AC MILAN 1-1 FEYENOORD [1-2 ON AGG]: HERNANDÉZ SEES RED AS FEYENOORD PULLS OF UPSET

by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Feyenoord pulled off a dramatic upset at the San Siro, holding AC Milan to a 1-1 draw and advancing to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Feyenoord entered the second leg with a 1-0 aggregate lead but Milan’s winter signing Santiago Giménez, who joined from Feyenoord for €35 million, levelled the tie within a minute against his former club.

Just a few minutes into the second half, Theo Hernández was sent off after a second yellow for diving. Julián Carranza’s second-half header proved decisive, capitalising on Feyenoord’s numerical advantage. Despite dominating the first half, the Rossoneri were left to rue missed chances as Feyenoord’s makeshift squad, hit by injuries and suspensions, sealed their place in the knockouts.

As it happened

Milan made a dream start, drawing level on aggregate in the 1st minute. A well-worked short corner routine saw Christian Pulisic whip in a cross to the back post, where Malick Thiaw nodded it across goal for former Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez to tap home from close range. The San Siro erupted – though the Mexican striker refrained from celebrating his goal out of respect for his old team. The hosts dominated possession and created a flurry of chances, with Tijjani Reijnders and João Félix both testing Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. 

However, Milan’s momentum took a dramatic hit in the 51st minute when Hernández received a second yellow card for simulation in the box. Referee Szymon Marciniak wasted no time brandishing the red, reducing Milan to 10 men with almost an entire half remaining. 

Feyenoord grew into the game as Milan sat deeper, and their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute. Hugo Bueno delivered an exquisite cross from the left flank, finding Carranza unmarked inside the six-yard box. The Argentine striker rose high to power a header past Mike Maignan and put the visitors ahead on aggregate.

Milan threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Feyenoord’s defence held firm. Rafael Leão’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time, earning him a yellow card in a post-match fracas that also saw Givairo Read sent off for the visitors. 

Sergio Conceição’s Milan controlled large spells of the game but ultimately paid the price for wasteful finishing and poor discipline. Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s remarkable European journey continues with their first round of 16 appearance since 1974/75. They now await their last-16 tie, which will take place on March 5th and 12th, with either Arsenal or Inter Milan as potential challengers. A daunting challenge lies ahead, but Feyenoord will take confidence from their ability to grind out results under pressure.

The lineups

ACM: Maignan; Walker, Pavlović, Thiaw, Hernández; Musah, Reijnders; Pulisic, Félix, Leão; Giménez.

FEY: Wellenreuther; Read, Beelen, Hancko, Smal; Moder, Milambo, Bueno; Paixão, Redmond, Hadj-Moussa.

- Xiao Wei

CHELSEA SET CONFERENCE LEAGUE RECORD 8-0 ROUT OF FC NOAH

Chelsea set a UEFA Conference League record with an emphatic 8-0 win over Armenian side FC Noah at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. 

João Félix and Christopher Nkunku each scored twice for the Premier League club, who were six goals to the good by half-time. Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk scored the other goals as Chelsea recorded the biggest win in the competition's history.

The previous largest margin of victory in the Conference League, which began in 2021, was six goals.

The result also equals the second-biggest win in Chelsea's history. The club's largest victory remains a 13-0 triumph over Luxembourgian side Jeunesse Hautcharage in 1971.

Chelsea sit top of the Conference League standings during the league phase with a maximum nine points from three games.

Axel Disasi, right, and Christopher Nkunku were among the goal scorers in Chelsea's 8-0 rout of FC Noah. Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images

"The players once again showed how professional and serious they are," Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca told reporters.

"It's easy to sleep or fall down in this type of game. Football is full of surprises. What I asked them before the game was to show how serious we are, how professional, and they showed that."

The home crowd had to wait only until the 12th minute for the opening goal, when Adarabioyo headed in a corner kick before the second came a minute later with Guiu intercepting a poor defensive pass before slotting home.

Another headed goal from a corner came through Disasi after 18 minutes, and in the 21st Félix gathered a pass from Enzo Fernández and slipped his shot under the keeper.

Mudryk curled a beautiful shot into the top corner six minutes before the break to make it five, and Félix netted his second two minutes later.

After six goals in the opening half, Chelsea took their foot off the gas, but Frenchman Nkunku did manage a brace, knocking in a rebound after his initial shot was saved in the 69th minute and then converting a penalty seven minutes later.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services

CHELSEA'S TRIUMPH OVER PANATHINAIKOS IN UEFA EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE

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Emotional Night in Athens

On a poignant evening in Athens, Chelsea secured a 4-1 victory over Panathinaikos in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The match was draped in emotional tributes to George Baldock, the late Panathinaikos defender, with both teams and their fans honouring his memory in a heartfelt pre-match ceremony.

Before the game began, Panathinaikos players warmed up in jerseys featuring Baldock’s number 32, while Chelsea players displayed a shirt with his name and number. The stadium resonated with David Bowie’s “Starman”, a nod to Baldock’s nickname during his time at Sheffield United, enhancing the solemn yet respectful atmosphere.

Stellar Performances on the Field

Once the whistle blew, it was a display of tactical acumen and spirited play. Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca’s management, saw a complete rotation from their recent narrow defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League. The fresh line-up took some time adjusting, but soon found their rhythm, particularly through the dynamic duo of João Félix and Mykhailo Mudryk.

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Félix, with a deft one-two with Mudryk, broke the deadlock and added a second after the break with a strike that took a fortunate deflection. Mudryk himself headed in a goal, thanks to a cross from Pedro Neto, marking his first of the season. Christopher Nkunku sealed the deal with a confident penalty, ensuring Chelsea maintained their perfect start to the league phase.

Chelsea’s Depth and Tactical Flexibility

This match was a testament to the depth and quality that Chelsea possesses in its squad. Maresca’s decision to field an entirely different starting eleven showcased not just squad depth but also tactical flexibility. Players like Félix and Mudryk, who are still finding their feet in the Premier League, seized the opportunity to shine.

“Fringe players take their chance,” as they demonstrated that Chelsea’s bench could very well be the envy of Europe. With such performances, Maresca’s selection dilemmas will only get more challenging, especially as Chelsea navigate through multiple competitions.

Implications for Upcoming Fixtures

The productive outings for Félix and Mudryk could not have come at a better time. With challenging fixtures on the horizon in the Premier League, where Chelsea will host Newcastle and then travel to Manchester United, these players have made compelling cases for more prominent roles.

Remembering George Baldock

While Chelsea left Athens with a win, the night remained dedicated to the memory of George Baldock. His legacy was beautifully honoured by players and fans alike, making it clear that while football is fiercely competitive, it is also deeply communal and respectful.

Chelsea’s campaign in the UEFA Europa Conference League continues to build momentum, and with such depth and skill, they are shaping up to be formidable contenders. For Panathinaikos, despite the loss, the night was a dignified tribute to a beloved player, and they showed commendable spirit throughout the match.

- Ahmed Khan

CHELSEA MAKE JOÂO FÉLIX LATEST SIGNING FOR CHELSEA OF TRANSFER WINDOW

João Félix has rejoined Chelsea from Atlético Madrid on a permanent transfer. Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Chelsea have signed João Félix on a permanent transfer from Atlético Madrid, the London club announced on Wednesday.

The forward has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract.

Sources have told ESPN that the clubs agreed a deal worth in the region of €50 million ($55.4m), including add-ons. Atlético will retain a 20% share of any future fee that the player generates in a transfer away from Chelsea.

It marks a return to west London for Félix, who spent six months on loan last season at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.

"I'm really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can't wait to get started," Félix said. "I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.

"I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I'd love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I'm excited to be back."

Félix played last season on loan at Barcelona from Atlético and scored 10 goals in 44 appearances.

He had hoped to continue at Barça beyond this summer but returned to Atlético after playing for Portugal at Euro 2024.

The 24-year-old is Chelsea's 11th summer signing after Pedro Neto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jörgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu, with Estêvão Willian having agreed to join the club in 2025.

Félix, who began his career at Benfica, moved to Atlético in the summer of 2019 for a club-record €126m. He did not live up to expectations and struggled to adapt to head coach Diego Simeone's tactics. He scored scored 34 goals in 131 games for Atlético.

- Adriana Garcia

FÉLIX GIVES ATLETICO MADRID FANS ANOTHER REASON NOT TO LIKE HIM BY SCORING WINNER FOE BARCELONA

AP Photo 

MADRID (AP) — João Félix has given Atletico Madrid fans even more reason not to like him.

Playing on loan from Atletico after falling out with the club last season — and highly unlikely to return — Felix scored with a neat shot over goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 28th minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 home victory on Sunday and move the Catalan team closer to the top of the Spanish league standings.

“It was a relief after everything that I went through last summer,” said Félix, who was still with Atletico when he upset fans by saying his dream was to play for Barcelona. “Only those close to me know what it was like, especially my family. This was for them.”

The victory put Barcelona back within four points of leaders Girona and Real Madrid, which won their matches on Saturday. Madrid beat Granada 2-0 and Girona defeated Valencia 2-1.

Atletico, winless in its last 18 away matches against Barcelona in the league, dropped to fourth place, three points behind Barcelona in third but with a game in hand.

It was the fourth win in four matches between Barcelona's coach Xavi Hernández and Atletico's Diego Simeone.