THE WEEKLY ROUND UP

WORDS BY ZAC ASSOUNI

From the most goals ever scored on a Champions League matchweek to winning and losing streaks sending clubs into a frenzy it has certainly been a crazy week in football. With that said, here’s the One Nil weekly roundup.

El Classico, the grandest of the grand and football’s biggest game delivered like only it can. It didn’t take long for things to get heated as Kylian Mbappe pounced on a loose ball 13 minutes in striking beautifully on the half volley past Wojciech Szczesny only for it to be ruled out for offside. The stalemate didn’t last for much longer though, with Mbappe receiving a perfectly timed pass through the lines by Jude Bellingham to make it 1-0 to Real Madrid 23 minutes in. Marcus Rashford then found himself free on the left hand flank before crossing into Fermin Lopez who tapped home the equaliser on 38 minutes tying it up at 1-1 until only five minutes later where a cross from Vinicius Jr was swung all the way across the six yard box before being headed back goalwards by Eder Miltao to an awaiting Bellingham who scored the easiest of goals giving the lead back to Los Blancos. Bellingham then found his way darting into the box again and winning a penalty as the ball hit the hand of Eric Garcia although Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Szczesny in the end. From there Real had the ball in the back of Barcelona’s net another three times but they were all ruled out for offside until a reckless Pedri challenge in the final stages got him sent off causing a late game altercation where a whopping five cards were handed out including one red card to Andriy Lunin on the Real bench.

To the Premier League, Manchester United is on cloud nine with a 4-2 win against Brighton continuing a now three match winning streak. It’s safe to say the red devils got their money’s worth from the attacking trio of Bryan Mbeumo with another two goals to his name, Matheus Cunha who scored his first goal for the club as well as Benjamin Sesko who bagged an assist. Elsewhere, rivals Liverpool continue through a streak of their own, an unwanted fourth straight Premier League defeat this time a 3-2 loss away to Brentford. The reds found themselves 2-0 down before Milos Kerkez pegged one back in half time stoppage time, although 60 minutes in Igor Thiago slotted home his penalty continuing his fine goalscoring form and securing all three points for the bees as Mohammed Salah scored a late consolation leaving the final score at 3-2.

This week also saw Juventus fall to Lazio 1-0 in Seria A which meant the sacking of manager Igor Tudor as the old lady now search for yet another manager. Back home, reigning champions Melbourne City continue their positive start to the new A League season beating Perth Glory 4-0 at AAMI Park thanks to a brace from young gun Max Caputo. The loss for the glory saw the sacking of manager David Zdrillic too as they sit rock bottom of the table and join the Western Sydney Wandered and Melbourne Victory as the only clubs without a win two games in.

The week’s Champions League action saw a record broken with the most goals ever being scored in a single matchweek as a whopping 71 goals flew in with PSG scoring the most in their 7-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.