It took only 14 minute for the home side to take the lead through Robin Le Normand. But the lead lasted for only 11 minutes as Kylian Mbappe restored parity.

Soon Real Madrid turned the game around with Turkish international Arda Guler putting the visitors in front. But, Alexander Sorloth scored just before the break to restore parity.

After the break, the home side took control with Julian Alvarez scoring a brace before Antoine Griezmann put the icing on the cake.

With both sides playing in the Champions League next midweek, Athletico Madrid will host Frankfurt hoping to sustain their winning form while Real Madrid will hope to bounce back to winning ways when they storm Kazakhstan to take on debutants, Kairat Almaty.

Joseph Jacob
Reporter

The post MADRID DERBY: Athletico Humiliate Real first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Brazilian side Fluminense will kick off the quarter-final matches against the only Asian side remaining, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Both sides got to this stage after defeating European super powers. Fluminense defeated Inter Milan 2-0 while Al Hilal eliminated 2023 UEFA Champions League winners, Manchester City 4-3 after extra-time.

On Saturday, Chelsea, who eliminated fellow European side, Benfica 4-1 after extra-time, will take on Palmeiras, who defeated fellow Brazilian side Botafogo by a lone goal after extra-time.

European super-powers will go head to head when PSG confront Bayern Munich. PSG were the biggest winners in the round of 16 after whitewashing Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 4-0. Bayern Munich eliminated Brazilian side Flamengo 4-2.

The Bellingham brothers will be at war in the last quarter-final when Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid will confront Jobe Bellingham’s Borussia Dortmund. While Real Madrid defeated Juventus by a lone goal to reach this stage, Dortmund eliminated Mexican side Monterrey 2-1.

The winner between Fluminense and Al Hilal will take on the winner between Chelsea and Palmeiras in one of the semi-finals while the second semi-finals will be between the winners in the games between PSG and Bayern Munich as well as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

The post CLUB WORLD CUP: Quarter-Final Pairings Complete first appeared on National Ambassador News.

After enduring a difficult first half in which Juventus missed a lot of chances, Real Madrid came alive in the second half with former Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold providing the assist that Gonzalo Garcia scored to give the Spaniards the day at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Madrid have now won 14 of their past 15 matches at the Club World Cup, drawing the other against Al-Hilal in their first game at this summer’s tournament. They have now scored in their past 14 matches in all competitions.

While Juve will be heading home to Turin, Real Madrid will be waiting for the winner between Borussia Dortmund and Monterrey for a quarter-final clash on Saturday.

The post CLUB WORLD CUP: Real Madrid Eliminate Juventus first appeared on National Ambassador News.

After a nervous goalless first half, Bukayo Saka opened scoring in the 65^th minute to atone for his first half penalty miss. But the lead lasted for only two minutes as the home side restored parity through Vinicius Junior.

As the game wind down with the 15-time champions facing an imminent elimination, they pressed forward to get more goals. Arsenal lunched a counter-attack which saw Gabriel Martinelli scored the second to ensure that Arsenal do not only qualify for the semi-final but do so with a home and away victories over the highly respected Madrid side.

Real Madrid closed the roof of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to intimidate Mikel Arteta and his boys, but the English side kept their cool to the end.

Arsenal will take on Paris Saint Germaine who eliminated English teams in the two previous rounds. They eliminated Liverpool on penalties in the round of 16 before seeing off Aston Villa in the quarter-final.

The other semi-final will see Barcelona take on Inter Milan who qualified despite drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich at the San Siro. Their 2-1 victory over the Germans in the first leg meant they qualify on a 4-3 aggregate.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal Humble Real Madrid first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Both sides are under intense pressure to perform tonight. Despite coming to Spain with a 3-0 advantage, Arsenal are under pressure not to allow Real Madrid wipe away their three goals and eventually win the tie.

Real Madrid on their part are under intense pressure to bounce back after that disappoint outing at the Emirate Stadium last week. “La Remontada”, the Spanish word for a comeback, is the word on the lips of Real Madrid fans as they expect their team to up-turn their 3-0 deficit tonight and eventually defeat Arsenal. This comeback dream is hinged on the 15-time champions’ past performance which have seen them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Nevertheless, this match is different. Arsenal were excellent last week and could have won with more than three goals if not for the heroics of Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. If Arsenal approach the game as they did at home Real Madrid are in for a very long and difficult night at the Bernabeu.

Besides individual and team performance, when the goals come and who will score first will go a long way to determine what the outcome of the match will be.

If the Gunners score first, it will heighten their believe while Real Madrid will be under more pressure to cancel a four goals deficit. This situation will make the defending champions vulnerable.

On the other hand if Real Madrid score first and in the early stages of the match, it will make the host believe that La Remontada is possible and they will throw all they have got at Arsenal, who might collapse under intense pressure.

In the other semi-final tonight, Inter Milan will take on Bayern Munich at the San Siro. The first leg played at the Alliaz Arena, venue for this season’s final, ended 2-1 in favour of the Italians.

Whatever the outcome of both matches, Barcelona are already waiting for the winner between Real Madrid and Arsenal after they eliminated Borussia Dortmund 5-3 on aggregate while PSG are set to take on the winners between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich after eliminating Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: It’s Do-or-die As Arsenal Confront Real Madrid first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Arsenal approached the game with the total commitment it deserved and had the upper hand in the first half though it ended goalless.

The Gunners determination continued in the second half with Declan Rice scoring two wonderfully taken free-kicks to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Real Madrid were stunned and before they could realize what hit them Mikel Merino put the icing on the cake to give Arsenal a 3-0 advantage ahead of the second leg next mid-week at the Santiago Bernabau.

Arsenal have not reach the Champions League semi-finals since the 2008/09 season and the hunger to reach the last four this season with the way they played tonight.

Real Madrid’s night moved from bad to worse when Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in stoppage time for a second yellow card. Nevertheless, the experience of the 15-time champions and the fire power in their armory still leave Arsenal with a bigger battle in Madrid if they will succeed in eliminating the defending champions.

In the second quarter-final match that took place at the Allianz Arena, venue for this season’s final, Bayern munich were beaten 2-1 at home by AC Milan.

Lautaro Martinez gave the visitors the lead in the 38^th minute, but Thomas Muller equalized five minutes from full-time.

But, the Italians were not done yet as Davide Frattesi scored the winner that broke the hearts of the Germans. The second leg at the San Siro can go either side.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal Gun Down Real Madrid first appeared on National Ambassador News.

…PSG Dare Liverpool

Paris Saint Germain must win as they storm Liverpool on Tuesday. Despite their total control of their first leg encounter at the Parc des Princess last mid-week, Liverpool ran away with a lone goal victory scored by Harvey Elliot in the 87^th minute.

The Reds were completely outclassed by PSG who could not beat Allisson Becker in goal for Liverpool despite firing 10 shots on target.

With their host finding it difficult to score, Liverpool pushed on and three minutes to the end of the match Harvey Elliot slotted Darwin Nunez pass beyond Donnarumma in goal for PSG.

It will be a different game at Anfield, a ground where visiting teams are superlatively intimidated.

Liverpool will like to show patience and ruggedness to withstand all the waves of attacks that the French side will throw at them. Last weekend, Liverpool came from behind to defeat bottom placed Southampton 3-1 in the League while PSG crushed Rennes 4-1.

None of the last 15 French sides to play away from home against an English opponent in Europe have managed to win, with 14 of those ending in defeats. In fact, the last defeat was inflicted on PSG when they lost 3-1 to Manchester United in December 2020.

…Atletico Fight for Survival in Madrid Derby

After losing 2-1 in the first leg against their city rivals, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid are condemned to win the second leg by more than one goal margin to qualify for the quarter-final instead of their city rivals.

Rodrygo opened scoring for the home side in the 4^th minute, but Julian Alvarez restored parity in the 32^nd minute. Ten minutes after the break, Brahim Diaz scored the winning goal for Real Madrid.

The Diego Simeone coached Atletico lost the 2014 and 2016 finals to Real Madrid and eliminating the defending champions will be a measure of revenge for them.

Last weekend, both sides were in action in the Spanish La Liga. Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Getafe while Real Madrid defeated Vallecano by the same score line.

This battle at the Metropolitano Stadium will be very explosive.

…Inter Set to Finish Off Feyenoord

The San Siro in the city of Milan will be the battle ground when Inter Milan host Feyenoord. The first leg in Feyenoord saw the Italians ran away with a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.

The Dutch side will most likely not pose a serious threat for the Italians who will want to finish off their opponents in Milan. Feyenoord are winless in their last eight away matches against Italian sides in European competitions.

…Leverkusen Battle Bayern Munich

Bayer Leverkusen made their second leg an uphill task when they collapsed like a pack of cards losing 3-0 to Bayern Munich in the first leg.

Jamal Musiala scored in between Harry Kane’s brace as Bayern Munich crushed their Bundesliga rivals at the Allianz Arena.

Leverkusen will have to win by a four goal margin to pull through – a tall order indeed.

Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their three home games against Bayern Munich under Xabi Alonso, winning two of them.

…Barcelona Welcome Benfica

Benfica of Portugal will travel to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona, who won the first leg by a lone goal despite having Pau Cubarsi sent off in the 22^nd minute of their first leg encounter.

Pundits have questioned the ability of Benfica to fight back if they could not win at home with Barcelona reduced to ten men.

However, the Portuguese side would be hoping to turn the table around despite having a difficult task in Spain.

Barcelona have already beaten Benfica twice in the UEFA Champions League this season with both victories coming away from home. But, Benfica have never lost three times to any opponent in Europe.

…Aston Villa Welcome Club Brugge

Aston Villa defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the first leg to reduce the pressure on them in the second leg. The Belgian side will have to work extremely hard to eliminate the English side.

Leon Bailey opened scoring for the visitors, but the lead lasted for only 10 minutes as Maxim de Cuyper equalized for the home side. But, the English side had other plans as they scored two more goals to have a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg.

…PSV Playing for Pride

After falling 7-1 to Arsenal in the first leg, PSV Eindhoven will be playing just for pride as it will be extremely difficult for them to upturn the deficit to qualify instead of Arsenal.

Arsenal are almost through and just have to play for ninety minutes without conceding six goals. It will take a monumental melt down for Arsenal not to qualify for the quarter-final.

…Lille to Fight Dortmund

Lille of France gave themselves a lifeline when they fought extremely hard in the first leg at the Signal Iduna Park to draw 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund.

As they welcome the Germans in the second leg, Lille need to win by any score line to qualify. However, Dortmund still have the same chance to qualify and will grab the opportunity with both hands.

This encounter is evenly poised.

The post Titans Battle for Survival In UCL Round of 16 Second Leg first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The biggest winners were Arsenal, who went saw and humiliated PSV Eindhoven 7-1. They scored three goals in the first half and scored four in the second half to confirm their place in the quarter-final even before the second leg.

Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard scored a brace and emerged the man of the match.

Arsenal will face either of the Madrid clubs in the quarter-final.

The Madrid clubs – Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were in action and Real Madrid won 2-1.

Rodrygo opened scoring for the most successful club in the Champions League, in the fourth minute. Former Manchester City striker, Julian Alvares restored parity two minutes after the half hour mark. But another former City player, Brahim Diaz gave Real an important victory ahead of the second leg next mid-week.

Aston Villa put themselves in good position to qualify for the last eight when they defeated Club Brugge 3-1. Leon Bailey put the visitors in front just after three minutes. The home side restored parity eight minutes later through Maxim de Cuyper. After the break, Villa scored two goals to have a two goal’s advantage ahead of the second leg.

The winner of this encounter will face the winner between Liverpool and PSG, who play their first leg this Wednesday.

The encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Lille ended 1-1. Karim Adeyemi gave the home side the lead in the 22^nd minute, but the visitors restored parity through Hakon Haraldsson in the 68^th minute. There is all to play for in the second leg of this encounter. Lille will be fighting for their first Champions League quarter-final ticket when they host Dortmund in the second leg next Wednesday.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Arsenal Crush PSV, As Real, Villa WIn first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Paris Saint Germaine who destroyed fellow French side Brest will have a tough battle against Liverpool, who won the League phase while the capital of Spain, Madrid will be set agog when Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid rekindle their rivalry in the Madrid Derby.

Club Brugge, who eliminated last year’s Europa League champions, Atalanta will confront Aston Villa while PSV were rewarded for eliminating Juventus with a difficult encounter against Arsenal.

Feyenoord, who dumped out AC Milan of Italy will face another Milan side Internazional while Bayern Munich will face fellow Germans Bayer Leverkusen.

Borussia Dortmund and Lille will go head to head as Benfica tread tackles with Barcelona.

The first leg will take place in the mid-week of March 4 and 5 while the second leg will take place a week later.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16: Liverpool to Face PSG as Real, Atletico Rekindle Rivalry first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City scored their only goal of tonight’s encounter in the extra-time when Nico Gonzalez scored his first goal for the club when he turned in Omar Marmoush’s free-kick which hit the bar.

The 2023 champions can now concentrate on the FA Cup, where they have a reasonable chance of emerging champions and the league where their target will be to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

In other fixtures, PSG followed their 3-0 victory over fellow French side Brest in the first leg to hammer them 7-0 at the Parc des Princes to give the Luis Enrique’s side a comprehensive 10-0 aggregate victory.

The round of 16 will not be a stroll in the park for the French side as they will take on either Liverpool of Barcelona.

Borussia Dortmund and Sporting ended their encounter goalless, but the Germans qualified having won the first leg 3-0.

PSV knocked out Juventus with a 3-1 second leg victory. The first leg had ended 2-1 in favour of the Italians, but the Dutch side led by the same score margin at full time leaving the aggregate score at 3-3.

PSV scored again in the extra-time to win 4-3 on aggregate.

The eight teams, who qualified from the play-offs are: Feyenoord, Club Brugge, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Real Madrid, PSV, PSG and Borussia Dortmund.

Recall that the eight teams that qualified automatically for the round of 16 are Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston villa.

The draws for the round of 16 will hold on Friday.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Real Madrid Crush Manchester City first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Kylian Mbappe equalized on the hour mark as his mishit volley sailed into the net to the dismay of Ederson in goal for City, who watched helplessly.

Manchester City restored their lead through Haaland’s penalty which was awarded when Dani Ceballos brought down Phil Foden just inside the penalty area.

Real Madrid restored parity again when Ederson parried Vinicius Junior’s shot away but the rebound fell to Brahim Diaz who scored against his former club.

Jude Bellingham gave the 15 time champions the victory with an injury time goal.

Pep Guardiola and his City players will have a hard nut to crack when the visit the Santiago Bernabeu next mid-week for the second leg.

In other matches, Borussia Dortmund defeated Sporting CP 3-0 as Juventus held on to defeat PSV 2-1.

Dembele scored twice as PSG defeated Brest 3-0 in the all-French encounter.

The second leg will hold next week Wednesday.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Real, PSG Win first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Manchester City Host Real Madrid

This is a dream final pairing, unfortunately due to poor run of form, both teams are clashing not even in the round of 16, but in a play-off which will see one of them not reaching the round of 16.

This will be their 13^th meeting in the Champions League. The English side have won four times while the Spaniards have won only three times and they have settled for draw five times.

This match will afford Erling Haaland the opportunity to score his first goal against Real Madrid. He has fired 13 shots in the four matches he had played for Manchester City against Real Madrid, yet he has not found the back of the net.

The Citizens are coming into this match after securing a 2-1 victory over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup while Real Madrid settled the Madrid Derby against Atletico Madrid 1-1 in the La Liga.

Brest Welcome PSG in Battle of Brothers

Brest will confront Paris Saint Germaine in a battle of French brothers at the Stade du Roudourou. This is the second time two French sides are meeting in this competition. The first time two French teams met in the competition was in the quarter-final of the 2009/10 season when Lyon defeated Bordeaux 3-2.

Brest finished 18^th while PSG finished 15^th in the League Phase.

PSG have remained unbeaten against Brest in 30 encounters across all competitions and they have defeated them in their two league meetings this season.

Juventus Tackle PSV

Turin, Italy will come alive when Juventus host PSV. Ironically both teams met on match day one of the League Phase which ended 3-1 in favor of the Italians. Juventus have lost only once in their last eight meetings with Dutch opponents and they have won five of them.

PSV on their part have failed to win any of their last UEFA Champions League matches against Italian opponents.

Juventus defeated Como 2-1 in the Serie A last weekend while PSV played-out a 1-1 draw with Willem II in the Eredivisie.

Sporting Confront Dortmund

Sporting will be taking on Borussia Dortmund for the fifth time in European competition and the home side will be hoping to replicate their performance in their last meeting in November 2021 when Sporting won 3-1 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

The Portuguese side finished 23^rd while their German opponent finished 10th in the League Phase.

While Sporting are coming into this game in the backdrop of a 1-1 draw with Porto in the Portuguese League, Borussia Dortmund lost 1-2 to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: Battle for Survival first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The 2023 champions were the only English side that failed to pick up an automatic ticket to the round of 16, now they will take on 15 time champions in what would have been a classic UEFA Champions League final fixture. For both sides to be in the play-offs is a testament to their dip in form in recent times.

In other fixtures, Brest will take on PSG in a battle of French sides as Monaco tread tackles with Benfica of Portugal.

Juventus of Italy will lurk horns with PSV Eindhoven of Netherlands as Feyenoord of Portugal clash with AC Milan.

Celtic of Scotland will have their hands full against Bayern Munich.

Two Nigerian brothers will be at war when Club Brugge of Belgium take on Atalanta of Italy which will pitch Raphael Onyedika against African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman. Sporting of Portugal will battle Borussia Dortmund of Germany.

The first leg of the play-offs will hold in the mid-week of February 11 or 12 and the second leg will take place a month later.

The post UEFA Champions League Play-off: Manchester City to Face Real Madrid first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Sporting CP are 23^rd on the table with 10 points, they will take on Bologna who are already eliminated. A very good result for the Portuguese can see them through to the play-offs.

PSV welcome Liverpool to the Philips Arena. At 19^th place with 11 points the Dutch side still have a chance of qualifying while their opponents who have secured maximum 21 points have already secured an automatic qualification.

Young Boys in 36^th place with no point will host Crvena Zvezda who are 32^nd with only three points. Both sides are eliminated.

Suttgart welcome Paris Saint Germaine to the Stuttgart Arena with both sides on 10 points with a possibility of qualifying for the play-offs.

Sturm Graz will take on Leipzig in a match that has no consequence as both sides have secured only three points respectively and are therefore eliminated.

After throwing away their two goal lead in Paris last week to lose 4-2 to PSG, Manchester City have a last chance to redeem their qualification to the next round when they host Club Brugge.

At 25^th and 20^th positions respectively and with eight points and 11 points respectively, both sides can still qualify for the next round.

Bayern Munich have secured 12 points and are 15^th on the log, so they have the chance of either qualifying automatically or reaching the play-offs, however, they will be facing an already eliminated Slovan Bratislava.

Inter Milan welcome Monaco to the San Siro in a clash that will see both sides either secure an automatic qualification or qualify for the play-off depending on the outcome of the match.

Borussia Dortmund are certain that they will not be eliminated as they are 14^th with 12 points. They will tread tackles with Shakhtar Donetsk, who are 27^th with seven points and can only secure a play-off place.

Barcelona have automatically qualified for the round of 16 but they will confront Atalanta who are 7^th with 14 points and could either qualify automatically or at worst qualify for the play-off.

Bayer Leverkusen are eighth on the log with 13 points and can either qualify automatically or participate in the play-offs. They will take on already eliminated Sparta Praha.

Juventus will welcome Benfica to Turin in a clash that will most definitely be explosive. The Italians have the chance of either qualifying automatically or going through the play-offs while their opponents from Portugal are only fighting for a play-off spot.

GNK Dinamo will confront AC Milan. The Italians are certain for either automatic place or a play-off, but their opponents are fighting desperately for a play-off place.

Already eliminated Salzburg will take on Atletico Madrid who can still qualify through the play-offs or automatically.

Lille and Feyenoord are 12^th and 11^th respectively. No matter the outcome of their encounter both sides are certain for automatic ticket to the round of 16 or to engage in a play-off.

Aston Villa will welcome Celtic to the Villa Park with both teams sure that they cannot be eliminated, so they will be fighting for either automatic qualification or a play-off.

Girona of Spain will take on Arsenal with the Spaniards already eliminated while Arsenal will qualify automatically if they can take all three points.

Brest will lurk horns with the defending champions, Real Madrid. Both sides cannot be eliminated so they will either qualify automatically or participate in play-offs.

Remember, the first eight teams will qualify automatically while those that finished between ninth and 24^th will participate in the play-offs.

The play-off will take place in the mid-week of February 11/12 for the first leg and the second leg will take place a week later.

The post Judgement Day In UEFA Champions League first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The defending champions have had a very bad season in Europe so far, losing three of their last five matches. Tonight, they knew it was a do or die affair and they delivered.

Kylian Mbappe opened scoring with his 50^th Champions League goal for the visitors in the 10^th minute. Sadly, the Frenchman was replaced by Rodrygo nine minutes to half-time due to injury.

Atalanta fought back and were awarded a controversial penalty, which was converted by Charles De Ketelaere just before half-time.

Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham scored a goal each in a space of four minutes to give the Spannish side a two-goal advantage in the second half.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman scored his 11^th goal of the season to give Atalanta a hope of getting something from the game, but, it did not work as Real Madrid left Italy with all three points.

In other matches, Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic played out a goalless draw as Mohamed Salah converted a 63^rd minute penalty to give Liverpool a lone goal victory over Girona.

Bayer Leverkusen defeated Inter Milan by a lone goal, same margin with which Brest defeated PSV.

Club Brugge defeated Sporting 2-1 while Aston Villa defeated Leipzig 3-2.

PSG hammered Salzburg 3-0 as Shakhtar lost 1-5 at home to Bayern Munich.

The post UCL: Real Madrid Rekindle Round of 16 Hope first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Recall that Real Madrid was a turn in the flesh of Liverpool during the Jurgen Klopp era. In their last eight meetings, Liverpool lost five including two finals in 2018 and 2022.

However, Arne Slot have started his reign as Liverpool manager by breaking the Real Madrid jinx and have sounded a clear warning to all other clubs that Liverpool is gradually emerging the favorites.

After a goalless first half, Alexis Mac Allister put the host ahead in the 52^nd minute with a low shot.

Real Madrid were given a live line when Robertson fouled Lucas Vazquez and Francois Letexier wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot. But, Kylian Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in goal for Liverpool.

Similarly, Liverpool squandered their chance of going two goals up as Mohamed Salah blasted his penalty kick wide after he was fouled by Ferland Mendy in the penalty area.

However, substitute Cody Gakpo headed the ball past Courtois in the 76^th minute to give the Reds a much needed second goal that saw them see off the game with less pressure.

In other results, Red Star hammered Stuttgart 5-1 as Sturm Graz defeated Girona by a lone goal.

Aston Villa and Juventus settled their encounter goalless as Bologna lost 1-2 to Lille.

Celtic and Club Brugge settled their encounter 1-1 while Borussia Dortmund went, saw and conquered Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. Benfica defeated Monaco 3-2, the same score line with which PSV defeated Shakhtar Donetsk.

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The Blues saw of Real Madrid in their way to last season’s final.

Manchester City, who are keen on winning the Champions League for the first time will take on Atletico Madrid, who eliminated their city rivals, Manchester United.

Liverpool will lurk horns with Benfica while Samuel Chukwueze and his Villarreal teammates will face German champions, Bayern Munich.

The winners between Chelsea and Real Madrid will take on the winners between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in one of the semi-finals while the other semi-finals will be between the winners in the clashes between Liverpool and Benfica and Villarreal and Bayern Munich.

The first leg of the quarter finals will hold between April 5 and 6 while the second leg will take place one week later.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRDRAWS: Chelsea, Manchester City face Spanish Opponents first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Lionel Messi, who has not won the Champions League for the past six seasons and his teammates came into the game with a lone goal advantage and had a perfect start when Kyllian Mbappe put them ahead in the 39^th minute.

In a space of 17 minutes in the second half, French international Karim Benzema scored three goals to turn the game on its head and send the 13 time champions into the quarter final of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

At the age of 34 years and 80 days, Benzema became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. He has also taken his Real Madrid goals to 309 making him the third all-time top striker for the Spanish side.

For Paris St Germain, it was another disappointing campaign not even Lionel Messi could rescue them.

In the other match, Manchester City qualified for the quarter final on a 5-0 aggregate score despite the second leg against Sporting Lisbon ending goalless.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Benzema Destroy PSG first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The French side is heading to Spain with a one goal advantage which they secured in the first leg.

In the second match for tonight, Manchester City will complete the demolition of Sporting Lisbon, whom they thrashed 5-0 in the first leg in Lisbon, when they play at the Etihad Stadium.

City are yet to win the Champions League and are determined to win it this season.

The post UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Real Madrid Battle PSG first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The 30 year old attacking mid-fielder, who played 245 times for the Blues and scored 85 goals between 2012 and 2019, moved to Real Madrid for a reported fee of one hundred million euros.

However, he has not replicated the breathtaking form he had at Chelsea at the Benarbeu, largely due to injury. Hes has scored four goals in 38 appearances for the White Angels.

According to ESPN, New Castle United, who have a lot of money at their disposal following their take over by a Saudi Consultant are also interested in the Belgian international.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has explained why Hazard has not been playing regularly for the club. According to the former Everton manager, he preferred other players to Hazard, thereby fueling the speculation of an imminent departure of the Belgian.

The post Chelsea Seek Return of Hazard first appeared on National Ambassador News.

In the English Premier League, Manchester United will host Liverpool in the North West Derby. In the Italian Serie A, Inter Milan welcome Juventus in Derby d’Italia while the Spannish La Liga will see the El-Classico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Liverpool will be aiming to record their first consecutive victories over Manchester United since 2002 when the storm Old Trafford this Sunday. having defeated the Red Devils 4-2 in May.

Keeping Mohamed Salah quiet will be the most challenging task United defense must undertake as the Egyptian is in the best form of his life. He scored three goals in his two visits to Old Trafford last season.

However, United are basking in the euphoria of coming from two goals down to defeat Atalanta 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League in mid-week and will need to get all three points to reduce the gap between them and table topping Chelse.

In the Spannish La Liga, the El-classico will take place for the first time over a decade without Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

While Ronaldo is now doing business for Manchester United, Lionel Messi now plays for Paris St Germain.

While Barcelona and Real Madrid have endured a slow start to the season, which have seen both clubs placed eighth and third respectively, they are gradually getting better. This el-classico is a test of how well they have progressed.

Their last meeting was on April 10, 2021 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1.

Since November, 1909 when the first Derby d’Italia took place, the rivalry between Inter Milan and Juventus have become more intense than ever.

After dethroning Juventus last season, Inter Milan are more determined to take all three points this Sunday.

On the other hand Juventus have not gotten to their best this season despite the return of Allegri. No wonder the are seventh on the league table.

Both sides desperately need the three point to maintain their chase of table toppers, Napoli.

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Thomas Tuchel’s hosts were grateful to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for two fine first-half saves from Karim Benzema but they were able to build on the 1-1 draw they achieved in Madrid when Timo Werner headed in from almost on the goal-line in the 28th minute after Kai Havertz had lofted a finish on to the bar.

It set the platform for a second half of total Chelsea domination that was nevertheless laced with anxiety as the hosts missed chance after chance to put the game to bed.

Real’s former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved from N’golo Kante and Havertz, who also headed against the bar, while Mason Mount shot wildly over the top when clean through.

It was Mount, though, who finally sealed Chelsea’s place in their first Champions League final since they won the competition in 2012.

The outstanding Kante, who was also instrumental in the opening goal, fed substitute Christian Pulisic and his cross was turned in by Mount with five minutes left.

The result adds another chapter to the remarkable transformation under Tuchel since he succeeded the sacked Frank Lampard in January – and gives him the chance to make amends for the 2020 Champions League final, when his Paris St-Germain side lost to Bayern Munich.

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