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  • ‘Ever seen anything like it?’: Real’s bitter shootout controversy as PL sides progress — CL Wrap

    ‘Ever seen anything like it?’: Real’s bitter shootout controversy as PL sides progress — CL Wrap

    Real Madrid survived a controversial penalty shootout against bitter rivals Atletico Madrid, while Premier League outfits Arsenal and Aston Villa comfortably progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals.

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    – SHOOTOUT CONTROVERSY –

    Real Madrid produced a gritty display to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 win on penalties against rivals Atletico Madrid, following a 1-0 defeat after extra time on Wednesday.

    Diego Simeone’s side outplayed the record 15-time champions at the Metropolitano stadium for much of the game, but Madrid have never been eliminated by Atletico in the competition and they battled hard after Conor Gallagher’s first-minute opener to secure a 2-2 aggregate draw.

    Thibaut Courtois made several saves to thwart Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior blazed a penalty high and wide for Madrid.

    Atletico seemed likely to end a history of being dominated by Madrid in Europe but Los Blancos have the knack of survival down to a fine art and took the game to penalties.

    In the shoot-out Julian Alvarez scored for Atletico but his effort was ruled out as he touched the ball twice because of a slip as he shot.

    Marcos Llorente also missed for Atletico and Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger struck the winner for the reigning champions.

    Atletico played with caution in the first leg despite trailing, willing to take a single goal deficit back to the fiery Metropolitano stadium, where they believed they could really turn the heat up on their arch-rivals.

    Real Madrid knocked Atletico out in the 2017 semi-finals in the final European game at the Vicente Calderon, with this the first time the derby has been played at Atletico’s new home in the Champions League.

    After defeats by Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals, the latter on penalties, and elimination on every other occasion the teams have met in the competition, Atletico were desperate to change the narrative.

    MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 12: Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid scores the team’s second penalty in the penalty shoot out, which is later ruled out following a VAR Review due to an improper kick, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio Metropolitano on March 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    They came flying out of the blocks and took the lead after just 27 seconds through Gallagher, levelling the tie on aggregate.

    Rodrigo De Paul’s low ball in from the right was not cut out by Raul Asencio and former Chelsea midfielder Gallagher lunged in to beat Courtois from close range.

    Atletico were content to sit deep and soak up pressure as Real Madrid pushed the ball around in their territory but were also ready to spring forward on the counter.

    With a strong hand Courtois batted away a powerful Alvarez effort as Atletico sought a second, then denied the Argentine again at his near post before half-time.

    The Belgian goalkeeper made another save to deny Alvarez soon after the break too, as Atletico continued to threaten and Jan Oblak was still untested.

    – High tension –

    With Atletico controlling the game, Ancelotti brought on Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Vazquez in search of fresh energy.

    Madrid soon produced their best attack of the game, with superstar trio Vinicius, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe combining on a rapid counter.

    Mbappe skipped away from Jose Gimenez and then was dragged down by the desperate Clement Lenglet for a penalty before he could shoot.

    After the French forward missed spot-kicks against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao earlier in the season, Ancelotti said Vinicius was his team’s primary taker.

    So it was the Brazilian forward who stepped up, facing down a red wall of whistling Atletico fans behind the goal, and buckled under the pressure, firing high and wide of the target.

    Correa almost snatched Atletico victory in the last minute but hammered a vicious half-volley over the crossbar, and the match went to extra time.

    Madrid shaded the additional period as both teams looked tired but pushed themselves to their limits with the match on a knife-edge.

    Mbappe stepped up first from the spot and sent Oblak the wrong way, with Bellingham following suit after Alexander Sorloth netted for Atletico.

    Alvarez slipped as he smashed home the hosts’ second penalty and after a VAR review it was ruled out as he had touched the ball twice as he struck it.

    Oblak saved from Vazquez’s weak penalty to put Atletico back on track but it was short-lived as Llorente crashed his penalty off the bar.

    Oblak dived the right way for Rudiger’s decisive penalty but could not keep it out as Madrid marched into the last eight, where they will take on Arsenal.

    – GUNNERS PILE ON NINE –

    Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday to complete an emphatic 9-3 aggregate win and set up a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.

    The Gunners demolished the Dutch champions 7-1 in the Netherlands last week, making the second leg at the Emirates a formality.

    Arsenal, with seven changes from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United, were quickly out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic pulled PSV level on the night with a thunderous finish past the sprawling David Raya but midfielder Declan Rice headed Arsenal back in front.

    PSV, seeking to salvage pride after last week’s humiliation, equalised with 20 minutes to go with a fine goal from Couhaib Driouech.

    Arsenal were waiting to find out their opponents after the final whistle because Real Madrid and Atletico were locked at 2-2 on aggregate at the end of normal time.

    The Gunners have never won the Champions League and have not won a European trophy since the now-defunct 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup.

    Mike Arteta’s men, whose Premier League challenge has fizzled out in recent weeks, were quickly in the driving seat in the second leg against PSV.

    Raheem Sterling received the ball on the right of the Arsenal attack and found his former Manchester City teammate Zinchenko, who glided along the 18-yard box before unleashing a superb left-footed shot past Walter Benitez.

    Former Tottenham player Perisic levelled in the 18th minute and Raya had to be alert to produce a fingertip save from the lively Driouech moments later.

    But the home side were back in front in the 37th minute Sterling, who has been out of favour under Arteta despite his lack of forward options, charged down the right and produced a teasing cross that Rice headed home.

    Raya produced another fine save 10 minutes into the second half, diving full length to his left to keep out an effort from Isaac Babadi.

    But PSV were level with 20 minutes to go after Moroccan youth international Driouech, making his first Champions League start, dinked the ball over the onrushing Arsenal goalkeeper.

    The Dutch champions were now on top but neither side could find a winner.

    Barcelona storm into Champions League QF | 00:38

    – VILLA BOOK PSG SHOWDOWN –

    Marco Asensio starred as Aston Villa beat 10-man Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday to book a Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

    Asensio came off the bench to strike twice in the second half of the last-16 second leg at Villa Park.

    The in-form Spanish forward has netted seven times since joining on loan from PSG in the January transfer window and is set for a reunion with his parent club in the last eight.

    Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe sent off for a professional foul on Marcus Rashford early in the first half and Asensio ensured Villa eventually took advantage.

    Ian Maatsen scored in between Asensio’s brace as Unai Emery’s side romped to a 6-1 aggregate victory.

    With Prince William, a noted Villa fan, celebrating in the stands, the Premier League outfit are through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in 42 years.

    Their exit against Juventus at that stage in 1982-83 was Villa’s last appearance in the European Cup — the forerunner to the Champions League — until this season.

    Emery’s men are the first team to reach the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut season in the competition since Atalanta in 2019-20.

    Wins against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic are among the Champions League highlights for Emery’s men this term.

    PSG are next in their sights after the Ligue 1 leaders’ penalty shootout win at Liverpool on Tuesday.

    Facing PSG in April will have extra meaning for Emery, who spent two turbulent seasons in charge at PSG, winning the French title in 2018 but struggling in the Champions League.

    It is only the second time Emery has made it past the Champions League last 16 after he took Villarreal to the semi-finals in 2022.

    A repeat of their famous European Cup-winning campaign in 1982 might prove beyond Villa, but they have created memories of lifetime in their fairytale run this season.

    – Songs of praise –

    As fireworks crackled over Villa Park before kick-off, fans in the Holte End unfurled a huge flag emblazoned with the motto “Prepared”.

    It was a message their team initially seemed to ignore.

    Brugge captain Hans Vanaken glanced a header just wide of the far post in a confident start from the visitors.

    Raphael Onyedika’s goal-bound was blocked by Villa defender Ezri Konsa, a chance that provoked anxious groans from fretting fans.

    Villa lost 1-0 at Brugge in the league phase and needed two goals in the final eight minutes to take control in the last-16 first leg.

    But Brugge had never won in England in 14 trips and those nervous Villa supporters need not have worried as the tension was lifted in an instant by Rashford’s blistering pace.

    Accelerating onto Emiliano Martinez’s long punt in the 17th minute, Rashford was hauled down by Sabbe on the edge of the area, with the Brugge defender dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

    From the free-kick, Youri Tielemans’ drive forced Simon Mignolet to make a sprawling save low to his right.

    Emery made an inspired double substitution at the interval, sending on Asensio and Leon Bailey in a move that paid immediate dividends.

    The pair combined to break the deadlock in the 50th minute as Bailey’s pass reached Asensio inside the Brugge area and he swivelled to finish with aplomb.

    Asensio should have scored again moments later, but the 29-year-old’s shot cannoned back off the post.

    With Villa fans singing songs of praise to Emery, Maatsen doubled the lead in the 57th minute.

    Morgan Rogers’ nimble footwork worked space for a cross to Maatsen, whose close-range effort deflected past Mignolet.

    Asensio wrapped up another memorable European night for Villa four minutes later, meeting Rashford’s low cross with a clinical finish from six yards.

    Utd eyes historic move from Old Trafford | 01:24

    – DORTMUND FIGHT BACK –

    Borussia Dortmund recovered from losing an early goal to fight back and beat Lille 2-1 in France in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals.

    Jonathan David gave Lille an early lead on the night, putting the French club ahead in the tie after last week’s 1-1 first-leg draw.

    However, Emre Can squared things by converting a penalty for Dortmund on 54 minutes, and Maximilian Beier then fired in a fine winner for last season’s runners-up.

    Dortmund will now face Barcelona in the quarter-finals next month, having already lost 3-2 at home to the Catalans during the league phase in December.

    The result is a huge boost for Dortmund and their recently-appointed coach Niko Kovac, coming as the club languishes in 10th place in the Bundesliga.

    “For the whole 90 minutes we controlled the game. It was a fantastic performance,” Kovac told UEFA.com.

    He will now come up against a Barcelona side coached by Hansi Flick, his former assistant at Bayern Munich.

    The result is a massive disappointment for Lille, who were hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history after an outstanding performance during the league phase.

    They finished seventh out of 36 teams, beating both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on the way, while also holding Juventus and putting six past Feyenoord.

    – ‘Frustration’ for Lille –

    Their coach Bruno Genesio insisted it had been a “satisfying” campaign despite the exit, but club president Olivier Letang was unhappy about the decision to award the penalty from which Dortmund equalised.

    “I want to emphasise how good a run we had, even if we are frustrated,” before questioning the decision to appoint as referee Sandro Schaerer, a German-speaking Swiss.

    “I don’t think it was a penalty and it changed the game,” he said. “When I saw who was appointed referee, and that he was a German-speaking Swiss, I thought it was a bit strange. And at half-time he was speaking to the Dortmund players exclusively in German.” Lille appeared to be in a strong position after coming from behind to draw in Dortmund last week, and they went in front in the tie when Canada forward David scored in the fifth minute.

    Ismaily’s low ball in from the left was swept towards goal by David, somehow going in through the legs of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

    It was David’s seventh goal in this season’s Champions League, but it seemed to galvanise the visitors.

    They were denied an equaliser by a remarkable double save from Lille ‘keeper Lucas Chevalier in the midst of a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.

    Dortmund applied pressure and were rewarded when they won the penalty shortly after half-time as Serhou Guirassy went down under contact from Thomas Meunier.

    It appeared a soft decision, but Can fired in the spot-kick, and Karim Adeyemi then hit the bar for Dortmund before they found what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes.

    Guirassy, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, was the provider but Beier still had work to do as he controlled the ball in the box before firing a lethal shot high into the net.

    Lille could not recover from that blow as they went out in the last 16, just like in their two previous appearances at this stage of the competition, in 2007 and 2022.

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  • City crash out as star’s hat-trick makes horror season worse; French giants slam on TEN – CL Wrap

    City crash out as star’s hat-trick makes horror season worse; French giants slam on TEN – CL Wrap

    Manchester City have sensationally crashed out of the Champions League with Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid blowing away the four-time reigning English Premier League champions at the Bernabeu.

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    After Real scored in the 86th and 93rd minutes at the Etihad last week to take a 3-2 lead into the second leg, City boss Pep Guardiola declared his side had a “one per cent” chance of advancing to the Round of 16.

    He backtracked on that statement later in the week, but his decision to leave star goal scorer Erling Haaland on the bench, after he hobbled off the pitch during their 4-0 league win against Newcastle, showed that Guardiola probably did believe it.

    Then as Mbappe ran riot with a hat-trick and Real took the tie 6-3, Guardiola’s initial assessment looked like it may have been too generous.

    Real were clinical in booking a date with either fierce rivals Atletico Madrid or German outfit Bayer Leverkusen in the next phase, while for City with their Premier League campaign long gone, only the FA Cup remains in their quest for silverware this season.

    It took just four minutes for Real to essentially kill off any potential contest.

    It was the home side’s first attacking play of the match as Raul Asencio lobbed a long ball forward, City defender John Stones, who went off injured three minutes later, missed his header and Kylian Mbappe pounced out the back.

    The French superstar scored an ugly, scrappy goal off his shin to open Real’s account at the Etihad a week ago, but this was a much classier finish with City goalkeeper Ederson half coming out towards him, and Mbappe coolly lobbed the ball into the net.

    MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 19: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League playoff second-leg match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on February 19, 2025. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    He added a second, and truly buried any hope of a City comeback, in the 33rd minute as Real’s electric front three proved too hot to handle.

    Vinicius Junior played a key hand in all three Real goals last week, and the Brazilian was instrumental again in this one, breaking through City’s defensive line and charging down the right wing before crossing into Mbappe.

    City defender Gvardiol was left humbled as he ended up on his backside after Mbappe stunningly cut inside of him, and finished at the near-post.

    Mbappe’s third came on the hour as he collected the ball on the edge of the box, cut past Phil Foden and buried into the far corner with his weaker left foot.

    It was the 26-year-old’s second hat-trick since joining Real from PSG last year.

    City at least got onto the scoresheet when Nico Gonzalez tapped into an empty net in the second minute of added time after Omar Marmoush’s superb free kick ricocheted off the crossbar.

    – Extra time thriller –

    PSV and Juventus are off to extra time with the Dutch side leading their home leg 2-1 to level things up at 3-3.

    Ismael Saibari’s second half goal levelled the aggregate scores for PSV.

    – PSG hammerBrest –

    Paris Saint-Germain can look forward to a showdown with either Liverpool or Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League after mercilessly crushing French rivals Brest 7-0 on Wednesday to win their play-off round tie 10-0 on aggregate.

    PSG were always overwhelming favourites to beat Brest and effectively killed off the tie with a 3-0 win in Brittany in the first leg last week.

    There were seven different goal-scorers in the return at the Parc des Princes, with Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Desire Doue, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Ramos and Senny Mayulu netting for the home side.

    It is PSG’s record winning margin in a European game and the first time they have scored seven in the Champions League since they trounced Celtic 7-1 in November 2017.

    PSG scored just three goals in their first five Champions League matches this season, but have found the net 21 times in five outings since then.

    Their dominant display here came despite Ousmane Dembele failing to add to the 18 goals he had netted in his previous 12 appearances for Luis Enrique’s side.

    It was an agonising way for Brest to end their first-ever European campaign, after they made it to the knockout stages following a historic third-place finish in Ligue 1 last season.

    Being drawn against PSG was an anti-climax for Brest. They have not beaten the Parisians in 40 years and have now lost 19 of the last 20 meetings of the clubs.

    Brest did almost take the lead early on as a Mathias Pereira Lage shot was blocked in front of the line by Marquinhos, before PSG struck in the 20th minute.

    Barcola, on the left, controlled a Fabian Ruiz ball over the top before beating goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.

    Kvaratskhelia made it 2-0 six minutes before the break, turning in his second goal for his new club after Barcola had flicked on a low Joao Neves cross.

    Neves smashed a shot against the crossbar in first-half stoppage time and Pierre Lees-Melou then hit the post for Brest early in the second half.

    However, a lovely strike from the edge of the area by Vitinha made it 3-0 just before the hour mark, and Ramos then produced a delightful piece of skill to tee up fellow substitute Doue for the fourth.

    Achraf Hakimi set up Mendes to tap in the fifth midway through the second half and Ramos made it six from close range on 76 minutes with his ninth goal of the campaign.

    Abdallah Sima had a goal for Brest disallowed for offside before Kvaratskhelia teed up 18-year-old Mayulu to round out the scoring on 86 minutes.

    PSG will find out the identity of their next opponents when the draw for the remainder of the competition is made on Friday.

    – Dortmund ease into last 16 after Sporting stalemate –

    Borussia Dortmund cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League after a goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday sealed a 3-0 aggregate victory.

    Serhou Guirassy missed a second-half penalty but it mattered for nothing in the end as last season’s finalists were rarely troubled by Sporting and coasted through.

    Dortmund’s reward is a last 16 game against Aston Villa or Lille. It was always a tough ask for this young Sporting side ravaged by injury to overturn the damage done in last week’s first leg, when Guirassy, Pascal Gross and Karim Adeyemi all scored.

    Dortmund dominated much of the return leg on a freezing night in Germany, with Marcel Sabitzer coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a rasping drive from distance that Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva did well to palm around his post.

    After the break, Dortmund got the chance to put the tie to bed from the spot when Silva was adjudged to have brought down Adeyemi in the box after Nico Schlotterbeck’s long pass split the visitors’ defence.

    But Guirassy’s well-hit penalty was saved superbly by the Portuguese goalkeeper low to his right, denying the Guinean striker an 11th Champions League goal in 10 games this season.

    Gio Reyna came off the bench and almost made an immediate impact against the Portuguese league leaders, hitting the post, but this was a night when Dortmund created little and Sporting even less, with the visitors failing to register a single shot on target.

    Ultimately, Sporting lacked the ambition to turn around the tie, allowing Niko Kovac’s side to progress on the back of a relatively easy night’s work.

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  • Liverpool held in Premier League thriller as $114m star’s epic blunder sparks title race twist

    Liverpool held in Premier League thriller as $114m star’s epic blunder sparks title race twist

    Liverpool have dropped points and handed rivals Arsenal the chance to narrow the gap in the title race with a thrilling 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa.

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    The Reds mustered 17 shots, but only three were on target, as they led and also came from behind in an enthralling 90 minutes at Villa Park.

    Arne Slot’s side now sit eight points clear of the Gunners, but with a game in hand, Arsenal can reduce the margin to five points with victory at home to West Ham on Saturday.

    Villa, who along with Liverpool are in the Champions League Round of 16, looked destined to spring an upset when they needed only two shots on target to yield two goals in the opening half.

    Midfielder Youri Tielemans levelled the scores in the 38th minute with a tidy volley, seizing the opportunity of the ball spilling to his feet as Liverpool failed to clear it after Marcus Rashford swung a free kick into the box.

    Villa Park then erupted ten minutes later when talisman Ollie Watkins headed home his 12th goal of the season.

    Defender Lucas Digne picked Watkins out in the box and the Reds complained of a handball earlier in the build-up, but the referee was not interested as the home side headed into the sheds with the lead.

    After the half time break, Villa could have easily made it three with Rashford almost opening his account in his first start for his new club.

    The loanee from Manchester United beat Reds goal keeper Alisson, who went rogue by coming a long way out from goal, in a race to the ball, but backtracking defender Ibrahima Konate headed clear Rashford’s shot.

    A huge slice of luck then went Liverpool’s way with Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring the decisive equaliser in the 61st minute courtesy of a massive deflection off Villa defender Tyrone Mings which deceived goal keeper Emiliano Martinez.

    Villa fans may have felt like justice stepped in the 70th minute to level the fortune stakes when $114m (AUD) Reds substitute Darwin Nunez, who replaced Diogo Jota up front, skied what should have been a tap in into a near empty net.

    A disallowed goal from Villa substitute Jacob Ramsey, who was a long way off-side, added more drama in the 81st minute.

    Earlier in the half, Mohamed Salah off loaded the ball to Alexander-Arnold on the edge of the box, as unsurprisingly the Egyptian star was a pivotal figure for the visitors.

    Salah opened the scoring in the 29th minute when an error from Villa defender Andres Garcia gifted the ball to Jota, who put it on a platter for the golden boot leader to bury it into an empty net.

    As has been the case on several occasions recently for Salah, who has 24 league goals this campaign, it was another record-setting goal.

    It was his 15th away goal of the Premier League season, the most by a Liverpool player in a campaign, breaking Luis Suarez’s previous mark of 14 set it in the 2013/14 season.

    The goal and assist also took his tally of goals and assists to 39 for the season, bettering Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever season in the Premier League, and becoming the first player since Eden Hazard in 2018/19 to score 15 or more goals, and provide 15 or more assists.

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  • Howler gifts underdog who sacked their manager 48 hours ago lead; clinical Kane – CL Wrap

    Howler gifts underdog who sacked their manager 48 hours ago lead; clinical Kane – CL Wrap

    A catastrophic mistake by AC Milan’s French goalkeeper Mike Maignan handed troubled Dutch side Feyenoord a precious 1-0 advantage after the first leg of the Champions League play-offs Wednesday.

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    The surprise win was a welcome tonic for Feyenoord, who came into the match in disarray after axing manager Brian Priske less than 48 hours before the game.

    In driving Rotterdam rain, the crowd had barely settled from the raucous pre-match singalong when the hosts took the lead thanks to Maignan’s inexplicable howler.

    With only three minutes on the clock, Feyenoord’s Brazilian winger Igor Paixao cut in from the left and fired a speculative shot along the sodden turf.

    The strike should never even have troubled the French international keeper but he somehow failed to collect it cleanly and it ricocheted off his body into the top corner.

    Buoyed by a feverish atmosphere inside De Kuip, the Dutch side had the better of the opening exchanges, winning most of the 50-50 balls and adapting well to the slow surface.

    Seven-time European champions AC Milan in contrast were sloppy and could not match the work rate of the home side.

    Paixao was causing chaos with scything runs down the left-wing and saw a curling shot glance off the bar just before the break, with Maignan well beaten.

    Defensively solid and Paixao in particular dangerous in attack, the unfancied hosts were good value for their 1-0 half-time lead, showing interim boss Pascal Bosschaart plenty of heart and commitment.

    The second half lacked clear-cut chances until the 71st minute when the outstanding Paixao dispossessed England’s Kyle Walker and nearly scored with a lob from the halfway line.

    Milan had one of their first meaningful shots on target when substitute Samuel Chukwueze tried his luck from distance but could only find Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther.

    The one goal proved enough on the night for Feyenoord to take the upper hand back to Milan, who will need to show far more penetration in the return leg at the San Siro on February 18.

    The match was a disappointing homecoming for AC Milan’s new striker Santiago Gimenez, who had only left De Kuip two weeks earlier after two and a half years and 65 goals in 105 appearances.

    The visitors lacked bite up front in general and Gimenez was largely anonymous until he was substituted on 82 minutes, receiving a warm ovation from the Feyenoord fans.

    Feyenoord will be hoping a win over AC Milan could herald the start of something special.

    In the only previous European meeting between the two, the Rotterdam club took out the Italian giants in their run to their only European Cup title, in 1969-1970.

    Awaiting the winner will be a clash with either Inter Milan or Arsenal.

    – Bayern sink Celtic to seize control of Champions League playoff –

    Bayern Munich took a major step towards the Champions League last 16 as Michael Olise’s thunderbolt and Harry Kane’s clinical finish secured a 2-1 win at Celtic in the playoff round first leg on Wednesday.

    Vincent Kompany’s side dominated the first half and a stunning strike from Olise gave them a deserved lead before Kane maintained his red-hot scoring streak after the interval.

    Daizen Maeda netted in the closing stages to give Scottish champions Celtic hope of a miraculous escape act in the second leg.

    The Japan forward was only playing after his two-game ban was unexpectedly reduced on appeal this week following his red card against Young Boys.

    But Bundesliga leaders Bayern will still be favourites to advance to the last 16 when Celtic visit Munich on February 18.

    Celtic finished just three points behind Bayern in the league phase, yet there is a huge gulf between the clubs’ European pedigree.

    Six-time European champions Bayern lead the Bundesliga by eight points, while Celtic are attempting to reach the last 16 for the first time since 2012-13.

    For the first 70 minutes that chasm in quality was clear to see before Bayern eased up in the closing stages, nearly allowing Celtic back into the tie as a result.

    Celtic’s first defeat in 33 home matches across all competitions was a welcome confidence boost for Bayern, who had shown a weakness on the road in league phase defeats at Barcelona, Aston Villa and Feyenoord.

    Celtic thought they had preyed on that weakness when former Bayern forward Nicolas Kuhn fired home from 20 yards inside the first minute, only for the goal to be disallowed for off-side against Adam Idah.

    Bayern could have been swept away by the tidal wave of noise cascading down from the Parkhead stands.

    But Kompany’s men are too experienced for that and they quickly seized control with a steady diet of possession.

    – Predatory Kane –

    Olise nearly put Bayern ahead with a powerful strike that forced Kasper Schmeichel to save at his near post.

    Schmeichel was forced into action again moments later as Kane’s curler was pushed away by the Dane.

    Bayern were camped on the edge of the Celtic area as they probed for an opener. Kane should have broken the deadlock when he nodded Olise’s corner into the side-netting from close-range.

    But the England captain’s blushes were spared by Olise on the stroke of half-time.

    Cutting inside Greg Taylor to reach Dayot Upamecano’s long pass, Olise unleashed a blistering drive that arrowed into the top corner from 15 yards.

    It was no more than Bayern deserved for their territorial dominance and the Germans struck again four minutes after the interval.

    Joshua Kimmich’s corner swung all the way to the far post without a Celtic clearance and the unmarked Kane guided a composed volley past Schmeichel from five yards.

    Kane’s typically predatory finish took his season tally to 29 goals in 29 games in all competitions.

    Upamecano’s challenge on Arne Engels prompted a long VAR check for a potential penalty, but Celtic’s appeal was correctly rejected.

    That was the signal for Celtic to mount a late bid to haul themselves back into the tie.

    Bayern had grown increasingly sloppy and Rodgers’ men earned their lifeline in the 79th minute when Maeda met Yang Hyun-Jun’s shot with a header from virtually on the line.

    Kompany’s men had to cling on for dear life in the final minutes, with Manuel Neuer producing a crucial save to deny Alistair Johnston.

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  • ‘Poor’ United scrape by strugglers as last-minute offside controversy raises eyebrows

    ‘Poor’ United scrape by strugglers as last-minute offside controversy raises eyebrows

    Harry Maguire headed a last-gasp winner as FA Cup holders Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 on Saturday (AEDT), denying Ruud van Nistelrooy a fairytale return to Old Trafford.

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    Bobby De Cordova-Reid put the Premier League strugglers ahead late in the first half of the fourth-round tie against a pallid United, who have lost their fear factor at home.

    But the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho at half-time gave United a different dimension and fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee levelled midway through the second period.

    Ruben Amorim’s team pushed for a winner and it finally came when former Leicester defender Maguire headed in a Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick deep into stoppage time.

    The Portuguese manager, who is struggling to implement his ideas at Old Trafford three months into his reign, said it was a “poor performance” from his side.

    “We didn’t have any energy in the beginning, especially in the first half,” he told ITV. “Then in the second half we played a little bit better, with a little more speed, winning second balls.

    “Then we managed to turn things around so it was a good result but not a good performance.

    “The coach is the first responsible. When one team doesn’t perform, doesn’t improve, it is the coach but we are here to do things and to see the game, to study the game and try to improve.” United scored eight goals in two games against Leicester earlier in the campaign during Van Nistelrooy’s brief spell as interim boss at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

    But this time their former star striker was in the opposition dugout. United, who beat Manchester City in the final at Wembley last May, were short of confidence after five defeats in their past seven matches at home in all competitions.

    The home side were tepid in attack in the early stages but Leicester’s Jordan Ayew tested Andre Onana at the other end.

    Leicester, the 2021 FA Cup winners, gave the Old Trafford crowd a familiar sinking feeling in the 42nd minute.

    Manuel Ugarte gave the ball away near the left touchline and Bilal El Khannouss got to the byline before pulling the ball back to Wilfred Ndidi.

    Onana saved Ndidi’s shot with his feet but De Cordova-Reid nodded home from close range.

    United’s players traipsed off at half-time to a chorus of boos after failing to manage a shot on target.

    Amorim brought on Garnacho at half-time for debutant Patrick Dorgu in a desperate search for inspiration and the Argentina international immediately menaced the Leicester defence.

    United’s equaliser came after fine work from the lively Garnacho down the left. Rasmus Hojlund’s flick from Garnacho’s cross was blocked but Zirkzee tapped into an empty net for just his fifth goal of the season.

    United looked the more likely to find a winner but it did not arrive until the 93rd minute, when Maguire headed home from Fernandes’ free-kick.

    The England defender appeared to be offside but there was no VAR. Van Nistelrooy was angry that off-side flag was not raised.

    “We deserved to go into extra time, go for the battle in extra time and maybe penalties,” he said.

    “Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow.” United, 13th in the Premier League, ended the January transfer window lighter than when they started in terms of attacking options after allowing Marcus Rashford and Antony to leave on loan.

    Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez was missing after sustaining cruciate ligament damage during last week’s defeat against Crystal Palace.

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  • City survive scare to set up mouth-watering playoff; Villa pull off miracle in wild final round – CL Wrap

    City survive scare to set up mouth-watering playoff; Villa pull off miracle in wild final round – CL Wrap

    Manchester City gave their fans an almighty scare but ultimately got the job done to advance to the knockout stage, while Premier League outfits Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa all booked a top eight spot and automatic passage to the Champions League’s Round of 16.

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    Eighteen matches kicked off simultaneously across Europe on an eventful Wednesday evening but all eyes were on Manchester with the 2023 champions needing a win at home against Belgian side Club Brugge in the final matchday of the league phase to keep their campaign alive.

    Entering the night in lowly 26th place with just eight points from seven games, City needed all three points to jump into the top 24 who reach the next phase, and they earned them with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory.

    It was far from smooth sailing for City, who will next face reigning champions Real Madrid or German giants Bayern Munich in a mouth-watering playoff for a place in the Round of 16, as despite having 70% possession, they trailed 1-0 at half time.

    Raphael Onyedika slammed home the opener in the 45th minute after a brilliant cut back from Ferran Jutgla as Pep Guardiola’s side failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.

    Perhaps the fact a merchandise store outside the Etihad Stadium went up in flames shortly before the teams arrived at the ground was a sign that the night was not going to go to plan for City, just as their Premier League campaign has not with the four-time defending champions sitting in fourth place 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

    But they managed to click into gear after the break with Mateo Kovacic levelling the scores with a low shot from the top of the box that beat former Liverpool shot stopper Simon Mignolet.

    City then received a stroke of good fortune with an own goal putting them in front.

    Erling Haaland was waiting for a tap-in on the end of Josko Gvardiol’s low cross at the back post, but Brugge defender Joel Ordonez turned it into his own net as he slid in to try stop the ball from reaching Haaland.

    City could finally breath a sigh of relief in the 76th minute when substitute Savinho played the ball down beautifully off his chest from a pass over the top by Jon Stones and smashed it into the net at the near post to add a third.

    “We were on the verge, 45 minutes from being out. It is an incredible lesson for me, the club that nothing is (taken) for granted,” Guardiola said.

    “In the second half we lifted our soul and our hearts were free.”

    Guardiola also suggested that with City’s new signings Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis becoming available, and the potential returns from injury for defensive duo Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias, his side will be raring to go for their clash with either Real or Bayern.

    “In two weeks will be better than we are (now),” he said. “Against these two giants, one of them we are going to play, we’ll see how we arrive.”

    LIVERPOOL TOPS TABLE

    City’s English rivals all progressed meanwhile, with Liverpool hanging onto first place despite losing 3-2 away to Dutch outfit PSV.

    Arne Slot made a whopping nine changes to the starting line-up from the Reds’ 4-1 win at Anfield against Ipswich Town with only Andrew Robertson and Cody Gapko backing up mid-week.

    Superstars including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson were among a host of first-choice players who were not even in the squad for the trip to Eindhoven.

    Dutchman Gapko scored a penalty against his former club in enthralling five-goal first half that included two goals from the home side in stoppage time to take the lead at the break.

    It was an engrossing contest but with Liverpool’s place in the top eight secure and PSV holding firmly onto their lead to ensure their place in the knockouts, a bit of the sting went out of the game in the second half despite Reds 18-year-old debutant Amara Nallo being shown a straight red card for a clumsy challenge after coming off the bench.

    It was Liverpool’s first European loss of the season, having won all seven previous matches but Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at home to Italian side Atalanta kept them on top.

    Gunners climb to third in UCL with win | 00:45

    ‘IMPRESSIVE’ TEEN INSPIRES ARSENAL

    Meanwhile in Spain, Arsenal also made nine changes to their starting XI from their 1-0 win away at Wolves on the weekend.

    The Gunners started the final matchday in third place with their spot in the top eight confirmed, so they too took the chance to rest and rotate as they picked up a 2-1 win at Girona.

    The hosts scored the opener through Arnaut Danjuma in the 28th minute, but Mikel Arteta’s side responded with a Jorginho penalty in the 38th minute and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri put them in front four minutes later.

    “I’m really impressed, making his debut as a Champions League starter today and scoring the goal that he scored, especially in a very important moment,” Arteta said.

    “His influence, his composure on the ball and how aggressive he is when he gets it, it’s impressive.”

    In the 77th minute, Arsenal suffered a scare as the ball ended up in the back of their net, but it was ruled out for offside and they held onto third position on the table, winning four straight European matches.

    Awaiting them in the Round of 16 will be one of Juventus, AC Milan, Feyenoord or PSV, and with a massive Premier League clash with Manchester City and the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Newcastle to come in the next week, Arteta is hopeful that his team will have the confidence to take down anyone

    “Winning in this competition is very demanding but overall the team has been very consistent, regardless of all the issues they have had to face,” he said.

    “(Hopefully it breeds) more belief in that dressing room that we are a good team and we can face anyone and still perform and win games.”

    VILLA CLINCH TOP EIGHT BERTH

    The wildest match of the night came arguably at Villa Park with Aston Villa prevailing 4-2 in a topsy turvy clash with Scottish giants Celtic.

    Morgan Rogers scored twice in the opening five minutes for the hosts and it was party time for Villa fans as they needed a win to book their place in the top eight.

    The visitors then threatened a boil over with Adam Idah scoring twice in the space of three minutes later in the first half to level the scores at the break.

    Villa down Celtic despite pen blunder | 00:29

    Ollie Watkins, who reportedly received a bid from Arsenal earlier in the day that was rejected by Villa, scored in the 60th minute to put the home side back in front but he could have had a brace shortly after when he won a penalty, and slipped when taking it to launch the ball high into the stands.

    But Rogers made it four in stoppage time to ensure that he took home the match ball as Villa finished in eighth place to automatically progress to the Round of 16 after chalking up five wins and a draw from eight games in an impressive league phase.

    Across the 18 matches, there 62 goals scored with Real Madrid winning 3-0 away at Brest, Bayern Munich defeating Slovan Bratislava 3-1 at home and PSG picking up a 4-1 win at VfB Stuttgart to register a third straight victory and ensure that they progressed.

    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOP 8

    Liverpool 21

    Barcelona 19

    Arsenal 19

    Inter Milan 19

    Atletico Madrid 18

    Leverkusen 16

    LOSC 16

    Aston Villa 16

    KNOCKOUT PLAYOFF ROUND TIES

    Monaco or Brest will play PSG or Benfica

    Feeding into a RO16 tie against >> Liverpool or Barcelona

    Sporting or Club Brugge will play Atalanta or Dortmund

    Feeding into a RO16 tie against >> Lille or Aston Villa

    Celtic or Man City will play Real Madrid or Bayern

    Feeding into a RO16 tie against >> Atletico or Leverkusen

    Feyenoord or Juventus will play Milan or PSV

    Feeding into a RO16 tie against >> Arsenal or Inter

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  • City on brink after four-goal meltdown; Gunners extend remarkable record — CL Wrap

    City on brink after four-goal meltdown; Gunners extend remarkable record — CL Wrap

    PSG came from 2-0 down to topple Manchester City in a wild second half, while Real Madrid and Arsenal picked up crucial victories in a thrilling match day of Champions League action.

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    All six goals at the Parc des Princes were scored after half time as the game went into overdrive with four goals scored in just ten minutes before PSG took the three points 4-2.

    With one match remaining in the new-look league phase, City sit one place out of advancing to the knockout stage and will need to defeat Club Brugge at home next week, and hope other results go their way, to progress.

    The 2023 champions are 25th on the league table, two points shy of VfB Stuttgart, with the top eight teams automatically qualifying for the Round of 16, while ninth to 24th compete for the remaining eight places in a two-legged play-off round.

    Pep Guardiola’s side have made a habit of coughing up leads this campaign after they blew a 3-0 advantage against Feyenoord earlier in the league phase, but City never truly felt on top.

    Jack Grealish came off the bench at the break to open the scoring in the 50th minute by following the ball in after Phil Foden’s shot was saved, but spilt loose, by Gigi Donnarumma.

    Erling Haaland then, three minutes later, added a goal to his big week – he signed a new ten-year contract with City – courtesy of Grealish’s excellent run into the penalty area setting up a comfortable tap-in.

    But in the 60th minute scores were level again as fellow substitute Ousmane Dembele finished coolly and Bradley Barcola capitalised on a rebound opportunity.

    The two goals were just reward for PSG’s dominance.

    They ended the match with 26 shots compared to nine, and had 64% possession, which led to an unstoppable wave of momentum once they got going.

    Joao Neves’ header in the 78th minute put them in front and Goncalo Ramos’ 93rd minute goal, with the last kick of the game, rubbed further salt into City’s wounds.

    Ramos appeared to be a long way off-side but VAR ruled the last touch came off a City player and the goal stood.

    It was the opposite of a decision in the first half, where PSG were denied an opener by the barest of margins.

    On the eve of half time Hakimi’s goal was ruled out with Nuno Mendes ruled off-side in the lead-up by VAR which showed a portion of Mendes’ kneecap to be past the City defender.

    The victory was also crucial for PSG as they moved to 22nd with ten points from their seven matches.

    Last season’s semi-finalists started the matchday in 26th but now Luis Enrique’s side may have done enough to progress to the next phase.

    – Arsenal on course for last 16 after beating Dinamo –

    Arsenal moved within touching distance of the Champions League last 16 after Declan Rice’s goal in just 106 seconds inspired their 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

    Mikel Arteta’s side raced into the lead in their penultimate league phase fixture thanks to Rice’s clinical finish.

    Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard netted in the second half at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal climbed to third place in the standings.

    Arsenal have won five of their seven league phase matches, losing just once, and are almost certain to finish in the top eight, which secures automatic qualification for the last 16.

    The north Londoners, who have never won the Champions League, travel to Girona for their last match in the league phase next week knowing a point will guarantee a top-eight berth.

    With Arsenal holding a three-point lead over a group of teams below eighth place, even a defeat could still send them through given their superior goal difference.

    This was a much-needed victory for Arsenal after last weekend’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, in which the Gunners blew a two-goal lead to dent their Premier League title hopes.

    Arsenal have won just two of their last six games in all competitions and moving to the brink of the Champions League last 16 is a welcome boost following their FA Cup exit against 10-man Manchester United and League Cup semi-final first leg loss to Newcastle.

    Arteta had urged his players to take advantage of their “strong position” in the league phase by winning on home turf against a Dinamo team fighting to secure a place in the knockout stage play-offs.

    They rose to the challenge as Arteta’s decision to play Jakub Kiwior in central defence in the absence of the injured William Saliba was rewarded.

    – Havertz strikes –

    Jurrien Timber had struggled in the heart of Arteta’s defence in the Villa game, but Kiwior was more comfortable alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.

    Arsenal made a flying start in the second minute as Gabriel Martinelli surged down the left flank and crossed towards Havertz, whose cushioned pass was lashed home by Rice from 10 yards.

    The Gunners’ quickest Champions League goal since 2014 provoked an angry response from Dinamo fans, with Rice pelted with plastic cups when he took a corner moments after his opener.

    Rice was unfazed and his goal-bound drive was blocked by Dinamo captain Arijan Ademi before Gabriel headed just wide from Odegaard’s corner.

    Gabriel screamed in frustration after that miss and Arteta looked equally vexed when Havertz headed woefully wide from another good opportunity.

    Croatian champions Dinamo, managed by former Italy World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, barely got out of their own half for long periods.

    Odegaard and Raheem Sterling combined to set up Martinelli but the Brazilian’s 20-yard drive was too close to Dinamo keeper Ivan Nevistic.

    With Arsenal struggling to deliver the knockout blow, Ethan Nwaneri replaced Sterling as the teenage forward returned from a four-game injury absence.

    Havertz finally put the result beyond doubt in the 66th minute, rising to meet Martinelli’s pin-point cross with a glancing header from 12 yards.

    After Havertz’s wife was sent death threats following his penalty shoot-out miss against Manchester United, the striker is beginning to work his way back into favour among Arsenal fans.

    The much-maligned German’s second goal in his last two games took him to 14 in all competitions this season.

    Odegaard wrapped up the comfortable victory in stoppage-time with a cool finish from Leandro Trossard’s cross.

    - Real Madrid thrash Salzburg to get back on Champions League track –

    Champions League holders Real Madrid got back on track in Europe with a 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg on Wednesday to ensure they will not be eliminated at the first hurdle.

    Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes struck twice each with French superstar Kylian Mbappe also on target in a ruthless display at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s side lost three of their first six games in a worrying start to the competition and will likely have to compete in the extra play-off round in February which is part of the competition’s new format, unless they can scrape a top eight spot.

    Brazilian winger Rodrygo struck twice in the first half to help Madrid take control, with Mbappe netting soon after the break and Vinicius grabbing a brace of his own.

    Defeats by Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille put Madrid under pressure ahead of their final two group matches and their Austrian visitors started with vim, pinning back Los Blancos.

    Madrid created little of note until Rodrygo’s opener after 23 minutes changed the dynamic of the game.

    The winger, in sensational form in recent weeks with eight goals in his last nine games across all competitions, finished neatly after Jude Bellingham nudged a cross into his path at the back post.

    His second goal was even better, set up by Bellingham with a brilliant backheel, which Rodrygo finished first time with a crisp curling strike.

    Mbappe notched the third early in the second half, pinching the ball from Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and tapping home to continue his own recent run of fine form after a shaky start to life at Madrid.

    Veteran midfielder Luka Modric sent Vinicius down the left with a fine pass for Madrid’s fourth, and the Brazilian finished with a powerful drive across Blaswich.

    Vinicius netted again after Fede Valverde burst down the middle and put him through after a slick team move, with the forward stroking home with ease after losing his marker.

    Mads Bidstrup slapped home a volley late on to offer Salzburg scant consolation, as well as carrying on Madrid’s unenviable run of conceding in each of their Champions League outings this season.

    Despite the late setback, Madrid’s demolition job was just what they needed to settle nerves after their poor start.

    Victory left Los Blancos 16th, a point behind Bayer Leverkusen in eighth, which is the final spot for direct qualification to the last 16.

    – Celtic’s wild victory –

    Ange Postecoglou’s former side Celtic endured one of the crazier Champions League nights as they picked a 1-0 win at home to Swiss side BSC Young Boys.

    Celtic had three goals disallowed and missed a penalty before they finally scored an 85th winner – which came in the form of an own goal.

    Two minutes later, Daizen Maeda was sent off and the home side reduced to ten men as the match got more eventful.

    In the end, it was a much needed result for the Scottish giants as they now sit 18th on the table with a guaranteed place in the knockout round heading into the final matchday of the league phase.

    UEFA Champions League results on Wednesday:

    RB Leipzig (GER) 2 (Sesko 19, Poulsen 78) Sporting Lisbon (POR) 1 (Gyokeres 75)

    Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) 2 (Kevin 18, Sudakov 37-pen) Brest (FRA) 0

    Real Madrid (ESP) 5 (Rodrygo 23, 34, Mbappe 48, Vinicius 55, 77) RB Salzburg (AUT) 1 (Bidstrup 85)

    Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) 4 (Dembele 56, Barcola 60, Neves 78, Ramos 90+6) Manchester City (ENG) 2 (Grealish 50, Haaland 53)

    Sparta Prague (CZE) 0 Inter Milan (ITA) 1 (Martinez 12)

    Arsenal (ENG) 3 (Rice 2, Havertz 66, Odegaard 90+2) Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 0

    Celtic (SCO) 1 (Benito 86-og) Young Boys (SUI) 0

    Feyenoord (NED) 3 (Gimenez 21, 45+9-pen, Ueda 89) Bayern Munich (GER) 0

    AC Milan (ITA) 1 (Leao 37) Girona (ESP) 0

    Played Tuesday

    Atalanta (ITA) 5 (Retegui 12, Pasalic 58, De Ketelaere 63, Lookman 90, Brescianini 90+4) Sturm Graz (AUT) 0

    Monaco (FRA) 1 (Singo 8) Aston Villa (ENG) 0

    Slovan Bratislava (SVK) 1 (Metsoko 85) Stuttgart (GER) 3 (Leweling 11, 36, Rieder 87)

    Club Brugge (BEL) 0 Juventus (ITA) 0

    Atletico Madrid (ESP) 2 (Alvarez 52, 90) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 1 (Hincapie 45+1)

    Benfica (POR) 4 (Pavlidis 2, 22, 30-pen, Araujo 68-og) Barcelona (ESP) 5 (Lewandowski 13-pen, 78-pen, Raphinha 64, 90+6, Garcia 87)

    Liverpool (ENG) 2 (Salah 34, Elliott 67) Lille (FRA) 1 (David 62)

    Bologna (ITA) 2 (Dallinga 71, Iling-Junior 72) Borussia Dortmund (GER) 1 (Guirassy 15-pen)

    Red Star Belgrade (SRB) 2 (Ndiaye 71, Djiga 77) PSV Eindhoven (NED) 3 (De Jong 17, 23, Flamingo 43)

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  • Star’s stoppage-time double saves Reds; Gunners’ title chances dealt blow after collapse — PL Wrap

    Star’s stoppage-time double saves Reds; Gunners’ title chances dealt blow after collapse — PL Wrap

    A Premier League juggernaut has extended its lead atop the table, while its main title challenger has been held at home in a shock result.

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    Elsewhere, Newcastle’s winning streak has been snapped in comprehensive fashion in another surprise outcome.

    REDS STEADY SHIP TO REIGNITE TITLE CHARGE

    Darwin Nunez struck twice in the final minutes as Liverpool got their Premier League title charge back on track with a dramatic 2-0 win against Brentford on Saturday.

    Arne Slot’s side were in danger of enduring a third successive league draw after wasting a host of chances at the Gtech Community Stadium.

    Of all the candidates to end Liverpool’s wobble, Uruguay striker Nunez would have been low down the list given his struggles over the last two seasons.

    But he rode to Liverpool’s rescue with a stoppage-time brace that lifted the Reds’ seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal.

    The Gunners can close the gap back to four points with a win against Aston Villa in Saturday’s late game.

    But Liverpool will hold a game in hand on Arsenal and have the destiny of the title still firmly in their grasp thanks to the much-maligned Nunez.

    Slot had admitted he couldn’t find a way to get the best out of the former Benfica star earlier this week.

    The 25-year-old had scored just four goals in 26 games in all competitions prior to his unexpected double in west London.

    Slot will gratefully take Nunez’s contribution as Liverpool’s first win in three league games kept them on course for a first title since 2020.

    Since the turn of the year, Liverpool had only won one game in four in all competitions, beating minnows Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round.

    They had drawn their previous two league games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, while also losing 1-0 at Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final first leg, making this victory essential to steady their nerves.

    Brentford kicked off with the joint-best home record in the Premier League, an impressive statistic they underlined by scoring twice in the closing stages to draw 2-2 with Manchester City on Tuesday.

    Postecoglou: ‘Spurs need reinforcements’ | 01:11

    GUNNERS COUGH UP 2-0 LEAD IN COSTLY DRAW

    Liverpool now holds a six-point Premier League lead over Arsenal, who blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Aston Villa on Saturday.

    Gabriel Martinelli gave the Gunners a deserved first-half lead when Emi Martinez failed to prevent his effort crossing the line.

    It was a similar story for Arsenal’s second as Martinez got a touch to Kai Havertz’s shot but could not keep it out.

    Just when Mikel Arteta’s men seemed to be cruising, Villa hit back through Youri Tielemans’ header.

    The Belgian midfielder then hit the post with the chance to level for Villa seconds later.

    The visitors did equalise 22 minutes from time when Ollie Watkins cushioned in Matty Cash’s cross off the underside of the crossbar.

    Arsenal thought they had a late winner, but Mikel Merino’s effort deflected in off Havertz’s hand and the goal was ruled out by a VAR review.

    Haaland signs monster deal with City | 01:21

    CHERRIES STUNNER TO SNAP MAGPIES’ STREAK

    Justin Kluivert’s stunning hat-trick snapped Newcastle’s winning streak in style as Bournemouth stormed into the Premier League’s top six with a rampant 4-1 win at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

    The Magpies were looking to set a club record with a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions but were thoroughly outplayed by the Cherries, who are themselves now on an 11-game unbeaten streak.

    Kluivert, son of former Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert, was the star of the show before Milos Kerkez fired in a fourth in stoppage time.

    Defeat leaves Newcastle still in fourth but now just one point clear of Bournemouth in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League.

    Bournemouth have never qualified for European competition before and Kluivert said that is the goal for an ambitious squad.

    “Why not dream big and let’s see where we can end up,” said the Dutch international.

    “Our run is also beautiful and that’s what we showed here today; that we are here to make an impression.” Alexander Isak’s hopes of matching the Premier League record scoring streak of 11 matches also came to an end on a humbling afternoon for the Magpies.

    The Swedish striker had struck in eight consecutive games but was barely given a sniff of a chance by a brilliant Bournemouth display.

    Andoni Iraola’s men flew out of the traps and never let up to move above defending champions Manchester City in the table.

    The visitors should have led inside four minutes when Dango Ouattara’s shot was saved by Martin Dubravka and Antoine Semenyo blasted the rebound over.

    Bournemouth had to wait just two minutes more to take the lead when Semenyo’s cut-back was swept into the far corner by Kluivert.

    Newcastle were shellshocked in the early stages but looked to have restored some order when Bruno Guimaraes headed in Lewis Hall’s corner.

    Yet the home side headed in at half-time behind once more after another classy finish from Kluivert to turn in Ouattara’s pass.

    Bournemouth should have been well out of sight before they did finally get the third goal in stoppage time.

    Ouattara had a goal disallowed by a VAR review as the ball had gone out of play before the Burkina Faso international prodded home.

    David Brooks’s inventive backheel was then denied by a combination of Dubravka and the post.

    Bournemouth were robbed of a famous victory in midweek when Reece James’ stoppage time free-kick rescued a point for Chelsea in a 2-2 draw.

    This time, though, they were not to be denied of three thoroughly deserved points.

    Kluivert took aim from outside the box to complete his second hat-trick of the season.

    However, all three efforts this time came from open play after his trio of penalties downed Wolves in November.

    The impressive Kerkez, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool and Manchester United, then drilled in the fourth to rub salt into Newcastle wounds.

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  • Sensational 12-minute burst from rising star saves United from disaster – PL Wrap

    Sensational 12-minute burst from rising star saves United from disaster – PL Wrap

    Amad Diallo scored a sensational 12-minute hat-trick to save Manchester United’s blushes in a 3-1 win against Premier League basement club Southampton on Thursday.

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    Ruben Amorim’s side looked set for a fourth straight league defeat at home before the forward turned the match on his head at a raucous Old Trafford.

    He levelled in the 82nd minute before putting United ahead eight minutes later, rounding off in style with a third goal deep into stoppage time.

    It was cruel luck on a Saints side battling to avoid finishing the season as the worst side in Premier League history.

    Ivan Juric’s team had deservedly taken the lead through a Manuel Ugarte own goal towards the end of the first half and had numerous chances to extend their lead.

    United secured a morale-boosting FA Cup win at Arsenal on Sunday, which followed a battling 2-2 draw at league leaders Liverpool.

    But they had a point to prove to their long-suffering home fans after three straight Premier League defeats underlined the huge rebuilding task facing new manager Amorim.

    The visitors settled quickly and the lively Kamaldeen Sulemana forced Andre Onana into a smart save after surging into the penalty area.

    “Disappointed” Ange refuses to blame ref | 03:42

    Despite their slow start, the home side should have been ahead in the 20th minute following a flowing move down the left but Alejandro Garnacho skewed horribly wide after being found by Rasmus Hojlund.

    Southampton, who travelled to Old Trafford with only one league win all season, were playing with confidence and zip.

    Onana produced a brilliant double save to deny Tyler Dibling with an outstretched hand before quickly getting up to deny Mateus Fernandes from point-blank range.

    And the visitors scored the goal they thoroughly deserved in the 43rd minute after the United defence made a hash of a corner.

    Matheus Fernandes’s delivery was flicked on at the near post by Dibling and the ball went in off Ugarte’s back.

    Amorim raised eyebrows at half-time by bringing on the under-performing Antony for Kobbie Mainoo.

    Controversial winner costs Ange’s Spurs | 02:41

    Ghana winger Sulemana, giving Leny Yoro a torrid time on right side of United’s defence, burst through again, only to be denied by a block from the scrambling Matthijs de Ligt.

    Amorim then hauled off Ugarte and Hojlund, replaced by Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee as he sent a stinging message to his under-performing stars.

    Sulemana raced past Yoro again and sent a shot agonisingly wide of the post. Antony was responsible for an astonishing miss shortly before the hour mark, failing to get any purchase on a Garnacho cross.

    United were now building up a head of steam despite the lingering threat from Southampton.

    “What is Ange gonna say about this” | 00:52

    United finally got the breakthrough in the 82nd minute when Zirkzee spread the ball to Amad and he ran at the defence.

    His first shot was blocked but he made no mistake with his second, blasting past Aaron Ramsdale in the Southampton goal.

    But he was not finished yet.

    Eight minutes later he got on the end of a cute dinked pass from substitute Christian Eriksen before taking advantage of a mistake from the Southampton defence to complete his hat-trick.

    The win lifts United to 12th in the table and leaves Southampton 10 points from safety.

    Earlier, Brighton scored a 2-0 win on the road over Ipswich after goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter.

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  • Man Utd’s six-year first snaps horror losing streak as Liverpool blow big opportunity in Anfield thriller

    Man Utd’s six-year first snaps horror losing streak as Liverpool blow big opportunity in Anfield thriller

    Manchester United rallied to snap a four-game losing streak and halt Liverpool’s romp towards the Premier League title in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

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    Liverpool move six points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand to come, over second-placed Arsenal.

    But this was an opportunity lost for Arne Slot’s men after they came from behind to lead 2-1 through Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah’s penalty.

    United broke their six-year goal drought at Anfield to open the scoring in spectacular fashion through Lisandro Martinez and got the point a much-improved performance deserved when Amad Diallo levelled on 80 minutes.

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield on January 05, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    A point edges the Red Devils up to 13th in the table and seven clear of the relegation zone.

    Liverpool boss Slot warned that United were “much better” than their shocking league position suggested ahead of the game and so it proved.

    United had been carved open at will by Newcastle in a dismal 2-0 defeat on Monday that left manager Ruben Amorim declaring they were in a relegation battle.

    Amorim’s hand was strengthened by the return of captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte from suspension, while Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the starting line-up.

    The Portuguese’s plan to frustrate Liverpool worked but the home side did have the chances early on to make the breakthrough.

    Gakpo prodded past the far post from Ryan Gravenberch’s through ball. Moments later Salah picked out Alexis Mac Allister with a sumptuous pass that the Argentine caught flush and forced Andre Onana into a fine save with his feet.

    United took time to begin to impose themselves as an attacking threat but should have been in front before the break.

    Diallo miscued his header with the goal gaping from Diogo Dalot’s cross. Rasmus Hojlund then had the best chance of the first half when he raced in behind the Liverpool defence but could not beat Alisson Becker.

    – Renewed confidence –

    However, confidence was suddenly coursing back into United players who have looked bereft in recent weeks.

    The visitors’ breakthrough came from an unlikely source as Martinez showed his strikers how to finish with a blistering hit in off the underside of the bar for just his second goal for the club.

    The Anfield crowd were beginning to get restless as the league leaders were briefly at sixes and sevens.

    However, Liverpool’s position at the top of the table owes much to the depth of firepower they possess.

    Even on a quiet day for Salah, they had an in-form forward to come up with the moment of magic required to turn the game.

    Gakpo turned inside his Dutch international colleague Matthijs de Ligt and blasted high past Onana for his 10th goal in 15 games on the hour mark.

    Despite the equaliser Slot immediately made two offensive changes, as Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were introduced, and got his reward.

    MacAllister’s header flicked off De Ligt’s outstretched arm inside the penalty area and a VAR review resulted in the awarding of a spot-kick.

    Salah smashed low and hard beyond Onana for his 18th Premier League goal in 19 games.

    However, United’s spirited display got the point it merited to halt an alarming losing streak for Amorim so early in his reign.

    Alejandro Garnacho’s attitude has been questioned by his new boss but the Argentine came off the bench to make the equaliser as his low cross was turned in by Diallo.

    And it should have been even better for United when Harry Maguire spooned Joshua Zirkzee’s pass over the bar with the goal gaping deep into stoppage time.

    – Fulham fight back to draw against Ipswich –

    Raul Jimenez scored two penalties as Fulham twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with relegation-threatened Ipswich at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

    Sam Szmodics put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute, with Jimenez levelling from the spot midway through the second period.

    Liam Delap restored Ipswich’s lead with another penalty but Jimenez had the final say in stoppage time.

    The result leaves Ipswich third from bottom of the table after falling agonisingly short of recording two consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

    Mid-table Fulham enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half but Ipswich broke the deadlock against the run of play with their first chance of note.

    Delap surged forward and fed Leif Davis, whose cross was headed onto the bar by overlapping right-back Ben Johnson. After a scramble to clear the danger, Szmodics was on hand to crash the ball off Calvin Bassey and past Bernd Leno.

    It took until the 69th minute for the Cottagers to get back on level terms. Harry Wilson found a pocket of space once more following Rodrigo Muniz’s pass and was brought down inside the box by Sam Morsy.

    Referee Darren Bond initially said no penalty but changed his original decision after a VAR check and Jimenez stepped up to slot his spot-kick to Christian Walton’s left.

    Delap put Ipswich back ahead just two minutes later after he was fouled by Timothy Castagne and they went close to a third when substitute Jack Clarke struck a post.

    But Fulham continued to probe for an equaliser and it arrived in the first minute of stoppage time.

    Jimenez picked himself up after being fouled by Davis and coolly found the top-right corner to secure his side a share of the spoils.

    “When you lead twice you always feel a little bit disappointed not to win,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports.

    “I’m so proud of the way we played. We had some chances to get a two-goal margin but weren’t able to take them.” Fulham boss Marco Silva praised the performance of Jimenez, who now has eight Premier League goals this season.

    “He showed the character and the calmness,” he said. “There are many positives I take from the game. In some moments we cannot concede like we did and we have been punished by some mistakes.

    “Everybody can talk about European hopes. I prefer our team to speak on the pitch. If you want to be fighting you have to be much more ruthless and aggressive.”

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