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German Cup: Boniface seal Leverkusen comeback win over Cologne

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Patrik Schick scored the equaliser deep into stoppage time and Victor Boniface got the winner as title holders Bayer Leverkusen fought from two goals down to beat second division Cologne 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday

The hard fought win shoots Leverkusen into the German Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Cologne seemed to be heading towards a huge upset in the western German derby match when Damian Downs opened the scoring late in the first half after some poor defending, and then fed Linton Maina for 2-0 in the 54th minute.

But Schick pulled one back in the 61st after being superbly set up by former Cologne academy player Florian Wirtz, and forced extra time with a header into the bottom left corner six minutes into stoppage time.

Attacking partner Boniface then beat a defender to a cross from the left by Alejandro Grimaldo, who had hit the crossbar in the first half, to volley home the winner in the 98th minute.

Cologne thought that they had levelled for 3-3 in the 111th from substitute Imad Rondic but the goal was nullified upon review because he was marginally offside.

“That’s the Cup, situations like these can happen there,” leverkusen’s managing director for sport Simon Rolfes told Sky TV.

Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe told broadcasters ARD: “We can be very proud. Of course you want to win after leading 2-0. We knew it would be a huge task. We had to defend for a long time, you can see their quality.”

It was a lucky escape for Leverkusen who had also scored at the death on several occasions last season en route to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga and Cup double.

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Cologne’s game plan of soaking up Leverkusen’s pressure and hitting them on the break worked well for large parts of the game before the brave second division leaders had to concede defeat against the holders who had beaten record Cup winners Bayern Munich in the previous round.

VfB Stuttgart beat Augsburg 1-0 in the first quarter-final on Tuesday.

The other games are third tier Arminia Bielefeld v Werder Bremen on Feb. 25 and Leipzig v Wolfsburg on Feb. 26.(dpa/NAN)

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Barcelona’s Clash With Osasuna Postponed

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The La Liga meeting between Barcelona and Osasuna on Saturday night has been called off at the last-minute.

This comes following the death of medical doctor of Barcelona.

The day’s action in Spain’s top-flight was due to be brought to a close in Catalunya’s capital late this evening.

As much came with table-topping Barcelona looking to extend their advantage over the chasing pack, in a home meeting with Osasuna.

The two squads had been close to finalising their warm-ups, with the respective starting XIs having been made official across social media, too.

As alluded to above, though, Barca and Osasuna will not take to the pitch on Saturday.

As confirmed by La SER, amongst others, this comes following the passing of an unnamed individual:

‘A person close to the FC Barcelona locker room has died and the players asked for the suspension of the match.’

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EPL: Liverpool Come From Behind To Edge Southampton, Go 16 Points Clear

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Mohamed Salah scored two penalties as Liverpool came from behind to beat rock-bottom Southampton for the second time this season and moved 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Reds were miles below their best after their energy-draining late win at Paris Saint Germain on Wednesday – but all that matters at this stage of the season is results.

This takes them one step closer to the title and leaves Saints still in danger of the lowest Premier League points total ever.

The visitors allowed themselves to dream when Will Smallbone took advantage of a huge mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to slot in from a tight angle.

But Reds boss Arne Slot made a triple substitution at half-time and Liverpool were much improved.

Darwin Nunez, perhaps fortunate not to be one of the ones replaced at the break, slotted in from Luis Diaz’s cutback.

And then the Uruguayan striker was fouled by Smallbone for a penalty, which Mohamed Salah predictably dispatched with style.

Liverpool fans started singing “now you’re going to believe us, we’re going to win the league” after that.

Salah also netted another spot-kick late on, for his 27th goal of the season, after the video assistant referee spotted a Yukinari Sugawara handball.

Second-placed Arsenal have two games in hand – including Sunday’s match with Manchester United – but it is impossible to see anyone overhauling Liverpool.

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Nigeria Thrash South Africa 3-1 In U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier

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Nigeria’s U-17 national women football team Flamingoes on Saturday beat host South Africa’s Bantanwa 3-1 to take a giant step in the FIFA Under 17 women world cup qualifiers.

The Nigerian girls stunned their host in the match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium following goals from Shukurat Moshood and Harmony Chidi who scored a brace, thus taking the upper hand in the two legged affair.

Malebana however scored one goal consolation for the hosting team.

The return leg will now be played in Abuja, Nigeria in a fortnight as the Flamingoes hope to qualify for the final round of the qualifiers in style.

The victory may serve as inspiration to other Nigerian national teams like the Super Eagles and Super Falcons who have been having a tough time dealing with the South Africans, especially away from home.

The Super Eagles will be hoping to replicate such performance when they play Bafana Bafana in the 2026 world cup qualifiers later in the summer.

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