UEFA Champions League
Real controlled the game and deserved to win against Man City – Ancelotti
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side deserved to beat Manchester City but he was still pleased with their performance after Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
Real struggled to get a foothold in the early stages but took control of the match after Vinicius Jr scored with a brilliant strike from distance in the 36th minute.
However, after Real created several chances to extend their lead, Kevin De Bruyne powered home a rasping low shot from distance in 67th minute.
“We competed, we fought, I think we deserved to win. It was a good match and we head to the second leg with a good feeling. The result doesn’t reward us for what we did on the pitch, but this tie will be close until the last minute,” Ancelotti told Movistar Plus.
“They had more possession in the first 30 minutes, but that didn’t worry us, because we were well positioned at the back and waited to make an effective transition.
“In the second half, we managed to come out from the back better… and we should have won, but the sensations are good.”
Ancelotti is usually calm and composed on the touchline but he lost his temper after Man City’s goal and was shown a yellow card for bitterly complaining with Portuguese referee Artur Dias.
The Italian felt the ball went out of play in the buildup to City’s equaliser.
“The referee was too distracted,” Ancelotti told a press conference.
“In the previous play it was a corner for us that he didn’t see. And the ball was out of play, the technology in the images shown by BeIN Sports shows that clearly.
“It’s strange that they didn’t see it. He gave me a yellow card, and I wasn’t even playing. Some of the players in the pitch deserved more cards. The referee wasn’t very attentive.”
Ancelotti, however, said he was satisfied with how his team played and that the tie was wide open.
“We have to play the way we played tonight,” he said. “They pushed us a bit, but the strategy was good, we defended and controlled the ball. We are satisfied and looking forward with good feelings to the second leg.”
City host Real in the return leg in Manchester next Wednesday.
-Reuters
UEFA Champions League
TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free
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.”
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.
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans
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.
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.”
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.”
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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!
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