Connect with us

UEFA Champions League

Klopp admits Real the better team as Liverpool exit Champions League

blank

Published

on

Karim Benzema scored for Real, who knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League for the third time in a row. PHOTO: AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has conceded that his team could do nothing more, as Karim Benzema struck for Real Madrid to clinch a 1-0 win on Wednesday and advance to the Champions League quarter-finals 6-2 on aggregate.

After the wild first leg of their last-16 clash at Anfield in February left Real sitting pretty with a three-goal advantage, Klopp said the Reds had only a 1 per cent chance of turning the tie around.

“Being 5-2 down is not a great result if you want to go through. You need to have a special performance and we couldn’t do that tonight,” he said.

“The right team went through, we have to admit that. Knockout stages are like this. It’s not what we wanted but it’s what we got.

“Madrid were in control of the whole game. They were outstanding and that’s why the better team went through to the next round.”

Advertisement

Liverpool have also been eliminated from the League Cup – won by Manchester United – and the FA Cup and are sixth in the Premier League.

“Our job is to squeeze absolutely everything from this season as possible,” Klopp added.

Liverpool stemmed the 5-2 bleeding at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday but never looked like mounting a stirring comeback of the type they managed against Barcelona in 2019, or AC Milan in the 2005 final.

Real have now knocked them out of the Champions League in three consecutive seasons, including beating them in last year’s final.

The 14-time record winners showed the nous to keep the Reds at arm’s length, with defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger determined to shut out the visitors, along with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Advertisement

The Spanish giants could have significantly stretched their lead, save for a series of superb stops by Liverpool stopper Alisson Becker and some unusually profligate finishing.

In the first leg, Real were lethal, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema netting twice each – neither were as decisive.

Yet eventually they combined for the winner after 78 minutes, with Vinicius slipping as he tried to shoot, but hooking the ball into Benzema’s path for a simple tap-in.

Klopp also praised Real’s mentality in big European games.

“They are used to handling it in the best way, and we will have to see if they can do it again this year,” he said.

Advertisement

“Unfortunately we will have to watch these big games from a distance.

“I don’t know who will win it, to be honest. It will be interesting to watch.”

One thing for sure, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said his players were full of confidence and could go all the way.

They are aiming to win the Champions League for the sixth time in 10 seasons and Ancelotti believes his team’s remarkable run to glory last season has given them a major boost.

Los Blancos pulled off stunning comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, before beating Liverpool in the final.

Advertisement

“We have a lot more confidence, because of what happened last year, it gave us a lot of confidence,” he said.

“We also saw that in this tie, against a strong team, we did well in the two games.

“But with confidence alone, we don’t reach the semi-finals. We have to play surprising football… as always, the Champions League is very complicated and we have to compete until the end.”

The Italian hailed the blend of youth and experience in his squad, with veteran midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and youngster Eduardo Camavinga, all playing well together against Liverpool.

“The atmosphere is created by the players – the intelligence, humility and patience of the veterans,” said Ancelotti.

Advertisement

“The key is the humility of the veterans, they don’t have egos, and the patience of the youngsters because in front of them are players who have had fantastic careers and still are.

“Modric and Kroos aren’t playing because of the careers they have had, they are playing because they deserve it.”

AFP/Reuters

Advertisement

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

UEFA Champions League

TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free

blank

Published

on

blank
 Paris St Germain Victory Parade - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - June 1, 2025 Paris St Germain players pose for a picture with the trophy and Paris St Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the victory celebration REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo 

A pair of Belgian TikTokers say they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris St Germain beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final for free.

Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle.

After sticking a homemade “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.

“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie told the Belgian public broadcaster.

“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”

Advertisement

Once they heard fans starting to use the toilets on matchday, the pair left their bolthole and made their way past ticket inspectors to join the 86,600 crowd in the stands.

“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.

“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”

The Allianz Arena and UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Those fans who made their way into the match more conventionally had to pay anywhere from 90 to 950 euros ($100-$1,100) for their tickets.

Advertisement

-Reuters

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Advertisement
Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans

blank

Published

on

blank
Some hardcore fans displaying their loyalty to the winning team PSG at the final watch party by Heineken.

Indeed, it was an evening where football merged with lifestyle. Nigerian music stars Fido and Wande Coal brought their A-game, performing crowd favourites that had fans singing along and dancing well into the night. 

Their live performances added vibrant colour to an already electrifying evening, keeping the energy alive after the final whistle.

blank

Hard core fans cut across gender, as displayed by the ladies during the Heineken Watch Party in at the Lagos Continental Hotel last Saturday

Adding star power to the experience was ex-Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa, who mingled freely with guests, posed for pictures, and shared expert insight on the game, delighting fans with his presence and personal touch.

“This year’s UEFA Champions League final is not just a match—it’s a cultural moment,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries. “We’re blending world-class football with unforgettable lifestyle experiences. Through our activities, we’re celebrating the real hardcore fans—the ones who make the game magical from wherever they are.”

blank

Shadeko added that Heineken’s goal is to ensure Nigerian fans feel seen and celebrated. “They may not be in Munich, but they’re just as important to the spirit of the game. That’s why we go all out—every year—to make this night one to remember.”

Advertisement

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

PEPSI GOALFEST 2025: Record-Breaking UCL Final, Unforgettable Fan Experience!

blank

Published

on

blank

The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every shot, and the ultimate victory! Last Saturday night, Pepsi brought the UEFA Champions League 2025 final to life at the Pepsi GoalFest 2025, where PSG dominated Inter Milan in a stunning 5-0 victory, setting a new record for goals in a final.

The Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was completely transformed into an electrifying arena, with a dominant wave of the iconic Pepsi blue.


Football fanatics experienced passion like never before. Inside and around the venue, fans engaged in thrilling football-themed games, moved to the beats of electrifying music, and stayed refreshed with Pepsi.

The energy soared as Dj Yk Mule, Mayorkun, and Do2tun delivered show-stopping performances, all powered by Pepsi.


It wasn’t just a game; it was an immersive celebration of football, an unforgettable night where every cheer, every goal, and every moment was refreshed by Pepsi!

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Most Viewed