European Leagues

Celtic maintain winning start after big VAR calls

Celtic continued their 100% start to the season as the champions and Hearts experienced contrasting fortunes with VAR.

The visitors had a first-half penalty award overturned after Lawrence Shankland’s header came off Liam Scales’ arm.

And, after the break, Nicolas Kuhn’s cross hit James Penrice’s hand and the review resulted in record signing Arne Engels scoring his first Celtic goal from the spot.

Luke McCowan also opened his Celtic account with a late strike, confirming Hearts slipped a point adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

Brendan Rodgers’s side lead Aberdeen on goal difference and host Slovan Bratislava in Wednesday’s Champions League opener.

An improved performance from the visitors, who take on St Mirren next, ultimately ended in a seventh straight defeat in all competitions.

Referee Colin Steven had been quick to point to the spot after the Scales incident but a prolonged VAR check ended with Celtic restarting on a dropped ball.

Neither Steven nor his assistant initially penalised Penrice, whose hand was outstretched, and it was more disappointment for Hearts as VAR ruled in the hosts’ favour.

Engels, signed from Augsburg for a reported £11m, was given the responsibility rather than Reo Hatate and the new Belgium cap, 21, showed no signs of nerves as he rolled the ball past Craig Gordon.

Hearts’ best chance came just before the McCowan goal from the edge of the penalty area. Musa Drammeh stretched out a foot to meet fellow substitute Blair Spittal’s low cross but Kasper Schmeichel saved on his line.

And the clean sheet meant Celtic recorded five wins without conceding at the start of a season for the first time since 1906 – only the second time in their history.

Celtic take longer to get job done
Celtic, who had led by the 17th minute in all of their previous games this season, met greater resistance in Hearts than previous opponents. Still, the home side were profligate.

Kyogo Furuhashi fired wide after being sent clean through before Hatate’s deflected shot was dealt with by veteran goalkeeper Gordon.

A quick throw-in by Alistair Johnston was flicked on by Kuhn for Engels to control and shoot but the Belgian’s effort rattled Gordon’s left-hand post.

Kyogo was denied superbly by Gordon and Kuhn’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Penrice.

The converted penalty allowed Celtic the breathing space they sought and allowed Rodgers the chance to withdraw Kyogo, Hatate and Engels during the second half with Wednesday in mind.

McCowan was one of the beneficiaries and Gordon could only get a hand to his shot in off the post.

And Adam Idah thought he had netted his first of the campaign in added time when he met a Greg Taylor cross but an offside against Luis Palma earlier in the move kept the score at 2-0.

Grittier Hearts ultimately come up short
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith has been criticised this season for flitting between formations but, tactically, he made the right calls for the trip to Glasgow.

The 3-5-2 formation pitched Shankland and Kenneth Vargas, later replaced by Drammeh, as the attacking outlets and they battled hard to get their team up the park.

They had to make the most of set pieces and from one, Shankland’s header was kept out by Schmeichel.

A long-range effort by Shankland effort had the keeper diving but it always looked like a comfortable save for the Dane.

But the Drammeh chance could have put a completely different complexion on the game and their start to the season.

A trip to Paisley next Saturday, while other clubs are on League Cup duty, at least gives Hearts the chance to make up some ground.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ademola Lookman Trains Fully Ahead Of Champions League Clash

Atalanta has received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Club Brugge, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman returning to full training on Monday, February 17, per Allnigeriasoccer.

Lookman had been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained just two days before a crucial match against Barcelona.

His recovery and return to group training are expected to enhance Atalanta’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming fixture.

Lookman’s return is also a positive development for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle, who was appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria national football team in January 2025, is keen to have his key players in top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are set to resume their qualifying campaign in March 2025, with matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Lookman’s return to fitness will be closely monitored by Chelle, as the winger’s pace and creativity could be instrumental in Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

Atalanta’s coach will however assess Lookman’s fitness to determine his potential involvement in the upcoming Champions League match against Brugge.

Given the importance of the fixture, Lookman’s inclusion could provide a significant advantage, as his attacking prowess has been a key asset for Atalanta this season.

For Atalanta supporters, Lookman’s recovery is great news, and the club’s prospects in the Champions League look much brighter with him back in the fold.

Atalanta is aiming to build on their strong performances this season, and Lookman’s return is crucial as they look to advance further in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As the match day draws closer, both Lookman and Atalanta are hopeful that the winger can make an impact once again, and fans are excited to see the Nigerian back on the pitch.

With Lookman fully integrated into the squad once more, Atalanta’s attacking threat is renewed, and they are optimistic about their chances in the Champions League.

Allnigeriasoccer