UEFA Champions League: Lamine Yamal becomes the league’s youngest starter as Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Barcelona post victories

Kylian Mbappe looked dejected as Newcastle defeated Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League to cap off an outstanding day for Saudi Arabia’s football initiative. A fast-track bidding process launched by FIFA saw Saudi Arabia emerge as the clear favorite to host the 2034 World Cup hours before start at Newcastle, which was in financial trouble when it was purchased by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund only two years ago.

On the pitch, a Newcastle club propelled by the zeal of its ardent supporters defeated Mbappe and a PSG team purchased by Saudi neighbor Qatar 12 years ago after it was chosen as the 2022 World Cup host.

Newcastle has quickly risen to the top of the challenging Group F, where seven-time European champion AC Milan and 1997 champion Borussia Dortmund drew 0-0.

One day after Arsenal and Manchester United both suffered defeats in their matches in the second round of the group stage, Manchester City further regained Premier League dignity.

As a result of City’s 3-1 victory against Leipzig and the lower-ranked Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys’ 2-2 tie, the reigning champion, who is supported by Abu Dhabi, now sits atop Group G’s rankings.

Barcelona also triumphed 1-0 in Porto, where Spanish team’s star youngster Lamine Yamal made European Cup history by becoming the competition’s youngest player to ever start a game at the age of 16 years, 83 days.

Lazio defeated Celtic 2-1 in overtime to win the match and tie Atletico Madrid for first place in Group E with four points. After falling down twice, Atletico outlasted Feyenoord to win 3-2.

At Royal Antwerp, who blew a 2-0 lead at halftime and missed a penalty in stoppage time, Shakhtar Donetsk triumphed 3-2 despite being down.

ascendant Newcastle
The atmosphere at St. James’ Park, known for its ethereal atmosphere, was electric for Newcastle’s first home Champions League match in more than 20 years.

Newcastle’s popularity hasn’t increased much as a result of investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, but there was a heartwarming tale about hometown supporters.

Among those who scored a goal against the more expensively put together PSG squad were Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff.

“You cannot dismiss it. Coach Eddie Howe remarked, “It’s a really memorable time for Newcastle.

The victory continued Newcastle’s excellent run, which also included an 8-0 thumping of Sheffield United in the Premier League, a 0-0 draw in the group opener against Milan, and the elimination of Man City from the English League Cup last week.

However, Man City continues to dominate in the Champions League. Late goals from replacements Julián lvarez and Jérémy Doku—who both provided assists for each other—at Leipzig decided a close encounter.

While Phil Foden had given City the lead in the first half, Erling Haaland was once again kept silent.

Barcelona and Porto are needed for the 2030 World Cup.
Barcelona and Porto may anticipate having the 2030 World Cup held at their respective stadiums. Spain and Portugal will host the tournament as part of a six-nation, three-continent proposal that was approved by FIFA on Wednesday.

Ferran Torres, who replaced injured Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski in the first half at Porto’s 50,000-seat Estadio do Dragao, scored the sole goal between the two clubs.

Barcelona will welcome Shakhtar Donetsk in the city’s Olympic stadium on October 25 in place of the famed Camp Nou stadium, which is not being used this season due to renovations.

Similar to Porto’s stadium, which hosted a recent Champions League final, Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium will trail Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabeu in the 2030 World Cup hierarchy.

After falling down twice, Atletico came back to defeat Feyenoord 3-2 in the Metropolitano. Alvaro Morata scored two goals, one for Antoine Griezmann, and one for himself.

Another 3-2 Champions League defeat at home
The Champions League outcome for the week was a 3-2 home loss, which occurred once on Wednesday following three losses on Tuesday.

In its first-ever home match in the Champions League groups at its century-old Bosuil Stadium, Royal Antwerp was the most recent casualty.

Antwerp, like Union Berlin against Braga on Tuesday, let a 2-0 halftime lead against Shakhtar Donetsk to slip away. For Shakhtar, Danylo Sikan scored twice, including the game-winning goal in the 76th minute.

The opportunity for the Belgian champion to earn its first point in Group H was lost when experienced defender Toby Alderweireld missed a penalty with the game’s last kick.

Napoli lost to Real Madrid 3-2 and Manchester United lost to Galatasaray 3-2 on Tuesday at home.