Sports
Barcelona produce stunning comeback to beat Celta Vigo
Barcelona produce stunning comeback to beat Celta Vigo
ROBERT Lewandowski’s brace and Joao Cancelo’s winner earned Barcelona a sensational 3-2 comeback victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday to take them top of La Liga.
The Catalans entered the final 10 minutes two goals down after Jorgen Strand Larsen and Anastasios Douvikas struck for the visitors, who seemed on course for a surprise win against the champions.
However, veteran striker Lewandowski netted twice within five minutes to pull Barcelona level and Cancelo sprinted into the box to fire home decisively in the 89th minute.
Wily Celta coach Rafa Benitez set up in his typically defensive fashion, unlike Barcelona’s recent visitors Real Betis and Royal Antwerp, whose attacking intent made them lambs to the slaughter.
Barcelona hit 10 goals in their previous two matches, with their coach Xavi saying it was the best they had played in his reign, but this performance was largely at the other end of the spectrum.
“I was making a lot of technical errors, that’s not normal in my game — I have to improve, we all have to improve,” Cancelo told Movistar.
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“It’s always better to play badly and win than to play well and lose, the three points are the most important thing.”
The hosts controlled the opening stages, albeit without creating much danger, but Celta Vigo pushed ahead against the run of play after 19 minutes.
Andreas Christensen played Strand Larsen onside after a corner was only partially cleared, and the Norwegian forward finished clinically past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Joao Felix could not control a nicely scooped Frenkie de Jong through pass, before the Dutch midfielder sustained a knock and was replaced by tenacious teenager Gavi.
Celta had a fine chance to score the second but Ter Stegen palmed away Strand Larsen’s header and Lucas de la Torre slashed the rebound over with the goal gaping.
Xavi shuffled his pack at half-time, bringing on Ronald Araujo for his first appearance after a hamstring injury, as well as 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.
Araujo stung the palms of Ivan Villar with a powerful drive from distance and Ferran Torres wasted a fine chance, firing wide as he ran through on goal.
Ter Stegen made another fine save to thwart Jonathan Bamba as Celta sought a second.
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Eventually, it came through new signing Douvikas, who swept home after running on to Iago Aspas’s perfectly weighted ball.
Quick Comeback
Barcelona hit back swiftly, with Lewandowski flicking the ball over the head of Villar and in off the crossbar after Felix cleverly chipped a ball to him over the top.
It sparked a fire previously lacking in Barcelona’s performance, with Lewandowski netting the second four minutes later after Cancelo cut the ball back into his path.
The on-loan Manchester City defender has made a quick impact since his arrival on the last day of the summer transfer window and is not afraid to drive forward in search of attacking opportunities.
Cancelo found one to win Barcelona the game, dispatching Gavi’s cross past Villar with the prowess of a striker.
“We played a defensive game and the counterattacks worked very well, but Barcelona are used to playing like that and from the 80th minute, tiredness caught up with us,” Celta defender Oscar Mingueza, formerly of Barcelona, told Movistar.
“What we can’t do is let a game that we went two goals up in slip away in this way.”
Barcelona produce stunning comeback to beat Celta Vigo
AFP
Sports
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has reportedly presented a 19-point contract proposal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as part of negotiations to extend his tenure with the national team. The proposal, formally submitted on January 22, 2026, includes a $130,000 monthly salary, provisions for his technical staff, and a wide range of operational and logistical demands aimed at enhancing his working conditions and technical autonomy.
Chelle, a Franco-Malian tactician, who signed a two-year deal with the NFF in January 2025, had previously been linked with European club opportunities, including Olympique de Marseille. The contract extension proposal follows Nigeria’s strong performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Chelle guided the team to a third-place finish.
The proposed 19 conditions go beyond salary. They include the provision of a private SUV with a chauffeur and security, a secure residence with 24-hour electricity, a furnished office with internet access and projector for tactical analysis, and flight tickets for his wife and two children. Chelle also requests GPS tools, customized training equipment, and the authority to choose international friendly matches.
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On the technical side, the proposal seeks full control over player selection and call-ups, authority to travel abroad to monitor Nigerian players, and attendance at local league matches to identify talent for the senior team and age-grade squads (U23, U20, U17). Chelle also asks for official contracts for his staff, on-time salary payments, inclusion of his personal assistant in the bonus and allowance structure, and monthly meetings with all national team coaches.
Reports indicate that the proposal reflects Chelle’s aim for greater professional autonomy, operational support, and long-term stability while building a competitive Super Eagles squad for upcoming international fixtures, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The NFF has yet to confirm whether it will accept or reject the terms, amid ongoing discussions over budgetary constraints and logistical feasibility.
The submission has sparked debate among football stakeholders, with analysts divided over whether the NFF can meet all the demands, balancing the need for continuity with Chelle against financial realities.
Eric Chelle Requests $130,000 Monthly, Lists 19 Conditions to Extend Super Eagles Contract
Sports
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Ademola Lookman etched his name into UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday as Ademola Lookman scored for Atletico Madrid in a thrilling 3–3 draw against Club Brugge at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
Lookman, the Nigerian international winger, became the first Nigerian to score for Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League group-stage match, highlighting his growing influence at the Spanish La Liga club. The goal came during a pulsating encounter that saw both sides trade leads in an end-to-end battle.
Atletico Madrid initially surged ahead through early strikes, but Club Brugge responded with quick counterattacks to equalize twice. Lookman’s historic goal temporarily put the hosts in front, only for Club Brugge to equalize late in the game, ensuring a dramatic 3–3 finish.
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The result keeps Atletico in contention for progression from Group D, but it also underscores the challenges facing Diego Simeone’s side in balancing domestic and European commitments. Lookman’s performance, however, has been widely praised by pundits, with analysts noting his pace, vision, and finishing ability as key assets for Atletico Madrid’s attack.
For Lookman, this goal adds to a growing reputation as a breakthrough Nigerian talent in Europe, joining the ranks of compatriots who have made their mark in top-tier European competitions. Fans and media alike celebrated his contribution, highlighting the significance of his milestone in both club and international football history.
Ademola Lookman, who previously played for clubs in the English Premier League, moved to Atletico Madrid in January 2026. Known for his speed, dribbling, and versatility on the wings, Lookman has steadily adapted to the Spanish game, making appearances in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League matches.
This Champions League goal marks a historic first for a Nigerian player at Atletico Madrid, reflecting the increasing presence of Nigerian talent in elite European competitions.
Ademola Lookman Scores Historic Goal as Atletico Madrid Draw 3–3 With Club Brugge
Sports
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
Arsenal surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to settle for a damaging 2–2 draw against last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in a dramatic Premier League encounter at Molineux on Tuesday night.
The Gunners looked firmly in control early on, racing into a 2–0 lead and appearing set to claim all three points. However, a spirited second-half comeback from Wolves denied the title chasers victory and reignited questions over Arsenal’s consistency at a crucial stage of the season.
Arsenal struck first inside the opening minutes through Bukayo Saka, who capitalised on early pressure to put the visitors ahead. The lead was doubled shortly after the break when Piero Hincapié finished clinically following a set-piece situation, seemingly putting the game beyond the struggling hosts.
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But Wolves responded almost immediately. Hugo Bueno reduced the deficit with a long-range effort that shifted momentum and lifted the home crowd. Arsenal, who dominated possession for large spells, failed to regain control as defensive lapses and dropped intensity invited pressure.
Deep into stoppage time, substitute Tom Edozie completed the comeback, firing home a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser that sparked wild celebrations at Molineux. A late deflection off an Arsenal defender wrong-footed the goalkeeper, sealing a point that felt like a win for the league’s bottom side.
The result represents a significant setback for Arsenal’s title hopes, as dropping points against the Premier League’s last-placed team allowed rivals to close the gap at the top of the table. For Wolves, the draw offered a rare positive moment in a difficult campaign, underlining their resilience despite their position.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure after the match, with the failure to protect a two-goal cushion once again proving costly in a high-stakes title race.
Arsenal Blow Two-Goal Lead as Bottom Club Wolves Hold Gunners to 2–2 Draw
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