UEFA Champions League
Mother Nature helped me, says PSG hero Donnarumma
A day after Yann Sommer’s brilliant goalkeeping display helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final at the expense of Barcelona, it was Gianluigi Donnarumma’s turn to shine as Paris St Germain booked their ticket for the showdown in Munich.
The towering Italy keeper kept Arsenal at bay almost single-handedly in the opening stages as the visitors sought to cancel out the 1-0 deficit from the first leg.
His instinctive save from Gabriel Martinelli’s close-range effort was superb but minutes later he surpassed that as he stretched his arm to somehow get a hand to Martin Odegaard’s fierce low shot that whizzed through a crowd of players.
“It was a beautiful match. My save today on Odegaard? It was very nice, the ball went between the legs of one of my teammates. I work a lot on low balls, but Mother Nature also had her say,” the 6-foot-6-inch Donnarumma said.
Had Arsenal scored then, the tie might have tipped their way, but goals by Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi put PSG in command before Bukayo Saka, whom Donnarumma had earlier denied with a fingertip save, finally replied, albeit too late.
“When you look at the two games, who has been their best player on the pitch has been the goalkeeper. He’s made a difference for them in the tie,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told reporters.
Donnarumma, who will play in his first Champions League final when PSG face Inter on May 31, was also an immovable barrier in the first leg in north London when he made stunning saves to protect PSG’s lead.
“He showed why he’s an elite goalkeeper; he made some incredible saves and kept them in the game,” Arsenal forward Mikel Merino said of the Italian’s heroics.
Arsenal midfielder Decan Rice was equally impressed.
“Over the two legs, we could have scored three or four goals but Donnarumma’s been unbelievable,” he said.
Donnarumma made five saves in total on Wednesday, but it was also his command of his penalty area as Arsenal went back to basics and resorted to long throw-ins or hoofs forward into a crowded area that allowed PSG to stay secure.
Asked afterwards about his performance, a modest Donnarumma preferred to pay respect to another member of the goalkeeper’s union. “Yesterday (Sommer) was very good, he made more saves than me. He played a fantastic match, it was a great game.”
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
Frattesi extra-time winner takes Inter past Barca into Champions League final after thrilling 7-goal duel
Inter Milan substitute Davide Frattesi struck an extra-time winner to send his side into the Champions League final following a barnstorming 4-3 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday after Francesco Acerbi had rescued them from the brink of elimination with a stunning equaliser deep in added time.
Frattesi’s goal secured Inter a rip-roaring 7-6 aggregate victory in a semi-final for the ages that finished up with the Italian side reaching the Munich final, where they will face either Paris St Germain or Arsenal later this month.
It was a tale of two halves as Inter dominated the first 45 minutes and opened a two-goal lead thanks to a Lautaro Martinez goal on the counter in the 21st minute before Hakan Calhanoglu extended the lead with a penalty right before the break.
However, Barca woke up in the second half with Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo netting within six minutes to level the scoring and, after Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer made a string of saves to keep the hosts alive, the Catalans thought they had scored the winner through Raphinha from close range in the 87th minute.
But as Inter made a desperate run for an equaliser, Denzel Dumfries found 37-year-old Acerbi inside the box, and he fired a first-time effort into the net to score his first European goal in his 20th season and take the game to extra time.
In the 99th minute, Marcus Thuram made a brilliant run from the right and played the ball into the area for Frattesi, who set himself before neatly guiding a curling shot into the bottom corner to send the delighted home fans into raptures.
-Reuters
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Barcelona twice battled back to draw 3-3 at home against Inter Milan in a rip-roaring first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Montjuic Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
Denzel Dumfries scored twice for Inter, who led 2-0 and then 3-2, while Barca’s 17-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal dazzled with a brilliant individual effort to kickstart the hosts’ fightback.
After a see-saw encounter that showcased Inter’s clinical finishing and set-piece threat as well as Barca’s attacking strengths and defensive vulnerabilities, the result leaves everything to play for in the return leg at the San Siro next Tuesday, as both teams seek a place in the final in Munich against either Arsenal or Paris St Germain.
Inter Milan made an explosive start, opening the scoring with 30 seconds on the clock courtesy of a cheeky back-heel from Marcus Thuram, the quickest goal in a Champions League semi-final.
The visitors extended their lead in the 21st minute with Dumfries finding the net with an acrobatic volley from a corner.
However, an electrifying Yamal led Barcelona’s fightback, unleashing a superb strike from inside the box after a clever run from the right, to reduce the deficit three minutes after Inter’s second goal.
Playing his 100th game at 17 years and 291 days old, Yamal became the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, surpassing Kylian Mbappe who was 18 when he did it in 2017.
Yamal went close again, hitting the post from close range before Ferran Torres levelled the score in the 38th minute with a first-time finish after a darting run to latch on to a Raphinha knock-down.
Despite Barcelona’s dominance, it was Inter who regained the lead in the 64th minute when Dumfries headed home from a corner. The hosts responded immediately, as Raphinha’s thunderous strike from outside the box hit the woodwork before ricocheting off the back of Inter keeper Yann Sommer and into the net to restore parity.
‘DUTY TO WIN’
“When you play at home like we did, the sensation is that we should have managed to earn a better result,” Raphinha told Movistar Plus.
“We can’t concede that many goals, especially at home. Sure, you have to give praise to our opponents who are strong and played well tonight but we are Barca and it’s our duty to win at home, that’s how it is.
“But the result is not that bad and it leaves it all open for the return leg in Milan so we will try to correct the mistakes so we can go there and grab the win that will take us to the final.”
In a riveting encounter, Inter were clinical with their finishing and withstood Barcelona’s relentless attack while capitalising on counter-attacks and set-pieces. Sommer was instrumental in securing the draw for Inter with a series of impressive saves.
Barcelona, fresh from their thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final last Saturday, appeared to be feeling the effects of that gruelling, ill-tempered 120-minute match.
The team, already without striker Robert Lewandowski, suffered a further blow when French fullback Jules Kounde was forced off in the first half with a suspected leg muscle injury.
Inter also had injury concerns, with star striker Lautaro Martinez unable to return for the second half due to a hamstring issue, having already lost Benjamin Pavard to an ankle injury.
Barcelona’s Yamal was seemingly unstoppable and twice hit the frame of the goal, including with a late chip following a brilliant run, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan thought he had scored Inter’s fourth on another quick counter, but the VAR replay showed he was offside by the tip of his boot.
“The match was beautiful and entertaining, even from the pitch we experienced it well, facing players of crazy calibre,” Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni told Sky Sport.
“We are happy with the result, we could have avoided some mistakes with a bit more attention but we give credit to Barcelona. Now it’s back to 0-0 again, and whoever wins goes to the final, so let’s do it.”
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
Heineken Unites Nigeria’s “Hardcore Fans” for Champions League Semi-Final Showdowns
As the UEFA Champions League reaches its highly anticipated semi-final stage, Heineken reinforces its commitment to football fans through its global campaign, “Cheers to the Real Hardcore Fans.”
In Nigeria, the initiative celebrates the dedication and enthusiasm of supporters and loyal consumers with premium match-viewing experiences in multiple cities.
Hardcore fans rooting for his team during the quarter-final matches of UEFA Champions League.
Building on the momentum from the quarter-finals, Heineken is hosting large-scale semi-final viewing events in Port Harcourt, Aba, Lagos and Abuja
Excitement galore
The matches—featuring European heavyweights Arsenal, PSG, Barcelona, and Inter Milan—are being screened at top venues, such as the Olympic Stadium, where fans are treated to immersive football-themed entertainment.
The events feature interactive fan zones, augmented reality experiences, exclusive Heineken merchandise, and live DJ performances designed to recreate the atmosphere of a UEFA Champions League night.
Launched earlier this year again, “Cheers to the Real Hardcore Fans” acknowledges the everyday supporters who define Nigeria’s vibrant football culture—from viewing centre regulars and late-night match watchers to the street commentators who bring every fixture to life.
Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager – Premium Beer, Nigerian Breweries, described the campaign as a tribute to the authenticity of Nigerian fandom.
“Nigerians are among the most passionate football fans in the world. Whether it’s waking up at odd hours or passionately debating tactics, their commitment is extraordinary. Through this campaign, Heineken is creating inclusive spaces to celebrate that passion in a premium and engaging way,” she said.
During the quarter-final round, venues such as Mania House in Victoria Island, Lagos, and Papiees Maestro in Abuja were transformed into football viewing arenas.
Fans enjoyed high-quality broadcasts, Heineken hospitality, and an atmosphere that mirrored Europe’s biggest stadiums.
Julius Obinna, a fan who attended the Abuja event, praised the initiative.
“The experience was electric. It brought people together and made us feel like we were part of something global,” he said.
In addition to live events, Heineken has produced a campaign film directed by award-winning filmmaker Mark Molloy.
The film, which is central to the campaign, humorously and emotionally explores what it means to be a true football fan.
It features real-life fan stories and aims to challenge the perception of what a “hardcore” fan looks like.
With the Champions League final fast approaching, Heineken’s campaign continues to build excitement.
More viewing events are planned nationwide, ensuring fans remain at the heart of the action.
“This campaign is not just about the game,” Shadeko added. “It’s about the shared experiences, the community, and the joy that football brings. That is what Cheers to the Real Hardcore Fans stands for.”
Deserved winners at the Heineken viewing experience in the quarter-final matches of the UEFA Champions League
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