Leigh Griffiths played like a man possessed (as did Kolo Toure) during Celtic’s 5-2 victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their first-leg Champions League playoff victory at Celtic Park. The Scottish striker almost willed Celtic into the Champions League group stage with two goals and an assist on the night.
Well, that’s that then. Barcelona have eliminated Arsenal in the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League round of 16, taken it to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarters and will finally receive their first stern test in the semi-finals.
Try as Arsenal might in their all-too familiar opening day loss to Liverpool, the Gunners were simply unable to overcome Barcelona, the Catalan giants throttling Sevilla 5-0 on aggregate in the Supercopa Espana.
As Celtic prepare to play Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Celtic Park in UEFA Champions League playoff action on Wednesday night, some of the club’s supporters plan to give the visitors a rather awkward welcome — by waving the flag of Palestine.
In a country that traditionally favors Gaelic football, hurling and supporting the English Premier League, Ireland’s own Premier Division has hardly captured the national sporting conscious. The league’s UEFA coefficient currently puts them at 41st, behind countries like Latvia, Albania and Georgia.
Clubs that have traditionally dominated the League of Ireland, such as Dundalk, Bohemians and Shelbourne FC have all also flirted with financial disaster — putting their very existence in jeopardy whilst barely treading water.
Brazilian Jonathan Cafu put his club Ludogorets Razgrad on his back during their recent UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Red Star Belgrade.
The 25-year-old scored two goals in their 6-4 aggregate win, including this sensational solo goal. The stakes were extremely high for the Bulgarian club, and the Brazilian winger delivered with one of the finest dribbling goals you’ll see all year.
The close control he exhibits to breeze by five defenders is sensational, and his emphatic finish in the top right-hand corner of the net is simply unstoppable.
New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is an eternal optimist, but it will be hard for him to find positives in his first competitive game with the Scottish club, as Celtic were beaten, 1-0, in the Champions League by Gibraltarian side Lincoln Red Imps. Seriously.
Lincoln Red Imps manager Roy Chipolina is also a customs officer and left work in mid-afternoon to get to the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo by almost all accounts is a great guy off the field. He is accused of being arrogant and petulant when he plays, and consequently is viewed as a bad example, or even a bad person, when in the real world he has a charitable streak to him.
Cristiano came out in 2014 saying that he does not have any tattoos because he donates blood “very often,” and tattoos can prevent regular donations.
Barcelona did not win the Champions League this season. Barcelona should have won the Champions League this season.
No disrespect to Atletico Madrid, who deservedly bounced Barca in the quarterfinals, but the Blaugrana's attack was led by three of the five best forwards in the world, and every player in their squad (excluding goalkeeper) is either top five in the word at his position or at least in the conversation.
Multiple reports have confirmed that Portugal and Real Madrid defender Pepe has had his soul dropped from Portugal’s 23-man Euro 2016 squad. Following the events of the Champions League final at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, it's been suggested that Pepe's conscience spirit has deserted him.
While the defender will be representing Portugal at Euro 2016 in body, it's anyone's guess as to where his soul might currently reside.
After missing the penalty that allowed Real Madrid to triumph over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final Saturday, Atletico fullback Juanfran was so sad he wrote an open letter to Atleti fans promising the future will be better.
(Side note: the moment when Juanfran ran over to the Atleti fans to beg forgiveness for the penalty miss and they gave him a standing ovation was beautiful.)
Here's the letter in full:
Hello Atléticos,