European Super Football

It's time to explore the career of another football icon Andrés Iniesta is widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time.  Author |  Kieran M He was praised by fans and pundits alike for his balance, ball control and agility in close spaces, combined with his skill, composure, and flair on the ball. Iniesta would spend most of his career at Barcelona, where he played a major role in the club's success along with his midfield partners Xavi and Sergio Busquets. One European Super Football contributor told us: "He was one of the greatest midfielders ever. I used to love watching him and I'm not even a Barcelona fan." Jack L told us: "A wonderful player. The most important player in those memorable Barcelona and Spain sides." A closer look at his career Iniesta started his professional career through La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, after an early migration from his birthplace, and impressed from an early age. He made his first-tea...

Sturm Graz 2 - 1 Rangers Rangers’ troubled start to the season deepened with a second successive Europa League defeat, this time against Austrian champions Sturm Graz. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Merkur Arena View from the away end A stoppage-time winner at Livingston on Sunday had finally given Russell Martin ’s side their first Premiership victory at the seventh attempt, but any sense of momentum was quickly undone by Tomi Horvat ’s early strike. Rangers contributed to their own downfall once again. James Tavernier’s careless throw-in deep inside his own half was punished swiftly, the ball worked back and fired beyond the uncertain Jack Butland. The defence as a whole was culpable for the second. A precise free-kick sliced through a static backline and Otar Kiteishvili, the Georgian international, finished decisively before half-time. READ MORE |  Braga stun Celtic after VAR controversy READ MORE |  Postecoglou endures fan backlash after a damaging defeat If the night looked...

Nottingham Forest 2 - 3 Midtjylland Ange Postecoglou endured a furious supporter backlash as his winless start as Nottingham Forest head coach stretched on with a damaging defeat to Midtjylland. Author | Frank L Stadium | The City Ground The Danes spoiled Forest’s party on the club’s long-awaited return to European football at the City Ground, 29 years since their last appearance. Postecoglou has failed to win any of his opening six matches since taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo last month and chants of “sacked in the morning” rang out from the stands as the game drifted towards its close. Midtjylland exposed Forest’s frailty at set pieces in the first half, with Ousmane Diao and Mads Bech punishing slack defending. Dan Ndoye briefly drew the hosts level between those goals, only for the visitors, second in Denmark’s Superliga, to reclaim the lead within two minutes. It was a stuttering performance from Forest, who lost Murillo to injury again, against a physical and well-dril...

Celtic 0 - 2 Braga Celtic suffered further European disappointment as goals in each half and a controversial disallowed equaliser earned Braga victory in what was a chaotic encounter. Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Celtic Park Kick-off Kasper Schmeichel had an error-strewn game in goal and failed to keep out Ricardo Horta 's early long-range effort, which stunned the Celtic Park crowd into silence. The Dane then did well to keep out a late shot but was helpless when the ball bounced off Gabri Martinez in a botched clearance and rebounded into the net to seal all the points. After their Champions League qualification failure against Kairat Almaty , and an opening Europa League draw with Red Star Belgrade , this continued Celtic's disappointing start to their European campaign. In fact, so sharp has been the drop-off since last season, that Brendan Rodgers ' side may struggle to qualify for the latter stages of the Europa League unless they can find their way again, and q...

Dynamo Kyiv 0 - 2 Crystal Palace  Goals from Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah gave Crystal Palace their first ever away win in European competition. Author | James Lees Stadium | Motor Lublin Arena Playing football the Glasner way. Our European journey begins with three points ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/tqvWlaqOjF — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 2, 2025 Daniel Muñoz set Palace on their way with a looping header from Yeremy Pino’s back-post cross, marking a historic first goal in the group stage of European competition for the club. Eddie Nketiah, introduced from the bench, added a second just before the hour. The forward finished sharply from close range after a fine piece of skill and precise delivery by Pino on the left. The strike sparked jubilation among the 3,500 travelling Palace supporters and not even the late dismissal of Borna Sosa, who picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, could dampen the celebrations. Towards the end of the match, nineteen-year-old ...

Napoli 2 - 1 Sporting Rasmus Højlund scored twice to seal a win for Napoli where there were a number of familiar names facing off. Author | Paul L Stadium | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona On loan from Manchester United, the Denmark striker struck in each half, with Kevin De Bruyne supplying both assists as the pair combined to decisive effect against determined opposition. Luis Suárez pulled one back from the penalty spot to give Sporting hope and the visitors pressed for an equaliser in a frantic finale, but Napoli held firm to take the points. ⏹️ Full time! #NapoliSportingCP 2-1 💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/uD8KRXbWve — Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) October 1, 2025 A closer look at what happened Sporting made a lively start as Geovany Quenda and Iván Fresneda combined to deliver a dangerous cross, but Napoli’s defence cleared with Fotis Ioannidis poised to pounce. Napoli had lost just once in their previous 17 home fixtures in the Champions League and they soon a...

Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiacos Gabriel Martinelli struck early to set Arsenal on their way to a second successive Champions League victory as they overcame Olympiacos. Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium The Brazilian forward, who had a goal and an assist in the win over Athletic Club on matchday one, was again decisive. When Viktor Gyökeres bulldozed through the home defence only to see his shot pushed onto the post by Konstantinos Tzolakis, Martinelli reacted quickest to turn in the rebound. Bukayo Saka, introduced from the bench, added the second in stoppage time with a low effort that squirmed through the legs of the goalkeeper to confirm the result.  They are now well and track to qualify directly for the last-16 of the competition which will be a huge bonus for Arteta as they look to compete on multiple fronts this season. A closer look at what happened Pre match atmosphere Mikel Arteta, who made six changes from the side that edged Newcastle on Sunday, was able to rotate he...

Barcelona 1 - 2 PSG Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as elite side once more as they overcame injuries to defeat Barcelona. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys The holders arrived in Catalonia without their injured front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, as well as captain Marquinhos, while João Neves was ruled out after the warm-up. Yet Luis Enrique’s side, who claimed the treble last season by dismantling Internazionale 5-0 in the final, still found a way to take all three points. Barcelona, champions of Spain and among the most watchable teams in Europe until their semi-final elimination last term, began brightly. Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal carried a threat from the flanks and the hosts deservedly went in front. PSG responded with composure and their tireless full-backs created both goals. Mayulu, 19, who had announced himself with a strike in the Munich final, netted his second in the competition before substi...

Monaco 2 -2 Manchester City Eric Dier's controversial last-minute penalty earned a Champions League draw for Monaco against Manchester City, despite Erling Haaland scoring twice. Author |  Macca Stadium | Stade Louis-II Erling Haaland struck twice in the first half to bring his tally to 52 goals in just 50 Champions League appearances as Manchester City extended their unbeaten run to five matches. But City were denied victory in dramatic fashion when Eric Dier converted a 90th-minute penalty after being caught in the head by Nico Gonzalez. The story of the match Haaland barely had a touch in the opening quarter of an hour but made the breakthrough with his first involvement, latching on to Josko Gvardiol’s lofted pass before dinking a calm finish over Philipp Köhn. The lead lasted only three minutes as Jordan Teze unleashed a spectacular strike from distance that flew into the top corner, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma helpless. City dominated possession thereafter and Phil Foden cam...

Union Saint-Gilloise 0 - 4 Newcastle United  Newcastle United recovered from their weekend against Arsenal with a comfortable win at Union Saint-Gilloise. Author | Anthony Gates Stadium | Lotto Park Eddie Howe’s side had been left reeling after that dramatic loss to Arsenal at the weekend, yet they showed no sign of a setback in Brussels, producing a confident display to secure their first away win in the competition since 2003. A closer look at a brilliant European away day for Newcastle The breakthrough came on 17 minutes when Anthony Elanga’s cross was only half-cleared and Sandro Tonali met the ball on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s volley deflected off Nick Woltemade, leaving Kjell Scherpen stranded. Union, making their debut in the Champions League, refused to buckle and Nick Pope was required to save well from Adem Zorgane. But just before the interval, Newcastle doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Elanga was felled by Fedde Leysen. Gordon dispatc...

Atletico Madrid 5 - 1 Eintracht Frankfurt Antoine Griezmann scored his 200th goal for as they thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt for their first Champions League win of the season. Author | Paul L Stadium | Metropolitano Stadium Pre match atmosphere Manager Diego Simeone was watching on from the stands after being given a one-match touchline suspension by UEFA for "unsporting conduct" in the 3-2 loss to Liverpool. Atleti needed just four minutes to find the back of the net with Giacomo Raspadori slotting home Giuliano Simeone's cutback. The Spaniards doubled their lead at the Metropolitano when defender Robin Le Normand struck from Julian Alvarez's corner. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Alvarez's stunning mazy run was finished off by former France forward Griezmann, before he celebrated by holding up a 'Grizi 200' shirt to the crowd. Griezmann almost had another in the second half, but it was ruled out for handball. Pictures from the stands J...

Pafos 1 - 5 Bayern Munich Harry Kane extended his remarkable scoring streak with two goals as Bayern Munich swept aside Pafos. Author |  Ed Stadium | Alphamega Stadium Bayern Munich dominated possession throughout The England captain , now 32, has 102 goals in 105 appearances for Bayern since joining from Tottenham for £86.4m in August 2023. This season alone he has 17 in nine club games, including 11 in his last five, alongside a goal for his country in their 5-0 win over Serbia earlier this month. For Pafos, it was a historic night as they hosted their first Champions League group match, but their hopes were quickly undone. Kane opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a first-time finish from Michael Olise ’s pass. Raphael Guerreiro added a second soon after, before Nicolas Jackson claimed his first Bayern goal since arriving on loan from Chelsea, again thanks to Olise’s creativity. Kane struck again on 34 minutes to make it 4-0, though Mislav Orsic briefly lifted the ho...

Bodø / Glimt 2 - 2 Tottennham Hotspur Tottenham avoided a major upset in the Champions League as they came from two goals down to salvage a draw against Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt. Author |  Greg S Stadium | Aspmyra Stadion Spurs, who beat the same opponents home and away on their way to lifting the Europa League last season, were second best for long spells and went behind early in the second half when Jens Petter Hauge curled a fine effort into the far corner. The home side were soon in dreamland as Hauge once again stole the show, turning sharply away from Pedro Porro before drilling low into the bottom corner. Micky van de Ven gave Spurs a lifeline with a powerful header from Porro’s cross, and Destiny Udogie struck the bar with another header as the visitors pressed for a leveller. READ MORE |  Defence key for Spurs against Villarreal READ MORE |  Another weekend of fascinating action in the Premier League Their breakthrough came with a minute remaining,...

Chelsea 1 - 0 Benfica  A much-needed win for Chelsea as they picked up their first points of their Champions League campaign. Author |  Lauren W Stadium | Stamford Bridge  View from the stands José Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge ended in disappointment as Chelsea edged past his new club Benfica with a narrow Champions League win sealed by Richard Rios ’ first-half own goal.  The affection from the home crowd was evident, with Mourinho serenaded throughout and responding with waves to both ends of the ground, but the evening turned on a moment of misfortune when the Colombian midfielder diverted Alejandro Garnacho ’s driven cross beyond his own goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin . Chelsea, however, did little to convince despite the victory. Garnacho spurned chances on his second start and teenage substitute Estevão Willian forced only a late save from Trubin, while João Pedro ’s stoppage-time dismissal for a second booking made it three red cards in four matches ...

Galatasaray 1 - 0 Liverpool Liverpool slipped to a second successive defeat as Galatasaray claimed a Champions League victory on a deafening night in Istanbul. Author |  William G Stadium | RAMS Park Arne Slot opted to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench following the loss at Crystal Palace, but his side struggled to find rhythm against the backdrop of a raucous RAMS Park. Their problems deepened when goalkeeper Alisson limped off in the second half, shortly after producing a fine stop to deny Victor Osimhen. Osimhen had already put the hosts ahead after 16 minutes, converting from the spot after referee Clément Turpin judged Dominik Szoboszlai to have fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz. The goal came moments after Davinson Sánchez had cleared Cody Gakpo’s effort off the line. Salah and Alexander Isak were introduced just after the hour in a bid to spark a response, but Liverpool could not find a way back. They believed a late reprieve was coming when Ibrahima Konaté was awarded a penalty,...

Kairat Almaty 0 - 5 Real Madrid Kylian Mbappé struck a hat-trick to take his tally to 60 Champions League goals as Real Madrid dismantled Kairat Almaty. Author | Jack L Stadium | Ortalyq stadıon Against all the odds, the home side nearly scored in the opening seconds. A long ball just a short moment after kick-off nearly resulted in a memorable moment. This would be a chance wasted as Real Madrid had well and truly woken up. The France captain eventually opened the scoring on the from the penalty spot after home goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza clattered into Franco Mastantuono. He added a second midway through the second half, latching on to Thibaut Courtois ’ long pass and lifting the ball over Kalmurza, before sealing his treble from close range after earlier missing a gilt-edged chance. Kairat briefly thought they had a way back when Valeri Gromyko won a penalty, but VAR overturned the decision. Madrid then pulled further clear with late goals from Eduardo Camavinga, who headed ...

Let's explore what happened as pressure starts to build on same managers... There was also late winners and equalisers across the country Author |  Josh D Before a ball was kicked this weekend, media outlets including European Super Football brought you the news that Graham Potter had been sacked as West Ham United manager. The biggest talking points United slip to defeat against Brentford The pressure builds again on the Manchester United boss as they lost 3-1 at Brentford. Igor Thiago struck twice inside the opening 20 minutes, punishing slack United defending to put the hosts firmly in control. Benjamin Sesko halved the deficit with his first goal since his £74m summer switch from RB Leipzig, offering the visitors hope of a comeback. That hope grew when Brentford captain Nathan Collins hauled down Bryan Mbeumo in the box, handing Fernandes the chance to level. After a lengthy stoppage, including a VAR red card check and two Brentford substitutions, the United captain’s low strik...

Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Sociedad Robert Lewandowski headed in a second-half winner as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Real Sociedad and move to the top of the La Liga table. Author |  Jack L Stadium | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys Real Sociedad had taken a surprise lead in the 31st minute when Alvaro Odriozola slid in to finish Ander Barrenetxea's low cross on the counter-attack. Barcelona responded just before half-time as Jules Kounde met Marcus Rashford's corner with a powerful header to level the scores. Hansi Flick introduced Ballon d'Or runner-up Lamine Yamal in the 58th minute, and the 18-year-old immediately made an impact, beating a defender before delivering a precise cross that Lewandowski nodded home. Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, impressed once again, creating chances down the left and testing Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro with dipping shots either side of the interval. He was withdrawn in the 78th minute, with Flick likely considering the ...

Atletico Madrid 5 - 2 Real Madrid Simeone’s side end Real’s perfect start with biggest derby haul since 1950 Author | Jack L Stadium | Metropolitano Stadium Fantastic atmosphere in Madrid Atletico Madrid scored five goals against city rivals Real for the first time in almost 75 years as they came from behind to claim a pulsating derby victory. It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five in a Madrid derby, the last occasion being a 6-3 triumph in November 1950. Real, who had begun the season with six straight La Liga wins and opened their Champions League campaign by beating Marseille, fell to their first defeat of the campaign. The five conceded equalled their heaviest league loss since a 5-1 reverse to Barcelona in October 2018. Different pictures from the stands Diego Simeone ’s side struck first when Robin le Normand headed them in front, but goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler turned the game in Real’s favour. Alexander Sorloth equalised in first-half stopp...