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Showing posts with the label Spain

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...

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...

More protests against La Liga's American plans

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There have been protests against the decision to have La Liga matches outside the country Players in La Liga stood still for the opening 15 seconds of matches on Saturday in protest against the league’s decision to stage a fixture in Miami. Author |  Jack L The demonstrations came during high-profile games involving Barcelona and AtlĂ©tico Madrid, who hosted Girona and Osasuna respectively, and followed the example set by Oviedo and Espanyol on Friday evening. Identical protests took place in Sevilla’s meeting with Mallorca and Villarreal’s clash with Real Betis. As during the Oviedo v Espanyol game, television coverage of Barcelona’s fixture avoided showing the action on the pitch during the protest, instead cutting to shots of the stadium exterior. In other matches, cameras focused tightly on the centre circle rather than offering a wide view of the players standing motionless. The protests stem from the Spanish football federation’s decision in August to approve Villarreal’s ...

Spain remain on course to qualify for World Cup

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Spain 2 - 0 Georgia Spain maintained their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with a comfortable victory over Georgia in Elche. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Manuel MartĂ­nez Valero Crystal Palace midfielder Yeremy Pino opened the scoring after 24 minutes, tapping in from close range after Robin le Normand’s knockdown. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili then conceded a penalty for fouling Ferran Torres, but redeemed himself moments later by saving the Barcelona forward’s spot-kick. Tottenham defender Pedro Porro struck the post with a curling effort as Spain continued to control proceedings and carve out chances. Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal eventually made it 2-0 with a superb free-kick, beating Mamardashvili at his near post with a powerful strike. Mamardashvili continued to impress though. He denied Torres once more in the 88th minute, helping to keep the scoreline respectable for Georgia, who were otherwise outclassed. The result keeps Spain firmly on track ...

La Liga and Serie A matches to be played abroad

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Controversial news from UEFA  European league matches will be played abroad for the first time Author | Olivia T UEFA given approval for La Liga and Serie A to each host a match overseas this winter, marking the first time European league fixtures will be played on different continents in what could prove a highly contentious move. La Liga sides Villarreal and Barcelona will now meet in Miami in December in what would be the first European league fixture held outside Europe. The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami hosted games in the Club World Cup In February, AC Milan’s Serie A match against Como is set to take place in Perth, Australia. As expected, this announcement has caused a lot of reaction and analysis from football fans across Europe and the rest of the world. One Barcelona fan from the United States told us: "I don't want this. If you want to watch your team play, you should go the city they're based in. They shouldn't come to you as it's a massive slap in the ...

Sevilla stun Barcelona with fantastic performance

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Sevilla 4 - 1 Barcelona Barcelona squandered the chance to return to the top of La Liga after being comprehensively beaten by Sevilla. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio RamĂłn Sánchez Pizjuán Sunny scenes from the stands in Sevilla Needing a win to overtake Real Madrid , the defending champions endured their heaviest defeat to Sevilla since a 4-0 loss in 1951. Robert Lewandowski missed a second-half penalty after Marcus Rashford had pulled one back with a left-footed volley in first-half stoppage time, briefly giving the visitors hope of overturning a two-goal deficit. Hansi Flick’s side were second best for much of the contest and deservedly fell to their first league defeat of the season against opponents who had not beaten them in La Liga for more than a decade. Source | FC Barcelona's YouTube channel Former Barcelona winger Alexis Sánchez opened the scoring from the penalty spot after captain Ronald AraĂşjo fouled Isaac Romero near the byline. Romero added a second from a...

Vinicius Junior scores twice in Real Madrid win

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Real Madrid 3 - 1 Villareal Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid continued their recovery from last weekend’s heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid v Villarreal highlights youtu.be/jsz6qAwlCEg?... [image or embed] — Super News Affiliate ( @eurosuperfootball.bsky.social ) 5 October 2025 at 17:54 Author | Jack L Stadium | Santiago BernabĂ©u After a frustrating first half, which saw the Real players booed off at the break, Vinicius opened the scoring just 90 seconds into the second period. The Brazilian collected a flick-on from Kylian Mbappe , cut inside from the left and struck a shot that took a significant deflection off Santi Comesana , deceiving Villarreal goalkeeper Arnau Tenas at the near post. Vinicius remained Real’s main threat, adding a penalty in the 69th minute after being bundled over in the box by Rafa Marin. He calmly slotted the ball under Tenas to extend the lead. READ MORE | Real Madrid's midweek Champions League win Villarreal continued to offer...

Andrés Iniesta | Barcelona and Spain legend

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It's time to explore the career of another football icon AndrĂ©s 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...

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...

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...

Mbappé was the star again for Real Madrid

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Kairat Almaty 0 - 5 Real Madrid Kylian MbappĂ© 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 ...

Barcelona come from behind as Rashford impresses again

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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 OlĂ­mpic LluĂ­s 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 hit five to stun Real in historic derby win

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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...

Forest denied a winning return to European football

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Real Betis 2 - 2 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest were denied a winning start to their Europa League campaign as Antony struck an 85th-minute equaliser for Real Betis. Author | Kieran M Stadium | Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla Forest players celebrate Forest, playing in continental competition for the first time in 29 years, endured a difficult start when Cedric Bakambu fired the hosts ahead on 15 minutes. The visitors responded quickly, though, with Igor Jesus levelling from close range four minutes later after fine work from captain Morgan Gibbs-White . The Brazilian forward, a £10m summer signing from Botafogo , put Forest in front in the 23rd minute with a well-placed header from Douglas Luiz ’s corner. He almost had a hat-trick soon after, his effort blocked following an enterprising run from Elliot Anderson , who impressed throughout in midfield. Callum Hudson-Odoi also struck the post as Forest pushed for a decisive third. They were ultimately denied victory when former Manch...

Kylian Mbappé on form for Real Madrid

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Levante 1 - 4 Real Madrid Kylian MbappĂ© struck twice as Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the La Liga season with a comfortable win at Levante. Author |  Jack L Stadium | Estadio Ciudad de Valencia Full-time scenes The French forward’s brace, coming within the space of two minutes, secured a sixth consecutive victory and stretched Madrid’s lead at the top to five points over Barcelona. A closer analysis of what happened MbappĂ©’s first came from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, a delicately executed Panenka past Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan . Moments later, he doubled his tally with a composed finish after being slipped through by Arda GĂĽler, taking his total to seven league goals this campaign. VinĂ­cius JĂşnior had earlier opened the scoring with a moment of brilliance, bending the ball into the far corner with the outside of his boot from a tight angle.  READ MORE |  Real Madrid 2 - 0 Espanyol READ MORE |  Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid...

Real Madrid's perfect start to their La Liga campaign continues

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Real Madrid 2 - 0 Espanyol Real Madrid maintained their flawless start to the La Liga season with a hard-earned victory over Espanyol, making it five wins from five. Author | Jack L Stadium | Santiago BernabĂ©u Espanyol adopted a compact defensive shape that for long periods frustrated Carlo Ancelotti’s side, restricting their ability to produce the free-flowing football so often associated with them. The breakthrough came courtesy of a spectacular strike from Éder MilitĂŁo, the Brazilian centre-back unleashing a thunderous 30-yard effort into the top corner after 22 minutes. Espanyol’s resistance was further undone shortly after half-time when a lapse in concentration left Kylian MbappĂ© unmarked on the edge of the box. The forward, teed up by VinĂ­cius JĂşnior, made no mistake in drilling home his seventh goal in six games this season. There was also a welcome return for Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder, sidelined since undergoing surgery on a long-standing shoulder problem in ...

Marcus Rashford ruins Newcastle's Champions League party

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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 ...

Virgil van Dijk the hero as Liverpool leave it late again

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Liverpool 3 - 2 Atletico Madrid Arne Slot's side are certainly making a habit of these late winners. This time it was Virgil van Dijk with the deciding goal. Author | William G Stadium | Anfield Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 92nd minute sealed the victory, marking the third time this season that the side have struck in stoppage time.  Arne Slot’s side had looked in danger of letting the game slip away after surrendering a two-goal lead, established inside the opening six minutes by Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. Marcos Llorente scored twice for Atletico , but Liverpool’s habit of finding late winners endured. A closer look at what happened Liverpool made the perfect start, taking the lead inside four minutes in fortunate circumstances. Salah’s low free-kick deflected off Robertson, wrong-footing Jan Oblak and finding the net. Two minutes later, the Reds doubled their advantage with a slick move. Salah exchanged passes with Ryan Gravenberch before calmly finishi...