Champions League

EAGLE-EYED fans spotted William Saliba’s hilarious “Squidward” celebration.Arsenal players and supporters alike went crazy when Mikel Merino scored against Real Madrid.William Saliba celebrated Mikel Merino’s goal wildlyCredit: GettyHis flailing arms led to comparisons to SquidwardCredit: GettySaliba ignored his team-matesCredit: GettyFans spotted the crazy moment watching on TVSupporters piled in with hilarious repliesHis sumptuous finish into the bottom corner gave Arsenal a 3-0 lead at the midway point of their Champions League quarter-final.And especially after Declan Rice’s two incredible free-kicks, it is fair to say emotions were running high at the Emirates.So that may explain what Saliba did.As Merino was joined by the likes of Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly running towards the corner flag, the French centre-back seemingly ignored his team-mates.READ MORE ON ARSENALInstead, he conducted his own wild solo celebration.Saliba sprinted into the background of the TV shot and ran off the end of the pitch towards the jubilant supporters.And as he did so, the defender waved both arms around frantically.It was so unexpected and utterly bonkers that one fan even compared his arm antics to SpongeBob SquarePants octopus character Squidward. Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesWhen the video of Saliba’s celebration did the rounds on social media, the Arsenal supporter wrote: “That’s the Squidward,” and added a gif of the character.Another X user said: “I did this same s*** in my living room no judgement.”Paul Merson suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports as he jumps up to celebrate Arsenal goalA third added: “That was me running through my whole house after that second goal.”A fourth replied: “He’s a fan. His head was as gone as ours.”A fifth typed: “Bro’s trynna fly, man. Allow.”A sixth responded: “The ultimate hype man.”A seventh noted: “I love his heart and passion. Gabriel and Saliba are truly GUNNERS.”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…And a final one commented in response to transfer rumours linking him with a move to the Bernabeu: “Yeah he’s not going to Real Madrid any time soon.”Real Madrid have NEVER overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League.Yet French defender Saliba is wary of Madrid’s status as the crazy comeback kings on their own patch – and told Arsenal to fight fire with fire in one of Europe’s greatest arenas.He said: “We are not scared. We want to go there and win the game.“We cannot defend the whole game. We won 3-0 but we know it is not finished. There are a lot of things that can happen.Read More on The Sun“It was incredible because to win in a quarter-final like this against Madrid, in front of our fans, is amazing. But now we have to do it again next week.“One of the best [nights of my career] and I hope it’s not the last one.”He was desperate to soak up the moment with the fansCredit: GettyMerino made it 3-0 against Real MadridCredit: EPASaliba managed to keep compatriot Kylian Mbappe quietCredit: Getty More

FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has opened up about the one moment in time where he DOUBTED Sir Alex Ferguson. Schmeichel was an integral part of United’s winning machine during his eight seasons under Ferguson between 1991 and 1999. Former Man Utd goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has revealed the defining moment that left him questioning Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision-makingCredit: GettySchmeichel opened up about the historic Treble-winning team on That Peter Crouch podcastHe won five league titles and finished on the ultimate high of a Champions League triumph to complete a historic Treble in his final season.But it was not all plain sailing for the giant Dane at Old Trafford, after fights with Fergie and Roy Keane caused mayhem at times.Yet Ferguson relied on Schmeichel – a Euro 1992 winner with Denmark – to start between the sticks for nearly a decade.There is no doubt that Schmeichel respects “The Boss” and cherishes the unbelievable memories they spent together.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the former stopper has revealed details about the one point in time where thought Fergie was losing his marbles.The 61-year-old told That Peter Crouch podcast: “The first time, where I really thought the guy was losing it and not understanding what he was doing, was in the summer of 1995.”When three players, who would start every game if they were fit, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis, left the club and no-one came in.”And he puts five kids in the first team squad – he puts Nicky, Gary, Phil, Scholesy and Becks.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”Ryan was already in the first team dressing room, so he would’ve been the sixth.”But you’re thinking what’s going on here? And of course, we open up with a defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.Man Utd’s secret weapon in Treble-winning season revealed as star who played ‘bigger role than people give credit for'”But the boys were great and I mainly thought it was strange that he didn’t bring at least one player in during the summer.”It seems Schmeichel inadvertently and initially agreed with Liverpool great Alan Hansen who famously uttered: “you can’t win anything with kids” after that season opening defeat.But, of course, Ferguson’s young team went onto win the Premier League and FA Cup in that 1995/1996 season.The Dane also revealed United’s shock Treble-winning secret weapon away from the pitch that nobody really knows about.He identified club debutant Dwight Yorke as one of the ‘forgotten’ men. More

ARSENAL took a giant leap towards their first ever major European trophy by battering Real Madrid 3-0 on a barely-believable evening in North London.Declan Rice scored two world-class free-kicks to give the Gunners the upper hand, before Mikel Merino grabbed a third.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: GettyDeclan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: GettyLos Blancos were left utterly shellshocked with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham outclassed at the Emirates.But write off Real at your peril… the Spanish giants have won the European Cup a record 15 times.Carlo Ancelotti has won the Champions League five times as a boss, while lifting two European Cups as a player.If anyone can inspire a comeback, you’d back the Italian legend.READ MORE SPORT STORIESAnd Real certainly wouldn’t be the first team to mount a jaw-dropping second-leg comeback.SunSport takes a look at some of the best…Ajax 2 Tottenham 3 – May 8, 2019Having lost the first leg of their semi-final in North London 1-0, Spurs were by no means dead and buried.However, future Premier League stars Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech scored early in the second leg to give Ajax a surely unassailable 3-0 aggregate lead.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut Lucas Moura would inspire one of the most remarkable turnarounds in history in the second half.The Brazilian scored twice in four minutes shortly after half-time to give Tottenham a sniff of glory.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickAnd, with the away goals rule still in place, Moura scored in the 96TH-MINUTE to complete his hat-trick and, more importantly, send Spurs into the final.Unfortunately for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, they would go on to lose 2-0 to Liverpool in the final.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: ReutersLiverpool 4 Barcelona 0 – May 7, 2019Spurs’ win was arguably all the more remarkable given what had happened just 24 hours at Anfield. Who could forget “corner taken quickly…”Liverpool had lost their semi-final first leg 3-0 in Barcelona after goals from former star Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi (two).The Reds were without Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino for the clash, and started with a front three of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Sadio Mane.The idea of scoring three times against Barca seemed impossible – even on a big European night in front of the Kop.Origi got Liverpool off to a dream start within seven minutes to claw one goal back – but Barcelona had some huge chances to score in the first half, only to be denied by Alisson.The game turned at half time, when Jurgen Klopp hauled off star left-back Andrew Robertson in favour of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.The Dutch star scored twice within three minutes at the start of the second half to level the tie on aggregate.With the away goals rule still active, Liverpool knew conceding would see them KO’d, with a tense atmosphere descending on Merseyside.In one of the most iconic moments in Champions League history, Trent Alexander-Arnold caught Barcelona napping as he took a corner quickly, with Origi sweeping home to send the Kop wild and seal a 4-0 win.Klopp’s side would go on to lift their sixth Champions League crown as Salah and Origi scored in a 2-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: AFP or licensorsPSG 1 Man Utd 3 – March 6, 2019″Ole’s at the wheel”, cried Rio Ferdinand as the interim boss staged a remarkable Euro comeback.Having replaced Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first defeat was the 2-0 loss at Old Trafford in the first leg of Manchester United’s last 16 showdown.In the 107 preceding occasions where a team had lost 2-0 or more in the first leg, none had ever come back to win.But Romelu Lukaku set about changing history as he scored after just two minutes.However, Juan Bernat levelled to give PSG a 3-1 aggregate lead just eight minutes later.Lukaku grabbed another before the break, but United were unable to break the French giants down to grab what would be a winner, thanks to away goals.That was until Marcus Rashford converted his 94th-minute penalty – his first competitive spot kick for the club – as a youthful United featuring Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood made it to the quarters.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: APRoma 3 Barcelona 0 – April 10, 2018″Roma have risen from their ruins” was the call from commentator Peter Drury after the Italian’s side unlikely comeback win.Having been battered 4-1 at the Nou Camp, Roma were expected to fall away with a whimper.But Edin Dzeko netted early on to inspire a flicker of hope, before Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas – who both scored own goals in the first leg – got on the scoresheet again to send the crowd wild.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: EPABarcelona 6 PSG 1 – March 8, 2017″La Remontada” – The Comeback.PSG stormed to a 4-0 win at home and even “MSN” – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – wouldn’t be able to overturn such a deficit.Or so we thought…Suarez scored after just three minutes to set the tone, before a Layvin Kurzawa own goal made it 2-0 at the break.Messi slotted home a spot-kick soon after half-time, but Edinson Cavani appeared to have struck the final nail in the coffin by pulling one back.That goal made it 3-1 in the night, but 3-5 on aggregate, with Barcelona needing THREE due to away goals.As the clock ticked over to 87 minutes, an increasingly-desperate Barcelona were still hunting a surely-impossible treble.Neymar curled home a free kick to give the faintest of hopes as the Nou Camp erupted.But then, in the 91st minute, they were awarded a penalty – tucked away by Neymar.Unable to keep the Brazilian out of the game, PSG were stunned in the final 20 seconds of added time as Neymar floated a ball into the box and a stretching Sergi Roberto poked the ball home in one of the wildest finales to a football match in history.Declan Rice reveals Arsenal’s set-piece coach told him to CROSS… before firing stunning free-kickCredit: GettyDeportivo La Coruna 4 AC Milan 0 – April 7, 2004Delving a little further into the archives for this one, fallen giants Deportivo La Coruna shocked peak Milan in the 2004 quarter-finals.Milan won the first leg convincingly, as Kaka (two), Andriy Shevchenko and Andrea Pirlo all scored in an eight-minute span, after the Spaniards had taken a shock lead.The LaLiga side – now in the third tier – needed something special in the return leg and that’s exactly what they got.Read More on The SunWalter Pandiani scored within five minutes to give them hope, before Valeron and Luque had wiped out the deficit before the break.Despite already leading on away goals, they then grabbed another with 15 minutes to play to kill the match off completely and reach the semis – where they lost 1-0 to the eventual champions, Jose Mourinho’s Porto.Deportivo La Coruna stunned a prime AC Milan team in a 2004 epicCredit: Reuters More

MICAH RICHARDS stunned Kate Abdo into an eight-second silence with a crude innuendo while on air.The pair were joined in the CBS Studio by Jamie Carragher for Tuesday’s Champions League clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid.Micah Richards left Kate Abdo stunned with a crude innuendoIt happened after a Bayern Munich fan doused herself with a drink by mistakeThey watched on as Arsenal smashed Real 3-0 in the first leg of their European quarter final.And Richards, Abdo and Carragher also brought fans highlights of the clash between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.That match was won 2-1 by the Italians, putting them in pole position for the second leg at the San Siro.But at half-time, host Abdo lightened the mood by playing an amusing clip of a Bayern fan in the stands.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe video showed the woman reacting to a missed chance from Vincent Kompany’s men while holding an open drink.In her excitement, the fan managed to splash herself in the face with her beverage.And it sent Carragher and Richards into fits of laughter.But the latter then stunned his pals by making a crude innuendo.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSRichards declared: “No comment!”This saw Carragher bury his head in the table.’That should have been me’ – Micah Richards reveals Kate Abdo is up for prestigious award as Thierry Henry is impressedRichards was left in hysterics at the incidentJamie Carragher buried himself into the tableAfter a lengthy silence, Abdo asked: “Could you take it down a notch?”Fans were also quick to react to the incident online.One said: “Micah Richards is about to get sacked on air, there’s no way he said what he just said.”Another declared: “He might not escape this.”One noted: “That’s rather tame actually.Another added “This is the kind of TV that ends careers and starts memes.” More

THIERRY HENRY had a blunt message for Kylian Mbappe before Arsenal stunned Real Madrid.The Gunners enjoyed their greatest night at the Emirates on Tuesday.Thierry Henry had a cheeky blunt message for Kylian MbappeCredit: RexThe French pair shared a warm hug pitchside during the warm-upCredit: RexHenry was a happy man come full-time as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winnersCredit: GettyDeclan Rice’s two wondergoals from direct free-kicks and Mikel Merino’s superb finish gave Mikel Arteta’s men a 3-0 lead at the mid-way point of the Champions League quarter-final.But as well as scoring three goals, it was crucial that Arsenal kept a clean sheet.And that meant stopping Mbappe – just as Henry wanted.Arsenal legend Henry bumped into his French compatriot on the side of the Emirates pitch during the warm-ups last night.READ MORE ON ARSENALThey shared a warm embrace and had a brief chat before Henry let Mbappe go to continue loosening up.But he revealed his short and sharp cheeky final comment to the Real Madrid striker.Working as a CBS Sports pundit, Henry said: “It’s always massive respect when I see Kylian Mbappe.”We both went to Clairefontaine [French football centre of excellence].Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates”Tonight he’s playing against the team that I love the most in the world.”Look I don’t wish anything bad on him.Paul Merson suffers awkward wardrobe malfunction live on Sky Sports as he jumps up to celebrate Arsenal goal”But tonight, I said to him, ‘Please I don’t want to see you.'”And Henry largely got his wish.Most importantly, Mbappe was kept off the scoresheet – and was kept relatively quiet by his lofty standards.He played the full 90 minutes in North London but the vast majority of his touches came outside the Arsenal penalty area. The 2018 World Cup winner – still looking to win his first Champions League – managed three shots with two on target, but was denied by David Raya. Arguably his most significant moment of the match came after Rice’s second strike. Read More on The SunThe cameras showed Mbappe’s reaction – and he was blown away by the quality.The striker – who only scored his first career free-kick on March 29 – raised his eyebrows and flicked his head in appreciation of Rice’s spectacular strike. Mbappe and his Real Madrid team-mates endured a frustrating night at the EmiratesCredit: GettyDavid Raya thwarted his one golden chanceCredit: GettyHenry has plenty of admiration for MbappeCredit: instagram @cbsHenry got his wish of a quiet nightCredit: instagram @cbsArsenal 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

PETER SCHMEICHEL has revealed Manchester United’s big Treble-winning secret weapon that nobody really knows about.Schmeichel unleashed the untold truth behind that historic 1999 side on That Peter Crouch Podcast.Manchester United were the first English side to win a historic Treble in 1999Treble-winning stopper Peter Schmeichel opened up in a hilarious interview on Peter Crouch’s podcastJust when you thought you couldn’t find out anything more about United’s best-ever season, in comes Schmeichel’s behind-the-scenes confessions.The legendary goalkeeper, now 61, said Man Utd – like all special teams – needed a bit of luck when they won the three biggest trophies in football in 1999.While the tales are often dominated by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last-gasp winner in the Champions League final, or Ryan Giggs’ extraordinary shirtless run through seven Arsenal players in the FA Cup, Schmeichel wanted to unearth a surprise unsung hero.The Dane – whose son Kasper later made history of his own by winning the Prem with Leicester in 2016 – identified club debutant Dwight Yorke as one of those ‘forgotten’ men.READ MORE ON MAN UTDSchmeichel told Crouchy’s podcast: “When I mention somebody like Dwight. I think Dwight played a much bigger role in the Treble than people will give him credit for. “His influence in the dressing room and the way that he would come in every morning with that big smile.”And sometimes entertain us with what he’d done the night before. He’d always bring that happiness into the dressing room.”But then go on the pitch and score 30 plus goals!”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordSchmeichel also revealed a more serious side to Yorke, who scored 29 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the Prem during his first United season. The Red Devils had been riding their luck, after sneaking through the European group stage on goal difference and losing here and there.Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville’s takes on Man Utd vs Man City And after committing a club sin by losing 3-2 to Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in December, when Sir Alex Ferguson was at a funeral, new boy Yorke stepped in.Schmeichel said: “That Boro game was the only time when the manager wasn’t there. And we were so bad.”And in the dressing room after, we said that we weren’t going to lose another game. “And Dwight worked out that if we were to win the next 38 games, we’d had an unbelievable season.”And all of a sudden you get to three games and you started to see it. It was so weird because it became a saying in the dressing room.”Dwight would entertain us with what he’d done the night before.SchmeichelThat Peter Crouch PodcastHe added: “We were really bad. But the thing is, because Ferguson wasn’t there, that’s why we were embarrassed.”Because we were thinking ‘do we really need the manager here to win?’ So everyone agreed ‘this is not good enough’.”And we never lost a game after that.”Schmeichel gave special credence to Dwight Yorke for his role in United’s TrebleCredit: GettyYorke scored 29 goals for the Red Devils in that debut seasonCredit: ReutersSchmeichel – who joined Man Utd in 1991 and left a few months after winning the Treble – was singing praises about Ferguson’s impeccable man-management and the incredible “trust” he installed into the entire squad.But the Dane also revealed the defining moment where he doubted Ferguson’s decision-making and truly believed the Scot was “losing it”.He said: “The first time, where I really thought the guy was losing it and not understanding what he was doing, was in the summer of 1995.”When three players, who would start every game if they were fit, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis left the club and no-one came in.”And he puts five kids in the first team squad – he puts Nicky, Gary, Phil, Scholesy and Becks. “Ryan was already in the first team dressing room, so he would’ve been the sixth.”But you’re thinking what’s going on here? And of course, we open up with a defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.”But the boys were great and I mainly thought it was strange that he didn’t bring at least one player in during the summer.”It seems Schmeichel inadvertently and initially agreed with Liverpool great Alan Hansen who famously uttered: “you can’t win anything with kids” after that season opening defeat.But, of course, Ferguson’s young team – went onto win the Premier League and FA Cup in 1995/1996.And the iconic goalkeeper quickly overcame that hurdle because Ferguson made every player “trust themselves”. Read More on The SunSchmeichel won 15 major trophies with United, before spending two seasons with Sporting Lisbon and returning to the Prem with Aston Villa in 2001, where he played with Crouch.He was later ignored by Gary Neville in the tunnel when he made 29 appearances for United’s closest rivals Manchester City in 2001/2002. More