After a two-month break the UEFA Champions League returned this week as the knockout stages kicked off. We at The18 are trying something new and we’re picking our favorites for the best Champions League goals of the week.
Of the four games played this week eight goals were scored. Let’s get into the list.
5. Kylian Mbappé attacks at the back post
Bay FC have signed Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji from Spain's Madrid CFF, the clubs announced on Tuesday, with the American team paying up to a reported $860,000 to set a new world record in women's football.
The 23-year-old, who joined Madrid in 2022 from fellow Spanish top-tier side Eibar, signed a contract through the 2027 season with an extension option for the 2028 campaign, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club said.
Bay FC break Women's transfer record
Johnny is off to an impressive start with his new club in Spain and his most recent performances have made fans go crazy for the USMNT midfielder.
Playing his whole career in the Brasileirao, Johnny’s big-break transfer to Europe seemed like a big jump in competition level, subject to months of adaptation to a new league, new language and new country.
Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu will host a National Football League (NFL) game in 2025, the league said on Friday, marking the first-ever regular season game played in Spain.
A total of 50 regular season NFL games have been played internationally so far, with Madrid becoming the fourth European city to host one after London, Munich and Frankfurt.
Real Madrid NFL game
Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos was the victim of a fan poking him in the butt inappropriately during Monday’s LaLiga game between Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano.
In the first half a young Rayo Vallecano supporter crossed the line when he was seen putting his finger in Ocampos’ backside. Ocampos immediately turned around and informed the referee of the fan’s gross act.
Ocampos finger incident
A viral video during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win vs. Getafe on Thursday appears to show superstar Jude Bellingham calling Mason Greenwood “rapist” during the game.
LaLiga said on Friday that the league is looking into the incident after Getafe filed a complaint.
The two English players were battling for possession near the sideline. When the ball went out of play the cameras zoomed in on Bellingham’s face where he clearly says something. The lip readers of the internet believe he said “rapist” while looking in Greenwood’s direction.
Johnny Cardoso had a solid debut performance for Real Betis in their 4-2 LaLiga loss against FC Barcelona this Sunday at the Estadio Villamarín.
The 22-year-old American was included in the Seville club’s starting XI without any prior minutes on the pitch for Betis since signing for the club last December.
MADRID — A Dani Carvajal strike in the ninth-minute of stoppage time rescued Real Madrid, earning them a 3-2 comeback win at home against bottom side Almeria on Sunday in a frantic LaLiga tussle that was marked by VAR controversy.
Real climbed to the top of the LaLiga standings on 51 points, two ahead Girona who host Sevilla later on Sunday.
United States men’s national team midfielder Luca de la Torre scored his first goal of the 2023-24 season in style on Wednesday with a disgusting backheel goal.
De la Torre opened the scoring of Celta Vigo’s 3-1 Copa del Rey victory vs. Valencia in the 13th minute off a corner kick.
Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Doménech failed to punch the ball out of his box and some quick pinball action inside the 18-yard-box resulted in the ball heading straight for the 25-year-old American.
De la Torre only had a second to react and he turned the chance into an amazing goal.
Real Madrid and Átletico Madrid faced off in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final this Wednesday in what would turn out to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.