Sports
Arsenal make Champions League statement as Declan Rice lands personal history in 3-0 win
Arsenal moved to the brink of Champions League last-16 qualification with a commanding 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
Declan Rice’s first Champions League goal after just two minutes set the tone for a dominant display from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a header in the 66th minute before captain Martin Odegaard added a third in stoppage time.
The win puts Arsenal on 16 points in third place, virtually securing their automatic passage to the knockout stages with one group game remaining.
Declan Rice scored his first Champions League goal on Wednesday night
Reuters
Rice’s opener came from a well-worked move, with Gabriel Martinelli squaring the ball to Kai Havertz who cushioned it perfectly for the England midfielder.
The £105 million summer signing hammered home on the half-volley to register his first Champions League goal.
Shortly after scoring, Rice was pelted with plastic cups from the travelling supporters as he prepared to take Arsenal’s first corner of the night.
The early strike represented Arsenal’s quickest goal in the Champions League since November 2014.
Gabriel Magalhaes should have extended Arsenal’s lead in the 15th minute but sent his towering header wide from a corner kick.
Set pieces continued to trouble Dinamo throughout the first half, though the visitors gradually found their footing.
Martin Baturina threatened in the 32nd minute after Jakub Kiwior’s error in possession.
Jurrien Timber was also caught in his own half, leading to another anxious moment for the hosts.
Dinamo manager Fabio Cannavaro left the field at half-time with his side still in contention, despite Arsenal enjoying 61 percent possession.
The Gunners had managed just two shots on target despite their dominance.
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Martin Odegaard wrapped up a perfect night for Arsenal
Reuters
The visitors showed renewed energy after the break, finding clever combinations to bypass Arsenal’s midfield.
Arteta responded with changes in the 58th minute, bringing on Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri for Timber and Sterling.
Arsenal’s dominance in possession wasn’t translating into clear chances until the crucial second goal arrived in the 66th minute.
Martinelli delivered an excellent cross into the box, met perfectly by Havertz’s header to make it 2-0.
Kai Havertz was bang amongst the goals after a difficult spell
Reuters
The German striker’s goal marked his 14th of the season, further strengthening his case as Arsenal’s main forward.
Rice nearly added his second of the night with a close-range effort, but couldn’t convert the opportunity.
Odegaard completed the scoring in injury time, capping off a comprehensive victory for the Gunners.
Arsenal will travel to Girona next week for their final group match, knowing their place in the last 16 is all but secured.
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Arsenal look almost destined to be in the last 16 of the Champions League
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Only an extraordinary sequence of results in the final round of group matches could deny Mikel Arteta’s side automatic qualification.
The defeat left Dinamo Zagreb in the elimination places ahead of their final match at home to AC Milan.
Arsenal will now turn their attention to their Premier League clash with Wolves at the weekend.
Rodgers has already won all there is to win in Scotland, comfortably and repeatedly. Europe was the hurdle he had failed to clear with them – until now.
After the 7-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund at the start of October, this would have been almost unimaginable.
“The ultimate aim is to get into the knockout phase and that’s what they’ve done so it’s a brilliant night,” former manager Neil Lennon said on TNT Sports.
“Off the back of the heavy defeat in Dortmund, they’re unbeaten in the Champions League. For them to bounce back from that was great character and great ability.”
That five-game unbeaten streak has propelled Celtic to qualification with a game to spare, taking the pressure off next week’s trip south to face Aston Villa. Victory there could even mean a top-eight finish and direct entry to the last 16.
“I couldn’t dream that he would get a point away against Atalanta, for example, and that showed really that they’ve matured,” said former defender Johan Mjallby.
“The balance is better. They know they can’t go gung-ho and always on attack. They’re a bit better in balancing to keep the ball a bit longer nowadays. That’s been a key, especially the way the away form has been very, very good.”
On a similar theme, Rodgers added: “For us to win it, it shows the maturity and the development of this squad. You’ve seen where they’ve come from last season, where we played well but didn’t quite get the points.”
Judd Trump has criticised Kyren Wilson’s controversial post-match comments following his Masters final defeat to Shaun Murphy, suggesting they were poorly received by fellow professionals.
Wilson sparked debate after calling 42-year-old Murphy an “old man” following his 10-7 loss at Alexandra Palace.
“I don’t think he particularly put himself in good light,” Trump told reporters at the Championship League, where he revealed the remarks had become a major talking point among players.
Wilson’s comments came immediately after his defeat in the final, speaking to MC Rob Walker.
Judd Trump took aim at Kyren Wilson over his comments
PA
“No disrespect to Shaun but he’s turned into an old man now, so he needs this more than me,” Wilson said.
I’m 33-years-old and coming into my prime, I’m having an amazing season.”
“There were a couple of things he said in the post-match questions which either were slightly unnecessary or said in the wrong way,” Murphy said.
He defended Wilson’s emotional state, adding: “He’s gutted. And your emotions are so high, literally seconds after a loss in a big match for us both.
“To have a microphone shoved in your face straight away, live to the world it’s a difficult place to be.”
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Shaun Murphy won the Masters on Sunday after beating world champion Kyren Wilson 10-7
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Trump revealed the comments were widely discussed among players at the Championship League.
“I think the first thing everybody said at the Championship League was, ‘Did you watch that?’” Trump said.
The world number one acknowledged the challenges of post-match interviews, noting: “There’s a fine line between being honest and trying to keep everyone happy.”
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Kyren Wilson has been accused of being a sore loser by Judd Trump
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“Sometimes it’s better to be a little bit false and say something you don’t really mean, just suck it up to keep everyone happy,” he added.
Trump reflected on the unique pressure of the Masters environment.
“The atmosphere at the Masters is not nice when you lose. I’ve not lost in one, but can’t imagine it in the final,” he said.
He showed understanding for Wilson’s reaction, stating: “There’s not that much to read into it, he was hurting a little bit, it’s good to see how much it means to players.”
In a PSG barrage, City faced 26 shots – the highest total against them since the Champions League game against Real Madrid in September 2012 when the Spaniards had 35.
The sight of Matheus Nunes – an attacking operator – at right-back, with Kyle Walker close to completing a move to AC Milan, demonstrated the sort of muddled thinking that has clouded City and Guardiola’s season, a flaw which requires addressing.
He was all at sea, as was another substitute Rico Lewis, as PSG rampaged through the wide areas at will, with Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue and substitute Ousmane Dembele leaving a trail of destruction behind them.
This loss was, however, a collective failure of manager and team as City threatened to fall apart, then did as they conceded four goals for the first time in a game since they lost 5-2 at home to Leicester City in September 2020.
Even after going 2-0 up, City never looked in any form or condition to manage the game. Guardiola regards possession as nine tenths of football’s law – here they were guilty of criminal negligence, with Dembele’s goal three minutes after Haaland’s second a major turning point.
Guardiola, as he stood soaked and stunned on the sidelines, powerless to prevent a defeat which should have been far more emphatic, may now realise he has an even bigger rebuilding job on his hands than he thought.
The great Kevin De Bruyne looked all of his 33 years, as did Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic, both 30, as PSG’s energy in and out of possession flagged up every frailty that has haunted City this season. De Bruyne and Kovacic were both replaced, spent, after 70 minutes.
The statistics make grim reading for Guardiola, with City having failed to win after taking the lead in nine games in all competitions this season (four losses and five draws) the most of any Premier League club in 2024/25.
City have lost their past three Champions League games away from home, their second-longest losing streak since four in a row between November 2011 and December 2012 under Roberto Mancini.
And this was the first time they have lost a game from two goals up since they a 3-2 defeat to Brighton in May 2021.
Lewis Hamilton made his historic first appearance in Ferrari red today, taking to the iconic Fiorano test track in a 2023 SF-23 Formula 1 car.
The seven-time world champion emerged from Enzo Ferrari’s legendary home wearing his new Ferrari racing suit and sporting a striking yellow helmet adorned with the Prancing Horse logo.
At precisely 9:16 am local time, Hamilton ventured onto the misty circuit, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his illustrious career.
The British racing legend’s debut in Ferrari machinery came just days after his first visit to the team’s Maranello headquarters.
Lewis Hamilton sent Ferrari fans into a frenzy on his debut
The historic moment drew approximately 1,000 passionate spectators, who had gathered on a nearby bridge despite the cold and wet conditions.
Some dedicated supporters had arrived as early as 5am to secure prime viewing positions around the circuit.
The crowd’s enthusiasm was evident through a sea of Ferrari flags, whilst numerous Union Jacks proudly flew in support of Britain’s most successful Formula 1 driver.
“It almost feels that this has been his team for almost his entire career,” observed Sky Sports presenter Craig Slater, as fans and photographers lined the foggy circuit to witness Hamilton’s maiden outing in scarlet.
Hamilton demonstrated his appreciation for the gathered supporters in a touching display of connection with his new team’s faithful.
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The British champion was driven to one corner of the circuit in a black Alfa Romeo, where he emerged to greet the enthusiastic crowd.
Wearing a Ferrari red jacket, Hamilton offered a heartfelt gesture to those who had waited hours in the wet conditions, waving to the assembled fans and placing a hand to his heart.
The crowd responded with passionate chants of his name, waving their flags in approval of Ferrari’s newest star driver.
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Lewis Hamilton drove a Ferrari car for the first time on Wednesday
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Hamilton’s emotions were evident as he reflected on his momentous transition to Ferrari earlier this week.
“There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Scuderia Ferrari driver, is one of those days,” he declared.
The champion spoke of a long-held ambition finally realised: “I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red.”
“I’m dedicated to bringing everything I have to deliver for the team, the wider organisation and the fans,” Hamilton added, emphasising his commitment to his new team.
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The test at Fiorano marked a family occasion for Hamilton, with his father Anthony, stepmother Linda, and mother Carmen all present to witness the milestone.
Hamilton’s testing programme utilised Ferrari’s 2023 SF-23 chassis, adorned with his signature number 44 on the sidepods.
The regulations permit Hamilton to complete up to 1,000 kilometres of testing in older machinery before the season begins.
This initial outing forms part of Ferrari’s preparation plan, with further tests scheduled before pre-season testing commences in Bahrain from February 26.
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Champions League analysis: Arne Slot rotation the key to Liverpool’s success – Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock reflects on how Liverpool overcame Lille ‘at a canter’ with help from an ‘incredible’ Mo Salah who has now reached 50 goals in Europe for the Reds.
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The Champions League match between Feyenoord and Bayern Munich was suspended after less than two minutes of play on Wednesday night due to heavy smoke from fans’ flares.
Players at De Kuip stadium were unable to see through the thick smoke, forcing the referee to halt proceedings almost immediately after kick-off.
The disruption came as supporters had set off flares in the stands, creating visibility issues that made it impossible for the match to continue safely.
The match had kicked off at 8pm at the Rotterdam stadium before the referee was forced to intervene.
Feyenoord fans stopped play after flares were lit in the home stands
TNT Sports
A seven-minute delay followed as officials waited for the smoke to clear sufficiently for play to resume.
The suspension came with Bayern Munich entering the fixture as strong favourites to secure victory in the Netherlands.
Chaos in the stands at Feyenoord caused the match to be suspended
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Bayern Munich find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Champions League league phase, where they look likely to remain after a mixed campaign to date in Europe.
Bayern boss Vincent Kompany is under pressure to win silverware for the German giants after a disappointing campaign last season.
Thomas Tuchel, now in charge of England, led the Bavarians last season – where they failed to win a single trophy.
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Vincent Kompany is under pressure to win trophies with Bayern
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That included the Bundesliga, having won it every season since 2012, with Bayer Leverkusen pipping them to the top after going unbeaten in the league.
Bayern also crashed out of the DFB-Pokal Cup early in the season and lost to Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League.
Rafael Leao’s first-half goal was enough for AC Milan to beat Girona and edge closer to automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Manchester City’s Champions League hopes hang by a thread after a stunning collapse saw them squander a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
The defeat has plunged Pep Guardiola’s side into the competition’s relegation zone with just one match remaining.
City must now beat Club Brugge next week to have any chance of reaching the playoff round.
Jack Grealish made an instant impact after coming on as a half-time substitute, lashing home a volley in the 50th minute following a scramble in the PSG box.
Just three minutes later, City appeared to be cruising when Erling Haaland doubled their advantage with a close-range tap-in after Grealish’s cross was diverted into his path by João Neves.
PSG’s fightback began in the 56th minute when Bradley Barcola burst past Matheus Nunes before squaring for Ousmane Dembele to slot home.
Just four minutes later, Barcola turned from provider to scorer, steering in the rebound after Desire Doue’s curling effort had struck the crossbar.
The Parc des Princes erupted as PSG sensed panic in City’s backline.
The hosts completed their remarkable turnaround in the 78th minute when Joao Neves was left unmarked at the far post to score with a diving header from Vitinha’s free-kick.
City’s misery was compounded deep into stoppage time as Goncalo Ramos made it 4-2, with VAR confirming the goal after ruling the final touch came off defender Josko Gvardiol.
The defeat leaves City in 25th place, one spot inside the Champions League relegation zone – a dramatic fall for last season’s champions.
Guardiola’s side must now secure victory against Club Brugge at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday to maintain any hope of avoiding elimination.
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The pressure will be immense, with City having won just two of their seven Champions League matches this season.
Guardiola’s tactical changes proved pivotal, as he made two bold half-time substitutions by removing captain Ruben Dias and Savinho for Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish.
While these changes initially paid dividends with City’s two quick goals, their defensive structure crumbled in the latter stages, with spaces opening up alarmingly frequently.
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The reshuffled backline, which later saw John Stones introduced, proved particularly vulnerable to PSG’s high-tempo attacks.
PSG’s victory lifted them into 22nd place, moving two points clear of City and putting their playoff qualification hopes firmly in their own hands.
Luis Enrique’s side will travel to Stuttgart for their final match, with the German side also in contention for a playoff spot.
Watch highlights as an early Lautaro Martinez goal leads Inter Milan to a narrow victory over Sparta Prague and seals their place in the Champions League knockout phase.
Celtic striker Adam Idah has backed his team to make a significant impact in the Champions League, expressing his belief that the Scottish side can progress deep into the competition.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Idah confidently declared: “I think we can go far. I think we have got a great squad. We have gone this far, why not dream big?”
The forward’s ambitious statement comes as Celtic continue their impressive European campaign this season.
“We have been fantastic over the season, we want to go to the top and these are the stages you have to do it on,” Idah added.
Adam Idah forced an own goal from Young Boys that helped Celtic to a 1-0 win
Reuters
The striker’s enthusiasm was evident as he described the feeling of reaching this stage in the competition.
“It’s amazing. This feeling is indescribable,” he told TNT Sports.
Idah’s optimism comes despite earlier frustrations in the match, where Celtic saw three goals disallowed for offside and had a penalty saved in the first half.
The Republic of Ireland international reflected on the challenging period: “It was quite frustrating. To be fair to the boys, in the first half they played brilliantly.”
However, he praised his teammates’ resilience during these setbacks.
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Celtic have been backed to go far in the Champions League
Reuters
“I think the boys were confident going into the half having them goals disallowed,” he said.
His own impact on the game proved decisive, though he admitted his finish had an element of fortune, with UEFA statisticians later reviewing the strike.
Idah also highlighted the crucial support he receives from his manager at Celtic.
“Any time I come on the manager just says, ‘Do your thing, be yourself’. These are the games I want to play in and have an impact in,” he revealed.
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Celtic had three goals ruled out in a manic match at Parkhead
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“Credit to the gaffer, he is unbelievable with me. He lets me be myself.”
The striker was particularly appreciative of his teammate’s contribution to his goal.
“What a pass from Reo [Hatate]. The ball he played through was fantastic, I got a bit lucky but we’ll take it,” he said.
“I haven’t scored in a while. I said to the boys, ‘I don’t care that is my goal! Hopefully, it gets me on a run.’”
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