Como produced a historic performance in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 4, demolishing French club Lens 9-1 away from home. Anastasios Douvikas scored a hat-trick, while 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli marked his senior debut with a goal.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Cesc Fabregas’ side put on a stunning display at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, finding the net nine times to record one of the biggest victories in the competition’s history. The result also extended Como’s winning streak across all competitions to six matches.

Douvikas got Como off to a flying start in the seventh minute, turning in a cross after Máximo Perrone had knocked down Luis Milla’s delivery from a short corner.

The Greek striker struck again in the 32nd minute, finishing from close range after Álex Valle directed Nico Paz’s delivery across the face of goal.

Paz added a third for Como five minutes before the break, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle after receiving a pass from Douvikas. The Argentine celebrated by displaying a shirt featuring the image of Jesús de Miguel, a footballer who died earlier in the week following an on-field accident.

Como continued their dominance after the restart, with Lucas Da Cunha making it 4-0 just two minutes into the second half following a one-two combination with Paz.

Marc-Oliver Kempf increased the advantage in the 53rd minute, heading home Milla’s cross before Douvikas completed his hat-trick four minutes later. The forward ran on to Paz’s pass and calmly beat Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.

Mattia Liberali added Como’s seventh goal in the 62nd minute, finishing from an angle, but Lens managed to pull one back three minutes later through Ruben Aguilar, who volleyed home from a corner.

Martin Baturina restored Como’s seven-goal cushion before Papaccioli sealed the emphatic victory in stoppage time. The 18-year-old initially saw his effort ruled out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision, confirming his first senior-team goal.

The result secured Como a place in Champions League history, making them the first team to score nine goals in an away fixture in the competition.

Meanwhile, Arsenal climbed to third place in the Champions League standings after securing a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Viktor Gyökeres sent him through behind the defence.

Gyökeres doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 38th minute following a combination with Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, before finishing from a tight angle.

Slavia Prague came out strongly after the interval and reduced the deficit in the 90th minute through Wiktor Nowak. However, Arsenal held on to claim all three points.

The win moved Arsenal to 10 points from four matches and extended their unbeaten away run in the Champions League to a club-record 10 games.

The Flamingos of Nigeria have qualified for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Brazil 3-1 in their semi-final encounter on Wednesday, November 4.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigeria delivered a commanding second-half performance at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, Pitch 3, in Salé, Morocco, to secure a place in the final, where they will face Japan.

Both sides failed to score in the opening half, but the Flamingos broke the deadlock 11 minutes after the restart.

Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute, finishing off an assist from Omowunmi Adegbuyi to give Nigeria the lead.

The Flamingos doubled their advantage in the 71st minute through Amina Bashiru, who converted a pass from Joseph to put the team firmly in control.

Bashiru struck again nine minutes later, completing her brace in the 80th minute after receiving a pass from Opeyemi Umejiaku to extend Nigeria’s lead to 3-0.

Brazil pulled one goal back in the 89th minute through Greise Kelly, who converted a Queiroz assist. However, the Nigerian side held on to secure a 3-1 victory and book their place in the final.

The statistics reflected Nigeria’s dominance throughout the encounter. The Flamingos recorded 41 shots, including 11 on target, compared with Brazil’s eight attempts, with only one finding the target.

Nigeria also created five big chances and registered 65 touches in Brazil’s penalty area, while their opponents managed just 11 touches inside the Nigerian box.

The victory sets up a final showdown between Nigeria and Japan on Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time.

Japan secured their place in the final after defeating North Korea 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Brazil will face North Korea in the third-place playoff on Saturday at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.

Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday night, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over AEK Athens thanks to Federico Valverde’s stoppage-time winner.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Spanish giants had to come from behind twice against the Greek side before Valverde struck in the 92nd minute with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area to seal all three points.

The victory marked Real Madrid’s fourth consecutive win in the Champions League league phase, keeping them level with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who have also won all four of their opening matches.

The result also extended Madrid’s winning streak to seven matches across all competitions.

AEK Athens made a bright start and took the lead in the 12th minute through Aboubakary Koita.

The Mauritanian winger moved inside Marc Cucurella before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the near post.

Courtois had earlier denied former Madrid striker Luka Jovic, who threatened to extend the hosts’ advantage as AEK continued to put pressure on the visitors.

Real Madrid gradually grew into the contest and eventually restored parity through Jude Bellingham.

The England international produced an impressive flicked finish from Cucurella’s low cross, beating AEK goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli to make it 1-1.

Madrid pushed for a second goal before the break, with Cucurella and Bernardo Silva both coming close.

AEK, however, remained dangerous after the restart, creating several opportunities, but Brignoli was alert to keep the visitors at bay.

Kylian Mbappe narrowly missed the target with one attempt, while the Greek side’s defence worked hard to prevent the French forward from causing further damage.

AEK appeared to be on course for a famous victory when Stavros Pilios restored their lead in the 75th minute.

Koita provided the assist, laying the ball into Pilios’ path before the midfielder fired past Courtois from close range.

Real Madrid responded almost immediately, with Mbappe bringing the visitors level once again.

Bellingham released Denzel Dumfries down the right flank, and the Netherlands defender sent a low cross into the six-yard box, allowing Mbappe to finish and make it 2-2.

The goal was Mbappe’s fourth in as many Champions League appearances this season, having scored in every match. It also took his overall tally across all competitions to 16 goals.

Madrid continued to search for a winner, and substitute Endrick came close to providing the breakthrough with five minutes remaining.

The Brazilian sent Mbappe through on goal, but Brignoli produced an excellent save to push the striker’s effort onto the crossbar.

Just when it seemed both teams would settle for a draw, Valverde delivered the decisive moment.

The Uruguay international unleashed a powerful strike across Brignoli in the second minute of stoppage time, completing Real Madrid’s comeback and securing a thrilling 3-2 victory.