There is no getting away from it; this season is starting to fall apart for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side came into the campaign with the ambition of finally winning the Premier League at the third time of asking, but after failing to win any of their previous four games in the competition, that goal is looking somewhat unrealistic.

The Gunners have been notably more porous at the back, as evidenced by the fact they’ve already conceded 41% of the goals they did last year, and their attack has been just as underwhelming as six teams are currently outscoring them.

1

Havertz

4

11

2

Martinelli

3

11

2

Saka

3

10

3

Trossard

2

11

3

Gabriel

2

11

In short, things aren’t looking great, but as we all know, the right players can make all the difference, and based on recent reports, the club could be set to land one of the most potent strikers in world football to challenge Kai Havertz, and no, it’s not Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Turkish newspaper Sabah via the Daily Cannon, Arsenal have made contact with Napoli over the potential signing of striker Victor Osimhen.

The report claims that, alongside the Gunners, several clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Al Hilal, have all spoken to the Italian giants about the Nigerian’s availability next year.

While interest from so many top sides is far from ideal, the good news is that, according to the story, Fenerbahçe Sporting Director was quoted a price of €75m – £63m – by the Neapolitan’s own Sporting Director, Giovanni Manna, for the sensational forward, and that the Serie A side will sit at the table with the club that offers €25m upfront, which is about £21m.

This transfer would still represent a significant investment from Arsenal, but given Osimhen’s form of late and the club’s need for a proven goalscorer, one well worth making, even if it’s bad news for Havertz and ends the chance of signing Gyokeres as well.

How Osimhen compares to Havertz

Okay, so before we get to why Osimhen would be an upgrade on the Gunners’ current starting striker, let’s look at one of the key reasons why he may well be a smarter signing than the other forward heavily touted for a move to the Emirates during the summer, Gyokeres.

Now, as the pair have both proven their goalscoring chops over the last few seasons, the Napoli ace’s main advantage over the Swede is experience.

Unlike the former Coventry City star, he has proven himself capable of playing in a top-five league, and not only that, but leading a sleeping giant to their first league title in decades – sound familiar?.

The Sporting CP star may well be able to do that as well, but until we have seen it, there will always be an element of doubt, doubt that does not hang over the Nigerian phenomenon.

With that said, how does the “world-class” marksman, as dubbed by José Mourinho, stack up to Havertz then? Unfortunately for the former Chelsea ace, it’s not a particularly close contest.

For example, from the start of the 22/23 campaign, the Serie A winner has scored 56 goals and provided 13 assists in just 80 club appearances, meaning he’s maintained an outrageous average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games.

In contrast, the North Londoners’ midfielder-turned-centre-forward has found the back of the net on 30 occasions and provided nine assists in 115 appearances, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 2.94 games.

Appearances

39

47

Goals

31

9

Assists

5

1

Goal + Assists per Match

0.92

0.21

Appearances

32

51

Goals

17

14

Assists

4

7

Goal + Assists per Match

0.65

0.41

Appearances

9

17

Goals

8

7

Assists

4

1

Goal + Assists per Match

1.33

0.47

Moreover, even if we look exclusively at the German’s 32 appearances as a striker for Arteta’s side, his tally of 13 goals and eight assists still comes out at a worse average of a goal involvement every 1.52 games.

Ultimately, if Arsenal want to win the league this season or the next, they are going to need to find a genuinely elite centre-forward to lead the line for them, and while Havertz has been a useful player for them and still could be in the future, he is notably less effective in front of goal than Osimhen is.

Therefore, Arteta and Co should do all they can to bring the Nigerian superstar to the Emirates in 2025 before someone else beats them.

Arsenal planning offer to sign £83m star who could rival Saka & Martinelli

The “sensational” international would make Arsenal so much more dangerous.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2024

Marsh played 96 Tests and claimed what was then a world record 355 dismissals behind the wickets

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2022Australian cricket great Rod Marsh has died, aged 74, in an Adelaide hospital, where he had been admitted last week after suffering a heart attack in Queensland.A combative wicketkeeper-batter, Marsh played 96 Test matches for Australia between 1970 and 1984 and 92 ODIs. On retirement, he held Test cricket’s then world record for most wicketkeeping dismissals, 355. It included the iconic “c Marsh b Lillee” entry in a scorebook what remains a record 95 times in Test cricket, during a iconic pairing with fast bowler Dennis Lillee.Marsh was also an aggressive left-handed batter who was the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century. He made three Test centuries in his career, which was interrupted for two years by World Series Cricket.

So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Rod (Bacchus)Marsh an absolute icon of Aust cricket. Had the pleasure of working with Rod for a number of years as a selector and you wouldn’t meet a more honest, down to earth, kind hearted person. RIP

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 3, 2022

While Marsh’s on-field exploits were legendary, he was also a deep thinker of the game and was renowned around the world as a coach and talent-spotter. Marsh headed Cricket Australia’s academy before filling the same role in England, and was the first head of an ICC world coaching academy in Dubai.He also served as commentator and became Australia’s chairman of selectors in 2014, a position he held for two years.Australia’s Test players are expected to wear black arm-bands when the first Test against Pakistan starts later Friday in Rawalpindi, as a mark of respect for Marsh.”Rod was a colossal figure in Australian cricket who gave close to 50 years of incredible service to Australian cricket, from his debut in the Ashes series of 1970-71, through to his time as National Selector, when many of the current group of Australian men’s players came into close contact with him,” Australia men’s Test captain Pat Cummins said.Rod Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee pose after their final Test•Getty Images”He was brilliant to deal with because he knew the game inside-out, but also had a way of dealing with you to put you at your ease. I, along with countless other people in Australia, grew up hearing the stories of him as a fearless and tough cricketer, but his swashbuckling batting and his brilliance behind the stumps over more than a decade made him one of the all-time greats of our sport, not just in Australia, but globally.”When I think of Rod I think of a generous and larger-than-life character who always had a life-loving, positive and relaxed outlook, and his passing leaves a massive void in the Australian cricket community.”

Saddened to learn of the passing of Rodney Marsh who was Australia's legendary wicket keeper. During my cricketing career I remember him being not just a great cricketer but one who was respected by both his own team and his opponents.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 4, 2022

A joint statement by Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) president Shane Watson and chair Greg Dyer said, “In a very real way, Rod’s contribution and more accurately, his wonderful connection, reach through all generations of players before and after his own, all the way to the present group. His loss will be deeply felt by them all. Rod’s legacy to cricket is profound. He loved cricket, and cricket loved him back in spades.”CA chair Lachlan Henderson said, “This is a tremendously sad day for Australian cricket and for all those who loved and admired Rod Marsh. Rod will be forever remembered for the way he played the game and the pleasure he brought crowds as a member of some great Australian teams. ‘Caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ has iconic status in our game.

Rod Marsh not on this planet anymore, I am absolutely shattered. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for Rod and his amazing skill to know how to get the best out of every young cricketer. He just cared!! My love and thoughts go the Ros and the boys. RIP mate.

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) March 4, 2022

“Rod also made an enormous contribution to the game by identifying, coaching and mentoring many future stars in his various roles as coach and director at cricket academies in Australia and other cricket playing nations.”ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice also paid tribute, pointing out Marsh’s role in developing the ICC Cricket Academy. “As a young boy in Australia, falling in love with the sport of cricket, Rod was one of my heroes,” Allardice said. “And he also made such a contribution after his playing days as well, with young players in many countries. He had a strong involvement with the ICC, with the establishment of the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai. He masterminded the design of the facilities there. And young players are enjoying those facilities every day. So his legacy lives on.”Marsh also became a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1982 and was elected to the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame in 1985 and the Cricket Hall Of Fame in 2005. He leaves his wife Ros and sons Dan, who captained Tasmania to their first Sheffield Shield win, Paul, a former CEO of the ACA, and Jamie.

SA lead by 305 after the quicks set up a significant first-innings lead despite Maddinson’s 82 for Victoria

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2022

Henry Hunt cuts behind point•Getty Images

A half-century from Henry Hunt helped South Australia build a sizeable lead over Victoria after Nic Maddinson kept the visitors in touch with an outstanding 82 in the face of some excellent fast bowling at Adelaide Oval.Hunt made 57 and Travis Head tuned up for the Pakistan Test tour with a brisk 46 to push South Australia’s lead beyond 300 with one day remaining. The home side were 1 for 123 in their second innings with a lead of 225 following Hunt’s half-century but Jon Holland and Will Sutherland dragged Victoria back into the game.Sutherland removed Hunt, who was bowled trying to drive a good length delivery on the up. Holland, having picked up first innings century-maker Jake Weatherald, then returned to remove the dangerous Head and Daniel Drew who was also coming off a century in the first innings. Head did clobber two boundaries and three sixes, scoring 46 off just 52 balls before holing out to deep midwicket late in the day.Earlier, Maddinson played a wonderful hand to avoid Victoria giving up a 150-plus first-innings deficit. He made 82 with eight fours and two sixes as he shepherded the tail against South Australia’s quicks. Brendan Doggett, David Grant and Nathan McAndrew picked up three wickets each.

The soccer icon set to attend ceremonial groundbreaking for Greenville Triumph's new 10,000-seat stadium.

• Ronaldinho's set to attend Greenville Triumph's milestone event
• New stadium marks significant step for USL League One club
• $80-100 million project to boost Mauldin's sports and entertainment scene

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho is set to attend the ceremonial groundbreaking of Greenville Triumph SC's new stadium in Mauldin, S.C.. The event marks a significant milestone for the USL League One club as they begin construction on their 10,000-seat multi-use sports and entertainment venue at BridgeWay Station. The new stadium project, announced on Oct. 30, 2024, represents a major step forward for the club and the city of Mauldin. The $80-100 million facility is part of a development agreement with Hughes Investments at BridgeWay Station.

  Greenville Triumph Chairman Joe Erwin expressed his excitement about the project, in October 2024, stating "This stadium will be a place where our entire community comes together to celebrate, to compete, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. In addition to the Triumph and Liberty teams, we will allow young athletes of all shapes, sizes, races, and religions, to come here and play in this great stadium. This is your stadium: The peoples' stadium."

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• WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA SAID

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldinho joined Greenville Triumph SC's ownership group in October 2024 and was brought on board through Wallace Cheves' Grupo Ronaldinho ownership syndicate. The Brazilian legend joined an ownership group comprised of Erwin, his wife Gretchen, Cheves, William M. Webster IV, Rick Pennell, Jim Casey, Doug Erwin, and Shannon Wilbanks.

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  The Greenville Triumph opened their 2025 USL League One campaign with a 1-1 draw over Westchester SC, a result that has put them second on the league table after the first game. They sit two points behind the league leaders Richmond Kickers and face Union Omaha at home next in the league.

كشف مصدر داخل نادي الزمالك، آخر تفاصيل ملف تجديد عقد مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، محمود حمدي الونش، وذلك بعد تداول أنباء عن وجود مفاوضات متقدمة بينه وبين الأهلي.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي عقد اللاعب محمود حمدي الونش مع القلعة البيضاء بنهاية الموسم الجاري، 

وعلم “بطولات” أن الزمالك توصل إلى اتفاق مع الونش لتوقيع عقد جديد لمدة 3 سنوات بعد جلسة جمعته بمسئولي النادي في الساعات الأخيرة.

طالع أيضاً.. حكم مباراة الزمالك وحرس الحدود في الدوري المصري

وأفاد مصدر في وقتٍ سابق لموقع “بطولات” أن وكيل الونش طلب راتبًا سنويًا يقدر بـ30 مليون جنيه، وهو ما قوبل برفض قاطع من إدارة الزمالك التي عرضت نصف هذا المبلغ فقط، في ظل الأزمة المالية التي يمر بها النادي.

كما  طالب وكيله أيضًا بمكافأة توقيع، مستندًا إلى اقتراب نهاية عقده، وهي النقطة التي زادت من حدة الخلاف بين الطرفين، وأدت إلى فشل الجلسة.

الزمالك كان قد ودع منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية من الدور ربع النهائي بخسارة مفاجئة على يد ستيلينبوش الجنوب إفريقي بهدف دون رد.  

Arsenal have been floated one country’s “most respected footballing figures” as a possible replacement for sporting director Edu Gaspar, with the Gunners board now attempting to usher in a new era.

Edu leaves Arsenal after five years in blow for Arteta

Last Monday, manager Mikel Arteta lost a key ally in north London, with Edu departing N5 after a memorable five-year stint.

"Sneakily good" player has now formally told Arsenal that he wants to leave

He’s informed Emirates Stadium transfer chiefs.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 14, 2024

The Brazilian oversaw absolutely pivotal transfers, like their capture of club captain Martin Odegaard for just £30 million, whilst also bringing in both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who are now one of the standout centre-back partnerships in the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

During Edu’s reign, Arsenal also displayed real ambition by smashing their transfer record to sign England midfielder Declan Rice for £105 million, including add-ons, with the 46-year-old’s influence in north London set to be dearly missed.

“Everything happened very quickly,” Arteta told TNT Sports after Edu announced his departure. “We’ve been together on this journey since day one. He was instrumental for me to be where I am. I loved working with him. I really enjoyed the journey having him next to me in my role, to learn from him, to work together, to share our vision.

“What can I say? I give him my gratitude. We wish him all the best. He’s going to be missed for sure. It’s going to take some time as well, personally for me, because he has been someone really important in my life, because in our roles, we spend a lot of time together.

“Now, he’s got a new opportunity. He decided to take it. He believes that he needed something else, a new role and he wants to experience that.

“I think the most important thing is the vision and the commitment of the ownership and where the direction of the club is, and that’s really strong. Then the leadership team that we already have, we have so much know-how. We have different people with a lot of skill sets, a lot of experience and a real drive to move the club forward.”

Arsenal offered Simon Rolfes by intermediaries

Now, the search for his successor begins. Some reports suggest interim director Jason Ayto is being considered for the Arsenal role full-time, but there are other external candidates worth considering.

According to The Boot Room, it is believed Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes is in the frame and could step into Edu’s shoes.

The German, who assisted Xabi Alonso in building the history-making squad which finished 2023/2024 unbeaten domestically, winning their first ever Bundesliga, could be a very enticing candidate indeed.

TBR write that Arsenal have been offered Rolfes by intermediaries, and he’s interestingly regarded as one of Germany’s “most respected footballing figures”.

The transfer guru signed a long-term contract extension last year, which will keep him at the club until 2028, but perhaps the temptation of working in the Premier League could sway Leverkusen’s high-ranking chief into a move.

Tottenham have joined Arsenal in the chase for a very highly-rated forward as his January transfer isn’t entirely ruled out, with reliable journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic name-dropping Spurs as potential contenders.

Postecoglou hints at January plans as Spurs target new wide forward

In the build up to January, there have been reports suggesting that Spurs are targeting a new defender and wide forward, with manager Ange Postecoglou also suggesting that the club could make new signings in the winter window.

Spurs now table £20m+ bid to sign "magician" who's been compared to Messi

He would be an incredibly exciting signing for Postecoglou if they can pull it off.

ByBen Browning Dec 2, 2024

Speaking in a recent press conference, the Australian admitted that he’s held meetings with technical director Johan Lange over strategy, and claimed his side could dip their toes into the market if they think it is necessary.

“We’re always planning, planning for every scenario. A lot of it will depend on where we are as a squad at that time,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s plans for January.

“Between now and then, it is only really [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] van de Ven who will be back in that time frame, but Richy [Richarlison] will hopefully be back in the new year, and we will just assess where we are squad-wise but certainly, with Johan [Lange] I’ve already had a number of meetings for a strategy in January.

“I think last year we did a little bit of business which ended up helping us, but nothing concrete now, because January is always tricky, and it depends on where we are squad-wise.”

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

December 5

Tottenham vs Chelsea

December 8

Southampton vs Tottenham

December 15

Tottenham vs Liverpool

December 22

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

December 26

In terms of the wingers they’re reportedly looking at, it is believed Southampton winger Tyler Dibling is attracting attention from Tottenham, amid his excellent start to the season at St. Mary’s and comparisons with Man City star Jack Grealish (Football Insider).

As well as the English sensation, reports in the Spanish media have claimed that Tottenham view Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo as a key potential transfer target, with his contract including a £50 million release clause.

Tottenham join Arsenal in race for Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams

Ornstein, writing in a piece for The Athletic, has now named Spurs as potential contenders to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

The Spain star has enjoyed a brilliant last 12 months, winning Euro 2024 with his country and racking up an incredible 19 assists in all competitions last term. The £200,000-per-week left-wide man is off the mark with two goals and five assists so far this season, and he has many admirers heading into 2025.

Tottenham have joined Arsenal in the race for Williams, whose contract includes a “fairly low” £46 million release clause for a player of his calibre, and while his January exit is unlikely, it also isn’t entirely ruled out either.

As well as the north London duo, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool are also keeping tabs on his situation at Atheltic, with all the aforementioned clubs real admirers of Williams.

The January transfer window is looming for Arsenal, and it’ll be their first without influential sporting director Edu Gaspar, as interim director Jason Ayto is tasked with overseeing the club’s activity.

Arsenal players in danger of leaving in 2025

Ayto will lead Arsenal’s recruitment charge, if he is indeed still in the post by January, but it will also be his duty to find new homes for potential wantaway players.

Arsenal make approach to sign £160k-per-week star who Wenger wanted in 2015

The player admitted that Arsenal’s ex-manager wanted him in north London.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 13, 2024

A few players are very likely to leave in 2025 as things stand, with left-back Kieran Tierney being chief among the cast outs and appearing destined to seek new surroundings once we reach the turn of the year.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
Nottingham Forest (home)	November 23
West Ham United (away)	November 30
Man United (home)	December 4
Fulham (away)	December 8
Everton (home)	December 14

Tierney is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore, and hasn’t played a single competitive match for the club since their Community Shield win over Man City in 2023. The Scotland international, who’s been sidelined since Euro 2024 after picking up a serious hamstring injury, spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad – and Arsenal are eager to find Tierney a new club once he recovers.

Luckily for the Gunners, Arteta shared an injury update on Tierney at the end of last month, where the Spaniard said he’s “pretty close” and looking “sharp” behind-closed-doors at London Colney. Unfortunately for Tierney, he didn’t quite recover in time for his country’s Nations League ties against Croatia and Poland.

“I think he’s quite close,” said Arteta on Tierney.

“He’s looking really good. I think he’s over the period where he was still struggling, so he looks really sharp out there. He hasn’t trained with the team yet but hopefully he can do that in the next week or two.”

Meanwhile, as well as Tierney, there have been suggestions that Arsenal could decide to offload Takehiro Tomiyasu in January, with the versatile defender playing just six minutes all season due to a reoccurring knee problem.

Arteta outcast Jakub Kiwior, who is believed to be attracting interest from Serie A, his old stomping ground at Spezia, is a firm candidate for the Emirates exit door. Napoli are reportedly planning a loan bid for Kiwior, according to reports in Italy, with journalist Pete O’Rourke sharing an update on the Poland international’s future to Football Insider.

Kiwior could push to quit Arsenal in January

Indeed, Kiwior could push to leave Arsenal in January amid the growing clamor for his services abroad – just two years after Arsenal signed the 24-year-old.

Kiwior is currently behind Riccardo Calafiori and others in the pecking order, and there were suggestions in the summer that the latter’s arrival could spell danger over the defender’s future.

It is impossible to keep a whole squad of stars happy, and it isn’t at all surprising that we’re seeing reports of a possible exit for Kiwior considering his lack of game time, so perhaps it is best for all parties that Ayto finds a new club for a player of his “really intelligent” quality.

Former Australia allrounder Watson also played a key role in Australia’s eventual trip

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2022Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said Australia’s pre-tour reconnaissance trip during West Indies’ visit in December was “the pivotal moment” that set the wheels in motion for Australia’s first visit of Pakistan since 1998. Calling the hesitation surrounding the visit to Pakistan “a fear or anxiety of the unknown”, Hockley said the security arrangements had given everyone great confidence.An hour out from the first ball, Hockley, Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Faisal Hasnain, ICC chairman Geoff Allardice and Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg held a joint press conference, reaffirming their support for Australia’s tour.Faisal Hasnain called it a “delight and a privilege” to welcome Australia, saying Hockley, Allardice and Greenberg being present demonstrated their support for the tour. “I, and the people of Pakistan also welcome Pat Cummins and the entire Australian squad to Pakistan,” he said. “And I thank them for their individual decisions to tour Pakistan. There are many, many people on both sides that have worked tirelessly, over many, many months to make this tour a reality. This tour also sends out a strong and positive message to the entire world. And I’m confident that when the Australian team returns home, they will leave with fond memories.”Greenberg admitted there had been concerns about touring Pakistan from the players a few months ago, but they had all been put to bed by Pakistan’s security arrangements. He named Shane Watson as a proponent of the tour, saying he had spoken to a number of players to assuage their concerns.”Watson provided great context, clarity and confidence for that tour and spoke to a number of the players. And we’ve had individual conversations with not just players, but their families, and we’ve taken them on a long journey with lots of information. The more information you can share the better informed they are, the better decisions they can make. Which is why that anxiety has turned to excitement because they are genuinely excited to be here. There’s a generation of Australian cricketers that have missed the opportunity to play Test cricket in Pakistan.”I spoke to Steve Waugh only a couple of days ago who, when he last played on this ground, scored a hundred. Now there’s a lot of Australian cricketers who have not had the opportunity since then, and our modern-day players you’ll see today now get that chance. Cameron Green wasn’t born the last time we played a Test match here that’s not lost on this playing group, the great privilege that it is to play Test cricket here in Pakistan.”Allardice paid tribute to both cricket boards for working out a way to make sure the series took place in Pakistan. “I’m looking forward to the contest between the two teams. I have seen over the last four or five years the efforts that the PCB and the various authorities in Pakistan have gone to bring cricket back to the fans in Pakistan. And this is yet another step in that journey. And well done to both PCB and to Cricket Australia for making this happen. I think when you think about the almost the generation of Australian players who haven’t had the opportunity to experience Test cricket in Pakistan, you know, I think the excitement among the players today is very, very telling.”

Los Blancos proved their European immortality once again by beating their cross-city rivals to secure a quarter-final spot

Of course Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid would all come down to a contentious VAR decision! Julian Alvarez did touch the ball twice when scoring Atleti's second penalty, but was a cruel way for 210 minutes of cagey, often unwatchable football to end.

In the second leg on Wednesday, Atletico edged it. The scoreline – a 1-0 win to level the tie at 2-2 – suggests as much. But over two full fixtures, extra-time, and a controversial penalty shootout, of course Real won; it's just what they do. And it's really quite a shame that it all had to end like this – with angry press conferences from Diego Simeone, trolling on social media, and righteous indigation from Madrid fans on X.

After 27 seconds, in fact, this looked poised to be something of a classic. Atleti scored right from the kick-off, a wonderfully worked goal that began with a clever Antoine Griezmann pass and ended with a Conor Gallagher jab – with some chaotic Madrid defending in between. From there, Atleti squeezed all of the spaces, leaving Madrid no room to play. Vinicius Jr jinked, pushed and cut, only to find a swarm of red and white shirts wherever he looked. Atleti flew forward on the break, but without a clear goal-scorer lacked cutting edge.

Vinicius did have big chance to flip the narrative after Kylian Mbappe burst through on goal, cut to his left, and was dragged down by Clement Lenglet in the box. Vinicius took the penalty, but smashed it high into the Madrid night – which summed up his miserable evening.

Atleti really should have capitalised, but Madrid defended well, keeping the hosts mostly away from their box, and forced Alvarez – who was excellent for 120 minutes before his shootout nightmare – into the sort of shooting angles he never wanted to be in.

Once it went to penalties, there never seemed to be all that much doubt. Alvarez's controversial double-hit, combined with a Marcos Llorente effort that smacked against the crossbar, negated the potential damange of a limp effort from Lucas Vazquez. Antonio Rudiger – as he did against Manchester City last season – was left to add the finishing touch.

And so Madrid roll on, the unkillable giants of Europe, who use fortune and sheer belief to drag themselves deep into the Champions League.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Metropolitano…

Getty Images SportWINNER: Carlo Ancelotti

Well, some credit has to go to the manager, right? There is constant debate as to how much of a difference Carlo Ancelotti actually makes to this Madrid team. It is well chronicled, at this point, that he doesn't run training sessions (that's his son's job, nor is he necessarily a master tactician who reinvents the wheel every year. Instead, he is a sort of manager-by-aura, a man who instils confidence into an incredibly talented group of players and gets the best out of them despite the contrasting intentions and ego clashes that really tear this locker room apart.

And so it proved again. Ancelotti did make some correct calls on Wednesday. Substitutingg Luka Modric (tired) and Aurelien Tchouameni (ineffective) just after the hour mark gave Madrid an injection of energy into the midfield. Replacing Vinicius before the penalty shootout made sense, even if it seemed risky at the time. And more broadly, he ensured his team did not capitulate in a hostile environment.

There has been some scattered talk of late that Ancelotti might lose his job if Madrid end the season without silverware, but such claims are ridiculous. Madrid have been changed by €150 million worth of ego in Mbappe and decimated by injuries in key positions. Many a manager would see this season crumble, and, at times, Ancelotti has Los Blancos holding on by a thread. But who cares? A treble is still very much on at the Bernabeu.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Julian Alvarez

Is it possible to feel anything other than sorrow for Alvarez? The replays are going to be shown over, and over, and over in the coming weeks. But VAR made the right call: the Argentine touched the ball twice on his otherwise wonderfully converted penalty. There was nothing intentional about it – he slipped on the turf – but it is a moment that will now live in infamy.

It was a night of 'almosts' for Alvarez. He did all of the right things, played out 99.9 percent of his evening to perfection, but couldn't quite come up with a killer blow. He ran the channels, pressed at the right times and forced Thibaut Courtois into three excellent saves. It really has become clear, in recent months, that he was wasted as a back-up to Erling Haaland at Man City.

However, it is unfortunate that his debut season in Spain will now almost certainly be remembered for a stroke of awful luck.

AFPLOSER: Vinicius Jr

"I will come back 10x stronger if I have to." Those were the words of Vinicius after narrowly missing out on the Ballon d'Or to Rodri in 2024. The Brazilian claimed, in effect, that him being overlooked would only spur him on.

Since that tweet, though, he has produced a rather mixed bag. There have been some wonderful goals and exciting moments, but consistency has been elusive. Of course, there is a big fat Mbappe-shaped reason why this has all happened, but more broadly, Vinicius has lacked cutting edge at times.

These, though, are supposed to be the games when that all gets forgotten. On Champions League nights, Ballon d'Or-mode Vini tends to show up.

Only against Atleti, he really didn't. Diego Simeone has shown, repeatedly, that he knows how to get under Vinicius' skin. The solution? Swarm him, ensure that he has no room to breathe, foul him if you have to, and laugh at him when he tries to complain.

Such treatment seemed into Vinicius' head a bit, so much so that when his moment arrived – a penalty in the second half that may well have killed off the tie – he fell short. Vini doesn't have to be the hero every time, but if this is the kind of night when star men show up, and Ballons d'Or are handed out, then Wednesday was nothing short of a failure.

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gettyWINNER: Kylian Mbappe

Well, Kylian, you wanted your Champions League trophy; now you're one step closer to grabbing it.

Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain because he wanted to play for Real Madrid ever since he was a child. Everything about his career has been geared towards him becoming a Galactico. Individual accolades and big-stage moments are what seem to matter to him most.

What an embarrassment it would have been, then, had Mbappe exited stage right from the Champions League just 24 hours after his former club had finally announced themselves as genuine contenders for a continental crown. Talk of an 'Mbappe curse' would have dominated Spanish newspapers, with PSG seemingly free of a goal-scoring marvel who was secretly holding them back the whole time while Madrid had inherited a wonderful footballer who looked destined to never quite make it to the top of the mountain.

Fortunately for the France captain, that didn't come to pass, and he remains on the path towards both a first European Cup, while Mohamed Salah's departure from the Champions League means the Ballon d'Or is back in play too. This could still turn into a dream debut campaign for the boyhood Blanco.