Ibadan – NPFL: Nasarawa United regain top spot, Remo Stars pip Barau FC
Nasarawa United regained the top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, courtesy of a 3-0 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors at the Lafia City Stadium on Sunday.
The win was the Solid Miners’ first in their last five league outings. Last season’s top scorer, Anas Yusuf, bagged a brace for Nasarawa United, while Garba Mohammed scored the other goal.
El-Kanemi Warriors technical adviser Kabiru Dogo is not willing to dwell too much on his side’s defeat to Nasarawa United. Dogo’s side conceded twice in the first half despite a strong start to the game and were also wasteful in front of goal.
Dogo accepted defeat to their opponents but insisted they would keep pushing hard in subsequent games.
At the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, defending champions Remo Stars edged past Barau FC 2-0. Ahmed Akinyele and Victor Mbaoma got the goals for Remo Stars.
In Enugu, Rangers returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes. Kenechukwu Agu netted the decisive goal 20 minutes from time.
La Liga: Bellingham secures late Real Madrid draw at Elche
Jude Bellingham struck late to secure Real Madrid a 2-2 draw at Elche on Sunday, taking his team top of La Liga by a point.
Xabi Alonso’s side struggled against their mid-table opponents in an entertaining battle in which Madrid twice came from behind.
Aleix Febas fired the hosts ahead before Dean Huijsen levelled for the league leaders, with Bellingham stabbing home from close range after Alvaro Rodriguez blasted Elche back in front.
Barcelona cut Madrid’s lead by two points over the weekend after they thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on Saturday in their first match back at Camp Nou.
Alonso afforded Rodrygo Goes a rare start as part of the attack, while benching Vinicius Junior. The coach also gave Trent Alexander-Arnold his first start since August.
The England international missed several weeks injured and is yet to find form following his summer switch from Liverpool.
SPL: Ronaldo scores bicycle kick in Al Nassr’s 4–1 win against Al Khaleej
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stoppage-time bicycle kick to cap Al Nassr’s 4–1 victory over Al Khaleej in their Saudi Pro League clash on Sunday night at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr dominated early, with Joao Felix at the heart of the action. After two disallowed goals, the Portuguese forward finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, finishing a low cross into the bottom right corner.
Three minutes later, Felix won possession high up the pitch and set up Wesley, who curled a superb shot into the top corner to give the hosts a 2–0 lead at half-time.
Al Khaleej started the second half brightly and halved the deficit in the 47th minute through Hawsawi, who rifled a powerful strike into the top corner.
EPL: Eze nets historic hat-trick as Arsenal secure 6point gap
Eberechi Eze delivered a sensational performance in his Premier League North London Derby debut, scoring a stunning hat-trick to lead Arsenal to a commanding 4–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Eze’s treble makes him the first Arsenal player since 1978 to score a hat-trick against Spurs. He also becomes the first Englishman to score in his first league North London Derby for Arsenal since Ian Wright and Kevin Campbell in 1991.
Arsenal began brightly and took the lead in the 36th minute when Leandro Trossard latched onto a clever lob from Mikel Merino before his low strike deflected off a Spurs defender and rolled into the net.
Eze doubled the advantage five minutes later, receiving a pass from Declan Rice, weaving through two challenges, and firing a shot that beat the goalkeeper despite a strong hand.
Just one minute into the second half, Eze struck again—this time meeting a pass from Jurrien Timber and finishing with a clinical low effort to make it 3–0.
Serie A: Dele-Bashiru Missing As Lazio Edge Lecce
Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was missing in action as Lazio edged Lecce 2-0 in Sunday’s Serie A game. The Nigerian international, who is still nursing a thigh injury, has made four appearances for Lazio this ongoing season.
Lecce thought they had stunned the home side with an early strike, as Riccardo Sottil’s deflected shot wrongfooted Provedel. However, the goal was instantly disallowed for a foul on Isaksen. Lazio’s first goal came courtesy of a fortunate strike by Mateo Guendouzi, who benefited from a setup by Basic. Guendouzi’s seemingly innocuous shot caught Falcone off guard, slipping into the net to give Lazio a pivotal lead before halftime.
The host secured the maximum three points thanks to Tijjani Noslin’s brilliant goal to the delight of the home supporters.
Bundesliga: Boniface Subbed On In Werder Bremen Loss To RB Leipzig
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface was in action as RB Leipzig defeated Werder Bremen 2-0 in Sunday’s Bundesliga game. The Nigerian international, who was making his eighth appearance, has bagged two assists for Bremen this ongoing season.
Boniface came on as a substitute for Marco Grüll in the 73rd minute. Ouedraogo drilled the hosts ahead just past the hour against Bremen with a powerful left-footed drive into the top corner from outside the area.
Bremen looked to have equalized when Keke Topp tapped in from a corner shortly afterwards, but the goal was disallowed for a marginal offside.
Schlager came off the bench to score Leipzig’s second as he swept in from close range on the turn.
Fulham Match Winner Grateful To Chukwueze For Superb Assist
Raul Jimenez has eulogised Samuel Chukwueze for providing the assist that led to his winning goal in Fulham’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Craven Cottage on Saturday. Chukwueze was introduced in the 64th minute of the keenly contested encounter.
The Nigeria international delivered a superb cross for Jimenez to whip home the winner six minutes from time.
Jimenez praised the tricky winger for his positive contribution. Chukwueze joined Fulham on a season-long loan from Serie A club , AC Milan in the summer. He has provided two assists in five league appearances for the Whites.
Echegini On Target In PSG’s Win Over Saint Etienne
Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini was on target as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Saint-Etienne 4-1 on Sunday. It was Echegini’s first goal of the season for PSG.
PSG scored twice in the first half through Sakina Karchaoui, and Romee Leuchter. Laura Munk Hermann reduced the deficit for Saint Etienne two minutes before the hour mark.
PSG regained their two-goal lead when Isabela nodded home from close range 10 minutes from time. Echegini netted the fourth deep into stoppage time.
Her compatriot, Rasheedat Ajibade missed the game due to injury. PSG remains in second position on the table , three points behind leaders Olympic Lyon.
