Newcastle’s triumph Wednesday night time within the Champions League marked not solely a wonderful victory but in addition a crowning second for Saudi Arabia’s soccer ambitions.
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s acquisition of the membership simply two years in the past breathed new life right into a struggling Newcastle, and now, it appears, they’re on the cusp of attaining even higher feats.
Hours earlier than the kickoff on the iconic St. James’ Park, Saudi Arabia emerged because the frontrunner in FIFA’s fast-track bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
The kingdom’s soccer aspirations had been hovering to new heights, and what higher option to have fun than with a scintillating match towards Paris Saint-Germain (PSG?
The stadium witnessed an electrical environment as Newcastle, propelled by their passionate followers, took on a PSG aspect that had been underneath Qatari possession for over a decade, courtesy of their choice because the 2022 World Cup host.
While Newcastle surged to the highest of Group F after massacring PSG 4-1, AC Milan held Borussia Dortmund to a goalless draw.
In every week that noticed each Arsenal and Manchester United falter within the group stage, Manchester City rose to the event, securing a 3-1 victory towards Leipzig.
The defending champions, backed by Abu Dhabi, look poised for an additional profitable marketing campaign, main the Group G standings comfortably as Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys performed out an exciting 2-2 draw.
Meanwhile, Barcelona continued their resurgence with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Porto.
Lamine Yamal, a 16-year-old prodigy, turned the youngest participant ever to begin a European Cup sport, including to the attract of the competition.
Barcelona and Porto are poised to change into host venues for the 2030 World Cup, forming a part of a grand FIFA plan spanning three continents.
The Estadio do Dragao in Porto noticed Ferran Torres rating the decisive purpose towards Barcelona, stepping in for the injured Robert Lewandowski.
While Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou is underneath renovation, La Blaugrana are internet hosting their dances on the metropolis’s Olympic stadium.
However, the results of the week within the Champions League needed to be Royal Antwerp’s 3-2 defeat at their century-old Bosuil Stadium.
Their incapacity to carry onto a 2-0 lead towards Shakhtar Donetsk mirrored Union Berlin’s misfortune yesterday towards Braga.
A missed penalty by veteran defender Toby Alderweireld within the dying moments left the Belgian champions ruing a missed alternative to safe their first level in Group H.
The Belgian aspect squandered a 2-0 halftime lead and missed a penalty in stoppage time.
Atletico Madrid additionally witnessed a spirited comeback, securing a 3-2 victory towards Feyenoord.
Lazio added to the thrill with a stoppage-time winner towards Celtic, becoming a member of Atletico Madrid on the high of Group E after Atletico’s gritty 3-2 win over Feyenoord.
Newcastle’s return to the Champions League after over twenty years is one thing that the world wants to speak about extra.
While the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s involvement within the membership had its critics, there was an plain hometown allure to the story.
Boyhood followers Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff had been among the many scorers towards the star-studded PSG lineup, a second that Coach Eddie Howe described as “very special” for Newcastle.
This victory marked the newest achievement in Newcastle’s spectacular streak, together with a draw towards AC Milan and an astounding 8-0 victory over Sheffield United within the Premier League.
Notably, that they had additionally knocked out Manchester City within the English League Cup, proving their revival.
As for Manchester City, their journey within the Champions League continued easily.
In a intently contested match towards Leipzig, late targets from substitutes Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku sealed the victory, with Erling Haaland as soon as once more being saved at bay whereas Phil Foden led the best way.
Source: www.dailysabah.com