Sports

Barcelona Beat Chelsea To Reach Women’s Champions League Final

Published

8 months ago

April 28, 2024

Holders Barcelona booked their place in the Women’s Champions League final with a controversial 2-0 win against Chelsea in the semi-final second leg on Saturday.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Jonatan Giraldez’s side took the lead through Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off in the second half for a contentious second booking.

And Fridolina Rolfo wrapped up Barcelona’s 2-1 aggregate victory with a debatable penalty.

In the final in Bilbao on May 25, Barca will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Lyon, who meet in the second leg of their semi-final on Sunday with Lyon holding a 3-2 lead.

It will be Barca’s fourth successive final berth as they look to lift the trophy for the third time.

“We are very happy. We deserved the victory. The first leg we were not better than the opponent. Today we created more clear chances,” Giraldez said.

“The connection with the players is amazing. I’m proud of them. I’m really happy to get another final. It’s special.”

Chelsea’s first-leg victory last week is the only defeat Barca have suffered this season, ending the club’s five-year unbeaten record on home turf.

But Blues boss Emma Hayes, who leaves to take charge of the USA women’s national team at the of this season, said Chelsea would have to produce a perfect display to overcome “the best team in the world” again in the rematch.

Chelsea were unable to rise to the challenge and their wait for a first Champions League crown goes on.

They have now lost to Barca in successive Champions League semi-finals after being beaten by the Spanish club in the 2021 final.

In another sign of the hugely increased popularity of the women’s game in England, Stamford Bridge was sold out to its 39,398 capacity for the first time for a female fixture.

But the Chelsea fans were destined to go home disappointed, with Bonmati firing an early warning shot that Hannah Hampton dived to her right to save.

It was a threat that Chelsea failed to heed and Bonmati punished them to open the scoring in the 25th minute.

Conceding possession in sloppy fashion, Chelsea were unable to stop Bonmati, who cleverly side-stepped Niamh Charles on the edge of the area before unloading a fierce strike that deflected in off Buchanan.

Hayes’ side should have levelled when Sjoeke Nusken lunged for a shot that cannoned back off the post early in the second half.

To her intense frustration, Buchanan received her marching orders in the 59th minute after a challenge on Patri Guijarro that appeared to take the ball but was deemed worthy of a second yellow card.

Barca delivered the knockout blow in the 75th minute when Bonmati was fouled in the area by Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence.

Once again Chelsea complained vehemently but Rolfo stepped up to send Hampton the wrong way with a composed spot-kick as Barca wrapped up another final appearance.

Sports

January Transfer Window: See All You Need To Know As Clubs Sign New Players

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The English Premier League transfer window opened officially on Wednesday, allowing clubs to sign and sell players to improve their squads for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The January transfer window is regarded as one of the most highly anticipated events in the football calendar, offering clubs an invaluable chance to strengthen their rosters for the concluding phases of the season.

As intense competitions unfold at both the top and bottom of the league standings and with many notable players expected to pursue new opportunities, the winter transfer period promises to be particularly thrilling.

January Transfer Window Schedules

Clubs can sign players until the January transfer window concludes at 11 p.m. GMT (6 p.m. ET) on February 3, 2025.

According to ESPN, this transfer window applies to all divisions within England’s football league system and is similarly observed in France and Germany. In contrast, the winter transfer window in Spain and Italy opens on January 2.

In LaLiga, the window will close at midnight local time in Spain (11 p.m. GMT, 6 p.m. ET) on February 3.

Clubs in Ligue 1 will have one hour less to finalize their signings, as the window will close at 10 p.m. GMT (5 p.m. ET) on the same date.

In the Bundesliga, all transactions must be completed by 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. GMT), while Serie A’s window will remain open for an additional two hours.

Sports

Sad! Two months after dad’s demise, Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali announces mum’s death

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Barely two months after losing his father, Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his mother.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper shared the heartbreaking news via X on Wednesday.

“Rip mom, worst year of my life already,” the goalkeeper posted with tears and heartbreak emoji on New Year’s Day.

“A very very crazy world indeed,” he posted before sharing the news.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent soothing words to the goalkeeper.

“Our heartfelt condolences to Stanley Nwabali on the loss of his mother. Stay strong, Stanley. Sending you strength and support during this difficult time. You are not alone; we are all with you.”

Nwabali’s father’s passing was announced in November, a few hours after the goalkeeper was in goal for the Super Eagles in their 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic during their penultimate 2025 AFCON qualification match.

Although he did not disclose the cause of his mother’s death, it must have come as a rude shock to him, having shared a 2024 recap video in the wee hours of New Year’s Day.

“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he wrote.

The player has been receiving condolences messages after announcing the sad news.

“So sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and your family,” journalist Latifat Adebayo-Ohio commented.

A fan, Hillary Remy also wrote, “So sorry for your loss. May God strengthen you and all your family members.”

“Accept my heartfelt condolences chief,” wrote Adewale Damilare.

Sports

Arsenal wallop Brentford 3-1 at home

Published

3 days ago

January 1, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Arsenal came from behind in Wednesday to beat Brentford 3-1.

Having been rocked by Bryan Mbeumo’s early goal, Mikel Arteta’s side very nearly went two behind when David Raya let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot squirm through his fingertips.

But the Spanish goalkeeper scrambled superbly to hook the ball off his own line, and barely 60 seconds later, Gabriel Jesus latched on to a rebound to nod home an equaliser.

Brentford came into the game with somewhat of an injury crisis as Thomas Frank had near enough a full Premier League team out on the sidelines.

However, it was the hosts, boosted by the availability of goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who took the lead through Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike (13).

Frank was asked about potential interest in the forward from Premier League clubs ahead of the game and the Brentford boss laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could leave the club this month. Mbeumo showed once again how crucial he is to this Brentford side, nestling a low strike past David Raya at his near post for his 11th league goal of the season.

It is regularly said football is a game of fine margins. It proved to be the case again in this match as Raya inexplicably let Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot slip through his fingers. The ball bounced agonisingly towards goal but Raya reacted quickly and leapt back to claw the ball off the goal line.