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Real Madrid beat Atletico on penalties for Champions League quarter-finals

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2 weeks ago

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Title holders Real Madrid survived a missed penalty from Vinicius Junior in regulation when they beat crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Antonio Rüdiger sealed the last 16 victory as goalkeeper Jan Oblak got his hands on the ball but couldn’t stop it from crossing the line.

Oblak had saved from Lucas Vazquez in the shoot-out but Atletico’s Julian Alvarez had his successful kick disallowed upon review because he touched the ball with both feet, and Marcos Llorente hit the crossbar with his attempt.

Record winners Real had won the first leg 2-1 at home but Conor Gallagher levelled it up for Atletico in the opening minute at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Vinicius Junior had the big chance to restore Real’s aggregate advantage but fired the penalty high over the crossbar in the 70th minute after Clement Lenglet had brought down Kylian Mbappe.

Real maintained their perfect record against Atletico in knock-out ties and finals in the event, and now meet Arsenal, who completed an emphatic 9-3 aggregate victory against PSV Eindhoven with a 2-2 home draw.

Last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund won 2-1 at French side Lille to advance 3-2 for a date with Barcelona.

Marco Asensio’s brace helped Aston Villa beat 10-man Club Brugge 3-0 on the night and 6-1 overall and into a quarter-final meeting with his parent club and Liverpool conquerors Paris Saint-Germain.

The other quarter-final tie is Bayern Munich v Inter Milan, with the matches set to be played April 8/9 and April 15/16. (dpa/NAN)

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2026 World Cup Qualifier: I’m so disappointed– Super Eagles coach

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1 day ago

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March 26, 2025

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Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his disappointment with the 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a matchday six of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Chelle said this during the post match briefing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.

The coach said he expected the players would score goals when they had the opportunities in the first half and win the match.

Chelle said the team deserved to win because they played well in the first 45 minutes only to concede the equalising goal almost in the last 90 minute.

“I taught we will score goals in the first half and win the match. We made some mistakes and Zimbabwe equalised.

“We had a lot of chances to score goals but the chances were not utilised well,” Chelle said.

Chelle assured Nigerians that he will analyse the match and strategise for future games to qualify for the world cup.

On his part, the Coach of the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Michael Nees, who was excited with the result, said his team came prepared, knowing the strength of the Nigerian players.

He said the team came with planned strategy to play good football because the Super Eagles were so confident of victory.

“We played with Strategy to create chances and showed resilience in the match, this resulted in the last minute equaliser,” he said.

He, however, said that the group is unpredictable and anything could happen.

Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria ahead in the 73rd minute with a well-placed header from Ola Aina’s cross.

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A last-minute goal from Tawanda Chireda denied Nigeria the much needed victory as the Warriors held the Super Eagles in their Group C World Cup qualifying encounter. (NAN)

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NFF To Give Fans 500 Eagles Jerseys During Zimbabwe Tie At Uyo Stadium

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2 days ago

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March 25, 2025

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The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced that it will give out 500 Super Eagles jerseys to fans at the team’s 2026 World Cup qualification match against Zimbabwe.

In a statement on Monday, the federation said the free jersey will go to the first 500 people to get the ticket for the match.

The Eagles will face Zimbabwe in the sixth game of their World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.

The team is currently in a perilous situation after failing to win the first four matches of the campaign. The disappointing run of results included a 1-1 draw to Zimbabwe in November 2023.

Nigeria’s only victory in the qualifiers came on Friday against Rwanda. The Eagles sit fourth in the qualification group with six points from five matches.

Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, appealed to fans “to fill up the stadium in green and white colours” and support the Eagles against Zimbabwe.

“We are calling on Nigerians to come out in large numbers to support the Super Eagles on Tuesday. The team needs the support. When we played Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, the Rwandans filled up the Amahoro Stadium to its full capacity. Let our people also come out in throngs and cheer the Eagles.

“We are also appealing to fans to come to the stadium in Nigerian colours. Let us fill up the stadium in green and white colours, and drum and dance to support the team.”

The NFF has also confirmed that match tickets will be available for sale on match day, with the VIP tickets going for N3000 and the regular seats for N1000 each.

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Super Eagles’ coach demands more in spite Rwanda win

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5 days ago

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March 22, 2025

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Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, says the team still needs to improve in spite of the 2-0 victory over the Amavubi of Rwanda on Friday in Kigali.

The encounter was a matchday 5 fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Malian said at the post match conference that he is happy with the performance of his players against a tough Rwandan side.

He expressed delight at the win but stressed the need for the team to improve ahead of there next game on Tuesday in Uyo against bottom placed Zimbabwe.

“I just want to say it was a difficult game because Rwanda is a good side, I know the coach, he is a good coach, we made a great game too.

“I am so happy and proud of my players, my guys and the Nigerian people” Chelle said.

He said the team worked a lot in the last one week sourcing information for his players with lots of video sessions after two training practices.

“I think the victory or the win is normal because in the first half they had only one chance to score.

“We keep the ball in the 2nd half. We played two to three systems .

“I am happy now because this is just one game. We have some weaknesses and some strengths, my job is to think about the game project” Chelle said.(NAN)

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