UEFA Champions League
Shootout hero Donnarumma helps PSG knock Liverpool out of Champions League
Paris St Germain beat Liverpool 4-1 in a penalty shootout to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals after winning a rip-roaring last-16 second-leg match at Anfield 1-0 on Tuesday thanks to a goal from livewire Ousmane Dembele.
After the tie had finished 1-1 on aggregate, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved spot kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while the visitors, who have never won the Champions League, converted all of their efforts.
Ligue 1 leaders PSG will meet either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarters, with Villa taking a 3-1 lead into Wednesday’s second leg.
Dembele stunned the Anfield crowd with his 12th-minute goal against the run of play. Ibrahima Konate slid in to block Bradley Barcola’s effort but pushed the ball away from goalkeeper Alisson in the process, and Dembele needed only to knock it into an empty net.
The goal was the earliest Premier League-leading Liverpool had conceded at Anfield in the Champions League since September 2017 against Sevilla.
Arne Slot’s team played considerably better than a week earlier — when they needed a last-gasp goal from substitute Harvey Elliott after the Parisians had dominated — and Reds talisman Mohamed Salah had a shot blocked on the goal line by Nuno Mendes in the game’s first few minutes.
Donnarumma was forced into making an early diving save to keep out a shot from Konate, but both sides spurned chances in a nervy game that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Six-times European champions Liverpool parked themselves in PSG’s territory for much of the second half of normal time and had a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai chalked off for offside in the build-up early in the second period.
They kept Donnarumma busy in the dying minutes, with the keeper parrying away ball after ball fired into the box, but it was Dembele who unleashed what looked like the winner in extra time before Alisson made a dramatic diving save to push the ball wide with his fingertips.
PSG were rock solid under pressure in the shootout, with Vitinha, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele and Desire Doue all finding the net. Liverpool got off to a good start with Salah slamming his effort home, but Nunez and Jones both had tame efforts comfortably stopped by Donnarumma, with Slot wrapping a disconsolate Nunez in a hug afterwards.
‘RAN OUT OF LUCK’
The Liverpool boss was magnanimous in defeat and even had words of praise for his beaten side.
“I think it was the best game of football I’ve ever been involved in,” he said.
“We ran out of luck maybe after last week. After 90 minutes we played the perfect game except for not scoring.”
History was not on the Parisians’ side on Tuesday, as they became just the fourth of 28 teams to progress after losing the first leg at home in a Champions League knockout tie.
“Both of the teams deserve to go to the next phase,” said PSG boss Luis Enrique.
“They played better than us here, but I think my team at Anfield, in a special stadium showed great personality and character.
“We tried to play our best, but it was difficult as they’re so intense. Both teams deserve to qualify.”
The thousands of travelling fans, many of them shirtless despite the chilly temperature, were not daunted by their team’s odds, as they danced and sang until the final whistle.
Liverpool have little time to rest ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final against Newcastle United.
“It’s part of football,” Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said of Tuesday’s defeat. “I said to the guys, ‘Obviously, you can be disappointed because we’re out of the competition, but chin up and get ready for the next challenge, a beautiful one on the weekend’.”
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
Heineken Brings “Fans Have More Friends” Campaign to Nigeria for Champions League Round of 16
As the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League gets underway, Heineken is bringing fans together in Nigeria through its global “Fans Have More Friends” campaign.
The initiative will see premium match-viewing experiences hosted in Lagos at select venues, including GreenHouse on Olu Holloway Road, Ikoyi, and Hunger Games on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, during match days on Tuesday and Wednesday.
According to organisers, the events are designed to offer more than just live football coverage. Fans attending the viewing parties will enjoy live music performances, interactive “predict and win” games, branded merchandise giveaways and a steady supply of Heineken throughout the night.
The programme aims to transform match nights into full entertainment experiences that blend football, music and social interaction among supporters.
Every goal comes with excitement!
Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the campaign reflects the deep connection between football and social life in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, Champions League nights are about connection,” Shadeko said. “Friends come together, strangers become friends, and everyone shares the same emotions from kick-off to the final whistle. Through Heineken’s ‘Fans Have More Friends’ platform, we are celebrating that spirit of togetherness.”
While the festivities unfold off the pitch, attention will also turn to the action across Europe as the knockout stage produces several high-profile encounters.
Among the headline ties is the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea FC, while Newcastle United face FC Barcelona. Elsewhere, Galatasaray SK will meet Liverpool FC, and Atlético Madrid will battle Tottenham Hotspur.
Heineken rewards a loyal fan in ‘Predict and Win’ contest at one of the viewing experiences on a match night
Another standout fixture pits Real Madrid against Manchester City, a contest many fans consider worthy of a final. Bayern Munich will take on Atalanta BC, Bayer Leverkusen face Arsenal FC, while Sporting CP meet Bodø/Glimt.
Nigerian fans will also have a strong interest in the tournament through local stars playing key roles for their clubs. Victor Osimhen is expected to lead the attack for Galatasaray against Liverpool, while Ademola Lookman will aim to shine for Atlético Madrid in their tie against Tottenham.
Across Lagos and other Nigerian cities, Champions League match nights have become social gatherings where supporters of different clubs watch together, debate tactics and celebrate goals.
Shadeko said Heineken’s campaign is designed to capture and amplify that shared passion.
“Fandom has a unique way of bringing people closer,” she said. “When you watch a big match with others, the experience becomes bigger and more memorable. That is what we are creating with these match-day experiences.”
As the Champions League anthem echoes across Europe and the Round of 16 drama begins, fans in Nigeria will gather once again to share the excitement, with Heineken adding its own flavour to the match-night experience
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UEFA Champions League
Thierry Henry, “Igwe,” Give Victor Osimhen Sweet Pidgin Salute After UCL Heroics
Veteran football legend Thierry Henry, affectionately known by many Nigerian fans as “Igwe”, had social media buzzing after he greeted Nigerian star Victor Osimhen in Nigerian Pidgin English during a post-match interview following Galatasaray’s dramatic passage into the UEFA Champions League last 16.
The Istanbul giants advanced 7–5 on aggregate over Juventus despite losing the second leg 3–2, thanks to Osimhen’s extra-time equaliser and a late winner from Barış Alper Yılmaz.
“Victor, how bodi?” Sparks Joy
In his CBS Sports interview, Henry deliberately used Nigerian Pidgin to greet Osimhen:
“Victor, how bodi?”
The question — loosely meaning “Victor, how are you?” — immediately lit up the stadium and viewers online.
Osimhen, clearly delighted, responded in kind:
“Bodi dey fine!”
(I’m fine!)
The exchange sent Nigerian fans and football supporters around the world into a frenzy on social media, with many praising Henry for embracing local culture and cheering the Super Eagles star in his own tongue.
Osimhen’s Big Night
The 25-year-old, who joined Galatasaray from SSC Napoli in a club-record €75 million move, has continued to shine in Turkey. With nine Super Lig goals so far this season, his knack for rising on big occasions was once again on display in European competition.
After his extra-time strike against Juventus — a goal that turned the tie on its head and ultimately sent Gala through — Osimhen cemented his status as one of African football’s brightest performers on the biggest stages.
Fans Celebrate the Cultural Nod
The playful Pidgin exchange wasn’t just a fun moment — it also highlighted how football continues to connect cultures and nations. Nigerian fans online applauded Henry’s effort to speak their language and celebrated Osimhen’s response as a sign of how far the Nigerian forward has come in his European career.
One fan wrote: “Igwe sabi! That ‘how bodi’ make my day!”
Another added: “Victor dey represent us well for Europe.”
As Galatasaray prepare for the next phase of their European campaign, Osimhen’s star quality remains a major talking point — both for what he does on the pitch and how he continues to light up moments off it.
Source: Post-match interview on CBS Sports and related commentary (https://x.com/i/status/2026812476667449591)
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Victor Osimhen once again rose to the grand European stage on Wednesday night, delivering a decisive extra-time strike that propelled Galatasaray into the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 despite a spirited comeback attempt from 10-man Juventus.
Although the Turkish champions fell 3-2 in the second leg in Turin, Osimhen’s crucial intervention ensured Galatasaray advanced 7-5 on aggregate after a dramatic knockout round playoff clash.
Juventus’ Brave Response
Trailing 5-2 from the first leg in Istanbul, Juventus needed something special. Against expectations — and recent form that had seen them winless in five matches — the Italian giants produced a stirring response.
Captain Manuel Locatelli gave the hosts hope from the penalty spot eight minutes before halftime after Lucas Torreira fouled Khephren Thuram. But their task grew tougher just three minutes into the second half when Lloyd Kelly was sent off, leaving Juve to once again finish a European contest with 10 men.
Yet, the Bianconeri refused to wilt. Federico Gatti tapped in from close range with 20 minutes remaining, and Weston McKennie’s late header levelled the tie on aggregate, sending the Allianz Stadium into delirium and forcing extra time.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Juventus looked the more dangerous side. Kenan Yildiz struck the post, while several half-chances went begging as belief surged through the home ranks.
Osimhen’s Moment of Authority
But when the tension peaked, and legs began to tire, Osimhen delivered.
Just before halftime in extra time, the Nigerian striker collected a precise pass from Baris Alper Yilmaz inside the area. With trademark composure and lethal instinct, he fired through the legs of goalkeeper Mattia Perin to silence the stadium and restore Galatasaray’s aggregate lead.
It was a goal of timing, intelligence, and clinical precision — the hallmark of a striker built for decisive nights.
As Juventus threw bodies forward in desperation, they ran out of steam. Yilmaz compounded their misery late on, finishing off a swift counterattack to seal the Turkish side’s progression.
Respect for Juventus, Reward for Galatasaray
Despite elimination, Juventus earned warm applause from their supporters after a valiant effort.
“I feel like crying. We gave our heart and soul,” Locatelli told Amazon Prime. “In the first leg, an episode was complicated today.”
Gatti echoed the sentiment, admitting fatigue proved costly in extra time.
For Galatasaray, however, the night belonged to Osimhen — a striker whose influence continues to define their European campaign. His extra-time heroics now set up a Round of 16 showdown against either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, with Friday’s draw set to determine their next opponent.
On a night of drama, resilience, and shifting momentum, it was Osimhen who wrote the final chapter — proving once more that when the stakes are highest, he answers the call.
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