The Nation Newspaper

Tag: UCL

  • UCL: PSG comeback to beat Spurs in 8goal thriller

    UCL: PSG comeback to beat Spurs in 8goal thriller

    For the first hour, Thomas Frank’s side produced a vastly improved performance compared with the limp display that drew heavy criticism after their north London derby loss to Arsenal, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to hold off PSG.

    Richarlison put Spurs ahead after 35 minutes with a close-range header, but PSG struck a crucial equaliser moments before half-time when Vitinha fired a superb right-footed effort high past Guglielmo Vicario.

    Five minutes into the second half, Randal Kolo Muani restored Spurs’ lead with a scrambled finish against his parent club. But it triggered a devastating PSG surge—the kind that swept past Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in last season’s tournament—producing three goals in 12 relentless minutes.

    Read Also: PSG, Barcelona renew interest in Osimhen, agent confirms

    Vitinha levelled again with another stunning strike, this time on his left foot, before a mistake from Pape Matar Sarr allowed Fabian Ruiz to put PSG in front for the first time. Willian Pacho then capitalised on further defensive confusion to add a fourth.

    Kolo Muani briefly reignited Spurs’ hopes with a powerful finish in the 72nd minute, but PSG quickly extinguished any chance of a comeback when Vitinha completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Cristian Romero handled in the area.

    The holders finished with 10 men after substitute Lucas Hernandez received a stoppage-time red card for a blatant elbow on Xavi Simons.

  • UCL: Thuram nets brace as Inter beat Ajax 2-0

    UCL: Thuram nets brace as Inter beat Ajax 2-0

    Marcus Thuram scored either side of half-time as Inter Milan cruised to a comfortable Champions League victory at Ajax.

    The French forward twice headed in from Hakan Calhanoglu corners to maintain his rich vein of form at the start of the present campaign.

    Thuram, 28, has now registered five goals in four games in all competitions this term and his efforts provided last season’s finalists with the perfect start to the league phase of the competition as they attempt to banish memories of their thrashing in the showpiece by Paris St-Germain.

    While there has been a change in the dugout, with former coach Simone Inzaghi departing in the aftermath of that final debacle, current boss Cristian Chivu fielded eight of the side that started in Munich four months ago.

    And he was rewarded with a fluid and confident display, with Thuram playing a starring role.

    Read Also: Lilian Thuram: ‘Racism has always been a scam, political construction’

    The former Borussia Monchengladbach forward carried a threat all evening, which more than made up for the absence of strike partner and captain Lautaro Martinez, who was left on the bench after struggling with a back issue.

    Even before scoring Thuram had flashed an effort wide and had a penalty decision reversed after the video assistant referee (VAR) spotted him commit a foul on home defender Youri Baas, before the 22-year-old pulled him down in the box.

    Had Ajax’s 20-year-old Belgian winger Mika Godts converted a gilt-edged opportunity for the hosts, just under two minutes before Thuram’s opener, the match may have followed a different trajectory.

    But he was brilliantly denied by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer on the only occasion the hosts had a clear sight of goal.

    Inter welcome Slavia Prague to the San Siro for their next Champions League match on Tuesday, 30 September (20:00 BST), while Ajax travel to France to play Marseille on the same evening (also 20:00 BST).

    BBC

  • UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    UCL: PSG begin title defence with emphatic 4-0 win over Atalanta

    Holders Paris St-Germain made the perfect start to the defence of their Champions League title with an emphatic win against Atalanta.

    Having become European champions for the first time with a 5-0 thumping of Inter Milan in May’s final, they dominated against another Serie A side at the Parc des Princes.

    Captain Marquinhos opened the scoring in only the third minute, side-footing into the net following Fabian Ruiz’s low cross from the left.

    PSG had plenty of chances, but Nuno Mendes shot just wide, teenager Senny Mayulu had an effort deflected over and Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi made excellent saves to deny Bradley Barcola and Achraf Haikimi.

    But a second goal was always coming and the hosts doubled their advantage in style in the 39th minute thanks to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solo goal that saw him run at the visiting defence before firing home from 18 yards.

    Read Also: Atalanta omit  ‘unrepentant’ Lookman for UCL opener at PSG

    PSG boss Luis Enrique was watching the first half from high up in the stands to get a better view tactically and his side should have made it 3-0 when they were awarded a penalty after Marquinhos was fouled by Yunus Musah.

    However, with Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue both missing because of injury, Barcola took the spot-kick only to see his weak and central effort easily saved by Carnesecchi.

    Nevertheless, PSG did get their third five minutes into the second half with Mendes firing past the Atalanta keeper at his near post from a tight angle.

    The Italian side, managed by former Southampton boss Ivan Juric, rarely tested home goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier and conceded a fourth goal in added time when Raoul Bellanova’s poor backpass was intercepted by Goncalo Ramos with the substitute calmly finishing.

    PSG’s next Champions League games see them visit Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen in October, before home matches against Bayern Munich and Tottenham in November.

    Atalanta will be looking to beat Club Brugge at home in their next match in the competition on Tuesday, 30 September.

    BBC

  • UCL: Kane scores twice as Bayern secure 3-1 win over Chelsea

    UCL: Kane scores twice as Bayern secure 3-1 win over Chelsea

    England striker Harry Kane exploited error-prone Chelsea to score twice in Bayern Munich’s 3-1 Champions League win.

    Kane, 32, won and scored and penalty before sealing victory in the second half through a curled shot after a Malo Gusto mistake.

    Earlier, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah scored an own goal, while a returning Cole Palmer had placed a shot into the top corner to pull one back on his 100th appearance in all competitions for the west Londoners.

    There were warnings in the second half as Michael Olise and Kane missed good chances when Chelsea – back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022-23 season – were chasing an equaliser.

    Ultimately, Gusto’s misplaced pass led to Kane’s curled shot in the 63rd minute that ended the match as a contest.

    It was one of a number of defensive mistakes, including the visitors switching off at a drop-ball situation before Chalobah’s own goal and midfielder Moises Caicedo bringing Kane down in the box.

    Read Also: El-Kanemi Warriors edge Barau FC in Preseason Friendly

    Chelsea squandered a positive start, missing early chances through Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.

    Meanwhile, Palmer also had a late goal ruled out for a narrow offside.

    The Blues were ultimately out-thought by a more streetwise and experienced Bayern side, who have won their opening Champions League match for the 22nd season in a row.

    Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 39, played his 151st match in the Champions League. By contrast, Chelsea’s entire 24-man squad had made only 117 appearances at this level before kick-off.

    The west Londoners next welcome Benfica in the Champions League, which could see Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge, with the Portuguese expected to be appointed manager this week.

    BBC

  • UCL winner deserves Ballon d’Or – Ronaldo

    UCL winner deserves Ballon d’Or – Ronaldo

    Al Nasr star Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Champions League winner should automatically receive the Ballon d’Or.

    He shared this opinion ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final in Munich between Portugal and Spain.

    “In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies.

    ”The Ballon d’Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League,” the 40-year-old forward told reporters.

    First awarded in 1956 by French magazine, France Football, the Ballon d’Or is awarded to the player considered the best over the previous season.

  • EPL: Man City’s late two goals keep UCL qualification alive

    EPL: Man City’s late two goals keep UCL qualification alive

    Manchester City remain on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League after winning at Everton with two late goals.

    An uninspiring contest looked to be heading for a drab draw before being brought to life with six minutes remaining when young full-back Nico O’Reilly stole in from close range to convert Matheus Nunes’ cutback.

    Substitute Mateo Kovacic added a second in injury time on the stretch as Pep Guardiola’s men climbed to fourth in the table, four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, who face neighbors Fulham on Sunday.

    Read Also: De Bruyne inspires Man City comeback against Palace 

    The first half was often flat and made for a poor spectacle, with Everton’s best chance going the way of centre-back James Tarkowski, who rose highest to James Garner’s corner and flicked a header against the post.

    On the stroke of half-time, City could have gone ahead with a rapid break forward but Kevin de Bruyne saw his goalbound strike brilliantly cleared off the line by Jake O’Brien’s diving header.

    Savinho’s low drive was kept out by Jordan Pickford’s sharp save in the second period, before City had the final say.

    BBC

  • Three star Arsenal stun Madrid in UCL rout

    Three star Arsenal stun Madrid in UCL rout

    Declan Rice’s two fantastic free-kicks and a striker’s finish from Mikel Merino gave Arsenal an emphatic 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.

    The hosts had the better of the first half as Real began slowly, with Eduardo Camavinga almost conceding a calamitous own goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger’s clearance before Thomas Partey shot straight at Thibault Courtois.

    Real grew into the contest and threatened on the break, but Courtois was by far the busier goalkeeper and produced a stunning double save on the stroke of halftime to keep the game level.

    There was no stopping Rice’s opener, though, a fierce shot around the wall and beyond Courtois in the 58th minute for the midfielder’s first senior goal from a direct free kick.

    Read Also:UCL QF: Things to know as Inter Milan hosts Bayern Munich

    Arsenal could have been two-up shortly after, but for more heroics from Courtois, who produced a diving stop from Gabriel Martinelli followed by another from Merino in between David Alaba’s goalline block.

    Rice’s second free kick was even better than the first, curled straight into the top corner in the 70th minute, to leave the 15-time European champions looking stunned.

    Merino then coolly fired substitute Leandro Trossard’s pull-back into the bottom corner 15 minutes from time to give Arsenal a sizeable lead to take to Madrid next week.

    Real will have to try and overhaul that lead without Camavinga, who was shown a second yellow card in the closing seconds for kicking the ball away.

    The winner of the tie will face either Aston Villa or Paris St Germain in the semi-finals

  • UCL QF: Things to know as Arsenal welcomes Real Madrid

    UCL QF: Things to know as Arsenal welcomes Real Madrid

    Arsenal is set to face one of the most daunting challenges of their season as they welcome Real Madrid to the Emirates for the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals. 

    The Gunners have been in superb form under Mikel Arteta, boasting an exciting blend of youth and experience that has propelled them to the upper echelons of European football. 

    However, this clash with Madrid, a club with 15 Champions League titles and a storied history of success, presents a monumental test. 

    Arsenal fans will be hoping their team can replicate their league performances on the European stage, with key players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus expected to lead the charge against the reigning Spanish champions.

    Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, enters the quarterfinals with a wealth of experience and an impressive pedigree in the competition. 

    With the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modrić, and Toni Kroos leading the way, Madrid’s blend of seasoned winners and dynamic youth makes them one of the most dangerous teams in Europe. 

    Bellingham, in particular, has been a revelation since joining, adding creativity and crucial goals to the midfield. 

    Arsenal will need to be at their absolute best, both tactically and mentally, to get past the mighty Real Madrid and advance to the semifinals, in what promises to be a thrilling two-legged affair.

    Here are a few things to know about the dreaded contest:

    1. This will be just the third meeting between Arsenal and Real Madrid in European competition, following their last 16 tie in the UEFA Champions League in 2005-06. Arsenal won 1-0 in the first leg away from home, before drawing 0-0 at Highbury in the second leg (1-0 on aggregate).

    2. Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Real Madrid have played 22 matches against English sides in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League (W11 D5 L6). This is 10 more than any other team against sides from a specific nation in this period, after Liverpool and Manchester City’s 12 meetings each with Spanish teams.

    3. Real Madrid have beaten more different opponents than any other side in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history (111) – including seven different English sides – but Arsenal are not one of them (D1 L1). The only other English team to avoid defeat in their first three games against Real Madrid in the European Cup/Champions League are Liverpool.

    4. Real Madrid haven’t lost the first leg in any of their last eight knockout stage ties in the UEFA Champions League (W5 D3); their joint-longest run in the competition in first leg meetings, along with another eight-game run between April 2016 and February 2019.

    Read Also: Arsenal will go for it against Real Madrid, says Arteta

    5. Arsenal have led for longer than any other team in UEFA Champions League matches this season (568 minutes overall), while only Internazionale (5 minutes) have trailed for fewer minutes than the Gunners (65) in the competition this term.

    Who: Arsenal vs Real Madrid

    What: UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, leg 1

    Where: Emirates Stadium, London

    When: Tuesday at 8pm (19:00 GMT)

    Referee: Irfan Peljto

    Possible lineups:

    Arsenal possible starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.

    Real Madrid possible starting XI: Courtois; Valverde, Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Rodrygo, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

    Arsenal results in their last five matches (across all competitions):

    D-W-W-D-D (most recent result first)

    Real Madrid results in their last five matches (across all competitions):

    L-D-W-W-L (most recent result first)

    Predictions

    Away Over 0.5

    Both teams to score

    Full Time Draw

  • Madrid secure dramatic comeback against struggling City

    Madrid secure dramatic comeback against struggling City

    Real Madrid are set to reach the last 16 of the Champions League after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their play-off round tie at the Etihad Stadium.

    The defending champions took the bull by the horn in the early minutes of the game having had two big chances to break the deadlock. Kylian Mbappe was denied by Ederson after a wonderful pass from Vinicius Junior, and a few minutes later, Ferland Mendy saw his effort cleared off the line after good work from Rodrygo Goes. However, Real Madrid were made to pay as Man City struck the first blow from Erling Haaland.

    It stayed 1-0 until half time, but Real Madrid would get themselves level on the hour mark as Kylian Mbappe scored. Dani Ceballos played a fantastic ball over the top for the French forward, and despite not making clean contact, it was enough for the back of the net to be found.

    Read Also: UCL: Things to know as Real Madrid, Man City clash tonight

    Ceballos would go from hero to villain for Real Madrid as he gave away a penalty soon after for Haaland scored his second of the evening, but fortunately for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, they were able to get back level on the 85th minute – a poor clearance allowed Vinicius Junior to strike towards goal, and although his effort was saved, the rebound was turned home by former Man City player Brahim Diaz.

    Remarkably, Real Madrid would complete a late comeback in stoppage time. A combination of poor play from Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis allowed Vinicius to break clear, and after knocking the ball away from the onrushing Ederson, Jude Bellingham raced in to score the winning goal in the 92nd minute.

    With the result, Real Madrid are now clear favourites to knock Man City out of the Champions League for the third time in the last four seasons, although the reigning Premier League champions will certainly be going for it at the Santiago Bernabeu next week as they bid to overturn to the one-goal advantage that Los Blancos have.

  • UCL: Final match-day, fixtures, predictions

    UCL: Final match-day, fixtures, predictions

    Tonight, fans across the globe will witness football at its peak as 36 of the world’s most elite teams clash in a thrilling battle for a coveted spot in the knockout stages of the 2024/2025 season. With only the strongest surviving, most of the games will be season defining moments packed with tension, drama, and unforgettable moments. The stakes are higher than ever, as these teams representing the pinnacle of footballing excellence go head-to-head in a final push to secure their place in the tournament’s next phase.

    Nine teams are already eliminated and have nothing to play for having failed to secure good points from their previous matches. In what would have been a walk-over for 6-time Premier League winners, Manchester City, their glimpse of European glory will be decided tonight as they take on Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium.

    Below are the fixtures, table break down, percentage of qualification for each team by supercomputer’s simulations

    Fixtures (Table Positions)

    Aston Villa (9th) vs Celtic (18th)

    Barcelona (2nd) vs Atalanta (7th)

    Bayer Leverkusen (8th) vs Sparta Prague (29th)

    Bayern Munich (15th) vs Slovan Bratislava (35th)

    Borussia Dortmund (14th) vs Shakhtar Donetsk (27th)

    Brest (13th)  vs Real Madrid (16th)

    Dinamo Zagreb (26th) vs Milan (6th)

    Girona (31st) vs Arsenal (3rd)

    Internazionale (4th) vs Monaco (10th)

    Juventus (17th) vs Benfica (21st)

    Lille (12th) vs Feyenoord (11th)

    Manchester City (25th) vs Club Brugge (20th)

    PSV (19th) vs Liverpool (1st)

    Red Bull Salzburg (34th) vs Atlético Madrid (5th)

    Sturm Graz (33rd) vs RB Leipzig (30th)

    Sporting CP (23rd) vs Bologna (28th)

    VfB Stuttgart (24th) vs Paris Saint-Germain (22nd)

    Young Boys (36th) vs Crvena zvezda (32nd)

    Percentage Of Qualification

    Already Qualified Teams

    Liverpool and Barcelona are the only two teams automatically assured of a spot in the top eight. Arne Slot’s side boasts a perfect record, though they have yet to secure first place after Raphinha’s dramatic late winner at Benfica last Tuesday. Meanwhile, Liverpool are guaranteed a top-two finish, while Barcelona can confirm their place in the top two with a positive result against Atalanta on the final match day.

    Arsenal’s Fate

    Arsenal are sure of a top eight finish if they secure maximum points against Gerona, however, It is mathematically possible for Arsenal to finish outside the top eight.

    To finish outside of the top-eight, they must lose to Girona and five of the six following results need to happen:

    Inter win or draw OR Monaco win and make up a goal difference of nine to Arsenal

    Atlético Madrid win (vs Salzburg)

    Milan win (vs Dinamo Zagreb)

    Atalanta win (vs Barcelona)

    Bayer Leverkusen win and make up six goal difference to Arsenal (vs Sparta Prague)

    One of Aston Villa/Feyenoord/Lille/Brest win and make up a goal difference of seven to 10 dependent on the team winning.

    The Rest of the Top Eight

    Inter (97.7%), Atlético Madrid (81.5%), Bayer Leverkusen (75.5%), and Milan (73.6%) all have a strong chance of finishing in the top eight, consistently occupying those positions in the majority of the Opta supercomputer’s simulations.

    At the very least, they are all set to make the play-off round, but the supercomputer predicts they will hold onto their current top-eight spots. With favorable fixtures to close out the league phase, each team has a solid path ahead.

    Read Also: Dortmund dismiss  Sahin after UCL  setback

    Inter only need a point to guarantee their place in the top eight, while Atlético and Milan, with teams as low as 18th just three points behind, must secure a win to secure their spots.

    Leverkusen, currently in the top eight on goal difference, need a victory at home against the already-eliminated Sparta Prague to solidify their position—something the supercomputer believes they are capable of achieving.

    Top Eight Outsiders

    Lille (33.1%) are the only other team with a reasonable shot at sneaking into the automatic qualification spots. However, they must first beat Feyenoord (13.1%) and then hope for favorable results elsewhere.

    Borussia Dortmund (11.8%), Bayern Munich (7.9%), Brest (7.3%), Monaco (7.0%), Real Madrid (2.9%), and Juventus (0.8%) are the only other teams that have made it into the top eight in any of the supercomputer’s simulations. For these teams to jump into the top eight, they would need to win and rely on a series of other results to go their way. Regardless, all of them are guaranteed at least a spot in the play-off round. Celtic, meanwhile, are assured of finishing in the top 24.

    Although Celtic, along with PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge, still have a mathematical chance of making the top eight, their odds are so slim that they didn’t feature in the automatic qualification spots in any of the supercomputer’s simulations. These three are all but certain to finish in the play-off spots.

    Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Sporting CP, and VfB Stuttgart each sit on 10 points, just three behind the top eight. However, none can break into the top eight due to the matchups above them—such as Lille vs Feyenoord—ensuring that the team finishing in eighth will have at least 14 points.

    Predictions

    Lots of goals are expected to flow being the final game of the group stage, your best bet will be on team goals.

    0ver 1.5goals for stronger teams (Bet responsively)