European Super Football

Club Brugge 1 - 3 Aston Villa Aston Villa took control of their Champions League last-16 tie with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, capitalising on a late collapse from the Belgian side to gain an advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg. Author - Jamie P Stadium - Jan Breydelstadion Pictures from the away end Brugge had looked the more composed team for much of the contest but were left to rue their own mistakes after conceding twice in the closing stages against an underwhelming Villa. The hosts’ downfall began when Brandon Mechele inadvertently turned Morgan Rogers’ cross into his own net. Just five minutes later, a careless challenge from Christos Tzolis on Matty Cash gifted Villa a penalty, which Marco Asensio confidently dispatched. The three-time Champions League winner has now scored three goals in his last two appearances for the club. How the match unfolded Leon Bailey gave Villa the perfect start, volleying home inside three minutes to put the visitors in front. ...

Club Brugge 2 - 1 Atalanta  Gustaf Nilsson won and converted a controversial late penalty as Club Brugge edged past Atalanta in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - Jan Breydelstadion The Belgian champions started brightly and got their reward when teenage winger Chemsdine Talbi pounced on a loose pass before setting up Ferran Jutgla, who fired a right-footed shot into the top left corner after 15 minutes. Atalanta hit back just before half-time, with Croatia international Mario Pasalic nodding in Davide Zappacosta’s cross from the left. However, deep into stoppage time, Swedish defender Isak Hien was penalised for holding off his fellow countryman Nilsson with his arm. After a VAR check, Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler upheld his decision to award the penalty. A fascinating encounter in Belgium. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com youtu.be/ciZwuAcTHgA?... [image or embed] — European Super Football ( @superfootball.bsky.soc...

Club Brugge 6 - 0 Rangers (Club Brugge won 9-1 on aggregate) Russell Martin’s Rangers crashed out of the Champions League in humiliating fashion, suffering a record-equalling six-goal defeat against Club Brugge to seal a heavy aggregate loss. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Jan Breydelstadion Pre match atmosphere Before kick-off Martin insisted Rangers were “calm” despite a stuttering start to the season, but supporters are unlikely to share that sentiment with Celtic due at Ibrox  on Sunday. A closer look at a terrible first 45 minutes An error-strewn opening eight minutes in Belgium encapsulated Martin’s difficult start as manager, with Rangers five goals down by the interval. The defence crumbled as  Nicolo Tresoldi ’s diving header found the net and Max Aarons was dismissed three minutes later for dragging down  Christos Tzolis  after a simple ball sliced through the back line. Captain Hans Vanaken headed in from a corner before the hosts scor...