Category: Sport News
UEFA has officially unveiled the Matchday 1 fixtures for the 2025/26 Champions League, just 48 hours after completing the league phase draw involving 36 clubs.
The Champions League Matchday 1 promises mouthwatering clashes, with European giants set to test their credentials right from the start.
Juventus will welcome Borussia Dortmund to Turin, while Arsenal begin their campaign away to Spanish side Athletic Club in Bilbao. Real Madrid will host Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu, setting the tone for another thrilling European night in the Spanish capital.
Perhaps the biggest headline fixtures will be in Munich and Liverpool. Bayern Munich are set to face Chelsea in a heavyweight showdown at the Allianz Arena, while Liverpool will host Atlético Madrid at Anfield.
All opening-round games are scheduled to take place between September 16 and 18, 2025.
Champions League Matchday 1 Fixtures and kick-off time (Nigerian Time)
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
(6:45pm) Athletic Club vs Arsenal
(6:45pm) PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise
(9:00pm) Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
(9:00pm) Real Madrid vs Marseille
(9:00pm) Benfica vs Qarabağ
(9:00pm) Tottenham vs Villarreal
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
(6:45pm) Olympiacos vs Pafos
(6:45pm) Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt
(9:00pm) Ajax vs Inter
(9:00pm) Bayern München vs Chelsea
(9:00pm) Liverpool vs Atlético de Madrid
(9:00pm) Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta
Thursday, 18 September 2025
(6:45pm) Club Brugge vs Monaco
(6:45pm) Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen
(9:00pm) Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
(9:00pm) Manchester City vs Napoli
(9:00pm) Newcastle United vs Barcelona
(9:00pm) Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty
Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United in a transfer worth £40 million.
His move comes after he was told by United manager Ruben Amorim that he was not part of the club’s plans for the 2025/26 season.
Garnacho becomes Chelsea’s latest addition following the arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato, as well as pre-agreed signings Estevao, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez.
Speaking to Chelsea’s website, Garnacho said: “It’s an incredible moment for my family and I to join this great club.
“I can’t wait to get started. To join the world champions is special, we’re the best team in the world! It’s amazing to be here and I’m very happy.”
Manchester United secured their first win of the Premier League season with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty deep into stoppage time.
Casemiro’s header from a Fernandes free-kick rebounded off Josh Cullen and crossed the line despite goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s attempt to clear.
However, Burnley equalised through Lyle Foster, who converted Jens Larsen’s cross midway through the second half.
United responded almost immediately, with Diogo Dalot setting up Bryan Mbeumo for a close-range finish to restore the lead.
The visitors refused to fade, and substitute Jaidon Anthony levelled again after Kobbie Mainoo deflected his shot past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Burnley looked set to claim a point until a late VAR intervention awarded United a penalty for Antony’s shirt pulling on Amad Diallo.
Fernandes, who missed from the spot last week, held his nerve in the 97th minute to seal the victory.
The result provides relief for manager Ruben Amorim, whose side had endured a difficult run, including a midweek Carabao Cup exit.
Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled his final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa scheduled for next month.
While there are the regulars included, there are also notable omissions.
The likes of Bayer Leverkusen duo Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella have been left out. Also Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad would not be playing any part.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali makes the final cut, just as defenders Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina and Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers.
The selected 23 include:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium).
The draw for the league phase of the 2025/2026 Champions League was conducted on Thursday.
This year, the competition will continue to use the ‘Swiss-style’ league phase rather than the group stage to which fans had become accustomed.
That means that 36 teams will again take part in the competition.
Then the top eight sides will then qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams that finish in ninth to 24th place will be drawn in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.
Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions.
Here are some of the fixtures:
Bayern Munich will face Chelsea (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting CP (H), PSV (A), Union SG (H), Pafos (A)
Chelsea will play Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A)
Real Madrid take on Manchester City (H), Liverpool (A), Juventus (H), Benfica (A), Marseille (H), Olympiacos (A), Monaco (H), Kairat Almaty (A)
Inter Milan have been drawn against Liverpool (H), Dortmund (A), Arsenal (H), Atletico Madrid (A), Salavia Praha (H), Ajax (A), Kairat Almaty, Union SG
Borussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan (H), Manchester City, Villarreal, Juventus, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, Athletic Club, Copenhagen (A)
Liverpool play Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, Galatasaray (A)
Barcelona take on PSG (H), Chelsea, Frankfurt, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Copenhage, Newcastle (A).
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained why he chose not to watch the team’s penalty shootout against Grimsby Town on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils were eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round by the League Two side.
After 90 minutes, the scores were level at 2-2, after Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire scored in the second half to equalize for Amorim’s men.
A marathon shootout eventually saw the Mariners advance to the third round.
Overall, 26 penalties were taken over the course of a shootout, but Amorim appeared to have little interest in watching.
When asked about his apparent lack of interest, Amorim said: “The penalty shootout is not important.
“If I’m there trying to see if we win the game… it doesn’t matter.
“The signs, the beginning of the game, during the game, that is what matters.”
Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a stunning fashion, suffering a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town, marking one of the biggest upsets in English football history.
The night began disastrously for United. In the 22nd minute, Charles Vernam struck low into the corner, his effort slipping through the hands of Andre Onana, whose weak form continues to worry supporters.
United looked dead and buried until late in the second half when Bryan Mbeumo opened his account for the club in the 75th minute, raising faint hopes of a comeback.
With just a minute left on the clock, Harry Maguire rose highest to nod in an equaliser from a corner, dragging the tie into penalties.
What followed was one of the longest and most nerve-wracking shootouts in Carabao Cup history.
After 25 spot-kicks, it was Grimsby who held their nerve, sealing a famous victory that will be remembered for years to come.