Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Bolton SACK Ian Evatt after four years in charge after losing at home again and season at risk of petering out

      by

      BOLTON have sacked manager Ian Evatt.The League One club sit ninth in the table despite expectations of challenging for promotion this season.Bolton have sacked Ian Evatt as manager following a 2-1 defeat to CharltonCredit: GettyThe Wanderers crashed to another home defeat by Charlton last night.And club bosses decided at an emergency board meeting called after the defeat that enough was enough and pulled the plug.A club statement said: “Bolton Wanderers Football Club today announces that First Team Manager Ian Evatt has left the Club by mutual consent. “We would like to express our gratitude to Ian for his professionalism, commitment and creating a legacy during his time at the Club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEvatt, 43, joined Bolton in July 2020 after leaving Barrow and guided the team to promotion from League Two with a third-place finish in his first season.He was then awarded a three-year contract in 2021 and went on to win the EFL Trophy in 2023 and lead the club to the play-offs in the same season, seeing him earn renewed terms up to 2026.Bolton suffered heartbreak under Evatt at the end of the 2023/24 season as they lost in the play-off finals.But this season the wheels have come off for the Trotters, with a run of one win in six games to start their season proving difficult to recover from.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSFollowing a 2-1 defeat at home to Charlton last night, they have now lost five games at the Toughsheet Community Stadium this season.Speaking after the game, Evatt told reporters: “I can’t pick faults with the way we played. ‘Classless’ – Fans fume as EFL star’s ‘disgusting’ behaviour sparks row that sees manager sent off days after dad died-Locat”We were back to our best for large parts. But we found a way to lose which has happened too often. It can’t obviously continue.”The performance was better than most of the season, if not all of it. But we came out on the wrong side of the result. That is bitterly disappointing.”I am immensely proud when we play like that of who we are as a team.“We look at them (Charlton). They got the win but they were very direct, very simplistic. I am not sure I would want to watch that every week.”This season Bolton have won 11 of their 26 games, drawn five and lost ten.Overall, Evatt managed 261 games for the club, winning 132, drawing 52 and losing 77.My view: Phil Gradwell – SunSport’s Bolton fanIT’S a real shame Ian Evatt’s time at Bolton ended as it did – but he had outstayed his welcome.He was lucky there were no fans in stadiums in his first season as he’d have probably lasted just six months.But in the second half of that League Two campaign his Wanderers went on a fantastic run to sneak automatic promotion.But ultimately, we have spent too much time in the third tier.There have been plenty of good times – that promotion, a 6-0 gubbing of Sunderland and the Papa John’s Trophy win in 2023.That day summed up his reign – great when it didn’t really matter. Opponents Plymouth were beaten 4-0 but finished top of League One. We lost in the play-off semis, so who were the real winners?He should have gone in the summer, after one of the most abject displays of all time in the play-off final against Oxford. It shouldn’t have even come to that – we blew automatic promotion.And with us now languishing in mid-table, his departure was IanEvattable. More

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Sack every Championship official’ blast fans as goal is ‘given’ then ruled out WITHOUT VAR as Sky Sports pundits fume

      by

      SUNDERLAND were controversially denied a second goal against Derby last night.The Black Cats had gone 1-0 up in the 28th minute courtesy of Eliezer Mayenda’s opener.Wilson Isidor’s goal was controversially disallowedCredit: Sky SportsWilson Isidor thought he’d put Sunderland 2-0 upCredit: RexReferee Sam Allison eventually disallowed the goalCredit: RexIn the second-half, it seemed that they’d scored a second.Jobe Bellingham lofted the ball over the top to new boy Enzo Le Fee.As the covering defender attempted to tackle the Frenchman, the ball ricocheted kindly to Wilson Isidor,The forward thought he’d redeemed himself for his two penalty misses at Burnley on Friday night, when he converted past goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIsidor celebrated his goal, which was initially given by referee Sam Allison.After much deliberation, however, the goal was dramatically chalked off – despite there being no VAR in the Championship.Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was baffled by the decision, later telling the BBC: “I don’t know, really. Maybe with VAR we could analyse the first ball and maybe an offside, but I don’t think it was that decision.”It was higher up the pitch and at the moment we don’t know.”Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYReplays showed that neither Le Fee nor Isidor had been offside.Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison couldn’t believe what he was seeing.Jonjo Shelvey completes shock Championship transfer after six-cap England star, 32, saw contract TORN UP by Turkish clubAppearing on Soccer Special, he said: “You tell me why. Because the goal should have stood. He’s gone over to the bench and celebrated, then they said he disallowed the goal.”He was onside, they showed the replay, it’s a great ball. The goal was given, it was pointed, it’s a good ball. They watched it again, Le Fee does well here. Tell me if there’s a foul in this build-up.”No foul whatsoever at all. Isidor puts it into the net, into the net, under the side of the crossbar, goes and celebrates. There’s no VAR here, the referee had pointed back to the spot, the ball was on the spot. Look, he’s onside, so why has it not stood, the goal?”Oh, please tell me this, because I’m confused there. He’s not offside. The assistant flag’s down, all the way. All the way down, he puts it in the net, the referee looks at his assistant, the assistant goes, goal stands, he goes and celebrates, then they disallow the goal.”Could be the fourth official. That’s the only thing that you can think of, because he pointed, there was a celebration. If the referee needs the fourth assistant to where he is on the touchline, wow.”‘GENUINELY OUTRAGEOUS’Fans were left in disbelief, with one writing on social media: “This is genuinely outrageous. I’m mind blown. Sack every Championship official ffs.”While a second fumed: “This should result in the ref and the linesman never officiating another game. Utterly ridiculous.”Isidor himself posted: “Don’t even know what to say…”Other fans, however, seemed to identify a reason for the goal being disallowed.As the defender got back in to challenge Le Fee, the ball appeared to ricochet off the Roma loanee’s arm, before falling to Isidor.FA rules state that an offence has been committed if a player “scores in the opponents’ goal immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental”.It is not clear if that still applies in this situation, however, given that it was Isidor who scored, rather than Le Fee.READ MORE SUN STORIESSunderland’s win saw them leapfrog Burnley into third in the Championship table.Scott Parker’s side will have the opportunity to move back ahead of the Black Cats when they take on Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.Isidor and Co moved up to third in the Championship tableCredit: Reuters More

    • 250 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Have you ever seen a goal like that?’ asks commentator as Barcelona score ridiculous goal in game of goalkeeper howlers

      by

      GOALKEEPERS were the pantomime villains in their nine-goal thriller between Barcelona and Benfica.The European giants went head to head in their penultimate Champions League league phase games of the season when the Catalan club scored THREE goals in the last 20 minutes to win 5-4.Goalkeepers were the headline makers for the wrong reasons as Barcelona pulled off an incredible 5-4 comeback against Benfica last nightCredit: RexWojciech Szczesny came out of retirement in October to seal a deal with Barcelona amid their goalkeeping crisis, but manager Hansi Flick might have felt his side would have been better served without the Polish international bothering.The former Arsenal and Juventus shot-stopper had a calamitous first half between the sticks as he dropped two clangers to concede a first-half hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis.There was nothing Szczesny could have done about Pavlidis’ opener, but his second and third were almost entirely down to the Pole.Just nine minutes after Robert Lewandowski had levelled the scores for Barcelona to 1-1, Szczesny inexplicably came charging out of his area to greet a “loose” ball played over the top by Nicolas Otamendi.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, he clumsily clattered into his own defender Alejandro Balde, completely wiping out the left-back and allowing Pavlidis to score the easiest goal he’ll ever score as he ran through on an open net.The third was just as much Szczesny’s fault too as he came charging off his line once again, this time sliding at the feet of Benfica winger Karem Akturkoglu and bringing him to the ground inside the area for an undeniable penalty.Pavlidis converted the spot-kick and Benfica were 3-1 up inside 30 minutes.But the action didn’t stop there with the second half throwing up even more goals, drama… and goalkeeping howlers.Most read in FootballWojciech Szczesny clattered into his own teammate Alejandro Balde to gift Benfica a golden opportunity to scoreCredit: APThe Barcelona keeper came charging out of his areaCredit: TNT SPORTSHe clattered into BaldeCredit: TNT SPORTSBenfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis picked up the loose ballCredit: TNT SPORTSHe netted one of the easiest goals he will ever scoreCredit: TNT SPORTSSzczesny brought down Kerem Akturkoglu in the box to give away a penalty tooCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn fact, Benfica keeper Antoliy Trubin made perhaps the worst goalkeeping mistake of the game after the break.Trubin tried to play the ball out of his own box after making a save from a long-distance Gavi effort and got the whole thing horribly wrong.Horror moment Barcelona star finds his tooth on the pitch after losing it in battle with Real Betis defender The Ukrainian goalkeeper hit his clearance straight into the head of Barca’s Raphinha, seeing the ball bounce right off the Brazilian’s head and into the back of the net. Trubin could have tried that 100 more times and wouldn’t have hit him, but the freak moment gave Barcelona a way back into the game and had TNT Sports’ commentator Ian Darke asking: “Have you ever seen a goal like that?”Despite Benfica managing to go up the other end and force a Ronald Araujo own goal just four minutes later to go 4-2 up, Barcelona’s freak goal had given them a spark to fight back in the game.Goals from Lewandowski, Raphinha and Eric Garcia did just that as the Spanish giants turned it around to score their winner in the 96th minute of the clash.All-in, the match had three penalties, nine goals, an own goal, three calamitous goalkeeper errors, six bookings, a hat-trick hero and ended with Barcelona sealing their spot in the next round of the competition.Antoliy Trubin tried to clear his lines in the second halfCredit: TNT SPORTSHe hit the ball directly onto the head of RaphinhaCredit: TNT SPORTSThe ball looped over his head and into the back of the netCredit: TNT SPORTS More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Forgotten Premier League star, 47, now working as fitness coach subbed on as STRIKER for non-league Wealdstone

      by

      A FORGOTTEN Premier League star who is now working as a fitness coach ended up being subbed on as a striker for non-league club Wealdstone.Wayne Andrews, 47, enjoyed a glittering career playing up front for the likes of Watford, Coventry and Leeds.Wealdstone fitness coach Wayne Andrews came off the bench for a surprise appearance aged 47Credit: RexThe ace enjoyed a glittering career playing for some big namesCredit: Matthew PoverHe made nine Premier League appearances during the 2004/05 season with Crystal Palace.And after retiring in 2009 with 44 goals from 230 games, Andrews moved into the world of coaching.The ace reinvented himself as a strength and conditioning expert, training the likes of Andy Cole and Jermaine Jenas.Last summer Andrews took up an official role as Head of Strength and Conditioning with non-league club Wealdstone.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he’s now ended up putting his boots back on for a shock appearance on the field.Last night saw Wealdstone take on Brighton’s U21s in the National League Cup.With his side 1-0 down, Andrews came amazingly came off the bench in the 76th minute in an attempt to level things up.Unfortunately for the ace, he was unable to make an impact as Wealdstone crashed out by a single goal.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut fans were loving seeing Andrews back on the field in such dramatic circumstances.One said: “Football ay?”Football stars’ weird phobiasHe scored plenty of goals along the wayCredit: AllsportAndrews made nine Premier League appearances at Crystal PalaceCredit: ArfaAnother declared: “Legend.”One noted: “One of my favourite players as a kid.”Another declared: “What a hero.” More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘LOWER Alejandro Garnacho demands with wantaway forward set for cut-price transfer to Napoli’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly lowered their asking price for Alejandro Garnacho.The Argentina international is on the radar of former club Atletico Madrid and Serie A big boys Napoli.Manchester United are said to have initially valued Alejandro Garnacho at £75millionCredit: AFPBut the Red Devils are said to have lowered their asking price for the 19-year-oldCredit: ALAMYChelsea are also said to be interested – with his agent at Stamford Bridge for the Blues 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday night.The Red Devils were initially said to be willing to part company with the winger if they received a bid in the region of £75million.But they are now claimed to have reduced their valuation of the 20-year-old by nearly a THIRD.That’s according to Sky Italia, who claim the Premier League giants are willing to sell the Argentine for £55m.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSNapoli – who are in the market for a new winger following Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s move to Paris Saint-Germain – will likely be thrilled by United’s reported lowering of their demands for Garnacho.The Italians have reportedly had a £40m offer rejected for the forward.Napoli have made no secret of their desire to land Garnacho before the transfer window shuts on February 3.And sporting director Giovanni Manna recently revealed the United star is “important” to Napoli’s plans.Most read in FootballWhen asked if they’re interested in Garnacho’s services, he said: “We are making some assessments.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”He is an important player, but he is not ours.“We must not get carried away even if we know that an important player has left.Which Manchester United stars should stay and go?”A top player as the manager defined him and therefore the expectations are high.”But we will do something on Napoli’s terms.”Garnacho and his Manchester United team-mates will be back in action on Thursday, welcoming Scottish giants Rangers to Old Trafford for their penultimate Europa League group match. More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      David Beckham picks up philanthropy award for work with vulnerable children at Davos summit

      by

      DAPPER footie hero David Beckham is on the ball yesterday at the World Economic Forum’s gathering of the super-rich.Becks, 49, chatted to US TV anchor Sara Eisen after accepting an award for his work improving the living conditions of children.David Beckham chatted to US TV anchor Sara Eisen after accepting an award for his work improving the living conditions of children at the WEF summit in DavosZelensky spoke at the event in SwitzerlandCredit: EPAThe Unicef Goodwill Ambassador told the audience in Davos that girls are “held back” by discrimination.He said he wanted his daughter Harper, 13, to have the same life chances as her three older brothers.Becks said: “Girls need opportunities. They need collective action and they need investment.”Also speaking at the 55th annual WEF meeting in Switzerland yesterday was Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.READ MORE ON THE BECKHAMSBeckham also recently revealed the highly contrasting reasons he and his mum idolized the same Manchester United legend.Becks as a kid had his eyes on his hero’s technique – while Sandra’s eyes were on the player’s thighs!The ex-England skipper “always waited outside” Old Trafford – to get the icon’s autograph.But when it came to watching on the pitch he regularly shared moments of awestruck wonder with his mum.Most read in FootballThe former Red Devils midfielder, 49, named ex-striker Mark Hughes as the object of his obsession.BBC Wales showed a clip of Becks as a wide-eyed child explaining to an interviewer: “I’m looking forward to seeing Mark Hughes and the stadium.”David Beckham reveals unlikely Man Utd idol and admits mum Sandra couldn’t get enough of his thighs More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      How Arsenal boss Arteta is using MUSIC to motivate his players with huge speakers positioned around training pitches

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA is willing to try anything to gain an extra inch in his pursuit of silverware.The Arsenal manager’s latest out-of-the-box thinking involves transforming the dreary weather of London Colney into a sun-kissed Samba Boys beach through the medium of MUSIC.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is hoping to get a tune out of his players for the title run-inCredit: Amazon Prime Video SportArsenal’s players trained with Samba music on speakers ahead of Euro clashCredit: GettyBoss Mikel Arteta spoke with Brazilian-born Eduardo at London ColneyCredit: GettyAhead of their penultimate Champions League group phase match against Dinamo Zagreb tomorrow tonight, Arteta’s injury-plagued Gunners squad trudged out for training in chilly conditions at their North London base.But their moods were instantly lifted by a popular Brazilian tune blasting through several speakers around the pitches as they started their warm-up – the song in question being Mais Que Nada by Sergio Mendes.A beaming Arteta was clearly enjoying its impact, getting involved in the Rondo’s with his players to a soundtrack most people associate with Samba legends Ronaldinho and Kaka.And Arteta explained: “It’s something we’ve been doing for many years now.read more arsenal“And as part of training we use music as another element of our sessions to build the energy, to change some purposes that we want in the training session and I think the players enjoy it.“It depends on the drill, depends on the day. Some players pick the first song, the first two songs, the last song. It’s definitely interesting.”Arsenal and Arteta are in dire need of a mood change after a gruelling month that has seen them crash out of the FA Cup to Manchester United in the third round on penalties and lose the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final 2-0 at home to Newcastle.Their Prem title dreams have also taken another knock, blowing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa on Saturday night – leaving them six points off Liverpool who have a game in hand.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMeanwhile, their treatment room is filling up with key figures Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu still on the road to recovery.In November 2021, Arteta tried to prepare his players for a trip to Anfield by playing the anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ during a training session, only to get smashed 4-0.’I’m flabbergasted’ – Paul Merson tears into Thomas Partey’s ‘schoolboy’ defending as Arteta blasts performance vs VillaArteta continued: “Music is very much part of our culture. We have music in a lot of different places, and music has the capacity to change your mood, to change your energy to a certain place.“It happens in all of us. You play a song and immediately you feel different, and we have certain songs that trigger something in our team, because they have some history as well with us.“I will use it when we believe it’s the right way to do it.“Sometimes I play a song many, many times with my family and [the kids] say: ‘Dad, can we stop it, please?’ I don’t know, it’s a feeling.”Winger Leandro Trossard – who is set to make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Arsenal after signing from Brighton two years ago this week – added: “I’m not sure who’s on the tunes when we’re doing the warm-up. You just get used to it, I guess.Bukayo Saka update as Arsenal star spotted at Emirates without crutches… but Gunners suffer fresh injury blow“At the start when I joined it was a bit weird for me that we had this, but now it’s just natural for us to have the music playing when we’re warming up.“[Arteta’s methods] are a bit different to any other manager I had. But it helps players on some days to focus more and get the meaning, the importance of the game.”Despite having two-and-a-half years with an option of a further 12 months left on his contract, Trossard has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this term.The Belgian has started just 14 Prem games term, and often shows his disappointment through grumpy facial expressions, with Arteta jokingly calling him a “moaner” in the past.Trossard laughed: “I wouldn’t use moan. I’m just a winner. If something goes against me and I think it’s unfair, I think that’s really personal, I would say. That’s how I am.“That should be the mind-set of every footballer. I don’t do it on purpose, maybe my body language at that point could be, but I am always ready. Even if I am on the bench, I can make an impact.”Arsenal can take a huge leap towards confirming a top eight spot in the new league format of the Champions League with victory over Fabio Cannavaro’s Dinamo Zagreb.With his men in third place with 13 points from six outings, Arteta said: “We are in a really strong position and now we try to capitalise.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I don’t want [my players] to feel unlucky with recent results. We have to control what we can control. Is there anything better we could have done to win [against Villa] by a big margin? Yes.“We focus on that. Now it is in our hands to change it and move forward.” More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Champions League LIVE SCORES: Liverpool CONFIRM place in Last 16, Barcelona BEAT Benfica 5-4 in thriller – updates

      by

      LIVERPOOL have confirmed their place in the Champions League Last 16 after beating Lille 2-1.The Reds made it seven wins out of seven with the victory over Lille to reach 21 points and guarantee automatic progression.Liverpool can still be caught for the top spot though in the final matchround – after second-placed Barcelona defeated Benfica 5-4 in incident-packed classic.While Aston Villa blew their chance to all-but confirm their Last 16 place after losing 1-0 at Monaco.Start times: 5.45pm/ 8pmLive stream: discovery+/ Amazon Prime VideoTV channel: TNT Sports/ Amazon Prime VideoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow ALL the action from Matchday Six with our live blog below…Do it all again tomorrowHead over to the SunSport football page for more reaction to tonight’s bonkers Champions League night.Liverpool fans can sit back and watch tomorrow’s action knowing top of the table is pretty much secured ahead of next week’s final day.Can Arsenal, Man City and Celtic put themselves into a strong position? We’ll see tomorrow.Copy linkCopiedTomorrow’s gamesMore drama to come tomorrow? Hopefully!Here’s what we’ve got to look forward to (8pm unless stated)Leipzig vs Sporting 5.45pmShakhtar vs Brest 5.45pmMilan vs GironaArsenal vs Dinamo ZagrebCeltic vs Young BoysFeyenoord vs BayernPSG vs Man CityReal Madrid vs SalzburgSparta Prague vs InterCopy linkCopiedElite companyOptaJoe say Arne slot is only the second manager in Champions League history to win his first seven games in charge of a club.That feat was previously only done by Hansi Flick when at Bayern a few years ago.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Liverpool vs LilleMo Salah claimed his 50th European goal for Liverpool as Arne Slot’s side stuck a red flag on the summit of the Champions League table.Harvey Elliott continued what has been an astonishing first campaign for the Dutchman who succeeded Jurgen Klopp.For while the German will always be seen as one of Anfield’s true icons, history so far suggests that Slot may yet over time be at least as revered. At this rate, anyway.Elliott’s 67th strike against a side reduced to ten men early in the second half means Slot’s men equalled the club’s best – ever sequence of seven successive wins the competition, a run set, of course, by Klopp.Yet when so many within the Kop feared his departure last summer might signal a down- sizing of intent, the current side just get better and better.Copy linkCopiedMatch report – Monaco vs Aston VillaAston Villa discovered the hard way.The last place in the world you can afford to be poor is Monte Carlo.Unai Emery brought his Premier stars to the millionaires’ playground in the South of France.But in front of watching royalty – Villa fan Prince William – his side performed like paupers.Wilfried Singo’s first-half header was enough to sink Villa who had 82 minutes to put things right but never came close.They trudged off at the end, deservedly beaten by Monaco’s energetic kids.Copy linkCopiedHot propertyJonathan David might well have added a few more million onto his price tag after his goal at Anfield tonight.The Lille man is hot property at the minute and has been linked with Newcastle, Arsenal and the Reds in the last couple of days, labelling the latter of those the ‘best team in the world’.Speaking to Amazon Prime after the game, he said: “We came against the first of the Champions League group so we knew it was going to be a complicated game even more so when we went to 10 men. It’s frustrating, we wanted to hold on as long as we could but it’s very difficult.”Today wasn’t our day. The togetherness. Everyone is very solid and compact. We want to play and play our game this is how we’re going to get further.”They’re a very good team. I think they might be the best team in the world at the moment.”Copy linkCopiedStrong showingA dominant night for Liverpool despite really getting out of first gear.Lille with plenty of the ball of their own and 461 passes is no mean feat at Anfield on a Champions League night.Copy linkCopied50 upMo Salah admits his pride at another landmark moment for Liverpool after his 50th European goal for the club.But he admits he hopes it’s not the last milestone for the club.He told Amazon Prime: “Hopefully not the last one but I’m very proud of it. I wasn’t focused on it before the game.”They have a really good game plan and they were unbeaten for 21 games so they’re a quite tough team. I’m glad we managed to win that game.”We got the ball and Curtis played the ball very well finally and I managed to score.”Copy linkCopiedHow we standA dramatic night then but it leaves us knowing that top spot will either be Liverpool or Barcelona.The Reds are in such a strong position having won all seven games and have a three-point gap to Barca, with just the final match day to go.Liverpool are at PSV, Barca host Atalanta.Elsewhere, Aston Villa are in a right scrap for a top eight finish, knowing they will need to beat Celtic next week!Copy linkCopiedLage rageBenfica boss Bruno Lage has taken a leaf out the Phil Brown playbook.The livid Portuguese boss kept his side out on the pitch to give them a dressing down in the torrential rain.The players still looked shell-shocked having thrown away that game to actually lose in the end.Copy linkCopiedChampions League resultsWhat a sensational night of Champions League drama.Here’s the results:Atalanta 5-0 Sturm GrazMonaco 1-0 Aston VillaAtletico Madrid 2-1 LeverkusenBenfica 4-5 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 LilleRed Star 2-3 PSVSlovan Bratislava 1-3 StuttgartCopy linkCopied90+6 – GOAL!! Benfica 4-5 BARCELONAWow wow wow – what a stunning end to the game and a quite incredible comeback!RAPHINHA has won it for Barca!Benfica were pushing and thought they might’ve had a penalty for a shove in the back.Ferran Torres smashes it long and Raphinha is on the halfway line to run clean through. He drives in towards goal and waits to beat the defender on the inside before smashing beyond the keeper.4-2 down in the 78th minute, Barca have won with the final kick. Extraordinary.Copy linkCopiedFT! Job done for Liverpool at Anfield and they maintain top spot – and confirm their place in the top eight.Harvey Elliott’s second half goal the difference after 10-man Lille equaliser through Jonathan David.They’ll be hard to catch at the top now…Liverpool 2-1 LilleCopy linkCopied90 – GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 2-1 LeverkusenJULIAN ALVAREZ with the winner!The Leverkusen players crumbling as tough as the referee in this one.Correa bundles his way through and a touch into his path inside the box works out to be a great pass for Alvarez.Kovar comes out to close the angle and the striker nips round him and taps into an empty net from a tight angle.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Slovan Bratislava 1-3 STUTTGARTIt was game on for 60 seconds or so…Terrific counter attack ended by FABIAN RIEDER who slots beyond the keeper. Job done.Copy linkCopied87 – GOAL! Benfica 4-4 BARCELONAThe comeback is complete for the Spanish giants!They were piling on the pressure and this one comes from a corner taken short to Pedri and his cracking cross finds ERIC GARCIA to plant a header beyond the keeper.Wild scenes as the visitors celebrate but where was the Benfica marking!?Copy linkCopied86 – GOAL! SLOVAN BRATISLAVA 1-2 StuttgartIDJESSI METSOKO with the goal to make things interesting!Barseghyan with a stunning through ball for Metsoko who takes a great touch into the box and a clever dinked finish beyond the keeper.Copy linkCopiedClosing stagesEVERY game in the balance going into the closing stages as Slovan Bratislava have just scored!🔴 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Leverkusen 🔴Benfica 4-3 BarcelonaBologna 2-1 DortmundClub Brugge 0-0 JuventusLiverpool 2-1 Lille 🔴Red Star 2-3 PSV 🔴Slovan Bratislava 1-2 StuttgartCopy linkCopied77 – GOAL! RED STAR 2-3 PSVAn incredible comeback IS on the cards as Red Star get one back!Ivanic’s cross from the corner finds NASSER DJIGA who heads powerfully off the under-side of the crossbar and in!Copy linkCopiedFrom Ken Lawrence watching Liverpool vs LilleLiverpool got a little sloppy against Lille. But only for a little while.Jonathan David plundered an equaliser five minutes after Alissa Mandi got a second yellow card.But there is  a power and a presence about Arne Slot’s side and Harvey Elliott scored his first European goal at Anfield to send then further on the way to topping the Champions League table. And then some.Copy linkCopied76 – RED CARD – PIERO HINCAPIE (Leverkusen)Oh referee you’ve absolutely bottled it!He’s been itching and itching to level the teams up and crumbled under the pressure Atletico Madrid’s theatrics and their supporters’ noise.Hincapie is the victim of the referee’s crumbling, receiving a second yellow for a shoulder-to-shoulder clash on the right edge of the area. Copy linkCopied77 – GOAL! Benfica 4-3 BARCELONAGame on again in Lisbon!Again, it’s ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI and again it’s from the spot. So very harsh the decision as Lamine Yamal goes down easily but the Polish marksman makes no mistake. Now the joint-most penalty goals in this competition alongside Cristiano Ronaldo!Soccer Football – Champions League – Benfica v FC Barcelona – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – January 21, 2025 FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Rodrigo AntunesCopy linkCopied71 – GOAL! RED STAR 1-3 PSVThe home side back in it? Still work to do against the ten man as CHERIF NDIAYE gets it.Clever header. Too little too late?Copy linkCopied72 – GOAL! BOLOGNA 2-1 DortmundWhat a turnaround – Bologna trailed 90 seconds ago and now they lead through Englishman SAMUEL ILING JUNIOR.Just seconds after the restart they win the ball back and weak defending from Anton allows Dallinga in again but the keeper saves his effort.But it falls kindly to Iling Junior to smash home from eight yards. Incredible turnaround.Copy linkCopied68 – GOAL! BENFICA 4-2 BarcelonaJust as it looked like being game on, it’s not again!Benfica go back in front and it’s an own goal from Araujo. A great ball into the box is picked up at the back post and when played into the six-yard box, Araujo beats Wojciech Szczęsny to it and diverts it into his own net!Copy linkCopied More