After a two-month break the UEFA Champions League returned this week as the knockout stages kicked off. We at The18 are trying something new and we’re picking our favorites for the best Champions League goals of the week.
Of the four games played this week eight goals were scored. Let’s get into the list.
5. Kylian Mbappé attacks at the back post
France captain Kylian Mbappé has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he is leaving the club in July as a free agent seven years after joining them, The Athletic website reported on Thursday.
Mbappé, a member of France's 2018 World Cup-winning team, signed for PSG from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million euros ($194 million) to become the second most expensive player ever after Brazilian Neymar, who joined the French champions the same year for 222 million euros.
PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain look set to leave the Parc des Princes after the City confirmed the stadium was not for sale, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said on Thursday.
"It's too easy to say now that the stadium is not for sale anymore. We know what we want, we wasted years to try and buy it. It's easier for us now, we know what we want. It's over for us. We want to move out of the Parc," Al-Khelaifi told reporters at a UEFA Congress.
PSG leaving Parc des Princes
Lindsey Horan had a few words to say about everything USWNT and even hit at some of the fans that criticize them.
On Thursday, Feb. 1, The Athletic released an interview with USWNT and Lyon star Lindsey Horan talking about all things USWNT since the end of what was a tough year for the historic national team — an interview that has quickly gathered a lot of mixed opinions in the American soccer world.
The Lindsey Horan red card in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday has made the rounds among USWNT fans. The star American was sent off during Lyon’s group stage game vs. Norway’s Brann.
Horan’s red card occurred in the 52nd minute when she was fouled by Brann’s Karoline Haugland. The 29-year-old Colorado native wasn’t pleased about the challenge and gave her opponent a shove.
Tensions continued to rise as words were exchanged with Haugland and then with the referee.
Lindsey Horan red card
The European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday that European soccer's governing body UEFA and its global counterpart FIFA breached EU law when they prevented 12 clubs from forming a European Super League (ESL).
WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE?
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus plus nine other European major clubs announced the breakaway ESL -- a closed league -- in April 2021.
Sports development company A22 assisted with creating the ESL.
PARIS — Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice to help the Ligue 1 leaders beat Metz 3-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday and close out the year on a high as they maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the table.
Vitinha put the hosts in front early into the second half, scoring with his first touch, before Mbappé doubled the lead on the hour mark with a stunning shot from the edge of the box as the France forward celebrated his 25th birthday.
Kylian Mbappé goal vs Metz
DORTMUND - Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Group F winners Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to secure second place and a spot in the Champions League knockout stage in their final group match.
Both sides squandered a bagful of golden chances in a surprisingly goalless first half.
The hosts had the early chances but PSG gradually found spaces and threatened with Lee Kang-in in the 16th minute and Kylian Mbappé's effort which was cleared by Niklas Süle at the last moment a little later.
Niklas Süle clearance vs PSG
The euphoric celebrations of US Revel after the sixth-tier club were drawn against the might of Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup this week showed what it means for amateur players just to be on the same pitch as world class talents like Kylian Mbappe.
Footage of the players and staff bouncing around and yelling with joy went viral after Monday's Round of 64 draw paired the French champions with the team from an area of the southwest of the country better known for rugby.
French club drawn vs PSG reactions
United States men’s national team and AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun turned provider on Saturday as he assisted both of his side’s goals in a 2-1 Ligue 1 victory vs. Rennes.
Balogun entered the match with just one goal contribution in his last six games for Monaco and needed a solid performance. Monaco signed Balogun for roughly $43 million this summer.
The 22-year-old USMNT star delivered on Saturday this time with his passing rather than goal scoring.
Balogun assists vs Rennes