Category: World Football

Late Drama As Two Last Minute Goals Send Real Madrid To The Champions League Final

The kings of the Champions League, Real Madrid, create more late drama in the semi-final between themselves and Bayern Munich. Two late goals from the ex Stoke City player, Joselu, sends them into the final with an aggregate score of 4-3.

After being behind 1-0 in the 81st minute, Carlo Ancelotti made the decision to bring on the previous Stoke City player onto the field in place of Federico Valverde.

It took him only 7 minutes to get the equaliser after an uncharacteristic shocking mistake from Manuel Neuer which caused him to fumble the ball and fall into the path of Joselu who put the ball into the back of the net with 2 minutes of regulation time left.

As a Real Madrid fan, he was living in a fever dream as only 1 minute later he scores the winner of the game which was originally ruled offside, however, VAR intervened and realised that he was on side and led to the winner being called on side and the German born striker sends Bayern Munich out of the Champions League in astonishing fashion.

Similar to what happened 2 years ago at the Bernabeu against Manchester City, 2 late winners from the subsitute sends Real Madrid through and if history repeats itself, it will lead to the 14 time winners making it 15 in this incredible run after defeating the current holders and an amazing late 2 goal winner.

However, that wasnt the only late drama in this tie, with the Bayern Munich centre back, De Light, scoring a goal in the 100th minute, which was actually called offside from the linesman way too early causing the referee to blow the whistle before the ball was in the back of the net.

After the game concluded, some sports channels did some analysis and realised that it actually was NOT offside and the linesman made a huge mistake which could have caused for extra time and possibly could have sent the game in their favour rather than what happened.

As seen in the image above, De Ligt was correct in arguing his decision to be on side as the linesman came up to him after the game and apologised for being wrong.

Despite this, Real Madrid did make it through and will go on to play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final being played at Wembley.

Real Madrid are hoping to make their 15th Champions League title a reality whilst Borussia Dortmund is hoping to get their second and give Marco Reus a perfect sending off as he has recently annouced his departure from the club after spending 12 years at the Yellow wall.

Liverpool Go Tumbling Out Of Europa League To Atalanta

Liverpool, after chasing a treble of their own, are now down to just the Premier League to fight for as they go tumbling out of the Europa League in a 3-1 aggregate scoreline leaving Klopp’s final season as an underwhelming one.

Liverpool were heavy favourites coming into the tie as they were leading in the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal whilst Atalanta were sitting 7th place in the Serie A, leading fans to believe that this was just a brush over for Klopp’s men.

However, it didn’t go that way in a crumbling 3-0 defeat at Anfield left fans and the players scratching their heads on what happened in a game that seemed straight forward to win. Maybe it was the idea that they were better than them, and the confidence took over the fact that they are a fighting side that weren’t going to go down quietly.

In the most important part of the season, Liverpool have seemed to have hit a slump of form in their run in to the end of the title race which has effected their performances in the Europa League at the same time. A shocking 3-0 loss to Atalanta at home followed by a 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace put them in a position of doubt after looking comfortably in control and looking to take over the game.

The return fixture in Italy proved to be too hard for Klopp’s men to come back from and left them out of every competition bar the Premier League. A 3-0 deficit eventually broke them and they only managed 1 goal back from a Mo Salah penalty in the 7th minute which gave them hope, but that was the end of it.

After going out of the Europa League in astonishing fashion, Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at Liverpool will be ending in just 6 games with them all being in the Premier League in a title race that no one can seem to name as the leader at the moment.

With their heads turned to the Premier League, they look ahead to Sunday where they travel to Fulham to try and keep their title chances alive with Manchester City missing this weekends games due to their semi-final tie against Chelsea which will decide if Guardiola can end this year with a domestic double with Klopp already taking the crown of the EFL Cup.

Arsenal will face off against Wolves in the Premier League tomorrow with themselves coming off of a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and dropping points in the title race to Aston Villa last weekend.

The title race could be a three-way final day decider, one that has never been seen before in Premier League football where all three teams could reach the 90 point mark. Leading to the most competitive title race in years.

Real Madrid Knock Manchester City OUT Of The Champions League

After the 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu stadium, Manchester City welcomed Real Madrid to the Etihad where it was nothing but a win expected from the holders of the Champions League. However, the game went all the way to a penalty shootout where it was always favoured in the hands of the 14 time winners Real Madrid.

Manchester City came with the aim to win the game by dominating the stats however, the solid defence of Rudiger was enough to stop the goals from flowing in from the 33 shots that were taken at the Real Madrid goal. If you go off of the goals statistics only, Manchester City dominating every aspect of the game, besides the one that mattered the most.

After 90 minutes the game was tied at 1-1 with goals coming from Rodrygo for Madrid and Kevin De Bruyne for City. However, the extra time wasnt enough for either team to get a goal and Manchester City had already taken off two of their best penalty takers, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

Jude Bellingham grabs a hold of his first semi-final appearance in the Champions League with this win over the Champions where there is the highly likely possibility of Real Madrid going on to win the entire tournament with the performances that they showed in the two legs.

Rodri, for Manchester City, said in the post match interview ”To be honest, today I only saw one team” showing his frustration in the fact that Real Madrid taking the early lead, sat back and defending for the game which ended to be the right game plan known that in penalties, there were the far more superior side.

Real Madrid carry on their run in Europe and continue to impress in the Champions League with the semi-finals in their eyes against Bayern Munich who advanced ahead of Arsenal where it will be two giants of European football facing off against eachother to see who will advance into the final of the Champions League.

Manchester City now focus on their remaining two competitions where they will face off against Chelsea this weekend in the FA Cup to try and defend their title and then in the neck and neck Premier League title race where they will be hoping to get the domestic double rather than the treble which was hoped for by Bernardo Silva in the pre-game.

Mbappe Brace Sends PSG Into Semi-Finals of The Champions League

After losing their home tie 3-2 in France, PSG went to Barcelona to set the game in their favour and try and end their long wait for the Champions League trophy. The game was going in Barcelona’s favour until a huge issue in the 29th minute.

Their star defender, Araujo, took an awful challenge just outside of the 18-yard-box earning him a red card leaving a gap in Barcelona’s defence which just could not be filled as the game went on to be a 5 goal thriller to the side of PSG.

The game ended 4-1 in the favour of PSG and fans of Barcelona were to send hate and speculation on the referee’s decision to send off their centre back and their manager, Xavi who also received a red card during the game, in their post match interview, criticised the poor refereeing during this incredibly important tie.

Kylian Mbappe bagged 2 goals for his local club with a somewhat poor performance for his standards, however in the end his goals where the ones that took them into the semi-finals ahead of Barcelona.

The MOTM award went towards Dembele, who previously played for Barcelona but got a move to his home country and played his heart out for PSG against his former club, who ended up out of the competition.

With his performance, it left a sour taste in Barcelona fans mouth’s which has led to racist comments being left underneath his Instagram photos which can only lead to nothing good for Barcelona fans.

The negative racist comments that come from European football have been so high in recent times which it all being unwarranted for a player that just kicks a football to get racially abused, it is unacceptable.

PSG will go on to face Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals of the Champions League whilst they await the games tonight to see who they will possibly play in the final of the competition where they are waiting for their first Champions League in its clubs history.

Late Bellingham Goal Gives England a 2-2 Scoreline in Friendly With Belgium

The second international friendly of the break went underway yesterday with England facing off against Belgium at Wembley Stadium. There was 4 goals in this friendly which left a draw between the giant nations.

This draw means that it has been 3 games in a row now for the Three Lions without a win after losing to Brazil and a 1-1 draw coming before that at the hand of North Macedonia.

England lined up with Kobbie Mainoo starting in the midfield alongside Declan Rice and sitting just behind global superstar Jude Bellingham. Not a bad debut game for the international team. He slotted into the spot that was manned by Kalvin Phillips in their Euro 2020 run to the final earning Phillips the player of the tournament.

With questions still floating around which XI will be the best for the upcoming tournament, it is surprising how much talent there is in the team, and how little success they are finding in these international friendlies despite a lot of their best players still being on the starting lineup.

Earlier in the week, Bukayo Saka pulled out due to a scare on an injury and now John Stones and Kyle Walker have pulled up with potential injuries despite already playing the first England fixture. With the upcoming game between Manchester City and Arsenal FC, fans are wondering if the injury scares and just a show of face for their respective clubs to pull them out of international duty.

The international break has ended with a 3 game win drought with England looking a bit shaky going into the run of club games. A very important run of games is coming in the Premier League to decide who will be the champion between Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Navigating Multi-Club Ownership in Football: The Case of Strasbourg

In the dynamic landscape of modern football, the concept of Multi Club ownership has emerged as both a promising avenue for growth and a subject of intense scrutiny. As clubs seek new strategies for success, the idea of owning and operating multiple teams has gained traction, offering potential benefits in player development, resource allocation, and organizational synergy. However, the implementation of such a model is not without its challenges, as evidenced by the experiences of Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace under the stewardship of BlueCo, a company formed by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium after their acquisition of Chelsea FC

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Strasbourg’s journey under Multi Club ownership mirrors the complexities inherent in this ambitious venture. Despite significant investment and the best intentions, the club finds itself grappling with familiar challenges: a young team needing help finding its rhythm, discontent among fans, and the constant pressure of performance evaluation.

At the heart of this narrative lies the partnership between Strasbourg president Marc Keller and BlueCo representatives. While the collaboration promises mutual benefits, including financial stability and operational support, it also necessitates a delicate balance of power and decision-making. Regular board meetings serve as a forum for dialogue, yet the nuances of day-to-day operations often require flexible communication channels and a spirit of collaboration.

One of the defining features of BlueCo’s approach is its emphasis on youth development and talent acquisition. Strasbourg’s transfer policy reflects this philosophy, with a concerted effort to rejuvenate the squad through strategic signings and academy promotions. However, the transition to a younger roster has not been without its challenges, as evidenced by the team’s inconsistent performance on the pitch.

The management of player transfers and squad composition underscores the complexities of Multi Club ownership. While BlueCo’s investment provides financial backing, it also introduces a layer of oversight that influences strategic decisions. The delicate balance between club autonomy and corporate oversight is a recurring theme, with each party navigating the competing demands of success and sustainability.

Mathias PEREIRA LAGE of Brest during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats math between Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace and Stade Brestois 29 at Stade de la Meinau on February 24, 2024 in Strasbourg, France. (Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Amidst the on-field struggles and fan unrest, Strasbourg remains committed to its long-term vision. The club’s leadership, guided by Keller’s experience and expertise, remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. While challenges persist, there is optimism for the future, fueled by the belief in the potential of Multi Club ownership to redefine footballing paradigms.

As Strasbourg navigates the complexities of Multi Club ownership, it serves as a microcosm of the broader debates shaping the footballing landscape. The journey towards sustainable success is fraught with challenges, yet it is also brimming with opportunities for innovation and growth. In the ever-evolving world of football, the story of Strasbourg offers valuable insights into the possibilities and pitfalls of Multi Club ownership, illuminating a path forward for clubs seeking to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

David Raya Saves Arsenal Into The Quarter-Finals of The Champions League

After losing 1-0 to Porto in the reverse fixture, Artetas men needed to fire back and win over the game to make it through to the quarter finals for the first time in over a decade.

The game ended 1-1 also, leading to a penalty shootout to decide which of the teams will join Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich in the quarter finals. This team ended up being the gunners who are dominating in England and now Europe.

The penalty shootout was nerve-racking for the Arsenal fans who were hoping for a 90 minute win but took it to over 120 minutes.

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And despite the scoring form that they are currently in by scoring 24 in 7 games, it was the goalkeeper, David Raya, who was the hero of the day for the home side.

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The save he made on the final penalty secured their place in the quarter finals where they await the draw for their opponent.

There is still two teams to announce for the last 8 between:

PSV (Eredivise) vs Dortmund (Bundesliga)

Inter Milan (Serie A) vs Atletico de Madrid (La Liga)

There have been no upsets so far in this Champions League tournament this year, are there some games due to happen or is it just straight cut with the favourites, Manchester City, to defend their title?

The form that Arsenal is in, they are contenders for the Premier League, as they are currently sitting top, and now they have made it to the final 8 of the Champions League where they will face off against a possible European giant.

Manchester City Legend Joe Hart Set to Retire At The End of The Season

Long time Manchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart has announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the season at the age of 37.

Hart, who currently plays for Celtic in the Scottish league, has seen a lot of success throughout his career with England, Manchester City, and most recently Celtic.

“This is something I have thought about for a while,” Hart told Celtic TV. “There’s no right or wrong time is there? But the way this club works is that I’m playing out at the moment. There’s so much on it. There’s so much heart and soul poured into what we’re doing as a football club.”

He was a big part of Manchester City’s first part of success under Roberto Mancini with him being the number one choice for the Italian manager. However, despite being the number one choice for Manchester City for years, he was not in the future plan for City in the eyes of Pep Guardiola who opted to shun Hart out of the side and bring in Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson with his play from the back style.

Hart then moved on from City to play for a bunch of teams on loan from Italy to England and officially got a transfer from the club in 2018 where he moved to Burnley and stayed with them for 2 years before moving to Tottenham Hotspur for a year and finally onto Celtic where he will retire at the end of the season.

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He also got himself 75 caps for the Mens England side making him the second most capped English goalkeepers of all time behind Peter Shilton who has 125 caps for the three lions.

He will go down in the history books in not just England but also Manchester City as their goalkeeper training ground is named after the Englishman with his goalkeeping capturing the hearts of City fans across the world.

Kylian Mbappè Has NO Interest In Staying With PSG After This Season

The football player widely regarded as one of, if not, the best player in the world, has informed Paris Saint German president, Nasser Al Khelaifi, that he will leave the French giants at the end of the season as a free agent.

It has been a big question in world football where the superstar will go after PSG and when he will leave the club. There were rumours of him leaving last year however he was offered a proposal that he could not refuse from PSG.

It was leaked yesterday that he has no plans to stay with the club beyond this year. The famous journalist, Fabrizio Romano put out a tweet announcing this which amassed to a huge 31 million views on X.

It is unknown where he will end up for sure, but fans are speculating a move to Real Madrid is on the cards to follow in his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo’s, footsteps.

They have reportedly reached out and set a lower than expected contract on the table for the Frenchman however there has been no public response to the matter from any of the parties involved.

The fee for the player would have been in the £200 million market seeing as he is only 24 years old and has amassed a World Cup and over 200 goals in his career. The fact that he is running his contract down so that he will go on a free transfer however the conversation that he will be having with his future club will be on his wages.

Nigeria Set To Face Home Nation Ivory Coast In AFCON Final

Both semi finals of the AFCON took place yesterday with Nigeria defeating South Africa and Ivory Coat defeating DR Congo to make their way to the final.

The Nigeria game came down to the wire with a penalty shootout after a last minute penalty in normal time from South Africa took it to extra time.

Victor Oshimen did actually score for the Nigerian side however, it was overruled through VAR after a penalty shout from the other side of the pitch. Once the Egyptian referee went back and had a look through the VAR monitor, it was decided that it was a penalty and the goal was ruled out.

It went from Nigeria being 2-0 up with 4 minutes to go to it going into extra time with a 1-1 score line.

This year marks their first AFCON final since 2013 when they won the tournament. They have appeared in 8 AFCON finals in history with 3 of them bringing the title back to Nigeria. They go on to face the home side, Ivory Coast, to try and make it 4 times out of 8 that they have won in the final.

A record has been equalled with ex-Watford centre back William Troost-Ekong, reaching 5 goals in the tournament which is a record for goals scored by defenders in the AFCON. With the final still to play, in the back of his mind fans are hoping that he can bring them the trophy with a goal and captain his side to their first AFCON in over 10 years.