UEFA Champions League
Bayern take step in right direction says Kane after draw at Arsenal
Struggling Bayern Munich took a step in the right direction in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Arsenal in the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final, according to striker Harry Kane.
The England captain, who joined the Bundesliga giants from Tottenham Hotspur last August in search of the trophies he craves, slotted home a penalty to put his side 2-1 ahead.
Incredibly it was his 39th goal for Bayern in all competitions this season but it was not enough to earn a victory as Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard levelled for the hosts to leave the tie balanced on a knife edge.
Bayern, who have not gone beyond the quarter-finals since winning a sixth title in 2020, will be slight favourites for next Wednesday’s second leg when they will be roared on by their fans who were absent in north London as punishment for fireworks being let off in the previous round against Lazio.
The pressure will be on Thomas Tuchel’s team, however, as Europe is their only chance of redemption in a season that will soon see them dethroned as German champions by Bayer Leverkusen.
“You saw a real determined team today,” said Kane, who silenced the jeers by adding to the record 14 goals he scored for Spurs against Arsenal in north London derbies.
“We had to show togetherness and show fight. Today was a small step in the right direction.”
Bayern are 16 points behind Leverkusen, who could wrap up the title at the weekend, but the six-times European champions raised their game at the Emirates, disrupting Premier League leaders Arsenal who struggled to find their usual fluency.
Tuchel is leaving at the end of the season, but his side are clearly still playing for him.
“It’s a little bit strange if I am totally honest,” Kane said of the managerial situation. “All I can say is he has given everything in every training session.”
For Arsenal, eyeing a first English title for 20 years after 10 wins from their last 11 Premier League games, it was a disappointing display although they will head to Bavaria next week full of belief that they can reach the semi-finals.
Having taken the lead through Bukayo Saka, they were guilty of defensive errors as their former player Serge Gnabry levelled and Kane fired home a penalty after Leroy Sane’s surging run was ended by a clumsy tackle from William Saliba.
“In the Champions League you cannot give anything to the opponent, we have given two goals today,” manager Mikel Arteta told reporters. “When you have these situations they are going to punish you. That’s the biggest lesson.
“I think the team showed a lot of composure especially after 2-1. You can throw your toys away and generate a lot of spaces for the opponent and lose the tie in 20 minutes.
“We haven’t done that.”
While it was not the result Arsenal were hoping for, their away form in the Premier League has been superb with no goals conceded and 20 goals scored in their last five games.
“I have a lot of belief we can go there and beat them. We have to prepare really well,” Arteta said.
-Reuters
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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