Champions League round-up: Madrid in dramatic comeback, lucky 13 for Bayern – Newstrends
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Champions League round-up: Madrid in dramatic comeback, lucky 13 for Bayern

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There was plenty more late drama on the opening night of UEFA Champions League Match Day 2 (Tuesday 27 October 2020).

Group A

Lokomotiv Moskva 1-2 Bayern

Joshua Kimmich scored 11 minutes from time to give the holders a hard-earned win in the Russian capital. Leon Goretzka’s header had secured Bayern an early lead, but the hosts offered up stubborn resistance and were briefly level again after Anton Miranchuk struck midway through the second half.

Key stat: This was Bayern’s 13th straight UEFA Champions League win.

03/11: Lokomotiv Moskva vs Atlético, Salzburg vs Bayern

Atlético 3-2 Salzburg

João Félix left it late to net Atlético three points and stave off a spirited Salzburg. The Portugal forward linked up with Luis Suárez to round the goalkeeper and score Atlético’s third just five minutes from time.

Dominik Szoboszlai had cancelled out Marcos Llorente’s opener, before Felipe’s own goal put the visitors ahead moments after half-time.

However, João Félix’s subsequent double sealed the win.

Key stat: João Félix has been involved in six goals in his last seven Champions League games for Atlético (five goals, one assist).

03/11: Lokomotiv Moskva vs Atlético, Salzburg vs Bayern

Group B

Shakhtar 0-0 Inter

Shakhtar held a dominant Inter in Kyiv to gain a point. Though it was one-way traffic for much of the contest, Luís Castro’s young side delivered a dogged performance. Lautaro Martínez pulled wide from close range with the best chance of the match, while Romelu Lukaku went close when his free-kick was tipped on to the bar by Anatolii Trubin.

Key stat: This was Shakhtar’s first 0-0 draw in the competition since February 2015.

03/11: Shakhtar vs Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid vs Inter

Mönchengladbach 2-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid staged a dramatic comeback to take their first point. Marcus Thuram’s double – one from Alassane Pléa’s pass and another from his parried shot – had the hosts in command until the last three minutes. Then Karim Benzema hooked in and Casemiro converted a header across goal by Sergio Ramos to prise a draw for Zinédine Zidane’s side.

Key stat: This was Madrid’s first draw in 19 Champions League away games.

03/11: Shakhtar vs Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid vs Inter

Group C

Porto clinched their first win of the campaign as Fábio Vieira capitalised on uncertain defending to notch an early opener with his first Champions League goal on his second outing. Agustín Marchesín saved from Lazar Ranđelović as Olympiacos threatened a share of the spoils, before Sérgio Oliveira’s late header rubber-stamped the victory.

Key stat: Porto have won their last six Champions League group home matches.

03/11: Man. City vs Olympiacos, Porto vs Marseille

Marseille 0-3 Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne starred on his full return to the City starting XI, contributing two assists in a routine win for the Premier League team. Ferrán Torres opened the scoring 18 minutes in, before quick-fire strikes from İlkay Gündoğan and Raheem Sterling late in the second half wrapped up three points for Josep Guardiola’s men.

Key stat: City secured their first European win in France in five attempts.

03/11: Man. City vs Olympiacos, Porto vs Marseille

Group D

Atalanta 2-2 Ajax

Duván Zapata scored twice in seven minutes as Atalanta fought back from two down to draw with Ajax. Dušan Tadić had given the visitors the lead from the spot after Robin Gosens fouled Lassina Traoré in the area.

Traoré then doubled that advantage after Marco Sportiello spilled a cross, but Zapata hit back in style, heading his first before blasting in a second.

Key stat: Zapata is the 2020/21 Champions League top scorer with three goals.

03/11: Midtjylland vs Ajax, Atalanta vs Liverpool

Liverpool 2-0 Midtjylland

Diogo Jota’s close-range strike and Mohamed Salah’s late penalty ensured Liverpool kept up their winning start. Midtjylland’s Anders Dreyer came closest to breaking the first-half deadlock. However, the Reds edged in front soon after the interval, Jota converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, with Salah’s spot kick sealing matters.

Key stat: Jota’s opener was Liverpool’s 10,000th goal in all competitions.

03/11: Midtjylland vs Ajax, Atalanta vs Liverpool

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Bellingham’s last-minute strike seals Real Madrid’s comeback win over Man City

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Bellingham’s last-minute strike seals Real Madrid’s comeback win over Man City

Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner as Real Madrid twice came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout round play-off.

The result marked Real Madrid’s first-ever win at the Etihad Stadium inside 90 minutes.

Before kickoff, City fans taunted Vinícius Júnior and his club with a “stop crying your heart out” message.

The Brazilian forward was at the heart of early action, seeing a penalty claim denied by an offside call before setting up Kylian Mbappé, whose effort was saved. Nathan Aké then prevented Ferland Mendy from converting another Vinícius pass.

City capitalized on their first clear opportunity when Joško Gvardiol chested the ball into Erling Haaland’s path, allowing the Norwegian to score his first-ever goal against Real Madrid. Los Blancos nearly responded as Vinícius’ deflected shot hit the crossbar.

However, City suffered a setback when Jack Grealish, who had started brightly, was forced off injured after 30 minutes. His replacement, Phil Foden, immediately tested Thibaut Courtois, while Manuel Akanji’s header clipped the bar at the other end.

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At halftime, Akanji was withdrawn after struggling physically, but the intensity remained high. Haaland’s deflected shot struck the crossbar before Vinícius weaved past Rico Lewis to set up Bellingham, who headed wide.

Ederson denied Mbappé twice, but the French forward eventually found the net on the hour mark, wrongfooting Ederson with a clever finish from Dani Ceballos’ pass.

City quickly regained the lead when Ceballos fouled Foden in the box, allowing Haaland to convert from the penalty spot. However, their advantage was short-lived.

Ederson’s save from Vinícius’ shot rebounded kindly for substitute Brahim Díaz, who slotted home against his former club just two minutes after coming on.

Real completed their stunning comeback in stoppage time when Vinícius capitalized on City’s defensive hesitation, poking the ball through for Bellingham to score.

The win extends Real Madrid’s Champions League dominance with a fourth consecutive victory, while City have now won just one of their last six European games.

 

Bellingham’s last-minute strike seals Real Madrid’s comeback win over Man City

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Cristiano Ronaldo statue unveiled in Times Square N’York

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Cristiano Ronaldo statue unveiled in Times Square N’York

Portuguese international, Cristiano Ronaldo, received a unique birthday tribute in New York City as fans gathered at the Times Square to perform his iconic “Siu” celebration.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner turned 40 on February 5, just days after scoring his 922nd and 923rd career goals in Al-Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Wasl.

Ronaldo’s famous celebration, first seen in 2013 with Real Madrid, remains a global fan favorite.

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“I started to say ‘si,’ it’s like ‘yes,’ when I was in Real Madrid,” he explained via FourFourTwo.

Ronaldo’s birthday also followed a headline-making interview with El Chiringuito, in which he criticized misconceptions about the Saudi Pro League compared to MLS.

“People talk too much and give opinions without knowing,” he said, adding, “Because it’s Saudi Arabia, people look down on it… You have to give it the credit it deserves.”

Despite his comments, MLS is preparing for a major 2025 season, with stars like Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suárez entering their final contract years at Inter Miami.

Cristiano Ronaldo statue unveiled in Times Square N’York

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Vinicius Jr rejects fresh contract offer from Real Madrid

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Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Jr rejects fresh contract offer from Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior has reportedly rejected an initial contract offer from Real Madrid after opening talks over an extension with the club. 

The Brazilian superstar’s current deal runs till 2027 and includes a staggering €1billion (£830m) release clause.

However, Real Madrid are said to be keen to tie the 24-year-old to a new long-term deal, having been linked with a move away last summer.

Negotiations have opened between the club and player over a contract renewal, according to The Athletic but Los Blancos’ first offer has been turned away by the Vinicius Jr camp

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The Brazil international is looking for an increase in pay to accurately reflect his status as ‘’one of the best players on the planet.”

With a reported current annual salary of around £12.5m net of tax, Vinicius Jr is on a similar wage to teammate Kylian Mbappe, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain last year.

Meanwhile, Saudi representatives are said to have made new contact with the player’s camp in December after holding initial conversations in the summer.

A move to the Middle East could easily see Vinicius Jr made the most expensive player in the world.

Vinicius Jr rejects fresh contract offer from Real Madrid

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