THE PRINCE WHO FAILED TO BECOME THE KING

 

Image Credit – FC Barcelona.

Neymar Jr has announced his retirement from international football. The Brazilian played his last game against the Norwegians in the World Cup, wherein he did score a penalty in his final outing but failed to take his team to the ultimate glory. Looking into his fitness, it was almost certain that Neymar's time in the international arena is done, and the announcement post-World Cup just confirmed the same.

As a football fan who has been watching this beautiful game for the last 2 decades, one could surely say that Neymar, along with Hazard, were princes of football who failed to become the king. The 2013 Confederation Cup introduced Neymar onto the international stage, wherein he exhibited great skill and talent. Post this, there was no turning back as he joined FC Barcelona.

A year later Suarez joined the Culers, and we got the iconic trio of MSN – Messi, Suarez and Neymar. The trio dominated the Spanish as well as the European arenas as they completed a historic treble in 2014-15, followed by a domestic double in 2015-16.

In 2016-17, Neymar was at the peak of his powers. Not only did he lead his nation to a famous Olympic gold, but he also gave exceptional performances for FC Barcelona in the most crucial situations. Who can forget his brace against PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16? The incredible 6-1 comeback would not have been possible without Neymar.

Everyone felt that it was just a matter of time that Neymar would lift his first Ballon d'Or trophy. Unfortunately, the same never happened. A few months later Neymar joined PSG on a record transfer fee of 222 million euros. The transfer broke the footballing world. The trio of MSN came to an end, but we also lost the Neymar who made us fall in love with his game.

Since 2017 it has all been downhill, and today it has all come to an end with his retirement. Yes, Neymar didn't become the king he was supposed to become. But he did give us moments which we will cherish and remember for long. His magic on the pitch can never be forgotten.

END OF AN ERA

 

Image Credit – The New York Times.

The FIFA World Cup has come to an end with Spain emerging as the champions of the world. The tournament indeed lived up to its expectations, as it was full of thrills and bits. The underdogs shocked the footballing royalty, whereas the superstars performed when needed the most. However, this is surely a World Cup which gave us multiple farewells and goodbyes. To be honest, the situation was such that after a single game we saw a curtain falling on a magnificent career. Neymar has announced his retirement from international football, whereas players like Modric, Ronaldo and Messi can hang up their boots at any moment. The 2026 World Cup truly marked the end of a golden era.

However, the maximum headlines were grabbed by Messi and Ronaldo. After all, for the last two decades, they have lit up the world stage like nobody else. For Messi the end is still pleasant despite losing the 2026 final, but for Ronaldo, the World Cup remains an unfulfilled dream. However, one cannot deny the fact that both legends gave their best in their final tournaments. Ronaldo made history as he scored in six consecutive editions of the World Cup. On the other hand, Messi carried his team like anything. Goals, assists – he did it all. Unfortunately, both of them ended up getting knocked out by Spain, who won their second World Cup after 16 long years.

Unfortunately, by the time the next World Cup comes, Messi will be 43 and Ronaldo 45. They will surely not be on the pitch but in the stands in the next edition. However, as football fans, they will forever live in our hearts. Thank you, G.O.A.T.S., for everything. You will be missed. 

THE DEMISE OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

 

Image Credit – Tribune.

The FIFA World Cup is here, but it doesn't feel like a festival anymore. Someone who has been watching football since 2006 would relate how one used to get excited when the mega-event arrived. The memories of the 2010 and 2014 World Cups are still fresh in your memories. Even the 2018 and 2022 World Cups gave us moments to cherish and cheer. But this time it's all dull.

Right from the broadcasting fiasco to the issues in the United States, the World Cup has been marred by various controversies. In India the broadcasting rights pushed everyone to a state of uncertainty about whether they will be able to enjoy the FIFA World Cup in their countries. It was only at the very last moment that the broadcasting rights were secured with a hefty fee for viewership. As a football fan, I still remember how we used to enjoy the game on our television set in the previous editions without any trouble. Unfortunately, this time it's the highlights on YouTube which have become the source of watching for the majority of Indian fans.

However, the worst is happening in the United States, wherein, for commercialization and money, the organizers have killed the soul of the beautiful game. The laws and system of America make it even worse, wherein teams are getting treated harshly. Be it the referee issue or the issue in regard to the Uruguay football team. Things haven't been so messy before.

Yes. After one month there will be one champion, but the spirit of the beautiful game has already been crushed and defeated. 

HOW THE MIGHTY HAS FALLEN

 

Image Credit – The Indian Express.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. The top footballing nations will be locking horns against each other for the ultimate prize in world football. Unfortunately, one of the biggest footballing nations has yet again failed to qualify for the marquee event. Yes, you got it right. We are talking about the 4-time champion Italy, which since 2006 has been on a constant decline in world football.

Though they did win the 2021 European Championship. However, their performance in the last 20 years has been a sad story. In the 2010 and 2014 editions, they were knocked out in the group stage itself, which was surprising. But the real tragedy happened in 2018 when they failed to qualify for the World Cup itself. No one could believe what had happened. Everyone was in the state of shock. However, three consecutive World Cup misses prove that there is something fundamentally wrong in Italian football, which has also been pointed out by Jose Mourinho in the past.

Moreover, Italy has also been warned of being dropped as the co-host of the 2032 European Championship because of poor infrastructure. Thus, it can be said that Italian football has hit rock bottom, and it requires a fundamental change in both system and team, or else we will lose a great footballing nation forever. 

THE FAIRY-TALE

 

Image Credit—Revsportz.

The Indian Super League has come to an end with East Bengal FC ending up as the winners of the 2025-26 season. However, it was a season that no Indian football fan would ever forget. Firstly, there was the financial issue that pushed the league towards an uncertain future. However, after months of struggle and protest, we eventually got our league back, but with a reduced number of games. The stage was set, and it was now up to the players to make it memorable. And boy! What a league we have had.

The 2025-26 ISL season was indeed one of the closely fought seasons, with the difference of points between the teams that became champions and the team that ranked 7th being just 6 points. Moreover, winners Eastern Bengal and runners-up Mohun Bagan were tied at points, with goal difference being the deciding factor. The third-ranked team, Mumbai FC, was just one point below the winners. So, it can be said how intense the league was.

As a result, when Eastern Bengal won the title on the final day, their supporters erupted with joy. After all, the wait of 22 long years had come to an end. Moreover, the title race itself was like a script from Bollywood. Five teams remained mathematically in the running going into the final matchday, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal tied on points following their intense derby stalemate earlier this week. There was almost no room for error.

Hence, this wasn't just any trophy. For a team that has experienced years of upheaval, subpar performance, investor uncertainty, and unrelenting criticism since joining the ISL in 2020, it was redemption. East Bengal's journey from derby humiliations and bottom-half finishes to become Indian champions is one of tenacity. 

As a result, the 2025-26 season will be remembered by Indian football fans for long. After all, it is tales like this that make football a beautiful game. 

To know more about what this trophy means to the East Bengal FC, Click Here. 

AL-NASSR ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA

 

Image Credit: Goal.

The wait is finally over for Al-Nassr. The Saudi Giants have eventually won the league title after 7 long years. It is pertinent to note that since 2019, the men in yellow and blue have come closer again and again but always failed to clear the final front. Interestingly, in December 2022, they signed the charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo, which made their team a powerhouse. But, despite Ronaldo's inclusion, the club was struggling to perform in crucial moments, resulting in heartbreaks for both the fans and the players.

However, finally in his fourth attempt, Ronaldo managed to breach the hegemony of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad and won his first and the club's 11th league title. Mind you. The contest was not easy at all. After all, Al-Hilal took the league to the final match day. But this time the men in yellow and blue did not buckle under pressure, and the players performed when needed the most.

Yes, the club failed to complete a historic double as they lost to Gamba Osaka in the ACL Two Final. But they did not let it affect them on the final matchday when they faced Damac. Captain Ronaldo led from the front as he scored a brace in his team's historic 4-1 win. There was joy all around when the final whistle was blown. Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are the champions of Saudi Arabia now.

The tears of pain have finally been replaced by tears of joy now. 

THE BATTLE OF RELEGATION

 Image Credit: Goal.

The Premier League season has come to an end with Arsenal lifting the title after 22 long years. However, the thing which garnered the maximum attention was whether Tottenham will play in the Premier League next season or not. For a long part of the season the men from North London were in the relegation zone. Something which no one could have ever imagined.

A club like Tottenham playing in the second division with unknown clubs. Simply unbelievable. Fortunate enough in the last five games, they managed to secure 3 wins and got past the relegation zone by just a couple of points. However, the club needs serious rebuilding right now.

It has just been a year since they won the Europa League title against Manchester United. But, since then, it has been a constant downfall. The club is struggling for points; forget about wins. Such is the state of affairs in Tottenham. Yes. They have survived the relation battle this year, but if they don't change much, we might see something unbelievable next season.

The club needs a complete makeover right now. 

THE MISERY IS OVER

 

Image Credit – Chelsea Football Club.

The domestic club season has finally come to an end, and so has the misery for the Chelsea fans. The last two months have been nothing short of a tragedy wherein we saw our club getting hammered match after match. Until the spring season, we were hoping for a Champions League spot; however, today, after 3 months, we have failed to secure a European berth, let alone the UCL. The club which used to win titles for fun has finished at 10th place. Moreover, the season has been one without a trophy. Yes. We came close in the FA Cup, but we suffered yet another heartbreak in the finals at Wembley at the hands of Manchester City. The season has been nothing short of a disaster.

The only good thing right now is that we have finally got a manager at the helm. Xabi Alonso needs no introduction. He is a world-class manager who has proved himself in Germany. But his stint in Madrid has also left him hurting. He must be fired up right now with a desire to prove that he belongs in this place. The team right now is in shambles. We need to reconstruct it again. With no European football next season, we have enough opportunity to develop our squad from scratch.

What lies next season? The answer very much lies in the womb of time. But, for the time being, we can all be hopeful. Yes, we have a mountain to climb. But, with Xabi as manager, Stamford Bridge can dream again.

THE STAMFORD BRIDGE HAS FALLEN

 Image Credit—ESPN.

April 2026 has been a month that no Chelsea fan would like to remember. The reason being we failed to register a single league game victory in an entire month. Yes, we did great in the FA Cup and are now in the finals of the same. But, in the case of the Premier League, we have not registered a win since March 5, wherein we beat Aston Villa 4-1. Since then we have lost 5 games in a row and are presently reeling in the 8th position.

It is pertinent to note that a couple of months ago we were being considered to be a top English contender for Champions League football. Today a European qualification seems a distant dream. To be honest, such is the case that if the men in blue register a draw at the Bridge, even that would be celebrated by the fans. After all, we have just forgotten how to win.

The thing that hurts the most is that we are not just losing to big clubs but are getting smoked by mid-table clubs, which is so painful to see. Moreover, Chelsea, which was known for strong players, has no men left in the squad. The lack of strength is quite evident on the pitch.

Will there be a win of silverware this season? Will we qualify for European football? The answer lies in the womb of time. But, for the time being, everything looks dismal and bleak at Stamford Bridge. 

THE SEASON IS OVER

 

Image Credit – The Guardian.

April 2026 has been a month which no Real Madrid fan would like to remember. The club was at a high before the start of this month. Not only were we the title contenders in La Liga, but we were also the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League. However, the dreams of every Madridista got shattered in this very crucial month of the season. Firstly, we lost to Munich in both home and away games of the Champions League. Secondly, regular draws and a defeat against Mallorca have now made sure that the men from Barcelona will be lifting yet another La Liga trophy in May.

It is pertinent to note that there have been seasons wherein Real Madrid have gone trophy less, but losing out on every competition even before May is something truly disappointing. This season has been very much identical to the 2018-19 one wherein we changed managers mid-season and saw the team getting hammered in the European competitions.

Interestingly, this is when Zidane took over again, and Real Madrid won La Liga the very next season. However, right now it appears all bleak. The club needs a manager as charismatic as Zizou and Jose. A coach who commands respect in the dressing room. Or else the Galacticos would continue to be in shambles.

One can only hope that the management will hire Jose as the new Real Madrid manager so that we can go back to our glory days. For now the season is over for Real Madrid. 

ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO.

 

Image Credit – Bavarian Football Works.

On April 19, Bayern Munich scripted history as they retained their Bundesliga title yet once again. A 4-2 win over Stuttgart was enough in helping the Bavarians secure their 35th German title. The home crowd erupted in joy when the final whistle was blown. Afterall Bayern Munich are the Bundesliga champions once again. It is interesting to note that the defending champions have won the league on the 30th match day itself, thereby showing their dominance over other German clubs. Interestingly, in the last 14 years, the men from Munich have won the league title on 13 occasions. Such is the hegemony of Bayern Munich over the German league. It was only in the 2023-24 season wherein Xabi Alonso broke the streak and took Leverkusen to a historic Bundesliga win. However, since then the Bavarians have made a strong comeback and have secured the league title back to back.

But the season is not over yet. The men from Munich have a golden opportunity of winning a historic treble. They are in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League, wherein they will be facing Bayer Leverkusen and PSG, respectively. A win there would seal their berth in the finals of both the elite competitions where a bigger glory awaits.

It's nearly 6 years since Bayern won a Champions League and secured a historic treble. Will the Bavarians repeat the 2019-20 season, or does a disappointment lie ahead? The answer to the same lies in the womb of time. But we are up for some exciting footballing contests ahead. That's for sure.

One Down, Two to Go. 

Mia San Mia.

To watch the Victory Celebrations of Bayern Munich, Click Here. 

MANCHESTER CITY IS BACK

 

Image Credit – Manchester City FC.

In the last decade and a half, Manchester City has emerged as the most successful football club in England. Be it the Premier League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, they have won it all. Moreover, in 2023 they also won the elusive UEFA Champions League title and thus completed their trophy cabinet. Manager Pep Guardiola has literally transformed Manchester City FC into a world-champion side. Yes, they won before him as well, but it is Pep who made them unstoppable. Winning 4 Premier League titles on a trot is no joke. Even in the Carabao Cup, their winning streak is simply unbelievable.

However, in the last couple of years, Manchester City have not been at their best. Though they did win silverware here and there, it was still considered a failed season because they have raised their standards incredibly high. Moreover, after getting knocked out of this year's Champions League, the critics wrote them off. But, to everyone's surprise, the men in blue are back in form. First, they defeated Arsenal in the finals of the Carabao Cup and won their first silverware of the season. Yesterday they thrashed Liverpool out of the FA Cup and marched their way forward into the semi-finals. It is pertinent to note that it is a normal win. It's a landslide. Afterall, a 4-0 win against arch-rivals is a statement of intent that they are coming to Wembley for the trophy.

Interestingly, Manchester City are 9 points behind the Gunners with one additional game in hand. Moreover, they will also be facing Arsenal in the Etihad. Can City win the league? Will Arsenal bottle it again? The answer to all of this lies in the womb of time. But one thing is for sure. The next 2 months are going to be a blockbuster because Manchester City is Back. 

THE BOTTLERS

 

Image Credit – Al Jazeera

A month ago, Arsenal FC were targeting a historic quadruple, as they were dominating every competition in which they were playing. However, in the final stages of the season, they have started the bottle game all over again. Firstly, they lost to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup finals at Wembley. Now they have been knocked out from the quarter-final round of the FA Cup. However, this time the defeat is painful; after all, the same has come against Southampton, who are not even competing in the Premier League. To be more precise, the men from Southampton are presently ranked 7 in the Second Division of English football. So losing them is definitely not acceptable.

The author fairly believes in the egalitarian nature of the game of football. But a club that is competing in the UEFA Champions League can't play like this and lose to a championship team. Moreover, with a defeat in the FA Cup, the dreams of a treble are over. The question now remains: will they win any silverware this season or not? The Champions League is an unpredictable tournament. So one cannot say anything about it. Yes, they have a big lead in the Premier League, but looking into their current performance, one cannot even say what they will do in their last 7 games wherein they have to face Manchester City and Newcastle United.

It's now more than 21 years since Arsenal last lifted the Premier League Title. Will the wait end this year, or will the disappointment go on? The answer lies in the womb of time. 

WILL TOTTENHAM SURVIVIE?

 

Image Credit – Goal

Much has been written and joked about Tottenham Hotspur. The club has a history of bottling competitions after competitions. However, in the last decade and a half they did play some good football. Even though their trophy cabinet is nearly empty, their performance under Mauricio Pochettino was wonderful. Playing in the Champions League Final is no small feat. Moreover, there were seasons in between wherein Spurs were literally title contenders apart from reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup and the final of the Carabao Cup.

Regrettably, in the past couple of years their performance has gone from bad to worse. The club is struggling to survive in the league. In the 2023-24 season they finished number 5, but for the last two seasons they were no. 17 in the league. In the previous season, despite being positioned 17th, the points were a lot more than the 18th-ranked side. Moreover, they also ended their trophy drought as they won the UEFA Europa League.

But this time the things are completely different. The change in managerial setup along with the leaving of key players has left the club struggling big time. They are positioned 17th again and are not far from the 18th-ranked side. A possibility of relegation is very much in the cards. Thus, the North London side has a lot to do in the remaining seven games of the league. They need to win now, or else playing in the Championship will become a reality. But this is not going to be an easy task. In those games they need to play an away game against rivals Chelsea and Aston Villa, who are very much in the race for a European berth.

Will Tottenham succeed, or will they perish? The answer lies in the womb of time. But one thing is certain, i.e., the last 2 months of this footballing season are going to be roller-coasters. 

END OF AN ERA

 

Image Credit – The Guardian.

It's time for the Egyptian king to "walk alone" and bid farewell to the Liverpool supporters. The lightning-fast right-winger, Mohammad Salah, is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. It is important to remember that it is not only a player who is departing, but it also marks an end of an era that changed the club's current identity in the English Premier League. Statistically, Salah is the third-highest goal scorer in the Liverpool club's history with 255 goals in 435 games in all competitions. However, his legacy is more than just numbers. Not only did he perform on the ground and make his team win games after games and trophies after trophies, but he also generated impact off the field as well. After all, the reports show that there has been a decline in hate crimes since Salah joined Liverpool.

The man who came as a promising youngster in 2017 is leaving as a club legend after 9 years. Anfield will no longer be the same as the Egyptian king bids farewell. One would expect that he leaves the club on high with a European trophy in hand.

After all, nothing got better than Salah in a Champions League game at Anfield. 

CAN ARSENAL SCRIPT HISTORY?

 

Image Credit- The New York Times.

Arsenal FC is on a run. In the past 7 days they have defeated both Tottenham and Chelsea and have moved a step forward towards title victory. Even though they had a tight contest with Chelsea, against Tottenham it was a cakewalk. The Gunners demolished their North London rivals 4-1, and that too in their own backyard. Moreover, the men in red are also in the round of 16 of the Champions League along with the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. In the Carabao Cup they are in the finals, wherein they will be facing Manchester City.

So the next 3 months are going to be very huge for Arsenal and their fans. They have a chance to do something which has never happened before. A quadruple is very much in sight right now. But, yes, it won't be easy. Manchester City is coming closer to them in the league table. Moreover, they are also the contenders for the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. Apart from that, FC Barcelona is their biggest hindrance to the road to the Champions League final.

Can Arsenal script history from here? The answer lies in the womb of time. They are close to greatness. They just need to clear the final frontier now. 

THE GALACTICOS MARCH FORWARD

 Image Credit- Managing Madrid.

In 2017-18, the defending champions, Real Madrid, were facing Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The men in white were struggling in LaLiga, and it was certain that Barcelona would win the league title. The question was whether Madrid will be able to defend their European title. It is true that no team has performed better than Real Madrid in this elite European tournament. The trophy cabinet proves the same. But a game of football is not won on the basis of history but on the basis of performance.

Yes, Real Madrid is a team of champion players, Galácticos to be more precise. But, in 2017, PSG also assembled a strong squad. The signing of Neymar, Mbappe and Dani Alves made PSG a heavy contender for this year's Champions League. In France they were literally demolishing their opponents. Even they defeated Bayern Munich in the group-stage game. As a result, the clash between the champions of Spain and the champions of France was going to be one which would be remembered for ages.

The first leg took place in Madrid. And boy! It was the PSG who scored the opening goal of the match. Adrien Rabiot scored a crucial away goal in the 33rd minute itself and gave visitors an important lead. However, just before half-time, Madrid managed to secure a penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and scored a wonderful penalty which got Madrid back into the game. At half-time the scorecard read Real 1-1 PSG.

The second half turned out to be a fairytale as Real scripted a magnificent comeback and won the tie 3-1. Ronaldo continued his good run and scored his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute, which was soon followed by a third strike. Asensio provided a wonderful assist to Marcelo, who made it 3-1 for the hosts. Real Madrid did Real Madrid things. You might be a champion team, but when the Champions League title is at stake, the Galácticos perform their best.

Image Credit- The Guardian

A few days later Madrid outplayed PSG in the second leg as well, as they beat Paris in Paris 2-1. Ronaldo played a crucial role in this game as well, as he scored the important away goal in the 51st minute, which meant that PSG now required 4 goals to win and 3 goals to save the game. Even though PSG did hit a goal in the 71st minute, a late strike by Casemiro meant that the game and the tournament were over for the men in blue.

Paris Saint-Germain had a star-studded line-up, but they faded in front of the Galácticos. The Galacticos marched forward into the quarter-finals after blowing away the French champions.

To watch the Highlights of Leg 1, Click Here.

To watch the Highlights of Leg 2, Click Here. 

THE CLASH OF TITANS

 

Image Credit—CGTN.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup saw many greats bidding farewell to the beautiful game. However, the names of Zinedine Zidane and Luís Figo will be at the top. The two Galácticos announced retirement from their national sides at the conclusion of the mega-event. While Luis Figo was knocked out by France in the semifinal stage of the tournament, the Frenchman Zidane, on the other hand, failed to conquer the final frontier as he suffered a defeat at the hands of Italy in the final. Moreover, it is pertinent to note that it was the infamous headbutt in the final that grabbed all the headlines instead of the goal he scored in his final game.

However, in this post we will be talking about the semifinal clash that took place between the two strong European sides in Munich. Portugal was facing the 1998 champions France in this vital match. In the quarters, they knocked out the English by the barest of margins, whereas the French made it to the semis by knocking out the defending champions, Brazil. Both teams were in the best of form. So everyone was expecting an exciting clash.

And boy! The match we had was incredible. The two sides were literally going hammer and tongs. Both teams made multiple attempts to breach the defense of each other; however, the defenders and goalkeepers of both sides stood strong against every attack. It was literally a penalty, which turned out to be the difference between the two teams.

In the 31st minute of the game, a foul on Thierry Henry earned the French a penalty, which was easily converted into a goal by their charismatic captain, Zidane. However, in the 77th minute, the Portuguese came close to equalizing when a free kick by Cristiano Ronaldo was missed by the French keeper, which, on a rebound, provided Luis Figo with an opportunity to score. Unfortunately Figo missed it by the closest of margins, which eventually resulted in a Portuguese defeat.

The match was nothing short of a spectacle in which we saw heavyweights take on each other. Moreover, the match is also remembered for the fact that it turned out to be Figo's last international match, who then announced retirement from international football. Furthermore, the number 7 jersey was handed over to a young Cristiano Ronaldo, who was emerging back then as a successor to Luis Figo.

Interestingly, a decade later, Ronaldo, as one of the greats, won the UEFA Champions League title with Zidane as his manager. Moreover, Portugal also won their first international trophy in 2016 with Ronaldo as their captain and leader. Thus, it can be said that the baton was rightly passed by both Zidane and Figo that night in Munich.

To watch the Highlights of that Match, Click Here. 

REAL MADRID MOVES FORWARD

 

Image Credit- ESPN

It is a rare moment in Champions League history when a club plays another club three consecutive times. It all started with the last group stage match between Real Madrid and SL Benfica, wherein the Portuguese side got the better of the Galactico's, as they thrashed them 4-2 in Lisbon. It was quite a dramatic game wherein we saw the goalkeeper coming in the opponent's half for the last kick of the game. And boy! He scored at the very last minute, which helped Benfica qualify for the play-offs. However, a defeat meant that Real Madrid were now required to play in the playoffs in order to qualify for the Round of 16. It was thus an embarrassing moment for the men in white who, before the start of the game, looked certain to qualify for the round of 16 but failed to maintain their position after 90 minutes.

Interestingly, in the play-offs draw, Real Madrid got SL Benfica as their opponent. Thus, they had an opportunity to seek revenge. The first leg in Lisbon ended in a 1-0 win for Real Madrid. Vini scored a magnificent goal in the second half of the game, which turned out to be the difference between the two sides. However, the excellence of Vini got overshadowed by the alleged racist abuse inflicted upon him by Gianluca Prestianni. Moreover, manager Jose Mourinho's comment also didn't go well with the footballing fraternity, which meant that the second leg would be a blockbuster.

The second leg in Madrid, however, turned out to be a perfect end for this duel, as the hosts secured a comfortable 2-1 win and marched forward to the round of 16. It is interesting to note that it was Benfica who scored the opening goal of the game. But the goals of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vini made sure that Madrid qualified for the round of 16. However, the thing which was most pleasing to the eyes was the style of football played between the two sides. It was truly an incredible game between two great teams. Moreover, there were multiple moments wherein we felt that a team might score a goal, but there were equally saves.

After the end of 90 minutes, the scorecard read Real Madrid 2-1 SL Benfica as the Galactico's marched forward to the round of 16 on an aggregate of 3-1.

To watch the Group Stage Encounter, Click Here.

To watch Leg 1 of the Play-Offs, Click Here.

To watch Leg 2 of the Play-Offs, Click Here. 

WHO WILL BE THE SPANISH CHAMPION?

             

Image Credit – The Real Champs.

Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are always the favorites to win a La Liga title. In the past 2 decades there have been only 2 occasions wherein a club other than these two has lifted the league title in Spain. This season it's nothing different. FC Barcelona is presently the table topper, with Real Madrid just one point behind. However, it is interesting to note that the points table is continuously fluctuating. Moreover, the same is happening because these clubs are struggling to maintain consistency. Whenever it appears that the club has achieved stability, they go on to lose a match to a random team.

A week ago Barcelona did that, due to which Madrid became table-toppers for a week. This weekend it was Madrid's turn to secure an upset which helped Barcelona secure the top spot. With just 13 games left, it will be quite interesting to see which club will lift the league title this year. Will the defending champions defend their crown, or will the men in white regain the lost crown? The answer lies in the womb of time. But, for the time being, we know that an exciting time awaits the football fans.