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Showing posts with the label Champions League

Phil Foden shines for Man City against Dortmund

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Manchester City 4 - 1 Borussia Dortmund Phil Foden scored twice and Erling Haaland found the net against his former club as Manchester City eased past Borussia Dortmund  Author |  Macca Stadium |  Etihad Stadium Pep Guardiola’s side remain unbeaten after four group matches, and this third win lifts them to fourth in the standings, with the top eight sides set to qualify automatically for the knockout rounds. After last season's struggles in the competition, they look a much better side. A good run this season is absolute must.  Dortmund began brightly under Nico Kovac but their early promise faded as City struck twice in seven first-half minutes to take charge. Foden was at the heart of everything He first forced Gregor Kobel into a sharp save with a fierce drive from distance, then tested the goalkeeper again with a curling free-kick. His persistence paid off in the 22nd minute when he collected the ball on the edge of the area and, afforded too much space, guided a...

Chelsea held by Qarabag despite Garnacho goal

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Qarabag 2 - 2 Chelsea Chelsea escaped suffering a historic loss to Qarabag. Author | Lauren W Stadium | Tofiq BÉ™hramov adına Respublika stadionu Alejandro Garnacho's second-half equaliser meant Chelsea avoided the embarrassment of becoming the first English team to lose to the Azerbaijani side. Garnacho equalised having come on as one of three half-time substitutes with his side 2-1 down after goals from Leandro Andrade and Marko Jankovic had put the hosts ahead following Estevao Willian's early opener for the Blues. Qarabag had lost all seven of their previous matches against English opposition. The last time they were in the Champions League, they faced Chelsea and lost both matches by an aggregate score of 10-0 and secured just two points from six matches. However, they gave Enzo Maresca's side a real scare at the packed 32,000-seater Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, with a squad worth just £22m compared with Chelsea’s, valued at £1.5bn according to figures from Transfermarkt. It...

Juventus' extend their winless run in the Champions League

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Juventus 1 - 1 Sporting Juventus’ search for a first Champions League victory of the season goes on after they were held to a draw by Sporting CP in Turin. Author | Jack L Stadium | Allianz Stadium Dusan Vlahovic levelled midway through the first half, cancelling out Maxi Araujo’s early strike, but Luciano Spalletti’s side were unable to build on their new manager’s bright start. Sporting, buoyed by two wins from their opening three group fixtures, struck first in the 12th minute when Araujo drilled a low shot in off the post. The visitors almost doubled their lead moments later, only for Trincao’s deflected effort to come back off the crossbar. Juventus eventually found some rhythm  Vlahovic forced a superb save from Rui Silva before finally finding the net with a precise finish from Khephren Thuram’s cross. It was the Serbian forward’s first goal from open play in 10 matches, a timely reminder of his quality as uncertainty over his future continues to linger. A third Champions ...

Are Bayern Munich now favourites for this season's Champions League?

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PSG 1 - 2 Bayern Munich Luis DĂ­az struck twice as Bayern Munich extended their flawless start to the season with a statement victory over defending European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Author | Andrea Stadium | Parc des Princes The win was Bayern’s 16th in a row in all competitions and their fourth straight in the Champions League, keeping Vincent Kompany’s side at the top of the league phase table. DĂ­az endured a dramatic evening, scoring both goals before being dismissed on the stroke of half-time for a reckless challenge on Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan full-back left the pitch in tears with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury and was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot. A closer analysis of what happened In a frantic first half at the Parc des Princes, Bayern pressed high and were rewarded when DĂ­az opened the scoring after just four minutes. Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© thought he had equalised midway through the half, chesting in from close range, ...

Spurs recover from weekend defeat with fantastic display

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Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 0 Copenhagen  Ten-man Tottenham delivered a stirring Champions League display as they swept aside Copenhagen to stay unbeaten in the competition Author | Greg S Stadium | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium  Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert put Spurs firmly in control before Johnson’s dismissal for a late challenge on Marcos Lopez briefly threatened to derail their momentum. Any fears were quickly silenced when Van de Ven produced a moment of extraordinary brilliance. Collecting the ball deep inside his own half, the defender surged past five Copenhagen players before slotting home with the composure of a seasoned striker – a goal destined to feature among the best of the season. It was a defiant response from a side booed off after their limp 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend. This time, Spurs’ supporters were on their feet, applauding as Joao Palhinha added a fourth after fine work from Cristian Romero. Tottenham could have had a fifth in stoppage time, but ...

Liverpool almost looked back to their best against Real Madrid

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Liverpool 1 - 0 Real Madrid Liverpool produced one of their most complete displays of the season to overpower Real Madrid and claim a vital Champions League win. Author |  William G Stadium |  Anfield Arne Slot’s Premier League champions had ended a miserable run of six defeats in seven matches with victory over Aston Villa at the weekend, and the resurgence gathered pace here as Real were swept aside. The scoreline barely reflected Liverpool’s control. Alexis Mac Allister finally made the breakthrough midway through the second half, heading in Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick to reward a dominant performance in which the home side carved out chance after chance. Thibaut Courtois was exceptional in the Real goal, pulling off a series of stunning saves – four from Szoboszlai and another fine reflex stop to deny Virgil van Dijk – to keep the visitors alive far longer than they deserved. Super Local Sports News | Merseyside | Champions League | Five classic matches between Li...

Arsenal ease to win over Slavia Prague

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Slavia Prague 0 - 3 Arsenal Mikel Merino struck twice as Arsenal eased past Slavia Prague, extending their winning streak to eight matches in all competitions. Author | DJ Stadium | Fortuna Arena This was also an eighth consecutive clean sheet, equalling a club record that has stood since 1903 and spanned two separate seasons. Closer analysis of what hardened Merino led the line in place of the injured Viktor Gyokeres and, much like when he filled in for Kai Havertz last season, showcased his adaptability by providing both a focal point and a decisive impact. Arsenal broke the deadlock on 32 minutes after VAR intervened to penalise Lukas Provod for handball when Gabriel flicked on a corner. Bukayo Saka made no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with a confident finish into the bottom corner. READ MORE  |   Champions League news and stories from this season Though Mikel Arteta’s side were far from fluent before the interval and survived an early sca...

Harry Kane is getting better with age

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Harry Kane’s best chance yet to claim football’s biggest individual honour Earlier this year, Harry Kane finally ended his long wait for silverware in the 15th season of his professional career, as Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions.  Author |  Peter Grainger The long-awaited triumph paved the way for the England striker to target even greater prizes for club, country and himself. Ballon d’Or ambitions reignited Despite being in the finest form of his career, Kane ranked only 13th at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards in September and has never finished higher than 10th in the prestigious vote. Yet since Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© was crowned the world’s best player in Paris last month, Kane appears to have reached another level entirely. Now 32, he took his tally for the season to 20 goals in just 12 appearances across all competitions as Bayern swept aside Club Brugge 4-0 in the Champions League. Kane knows that if he maintains this relentless scoring r...

Tottenham lucky to escape Monaco with a point

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Monaco 0 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario delivered an outstanding display to help his side earn a crucial point against Monaco. Author | Greg S Stadium | Stade Louis-II Spurs corner The Italian, who has faced criticism this season, was pivotal as Spurs scraped a draw at Stade Louis II following a largely uninspiring performance. Vicario made four impressive first-half saves, three from former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, before producing another stop to deny Maghnes Akliouche. Spurs were forced into a resilient defensive performance against a Monaco side that had previously drawn 2-2 with Manchester City. They came close themselves when Micky van de Ven headed just over before half-time.  After the break, Vicario continued to shine, repelling further efforts from Akliouche and Balogun, and producing the standout moment of the match by brilliantly blocking a Jordan Teze header from point-blank range. Former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamin...

A vision of an exciting future at Stamford Bridge

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Chelsea 5 - 1 Ajax Chelsea made history in the Champions League by becoming the first team to have three teenage scorers as they thrashed a woeful Ajax. Author | Lauren W Stadium | Stamford Bridge Marc Guiu, 19, opened the scoring and briefly became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, striking just over a minute into the match following the sending off of Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor. His record, however, lasted only 33 minutes before Estevao Willian, 18, netted Chelsea’s third goal from a penalty, adding to spot-kicks converted earlier by Enzo Fernandez and Wout Weghorst, as well as a long-range strike from Moises Caicedo in a frenetic first half. Chelsea made three changes at half-time, including forward Tyrique George, who scored within three minutes of coming on to become the third teenager on the scoresheet. Substitute midfielder Reggie Walsh, 17, also made history by becoming the youngest player to appear for the club in the Champions League and the second younges...

Liverpool bounce back in emphatic fashion

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Frankfurt 1 - 5 Liverpool Hugo Ekitike scored against his former club as Liverpool emphatically ended their losing streak, coming from behind to thrash Eintracht Frankfurt. Author | Ed Stadium | Deutsche Bank Park After beginning the season with seven straight wins in all competitions, Liverpool had stumbled badly, suffering four successive defeats, including Sunday’s loss to Manchester United in the Premier League. Their troubles appeared set to continue when Rasmus Kristensen, the former Leeds defender, put Frankfurt ahead after a sluggish opening from the visitors. But Liverpool soon found their rhythm. Ekitike, starting alongside British-record signing Alexander Isak for the first time, levelled ten minutes before the break, latching on to Andy Robertson’s precise long pass and finishing calmly. Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool in front four minutes later from a corner, before Ibrahima KonatĂ© made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time with another powerful header. Virgil van Dijk...

Ruthless PSG thrash Leverkusen

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Bayer Leverkusen 2 - 7 PSG Holders Paris St-Germain delivered a devastating attacking performance to crush Bayer Leverkusen and maintain their perfect start in the Champions League. Author | Sophie T Stadium | BayArena Fantastic atmosphere from both sets of fans Desire Doue struck twice, with Willian Pacho and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also on target in a rampant first half that saw PSG lead 4-1 at the break. Nuno Mendes, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and Vitinha added further gloss to the scoreline after the interval. Pacho opened the scoring after just seven minutes, meeting Mendes’ teasing in-swinging cross with a firm header. Leverkusen had a chance to level when Illia Zabarnyi fouled Claudio Echeverri in the area, but Alejandro Grimaldo struck the post from the spot. Moments later, captain Robert Andrich saw a yellow card upgraded to red after VAR spotted an elbow on Doue. PSG’s man advantage was short-lived. Zabarnyi was dismissed soon after for hauling down Christian K...

Barcelona produce their best performance of the season

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Barcelona 6 - 1 Olympiacos Fermin Lopez scored a hat-trick while Marcus Rashford extended his personal tally to four goals from three Champions League games as Barcelona dismantled Olympiacos. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadi OlĂ­mpic LluĂ­s Companys Lopez’s two precise first-half finishes put Barcelona in command, before his third goal, a Lamine Yamal penalty and a Rashford double ended any brief Olympiacos revival. A closer look at what happened Lopez opened the scoring in the seventh minute, following Yamal’s through ball, finishing past the defenders on the goal-line after goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis blocked but could not hold onto the ball. The Spanish midfielder doubled Barcelona’s lead half an hour later, running onto Dro Fernandez’s pass into space, cutting inside and curling a left-footed strike into the corner. READ MORE |  Champions League news from the 25/26 season The second half began in unusual circumstances. Ayoub El Kaabi appeared to halve the deficit w...

Manchester City ease to win over Villarreal

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Villarreal 0 - 2 Manchester City Erling Haaland found the net for a 12th consecutive game to extend his incredible scoring streak and help City end their winless away run in the Champions League Author | Macca Stadium | Estadio de la Cerámica Haaland's blistering form has brought 24 goals in 14 games for club and country this season, and here it helped City claim three points on the road in Europe for the first time in over a year. The Norwegian's goal to open the scoring was that of a striker with deadly instincts, darting ahead of marker Juan Foyth and converting with a first-time finish from Rico Lewis' low cross. City had opportunities from the off - Haaland headed wide inside two minutes and Jeremy Doku tested Luiz Junior within the first few seconds with a low strike that the home goalkeeper batted away. READ MORE |  Arsenal maintain perfect start in Champions League READ MORE |  Newcastle United impress in win over Benfica Pep Guardiola's side dominated the f...

Arsenal maintain perfect start in Champions League

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Arsenal 4 - 0 AtlĂ©tico Madrid Arsenal scored four times in a dazzling 14-minute spell to sweep aside Atletico Madrid  Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium The home side began with intent, as Eberechi Eze’s deflected shot clipped the crossbar, while Julian Alvarez almost punished David Raya from long range after the goalkeeper ventured out of position. For much of the first half, the contest was tight and tactical, with few clear chances at either end. Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock on 57 minutes, rising to head in Declan Rice’s precise free-kick and spark a remarkable surge. Gabriel Martinelli added a second with a curling finish after a driving run from Myles Lewis-Skelly, before Viktor Gyokeres bundled home to end his seven-game goal drought. The Swedish striker struck again moments later, turning in Gabriel’s knockdown from another Arsenal corner. The result leaves Mikel Arteta’s team with three wins from three and still yet to concede in this season’s competition, a c...

Arsenal maintain perfect start to European campaign

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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...

PSG underline their status as European champions

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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 OlĂ­mpic LluĂ­s Companys The holders arrived in Catalonia without their injured front three of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© and DĂ©sirĂ© DouĂ©, as well as captain Marquinhos, while JoĂŁo 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...

Eric Dier's last-minute penalty earns Monaco a draw

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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...

Gordon penalties help seal win for Newcastle United

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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...

Antoine Griezmann scores his 200th goal for Atletico Madrid

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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...