Cristiano Ronaldo’s insight proved invaluable against ex-teammate Christian Eriksen during Portugal’s loss to Denmark.
Portugal ultimately fell short, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat, with Manchester United‘s Rasmus Hojlund netting the decisive goal that sealed their fate.
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Ronaldo could be seen giving Costa some intel before the penalty was taken
But the match featured several tense moments.
In the first half, Christian Eriksen saw his penalty saved by Diogo Costa, who dove to his right, parrying away the shot.
Before Eriksen’s penalty, previously unseen footage shows a potential tactical intervention by Ronaldo.
A video circulating on X captured the poignant moment Ronaldo whispered to Costa just before the penalty was taken.
Having played alongside Eriksen for two seasons and in 15 matches during his time at Old Trafford, Ronaldo’s possible insight into Eriksen’s penalty habits may have inspired Costa’s successful save.
However, this unexpected assist might just be considered Ronaldo’s most impactful contribution to the match.
His only other notable involvement came from a header that unfortunately sailed wide of the post.
Remarkably, Ronaldo also had the fewest touches (30) of any outfield player who played the full 90 minutes during the tie and didn’t manage a single shot on target.
Adding to the drama, Eriksen had another shot cleared off the line by his Red Devils teammate, Diogo Dalot, and a free-kick saved, as Denmark pushed for a breakthrough.
Their persistence ultimately bore fruit when Hojlund struck late in the game.
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Rasmus Hojlund netted the decisive goal that sealed Denmark’s winCredit: UEFA via Getty
The victory felt richly deserved for Denmark and their new manager, Brian Riemer, who will head to Lisbon for the second leg with a sense of confidence.
He later defended his actions, stating: “It was not to mock him or anything. I’ve always said he has had great importance for me and my football career.
“I’m playing against the world’s best footballer, my idol, and to score and become the match-winner, it couldn’t be better.
“Scoring against him and Portugal is huge; I went to see him in 2009, when he scored from a free-kick, and I’ve been a fan ever since.”
Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended in 2022 after a tumultuous falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, culminating in his contract termination following an interview with Piers Morgan.
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Ronaldo had the fewest touches of any outfield player who played the full 90 minutesCredit: Getty
He then joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia on a record-breaking deal, quickly making an impact and igniting a flurry of high-profile player transfers to the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo has won the Arab Club Champions Cup and finished 2023 as the world’s top scorer. In 2024, he shattered the Saudi Pro League scoring record.
Furthermore, he etched his name in history as the first player to top-score in four different leagues. He also equalled the record for most top-level matches played by a male professional footballer.
Now, the loser of the impending tie will find themselves entering Scotland’s World Cup qualifying group, which is rounded out by Greece and Belarus.
Hojlund pulls out Ronaldo’s Siu celebration after goal against Portugal
Two memorable, but contrasting in quality, goals have lit up the first leg of the Champions League’s Round of 16 with Arsenal’s Mikel Merino capitalising on a comedy of errors and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvaraz scored a worldie against rivals Real Madrid.
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Alvaraz’s mind-blowing goal was in vein as Real snatched the first leg of the Madrid derby 2-1 but it was seventh heaven for Arsenal as they demolished Dutch outfit PSV 7-1 away from home.
It was just the second time ever in a Champions League match that the Gunners have scored seven goals, and it was only the fifth time they have won by six or more goals.
Merino’s goal was Arsenal’s third, 20 seconds after the half-hour mark, as PSV’s defenders behaved as if they were allergic to the ball.
Once Arsenal got the ball into the penalty area, it bounced around off defenders’ legs, two of the PSV players fell over and there was even some air swings in attempts to clear it before it eventually fell to Merino who buried it in the far corner with a cool left-footed finish.
There was a lengthy VAR check for offside in the build-up among the carnage, but there was no denying Arsenal who were on a roll after Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, heading home a Declan Rice cross at the back post.
Three minutes later 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri fired a left-footed bullet in at the near-post to double the advantage and continue his stunning rise, having scored in both of his Champions League starts.
Nwaneri became the third youngest player ever to score in a knockout tie in the premier European competition, and he was assisted by fellow teenager, 18-year-old left back Myles Lewis-Skelly – it was the first time two English teenagers have combined for a goal in Champions League history.
The margin was reduced to 3-1 at half time however as Noa Lang converted a penalty for the hosts.
But the contest turned into a bloodbath in the second half with Martin Odegaard scoring two minutes after the resumption, and Leandro Trossard then added the Gunners’ fifth one minute later.
Odegaard ended with a brace as he scored Arsenal’s sixth in the 73rd minute before substitute Riccardo Calafori made it seven in the 85th minute.
The crushing win means next week’s return leg at the Emirates is little more than a formality for the Gunners.
At the Bernabeu, Real Madrid got the victory against fierce rivals Atletico but Alvarez’s stunner was the highlight of the night.
The hosts seized the advantage in just the fourth minute through Rodrygo, but the Argentine equalised in the 32nd minute.
Alvarez received a pass on the left wing, dribbled past a defender, cut back into the penalty area and unleashed a remarkable curling shot into the far corner that left the home crowd stunned.
It is a serious contender for goal of the season, but Real took control in the second half with Brahim Diaz again playing the role of hero with a 55th minute winner.
Diaz also scored the decisive goal away at his former club Manchester City in the first leg of the playoff to reach the Round of 16.
That was a tap-in after coming off the bench, but this was a superb finish after starting on the pitch.
It was not as spectacular as Alvarez’s, but it was impressive nonetheless as he dribbled expertly in the penalty area and slotted home to the far corner of the net.
Diaz then seized the chance to celebrate with the home fans in stunning scenes.
Meanwhile in Germany, French side LOSC picked up a massive result, holding Borussia Dortmund to 1-1 draw.
Dortmund led at half time courtesy of a Karim Adeyemi first half goal, but Hakon Arnar Haraldsson equalised in the 68th minute for the visitors.
The away fans who travelled from Lille made quite the scene to try compete with Dortmund’s famous yellow wall, setting off flares, creating a light show, singing and waving massive flags.
– Late goals put Villa in command –
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted his team still have work to do to reach the Champions League quarter-finals despite a commanding 3-1 victory away to Club Brugge in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Two late goals, including a Marco Asensio penalty, gave Villa the victory in Belgium to puncture the hopes of the hosts who performed so well for so long.
Leon Bailey’s early opener for Villa at the Jan Breydelstadion was soon cancelled out by a Maxim De Cuyper leveller.
Club Brugge had been more than a match for their Premier League visitors, but Brandon Mechele’s 82nd-minute own goal restored Villa’s lead.
Asensio, on as a substitute, then converted an 88th-minute penalty, his fifth goal in four games wrapping up the victory which puts the 1982 European Cup winners in a very strong position.
“Today I am happy but calm,” Emery said.
“We are not in the quarter-finals. There are still 90 minutes to play and we are ready in case we need extra time and a penalty shootout because I know how many difficulties there can be in each match.” If Emery’s team complete the job at Villa Park next Wednesday, their reward will be a quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool.
Villa qualified directly for this stage after finishing eighth in the league phase, but they had lost 1-0 in Bruges in early November, a game from which Emery learned lessons.
“After the match we played here in November, they have been performing very well,” he said.
“They have a very good structure with the ball, and we decided to respect them when they have possession, and the most important thing was how we competed.” That last meeting was decided by a Hans Vanaken penalty after Tyrone Mings bizarrely picked the ball up in his own area.
Mings will be pleased to have played a part in the third-minute goal which put Villa in front in that same box.
He met a free-kick into the Brugge area with a header down for Bailey to score with a controlled finish past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Club Brugge have shown this season that they can compete at this level, notably dispatching Atalanta 5-2 on aggregate in the play-offs last month.
– Rashford ineffective –
The hosts were soon level, as Greek international Christos Tzolis collected the ball on the left and laid it back to De Cuyper, who sent a first-time shot into the far corner.
They then almost went ahead as Emiliano Martinez made a vital save to deny Chemsdine Talbi.
Raphael Onyedika tried a powerful strike from range early in the second half, and Emery then sought to stir his subdued side by making a quadruple substitution just past the hour.
Marcus Rashford was among the players to come off, after he was quiet on the left wing in his first Champions League appearance since being sent off for Manchester United in a 4-3 defeat in Copenhagen in November 2023.
One of those coming on was Asensio, another of Villa’s winter signings, who started on the bench despite excellent recent form.
“Their response was fantastic,” Emery said of the replacements, with Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash also introduced.
On-loan PSG player Asensio almost struck on 68 minutes, meeting a Ramsey assist only for Mignolet to save.
Club Brugge also could have scored again. Captain Vanaken headed narrowly wide from a Tzolis cross and then set up the Greek winger for a great chance which he miscued.
They did not deserve to end up losing by two goals, but that is what happened as Mechele turned a Morgan Rogers cross into his own net.
Tzolis then tripped up Cash in the area, and Asensio blasted in the spot-kick before running away to celebrate in front of the travelling fans.
“We created a lot of chances, but unfortunately we concede an own goal and then of course five minutes later the penalty, and it makes the return much more difficult,” said Brugge coach Nicky Hayen.
“Despite the result I think we played a positive game and we have to remember that when we go there next Wednesday.”
Manchester City beat FC Copenhagen 3-1 in their first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 to close in on a place in the quarter finals, while a sizzling Brahim Diaz strike handed Real Madrid a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.
Kevin de Bruyne scored and then set up a second City goal in the first half, either side of a howler from goalkeeper Ederson which led to a screamer from a Copenhagen debutant.
City were dominant for large parts of the match, and sealed the win when Phil Foden turned in a De Bruyne cut-back in stoppage time.
The English champions have now won 11 consecutive games in all competitions as they remain on course to repeat last season’s treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
De Bruyne . (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Man City took just ten minutes to get off the mark when De Bruyne was teed up by Foden on the right and slotted a fine low shot into the opposite corner from a tight angle.
City racked up chances against the minnows, who fought gamely and struck against the run of play when City goalkeeper Ederson made a shocking decision in the 34th minute.
Ederson, under pressure, passed straight to Mohamed Elyounoussi. His shot was blocked, but it fell to Magnus Mattsson who curled home a brilliant shot from the edge of the box.
“It’s really a horrible, horrible ball,” Craig Foster said on Stan Sport of Ederson’s mistake.
Remarkably, Mattsson was making his debut for Copenhagen 13 days after signing for the club.
And in a staggering statistic, it was the 13th time this season across all competitions that City had conceded with their first shot on target of the match.
Ederson made a howler and was punished by a superb strike.Source: AFP
Copenhagen desperately tried to hold out City’s attack until halftime, only for the visitors to score in the 45th minute through a sensational Bernardo Silva shot.
De Bruyne battled hard for the ball in the box, and it was deflected heavily for Silva to react quickest and poke it past the keeper.
Copenhagen hadn’t played a competitive game in 63 days, since beating Galatasaray to reach the knockout stages in December, with their domestic league on a winter break.
Keeping them fit is Australia’s Andrew Clark, a renowned sports scientist who left the Socceroos and Australia’s other national teams in mid-2022 to take over first team duties at Copenhagen.
City had a fitness issue of their own, with Jack Grealish – making just his second start of the year – was forced off the field early in the match and replaced by Jeremy Doku.
Copenhagen changed to a five-defender formation in the second half and attempted to hit on the counter-attack, but couldn’t find a way back into the game.
And Phil Foden finally ended the reistance when he scored his 15th of the season, once again set up by De Bruyne.
STUNNING STRIKE AS MADRID SCRATCH WIN
Brahim Diaz scored an incredible solo goal as Real Madrid won 1-0 away at RB Leipzig in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg.
Leipzig were energetic but wasteful early, frequently undoing their good work with poor decision-making in the final third.
The hosts were made to pay early in the second half when Diaz opened the scoring.
Drafted into the side in place of the injured Jude Bellingham, Diaz danced past five Leipzig defenders before curling an inch-perfect shot inside the far post.
The win was Real Madrid’s seventh in seven games this Champions League campaign and puts them in prime position to make it past the last 16 for the fourth straight season.
Real travelled to Saxony without England midfielder Bellingham, who injured his ankle in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Girona.
With first-choice centre-backs Antonio Ruediger, David Alaba and Eder Militao ruled out, coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to continue midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni’s stint in central defence.
Despite their injury woes, Real sit five clear in the league and have only lost twice this season in all competitions, both times to derby rivals Atletico Madrid.
Brahim Diaz of Real Madrid celebrates his incredible goal.Source: Getty Images
Hosts Leipzig thundered out of the blocks and had the ball in the net three minutes in, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside, with Benjamin Henrichs deemed to be obstructing the goalkeeper.
Collecting the ball near the sideline just three minutes into the second half, Diaz was fouled but refused to go to ground, dribbling through the Leipzig defence before unleashing a curling shot past Gulacsi to score.
The goal cranked the home side into gear, with Barcelona youth product Dani Olmo going close to equalising, twice stinging the palms of Madrid ‘keeper Andriy Lunin.
Madrid should have had another with 20 minutes remaining after going on the counter, but Vinicius hit the post.
Manchester United eased the pressure on under-fire boss Erik ten Hag with a nervy 1-0 win against Luton on Saturday, while Tottenham conceded twice in stoppage time to lose 2-1 at Wolves.
Newcastle also crashed to a shock defeat as Dominik Solanke’s double took Bournemouth out of the relegation zone.
Rocked by Wednesday’s devastating Champions League group stage loss in Copenhagen — the latest embarrassment in a season of low moments — United gave Ten Hag some much-needed breathing space thanks to Victor Lindelof’s second-half winner.
United had suffered five defeats in their previous 10 home games this season, their worst start to a campaign at Old Trafford since 1930-31 when they also lost five of 10 and were relegated from the top flight.
They were also reeling from three losses in their last four games in all competitions as the heat was turned up on Ten Hag.
Victor Lindelof and Bruno Fernandes celebrate their much-needed win.Source: Getty Images
Against that depressing backdrop, and with the latest ‘Glazers out’ protests from fans outside Old Trafford before kick-off, struggling Luton’s first visit to United since 1991 was well-timed for Ten Hag and his troubled team.
Sixth-placed United made their pressure count in the 59th minute as Bruno Fernandes’ corner was cleared to Marcus Rashford, whose cross fell kindly for Lindelof to lash home.
“It is a good day. We needed the win and we got it, but we could make life more easy by scoring early on and getting a second,” Ten Hag said.
“I have to compliment the team that they kept going, kept organised and didn’t give anything away.”
Manchester United’s Swedish defender #02 Victor Lindelof (R) was an unlikely hero.Source: AFP
Wolves’ stunning late show denied Tottenham the chance to return to the top of the table.
Brennan Johnson’s first goal for Tottenham since his move from Nottingham Forest put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead in the third minute.
But Wolves dominated after that and earned a memorable victory thanks to the incredible finale.
Pablo Sarabia finally bagged the equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time when he smashed past Guglielmo Vicario from Matheus Cunha’s pass.
Missing injured stars James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, Tottenham were well below their best and Mario Lemina made them pay in the 97th minute, meeting Sarabia’s cross with a cool finish from 12 yards.
After starting the season on a 10-game unbeaten run, it was Tottenham’s second successive defeat after Monday’s 4-1 loss against Chelsea when they had two players sent off.
“Wolves are always going to come on strong and we ran out of legs at the end,” Postecoglou said.
“It is understandable, a lot of those guys haven’t played. They scored a couple of good goals. It’s a hard one to take.”
Arsenal took advantage of Tottenham’s stumble as they beat Burnley 3-1 to move one point above their north London rivals into second place.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring with Arsenal’s 1,000th goal at the Emirates Stadium since their move from Highbury in 2006.
Burnley levelled in the 54th minute when Josh Brownhill fired home via a deflection off Arsenal defender Gabriel.
But William Saliba’s close-range header three minutes later put Arsenal back in control and Oleksandr Zinchenko volleyed the Gunners’ third in the 74th minute.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Fabio Vieira was shown a straight red card after catching Brownhill on the knee.
Referee Michael Oliver shows a red card to Fabio Vieira of Arsenal after foul on Josh Brownhill of Burnley.Source: Getty Images
An injury-ravaged Newcastle paid for their exertions losing away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in midweek.
Solanke fired home from close range twice in 13 second half minutes to secure Bournemouth’s second league win under Andoni Iraola in a 2-0 victory.
Newcastle have now failed to win half of their 12 Premier League games this season and remain seven points off the top down in seventh.
Everton climbed away from the relegation zone with a 3-2 win at Crystal Palace. Vitaliy Mykolenko, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye scored for the Toffees, who move eight points clear of the bottom three
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe could finalise a deal to become a minority shareholder at Manchester United during this month’s international break, according to reports on Friday.
Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group is expected to pay about £1.25 billion ($2.4 billion AUD) for a 25 per cent stake in the Old Trafford club, while also acquiring significant control over footballing operations.
There is no a firm timetable for the deal to be finalised, but the BBC said it could come as early as next week.
The Glazer family announced last November that they were considering “strategic alternatives” to help the club grow, which included consideration of a sale.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ratcliffe made offers in the region of £5 billion ($9.6bn AUD) for a complete takeover, but that fell short of the Glazer family’s valuation.
Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process last month, while Ratcliffe continued to pursue a minority shareholding.
The 71-year-old, who tried to buy Chelsea last year, grew up in the Manchester region and describes himself as a lifelong fan of United.
The deal is expected to lead to a major shake-up of United’s football operations. Dave Brailsford, the former performance director of British Cycling, is expected to have significant influence in his role as INEOS’s director of sport.
The group already owns French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne-Sport, as well as the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team.
It also has a stake in Formula One team Mercedes, whose team principal Toto Wolff last week said he would also consider investing in United once Ratcliffe’s deal is completed.
Ongoing speculation and uncertainty over the club’s ownership has come at a time when United are struggling on the pitch.
Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen left Erik ten Hag’s side bottom of their Champions League group, while they are eighth in the Premier League, having lost nine of 17 games in all competitions.
They say it takes a village to raise one child, let alone two.
For the Pavlešić family, the old adage rings true.
On those cold, frosty winter mornings when football season was in full swing, Anthony and Adam Pavlešić’s parents would be up early, driving their kids all across Sydney to games.
And if the parents couldn’t drive?
“The grandparents, the uncles, the aunties, it doesn’t matter who it was, they’d help,” Anthony told foxsports.com.au.
It’s the beauty of growing up in a football-mad family, who would all travel to watch the two goalkeepers in action as they rose through the youth ranks at Sydney United.
The dedication from the Pavlešić clan paid off handsomely: Adam is now the back-up goalkeeper to Andrew Redmayne at Sydney FC and already has a handful of appearances for the Sky Blues to his name.
As for Anthony?
He’s rubbing shoulders with his childhood idol and a host of international superstars at Bayern Munich at just 17 years of age.
Pavlešić was on duty with the Australian U17s earlier this year for a tournament in Turkey when the window of opportunity flung wide open.
His management had been in touch with a contact at Bayern for some time, sending over clips of Pavlešić in an effort to get the teenager a trial.
Given the distance from Australia to Germany, it would have been a difficult ask.
But as soon as the contact became aware Pavlešić was on the continent in Turkey, the Aussie received an invite for a two-and-a-half-week trial with the German giants.
Of course, it had to come with the blessing of the Central Coast Mariners, Pavlešić’s team at the time, which it did.
Was it a daunting experience going on trial at Bayern, one of the most successful clubs in world football?
“It was a little bit,” Pavlešić said.
“But I think I was ready for it. I was confident.
“I didn’t really know what to expect, what level they would be, what the environment would be like.
“But I came off a decent tournament playing two games in Turkey and thought, ‘Just give it a crack now, if I’m ever going to be ready, it’s going to be now.’
“Physically I was feeling good, my body was in a good place. I just wanted to challenge myself and experience what the level would be like over there, which is where I want to get to.”
Anthony Pavlešić represented the Young Socceroos in Marbella. Picture: Sergio LopezSource: Supplied
As it transpired, Pavlešić was more than ready for the opportunity and Bayern felt the same as they agreed a six-figure sum with the Mariners to bring the teenager over to Bavaria.
On Pavlešić’s part, there “wasn’t any hesitation at all” when it came to wanting to move having proved himself capable of performing at the required levels.
But one needs more than talent to make it at a European giant like Bayern, so Pavlešić sought out advice on what to expect from then-Mariners coach Nick Montgomery and goalkeeping coach Miguel Miranda, who had previously worked with Ederson and Jan Oblak.
So, what did Montgomery tell Pavlešić to expect?
“Just the professionalism, the mentality of everyone, the hunger you need to succeed over there and how hard you really have to work,” Pavlešić said.
“He (Montgomery) brought those philosophies to Central Coast which helped us succeed. But those things that you need to be a top player, he also had a very good career himself, you listen to his words very closely.
“It helps knowing it all before you go over there, how much harder you have to work than everyone else.”
With Montgomery’s words of wisdom ringing in his ears, Pavlešić’s move to Bayern became official in June.
But the challenges would soon come thick and fast for the young Australian gloveman.
Carpenter unfazed by online critics | 01:54
THE CHANGING ROOM EXPERIENCE WITH IDOL THAT PROVED ‘SACRIFICE’ HAS BEEN WORTH IT
Moving your entire life to the other side of the world is no small feat for a 17-year-old.
Add in the potential language barrier and it makes it even more difficult.
But Pavlešić was welcomed with open arms to the Bayern campus, a sprawling 30-hectare site which boasts eight football pitches, 35 apartments for academy players not from the local area and several other first-class facilities.
And, perhaps most importantly for Pavlešić’s transition to life in Munich, most people speak English.
“Me not knowing any other languages at the moment, if I went there and everyone was only speaking German and no-one was interacting with me, it would have been very different,” Pavlešić said.
“I think I’ve been lucky that I’ve moved onto Bayern campus. I’ve got a lot of other players around my age, teams above and below and even players in my team that I’m living with. It helps with relationships early on.
“You’re seeing these people all day, every day at lunch, dinner, breakfast. Then you train with them, you go out with them every now and then.
“You need to surround yourself with other people that can take up your time and distract yourself, then try and not think about missing home so much.
“You stay focused on what you’re there to do and you realise that’s why you’ve gone and you know the sacrifice of moving from home. It’s not easy.
“But I’m lucky that I have good people around me in Munich which helped me over there.”
Spoiled with everything he could want for and more when it comes to a footballing experience, Pavlešić couldn’t stress just how “surreal” it had all been from the moment he first put on a Bayern training kit and stepped onto the pitch at the campus.
But it gave him a timely reminder he belonged with several of Europe’s brightest prospects.
The incredible Bayern Munich campus. Picture: Bayern MunichSource: Supplied
“You feel a part of it, especially after the first few weeks go by,” Pavlešić said.
“This is where you are now, you deserve to be there, they signed you for a reason.”
As good as he has it now, Pavlešić needs no reminding it might not last forever, so he has to “make the most of it” while he is still at the club because “things can change very quickly.”
If Pavlešić hadn’t pinched himself enough during his first few weeks in Bavaria, the rush of a lifetime was still yet to come.
Bayern had just beaten Manchester United 4-3 in a scintillating Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena and those who started were afforded a day off from training.
To help make up the numbers a handful of Bayern youth players were invited for a training session with the first team, including Pavlešić.
Also taking part in the session was modern legend Thomas Muller, electric winger Kingsley Coman and teenage sensation Mathys Tel, who joined Bayern in the summer from Rennes.
At times during various drills, Pavlešić couldn’t help but admire the “art” that was unfolding in front of his very eyes.
“The first few times you see them, especially in the first few drills, you don’t know what to expect and you don’t know what the level is going to be of these guys,” Pavlešić said.
“But all the small details that you’re told as a kid or some players skip on, these players have everything.
“Their touch, their awareness, it’s all there. It’s like art.
“How good they are at what they do and every small detail they’re really focused on, it was really cool to see.”
Pavlešić also noted the breakneck pace at which these players do everything.
“If you’re not as good at something, especially as a goalkeeper, they can expose you,” Pavlešić said.
“The shots are so much harder and quicker. Time on the ball is so much less.
“You have the ball at your feet, you’re getting pressed a second later.”
Thomas Muller is a Bayern Munich legend. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Although Pavlešić was thrown very much into sink-or-swim territory in that training session with the first team, he received a few early pointers from a 37-year-old goalkeeper who calls Bayern home: Manuel Neuer.
With over 300 appearances for the Bundesliga giants and 117 games for Germany, Neuer is one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era.
He’s also Pavlešić’s idol.
And you best believe the Aussie had to do everything in his power not to have a fanboy moment in front of the four-time FIFA World 11 goalkeeper when they first met.
“It was surreal when I first met him,” Pavlešić said.
“I think it was when I first walked into the changing rooms. He was there.
“I walked over to introduce myself and said hello. That was pretty much it for then.
“But then you walk around for the next few minutes, you’re just trying to keep it together. It was really good.
“Then you go out and start training and you’re in awe of how good he really is and how nice he was as well.
“He was helping me a little bit and talking to me, he spoke really good English and helped me out.”
But as jaw-dropping as it has been to rub shoulders among Bayern’s big names, Pavlešić knows he can’t allow himself to continually be starstruck.
“Part of being a good professional is that you have to realise you’re there for a reason,” Pavlešić said.
“As much as it’s really cool to be there and to see everyone, all of these professionals that you looked up to your whole life, you know you’re there for a job and you’re there to train and you have to be one of them.”
Pavlešić has trained alongside Bayern superstar Manuel Neuer. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
WHY NEXT GEN OF AUSSIES CAN QUASH ‘DISADVANTAGED’ NOTION
Unfortunately for Pavlešić, it took some time before he was able to make his debut due to paperwork issues that had yet to be resolved with FIFA.
But since then, he has made five appearances for Bayern’s under-19 side including a UEFA Youth League fixture away to Galatasaray and also played for Bayern’s reserve team in the German third division.
Pavlešić also was a part of the Young Socceroos team that beat France, the Netherlands and Denmark at the Marbella Week of Football earlier in October, with each win coming via penalty shootout.
A victory over one of those nations would have been impressive on its own, let alone three wins from three.
But Pavlešić believes it’s yet another sign the next generation of players from Australia are not there to take part, but to take over.
“It just shows what we can do,” Pavlešić said.
‘Grumpy’ Ange not concerned with history | 01:54
“People underestimate what we do because we’re from Australia, but under the right circumstances with a good team and good staff, we can be beating these top international teams.”
Future success at these types of tournaments for the Young Socceroos will only attract interest from clubs of a similar standing to Bayern.
It’s why Pavlešić doesn’t expect he’ll be the last to join the ranks of a European behemoth.
“It shows that coming from Australia doesn’t make such a big difference,” Pavlešić said.
“People think we’re very disadvantaged in Australia, but we have a decent youth system now and we can produce some good players.
“If clubs like Bayern Munich are coming after me and other players are going to other clubs, it gives us all confidence knowing that we have the ability.
“Some of us that are lucky enough get the opportunity, but we’re good enough to be in these places so it gives us a lot of confidence.”
Everton face a 12-point deduction after an investigation into alleged breaches of financial rules by the Premier League club, according to a report on Thursday.
The Daily Telegraph said Premier League chiefs have asked an independent commission to impose the severe sanction, which would be the largest points penalty in the history of the competition.
Losing 12 points would leave Everton on minus-five points at the bottom of this season’s table.
Carpenter unfazed by online critics | 01:54
Sean Dyche’s side are currently in 16th place with seven points after losing six of their first nine games. Everton has never been relegated from the Premier League since its creation in 1992.
The Premier League referred Everton to the commission in March over an alleged breach of its profitability and sustainability rules over a period ending with the 2021-22 season.
Top-flight clubs are permitted to lose a maximum of £105 million ($127 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions.
Everton said in a statement issued on the day that news of the referral was confirmed: “The club strongly contests the allegation of non-compliance and together with its independent team of experts is entirely confident that it remains compliant with all financial rules and regulations.
“Everton is prepared to robustly defend its position to the commission. The club has, over several years, provided information to the Premier League in an open and transparent manner and has consciously chosen to act with the utmost good faith at all times.”
Everton have recorded annual losses for five consecutive years, more than £430 million in total over the period.
The club are the subject of a takeover bid by American private investment firm 777 Partners, which last week denied a New York Times report that its bid had stalled because of a failure to supply information to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading goalscorer as the Three Lions enjoyed a perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying by winning 2-1 away to Italy on Thursday, as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in his record 197th cap in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Kane netted his 54th goal for England in his 81st international appearance from the penalty spot in Naples after Declan Rice had fired the visitors into an early lead.
The England captain moves clear of the record mark he had shared with Wayne Rooney.
Gareth Southgate’s men gained some measure of revenge for their defeat by the Azzurri in the Euro 2020 final.
In their first match since bowing out in agonising fashion to France in the World Cup quarter-finals, England were dominant in the first 45 minutes.
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England’s forward Harry Kane acknowledges the public at the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C qualification match between Italy and England, on March 23, 2023 at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP
Rice rifled home his third international goal on 13 minutes after Italy failed to clear a corner.
Another set-piece led to Kane’s record-breaking moment as Giovanni Di Lorenzo handled inside the area.
The Tottenham striker banished the memories of his missed penalty late on against France in Doha by sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way.
But Italy rallied after the break when Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui fired home on his international debut.
England were forced to see out the final 10 minutes a man down after two quickfire yellow cards for Luke Shaw, but they held out for their first win away to Italy since 1961.
In the other game in Group C, North Macedonia beat Malta 2-1.
RONALDO MARKS HISTORIC NIGHT
Ronaldo marked Roberto Martinez’s bow as Portugal boss with another historic night in Lisbon.
The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese starting XI during the World Cup, set a new record for men’s international appearances by passing the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
Joao Cancelo fired home the opening goal after just eight minutes but it was not until Bernardo Silva doubled Portugal’s lead early in the second half that the floodgates opened.
Ronaldo made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before blasting home a free-kick from the edge of the area for his 120th international goal.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo.Source: AFP
In the same group, Rade Krunic scored twice as Bosnia and Herzegovina swept aside Iceland 3-0.
But Slovakia, who have qualified for the last two Euros, were held 0-0 at home by Luxembourg.
Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark bounced back from their disappointing early exit at the World Cup to beat Finland 3-1 in Copenhagen.
Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund scored a hat-trick for the Danes on his first start for his country.
Elsewhere in Group H, Dion Charles scored twice as Northern Ireland won 2-0 in San Marino, while Slovenia came from behind to win 2-1 away to Kazakhstan.
