Rampant Benfica Smash Simeone’s Atletico In Champions League

Published

7 months ago

October 3, 2024

Atletico Madrid fell to a humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat at Benfica on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone’s side were thoroughly outplayed and outfought in Lisbon and the Portuguese side triumphed emphatically to record a second win in two matches in the competition.

Bruno Lage’s team went ahead through Kerem Aturkoglu’s 13th minute strike, with former Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria extending the lead from the penalty spot early in the second half.

Alexander Bah headed home the third from a corner in the 75th minute and Orkun Kokcu completed the rout with another penalty late on.

Atletico have now won just one of their last 10 Champions League away matches and barely troubled Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.

Rojiblancos goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Axel Witsel endured a tough evening back at their old stomping ground, as Simeone’s team displayed an uncharacteristic lack of grit.

“This is nothing good and I can’t say much more than that — today we weren’t up to it and it was a bad game, the worst game of the season,” Oblak told Movistar.

“We started a first half badly again and in the second we didn’t react like we have in other games.

“Today it’s clear we did not compete in this game, and that can’t be, how come? Tiredness, I don’t know… looking for excuses now has no sense.”

Atletico fought hard to snatch a point from Sunday’s derby draw against rivals Real Madrid but showed little of that spirit on Wednesday.

Fredrik Aursnes won the ball back high up the pitch for the opener, squaring for Akturkoglu to fire past Oblak.

Atletico’s Samuel Lino hit the crossbar with a wayward cross in response and it was as close as the three-time Champions League runners-up came.

Vangelis Pavlidis clipped the outside of the post for Benfica before the interval but they did not have to wait much longer to stretch their lead.

Simeone made a triple change at half-time, including Alexander Sorloth and Conor Gallagher coming on, while the quiet Antoine Griezmann and captain Koke made way.

Former Chelsea midfielder Gallagher stood on Pavlidis’ foot to concede a penalty and Di Maria sent Oblak the wrong way from the spot.

The Argentine winger should have scored again but Oblak denied him as he ran through on goal.

Bah escaped Gallagher to head home a corner to confirm Benfica’s victory, while Kokcu slotted in another penalty after on loan Burnley striker Zeki Amdouni was tripped.

Atletico return to their Metropolitano stadium for their next European match, against French side Lille — who beat defending champions Real Madrid — while Benfica host Dutch outfit Feyenoord.

AFP

EPL Results: Chelsea Boost UCL Hopes, Arsenal Win Big, Man United Lost

Published

14 hours ago

April 20, 2025

Austin Ojomah

The English Premier League matchday 33 delivered high drama and significant movements in the table as Chelsea pulled off a last-gasp comeback, Wolves completed a historic double over Manchester United, and Arsenal cruised to a dominant away victory.
Over at Craven Cottage, Fulham suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side clawed back from a goal down to snatch all three points dramatically.

Chelsea claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon to strengthen their push for UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto in the final 15 minutes turned the tide after Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike had given the hosts the lead.

Chelsea struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession for large stretches. The Blues lacked composure in the final third, with Pedro Neto seeing a powerful effort blocked by Bernd Leno and Cole Palmer dragging a promising opportunity wide after a clever run into the area.

Alex Iwobi had put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, but Chelsea responded late. Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto fired home a stoppage-time winner (90’+3). The victory lifts Chelsea back to fifth, now just two points behind third-placed Newcastle.

At Portman Road, Ipswich Town suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The Gunners dismantled the Premier League newcomers with a clinical performance.

Leandro Trossard netted twice (14’, 69’), while Gabriel Martinelli (28’) and teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri (88’) also got on the scoresheet. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race and adds to Ipswich’s struggles near the bottom of the table.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League matchday 33. Pablo Sarabia stunned the home crowd with a sublime free-kick in the 77th minute, sealing a second win of the season over United for Wolves.

Note that this is the first time the Midlands club has done the league double over United since the 1979-1980 season. The win puts Wolves level on points with the Red Devils, tightening the race for European spots.

Sports

BREAKING! Arsenal hammer relegation Bound Ipswich 4-0

Published

15 hours ago

April 20, 2025

ADMIN

Relegation bound Ipswich was on Sunday hammered 4-0 by Arsenal.

Arsenal from the blast of the whistle meant business when in the 14tth minute through a cross from Bukayo Saka was pulled through by Trossard.

Still in the first half, another pull out by Saka was flipped backward by Trossard to Gabriel Martinelli who netted the second goal in the 29th minute.

Thereafter it was a ding dong affair as Saka missed three major opportunities to increase the tally.

Towards the end of the first half, Ipswich defender, Davis fouled Saka and he was immediately red carded by the referee.

Trossard hits his first brace at the 69th minute when he powered the ball into Ipswich net.

Nwaneri who replaced Saka made it four goals at the 87th minute .