UEFA Champions League
LIVE SCORES; BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 CHELSEA (Agg: 7-1) BARCA 3-1 NAPOLI (agg 4-2)
85mins: BARCELONA 3-1 NAPOLI (AGG: 4-2)
Napoli still hunting. Milik spins on the ballon the edge of the box but is blocked by Lenglet.
Almost an error from ter Stegen after he misjudges a ball into the box.
It is headed back to his near post, he leaves it but it bounces off the post and he gets away with it.
Into the final five minutes now.
CHELSEA ARE OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
FULL-TIME: Bayern Munich 4-1 Chelsea (agg 7-1)
STILL ADVANTAGE BARCELONA AT CAMP NOU
NO GOAL – BARCELONA 2-0 NAPOLI (AGG 3-1) Another goal by Messi is disallowed after VAR check
After two minutes of checking, the goal is ruled out for the slightest brush of Messi’s arm as he controlled the ball.
POINT TO NOTE:
This is the first time Chelsea have shipped seven goals in a two-legged European tie
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 4-1 Chelsea (agg 7-1)
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 3-1 Chelsea (agg 6-1)
Tactical double Bayern Munich substitution
71min: They bring off their players on yellow cards and at risk of suspension to protect them from suspension as Thiago Alcantara and Josh Kimmich depart to be replaced by Corentin Tolisso and Alvaro Odriozola.
68th min ; Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea (agg 5-1)
Chance here for Chelsea as Ross Barkely is tripped on the very edge of the box by Thiago Alcantara. If the Blues are to launch the comeback of all comebacks, now’s the time from this free-kick about 20 yards out to the left…
67min: Chelsea still need four goals to progress. I this realistically possible as they are under pressure now.
Josh Kimmich heads the ball on for Robert Lewandowski whose volley across goal is deflected just wide by Kurt Zouma.
Double Bayern Munich substitution
64min: Double change for Bayern and indeed Boateng does depart as Niklas Sule comes on, while Philippe Coutinho replaces Ivan Perisic who of course scored the second goal for the hosts earlier.
Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea (agg 5-1)
60min: It might not be a hamstring injury for Boateng but given the state of play in this tie I will be surprised if he continues for much longer. Hans-Dieter Flick though is not preparing a switch.
57min: Trouble for Bayern Munich. Trying to clear the ball under pressure from Callum Hudson-Odoi with a diving header, Jerome Boateng has stayed down holding his hamstring. I suspect his evening is done if that is the case.
SECOND HALF ON
Chelsea creating chances
Emerson clips a through ball to Mason Mount, who bears down on goal and hammers it at Manuel Neuer from a tight angle.
Then Thiago Alcantara unleashes a lovely tackle on Ross Barkley to stop him from putting Tammy Abraham clear.
Chelsea have posed more of a threat to Bayern this half than they had done before, pre- or post-onset of the global pandemic.
HIGHLIGHTS OF FIRST HALF
· Half-time: Bayern 2-1 Chelsea (5-1)
· 10 MIN. GOAL! Bayern 2-1 Chelsea (5-1)
· 24 MIN. GOAL! Bayern 2-0 Chelsea (5-0)
· 44 MIN. GOAL! Bayern 1-0 Chelsea (4-0 agg)
HALF-TIME: Bayern Munich 2-1 Chelsea (agg 5-1)
GOAL: Barcelona 3-1 NAPOLI (Insigne 45+3mins, pen)
Amid some loud protests behind him, the Napoli captain makes no mistake.
There is life left in this yet.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-1 CHELSEA (agg 5-1)
44min: Total gift for Chelsea but they will take it.
Manuel Neuer parries away an Emerson low cross very poorly and it allows Tammy Abraham to tap in from close range. One added minute.
BARCELONA 2-0 NAPOLI (AGG 3-1)
In the other Champions League match , Barcelona are leading 2-0 against Napoli making it an aggregate of 3- lead. Goals came from Clement Lenglet in the 10th minute while Lionel Messi scored the second in the 23rd minute. What could have been the third goal by Messi was disallowed in the 30th minute.
DISALLOWED!
THE COMEBACK STARTS HE… no, let’s not even.
A great reaction from Chelsea, though, as Callum Hudson-Odoi cuts through the middle and fires home an excellent goal!
OH WAIT. It’s been disallowed for an offside that must have happened about 20 minutes earlier. Great.
GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 2-0 Chelsea (agg 5-0)
Robert Lewandowski gets his 12th Champions League goal this season!
Robert Lewandowski has scored 52 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions this season, finding the net in 36 of those 44 matches (82%). Relentless.
Bayern Munich 1-0 Chelsea (agg 4-0)
16min: Chelsea need to get a grip here. They nearly fall two goals down on the night, with only some last ditch defending from N’Golo Kante forcing Thomas Muller to shoot over the crossbar.
GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-0 Chelsea (agg 4-0)
10min: Chelsea think the offside flag has saved them as Willy Cabellero rushes out his goal to bring down Robert Lewandowski.
But VAR soon overules that and after the Chelsea stopper is booked, the Polish striker gives the keeper the eyes before slotting home the resulting penalty without even looking at the ball.
Chelsea have a mountain to climb in Munich as they face Bayern Munich in the Round of 16. The Premiership side dream of comeback and upturn a 3-0 deficit to reach the quarterfinal stage. Can they do it?
- Bayern Munich starting XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies, Goretzka, Thiago, Gnabry, Muller, Perisic, Lewandowski
- Chelsea starting XI: Caballero, Emerson Palmieri, Zouma, Christensen, James, Kovacic, Kante, Barkley, Mount, Abraham, Hudson-Odoi
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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Real Madrid recovered from an early scare to beat Benfica 2-1 on Wednesday and secure a 3-1 aggregate victory to reach the Champions League last 16 after a pulsating game at the Bernabeu.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Jr. struck either side of halftime to cancel out Rafa Silva’s opener and send the record 15-time European champions through, with either Manchester City or Sporting awaiting in Friday’s draw.
Benfica, trailing 1-0 from a first leg in Portugal marred by Vinicius accusing Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist slur at him, started brightly and sliced through a makeshift-looking Real defence missing Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen, with forward Kylian Mbappe also out due to a knee injury set to sideline him for multiple games.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was absent from the touchline after receiving a red card in the first leg for complaining, and Prestianni was not involved after being provisionally suspended by UEFA following the incident with Vinicius in Lisbon.
The visitors went ahead in the 14th minute in chaotic fashion. Thibaut Courtois produced a stunning left-footed save to prevent Raul Asencio turning Pavlidis’s cross into his own net, but the rebound dropped invitingly for Rafa, who controlled the ball inside the six-yard box before firing past the keeper.
Real’s response was swift and slick. Two minutes later, Gonzalo linked up smartly with Federico Valverde on the right wing, the Uruguayan cutting the ball back towards the edge of the box where Tchouameni guided a low finish just inside the right post.
With the tie finely poised, the game opened up, and Arda Guler thought he had put Real ahead in the 32nd minute, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside in the build-up.
Benfica continued to threaten, Richard Rios drawing a superb save from Courtois with a fierce strike in the 38th minute, but the home side began to find more rhythm after the break.
Asencio headed narrowly wide from a corner, and Trent Alexander-Arnold flashed an angled effort past the post, but Real were almost punished for their profligacy.
On the hour mark, Vinicius was caught as Real attempted to play out from the back, allowing Rafa to unleash a thunderous shot from the edge of the box that crashed against the crossbar.
The tension lingered until the 80th minute, when Valverde seized on a loose ball in midfield and threaded a precise pass through to Vinicius, who timed his run to beat the offside trap, surged into the box and slotted a composed finish into the bottom corner to settle the tie.
“We didn’t start very well, but we remained confident and knew the goals would come eventually,” Tchouameni told Movistar Plus.
“We did things a little better as the match progressed, and now we’re going to keep going as we move forward. We need to tweak our defence a little and get into the game better, but we won, and that’s the most important thing.”
-Reuters
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