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Showing posts with the label France

PSG sweep aside Atletico Madrid in Pasadena

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PSG 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid Champions League winners start Club World Cup with emphatic win Author | Jack L Stadium | Rose Bowl Paris Saint-Germain made a commanding start to their first-ever Fifa Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Atletico Madrid in Pasadena. The newly crowned European champions controlled proceedings from the outset in the sweltering California heat, dominating possession in front of a crowd of 80,619 at the iconic Rose Bowl.  They had a remarkable 82.6% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes, setting the tone for what turned into a one-sided affair. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring with a precise low strike from the edge of the area, giving Jan Oblak no chance. Goncalo Ramos had several opportunities to extend the lead but was wasteful in front of goal, missing the target three times. Vitinha doubled the advantage just before the break, gliding through the heart of the Atletico defence before finishing coolly past Oblak. The Slovenian goalkee...

Spain edge nine-goal thriller

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Spain 5 - 4 France Spain edged a breathless nine-goal contest against France to book their place in the Nations League final, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal stealing the spotlight in Stuttgart. Author | Jack L Stadium | MHPArena The Barcelona prodigy struck twice in a dazzling performance as Spain raced into a commanding 5-1 lead. Yamal, already being tipped as a Ballon d’Or contender, won and converted a penalty, before adding a smart finish to cap a stunning attacking display.RE Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino had put Spain 2-0 up before Yamal's spot-kick, while Pedri added a fourth after a slick move involving Williams. Kylian Mbappé responded for France from the penalty spot after Pedro Porro was penalised. READ MORE |  Portugal reach Nations League final Yamal’s second seemed to have killed the game, but France mounted a remarkable late comeback. Substitute Rayan Cherki announced himself on debut with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box, before a Dani Vi...

PSG are Champions League winners

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PSG 5 - 0 Inter Milan An extraordinary night in Munich saw PSG thrash Inter Milan to win their first Champions League Author | Jack L Stadium | Allianz Arena The French champions produced a dominant display to dismantle Inter Milan in what will be remembered as one of the most one-sided finals in the competition's history. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring after just 12 minutes, setting the tone for a ruthless performance from the French champions. Desire Doue doubled the advantage with a powerful finish at the near post, before completing his brace shortly after the hour mark with a clinical counter-attacking move. READ MORE |  Champions League: 2024/2025 Luis Enrique’s side were relentless, harrying Inter into submission. Their fourth came when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia calmly slotted past Yann Sommer after a well-timed run. Luis Enrique is now the sixth coach to win this tournament with two different clubs, having previously triumphed with Barcelona in 2015. He was watching ...

How PSG and Inter got to the brink of glory

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The journey to the 2025 Champions League final PSG face Inter in Saturday’s Champions League. How did we get there? Let's explore some of the key moments from this season's competition. Starting with the semi-finals and working backwards. Author | Josh D Semi-finals second leg PSG 2 - 1 Arsenal (PSG won 3-1 on aggregate) Another trophyless season for Arteta’s side. Their hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since 2006 came to an end in Paris. Click here to read more reaction from London Super News . Did PSG deserve this relatively comfortable result? Inter Milan 4 - 3 Barcelona (Inter won 7-6 on aggregate) Inter Milan staged a remarkable late comeback to beat Barcelona in one of the most thrilling Champions League semi-finals in recent memory. Semi-finals first leg Barcelona 3 - 3 Inter Milan Barcelona twice came from behind to earn a draw against Inter Milan in a pulsating six-goal Champions League semi-final first leg, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of ...

Arsenal’s Champions League adventure ends in Paris

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PSG 2 - 1 Arsenal (PSG won 3-1 on aggregate) Arsenal’s hopes of reaching a first Champions League final since 2006 came to an end in Paris Author - DJ Stadium - Parc des Princes Mikel Arteta’s side arrived needing to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg, but once again ran into the formidable presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, outstanding in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium, delivered another superb performance with a series of saves that kept Arsenal at bay during a frenetic opening spell. Donnarumma was alert to block Gabriel Martinelli's close-range effort, then produced an even more impressive stop to push away a low, driven shot from Martin Ødegaard as the visitors looked to strike early. Against the run of play, PSG took the lead on the night after 27 minutes. Fabian Ruiz collected a loose clearance from Thomas Partey and unleashed a speculative effort from 20 yards that deflected past David Raya and into the net. READ MORE: Rea...

Dembele gives PSG first-leg lead

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Arsenal 0 - 1 PSG Arsenal must come from behind if they are to reach the Champions League final, after Ousmane Dembele's early goal gave Paris Saint-Germain a first-leg advantage at the Emirates Stadium. Author -  DJ Stadium - Emirates Stadium Dembele struck just four minutes in, sweeping a low finish past David Raya after being picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The goal capped a dominant opening spell from the visitors, who pressed high and carved out further chances, including a strong effort from teenager Desire Doue that Raya did well to stop. Once again, PSG were indebted to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian goalkeeper, who produced key performances in earlier rounds against Liverpool and Aston Villa, was in commanding form, denying Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with sharp saves either side of half-time. Arsenal grew into the contest and thought they had equalised when Mikel Merino headed in from a Declan Rice free-kick, but a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal...

Nine goal thriller at Old Trafford

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Manchester United 5 - 4 Lyon (Manchester won 7-6 on aggregate) Where do we even start with this one? A memorable night in Manchester. Author - Olivia T Stadium - Old Trafford Manchester United staged one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory, scoring twice in the final minute of extra time to pull off an astonishing 5-4 comeback against 10-man Lyon at Old Trafford. Having thrown away a two-goal lead in just seven chaotic minutes during normal time, and then conceding twice more in extra time, United looked destined for a humbling European exit. Bruno Fernandes then offered a glimmer of hope when he slotted home a penalty with six minutes left on the clock, following a VAR review that overturned the initial decision to wave away a foul on Casemiro. READ MORE:  UEFA Europa League and Conference League: 24/25 READ MORE: Manchester United news and stories With the atmosphere inside Old Trafford transformed into a wall of noise, teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo showed ...

Villa out despite dramatic win against PSG

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Aston Villa 3 - 2 PSG (PSG won 5-4 on aggregate) Aston Villa came agonisingly close to pulling off a famous comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, only to fall short on a night of high drama and raw emotion in the Champions League. Author - Thomas J Stadium - Villa Park   Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Villa’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals were dealt a huge blow early on, as two goals in the opening 30 minutes appeared to settle the tie. Emiliano Martínez’s uncharacteristic error gifted Achraf Hakimi the opener, before Nuno Mendes added a second to leave the hosts needing four unanswered goals. But Villa, roared on by a ferocious home crowd, refused to lie down. Youri Tielemans gave them a lifeline with a deflected effort just after the half-hour mark, and from there, the match descended into glorious chaos. READ MORE:  Champions League: 2024/2025 READ MORE:  Barca qualify despite scare against Dortmund The second half was pure theatre. John McGinn ignited the co...

Stoppage-time equaliser denies Manchester United

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Lyon 2 - 2 Manchester United A stoppage-time equaliser from Lyon has left Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final delicately poised at the halfway point. Author - Olivia T Stadiun - Groupama Stadium United fell behind after 25 minutes when Thiago Almada’s wide free-kick evaded a strong enough touch from André Onana, whose uncertain handling continues to draw scrutiny. But just before the break, United drew level through Leny Yoro. The 18-year-old notched his first goal for the club, reacting sharply to Manuel Ugarte’s volley and steering it into the bottom corner. The visitors looked to have snatched a late winner when Joshua Zirkzee, introduced from the bench, guided a looping header past the goalkeeper from Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 88th minute. However, with virtually the last kick of the game, Onana fumbled a shot from Georges Mikautadze, allowing Rayan Cherki to tap in and spark celebrations in the Lyon end. READ MORE:  UEFA Europa League and Conference Le...

Villa fall to first leg defeat in Paris

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PSG 3 - 1 Aston Villa Paris Saint-Germain overturned a first-half deficit with three exceptional goals to see off Aston Villa in an entertaining first leg at the Parc des Princes.  Author - James L Stadium - Parc des Princes . Morgan Rogers gave the visitors a surprise lead, but second-half finishes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes, along with a first-half equaliser from Désiré Doué, gave the Ligue 1 champions a deserved victory. A closer look at what happened in Paris Having wrapped up the French title at the weekend, PSG looked sharp from the off. Ousmane Dembélé returned to the starting line-up and quickly tested Emiliano Martínez with a powerful early effort. Villa, to their credit, weathered the early storm and nearly fell behind when Vitinha curled narrowly over from the edge of the area. Then came the opener, and it was the Premier League side who struck first with a goal very much against the run of play. John McGinn won the ball deep in his own half and...

Mbappe couldn't inspire France in first-leg defeat

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Croatia 2 - 0 France France captain Kylian Mbappe's return to the national team ended in a surprising defeat against Croatia in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final. Author - Jack L Stadium - Stadion Poljud Ante Budimir's header bounced off the France goalkeeper and spun into the net, giving Croatia a 26th-minute lead. Former Tottenham winger Ivan Perišić then scored a well-placed shot into the bottom corner to extend their advantage just before halftime. Croatia could have been ahead earlier, but Andrej Kramaric's eighth-minute penalty was saved by Maignan with his feet, while Josko Gvardiol's powerful shot from long range was also kept out by the AC Milan keeper. France now face a tough task to turn the tie around in Sunday's second leg at the Stade de France. They have failed to win any of their last three matches in the Nations League when conceding first, with their last victory in such circumstances occurring against Spain in October 2021. M...

Liverpool knocked out of Champions League

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Liverpool 0 - 1 PSG (Finished 1-1 on aggregate) PSG won 4-1 on penalties Liverpool’s hopes of European glory were beaten dramatically as Paris Saint-Germain edged them out on penalties at Anfield, ending their Champions League campaign. Author - William G Stadium - Anfield PSG, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Paris, showed their growing maturity under Luis Enrique, knocking out a Liverpool side widely seen as strong contenders for the title. Ousmane Dembélé’s early strike set the tone for the comeback, with Liverpool struggling to break down a disciplined PSG, who remained a constant threat on the counter. Over the two legs, PSG were fully deserving of their victory , with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proving the hero in the shootout. The Italian made crucial saves from Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones before Désiré Doué buried the decisive penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations among the visiting fans. Liverpool had begun with intent, looking to build on t...

Premier League leaders to face PSG in Champions League

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It will be Paris St-Germain v Liverpool in the Champions League last 16. The first of the two-legged tie will be the first time Liverpool have faced PSG since 2018-19. Author - William G The winners of that tie will face Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals. At one point, the French Champions looked to be heading out of the competition before a late run of form saw them finish 15th in the league phase.  They were defeated by Arsenal before a 4-2 victory over Manchester City set up an all-France knockout phase play-off with Brest which they won 10-0 on aggregate. The first leg will take place in Paris Liverpool will need a plan to deal with Ousmane Dembele. The former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona forward is one of the in-form goalscorers in Europe right now, with six goals in this season's Champions League. Interestingly, Liverpool have not won any of their past five away games against French clubs, since a Champions League victory against Marseille in 2008. Click...

French champions take charge against Brest

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Brest 0 - 3 PSG Paris Saint-Germain took a firm grip on their all-French Champions League play-off tie against Brest, with Ousmane Dembélé continuing his red-hot form by bagging another two goals. Author - Liam C Former Wolves loanee Vitinha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after Pierre Lees-Melou was penalised for handling a shot from Dembélé. The France international doubled PSG’s lead just before half-time, clinically finishing after Brest failed to close him down. He then added his second and PSG’s third in the 66th minute, seizing on a loose ball inside the box. Dembélé has now netted 18 goals in his last 11 outings for PSG across all competitions, taking his tally for the season to 23 as the Ligue 1 leaders continue to dominate. Brest, making their Champions League debut this season, had little luck in front of goal. Shortly before Dembélé’s first strike, Abdallah Sima hit the post with a header from a corner, and moments later, PSG’s Achraf Hakimi ...

Villa suffer Champions League setback

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Monaco 1 - 0 Aston Villa Aston Villa missed the opportunity to all but guarantee their place in the Champions League knockout stages after a narrow defeat to Monaco at the Stade Louis II. Author - JP The only goal of the game came in the eighth minute when Wilfried Singo headed in from close range. Emiliano Martinez had done well to block Thilo Kehrer's initial effort, but Singo was quickest to react. Villa struggled to find their rhythm but did create chances to equalise. Monaco’s goalkeeper, Radoslaw Majecki, made two key saves before half-time, first stopping Leon Bailey after some neat play by Emiliano Buendia and then comfortably dealing with Ollie Watkins’ shot, also set up by Buendia. The latest Champions League news can be found here . Monaco thought they had doubled their lead early in the second half, but Maghnes Akliouche’s strike was ruled out for offside. Despite the setback, the hosts continued to threaten, twice breaking through Villa’s defence, only to be deni...

Manchester City consider shock move for Paul Pogba

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Could Paul Pogba be returning to Manchester? Reports suggest Manchester City are exploring the possibility of signing Paul Pogba as the midfielder prepares to return to professional football in March.  Author - Macca It is believed that Pogba is hesitant about a move back to Manchester due to his previous experiences with City’s fierce rivals, Manchester United. Pogba’s career has been on hold following a doping ban that initially sidelined him for four years. That suspension was recently reduced to 18 months, making him eligible to return to action in March 2025. The 31-year-old parted ways with Juventus in November, leaving him as a free agent. City are reportedly considering Pogba as they navigate one of the most challenging campaigns of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. A combination of injuries and recruitment struggles has left their squad stretched thin, particularly in midfield.  What's going wrong for Manchester City? Tottenham thrash Premier League champions Rodri’s absenc...

Arsenal eventually ease to win over Monaco

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 Arsenal 3 - 0 Monaco Bukayo Saka shone with a brace as Arsenal secured a crucial win over Monaco, bolstering their chances of advancing to the Champions League knockout stages. Author - DJ The Gunners dominated the first half but squandered several opportunities to make the result more emphatic. Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Myles Lewis-Skelly threaded a pass to Gabriel Jesus, whose low cross set up Saka for an easy finish. In the second half, substitute Kai Havertz capitalised on an error from goalkeeper Radosław Majecki in the 74th minute, allowing Saka to strike from close range for his second of the night. Saka then turned provider in the 88th minute, delivering a pinpoint cross for Havertz, who slotted in Arsenal’s third goal. Click here for more Arsenal news and stories Champions League: 2024/2025 A closer look at what happened Despite the late flurry of goals, Arsenal missed several clear-cut chances earlier in the match. Gabriel Jesus was twice...