Everyone’s got a soft spot in their heart for AS Roma, apart from Lazio supporters of course. The club represents the Eternal City, the Italian capital with a history spanning more than two and a half thousand years. Its standing as one of the birthplaces of Western civilization makes anyone’s three-day visit turn into conversational fodder for the rest of their lifetime.
Porto are in through the qualifying rounds to the Champions League group stage after defeating Roma (who by the end were playing with nine) 3-0, with the second and third goals being scored by Miguel Layun and Tecatito Corona, respectively.
First, Layun made Wojciech Szczesny look like a sillyhead and rounded the Roma keeper for an easy finish.
Leigh Griffiths played like a man possessed (as did Kolo Toure) during Celtic’s 5-2 victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva in their first-leg Champions League playoff victory at Celtic Park. The Scottish striker almost willed Celtic into the Champions League group stage with two goals and an assist on the night.
We knew Brendan Rodgers was going to praise Celtic's character this season, we just didn't know when.
Well, the time has come.
Celtic played Hapoel Be'er Shiva Wednesday in Champions League qualifying, a game that we figured Celtic would win easily. They did, 5-2, setting up what should be a leisurely return leg. Our main takeaway from the game: boy, Hapoel were not ready for Kolo Toure.
Sergio Aguero is one of the hottest strikers around, scoring a hat trick against Steaua Bucharest in Champions League qualifying Tuesday. You wouldn't know it by watching the first 20 or so minutes of the match though. Watch what Aguero did with this penalty.
As Celtic prepare to play Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva at Celtic Park in UEFA Champions League playoff action on Wednesday night, some of the club’s supporters plan to give the visitors a rather awkward welcome — by waving the flag of Palestine.
In a country that traditionally favors Gaelic football, hurling and supporting the English Premier League, Ireland’s own Premier Division has hardly captured the national sporting conscious. The league’s UEFA coefficient currently puts them at 41st, behind countries like Latvia, Albania and Georgia.
Clubs that have traditionally dominated the League of Ireland, such as Dundalk, Bohemians and Shelbourne FC have all also flirted with financial disaster — putting their very existence in jeopardy whilst barely treading water.
Real Madrid narrowly escaped Sevilla in extra time of the UEFA Super Cup. Dani Carvajal's excellent individual goal ensured we got a great start to the season and also didn't have to watch a penalty shootout.
Marco Asensio introduced himself to Real Madrid fans with a rocket to open the scoring.
Brazilian Jonathan Cafu put his club Ludogorets Razgrad on his back during their recent UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Red Star Belgrade.
The 25-year-old scored two goals in their 6-4 aggregate win, including this sensational solo goal. The stakes were extremely high for the Bulgarian club, and the Brazilian winger delivered with one of the finest dribbling goals you’ll see all year.
The close control he exhibits to breeze by five defenders is sensational, and his emphatic finish in the top right-hand corner of the net is simply unstoppable.