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Osimhen scores brace as Galatasaray down Spurs to go top in Europa League

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Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray inflicted a first Europa League defeat of the season on Tottenham to move top of the table with a 3-2 victory in Istanbul on Thursday.

The Turkish champions have 10 points from four games and have all but secured qualification for at least the knock-out play-off round, while Spurs sit in fifth place after losing their 100-percent record.

Galatasaray took an early lead when Yunus Akgun smashed a sensational long-range volley into the top corner in the sixth minute.

But the visitors hit back just 12 minutes later as teenage striker Will Lankshear marked just his second first-team appearance with a goal by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s pass across goal.

Galatasaray took control before half-time, though, as Osimhen scored twice in the space of eight minutes.

The Nigerian star fired them back in front just after the half-hour mark, before cleverly volleying Dries Mertens’ cross past Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Osimhen has now scored six goals in eight appearances for Galatasaray since joining on loan from Napoli.

The home side passed up several opportunities to put the game out of sight for their opponents, but Spurs’ hopes of a comeback were hit when Lankshear was sent off for two yellow-card offences in quick succession in the second half.

Dominic Solanke pulled one back in the 69th minute, shortly after being brought on by Ange Postecoglou, but Galatasaray held on with relative comfort.

Eintracht Frankfurt are second in the standings, behind Galatasaray on goals scored, after Omar Marmoush’s 13th goal of the season clinched a 1-0 win against Slavia Prague.

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The Egyptian clipped a superb free-kick in off the crossbar shortly after the break.

Athletic Bilbao are in third, separated from Eintracht also by goals scored, after coming from behind to grab a 2-1 success at Ludogorets.

Inaki Williams and Nico Serrano both scored in a two-minute burst from the Basque club.

Roma’s disappointing form this season continued as Kevin Mac Allister’s goal 13 minutes from time secured Union Saint-Gilloise their second point of the competition with a 1-1 draw in Belgium.

AFP

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Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Barcelona zoom into Champions League quarter-finals

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Bayern Munich and Inter Milan have joined Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Harry Kane scored and set up Alphonso Davies as six-time winners Bayern won 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen to take the all-German tie 5-0 from both games.

Inter Milan’s Turkish midfielder #20 Hakan Calhanoglu celebrates after scoring a penalty kick for his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Inter Milan and Feyenoord Rotterdam at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)
Inter Milan’s Turkish midfielder #20 Hakan Calhanoglu celebrates after scoring a penalty kick for his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg football match between Inter Milan and Feyenoord Rotterdam at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, on March 11, 2025. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP)

The Bavarians remain on course towards the final in their home stadium.

Bayern next meet Inter who completed a 4-1 aggregate success over Dutch side Feyenoord with a 2-1 home victory from Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty.

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward #11 Raphinha (2R) celebrates with Barcelona’s Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal (R) after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 11, 2025. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)
Barcelona’s Brazilian forward #11 Raphinha (2R) celebrates with Barcelona’s Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal (R) after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and SL Benfica at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on March 11, 2025. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP)

Barcelona earlier beat Benfica 3-1 on the night and 4-1 on agregate as 17-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score and assist in one Champions League match, while Raphinha got a brace.

The other tie between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain was heading into extra time from Ousmane Dembele’s 12th minute strike for PSG at Anfield which levelled the tie at 1-1.(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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