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UCL: Eze rocket fires Arsenal into Champions League quarters

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Arsenal eased into the Champions League quarter-finals as Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike inspired a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the last-16 second leg on Tuesday.

Often derided for winning in ugly fashion this season, Mikel Arteta’s side produced a pair of eye-catching goals to seal their 3-1 aggregate victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Eze broke the deadlock with a long-range rocket late in the first half and Declan Rice’s composed finish killed off outclassed Leverkusen after the interval.

Arsenal needed Kai Havertz’s late penalty to rescue a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week, but they were far more commanding in the rematch as they reached the quarter-finals for a third successive season.

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Beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals last season, Arsenal will face Sporting Lisbon in the last eight after the Portuguese team’s remarkable recovery from a three-goal first leg deficit to beat Bodo/Glimt 5-3 on aggregate.

The Gunners crushed Sporting 5-1 in Lisbon in the group stage last season.

Brushing aside Leverkusen was ideal preparation for Arsenal’s bid to win a first trophy in six years against Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Quadruple-chasing Arsenal, whose last silverware came in the 2020 FA Cup, sit nine points clear of second-placed City at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first English title in 22 years.

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They are also set to meet second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals later in April.

It is shaping up to be an incredible campaign for Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, losing their only final appearance against Barcelona in 2006.

After netting against Everton on Sunday to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, 16-year-old Max Dowman was on the bench.

Arsenal had no need for the teen sensation as they put Leverkusen to the sword.

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– Relentless Arsenal –

A tidal wave of red poured towards the Leverkusen area right from the start and Gabriel Magalhaes should have done better than head wide from Bukayo Saka’s corner.

Leandro Trossard’s stinging strike from the edge of the area forced a fine save from Janis Blaswich.

Attacking with intelligence and pace, Arsenal were tearing through the Leverkusen defence.

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Saka headed straight at Blaswich before Trossard’s low strike from close-range forced a superb save from the Leverkusen keeper.

Blaswich came to Leverkusen’s rescue yet again as he blocked Trossard’s close-range shot and saved Ben White’s effort from the rebound.

It needed something special to beat the inspired Blaswich and Eze delivered as Arsenal’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 36th minute.

Eze took a touch on the edge of the area and swivelled to unleash a blistering strike that whistled past Blaswich into the top corner.

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The only thing Eze got wrong was his celebration, with the midfielder mistakenly pointing to the Adidas logo on his shirt instead of the Arsenal badge.

More importantly, the 27-year-old’s first Champions League goal extended his recent revival after a disappointing start to his first season with the Gunners following his summer move from Crystal Palace.

Suffocating the life out of Leverkusen with their relentless pressing, Arsenal almost doubled their lead early in the second half as Trossard’s curler flashed over.

They didn’t have to wait long to finish off the Germans as Rice struck in the 63rd minute.

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Stealing possession deep in the Leverkusen half, Rice advanced to the edge of the area before caressing a clinical finish past Blaswich for his first Champions League goal this season.

AFP

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Dede Ayew Breaks Silence on Calls for Him to Contest GFA Presidency

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Former Black Stars captain André “Dede” Ayew has responded to growing calls for him to consider contesting for the presidency of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The discussion surrounding Ayew’s possible move into football administration gained attention after some football personalities and observers suggested that his extensive experience could make him a suitable candidate for the position.

However, Ayew has indicated that becoming GFA president is not currently his focus.

The former Ghana captain’s comments come after sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah argued that Ayew’s long career in professional football had given him valuable experience that could potentially qualify him for a future leadership role within Ghanaian football.

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Ayew has spent much of his career at the highest level of the game, representing clubs in different countries and competing in major international competitions with the Black Stars. He has also served as captain of Ghana’s senior national team, a role that exposed him to different aspects of football management, leadership and player relations.

Despite this experience, Ayew appears to be keeping his attention away from the GFA presidency for the time being.

His response is likely to ease some of the speculation surrounding his political or administrative ambitions within Ghanaian football. While supporters may see him as a potential future leader of the association, there has been no indication that he is preparing to launch a campaign for the position.

The debate over Ayew’s possible GFA presidency comes at a time when discussions about the future direction of Ghana football remain prominent.

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Some football enthusiasts believe former players can bring valuable perspectives to football administration because of their direct experience on the field. Others argue that leadership of the association requires a broad understanding of administration, governance, finance and the development of football structures.

Ayew’s career gives him considerable knowledge of the game. He has played alongside and against some of the world’s leading footballers and has experienced different football systems during his time abroad.

His years with the Black Stars have also made him one of the most recognisable figures in Ghanaian football.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old has not indicated that he intends to immediately transition from playing football into administration.

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His latest comments therefore suggest that, for now, the possibility of contesting the GFA presidency remains a matter of public discussion rather than an announced personal ambition.

The former captain has enjoyed a distinguished international career, having represented Ghana at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cup competitions. His leadership of the national team has also made him an influential figure among Ghanaian football supporters.

Calls for him to enter football administration are therefore likely to continue, particularly as the country discusses how to improve the management and development of the sport.

For now, however, Ayew’s position appears clear: he is not currently focused on pursuing the presidency of the Ghana Football Association.

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Whether his stance changes in the future remains uncertain. His extensive experience means he could potentially play a role in football administration if he chooses to do so after his playing career.

For the moment, the former Black Stars captain has chosen to distance himself from the speculation, leaving the conversation about his possible GFA presidency as one for the future.

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FIFA releases 2027 Women’s World Cup playoff fixtures-See List

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Ghana and South Africa have discovered their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament following Thursday’s draw in Zurich, Switzerland.

The two African nations are among six teams that will compete in the preliminary phase for places in the final phase of the intercontinental playoffs. The others are Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei.

The draw, sighted on FIFA’s website on Sunday, was held at the body’s headquarters in Zurich on August 20, 2026.

There are three groups of two teams, with each team scheduled to play three matches.

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Full draw
Group A

Uzbekistan
South Africa

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Georgina Rodríguez Formally Adopts Husband Cristiano Ronaldo’s Three Older Children

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Georgina Rodríguez has initiated legal proceedings to formally adopt her husband, football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s, three older children.

The step comes shortly after the couple officially tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony.

According to reports from Portuguese media, Rodríguez is completing the necessary legal paperwork out of the public eye to be officially recognized as the mother of the children.

Before the couple began their relationship in 2016, Ronaldo welcomed his first son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., in 2010, followed by twins Eva Maria and Mateo in June 2017.

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Rodríguez later gave birth to their first shared biological child, Alana Martina, in late 2017, and their daughter Bella Esmeralda in 2022. She has long maintained a close relationship with all the children, raising them alongside her own.

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