Connect with us

UEFA Champions League

Man Utd’s luck will turn, insists defiant Ten Hag

blank

Published

on

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his side are due a turnaround in fortune after collapsing to a 4-3 defeat at FC Copenhagen that left the Red Devils close to exiting the Champions League.

United led 2-0 inside half an hour in the Danish capital after Rasmus Hojlund struck twice against his former club.

But a red card for Marcus Rashford after a VAR review on 42 minutes changed the course of the game.

Copenhagen made the most of 13 added minutes at the end of the first half to level through Mohamed Elyounoussi and a Diogo Goncalves penalty.

Bruno Fernandes restored United’s lead from the penalty spot, but the Danish champions struck twice in the final 10 minutes through Lukas Lerager and 17-year-old Roony Bardghji to secure their first Champions League win since 2016.

Advertisement

A third defeat in four games leaves United bottom of Group A.

But Ten Hag was unhappy at the award of both Copenhagen’s first two goals and Rashford’s dismissal.

The former Ajax boss believed Elyounoussi’s strike should have been ruled out for offside and that the decision to penalise Harry Maguire for handball inside the area was harsh.

“We played very good until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then we concede two goals that should never count,” said Ten Hag.

“Not only tonight. In this moment, we are in a season where we have to deal with many decisions against us.

Advertisement

“That’s how it is. I’m sure it will turn. A season is long and at one point it will turn in our favour.”

A ninth defeat in 17 games this season ramps up the pressure on Ten Hag’s position.

However, the Dutchman believes there are positives to take from his side’s performance before Rashford’s harsh dismissal.

There appeared to be no intent from the England international when his studs caught Elias Jelert on the ankle as he tried to protect the ball.

United had produced arguably their best first 30 minutes of the season so far as two predatory finishes from Hojlund took his tally to five Champions League goals in four games.

Advertisement

“I have seen a lot of positives from this game but at the end we lose possibly some focus,” added Ten Hag.

“Also, with 10 (men) we were still controlling the game.

“(The players are) very disappointed of course. We fought so hard, played so good and still we don’t have one point.”

United can still reach the last 16 as they sit one point behind Galatasaray and Copenhagen in the battle to join Bayern Munich in the knockout stages.

Ten Hag’s men travel to Galatasaray in three weeks before hosting Bayern at Old Trafford on December 12.

Advertisement

 

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

UEFA Champions League

TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final for free

blank

Published

on

blank
 Paris St Germain Victory Parade - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - June 1, 2025 Paris St Germain players pose for a picture with the trophy and Paris St Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the victory celebration REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo 

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

-Reuters

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Advertisement
Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

How Heineken Scored a Five-Star UEFA Champions League Experience for Nigerian Fans

blank

Published

on

blank
Some hardcore fans displaying their loyalty to the winning team PSG at the final watch party by Heineken.

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.

blank

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.”

blank

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.”

Advertisement

   Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Continue Reading

UEFA Champions League

PEPSI GOALFEST 2025: Record-Breaking UCL Final, Unforgettable Fan Experience!

blank

Published

on

blank

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!

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Most Viewed