10-MenChelsea Defeats Benfica On Jose Mourinho Return To Stamford Bridge—-Jose Mourinho’s latest return to Stamford Bridge ends sour as Chelsea defeat ex manager in a match where Richard Rios owngoal wins it for the host, defeating Benfica 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) to extend the Special One’s winless managerial H2H streak against the Blues to eight games (D3, L5).
Coming into this game unbeaten as Benfica boss (W2, D1), Mourinho oversaw a strong start from his side, with Dodi Lukébakio’s low strike requiring an intervention from Robert Sánchez to push it onto the foot of the post.
Chelsea eventually responded to the visitors’ positivity, almost breaking the deadlock when Pedro Neto fizzed a bouncing ball narrowly wide of the upright.
Undeterred, the winger soon provided a whipped cross to the back post, where Alejandro Garnacho guided the ball back across goal, prompting Richard Ríos to inadvertently divert it into his own net.
Having settled into the contest, the Blues nearly doubled their lead ahead of the HT break, as makeshift striker Tyrique George latched onto a Marc Cucurella ball, but couldn’t beat Anatoliy Trubin with only his second touch in the box thus far.
Benfica started the second period as they did the first, threatening the home side on a couple of occasions as Fredrik Aursnes found himself in promising positions, only to be flagged offside on both occasions. Clear-cut chances weren’t forthcoming, though, which suited the Blues as they kept the visitors at bay heading into the final 20 minutes.
Despite a triple change from Mourinho in an effort to shake things up, Chelsea were the side who came closest to finding the game’s second goal when substitute Estêvão forced a strong hand from Trubin with a header.
After red cards in back-to-back Premier League games, Chelsea were once again reduced to 10 men here as João Pedro was dismissed for a second yellow in stoppage time.
Nonetheless, the Blues saw out the game to get them off the mark in this season’s UCL campaign and maintain their perfect record against Benfica, having now won each of their five meetings.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese giants are without a win in their last nine games against English opponents (D3, L6) and remain without a point in the league phase thanks to their disappointing collapse to Qarabağ on matchday one.
Brazil were forced to settle for a point in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a spirited Morocco side held the South American giants to a 1-1 draw in a captivating Group C encounter at MetLife Stadium.
The Atlas Lions struck first in the 21st minute when Ismael Saibari latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Brahim Díaz before calmly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Alisson Becker to give Morocco a deserved lead. The African side’s intensity and organization troubled Brazil throughout the opening stages.
Brazil responded through their star man Vinícius Júnior, who produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 32nd minute. The Real Madrid winger drove into the box and unleashed a powerful finish beyond Yassine Bounou to restore parity and ignite the Brazilian supporters.
Despite enjoying more possession after the break, Brazil struggled to break down a disciplined Moroccan defence. Morocco, meanwhile, continued to threaten on the counterattack and arguably created the clearer opportunities in the closing stages.
The result leaves Group C finely poised, with both teams earning a valuable point in what was billed as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the opening round. While Brazil avoided an early setback thanks to Vinícius’ heroics, Morocco once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most dangerous sides on the international stage.
BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal—-French champions edge Gunners 4-3 on penalties in Budapest to secure back-to-back European crowns.
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna. PSG became only the second club in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy in successive seasons.
Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when Kai Havertz fired the Premier League champions into an early lead in the sixth minute, giving Mikel Arteta’s side hope of winning the club’s first-ever Champions League title.
The holders responded in the second half, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé converting a penalty in the 65th minute after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, bringing PSG level and setting up a tense finish.
Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or extra time, forcing the final into a dramatic penalty shootout. PSG held their nerve from the spot, while Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive penalty, blasting his effort over the crossbar.
The victory caps another remarkable European campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who reached the final after eliminating FC Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and entered the showpiece as defending champions.
For Arsenal, the defeat is a heartbreaking end to an otherwise historic season. Arteta’s men arrived in Budapest having won their first Premier League title in 22 years and reached their first Champions League final since 2006, but they fell just short of completing a memorable double.
PSG’s triumph further cements their place among Europe’s elite, while Arsenal will be left to reflect on a campaign that brought domestic glory but ended in European heartbreak.
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