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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 🇲🇽⚽.

Santiago Giménez once again proved decisive for AC Milan, scoring the winning goal against Hellas Verona in his starting debut at San Siro. After a quiet performance in Milan’s UEFA Champions League loss against his former club, Feyenoord, Santi Giménez bounced back in Serie A, making a statement in his first start at San Siro. In a match where Milan struggled to find the net, the Mexican striker stepped up to secure the victory. Santi Secures the Win for Milan AC Milan dominated the match but couldn’t find the breakthrough until Santi Giménez took matters into his own hands—twice. First, in the 33rd minute, Malick Thiaw delivered a long ball into space. Giménez controlled it brilliantly and slotted a low shot past the keeper. The San Siro erupted, but celebrations were cut short as the linesman raised his flag for offside, ruling out the goal. Undeterred, Giménez and Milan kept pushing, but it wasn’t until the 75th minute that they finally broke through. After a well-orchestrated team play, Álex Jiménez lofted a precise ball to Rafael Leão, who raced into the six-yard box. Facing the advancing keeper, Leão squared the ball for Giménez, who calmly tapped it in, securing Milan’s 1-0 victory. The San Siro erupted again, chanting “Giménez, Giménez!” in celebration. The ovation continued when the Mexican striker was subbed off in the 82nd minute and once more at full-time. With this goal, Santi Giménez is proving his worth at Milan, making an impact in three of his four matches with two goals and one assist. Cover photo: X (@acmilan)