Champions League

EAGLE-EYED fans spotted Kylian Mbappe’s “nice” reaction to one of Declan Rice’s free-kick goals last night.The Arsenal star struck from two set-pieces as his side beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.Kylian Mbappe was spotted reacting to one of Declan Rice’s free-kick goalsRice inspired Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid last nightCredit: EPAMikel Merino went and added a third to make sure the Gunners put one foot in the semis against either Aston Villa or Paris Saint-Germain.And current Champions League holders Real, who have won the competition a record 15 times, were left shellshocked ahead of next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu.Superstars like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr were unable to get a grasp on the game.While boss Carlo Ancelotti cut a frustrated figure as he watched counterpart Mikel Arteta dominate the touchline.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Real ace Mbappe caught fans off-guard as he reacted to the second of Rice’s free-kick goals.The £105million midfielder curled a beauty round the Real wall, with the shot then finding its way into the far-top corner.It sparked wild celebrations among Arsenal players and supporters.While Los Blancos players appeared to become even more desolate at the prospect of a European exit.Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesHowever, Mbappe seemed to show his appreciation for Rice’s strike as he made his way back to the halfway line.The striker, who joined Real on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, watched Rice’s free-kick sail past Thibaut Courtois.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsMbappe then turned on his heels before retreating down the pitch.And as he did so, the French World Cup winner was seen raising his eyebrows and flicking his head in acknowledgement of the hit.Fans were quick to clock it, with one saying: “It’s a nice reaction, just utterly stunned and in awe.”Another declared: “Bro was taking notes in his mind.”One noted: “He noticed it was a sweet free-kick.”Another added: “He knew it was well hit.”Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More

THIS is the shocking moment a huge brawl breaks out on the streets of Paris ahead of the crunch Champions League tie between PSG and Aston Villa.Footage shows opposing sets of fans fighting outside of a busy bar in the French capital, with punches, chairs and glasses thrown in the melee.Opposing sets of fans throw punches in a huge brawlCredit: FacebookFans hurl chairs and other missiles in ParisCredit: FacebookPint glasses can be seen flying in shocking footageCredit: FacebookEnglish underdogs Aston Villa are set to take on soon-to-be French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final showdown at the Parc des Princes tonight. Video taken from inside a bar where dozens of fans were drinking overnight shows the brawl in full swing.Fists can be seen flying as supporters clash in the street just outside the window.One set of fans appear to launch their drinks at the oncoming group.read more in Champions League Many of the younger, onrushing supporters have their hoods up as they approach the older looking men.As the fighting continues, a number of bar stools can be seen being used as weapons.One man can be seen carrying a stool across the pavement with the pointed legs directed at the other supporters.Chairs are also seen being hurled back and forth as stunned onlookers watch.Most read in FootballIt is unclear exactly how the brawl started.But unverified claims on social media allege that PSG hooligans had attacked Villa supporters who were drinking in the bar.’He’s lost it there’ – Huge brawl breaks out during Baller League after shocking challenge from former Man Utd starThe Parisians are seasoned campaigners in European knockout football, having reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the past 13 seasons.They’ve already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with an astounding six games to spare and knocked out tournament favourites Liverpool in the last round.But Villa are in outstanding form and are riding a seven-match winning streak.They breezed into the quarter finals with an emphatic 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the last 16. The side have also scored 20 goals and kept five clean sheets in their last seven matches and with four-time Europa League winner Unai Emery at the helm their fans are hopeful for an upset.Aston Villa have finally given us an English side we can all get behindBY Dave Kidd, Sun’s Chief Sports WriterIT was a night of nights in early October when Villa Park welcomed back elite European football after a hiatus of four decades.To be there at one of English football’s grandest, most historic and atmospheric stadiums as Bayern Munich were vanquished in a Champions League group match was a rare privilege.Villa won the game and I left the ground feeling delighted for Villa’s supporters. Which is strange because, usually, when English clubs play in Champions League football, I couldn’t honestly care less whether they win or lose.I don’t think I’m alone in this. The Premier League’s traditional Big Six were difficult to love even before they tried to sell English football down the gurgler by signing up to a breakaway Super League.And Newcastle, with their bottomless Saudi wealth, leave many of us equally cold. But Villa’s European adventure — next stop Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes in tomorrow’s quarter-final first leg — feels different.It feels like a throwback to decades gone by, when English football fans would genuinely want other English clubs to thrive in Europe.When Villa face Qatari-backed PSG in the French capital, most of England — except for the blue half of Birmingham and the Black Country supporters of Wolves and West Brom — will be firmly behind them.And that’s because Villa’s successes under Unai Emery give the supporters of many other clubs something realistic to aspire to.Villa are not a member of the modern elite, with all the spoilt-rotten sense of entitlement that status brings.They are an authentic club, competing at Europe’s top table with underdog status, with a modest net spend, with a likeable, talented manager and with supporters who have followed their club through thick and thin, providing consistently the best atmosphere in the Premier League.Four-time Europa League winner Unai Emery speaking at a press conference ahead of the gameCredit: GettyPSG come into the quarter finals after a huge win over LiverpoolCredit: PAEnglish star Marcus Rashford training with Aston Villa ahead of their UEFA Champions League clashCredit: Getty More

DECLAN RICE scored two spectacular free-kicks against Real Madrid – but some Arsenal fans believe Nicolas Jover was the real hero.Arsenal brushed aside the Spanish giants 3-0 with a magnificent display at the Emirates.Arsenal fans think set-piece coach Nicolas Jover was to thank for Rice’s first free-kickRice revealed Jover actually told him to cross the ballCredit: EPAThe midfielder scored two stunning free-kicks against Real MadridCredit: GettyRice will go down in folklore after scoring two astonishing free-kicks in the second half.They are the first direct free-kicks the midfielder has scored at club level, with Rice becoming a talisman from set-pieces this season for the Gunners.However some Gooners think he would not have pulled off his strikes without the assistance of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover.The Frenchman was spotted on the touchline before the free-kick was taken and he performed a whipping gesture.READ MORE ON ARSENALFans took that to mean he was advising Rice to whip the ball around the Real Madrid wall, which he did to find the net.Many praised Jover for his contribution, with one fan saying: “Mr.Jover makes the magic happen.”Another added: “NICOLAS JOVER MY HEROOOOO FOR LIFE.”And a third wrote: “Nico Jover statue at the emirate by next week pls.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHowever Rice revealed after the match that his set-piece coach was actually instructing him to cross the ball to the back post.He said: “He’s telling me to cross… it just didn’t make sense and you know I’m happy I took it because it’s a magic moment.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goals”He was telling me to cross!… I know [he defied everyone]. That’s what I mean Bukayo said if you feel it go for it.”I thought you know what, I looked at the ball and at the keeper and thought ‘I can bend this around the outside’.”Rice then laughed at Jover after watching footage of the coach celebrating his goal, with the England star claiming he took credit despite telling him to cross the ball.Arsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners… More

EMI MARTINEZ is winding up the French again — with an Argentina hat and his nation’s colours dyed into his hair.The Aston Villa keeper, who was the 2022 World Cup final penalty shoot-out hero against France, wore a baseball cap which appeared to mock his hosts as he arrived for the Champions League clash  against  Paris Saint-Germain.Emi Martinez wore a hat that showed off the four titles he has won with ArgentinaCredit: Instagram / avfcofficialA French cockerel seemed to be drawn on in penCredit: Instagram / emi_martinez26The Villa keeper has recently left his dyed his hair in Argentina coloursCredit: RexVilla boss Unai Emery has warned his goalkeeper to “control his emotions” ahead of the quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes. But Martinez was up to his usual “s***house” antics by donning a cap that showed the FOUR international titles he has won with Argentina — and featured a French cockerel drawn in pen.Martinez, 32, also seemed to have the blue and white Argentina flag coloured into the side of his head.He normally dyes his hair like that for international duty but has seemingly left it in this time to mock Les Bleus.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Emery, who also managed Martinez at Arsenal, insisted: “He is mature and responsible. He’s getting better at controlling his emotion.”Since he arrived in Aston Villa five or six years ago, he is a different Emiliano Martínez.“He is more mature, he is a better player, a better goalkeeper. He is the best goalkeeper in the world.“My conversation with him is always the same — focus on the football, focus on the individual challenges.  And try to control your emotions.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAs well as his heroics, Martinez’s gameship made him public enemy No 1 in France and he was barracked throughout Villa’s Conference League tie in Lille last season.Emery added: “Football is about understanding the supporters and how they support their team.Emi Martinez and his stunning Wag are booed mercilessly at Ballon d’Or ceremony by France fans “It’s only football. Our fans are going to support us and their fans will support Paris. Hopefully, everything will be respectful.”Midfielder Youri Tielemans made light of Martinez’s antics.He said: “I don’t really care what he does. I’m just here to play the game and whatever happens with Emi happens — as long as it stays respectful.“That’s just his style. He’s ready and has not spoken any differently than before any other game. He is focused and he’s looking forward  to it.”Martinez was the World Cup final hero against France in 2022Credit: PAHis antics have made him a hated figure in FranceCredit: AFP More