Tag: league

Copenhagen stun Man United with late winner in dramatic Champions League clash

Copenhagen secured a dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United, despite a promising start for United with Rasmus Hojlund’s early goals. Marcus Rashford’s controversial red card in the Champions League clash changed the game, after United dominated in the first half. The new United forward Hojlund aimed for a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 lead for United. However, VAR intervened, penalizing Rashford for a red-card challenge on Elias Jelert. Copenhagen capitalized on the setback, leveling the score at 2-2 by halftime. One of Copenhagen’goals – Getty image Despite being reduced to ten men, United rallied and took the lead with a Bruno Fernandes penalty. But it wasn’t long until Copenhagen staged a comeback, securing the win with an 87th-minute goal from Roony Bardghji. United now find themselves at the bottom of their group, needing a victory against Galatasaray to avoid an early group-stage exit.

Arsenal secure crucial 2-0 win against Sevilla, boost Champions League hopes

Bukayo Saka scored the last goal – Getty image Arsenal claimed a 2-0 victory over Sevilla, inching closer to a coveted spot in the Champions League last-16. Leandro Trossard showcased his mettle with a fine team goal, setting the Arsenal in front in the first half.

Bukayo Saka scored the last goal – Getty image The absence of key players like Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus didn’t hinder the Gunners front their usual possession dominating game. Declan Rice was a delight to watch, with expert control in the middle, the London side’s stability. Bukayo Saka delivered a stellar finish, to secure the win for Arsenal.

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Manchester City clinch last 16 spot with 250th Champions League goal

Manchester City became the fastest team ever to reach 250 goals in the Champions League, while securing last 16 spot with 3-0 win against Young Boys. Erling Haaland ensured a City milestone with stunning second-half goal from the edge of the box. Haaland, who joined the Etihad in the last two campaigns, has quickly become an integral part of the team. He scored two goals in the match against Young Boys, and he could have completed a hat-trick if not for his substitution with almost half an hour to go. Erling Haaland scored double in the match – Getty image Pep Guardiola’s squad has now qualified for the knockout rounds for the 11th consecutive season, with ease even, this time around. Their unbeaten run in the Champions League extends to 16 matches, dating back to May 2022, and they have won all 23 games at the Etihad stadium this year.

250th Champions CITY clinch goal league Manchester spot

Newcastle Champions League hopes left hanging as Dortmund trash visitors 2-0

Newcastle United’s Champions League campaign is left hanging after a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund left them on the brink of exit. This defeat comes just over a month after Newcastle’s impressive victory against PSG, which had raised hopes of a successful campaign. Dortmund’s second goal – Getty image Joelinton missed a rare opportunity to level the score at 1-0. However, the Magpies failed to show their mettle against a strong Dortmund side. Eddie Howe’s tactical decisions, including starting youngster Lewis Hall and benching first-choice wingers Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon, have now been criticized. Borussia Dortmund managed to stifle Newcastle with goals from Niclas Fullkrug and Julian Brandt.

Champions Dortmund hanging hopes league left newcastle Trash visitors

Anthony Taylor set for Premier League return after being “demoted” to Championship

English football referee Anthony Taylor is reportedly being recalled after he was recently “demoted” to the Championship. Taylor is undeniably, one of the most controversial on-pitch officials in the Premier League, with years of experience. He was assigned to a Championship match last weekend between Preston North End and Coventry City, and was widely regarded as being “demoted”. However, reports now suggest that Taylor will be back in the top flight league this weekend as he oversees the high-profile match between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday.

Match officiating referee Anthony Taylor – Getty image As usual, Taylor’s stint in the Championship was not without controversy, as he awarded Preston North End a penalty during the match, a decision that sparked reactions. Some fans criticized his decision, claiming that there was minimal contact that led to the penalty, which contributed to Preston’s 3-2 home victory. Meanwhile, Chelsea, fresh off a 4-1 win against Tottenham that ended their London rivals’ unbeaten streak, will host Manchester City, who currently lead the Premier League table this coming weekend.

ANTHONY CHAMPIONSHIP demoted league premier return set Taylor

Injured Bellingham doubtful of Champions League availability against Braga

Jude Bellingham has reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder, casting doubts about his availability for the upcoming Champions League clash. The midfielder sustained the injury during the recent goalless draw between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Spanish news outlet El Chiringuito earlier reported the player’s injury, which is now considered a major blow to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Real Madrid is currently two points behind the league leaders Girona as they prepare for the all-important Champions League match against Braga. Jude Bellingham – Getty image Meanwhile, Ancelotti recently provided an update on the England international’s condition, stating, “Jude Bellingham has a problem with his shoulder. “He will undergo examinations tomorrow. I hope he will be able to play on Wednesday,” he added. Bellingham has shown exceptional talent since joining Real Madrid, scoring important goals for the Spanish capital.

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Nketiah steals first Premier League hat-trick in Arsenal 5-0 victory

Eddie Nketiah stole the spotlight on Saturday as he scored a hat-trick in Arsenal 5-0 victory against Sheffield United. The Gunners had a three-goal lead before half-time, with Nketiah seizing his opportunity to shine in Gabriel Jesus absence due to a hamstring injury. The young talent delivered a stunning treble, marking his first Premier League hat-trick for the Gunners. His performance earned him an applause from Jesus, who watched from the stands. Nketiah’s hat-trick also made him the first Englishman to score a top-flight hat-trick for Arsenal since Theo Walcott achieved the feat in 2015. Eddie Nketiah – Getty image The 24-year-old striker opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a fine finish following a deep cross from Gunners midfielder Declan Rice. He extended Arsenal’s lead in the 50th minute with a heavy strike from inside the Sheffield United box. Nketiah’s third goal was the standout moment, as he collected the ball 20 yards from goal and unleashed a fierce and precise shot into the top corner.

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Spains defeat Croatia on penalties to win UEFA Nations League title

Spain has won their first title in 11 years after defeating Croatia 5-4 on penalties to win the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday, June 18. The final at the Feyenoord Stadium ended goalless after extra time, leaving the trophy to be settled on spot-kicks with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon emerging as the hero.

Spain crowned UEFA Nations League winners. Source: Getty He saved Croatia’s fourth kick from Lovro Majer giving Spain’s Aymeric Laporte the chance to win the shootout but he hammered the ball against the bar. Simon then saved again from Bruno Petkovic to hand Spain a second chance to win, which Dani Carvajal took with a chipped finish. Spain’s last title was the 2012 European Championship and the Nations League will help make up for a disappointing World Cup in which they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Morocco. Croatia, who were runners-up at the World Cup in 2018 and third in 2022, have never won a major trophy and were hoping Nations League success would cap a glittering international career for captain Luka Modric, who played his 166th international game. Dejected Croatian players at the Nations League final. Source: Getty Spain winning the Nations League is a confidence boost for their new coach Luis de la Fuente after heavy criticism in March following a defeat to Scotland in a Euro 2024 qualifying game. It also avenged their 2021 final defeat by France. Real Madrid defender Carvajal told Spanish broadcaster TVE; “For us it was a unique opportunity, we went out early in another tournament (at the World Cup in Qatar) and today we had to take advantage. “We had confidence with the penalties and it went well, I knew how I was going to shoot it, and I knew I was going to be sixth… I wanted to take it Panenka style and it went well.” It remains to be seen whether this was Modric’s final chance to deliver a trophy for his country, with the 37-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner set to make an announcement on his international future this week.

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Manchester City completes treble run, wins Champions League

Manchester City won the Champions League title for the first time by beating Inter Milan 1-0 at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium on Saturday, June 10. Pep Guardiola’s team was far from their fluent best for long periods in the Ataturk Stadium, but they once again found a way to dig out a narrow victory to follow up their FA Cup triumph over Manchester United last weekend and end their long pursuit of Europe’s premier trophy.

Manchester City crowned Champions League winners. Source: Twitter The Citizens struggled to impose their usual, dominant game upon the Italians in a tight first half with Erling Haaland seeing their best effort well blocked by Andre Onana. Guardiola’s frustration was then compounded when the Belgian star Kevin de Bruyne was forced to withdraw from the action for a second successive Champions League final after suffering a hamstring injury. Spanish midfielder Rodri’s 68th-minute goal settled a cagey contest that a far-from-fluent City dominated but they never looked comfortable against the three-time winners. Inter almost levelled at the death when a point-blank header by substitute Romelu Lukaku was saved by Ederson. City held on to lift their first European silverware since 1970. It completed a treble for City, making them the second English club to achieve the great feat as Manchester United also won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.

A list of trophies Manchester City won this season. Source: Twitter While it is the first time City has won European soccer’s biggest club competition, it is the third time Pep Guardiola has lifted the trophy as a coach. The victory means the club finally achieved its ambition of reaching the summit of European soccer, 15 years after Abu Dhabi’s ruling family transformed it into one of the richest teams in the world. Owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan was in attendance to see City’s crowning moment. It was only the second time he has watched his team in person in 15 years. Following the big win today, Guardiola is now the only coach to win a treble with two different sides, the first one being FC Barcelona in 2008/09. Guardiola also became the third-ever manager in the history of football to win the Champions League with two different teams.

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De Bruyne suffers another injury in a Champions League final

Belgian football star, Kevin De Bruyne has been forced off the ongoing Champions League final after picking up an injury in the first half against Inter Milan. Inter had started brightly and threatened Manchester City’s goal as the English team’s nerves were visible and they caused themselves plenty of early problems in the game. Seeing De Bruyne on the floor only aided in accelerating the heartbeats of those in light blue shirts throughout the ground. De Bruyne on the ground after suffering a hamstring injury against Inter Milan. Source: Getty De Bruyne required treatment just before the half-hour mark in Istanbul with the game still goalless. He appeared to be clutching the back of his leg. The midfielder attempted to play through the pain but was unable to continue and was taken off in the 36th minute. Phil Foden came off the bench to replace him. He held back his emotion as he made the lonely walk off the pitch. But it was a familiar story for the 31-year-old assist king.

De Bruyne receiving medical attention after suffering a hamstring injury It is a repeat of the last time City made it to a Champions League final in 2021. De Bruyne was forced off in the Champions League final against Chelsea in 2021 after suffering a sickening facial injury after a clash with Antonio Rudiger in the 2021 final, leaving the pitch against Chelsea. City were trailing 1-0 at the time and losing De Bruyne in the 60th minute was a big blow to their chances of getting back into the game at the time. Chelsea had taken the lead in the 42nd minute through Kai Havertz. The Blues held on to win the competition for a second time and delay City’s chances of European glory. De Bruyne has again been pivotal to City’s success so far this season as they attempt to match Manchester United’s historic treble success of 1999. De Bruyne recorded seven goals and 16 assists in the Premier League this term while netting twice and registering eight assists in the Champions League up until the final.

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