Messi scores a spectacular goal as Inter Miami defeats Sporting Kansas City.
Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi once again stole the spotlight as Inter Miami secured a dominant victory over Sporting Kansas City, advancing to the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16. After scoring the only goal in Miami’s 1-0 first-leg win, Messi delivered a stunning game-winner in the return leg in South Florida. The Argentine maestro initiated the play with a long diagonal pass to Luis Suárez, who charged into the box before lofting a perfect cross back to Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner chested it down and fired a half-volley past SKC keeper John Pulskamp in the 19th minute, putting Miami up 2-0 on aggregate. Jordi Alba later assisted Tadeo Allende, and Suárez capitalized on poor defending to make it 4-0 overall. Memo Rodríguez pulled one back for SKC, but the result was sealed. Messi, after two full matches, was substituted in the second half. Miami will face Cavalier in the next round.
✨🇦🇷 Leo Messi scores again for Inter Miami tonight making it 4 G/A in 3 games in 2025.
2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games. 🔛🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aYt4UqlezB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2025
Barcelona and Atlético Madrid draw in 8-goal Copa del Rey thriller.
Atlético Madrid staged a dramatic comeback to secure a thrilling 4-4 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday. The visitors stunned the home crowd with an explosive start, as Julián Álvarez found the net in the opening minute, followed by Antoine Griezmann’s strike five minutes later to make it 2-0. Barcelona responded swiftly, levelling the score within minutes through Pedri in the 19th and Pau Cubarsí in the 21st. The Catalan side then seized the lead before halftime, with Iñigo Martínez heading home from a corner in the 41st minute. Barcelona extended their advantage in the 74th minute when Robert Lewandowski tapped in after brilliant play by Lamine Yamal. However, Atlético clawed their way back to force a draw. The sides will clash again in La Liga on March 16 before the decisive second leg in April. The winner will face Real Madrid or Real Sociedad.
FT: BARCELONA 4 – 4 ATLETICO MADRID
WHAAAAAAATTTTTT A GAME!!!!!!!!! 1 MINUTE SILENCE FOR EVERYONE WHO MISSED THIS MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FYsPPO8cGB
— The Screenshot Lad (@thescreenlad) February 25, 2025
Serie A set to join the PL in closing the summer transfers before league start.
Ezio Simonielli, Serie A president has expressed his desire to close the summer transfer window before the new season begins, aligning with the English Premier League’s initiative. The Premier League previously attempted to implement an early closure in mid-August, but the idea struggled to gain widespread support. Now, Serie A has stepped forward in favour of the proposal. Speaking to Marca, Simonielli stated, “We want the window to close before the season starts, just like in the Premier League.” However, he acknowledged the challenge of achieving unanimity, as La Liga, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 prefer keeping the window open until August 31. While the Italian league supports an earlier deadline, it may have to adapt to maintain alignment with other top European leagues. Without unanimous agreement, Serie A and the Premier League may have to compromise, allowing clubs from other leagues to continue trading beyond their preferred deadline.
🚨 Serie A president Simonelli reveals their plan together with Premier League to close summer transfer window BEFORE the start of the leagues.
“We want the window to close before the start of the league, same for Premier League. But La Liga will NOT close before August 31, it… pic.twitter.com/5dydI3tthi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2025
Chelsea boosts Champions League hopes after 4-0 win over Southampton.
Enzo Maresca’s men ended their poor run of form with a dominant 4-0 victory over Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, climbing to fourth in the Premier League. The win lifts them to 46 points, two ahead of Manchester City and Newcastle United, who have games in hand. Meanwhile, Southampton remain rooted to the bottom, 13 points from safety after their 22nd loss of the season. Despite missing an out-and-out striker due to Nicolas Jackson’s injury, Chelsea controlled the game from the start. Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring early, finishing a Tosin Adarabioyo assist after a corner. Nkunku then set up Pedro Neto, who fired past Aaron Ramsdale. Levi Colwill extended the lead before halftime with a header from a Neto free-kick, and Marc Cucurella sealed the win in the 78th minute. After losing four of their last five matches, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted, “We all needed that. The club needed that.”
Four goals, three points! 😁#CFC | #CHESOU pic.twitter.com/kEChbFG4xQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 25, 2025
Ronaldo moves closer to the 1000 goal-mark as Al-Nassr defeats Al-Wehda.
Al-Nassr bounced back from their recent 3-2 defeat to Al-Ettifaq with a determined 2-0 victory over Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League on Tuesday. Cristiano Ronaldo was instrumental once again, scoring a brilliant header in the 49th minute to break the deadlock, his 17th league goal of the season. The win moves Al-Nassr to third in the table, four points behind second-placed Al-Hilal and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have a game in hand. Ronaldo, who has now netted 925 career goals, continues his pursuit of 1,000. He also holds the record for the most goals against Al-Wehda, scoring ten times against them. Late in the match, a free-kick from the Portuguese star led to a penalty after a VAR review for handball. Despite being the designated taker, Ronaldo selflessly allowed Sadio Mané to take the spot-kick, helping his struggling teammate end a nine-game goal drought. His leadership remains vital as Al-Nassr fights for the title.
🚨✨ Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al Nassr again tonight and makes it 925 career goals.
17 league goals. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/hPs0aUfhOa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 25, 2025