European Super Football

Benfica 4 - 2 Real Madrid Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an extraordinary 98th-minute equaliser to propel José Mourinho’s Benfica into the Champions League play-offs after a remarkable victory. Author | Ed Stadium |  Estádio da Luz The defeat leaves the Spanish giants facing the play-off round themselves, having slipped from third to ninth following their loss at the Estádio da Luz. There remains a strong possibility the two sides will meet again, with Benfica also required to negotiate the additional knockout stage. For a long moment it appeared Benfica would be eliminated in the cruellest fashion, heading out on goals scored despite leading 3-2 deep into stoppage time. One final free-kick, however, offered a last lifeline. Trubin was sent forward and the Ukrainian goalkeeper timed his run impeccably, powering a header beyond Thibaut Courtois to ignite rapturous scenes in Lisbon. The win was Mourinho’s first against his former club and ensured Benfica progressed despite losing ...

Portugal 1 - 0 Republic of Ireland Rúben Neves' stoppage-time header shattered Republic of Ireland’s resistance and sealed a dramatic World Cup qualifying victory for Portugal. Author | Lee Francis Stadium | Estádio José Alvalade View from the stands Neves climbed superbly to meet Francisco Trincão’s cross and glance it beyond Caoimhín Kelleher, rescuing Portugal and sparing Ronaldo’s embarrassment following his missed spot-kick. Ronaldo had seen his penalty saved by Kelleher 15 minutes from time after Dara O’Shea was penalised for handball when blocking Trincão’s goalbound effort. Before that and for much of the evening, it appeared that Ireland would hold firm and leave the Estádio da Luz with a hard-earned point, but Neves’ late intervention condemned them to a second successive defeat, following last month’s surprise loss to Armenia in Yerevan. Ronaldo has penalty saved A 2-0 victory for Hungary over Armenia in Group F’s other match leaves them five points behind leaders Portu...

Benfica 4 - 5 Barcelona Barcelona overcame two separate two-goal deficits to secure a breathtaking victory over Benfica. Author - Peter Grainger The match at Estádio da Luz started disastrously for the visitors as Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis netted a stunning 30-minute hat-trick. The first came from a well-placed cross by full-back Álvaro Carreras, while two further goals were gifted by errors from Barcelona's Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. Robert Lewandowski, however, kept Barca in contention with a first-half penalty after Alejandro Balde was fouled. Barcelona fought back after the break, with Raphinha and Lewandowski scoring either side of an unfortunate Ronald Araújo own goal to leave the score at 4-3. But the drama was far from over. Eric García equalised with a late header, and just when it seemed the game would end in a draw, Raphinha capitalised on a rapid counter-attack in the 96th minute. The Brazilian slotted past Anatoliy Trubin, leaving the home fans stun...

It was a dramatic night in Group H of the Champions League One giant of European competition won't be playing in Europe's premier competition after Christmas. Paris Saint Germain 7 - 2 Maccabi Haifa Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored two goals as Paris St-Germain thrashed Maccabi Haifa to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. Neymar and Carlos Soler also scored while Shon Goldberg scored an own goal. Messi's two goals mean he becomes the first player to score 80 goals in the group phase of the Champions League. PSG top Group H with 11 points from five games, the same as Benfica, while Juventus, who have failed to qualify, and Maccabi Haifa have three.  Highlights from  BT Sport - YouTube One YouTuber commented: "Mbappe and Messi's link-up is phenomenal. Their quick passes are insane!" Another added: "Messi is just something else, people can say whatever they want about the opposition, but football will never ever see anyone like him again. ...

Benfica 2 - 3 Qarabag Qarabag staged a remarkable comeback in Lisbon to become the first Azerbaijani side to win a match in the Champions League proper. Author | Ed Stadium | Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica Making their first appearance in Europe’s elite competition in eight years, Gurban Gurbanov’s team fell two goals behind inside 16 minutes after strikes from Enzo Barrenechea and Vangelis Pavlidis put Benfica firmly in control. Leandro Andrade reduced the deficit on the half-hour with a fine finish before Kady Borges went close, clipping the post. Three minutes after the restart, the visitors stunned the Estadio da Luz when Marko Jankovic split the defence with a precise pass and Camilo Duran, on his Champions League debut, found the far corner. READ MORE |  Juventus and Dortmund play out a classic in Turin READ MORE |  Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid The decisive moment came five minutes from time. Substitute Oleksii Kashchuk collected the ball with his back to g...