14-time European champions, Real Madrid beat defending champions Manchester City on penalties to book their place in a fourth successive UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Perhaps owing to the pressure of knowing a spot in the last-four was on the line, a cagey start at the Etihad did come as a slight surprise after the first leg in the Bernabéu began in such frantic circumstances. It was City who drew first blood on that occasion, but Real were quickest out of the blocks in East Manchester, nosing ahead inside 15 minutes when at the second time of asking, Rodrygo fired…
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Arsenal have been sent out of the UEFA Champions League after they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Joshua Kimmich scored the decisive goal with a powerful header in the 63rd minute, as the Germans progress to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate after the two teams had drawn 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg. Bayern Munich had endured a poor domestic season and were without key players Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman because of injury. The game was seen as an ideal opportunity for the Gunners to reach a Champions League semi-final…
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, on Tuesday beat Lobi Stars of Makurdi, 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium to move to 4th on the log. A goal in each half was all the Oluyole Warriors needed to silence the visitors. Alex Aghahowa put 3SC in front in the 3rd minute as he scored from close range after goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel spilled a well taken free kick by skipper Malomo Taofeek. The goal brought out the best in both sides as the visitors pressed for the leveller while Shooting Stars made efforts to increase the tally. None of the…
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat Barcelona at Camp Nou to turn around a first-leg deficit and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Barca won the first leg 3-2 in France, but PSG took advantage of an early Barcelona sending off to secure their place in the last four for the first time since 2021. Barcelona scored from their first notable attack to extend their lead from the first leg just 12 minutes in, as Lamine Yamal glided past Nuno Mendes and cut back a ball that was touched home by Raphinha. PSG were offered hope in the 29th minute,…
Borussia Dortmund have qualified for their first Champions League semi-final in 11 years after a 4-2 second leg win over Atletico Madrid, winning 5-4 on aggregate. Having lost the first leg 2-1 in Madrid last week, Dortmund quickly turned things around in the tie with Julian Brandt and Chelsea loannee Ian Maatsen both scoring from tight angles in the first half. But Atletico Madrid came back stronger after the break, and made it 2-1 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate when Mario Hermoso’s header deflected in off Dortmund defender Matts Hummels in the 49th minute. Angel Correa then gave…
Cole Palmer scored four goals, which included a perfect hat-trick inside the first 29 minutes, as Chelsea trashed Everton 6-0 at Stamford Bridge to move to within three points of the European qualifying spots. Palmer broke the deadlock in the 13th minute by curling a beautiful strike into the bottom corner after nutmegging Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and playing a one-two with teammate Nicolas Jackson. He doubled the lead five minutes later, heading in a rebound after a Jackson shot had been saved by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford. And the 21-year-old completed his perfect hat-trick midway through the first half…
In Germany, Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface scored and provided an assist for Bayer Leverkusen in their 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, as they win their first-ever Bundesliga title on Sunday. Boniface broke the deadlock in the 25th minute after converting from the penalty spot. He then provided the assist for Leverkusen’s second goal scored by Granit Xhaka in the 60th minute. The 23-year-old has now recorded 11 goals with eight assists in 18 league appearances this season. Also in action for Leverkusen was Nathan Tella, who came on in the 62nd minute. In Italy, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored…
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have won the German Bundesliga title for the first time in their history. Leverkusen beat Werder Bremen 5-0 on Sunday to move 16 points clear of Bayern Munich – who have won the last 11 Bundesliga titles – with five games left to play. Incredibly, Alonso’s side remain undefeated in all competitions and on course for a historic treble. Leverkusen hold a 2-0 advantage over West Ham ahead of Thursday’s Europa League second leg and will face second-division Kaiserslautern in the German cup final. Leverkusen are the 13th club to win the Bundesliga, and the first…
Arsenal relinquished control of the Premier League (PL) title race after being beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium by Aston Villa, ending the Gunners’ five-match winning streak at home in the league. Both sides came into the fixture buoyed after teams around them in the table had dropped points earlier in the weekend. Arsenal were hoping to return to top spot and it was the Gunners with the early chances with Kai Havertz proving dangerous. First, the German saw a shot at the near post saved by Emiliano Martínez, before creating space in the box for Gabriel Jesus to have…
Liverpool’s week went from bad to worse as they lost ground in the Premier League title race in a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, who won at Anfield for the first time since April 2017. After a 3-0 home defeat against Atalanta in Europa League in the midweek, many expected Crystal Palace to face the wrath of Liverpool at Anfield. But it didn’t quite work out that way in the opening exchanges, as for the 21st time this season, the Reds conceded the opening goal. It was little surprise from a Palace point of view that Eberechi Eze was involved,…