Sports

UCL: Ronaldo’s Juventus thrash Messi’s Barcelona 3-0 as Man United crash out

Published

5 years ago

December 9, 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot as Juventus thrashed Barcelona 3-0 at the Camp Nou in their final match of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage.

This was the first meeting between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since the former left Real Madrid in 2018. The 35-year-old Portuguese forward came top in the “battle of the greatest” with two penalty kicks converted while Messi’s efforts were frustrated by a combination of saves and blocked shots.

Barcelona had won the reverse fixture 2-0 at Turin but fell behind in the 13th minute when Ronaldo was fouled in the box and the forward dusted himself up to convert the spot-kick.

It was 2-0 after 20 minutes when Weston McKennie brilliantly converted Juan Caudrado’s cross, and Juventus held firm to deny Messi any joy in front of goal despite three shots on target and two blocked shots.

Ronaldo made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute with his second spot-kick awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) for a handball by Christian Lenglet, a Barcelona defender.

The Portuguese placed his shot into the bottom left corner for his 14th goal in 13 games at the Camp Nou, while he also became the first player in the UCL to score two penalties against Barcelona in the same match.

Juventus’ victory ensured they snatched top spot ahead of Barcelona due to a superior head-to-head record after both teams finished on 15 points.

RB Leipzig eliminates Manchester United

RB Leipzig held firm to win 3-2 against a sleepy Manchester United that only woke up in the second half, eliminating the Red Devils from the continent’s premier football competition and into the Europa League.

Man United failed to advance to the knockout phase of the UCL for the first time since a similar debacle in 2015.

The German Bundesliga side went 3-0 up before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men rallied to score two late goals but could not complete the task in a match they needed not to lose in order to ensure qualification into the UCL knockout phase.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side scored twice in the first 13 minutes for a 2-0 lead, and they extended that lead in the 68th minute after Justin Kluivert pounced on a defensive miscommunication between Harry Maguire and David de Gea.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man United staged a comeback with 10 minutes left. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty in the 80th minute while Paul Pogba added a headed goal two minutes later for 3-2.

The 2008 UCL winners tried to snatch a late draw but crashed out at the group stage.

RESULTS

Lazio 2-2 Club Bruges

Zenit St Petersburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

Chelsea 1-1 FK Krasnodar

Rennes 1-3 Sevilla

Barcelona 0-3 Juventus

Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 Ferencvárosi TC

RB Leipzig 3-2 Man Utd

Sports

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

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.

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Sports

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

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.

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

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

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.