Champions League

February 19, 2025 12:53 PM

Benfica see off Monaco in thriller to reach last 16

Benfica held determined AS Monaco to a 3-3 draw in a thrilling second leg of their Champions League knockout phase playoff on Tuesday for a 4-3 aggregate win that earned the hosts a place in the competition's last 16. Benfica, who had a one-goal advantage from the first leg, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with winger Kerem Akturkoglu's close-range strike after a fine pass from Vangelis Pavlidis. But Monaco had the hosts on the ropes for much of the match and midfielder Takumi Minamino e...

February 19, 2025 11:32 AM

Bayern’s Davies nets late equaliser against Celtic to book last-16 spot

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies snatched a last-gasp equaliser against Celtic for a 1-1 draw in their playoff on Tuesday as theyreached the Champions League last-16 by 3-2 on aggregate. They will next face either fellow Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid depending on Friday's draw. Davies scored in stoppage time after former Bayern reserve player Nicolas Kuehn had given the visitors a shock lead in the 63rd minute asthey tried to overturn a first-leg deficit and win a first ga...

February 18, 2025 4:13 PM

‘Every game in this period is difficult’: Arne Slot ahead of Liverpool’s tricky run of fixtures

The next nine days will be very vital in Liverpool’s title run, with the league leaders having to play away games against Aston Villa and Manchester City before hosting Newcastle United at Anfield Stadium. With the point difference between Arne Slot’s side and second-placed Arsenal now at seven, the title is Liverpool’s to lose. In his pre-game conference, the Dutch head coach applauded the work done by Unai Emery at Aston Villa and stated with 13 games to go in the 2024-25 season, every ...

February 12, 2025 11:31 AM

Real Madrid’s Bellingham nets late winner in 3-2 thriller with Manchester City

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham struck a last-gasp goal to give the Champions League holders a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in an edge-of-your-seat first leg of their knockout phase playoff on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium. Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz also struck for Real, to cancel out a double from City's Erling Haaland, setting up what should be a thrilling second leg on February 19 in Madrid between two of Europe's most famous teams and biggest rivals. Haaland opened the scoring wit...

January 30, 2025 11:31 AM

Soccer: Man City survive scare to progress, Lille storm through

Manchester City came from behind to beat Club Brugge 3-1 and secure their place in the Champions League playoffs, as big guns Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain also won to progress, while AC Milan and Juventus will join them despite both losing on Wednesday. A goal-stacked night of 18 simultaneous kick-offs in the final group matchday of the competition’s new format, eventually ended as the traditional format usually ended - with all the big guns still alive. Liverpool and Barc...

January 27, 2025 10:30 AM

Flick praises Barcelona’s spirit after 7-1 win over Valencia

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick hailed his side's commitment as they ended a four-match LaLiga winless streak with a 7-1 hammering of Valencia on Sunday. Goals from Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, a double from Fermin Lopez and an own goal saw Barcelona demolish Valencia, with the German coach stressing the importance of the depth of his squad. "The players showed fresh legs. They were in the game and did a great job. I liked my team's performance," Flick told a news ...

January 23, 2025 11:14 AM

PSG stun Manchester City with 4-2 comeback

Paris St Germain clawed back from two goals down to stun Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday and leave the English club outside the playoff places and in danger of elimination. Goals from PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos turned the match on its head after City had taken a 2-0 lead early in the six-goal second half. "The team's faith is unshakeable," PSG manager Luis Enrique told reporters. "My team never gives up until the last second an...

January 22, 2025 10:55 AM

Liverpool beat Lille to maintain perfect record and reach last 16

Liverpool booked their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Lille on Tuesday at Anfield, thanks to goals from talisman Mohamed Salah and substitute Harvey Elliott. Arne Slot's men maintained their 100% record and are top of the 36-team table with 21 points, three points clear of second-placed Barcelona with one game of the league phase remaining. Lille are 11th with 13 points. Salah netted his 50th European goal for Liverpool in the 34th minute w...

September 18, 2024 11:09 AM

Soccer: Harry Kane scores four goals as record-breaking Bayern crush Dinamo Zagreb 9-2

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane scored four goals to lead his side to a 9-2 demolition of visitors Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday and a record for the most goals by one team in a Champions League match after a scintillating performance. Bayern struck three times in the first half with Kane converting a 19th minute penalty before becoming the highest scoring English player in European Cup history with 33 goals, breaking Wayne Rooney's mark of 30. Kane, who scored three goals against Holst...