased to a commanding 3-0 Serie A victory over hosts Bologna on Tuesday to keep the heat on their city rivals Inter Milan at the top of the table, Reuters reported. 

The win takes second-placed Milan to 50 points from their 23 games, five points behind leaders Inter. Bologna stay in 10th place with 30 points from 23 games.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring after 20 minutes before Christopher Nkunku added the second from the penalty spot six minutes before the break after he had been fouled by home goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia, according to Reuters. 

Arsenal booked their spot in the League Cup final by beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday thanks to an injury-time goal by former Blues attacker Kai Havertz, sealing an aggregate 4-2 win over their London rivals, Reuters reported. 

After a cagey first hour of the semi-final second leg, with each goalkeeper making only one save, Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior switched to a more attacking formation by bringing Cole Palmer and Brazil winger Estevao off the bench.

They were followed by Alejandro Garnacho – scorer of both Chelsea’s goals in Arsenal's 3-2 first-leg win at Stamford Bridge – as the visitors went in search of the goal they needed to level the aggregate score, according to Reuters. 

Barcelona ended Albacete’s giant-killing run in the Copa del Rey, winning 2-1 away on Tuesday to become the first side to book a semi-final berth, but only after surviving a late comeback from the second-tier outfit, Reuters reported. 

Lamine Yamal swept home a 39th-minute strike to open the scoring and captain Ronald Araujo netted from a second-half corner as Barcelona stayed on course to defend the trophy they won last year.

Albacete pulled one back through Javier Moreno in the 87th minute and then had an effort cleared off the Barca line in stoppage time as they made a late bid for another high-profile scalp, according to Reuters.