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Champions League: Mbappe Surpasses Ronaldo’s Record After Scoring Three Goals

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has broken Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record after netting a hat-trick against Kairat in midweek.

The France captain opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 25th minute from the spot after team-mate Franco Mastantuono was fouled in the box.

The 26-year-old then doubled his tally in the second half and completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute of the encounter.

Mbappe’s three goals against Kairat mean the former Paris Saint-Germain star has now joined an exclusive group of six players who have scored 60 goals or more in Champions League history.

However, the 26-year-old reached the 60-goal mark in fewer games than some players who have more goals in the competition, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe needed only 89 games to reach the 60-goal milestone, while it took Ronaldo 98 games to reach the same number.

The former Monaco attacker, however, is only behind the likes of Messi and Robert Lewandowski, who achieved the 60-goal mark in 80 and 85 games, respectively.

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UCL: Man United loanee Hojlund bags brace as Napoli edge Sporting 2-1

Napoli claimed their first Champions League victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Sporting on Tuesday night, thanks to a brace from Rasmus Hojlund.

The Danish striker twice combined with Kevin De Bruyne to secure three crucial points for Antonio Conte’s side.

Hojlund strikes after De Bruyne assist

Sporting started brightly, dominating early possession and restricting Napoli’s movement in the opening exchanges.

But the home side gradually grew into the contest, and midway through the first half De Bruyne split the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball for Hojlund, who calmly slotted past Rui Silva to make it 1-0.

The goal lifted Napoli, who created further chances before the break, while Sporting were fortunate not to concede a second before half-time.

Sporting fight back before late blow

The Portuguese visitors were handed a lifeline early in the second half when Matteo Politano was penalised for a foul inside the box.

Substitute Luis Suárez stepped up and converted the penalty to level the game at 1-1, leaving Napoli momentarily stunned.

Conte responded with changes, introducing Noa Lang and David Neres to inject fresh energy into the attack.

With ten minutes left, De Bruyne delivered again, this time from a corner, as Hojlund rose highest to head home his second of the night.

Despite Sporting’s late pressure, Napoli held their grounds to secure the win.

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Barcelona stunned as PSG snatch late Champions League win

Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season as Paris Saint-Germain secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory in their Champions League clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night.

The Catalans took an early lead through Ferran Torres but failed to build on their dominance, allowing Luis Enrique’s depleted PSG side to fight back and claim all three points courtesy of a late strike from Gonçalo Ramos.

Barcelona start strong but fail to capitalise

Barcelona began on the front foot, with Lamine Yamal pulling the strings in attack.

After Torres squandered a golden opportunity from Yamal’s superb trivela pass, the forward quickly redeemed himself by tapping home Marcus Rashford’s cross to open the scoring.

However, PSG responded well and levelled before half-time. Nuno Mendes drove through midfield before setting up 18-year-old Senny Mayulu, who fired past Wojciech Szczesny to make it 1-1 in the 39th minute.

Missed chances prove costly

The home side pushed to restore their advantage after the break and nearly did so when Dani Olmo’s close-range effort was cleared off the line by Achraf Hakimi.

Barcelona were left frustrated again as PSG created openings of their own, with Lee Kang-in hitting the post after a dazzling solo run.

Ramos delivers late blow

PSG’s persistence paid off in the final moments. Substitute Gonçalo Ramos struck in the 90th minute to complete the turnaround and hand the reigning champions a vital away victory.

Barcelona will be disappointed at squandering their lead, particularly against a PSG side missing key players including Marquinhos, Joao Neves, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé.

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Champions League: What Van Dijk Said About Osimhen After Galatasaray Defeated Liverpool 1-0

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has praised Victor Osimhen following the Reds’ UEFA Champions League loss to Galatasaray on Tuesday.

Van Dijk said the Nigerian international created some chances for himself but couldn’t convert them.

The Dutch defender, however, noted that Osimhen did convert his penalty against Liverpool.

Recall that a first-half penalty gave Galatasaray the victory against the Premier League champions at Rams Park.

Speaking after the game, Van Dijk also admitted that Arne Slot’s side made mistakes against the hosts.

“They won a penalty and a few chances because of our mistakes. It was a bit of a messy game,” Van Dijk was quoted by Habersarikirmizi as saying after the game.

“After a terrible performance at the weekend, we are facing a hard defeat to accept.

“Osimhen converted the penalty. He also had some chances due to our mistakes.

“He could not capitalize on them, but he did manage to create some for himself. Galatasaray’s attacking players are successful.”

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UCL: Osimhen strike sinks Liverpool in Istanbul

Victor Osimhen was the difference on a thunderous Champions League night as Galatasaray handed Liverpool their second successive defeat.

The Nigerian forward struck from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after Dominik Szoboszlai fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz, punishing the Premier League champions in front of a deafening RAMS Park crowd.

The goal came seconds after Davinson Sanchez had denied Cody Gakpo with a clearance off the line, swinging the tide firmly Galatasaray’s way.

Slot’s gamble backfires as Reds toil

Liverpool coach Arne Slot chose to start without Mohamed Salah, hoping to spark a reaction after the weekend loss at Crystal Palace.

But the decision misfired, with Salah and Alexander Isak only introduced after the hour mark to little effect.

Alisson kept Liverpool in the contest with several big saves, including one from Osimhen, before limping off injured.

A late chance to level disappeared when Ibrahima Konate’s penalty claim was overturned by VAR, silencing brief celebrations.

Reds exposed under pressure

Liverpool once again looked fragile at the back, their expensively assembled attack failing to leave a mark.

Florian Wirtz was anonymous, while Hugo Ekitike added to the problems by departing injured.

The result leaves Slot’s side facing early questions in Europe despite sitting top of the Premier League.

They face Chelsea next in the Premier League this weekend.

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UCL: Chelsea edge Benfica as Mourinho suffers Stamford Bridge return defeat

Chelsea secured their first Champions League win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Benfica at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a calamitous own goal from Richard Rios.

The result eased pressure on head coach Enzo Maresca, whose side had lost three of their last four matches.

Rios own goal separates the sides

The decisive moment came in the first half when Pedro Neto’s cross found Alejandro Garnacho who returned the ball into the box only for Rios to turn it into his own net.

It was a rare highlight in an otherwise tense contest, with Chelsea once again struggling for fluency in attack.

Benfica, managed by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho, threatened early as Dodi Lukebakio hit the post and later forced Robert Sanchez into a save.

Mourinho, making an emotional return to west London, was booked in the second half after protesting a free-kick decision.

Chelsea still unconvincing despite win

Maresca fielded a makeshift lineup due to injuries, starting 18-year-old Tyrique George in attack and handing Facundo Buonanotte a surprise start.

Despite flashes from Neto and Garnacho, Chelsea failed to create clear chances after the interval, while Benfica pushed for an equaliser.

The Blues ended the night with 10 men after substitute Joao Pedro received a second yellow card late on, continuing a troubling run of red cards in recent weeks.

For Mourinho, it was another frustrating night at Stamford Bridge, extending his record as an opposing manager at the ground to just one win in eight attempts.

For Chelsea, the three points provide relief but also underline the work Maresca faces in steadying an inconsistent side.

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UCL: Mbappé bags hat-trick as Real Madrid thrash Kairat Almaty 5-0

Real Madrid bounced back from their derby defeat to Atletico with a 5-0 thumping of Kairat Almaty in their Champions League league phase fixture at the Ortalyq Stadion.

Mbappé hat-trick leads the charge

The hosts nearly stunned Madrid in the opening seconds, but Thibaut Courtois denied a close-range header.

Madrid then took control, earning the breakthrough when Franco Mastantuono was fouled by teenage goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza. Kylian Mbappé converted the penalty with ease.

The Frenchman doubled the lead early in the second half with a delicate chip over Kalmurza, before completing his hat-trick in the 73rd minute after good work from Rodrygo and Arda Güler. It marked Mbappé’s fourth Champions League treble.

Camavinga and Díaz complete the rout

Eduardo Camavinga marked his return from injury with a well-taken header for Madrid’s fourth goal, while Brahim Díaz added a fifth in stoppage time, finishing off a pass from Gonzalo García.

The emphatic victory keeps Madrid’s Champions League campaign on track and restores confidence after their derby setback.

Xabi Alonso’s men now prepare to face Villarreal next in La Liga.

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2026 World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa’s Reaction After Being Deducted Three Points

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has reacted after FIFA deducted three points and imposed a fine on its national team, Bafana Bafana for fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.

Recall that the ruling was given on Monday by FIFA.
South Africa had breached disciplinary rules by playing Mokoena, who should have been suspended after collecting two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign.
Bafana had initially won the March 21 match 2-0, but FIFA overturned the result and awarded Lesotho a 3-0 victory.
The punishment dramatically shifts the Group C table. South Africa’s six-point lead over Nigeria has now been cut to three, while Benin Republic move top of the standings on goal difference.
SAFA, however, insists the sanction is both harsh and procedurally unfair. “As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome, noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the association an opportunity to present legal arguments,” the body said in a statement.
The association added: “We have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under FIFA’s disciplinary rules.”
With the appeal pending, South Africa face a tense end to the qualifiers. Hugo Broos’ men must now win their final two fixtures against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in October to strengthen their World Cup hopes.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic look set to profit most from FIFA’s ruling. They host Rwanda in their next match before a potentially decisive showdown against Nigeria. The Super Eagles, who also take on Zimbabwe in their penultimate game, must win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The Group C race, once seemingly tilted in South Africa’s favour, is now wide open with just two rounds left to play.
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2026 WCQ: FIFA Deducts 3 Points From South Africa

Nigeria and other countries have been handed a boost after FIFA officially deducted three points from South Africa in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The confirmation was made on Monday by the world football governing body.
It is punishment for Bafana Bafana fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to face Lesotho in March.
South Africa have also seen three goals deducted from their tally by FIFA.
This represents a significant boost for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, who still harbour hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Lewandowski seals Barcelona comeback win against Real Sociedad

Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to maintain their push for the La Liga title.

Alvaro Odriozola gave Sociedad the lead in the first half, but goals from Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski turned the match in favour of the home side.

 

Sociedad strike first

 

Despite Barcelona dominating possession early, the visitors went ahead when Ander Barrenetxea’s cross was converted by Odriozola with an outstretched foot.

Barcelona responded just before halftime through Jules Kounde, who scored with a header from Marcus Rashford’s corner.

Lewandowski secures win

The decisive moment came in the 60th minute when substitute Lamine Yamal created space to set up Lewandowski, who finished to make it 2-1.

The result means Barcelona remain in contention at the top of La Liga and could return to first place depending on other results.

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