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      Champions League fans slam ‘naughtiest dive of the 21st century’ and fume ‘he shouldn’t be allowed to play anymore’

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      FANS have called for Lucas Tousart to never play again after performing the “naughtiest dive of the 21st century”.The Union Berlin star was playing against Portuguese outfit Braga in the Champions League.

      Lucas Tousart was trying to win a penalty off Jose FonteCredit: EPA
      His dive was slammed by fansCredit: AP
      Union were desperate for a result as they are on the cusp of missing out on European football after the new year.
      The Bundesliga side are bottom of Group C, and while they can not qualify for the Last 16, they could still make it to the Europa League with a third-placed finish.
      Tousart, 26, appeared to be willing to do anything to help his team as he took a tumble in the Braga penalty area without any contact.
      No penalty was given as the match finished 1-1 and referee Clement Turpin showed Tousart a yellow card for simulation.
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      Fans have taken to social media to slam the Frenchman.
      One fan hit out: “In case you missed the naughtiest dive of the 21st century yesterday, here’s Lucas Tousart.”
      A second commented: “That Tousart dive was so shameless.”
      A third wrote: “Tousart should be subbed out for that dive he shouldn’t be allowed to play anymore.”
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      A fourth said: “Even without VAR, you can’t make such a fool of yourself. Here the referee is perfectly positioned.”
      The midfielder was trying to win a penalty off of Jose Fonte.
      Premier League fans will remember the Portuguese defender for his spells at Southampton and West Ham.
      He also had a stint with Crystal Palace in the Championship before joining the Saints.
      Fonte, 39, left England in 2018 and joined Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang before moving on to Lille and then Braga.
      Elsewhere in the Champions League Arsenal hammered RC Lens 6-0 while Manchester United drew 3-3 to Galatasaray. More

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      Lionel Messi brutally refused Champions League punditry role because of Jamie Carragher, says Kate Abdo

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      KATE ABDO hilariously revealed that Lionel Messi refused a Champions League punditry role because of a feud with Jamie Carragher.Popular presenter Abdo and her CBS Sports team broadcast last night’s Champions League action in a special show from Miami.
      Lionel Messi refused to join CBS Sports due to Jamie CarragherCredit: AFP
      Messi previously branded Carragher a ‘donkey’Credit: CBS Sport
      Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were all present as the fan-favourite group watched various matches including Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray.
      And being based in one of America’s most glamorous cities presented the opportunity for Inter Miami star Messi to make a guest appearance.
      CBS Sports reached out to the Argentina ace to see if he fancied coming on air.
      But Messi brutally rejected the chance to voice his opinions due to an ongoing beef with Carragher.
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      The fallout started in January 2022 when the ex-Liverpool star criticised Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
      It resulted in the World Cup winner sending a private message to Carragher, branding him a “donkey”.
      And after learning the Anfield icon would be appearing on CBS Sports’ Miami show last night, Messi declined to make an appearance.
      Host Abdo revealed: “You know we made an official invitation extended to Inter Miami, and we asked him to come on the show.
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      Kate Abdo revealed Messi is refusing to do any TV work with CarragherCredit: CBS Sport
      “Do you know what the official response was? Apparently Lionel Messi will not be doing any television shows that Jamie Carragher is a part of.”
      However, the Sky Sports star brushed off Messi’s snub, declaring it a “claim to fame”.
      Revealing more about Messi’s “donkey” message, Carragher said at the time: “It was on Monday Night Football and I got a private message on Instagram.
      “From the man himself. I will not be showing private messages but he basically called me a donkey.”
      Carragher added in September: “I was coming home from a game, I got a message and was like ‘that can’t be him, must be a fake account’.
      “Then I looked and it came from that and he told me his opinion.
      “I had to Google and translate because I didn’t have a clue what he sent me.
      “I just said ‘thanks for your opinion’. The next night he was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner so I replied saying ‘congratulations’. He saw the message and didn’t reply.” More

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      I played under former Premier League manager who was like James Bond and turned up to training in a helicopter

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI has been compared to James Bond for his stylish lifestyle.The Italian manager has had two stints in the Premier League with Chelsea and Everton.
      Carlo Ancelotti has been likened to James BondCredit: X @vinijr
      Ancelotti with wife Mariann Barrena McClay who would fly him to workCredit: Instagram @mrancelotti
      Ancelotti managed in the Premier League with Chelsea and EvertonCredit: Instagram @mrancelotti
      Ancelotti, 64, has had a remarkable managerial career, having won 25 TROPHIES.
      He has managed at glamorous clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Juventus.
      He is currently in his second stint at Real Madrid and is expected to move into international management with Brazil at the end of the season.
      Former Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato, 34, starred for the Italian while at AC Milan.
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      The Brazilian forward has revealed that Ancelotti was like “a father” to him and that he lives “with style”.
      Incredibly, Pato even compared the Italian to fictional spy James Bond.
      In an interview with the Players Tribune, he said: “Ancelotti became like a father to me. He even named his dog Pato.
      “You saw that picture of him on the bus parade in Madrid, with the sunglasses and the cigar?
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      “Well, at Milan he’d turn up to training in a helicopter.
      “He lived in Parma and his wife knew how to fly one. He’d step out like James Bond.
      “If anyone lived with style, it was Carlo.”
      Pato played for Ancelotti between 2007 and 2009, when he first emerged as one of Europe’s brightest talents.
      In 2011, however, he started to have issues with injuries that curtailed his development.
      The forward left the Serie A giants in 2013 as he moved back to his homeland with Corinthians.
      Pato would later join Chelsea on loan but only featured twice in the Premier League, scoring one goal.
      He went on to have spells at Villarreal, Tianjin Tianhai, and Orlando City, he is now playing for Sao Paulo.
      His contract expires in December, though there is an option to extend it for a further 12 months.
      Ancelotti has been compared to James BondCredit: Instagram @mrancelotti
      Alexandre Pato loved Ancelotti’s styleCredit: Getty More

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      Paul Merson says Kai Havertz isn’t playing in ‘right position’ and tells Arsenal boss Arteta how to get best out of him

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      KAI HAVERTZ needs to play in the “right position” according to Paul Merson – who has told Mikel Arteta how to get the best of out the German.Arsenal thrashed Lens 6-0 at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
      Paul Merson thinks Kai Havertz should be played in a ‘different position’Credit: Getty
      Merson has hinted to Mikel Arteta how to get the best out of the starCredit: Rex
      Havertz scored again on Wednesday in Arsenal’s 6-0 win against RC LensCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have secured the top spot in Champions League Group B and are now in the knockout stage.
      Arteta’s squad are the first team in the competition to have five different goalscorers in the first half of a game.
      In their biggest Champions League victory Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho all bagged a goal.
      But Arsenal legend Merson, 55, feels Havertz – who started on the left of midfield last night – can be even better if Arteta takes his advice and plays him in a different spot.
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      He said after the match on Sky Sports: “Havertz is a confident player and he’s playing with confidence right now.
      “I thought he was the best player on the pitch tonight. He was elegant, he picked the right passes and made the right decisions.
      “He’s a top player. I don’t think he’s playing in the right position but he’s still a top player.”
      During his Chelsea days, Havertz starred as a centre-forward but since his arrival in North London Arteta has switched him to midfield.
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      Havertz has had a difficult start at Arsenal and struggled to bring his goalscoring prowess to Arteta’s squad.
      But he seems to have found his feet again recently.
      He scored for Germany against Turkey on the international break and managed to find the back of the net again on Saturday in the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Brentford.
      And the ex-Bayern Leverkusen star will hope to continue his excellent form in Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Wolves on Saturday afternoon. More

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      Jude Bellingham spotted wearing unreleased boots as fans convinced Real Madrid star is ‘following in Zidane’s footsteps’

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM sent fans wild after they spotted what boots he was wearing last night.The English superstar made more history by scoring in the 4-2 Champions League victory over Napoli.
      Jude Bellingham made more history for Real Madrid against NapoliCredit: Rex
      Zinedine Zidane was at the Bernabeu to watch the Englishman in actionCredit: AFP
      Bellingham was spotted wearing the unreleased new Adidas Predator bootsCredit: Getty
      They are the same boot Zidane made famous during his playing heydayCredit: Getty
      And the 20-year-old then drew praise from stopping Joselu from apologising to the crowd after a series of misses when he finally got on the scoresheet following his assist.
      Bellingham became the first player to score in each of his first four Champions League appearances for Madrid with his header yesterday.
      And he is now also only the fourth player to reach 10 goals before the age of 21 in the competition’s history.
      The ex-Birmingham City midfielder joined the Spanish giants in a £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in June.
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      And he has made a stunning start to life in Spain with 15 goals in 16 appearances for Los Blancos so far.
      That has led to many comparing him to legendary Madrid icon Zinedine Zidane – who was in attendance on Wednesday to witness his potential successor live in action.
      And those comparisons went into overdrive after fans spotted Bellingham’s footwear against Napoli.
      The youngster wore unreleased Adidas Predator boots for the Bernabeu clash – similar to the ones Zidane used to wear in his heyday.
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      Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold also had them on for his equaliser against Manchester City on Saturday after penning a deal with the sportswear giants and joining his compatriot on their star-studded roster.
      Bellingham has already taken the No.5 shirt at Madrid that was made famous by Zidane.
      Now he is sporting almost identical boots as the iconic Adidas Predator boot prepares to celebrate their 30-year anniversary by teasing the release of a new edition of the footwear worn previously by the likes of ZZ, DAvid Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
      And eagle-eyed fans quickly took to social media after spotting Bellingham donning them.
      One wrote: “Following Zidane’s footsteps.”
      Another said: “Jude Bellingham’s boots are giving us Zidane 1998 World Cup vibes.”
      “Jude Bellingham dropped a masterclass wearing these boots with the number 5 shirt whilst Zinedine Zidane was watching,” said another before adding: “This is poetry.”
      A fellow supporter said: “Wearing no.5 jersey, adidas Predator boots. What else?
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      “A reincarnation of the legend, Zidane. A legend in making, Jude Bellingham.”
      While another wrote: “Number five on the back, rocking the retro adidas boots that Zinedine Zidane wore… Jude Bellingham is turning back the clocks at Real Madrid.”
      Zidane was given the No5 shirt when he signed for Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Bellingham is now blossoming with the same number on his back at the BernabeuCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry looks annoyed as Jamie Carragher calls him out for ‘rude’ slip-up

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      THIERRY HENRY got a bit hot under the collar after being called out for a “rude” slip-up by Jamie Carragher.The Prem legends were working on CBS Sports during the coverage of the Champions League.
      Thierry Henry was not impressed by a comment from Jamie Carragher
      Henry was quizzing Micah Richards about a questionCredit: CBS
      During a Q and A by host Kate Abdo, Henry had already revealed that his best shirt swap during his career was with Ronaldo after the 1998 World Cup final between France and Brazil.
      However, things heated up in another round of questioning when Kate asked who the funniest player they played with was.
      Clint Dempsey answered first and claimed his was the “crazy” Jimmy Bullard from his time at Fulham.
      Micah Richards then said that he was “the funny one” as he struggled to come up with an answer.
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      Henry then responded: “That is not the question though, you didn’t play with yourself, right?”
      Richards then answered: “[Mario] Balotelli”.
      But Carragher could not get over Henry’s phrasing of his question as he said: “He did what?”
      Henry then insisted: “He didn’t play with himself, that is what I am saying.”
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      Kate then started to chuckle as she told Carragher to “shut up”.
      However, Henry was not impressed as he whined: “I know Jamie, you’re funny haha.”
      This then caused the whole panel to burst out in laughter.
      Meanwhile, it was an eventful night on the pitch in the Champions League.
      Manchester United are on the cusp of being knocked out at the group stage after drawing 3-3 with Galatasaray in Istanbul.
      Arsenal confirmed their spot as group winners with a 6-0 thumping of Ligue 1 side RC Lens. More

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      Arsenal 6-0 Lens LIVE RESULT: Rampant Gunners sail into the Champions League Last 16 with SIX different scorers

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      ARSENAL thrashed Lens to sail into the Champions League Last 16 as group winners.The rampant Gunners scored FIVE goals inside the first half as they avenged their only loss in Europe’s elite competition this season.
      Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho all notched as Arsenal ran in six different goalscorers in the rout.

      Result: Arsenal 6 Lens 0
      Arsenal XI: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
      Lens XI: Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Mendy, Samed, Haidara; Sotoca, Fulgini, Wahi

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      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      ‘Beautiful’
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports: “Today was the day to get it done. We did it in a beautiful way.
      “We scored five goals (in the first half) against a really good side. You can become really sloppy. And there were parts of the second half with different behaviours but we stayed really focused.”
      Asked about winning the group, Arteta added: “It’s great because the schedule we have at the moment is crazy. We’re already thinking about Wolves in 72 hours.
      “We have to demand more from each other. We’ll have to be well prepared for Wolves.”
      Credit: getty
      ‘Everyone is really happy’
      Bukayo Saka speaking to TNT Sports: “Everyone is really happy. It’s our first time back in the Champions League for a while and we’ve qualified with a game to go.
      “When we first looked at our group we wanted to finish top. We’ve done that so can be proud.
      “The boss is already reminding us to just enjoy a little bit and then focus on Wolves on Saturday.”
      Credit: getty
      Who’s through?
      So, 12 teams have booked their places in the Round of 16. They are…

      Real Madrid
      Atletico Madrid
      Real Sociedad
      Barcelona
      Manchester City
      Arsenal
      PSV
      Inter Milan
      Lazio
      RB Leipzig
      Borussia Dortmund
      Bayern Munich

      Could be some amazing knockout ties here. There’s obviously still one more round of fixtures remaining, but that Champions League round of 16 draw takes place on Monday 18 December.
      We were amazing
      You’re not wrong, Gabriel.
      Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been speaking with TNT Sports, and actually learned that Arsenal had qualified as winners.
      He said: “We were amazing. Everyone was focused. We controlled the game. They tried to come in the second half. At the end everyone played amazing. The team performance was top. We have to keep going.
      “Playing at home, we know our support is amazing. They push us. We want to win the game and qualify. Congratulations to the whole team.
      “We didn’t concede a goal. We kept a clean sheet and then we scored in the last minutes.
      “I watch the Champions League a lot at home. I love football. The Champions League is special, like the Premier League. I already won the Premier League, I want to win here, but I want to win the Champions League as well.”
      Credit: getty
      Final scores
      A few surprise results in here tonight.
      FC Copenhagen getting a point at Bayern Munich means Manchester United have to beat the Bundesliga champions at Old Trafford and hope the other match in Group A is drawn to remain in the competition.

      Arsenal 6-0 Lens
      Bayern Munich 0-0 Copenhagen
      Benfica 3-3 Inter Milan
      Braga 1-1 Union Berlin
      Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli
      Real Sociedad 0-0 Salzburg

      The standings
      Take a look and enjoy that, Arsenal fans.
      The Gunners will finish top of Group B as the seeded side whatever happens in their trip to PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch outfit can also celebrate, they advance at the expense of Lens and Sevilla.
      That goal difference didn’t half take a boost tonight.

      ARSENAL 6-0 LENS
      FT: Ruthless from Arsenal. Mikel Arteta got his statement win as the Gunners cruise into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 6-0 win over Lens.
      We’ve got all the reaction coming up folks.
      Credit: getty
      ARSENAL 6-0 LENS
      91: How about that? Now that’s the attitude that wins titles.
      Arsenal defender Gabriel throws his body in the way of a late Wahi snapshot to save the clean sheet for his side. He drops to his knees and celebrates like he’s scored a goal.
      ARSENAL 6-0 LENS
      90: Three minutes of injury time here.
      ARSENAL 6-0 LENS
      88: “6-0 to the Arsenal,” sing the supporters. They’ve been exceptional tonight.
      ARSENAL 6-0 LENS – JORGINHO (PEN)
      85: GOAL! Martin Odegaard handed the ball over to Jorginho and the Italian international sends the goalkeeper the wrong way with a typically cool penalty.
      Probably the least pressurised penalty he’ll ever take.
      Credit: getty
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      84: Penalty to Arsenal! The referee wandered over to the screen and decided to give the spot-kick. Martin Odegaard is ready to take it…
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      83: Eddie Nketiah replaces Gabriel Jesus for the final few minutes. No Arsenal player has fired off more shots on goal in the league this season than Eddie.
      Penalty check! Khusanov, who made his European debut tonight and got booked after 25 seconds, has caught Martinelli in the face with a flailing arm. It also looks like he’s managed to handle the ball in the same motion.
      He’s had a night to forget.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      80: Arsenal continue to play the ball around inside the Lens half. Clearly conserving energy for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves.
      Chance! Ben White finds Gabriel Martinelli down the right channel. He drives into the penalty area but his cross/shot is blocked for a corner.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      78: Arsenal applying a bit of pressure as we enter the final stages. No clear-cut chances to speak of, but you sense there might be a sixth here for the Gunners. Ben White reaches the byline but his floated cross is plucked out of the air by Lens goalkeeper Samba.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      75: OK, 15 minutes left to play here. Odegaard wins a corner after seeing his effort blocked. Rice strolls over to take it and it sails straight through a crowd of players and soon arrives at the feet of David Raya. Turning attack into defence in the blink of an eye there.
      Declan Rice heads off with Jorginho replacing him.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      71: It looks in range. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard stands over a free-kick around 30-yards from goal. Might be closer to 35 yards actually.
      He bends the delivery in but it’s headed clear and Gabriel Martinelli ushers it out for a corner, which White eventually slices high and wide.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      68: Chance! An actual chance!
      Kai Havertz sends the crowd wild with a bit of trickery in the corner to bamboozle his marker. He tip-toes across the byline before cutting it back for Odegaard, whose skidding effort is saved by Samba.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      65: Khusanov replaces Gradit to make his European debut… and he’s booked within about 25 seconds for an innocuous foul. Haidara follows him into the book seconds later with a really cynical foul on Odegaard.
      Bukayo Saka finally comes off. He’s replaced by Nelson.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      63: Video highlights for this second half will be tricky for editors later. Actually I guess they’ll be easier with nothing to show.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      60: An hour remaining, and this one is wrapped up.
      The 3,000 Lens fans are doing something. They are… swaying in opposite directions from the row in front of them. Not sure I’ve seen that before. Nicely choreographed.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      58: Gabriel Jesus applies a bit of pressure on the Lens defence but gives the foul away.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      55: Mendy slides the ball through for the onrushing Wahi. His cross is safely gathered by Raya but the whistle went for offside anyway. That’s about as exciting as it’s been since the break, folks.
      ARSENAL 5-0 LENS
      53: Surprised to see Bukayo Saka on the pitch still. He took a couple of whacks in the first half.
      Lens have started well enough. Arsenal aren’t really putting any pressure on their visitors, who are keeping the ball nicely. No chances for either side. More

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      Sons of two Argentina team-mates score for Real Madrid and Napoli against each other as they make their own way in game

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      TWO Argentines did their fathers proud as Real Madrid beat Napoli 4-2 in the Champions League.Carlo Ancelotti’s side came from behind to secure three points and maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe.
      Diego Simeone’s son Giovanni celebrates opening the scoring at the BernabeuCredit: Getty
      Nico Paz, son of former Argentina star Pablo, scored his first Real Madrid goalCredit: Rex
      But they got off to a nightmare start when Giovanni Simeone, son of former Argentina star Diego, tapped in from close range despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
      Diego Simeone, who manages Atletico Madrid, won 108 caps for Argentina and was the victim of David Beckham’s infamous 1998 World Cup kick, which saw the England star red-carded.
      Real equalised through Rodrygo before Jude Bellingham headed his side in front to take his tally to 14 goals in 15 games for Los Blancos.
      Napoli then restored parity and the match appeared to be heading towards a draw before the hosts showed their quality.
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      Another Argentina, youngster Nico Paz picked up the ball midway through Napoli’s half, turned brilliantly and then unleashed a rocket from distance.
      Goalkeeper Alex Meret could have done better as he palmed the ball into the net to spark a mad celebration from Paz.
      It was his first goal for Real in just his fourth appearance for the Spanish giants.
      His father Pablo Paz, who played alongside Simeone for Argentina in the 1990s, would have watched on with pride.
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      Real have topped their Champions League group and are one of the favourites to win the competition.
      Elsehwere Manchester United are on the brink of elimination after drawing 3-3 with Galatasaray, while Arsenal won their group by thrashing Lens 6-0. More