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Showing posts with the label France

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...

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...

A preview of this week's Champions League action

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Matchday three in the Champions League is here... For those teams with 100% records, a win this week puts them on them well and truly on the path to automatic qualification to the last 16. Author |  Peter Grainger This preview will focus on the five English sides competing in this season's competition and their opposition. Mourinho and Benfica head to Newcastle Newcastle United host Benfica at St James’ Park, aiming to follow up their win over Union SG with another step toward the Champions League knockout stage.  Eddie Howe’s team lost their opener to Barcelona but responded strongly in Belgium, and a second win would move them closer to qualification. Benfica travel to Tyneside still searching for their first points of their Champions League campaign after back-to-back defeats, including a 3-2 home loss to Qarabag that cost Bruno Lage his job. Can Benfica utilise Mourinho's experience at this level? City hope to end unwanted Champions League  run against Villar...

The career of icon Raphaël Varane

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"Champions League Varane..." RaphaĂ«l Varane is a former French professional footballer who played as a centre-back for Real Madrid, Manchester United and the France national side. Author | Peter Grainger   The start of his career Varane began his career at French club Lens, starting with their youth team. Ahead of the 2010–11 season, he began training with the senior squad and appeared on the bench in several league games. He made his professional debut in 2010 at just 17 years old.  Becoming an iconic defender at Real Madrid After one season as a professional, he joined Real Madrid, where he spent ten years, from 2011 to 2021, winning eighteen trophies. These included three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, four UEFA Champions League titles , and four FIFA Club World Cups.  Known for his pace, composure, and partnership with Sergio Ramos , many fans believe that he was instrumental in Madrid’s successes. It would be very hard to argue with them.  One of...

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...

Paris St-Germain begin Champions League defence in emphatic fashion

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PSG 4 - 0 Atalanta Paris St-Germain began the defence of their Champions League crown in emphatic fashion with a commanding win over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes. Author | Andrea Stadium | Parc des Princes The holders, who lifted their first European title with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in May, quickly imposed themselves on another Serie A opponent. Marquinhos struck inside three minutes, steering in Fabian Ruiz’s low cross from the left. Luis Enrique’s side created a flurry of chances as Nuno Mendes fired narrowly wide, teenager Senny Mayulu saw an effort deflected over and Marco Carnesecchi produced fine saves to keep out Bradley Barcola and Achraf Hakimi. The pressure eventually told when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead before half-time, the Georgian skipping past defenders and rifling home from 18 yards. Enrique, who had taken a vantage point high in the stands for the opening half, saw his side handed the chance to extend their advantage from the spot after Yu...

Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid

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Real Madrid 2 - 1 Marseille Kylian MbappĂ© scored twice from the penalty spot as 10-man Real Madrid fought back to beat Marseille in their opening Champions League fixture. Author | Jack L Stadium | Santiago BernabĂ©u Madrid were dealt an early setback when Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury inside three minutes. Matters worsened when his replacement, Dani Carvajal , was dismissed 18 minutes from time for a head-to-head confrontation with Marseille goalkeeper GerĂłnimo Rulli. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the 15-time European champions prevailed thanks to MbappĂ©, who dispatched both spot-kicks with power and precision to take his tally to six goals in five appearances this season. A closer analysis of what happened Marseille had drawn first blood in the 22nd minute through Timothy Weah , whose thunderous effort beat Thibaut Courtois after Mason Greenwood had seized on an error from Arda GĂĽler in midfield. Their advantage was short-lived, ho...

Paris St-Germain win UEFA Super Cup

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PSG 2 - 2 Tottenham Hotspur (PSG won 4-3 on penalties) Paris St-Germain staged a dramatic late comeback to win the UEFA Super Cup on penalties, denying Thomas Frank a first trophy as Tottenham manager. Author | Greg S Stadium | Bluenergy Stadium Spurs had led 2-0 with six minutes remaining and looked set for an impressive victory until substitute Gonçalo Ramos headed a 94th-minute equaliser at the  Bluenergy Stadium . The game went straight to penalties, with PSG missing first through Vitinha . Micky van de Ven , who had earlier opened the scoring, saw his spot-kick saved by Lucas Chevalier , while Mathys Tel fired wide for Spurs. Nuno Mendes then converted the decisive penalty. A closer look at what happened Frank, taking charge of Tottenham for the first time since replacing Ange Postecoglou in May, had seen his side take control in Udine .  For the opener, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario , positioned just inside the PSG half, lofted a ball to the back post where C...

Are PSG going to sign a new keeper this summer?

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Chevalier in, Donnarumma out for PSG? Paris Saint-Germain have stepped up their pursuit of Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, with negotiations now under way to bring the 23-year-old goalkeeper to the capital.  Author | Ed Interesting news for PSG fans this morning. [image or embed] — Super News Affiliate ( @sup3rnew5affiliate.bsky.social ) 27 July 2025 at 12:26 PSG's interest in the France international has been long-standing, but talks have now entered a more concrete phase, with PSG holding discussions over a five-year deal. Chevalier, who is under contract at Lille until 2027, has agreed broad personal terms with the Ligue 1 champions, leaving the two clubs to settle the final details. PSG are aware that Lille president Olivier LĂ©tang will not be an easy negotiator, and are preparing to meet an asking price that could exceed €40 million. While the fee itself is not expected to be a stumbling block, negotiations over add-ons, clauses and bonuses could take longer to finalise. Lille, w...

Ten-player Germany stun France after shootout

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France 1 - 1 Germany - Germany won 6-5 on penalties Germany pulled off a remarkable victory over France to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2025, winning a dramatic penalty shootout despite playing with 10 players for nearly 110 minutes. Author | Jamie P Stadium | St. Jakob-Park The eight-time champions lost Kathrin Hendrich to a straight red card in the 13th minute after the defender was caught pulling Griedge Mbock’s hair in the box. Grace Geyoro converted the resulting penalty to give France an early lead. What followed was a display of remarkable discipline and resolve from Christian WĂĽck’s side, who dug deep to level through Sjoeke NĂĽsken’s header and then held firm through extra time before triumphing 6-5 in the shootout. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the standout performer. After a string of impressive saves in normal and extra time, she made the decisive stop to deny Alice Sombath and send Germany through to a semi-final against world champions Spain. READ MORE |...

Chelsea are world champions

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Chelsea 3 - 0 PSG Cole Palmer inspired a stunning Chelsea performance as they downed European champions PSG to win the Club World Cup. Author | Lauren W Stadium | MetLife Stadium The England attacking midfielder scored twice and set up a brilliant third goal for new signing Joao Pedro in a comprehensive 3-0 win over in-form PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Palmer placed a low shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 22nd minute after Malo Gusto ran in behind Nuno Mendes, adding a second with a neat dummy and identical shot from the edge of the box just eight minutes later. His defence-splitting pass allowed Joao Pedro to lob Donnarumma just before half-time to stun a team branded the best in the world by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca before kick-off. READ MORE | Visit London Super News for more reaction READ MORE | Full story of the controversial competition from Super News Affiliate   In the second half Khvicha Kvaratskhelia immediately tested Blues goalke...

PSG ease to win over Real Madrid

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PSG 4 - 0 Real Madrid Paris St-Germain cruised into the Fifa Club World Cup final with a commanding win over Real Madrid, setting up a showdown with Chelsea on Sunday. Author | Peter Grainger Stadium | MetLife Stadium The semi-final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was effectively settled within the opening 25 minutes, as the European champions tore through a surprisingly fragile Madrid side. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Raul Asencio failed to clear under pressure, with the referee allowing play to continue despite Thibaut Courtois bringing down Ousmane Dembele moments earlier. Dembele, a constant menace, doubled the lead soon after when he pounced on a miscued clearance from Antonio Rudiger and calmly slotted past Courtois. READ MORE |  Club World Cup news and stories The third arrived before the half-hour mark, Ruiz finishing neatly after an intricate exchange between Achraf Hakimi and Dembele carved open the defence. Real, without the injured...

PSG's memorable season continues

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PSG 2 - 0 Bayern Munich Paris St-Germain booked their place in the Club World Cup semi-finals with a dramatic win over Bayern Munich Author | Ed Stadium | Mercedes-Benz Stadium The match was overshadowed by a serious injury to Jamal Musiala and two red cards for the French champions. Desire Doue, the hero of PSG's Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan , broke the deadlock in the 78th minute with a crisp left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Despite being reduced to nine men following dismissals for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, PSG doubled their lead in stoppage time as Ousmane Dembele struck to seal victory and set up a meeting with Real Madrid, who edged past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in New Jersey . The first half in Atlanta had been entertaining but goalless, and ended in worrying scenes for Bayern as Musiala, making his first start of the tournament after injury, suffered what appeared to be a nasty ankle problem. The Germany international was caught by PSG...

England’s Euros defence begins on a frustrating note

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France 2 - 1 England England’s European title defence began on a frustrating note as they slipped to a defeat against France in their heavyweight Group D opener in Zurich. Author | Olivia T Stadium | Stadion Letzigrund Touted as the toughest fixture of the group stage for Sarina Wiegman’s side, it proved to be every bit the challenge they expected but England never truly looked up to it. There were promising flashes in the opening exchanges, with Chelsea’s Lauren James, fit enough to start, offering a glimpse of her talent. But despite a bright few minutes and a disallowed goal from Alessia Russo, chalked off by VAR for an offside against Beth Mead, England struggled to impose themselves for long spells. France seized control from there. Marie-Antoinette Katoto bundled in the opener after 36 minutes and Chelsea forward Sandy Baltimore doubled their advantage just three minutes later. By that stage, England looked unlikely to mount a comeback. READ MORE |  What else has been hap...

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 MbappĂ© 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 ...