Welcome back to the 90-Minute Breakdown!
Games
What a week for football!
In the UEFA Champions League, we had intense matches and an almost remontada — not by Madrid. Arguably the most exciting game was Aston Villa versus Paris Saint-Germain . PSG had a comfortable aggregate score of 5–1 by the 27th minute, but in the span of just 10 minutes, Villa had closed the gap to 5–4. The French team managed to hold back the British side from the 57th minute in a cardiac game that left PSG fans frightened — but nonetheless victorious. Barça wasn’t particularly on form against B. Dortmund, losing 3–1 (but still beat the Germans 5–3 on aggregate).
Either way, the “blaugranas” are set for the semifinals. Bayern Munich and Inter Milan tied 2–2 during the second leg, but Inter’s one-goal advantage from the first leg meant a 4–3 aggregate score in their favor. The Italians will move on to face Barcelona in the semifinals. Finally, the game everyone was expecting — a comeback from Real Madrid. The stage was set for another legendary night, but in the end, they only scored one goal. Arsenal took a comfortable victory back home with a 5–1 aggregate. No last-minute magic for los madridistas this year. And so, the Champions League semifinals are set for later this month: Inter versus Barcelona and Arsenal versus PSG.
We also have to talk about the Europa League — the Champions’ younger sibling — where we may have witnessed the game of the year: Manchester United versus Olympique Lyonnais at Old Trafford. The first leg ended 2–2 after Manchester United blew a two-goal lead. In the second leg, Manuel Ugarte (10’) and Diogo Dalot (45+1’) put United up 2–0 by halftime. But OL responded quickly in the second half — Corentin Tolisso (71’) and Nicolás Tagliafico (78’) leveled the aggregate at 4–4. In extra time, OL scored in the 105th minute and added a penalty in the 110th, going up 6–4.
United needed three goals in 15 minutes. Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty in the 114th. Then, in the 120th, Kobbie Mainoo — just back from injury — scored a screamer. And finally, in the 120+1’, Harry Maguire sealed the comeback with a classic header off a Casemiro cross. Final score: 7–6 Red Devils.
This is what football is about — the doubt, the hope, the drama until the very last minute. What a game.
The Europa League semifinals are set to be Manchester United versus Athletic Club Bilbao and Tottenham versus Bodø/Glimt.
In LaLiga, a wild game between Barça and Celta de Vigo saw Barcelona defend their top spot by coming back from 3–1 down to win 4–3. Raphinha assisted the second goal, scored the third and buried the penalty to complete the comeback. Ballon d’Or behavior, if you ask me.
Federico Valverde scored from an almost impossible angle in the minute 90+3 of Madrid’s clash against Athletic Club, keeping los Madridistas’ hopes of winning the LaLiga title alive.
Opinion
This week reminded us why we should all watch football — however we can. It’s a game that allows for everything to change up until the very last minute. Hope is created when we gather to watch it. Whether it’s European football, Latin American leagues, your local Sunday match or a kids’ tournament, every form of football delivers the same level of passion. For one beautiful moment, both spectator and player are united by a common goal. This power moves people, builds friendships and changes lives. So if you take anything from today’s column, let it be this: Get a group of friends and watch a game of football together. It will change your life.
