Sports
Tight contests at UCL Day 2; Barcelona, United make it two from two
Álvaro Morata had three goals ruled out for offside as Barcelona, Manchester United, Paris, Chelsea, Dortmund and Sevilla all won.
Tight contests dominated the second night of Match Day 2 action, no more so than at Juventus where Álvaro Morata had three goals ruled out for offside as Barcelona edged victory.
Group E
Krasnodar 0-4 Chelsea
Chelsea survived a scare for their first win of the campaign, going ahead through Callum Hudson-Odoi’s first UEFA Champions League goal after Jorginho’s penalty hit the post. Yuri Gazinski rattled the crossbar but Timo Werner’s emphatic spot kick, Hakim Ziyech’s clinical finish and a close-range Christian Pulišić strike saw off Krasnodar.
Key stat: Chelsea are seven UEFA Champions League group stage matches unbeaten.
04/11: Sevilla vs Krasnodar, Chelsea vs Rennes
Sevilla 1-0 Rennes
The UEFA Europa League holders dominated from start to finish, but had to wait until 11 minutes after half-time for Luuk de Jong’s fine volley to force the breakthrough.
It ended the resistance of the excellent Alfred Gomis, and even when the Senegalese goalkeeper was beaten the woodwork intervened to deny Munir and Joan Jordán.
Key stat: Sevilla are undefeated in 13 European home games (W11 D2)
04/11: Sevilla vs Krasnodar, Chelsea vs Rennes.
Group F
Club Brugge 1-1 Lazio
Joaquín Correa gave depleted Lazio an early lead, but after Hans Vanaken converted from the spot before the interval the visitors were indebted to Pepe Reina for earning a point. They might have won themselves through Sergej Milinković-Savić but Simon Mignolet kept him out with a fine stop. Both teams move on to four points.
Key stat: Club Brugge have won only two of their last 20 UEFA Champions League matches
04/11: Club Brugge vs Dortmund, Zenit vs Lazio
Dortmund 2-0 Zenit
Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland left it late as the hosts claimed their first points in Group F. Dortmund were made to work as Zenit stood firm, but a lapse of concentration in the 78th minute allowed Sancho to score from the spot before Haaland rubber-stamped the win with a stoppage-time strike.
Key stat: Dortmund are yet to concede a goal at home in all competitions this season.
04/11: Club Brugge vs Dortmund, Zenit vs Lazio.
Group G
Ferencváros 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv
The Hungarian side completed a stunning comeback, thanks to fine efforts from Tokmac Nguen and, on 90 minutes, substitute Franck Boli.
Dynamo had led through Viktor Tsygankov’s penalty and Carlos de Pena’s close-range finish, but almost ended up with nothing as a volley from the hosts’ Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Zubkov flew just over.
Key stat: Dynamo Kyiv have drawn four of their last five UEFA Champions League away games.
04/11: Ferencváros vs Juventus, Barcelona vs Dynamo Kyiv.
Juventus 0-2 Barcelona
Ronald Koeman’s charges showed their intent from the off with Antoine Griezmann hitting the post inside two minutes, and went in front when Ousmane Dembélé’s deflected drive left Wojciech Szczęsny helpless.
Merih Demiral was dismissed late on, before the Blaugrana’s second victory in the section was capped off by Lionel Messi’s added-time penalty.
Key stat: Barça are 22 group stage matches unbeaten.
04/11: Ferencváros vs Juventus, Barcelona vs Dynamo Kyiv.
Group H
Başakşehir 0-2 Paris
Moise Kean’s second-half double secured Paris a hard-fought win in Istanbul. The visitors were largely second best until the 20-year-old headed in a 64th-minute opener.
Edin Višća went close several times and an injury to Neymar ended his involvement, but Kean’s well-taken second wrapped up the points.
Key stat: Aged 20 years and 243 days, Kean is the youngest Italian player to score on his first UEFA Champions League start.
04/11: Başakşehir vs Man. United, Leipzig vs Paris.
Man. United 5-0 Leipzig
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to net his first senior hat-trick as United romped to the top of Group H.
Mason Greenwood’s first UEFA Champions League goal elicited a half-time advantage, but it was Rashford’s treble – three calm right-footed finishes – and Anthony Martial’s penalty that added late gloss to an impressive all-round display.
Key stat: This was United’s biggest UEFA Champions League home win since a 7-1 defeat of Roma in the 2006/07 quarter-finals.
04/11: Başakşehir vs Man. United, Leipzig vs Paris.
Sports
Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré
Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré
Former African football icon Yaya Touré has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the most impressive team at AFCON 2025, praising their attacking quality, discipline and consistency throughout the tournament in Morocco.
The former Ivory Coast captain said Nigeria stood out among the continent’s best despite failing to reach the final, noting that the Super Eagles combined exciting attacking football with strong organisation at the back. According to Touré, Nigeria’s style of play and overall impact made them his top performers at the tournament.
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Under head coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign, winning the majority of their matches and emerging as one of the highest-scoring teams at the competition. Nigeria reached the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to hosts Morocco on penalties, before defeating Egypt to secure the bronze medal.
Touré’s praise adds to the growing recognition Nigeria has received following AFCON 2025. The team’s impressive run also contributed to an improvement in their FIFA ranking, reinforcing optimism around the squad ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
As celebrations continue back home, Touré’s endorsement has further strengthened the belief that the Super Eagles are firmly back among Africa’s elite football nations, with a promising future on both the continental and global stage.
Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré
Sports
Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1
Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1
Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid delivered a ruthless performance to thrash AS Monaco 6–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, sending a strong statement in the UEFA Champions League and easing pressure after recent domestic setbacks.
The French superstar wasted no time against his former club, opening the scoring early before adding a second inside the first half to take his Champions League goals tally into double figures this season. His sharp finishing set the tone for a dominant night in Madrid.
Vinícius Júnior was equally influential, tormenting the Monaco defence with pace and creativity. The Brazilian capped his display with a fine goal and an assist, while Jude Bellingham added his name to the scoresheet late on as Madrid ran riot.
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Further goals came through teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono and a Thilo Kehrer own goal, highlighting Monaco’s defensive collapse. The visitors managed only a consolation strike, offering little resistance as Madrid controlled possession and tempo throughout.
The emphatic victory lifts Real Madrid into a strong position in the Champions League standings, keeping them firmly on course for automatic qualification to the knockout stage. For Monaco, the heavy defeat leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.
The result also marks a positive start under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with Madrid fans buoyed by one of the club’s most complete performances of the season as the race for European glory intensifies.
Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1
Sports
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is already taking shape, with Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé emerging as early front-runners for football’s most prestigious individual award. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now past their peak, the field is wide open for new stars to claim the coveted Golden Ball.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tops early rankings thanks to his influential performances in club and international competitions, particularly his leadership in Arsenal’s title push. Close behind are Harry Kane, who continues to score prolifically for Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland with his lethal finishing for Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, maintaining his form for Real Madrid and France.
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Rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, also features prominently among early favourites, while other notable contenders include midfield dynamo Vitinha and reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Analysts note that the race is still early and that Champions League and World Cup performances will heavily influence the final outcome.
The early rankings provide a snapshot of the competition, highlighting a mix of established stars and emerging talents who could define the next era of global football.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
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