The Real Madrid star conjured up a magical strike to leave even Zinedine Zidane drooling. But how did it compare to some of the best acrobatic efforts of the past?It was a goal that even took Zinedine Zidane’s breath away. Launching himself at Dani Carvajal’s cross as it looped across the penalty area, Cristiano Ronaldo and his right boot connected with the ball at the astonishing height of two metres and 77 centimetres off the ground – nine feet in old money – and then watched as it sailed past a helpless Gianluigi Buffon.Clasping his head in disbelief on the touchline before turning away with a disbelieving smile, Zidane was not the only one to question what he had just...
Uefa’s president wants to improve competitive balance but the top clubs’ financial dominance equates to power too, and it is unlikely his mooted measures will make a significant differenceFor football people raised on the foundational European Cup feats of Manchester United’s home-schooled Busby Babes and Celtic’s 1967 triumph with a team of local lads, the modern Champions League is a mixed blessing. Over the last 23 years the tournament has constructed a glittering stage for Lionel Messi and the world’s greatest players but European football’s concentration of wealth is delivering the final rounds and trophy itself to the same few richest clubs. Related: Chelsea given painful reminder of declining European status by Barcelona | Dominic Fifield The measures Ceferin has...
The Paris Saint-Germain fans did all they could to lift their team against Real Madrid but the French side depart the competition with barely a whimper and questions over the ‘project’“All that, for that?” read L’Équipe’s damning headline on Wednesday morning. On a night when the team’s fans had done their best to create a raucous, fiery atmosphere, evincing their belief in a comeback for their side, Paris Saint-Germain unequivocally let their supporters down. Overturning Real Madrid’s 3-1 lead from the previous leg was always going to be a tall order, and the loss of Neymar to injury was also a not inconsiderable obstacle, even if his replacement, Ángel Di María had been in form of late. However, it was...
For the manager, no excuse will be tolerated – losing Neymar was unfortunate, but losing this tie will be seen as carelessAs he previewed his team’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid on Tuesday, Unai Emery posed a question and tried not to sound like a man clutching at straws: “Why does Uefa let group winners play the second legs at home?” the Paris Saint‑Germain manager asked before providing the obvious answer. “Maybe because it is an advantage to play the second leg at home. Related: PSG can beat Real Madrid without Neymar – by playing as a team Continue reading...
Only Barcelona and Atlético can match Eibar’s results over the last three months as another unlikely run at Europe continuesIván Ramis took off his shirt and put his hat on, a flat red porkpie perched on his head as he stood in the corner of Butarque where a couple of dozen Eibar fans down from the Ego valley were going wild in wigs: some red, some blue and some Scottish, ginger locks tumbling from tam o’ shanters. As he had flung his top high into the air before running towards them shouting, they had thrown the hat on the pitch; so he wore it, along with a smile that even the referee trotting over with a yellow card couldn’t wipe...