Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 5-0 Champions League win over Kairat Almaty on Tuesday, but the French star still left the pitch frustrated at not taking all of his chances. The 26-year-old, who has now scored 13 goals this season, believes finishing opportunities is exactly what he was brought to the club to do.
Real Madrid’s 5-0 Champions League win at Kairat Almaty has been overshadowed by Federico Valverde’s emotional statement addressing reports that he had refused to play. The Uruguayan vice-captain strongly denied suggestions of a rift with Xabi Alonso, insisting he has always given “everything and more” for the club, even while playing through injuries.
Jose Mourinho spoke about the "great potential" of Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian as his Benfica visited Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for a Champions League fixture. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Blues boss also revealed the truth about his links to the Brazil national team coaching job, a role that Carlo Ancelotti accepted in the summer.
Tottenham were rattled by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League clash courtesy of two goals from Jens Petter Hauge, a player Thomas Frank once tried to sign at Brentford. And the Spurs boss has refused to rule out the possibility of reigniting his interest in the 25-year-old midfielder when the transfer market reopens next year.
Robert Lewandowski’s Barcelona future remains uncertain as Deco hailed the striker as “a phenomenon at every level” while insisting his contract situation should not be debated publicly. The Poland international, who scored two match-winners last week and is now eyeing Wednesday's Paris Saint-Germain challenge, is reportedly being monitored by AC Milan as his deal runs down, but Barca remain patient over renewal talks.
Ajax’s Champions League campaign went from bad to worse on Tuesday night as they were thrashed 4-0 by Marseille at home, their second straight defeat in the competition that has piled even more pressure on their under-fire manager John Heitinga. But despite the humiliation, the Dutchman insists he is not worried about his position at the Eredivisie side.
Free-scoring Harry Kane continued his exceptional run, bagging a brace in the Champions League clash with Pafos, and subsequently claimed his Bayern Munich side "made it look easy". Kane has already scored 21 goals for club and country this season, including four in the Champions League, and enjoyed an easy ride during the clash in Cyprus where the German giants dominated throughout.
Barcelona’s long-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou may face further delays, with November’s clash against Athletic Club now emerging as the likeliest homecoming date. Despite nearing approval for an early-October reopening, the club are weighing financial, logistical and sporting factors that could push Flick’s side to stay at Montjuic a little longer.
Florian Wirtz endured a torrid evening for Liverpool against Galatasaray as the Reds fell to a 1-0 defeat in the Champions League. Wirtz played the full 90 minutes but struggled to make a significant impact on the game, and he is still waiting for his first goal contribution for the Reds after eight appearances. His latest performance has led to criticism from fans and pundits, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher among those who believe he should be dropped from the starting lineup.
Victor Osimhen fired Galatasaray to a stunning 1-0 Champions League win over Liverpool and declared the Turkish giants “the best team in the world” after the final whistle. The Nigeria striker’s first-half penalty settled a raucous contest in Istanbul, piling pressure on Arne Slot after back-to-back defeats for the Premier League champions.
A difficult night in the Champions League for Liverpool was compounded by a tongue-in-cheek social media post from Galatasaray, using the Reds' famous anthem You'll Never Walk Alone against them. Arne Slot's side lost 1-0 on the evening, making it back-to-back defeats following the 2-1 reversal at Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend.
Every month, GOAL brings you the top stories involving teenage wonderkids and the world's best young footballers. During September, there was plenty to be said about the likes of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono, but there were also plenty of other headlines made by the planet's emerging stars in both the men's and women's games.
TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods reacted to being "pied" by Jose Mourinho on live TV after Benfica suffered a 1-0 Champions League defeat to Chelsea. The visitors were undone by a cruel own goal from Richard Ríos in the 18th minute of the game, and for Mourinho, it marked yet another frustrating return to Stamford Bridge.
Antoine Griezmann created history for Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League during their 5-1 drubbing of Eintracht Frankfurt. After the game, head coach Diego Simeone was delighted with his performance and reserved special praise for the former France international. The Argentine expressed his gratitude to Griezmann and said that "talent has no age."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was at his brilliant best in Marseille’s 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday, but it was his simple act of humility that impressed Roberto De Zerbi as his 'new-spirited' team rounded off a perfect week. The veteran ran the show as the French side ran rampant with their third straight win since they opened their Champions League campaign with a defeat to Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe bagged himself a hat-trick in the Champions League and became the third quickest to reach 60 goals in Europe's premier competition, which puts him on course to beat Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible record tally. The Real Madrid superstar reached the landmark in just 89 games, courtesy of a treble against Kairat, while it took Ronaldo 98 games to reach the same number. And the France international is the second youngest to hit 60 goals, beaten by a matter of days, by Lionel Messi.
Manuel Neuer was left helpless as Mislav Orsic fired a spectacular strike past him during Bayern Munich’s 5-1 Champions League win over Pafos. The veteran goalkeeper later offered a cheeky explanation in a lively exchange with a reporter, insisting there was little he could do to stop the goal, while, Bayern’s stars Harry Kane and Michael Olise shone once again in a dominant performance.
Jose Mourinho was grateful for the warm reception he received from Chelsea fans but made it clear that it was no consolation after Benfica's Champions League defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese walked back into the stadium that made him a legend and was met with a roar only reserved for serial champions. But while the love was loud, the night was cruel for Benfica.
Bayern Munich extended their winning streak to nine with a 5-1 Champions League win over Pafos on Tuesday. While many have been surprised by the German giants’ form under Vincent Kompany, midfielder and team captain Joshua Kimmich insists it is no accident.
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has lavished praise on his players after they hammered Ajax 4-0 in the Champions League clash at the Orange Velodrome. Mason Greenwood was on the scoresheet once again and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided a couple of assists and bagged a goal himself, but Igor Paixao grabbed the headlines with a quick-fire first-half double to get the ball rolling for the French giants. After the match, former Brighton manager De Zerbi described his team's performance as "perfect".
Harry Kane opened up on his relationship with Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich's Champions League rout of Pafos. The Bavarians unleashed a merciless storm in Cyprus, tearing apart Pafos with a crushing 5-1 continental triumph. Kane bagged a brace, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise also chipped in, and Jackson grabbed his first goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer window.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho made an astonishing intervention during the Champions League clash with Chelsea after Portuguese fans started hurling objects towards Enzo Fernandes. Mourinho stepped in as drinks bottles rained down from the away section in the Shed End, pleading with his supporters to behave as they vented their fury at their former player, who left Benfica in controversial circumstances back in January 2023.
Alejandro Garnacho broke his silence on his bitter Manchester United exit after an impressive performance for Chelsea during their Champions League win over Benfica. The Argentine winger shone under the lights of Stamford Bridge as Chelsea edged past Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League. His dangerous cross forced Richard Rios into an own goal, sealing a priceless 1-0 win for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Wednesday's Champions League clash between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain should have immediately seen the top two players in the 2025 Ballon d'Or vote squaring off against one another. However, while Lamine Yamal has returned to full fitness just in time for the game at Montjuic, Ousmane Dembele will remain sidelined for at least another couple of weeks.
It was only a few months ago that Phil Foden was so worn out physically and mentally that he asked not to be selected by England. Now he is putting his hand up to play games that he wouldn’t normally be considered for. The fire within him that almost burned out is raging again and he has rekindled Manchester City’s fortunes, fuelling their impressive return to form from their worst start to a season in 20 years.
Liverpool fans have torn into Arne Slot after their second successive defeat. The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday mere days after their Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, leading supporters to criticise manager Arne Slot after a summer of big spending at Anfield that saw stars such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz arrive.
Chelsea attacker Joao Pedro had a night to forget at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday against Benfica in the Champions League despite the 1-0 victory. The Brazil international arrived as a second-half substitute but was sent off deep into stoppage time after picking up two yellow cards and will now serve a ban. The sending off marred a good night for the Blues as they picked up their first Champions League win of the new season.
After seven wins in a row in all competitions, Liverpool have now lost two on the spin, with Arne Slot's side slumping to a dismal 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray - just three days after being upset by Crystal Palace.
Spurs somehow came from two goals down to rescue a late 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt, despite an absolutely appalling performance in the Arctic Circle. Bodo missed a penalty and also had a 2-0 lead, but could not get over the line, as the north London side showed some real grit and determination to earn a point on the road in Europe.
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