European Super Football

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 Dembélé 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...

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...

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...

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 Konaté made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time with another powerful header. Virgil van Dijk...

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 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 Olímpic Lluís 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...

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 4 - 0 Atlético 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 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 ...

Eintracht Frankfurt 5 - 1 Galatasaray Eintracht Frankfurt recovered from an early setback to secure a commanding win over Galatasaray in their Champions League opener. Author | Ed Stadium | Deutsche Bank Park Pre-match scenes In a raucous atmosphere, the visitors struck first after only eight minutes. Former Manchester City winger Leroy Sané won possession in his own half, surged forward and slipped in Yunus Akgün, who finished neatly into the bottom corner. Frankfurt, however, turned the game on its head with three goals in the space of 12 minutes before the interval. Davinson Sánchez was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net after Ugurcan Çakir had parried Ritsu Dōan’s effort.  Moments later, 19-year-old Turkey international Can Uzan scored against his country’s champions with an instinctive strike on the turn. On the stroke of half-time Galatasaray conceded a second own goal, Wilfried Singo heading past his own goalkeeper while attempting to clear a free-kick. Home fan...

Newcastle United 1 - 2 Barcelona Marcus Rashford made a spectacular Champions League bow for Barcelona as Newcastle United's campaign got off to a losing start at St James' Park. Author | Anthony Gates Stadium | St James' Park The forward, on loan from Manchester United, broke open a tense contest with two decisive second-half strikes that left Eddie Howe’s side chasing shadows. A closer analysis of what happened Howe had raised eyebrows with his team selection, opting to leave £69m summer signing Nick Woltemade on the bench and deploying Anthony Gordon through the middle. The experiment faltered as Newcastle found themselves increasingly overwhelmed by Barcelona’s control, with Rashford the clinical difference. It was an emphatic statement from Rashford, who featured in the tournament while on loan at Aston Villa last season, and who slotted seamlessly into Barcelona’s attack despite the absence of injured teenager Lamine Yamal . The 26-year-old received a standing ...