Soccer

The first-leg matches of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 have come to an end, with both expected results and a few surprises that set up an exciting second leg as teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. Manchester United and Real Sociedad draw In a clash between two of the tournament’s title contenders, Manchester United and Real Sociedad played out a 1-1 draw. United took the lead early, but the Spanish side responded with an equalizer and came close to securing the victory. This result leaves everything open for the second leg. Roma won at the last minute In another thrilling match, Roma came from behind to beat Athletic Club 2-1, after trailing 0-1. A dramatic 90+3’ goal from Eldor Shomurodov sealed the comeback, taking advantage of Athletic playing with 10 men since the 85th minute. This result gives the Italian side an edge in a very evenly matched tie. Frankfurt staged a comeback against Ajax Similar to the Roma match, Eintracht Frankfurt overcame an early deficit against Ajax to win 1-2. With the return leg set to take place in Germany, Frankfurt will have both a home advantage and a one-goal lead, while Ajax will need a strong performance to turn things around. With nine players, Lazio secured the win Lazio earned a crucial victory against Viktoria Plzen, but not without drama. First, they were saved by a VAR-overturned goal in the 13th minute, then they took the lead before Plzen equalized. The Italian side suffered two red cards in the 77th and 90+3rd minutes, but despite being two men down, Gustav Isaksen scored the winner at 90+8’. AZ shocked Tottenham Tottenham’s Premier League struggles followed them into the Europa League as they suffered a 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar. A 18th-minute own goal was enough to give the Dutch side the advantage, and they even looked closer to scoring a second than Spurs did to equalizing. Tottenham will now have to overturn this deficit at home. Lyon outclassed FCSB In Romania, FCSB failed to capitalize on their home advantage as Lyon came away with a comfortable 1-3 win. This gives the French side a solid lead heading into the second leg in France. Rangers defeated Fenerbahce The Scottish side Rangers secured a 1-3 away win against Fenerbahce in Turkey. This result puts them in a strong position heading into the second leg in Glasgow. Bodo/Glimt, the surprise of the tournament Finally, Bodo/Glimt continues to be the surprise package of the tournament. The Norwegian side, largely unknown before the competition, dominated Olympiacos with a 3-0 victory. This gives them a huge advantage for the return leg in Greece. The second-leg matches All eight second-leg matches will be played on Thursday, March 13. Cover photo: X (@EuropaLeague)

The first-leg matches of the Champions League Round of 16 have concluded, leaving thrilling results. Among the standout victories were those of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool. The first-leg clashes of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 delivered intense matchups and provided insights into which teams might advance to the quarter-finals. Notably, Arsenal’s dominant win and the victories of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool stole the spotlight. Aston Villa with a Strong Chance to Qualify Aston Villa visited Club Brugge and secured a crucial 3-1 away victory in Belgium. The two-goal advantage could prove key in the second leg in England, where Club Brugge will be forced to win by at least two goals to stay in the competition. Arsenal Almost Through to the Quarter-Finals The Gunners left nothing to chance in their away fixture against PSV, demolishing the Dutch side with a 7-1 victory. While PSV is not mathematically eliminated, overcoming a six-goal deficit at the Emirates Stadium seems highly unlikely. Dortmund and LOSC Leave Their Tie Wide Open Borussia Dortmund and LOSC Lille played to the only draw of the Round of 16 so far, finishing 1-1. This result keeps everything open for the return leg in France, where Lille will look to capitalize on home advantage and eliminate last season’s runners-up. Inter Secures a Two-Goal Lead Against Feyenoord Inter Milan also gained a strong advantage for the second leg after securing a 2-0 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam. The Dutch side now faces a tough challenge to overturn the deficit in Italy. Real Madrid Wins First-Leg Madrid Derby In the much-anticipated Madrid Derby, Real Madrid edged Atlético Madrid with a 2-1 victory. The game featured several scoring opportunities for both sides, but individual brilliance played a decisive role in the final result. Bayern Munich Reasserts Its German Supremacy In an all-German showdown, Bayern Munich dominated Bayer Leverkusen with a 3-0 victory. Despite Leverkusen’s recent rise as a serious contender, this match reminded fans of Bayern’s long-standing dominance in German football. Barcelona Overcomes Red Card to Secure a Win Barcelona faced adversity early in their match at Benfica’s stadium, playing with 10 men from the 22nd minute after Pau Cubarsí’s red card. However, the Blaugrana managed to keep a clean sheet thanks to an outstanding performance from Szczesny and a decisive goal from Raphinha. Liverpool Defeats PSG Despite Minimal Attacks In a match similar to Barcelona’s, Liverpool—leaders of the group stage—faced PSG in Paris. The home side dominated the game, launching 27 shots (10 on target), but Liverpool scored the only goal of the match with their first and only shot on target in the 87th minute. Alisson played a key role in securing the win with a stellar performance in goal. Second-Leg Fixtures Await These 16 teams will return to domestic league action this weekend before the decisive second-leg matches, set for March 11 and 12. Cover photo: X (@ChampionsLeague)

The Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup has been defined, with six Mexican teams qualifying. The standout matchup is the Clásico Nacional between América and Chivas. The first-leg matches will take place from March 4 to 6, and the return legs from March 11 to 13. Yesterday, Vancouver Whitecaps became the last team to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, formerly known as Concachampions, after defeating Saprissa 2-0, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory. With that, all the matches for this stage are set, featuring the presence of six Mexican teams. The Mexican teams and their respective matches Starting with Rayados de Monterrey, they will face Vancouver Whitecaps, while Tigres will go up against FC Cincinnati. Pumas will take on Alajuelense, Cruz Azul will battle Seattle Sounders, and in the most anticipated match for Mexico, América and Chivas will meet in another edition of the Clásico Nacional, this time in an international tournament. These matches will be played between Tuesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 6, for the first leg, and between Tuesday, March 11, and Thursday, March 13, for the return leg. Tigres and Pumas will play their first-leg matches on March 6, while Monterrey, Cruz Azul, América, and Chivas will play on March 5. El Clásico de México 🇲🇽 en Octavos de Final de la #ConcaChampions. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/QBnezVoGAz — Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 15, 2025 For the second-leg matches, on March 11, Tigres and Cruz Azul will play their return matches. On Wednesday, March 12, Monterrey, América, and Chivas will have their second games, and finally, on Thursday, March 13, Pumas will close out their series. The other Round of 16 matchups For the matches without Mexican teams, Columbus Crew will face LAFC in what promises to be an exciting MLS showdown, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, will take on Cavalier, and finally, LA Galaxy, the current MLS Cup champions, will face Herediano.

Erling Haaland returned to the starting lineup and secured Manchester City’s victory against Tottenham with a goal in the 12th minute. The Spurs put up a fight, but City held firm. With 47 points, the Sky Blues move up to fourth place in the Premier League standings. Haaland the Hero for the Cityzens After two consecutive defeats against Real Madrid and Liverpool, Manchester City got back to winning ways thanks to a lone goal from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker had watched those two losses from the bench, but in his return to the starting XI, he delivered a crucial victory for his team against Tottenham. The match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium started well for the visitors. From the outset, the “Android” showed his danger with an early chance, but Spurs’ goalkeeper came up with a vital save to deny him. However, Haaland’s killer instinct paid off just 12 minutes into the game. Jérémy Doku received the ball on the left flank, skillfully worked his way into the box, and sent in a low cross. A slight deflection altered the ball’s path, allowing Haaland to simply tap it into the net at the far post. The Tottenham keeper, already diving to his left due to the play’s momentum, was left helpless. Following Haaland’s goal, City controlled the rest of the first half, creating several promising attacks. However, Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario made key saves, while City’s attackers struggled with precision, preventing them from extending their lead. City Clings to a Hard-Fought Victory The second half turned into a real struggle for Manchester City, as Tottenham relentlessly pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Ederson made crucial saves, while Spurs’ finishing woes kept City alive. The visitors barely survived until the final whistle, with the game’s climax delivering high drama. In the 94th minute, Haaland found the back of the net once again, seemingly sealing the match. However, after a detailed VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to handball. In a physical challenge with two defenders, the Norwegian striker controlled the ball near his chest but unintentionally used his left arm, leading to the controversial decision. Immediately after the disallowed goal, Tottenham had one last chance but failed to convert, leaving City relieved at the final whistle. With this result, City breathes a sigh of relief, climbing to fourth place in the Premier League with 47 points. They are now just one point behind third-place Nottingham Forest, but only one and three points ahead of Chelsea (5th) and Newcastle (6th). This means City’s season finale will be crucial if they want to secure a Champions League spot. Meanwhile, Tottenham remains in the bottom half of the table with 33 points, tied with Manchester United, but ahead on goal difference, placing them 13th in the standings. Cover photo: X (@ManCity)

Liverpool secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai. The Reds now lead the Premier League with 64 points, 11 ahead of Arsenal. Liverpool Ends Winless Streak at the Etihad After nearly three years, Liverpool finally triumphed at Manchester City’s home ground. Salah was instrumental in the victory, opening the scoring in the 14th minute after a well-executed corner play. His deflected shot found the back of the net to give the Reds the lead. City had a moment of hope when Omar Marmoush scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Liverpool then sealed the win as Salah set up Szoboszlai, who placed his shot past Ederson for the 2-0 final score. Salah Chasing Records With a goal and an assist in the match, Salah has now tallied 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 games. With nine matches left, he is nine goals away from Erling Haaland’s single-season record (34) and four assists short of matching the all-time record set by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry (20).

Manchester United avoided defeat with a 2-2 draw against Everton. Beto and Doucouré put the hosts ahead, but Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte equalized. A late penalty for Everton was overturned by VAR, leaving United still struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table. United Salvages a Draw Against Everton The game at Goodison Park started strongly for the hosts, as Everton took the lead in the 19th minute. A chaotic corner kick sequence saw seven headers inside the box before Abdoulaye Doucouré assisted Beto, who slotted the ball into the net. Manchester United failed to respond in the first half, and Everton doubled their lead with a well-executed play. Jack Harrison found himself one-on-one with the keeper, forcing Onana into a save, but the rebound went high, allowing Doucouré to head it home for 2-0. Fernandes and Ugarte Lead United’s Comeback United finally reacted in the second half, and in the 72nd minute, Bruno Fernandes stepped up for a free kick just outside the box, slightly to the left. The Portuguese midfielder struck the ball perfectly, curling it into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1. Then, in the 80th minute, another Fernandes set-piece caused trouble for Everton’s defense. His free kick cross was initially cleared, but the ball fell to Manuel Ugarte at the edge of the box. The Uruguayan midfielder controlled it, set himself up, and fired a powerful shot into the right post, leaving Pickford helpless as the ball hit the net for 2-2. VAR Denies Everton a Last-Minute Penalty Deep into stoppage time (90+5’), Everton was awarded a penalty after Ashley Young was fouled inside the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee reversed the decision, and the match ended level at 2-2. United Still Struggling in the Standings With this result, Manchester United remains 15th in the table with 30 points, tied with West Ham but ahead on goal difference. Meanwhile, Everton sits 14th with 31 points from 26 matchs.  Cover photo: X (@ManUdt)

Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Benfica, and Feyenoord advanced to the Champions League Round of 16. Brugge stunned Atalanta, while Celtic and Benfica delivered thrilling performances. AC Milan was eliminated. The first set of knockout playoff matches in the UEFA Champions League has concluded, revealing the first four teams to secure their spots in the Round of 16. Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Benfica, and Feyenoord emerged victorious and will now join the top eight teams from the overall group standings. Brugge Stuns Atalanta One of the biggest surprises came with Atalanta’s elimination. The Italian side, known for their competitive performances against Europe’s elite in previous editions, fell short in the playoffs. Club Brugge delivered a shocking 3-1 victory in the second leg, following up on their 2-1 win in the first leg. The Belgian club advanced with a 5-2 aggregate score and will now face either LOSC Lille or Aston Villa in the Round of 16. Celtic Fought Until the End Celtic also impressed, putting up a strong fight against Bayern Munich in Germany. The Scottish side took a surprising lead in the 63rd minute with a goal from Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn. However, Bayern Munich equalized deep into stoppage time, with Alphonso Davies scoring in the 94th minute to secure a 1-1 draw. With a 3-2 aggregate win, Bayern advanced and will meet either Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid in the next round. Goal Fest in Portugal The most entertaining clash came from Benfica and Monaco, producing a thrilling 3-3 draw. With Benfica holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, the match saw multiple lead changes. The Portuguese side took an early lead, but Monaco equalized before halftime. The French side then went ahead 2-1, only for Benfica to level from the penalty spot. Monaco struck again for a 3-2 advantage, but Benfica found another equalizer in the 84th minute. Thanks to their first-leg win, Benfica progressed on aggregate and will now face either Barcelona or Liverpool in the next round. You may be interested in: Santi Scored, but AC Milan Crashed Out of the Champions League Milan Falls at Home AC Milan failed to overturn their 1-0 first-leg defeat against Feyenoord. Despite an early goal from Santiago Giménez at San Siro, Milan was held to a 1-1 draw. Feyenoord secured a 2-1 aggregate victory and advanced to face either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the Round of 16. Cover photo: X (@SLBenfica)

AC Milan, despite Santiago Giménez’s goal just 34 seconds into the match, was eliminated from the Champions League after a 1-1 draw against Feyenoord. Theo Hernández’s red card made the comeback difficult, and the aggregate score ended 2-1. In the first second-leg match of the UEFA Champions League playoffs, AC Milan failed to overturn their 1-0 deficit against Feyenoord. Despite taking an early lead in the return leg with a goal from Santiago Giménez, the Dutch side equalized to secure a 1-1 draw, advancing to the Round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Santi Stands Among the Best “Bebote” wasted no time making an impact at San Siro, scoring just 34 seconds into the match. Off a set-piece play from a corner, Christian Pulisic delivered a precise cross from the edge of the box. The ball reached Malick Thiaw at the far post, who headed it across for the Mexican striker to nod home against his former team. Out of respect, Giménez refrained from celebrating, but the home crowd and his teammates erupted in excitement. A Costly Red Card for the Rossoneri Milan pushed hard for a second goal throughout the first half but couldn’t extend their lead. Early in the second half, at the 53rd minute, Theo Hernández received a through ball from Rafael Leão but went down in the box under minimal contact, attempting to deceive the referee. The official was unimpressed and showed the Frenchman a second yellow card, reducing Milan to 10 men and shifting the momentum. With the numerical advantage, Feyenoord took control. Giménez was substituted in the 71st minute, and just two minutes later, Hugo Bueno delivered a perfect cross from the left wing to Julián Carranza, who headed it past the goalkeeper, leveling the match and securing Feyenoord’s place in the next round. Despite Milan’s desperate attempts to equalize, Feyenoord’s solid defense and Milan’s numerical disadvantage sealed their fate. As a result, Santi’s team was knocked out of the Champions League, while his former club advanced to the next stage. Cover photo: X (@acmilan)

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is facing a new scandal related to illegal betting in the Liga de Expansión MX and Liga Premier. While the Alebrijes de Oaxaca case remains unresolved, the FMF acted swiftly by sanctioning seven players from Correcaminos de la UAT and Real Apodaca, imposing exemplary punishments ⚖️. 🕵️‍♂️ HOW WAS THE SCANDAL DISCOVERED? The case came to light thanks to a European online casino 🎰, which detected irregular betting patterns linked to matches involving Correcaminos and Real Apodaca. Noticing these anomalies, the casino alerted the authorities, prompting the FMF to launch an internal investigation. As a result, the Disciplinary Commission announced the suspension of seven players, totaling 57 years of sanctions⏳. Without revealing names, the following punishments were specified: Two players (one from Correcaminos and one from Real Apodaca) were suspended for 16 years. Three players from Real Apodaca received 7-year bans. Two players from the same club were sanctioned with 2-year suspensions. The sanctions were based on Appendix IV of the FMF Sanctions Regulations and Articles 27 and 30 of FIFA’s Code of Ethics. However, the speedy resolution of this case contrasts with the lack of progress in the Alebrijes de Oaxaca investigation. ❓ THE ALEBRIJES CASE: A SUSPICIOUS SILENCE Unlike the cases of Correcaminos and Real Apodaca, the complaint against Alebrijes de Oaxaca, filed by former head coach Carlos Gutiérrez, remains unresolved after more than three months. Gutiérrez warned of alleged match-fixingand the possible involvement of players in illegal betting, yet the FMF has not issued any official statement 🏴. Suspicions grew when, after a 10-match winless streak, Alebrijes unexpectedly defeated Atlante, the strongest team in the tournament. Additionally, the club’s current head coach, Arturo Alvarado, has been accused of allegedly charging players to be in the starting lineup and favoring certain footballers for commercial rather than sporting reasons 🏆💰. ⚖️ IMPLICATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES The European casino that detected the suspicious bets has already initiated legal action with Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and will file additional complaints with FIFA. The sanctioned players could face not only the end of their football careers but also legal consequences 🚨. The scandal also affects the credibility of Mexican football, which could have a negative impact on sponsorship investments 💸. Companies like BBVA, Voit, and Tecate have requested reports on the situation, and some brands may reconsider their sponsorship contracts if decisive action is not taken. 🤨 JUSTICE OR COVER-UP? The FMF’s handling of the case has sparked a debate in the football world. The quick punishment of Correcaminos and Real Apodaca players contrasts with the secrecy surrounding the Alebrijes de Oaxaca investigation, raising suspicions of selective justice. Former footballer and analyst Javier Lozano commented: “It’s clear that the FMF acts harshly when it suits them, but when certain teams have connections, they choose to ignore the problem. This isn’t transparency, it’s a cover-up.” ❌ Meanwhile, former referee Francisco Chacón criticized the lack of a clear protocol: “The problem isn’t just match-fixing; it’s the distrust this creates among fans. If this continues, Mexican football will lose credibility with bettors and sponsors.” ⚠️ 😡 A DISGRACE FOR MEXICAN FOOTBALL This case is a total disgrace for Mexican football. While other leagues around the world conduct thorough investigations and enforce strict penalties for match-fixing scandals, Mexico applies selective and convenient justice. The FMF seems more interested in projecting authority than in truly eradicating corruption in football 🚫. It is unacceptable that the Alebrijes de Oaxaca investigation remains stagnant while other cases are resolved immediately. This only proves that some teams enjoy protection within the Mexican football structure, undermining confidence in national competitions ⚽❌. If the FMF fails to handle the situation with complete impartiality, Mexican football will remain trapped in mediocrity and international disrepute. Corruption and impunity not only damage the quality of the game but also drive away fans and investors looking for a clean and competitive sport 🏟️. 🚀 THE FUTURE OF MEXICAN FOOTBALL The scandal has put the FMF’s relationship with FIFA at risk, as the international body demands transparency and justice in such cases. A potential sanction from FIFA could impact Mexican clubs’ participation in tournaments like the Leagues Cup or the future reintegration into the Copa Libertadores 🏆. On social media, the hashtag #ApuestasMX has become a trending topic 📢, with thousands of fans demanding answers and greater transparency in the investigations. The FMF faces a crucial decision: act with fairness and transparency or continue allowing corruption to stain Mexican football. The future of Mexican football depends on how this case is handled in the coming months. What’s at stake is not just the FMF’s reputation, but the trust of the fans and the interest of sponsors and investors in Mexican football 🇲🇽⚽.