Europe

Feyenoord defeated Vitesse 2-1 in Eredivisie action today thanks to Robin van Persie’s thunderbolt of a free kick in the 87th minute. With the job finished, the 35-year-old immediately proceeded to go studs up from behind on some poor fellow to earn a straight red. 

87’: Score one of the best free kicks the division will see all year.

91’: Earn a three-match suspension. 

Montpellier defeated Nimes 3-0 on Sunday to go second in Ligue 1 (although PSG is already nine points clear after only eight matches), but the clash between the local rivals was marred by a series of incidents that brought the match to a standstill at Stade de la Mosson. 

After Montpellier’s second goal in the 29th minute, the metal gate separating the home side supporters from the pitch collapsed during the celebrations, sending fans flying onto the pitch and resulting in a few light injuries. The match had to be stopped at this point. 

Lost in all the hullabaloo surrounding the defeats that Barcelona and Real Madrid suffered yesterday was the fact that Villarreal’s Pablo Fornals put on one of the most exquisite 15-minute displays of football the game has ever seen. 

It’s not 15 minutes of consecutive footballing brilliance, but once you see the highlights you’ll understand.

Finally, UEFA has confirmed it has common sense. On Thursday, the Executive Committee confirmed there will be VAR in Champions League matches starting with the 2019 season. 

Barcelona players are not used to losing, especially in LaLiga. Last season, the Blaugrana lost just once in league play. Barcelona lost 19 games in the last five seasons combined — the same number Leganés lost last season alone. 

So when Leganés scored a stunning 2-1 victory over Barcelona on Wednesday, maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised the Barça stars didn’t know how to handle defeat. 

A contest between Germany and Turkey for the right to host Euro 2024 was decided today, and it’s Deutschland that will welcome 24 teams in June and July for the 17th edition of the European Championship.