Sports

Barcelona produce stunning comeback to beat Celta Vigo

Published

3 years ago

September 24, 2023

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

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Published

6 hours ago

October 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team camp ahead of the country’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Denmark, following reports of tension over his role in the team.

Ronaldo’s departure came after Portugal coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that the 41-year-old forward would not start against Denmark.

The situation reportedly followed Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the match despite warming up during the game.

According to reports, Ronaldo was unhappy after he was not introduced and went straight to the dressing room at the final whistle rather than joining his teammates in acknowledging the Portuguese supporters.

Jesus later addressed the issue and acknowledged that Ronaldo was unhappy with the decision, but denied that there had been a major confrontation between the two.

The Portugal coach also dismissed reports that Ronaldo had refused to train, explaining that the forward had instead completed individual mobility and strengthening exercises.

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The situation intensified after Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would again not be in the starting lineup for the Denmark vs Portugal fixture, with Gonçalo Ramos expected to lead the attack.

Jesus said Ronaldo could still be introduced as a substitute depending on how the match developed.

Ronaldo subsequently held a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença before leaving the national team camp in Copenhagen.

The Portugal captain later posted a statement on social media confirming his departure and indicating that he would explain the circumstances behind the decision at a later time.

He did not directly accuse Jesus or the Portuguese federation of wrongdoing in the statement.

The episode has nevertheless generated renewed questions about Ronaldo’s role in the Portugal national team, particularly as he approaches the later stages of his international career.

Ronaldo remains Portugal’s record goalscorer and one of the country’s most decorated players. He has also previously indicated that his playing career is approaching its final stage.

For now, the confirmed sequence is that Ronaldo was left unused against Norway, Jesus subsequently announced that he would not start against Denmark, Ronaldo met with the federation president and then left the training camp.

Portugal’s immediate focus remains its Nations League campaign, while further details about Ronaldo’s decision are expected to emerge if the player follows through on his promise to explain the circumstances.

Why Ronaldo Left Portugal Camp Ahead of Denmark Clash

Sports

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Published

1 day ago

September 30, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles after their defeat to Guinea Bissau

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a stunning 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday night, as their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign suffered a major setback in Bissau.

The hosts produced a dominant display at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro, scoring once in the first half and twice after the break to move to the top of Group L with six points from two matches.

Franculino Djú put Guinea-Bissau ahead in the 15th minute after receiving a long pass from Renato Nhaga. He worked his way into the Nigerian penalty area before curling a left-footed effort beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

The Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm after conceding and failed to create enough clear chances to trouble the hosts before the interval.

Coach Eric Chelle responded at the start of the second half by introducing Moses Simon and Moses Usor for Taiwo Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka.

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The changes did little to alter the pattern of the match, with Guinea-Bissau continuing to pose the greater attacking threat.

The hosts doubled their advantage in the 66th minute through Mama Baldé, who collected a pass from Mamadi Camará before cutting into the Nigerian box and firing a low shot past Nwabali.

Chelle subsequently brought on George Ilenikhena and Raphael Onyedika for Akor Adams and Wilfred Ndidi, while Tolu Arokodare replaced Ademola Lookman.

Ilenikhena came close to reducing the deficit late in the game, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Embadjé made another important save to preserve his side’s two-goal advantage.

Nigeria’s miserable night was completed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Álvaro Djaló finished a through ball from Tamble Monteiro to make it 3-0.

The result leaves Nigeria with three points from two matches, following their opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have six points after beating Tanzania 2-0 in their opening fixture before defeating Nigeria.

Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in the other Group L match.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the qualifying position available to the highest-ranked non-host nation in the group.

The Super Eagles will have an opportunity to respond when they face Tanzania in a double-header during the November international window.

For Chelle and his players, however, the 3-0 defeat in Bissau leaves little room for another disappointing performance as the AFCON 2027 qualifying race continues.

Super Eagles Suffer Bissau Nightmare as Guinea-Bissau Smash Nigeria 3-0

Sports

Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a strong starting XI for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.

The match will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.

Chelle has retained Stanley Nwabali in goal, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi form the defensive line.

In midfield, captain Wilfred Ndidi partners Frank Onyeka, with Alex Iwobi completing the three-man midfield.

The Super Eagles opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, while Guinea-Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 in their opening Group L fixture.

The two teams therefore enter Tuesday’s encounter with three points each, making the meeting important in the race for the group’s available qualification place.

Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda, already have an automatic place at the tournament. This leaves the qualification race in Group L particularly significant for Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.

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Nigeria will also be without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury. Awoniyi was called into the squad as his replacement.

George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who scored their first Super Eagles goals against Madagascar, have been named among the substitutes.

Nigeria’s Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams

The substitutes include Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Ola Aina, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Nigeria have won three of their four previous official senior international meetings with Guinea-Bissau, although the Wild Dogs defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles responded by winning the return fixture in Bissau 1-0 through a Moses Simon penalty.

Nigeria also defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

With both teams starting the campaign with victories, Chelle’s side will be looking to secure another three points in Bissau and strengthen their position in Group L.