UEFA Champions League
BASSACRE! AS BARCELONA ARE MASSACRED!
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich! Beautiful Brutal Bayern!
Was this more of a shock than Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil in 2014?
Call it the ruthless efficiency of the German machine, you won’t be wrong.
Bayern Munich made nonsense of what was potentially previewed as final match before the final as they humiliated the much respected club super powers, the Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona.
Lionel Messi was more like a paper lion as nothing in the game present him as the hero he had always been. He was so ordinary as the efficient German machine grounded and pounded Barcelona to pulp.
It was the first time ever that Barcelona conceded more than four goals in a European competition. Of course, the German Bundesliga have proven to be better than the Spanish La Liga.
Could it because they returned to the pitch earlier than the other European leagues after the coronavirus pandemic lockdown?
Earlier in the week, a lesser-known RB Leipzig blew off one of the strongest La Liga sides, Atletico Madrid to ensure that two of the three teams so far in the Champions League are German sides.
The Friday match may have decided the fate of the unpopular Barcelona coach, Quique Setien.
The Germans opened the game, scoring as early as the fourth minute when Thomas Mueller found the net. But the joy was cut short when Nigerian-born David Alaba deflected a shot into his own net.
But the Germans regrouped again with ruthless efficiency as they wer up again in the 28th minute through Ivan Perisic.
Serge Gnabry made it 3-1 in the 31st minute while Thomas Muller added the fourth just before half time.
Barcelona began the second half as if they could cancel the three-goal deficit as they pulled a goal back through Luiz Suarez in the 54th minute.
That was where their fuel finished. Joshua Kimmich increased the tally to 5-2 for the Germans in the 63rd minute.
Man-of-the-Match, the Polish Robert Lewandowski added the sixth goal in the 82nd minute.
Like the Germans did to Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, they ensured they scored three goals under 10 minutes as Philippe Coutinho added two more goals in the 85th and 89th minute.
UEFA Champions League
TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free
A pair of Belgian TikTokers say they spent 27 hours in an Allianz Arena toilet last weekend before watching Paris St Germain beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final for free.
Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told VRT News they managed to get into the Munich stadium the day before the match and hid in a toilet cubicle.
After sticking a homemade “Out of Order” sign on the door, the pair waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.
“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie told the Belgian public broadcaster.
“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”
Once they heard fans starting to use the toilets on matchday, the pair left their bolthole and made their way past ticket inspectors to join the 86,600 crowd in the stands.
“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.
“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”
The Allianz Arena and UEFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Those fans who made their way into the match more conventionally had to pay anywhere from 90 to 950 euros ($100-$1,100) for their tickets.
-Reuters
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UEFA Champions League
How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans
Indeed, it was an evening where football merged with lifestyle. Nigerian music stars Fido and Wande Coal brought their A-game, performing crowd favourites that had fans singing along and dancing well into the night.
Their live performances added vibrant colour to an already electrifying evening, keeping the energy alive after the final whistle.
Hard core fans cut across gender, as displayed by the ladies during the Heineken Watch Party in at the Lagos Continental Hotel last Saturday
Adding star power to the experience was ex-Super Eagles striker Julius Aghahowa, who mingled freely with guests, posed for pictures, and shared expert insight on the game, delighting fans with his presence and personal touch.
“This year’s UEFA Champions League final is not just a match—it’s a cultural moment,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries. “We’re blending world-class football with unforgettable lifestyle experiences. Through our activities, we’re celebrating the real hardcore fans—the ones who make the game magical from wherever they are.”
Shadeko added that Heineken’s goal is to ensure Nigerian fans feel seen and celebrated. “They may not be in Munich, but they’re just as important to the spirit of the game. That’s why we go all out—every year—to make this night one to remember.”
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The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every shot, and the ultimate victory! Last Saturday night, Pepsi brought the UEFA Champions League 2025 final to life at the Pepsi GoalFest 2025, where PSG dominated Inter Milan in a stunning 5-0 victory, setting a new record for goals in a final.
The Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos was completely transformed into an electrifying arena, with a dominant wave of the iconic Pepsi blue.
Football fanatics experienced passion like never before. Inside and around the venue, fans engaged in thrilling football-themed games, moved to the beats of electrifying music, and stayed refreshed with Pepsi.
The energy soared as Dj Yk Mule, Mayorkun, and Do2tun delivered show-stopping performances, all powered by Pepsi.
It wasn’t just a game; it was an immersive celebration of football, an unforgettable night where every cheer, every goal, and every moment was refreshed by Pepsi!
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