🔟 moments you might have missed from the crazy UCL finale 📸
Last night saw no less than 18 Champions League games played simultaneously in what turned out to be a crazy finale to this season's new format.
Here's what you might've missed.
The Etihad fire
The last thing you want when you're potentially facing a shock early exit from the competition is an emergency at the stadium. But that's exactly what happened at the Etihad when a pop-up merchandise stand dramatically caught fire.
Scenes from #ManCity's Etihad Stadium this evening after a fire broke out at a pop-up merchandise stall, which has since been contained. #UCL pic.twitter.com/XHXZE8LAhK
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) January 29, 2025
Ollie Watkins's slip
That moment when you see your name up in lights, and end up on the turf.
Ollie Watkins had a chance to make it 4-2 but slipped and skied his penalty 🙃 pic.twitter.com/ym5JYneuTP
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 29, 2025
Neto's nightmare debut
Brazilian goalkeeper Neto has spent large parts of his career as a backup at high profile clubs, with Arsenal the latest on a list that also includes Barcelona and Juventus. But when called upon to play last night, he tried to shake off the rust by making a save from the position shown below.
Neto, I now understand why this is your first appearance for us. pic.twitter.com/UsD3mBllek
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) January 29, 2025
Luckily for him, the situation only resulted in a goal, and not a red card.
Pep's timely reminder
After avoiding an embarrassing UCL exit, Pep Guardiola was more relaxed in his post-match press conference, and even took the time to remind the youngsters out there of his former playing career.
"I was a really top player."
Pep Guardiola reminded his post-match press conference of his playing days when asked about kicking a box during Man City's #UCL win over Brugge 😆 pic.twitter.com/TWWhFPl5sH— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 30, 2025
Szczęsny taking no risks
After Wojciech Szczęsny's howlers almost cost Barcelona in their crazy encounter with Benfica last week, you can maybe forgive the Pole for exercising caution this time around.
Wojciech Szczęsny received the ball from Eric Garcia in an uncomfortable position. He felt pressure from Mario Pasalic and decided to just kick it out for a corner instead 😂 pic.twitter.com/cMu3EU7g2S
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 29, 2025
Çalhanoğlu's grimace
When your career record stands at 45 scored and only six missed, you've earned the right to criticise. And Inter's Hakan ÇalhanoÄŸlu couldn't hide his discomfort at Lautaro MartÃnez' penalty attempt during their 3-0 win over Monaco.
Still, the Argentina international scored the attempt, and in netting a hat-trick became the all-time top Champions League goalscorer for the Nerazzurri.
Yo fui como #Calhanoglu viendo el penal del toro 😅pic.twitter.com/8fnMlCqUqZ
— World Inter FC (@WorldInterFC) January 29, 2025
Feyenoord's OG embarrassment
No less than two own goals Feyenoord's Gernot Trauner - and three for the team overall - contributed to a 6-1 win for Lille, a night the Eredivisie side will want to forget.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) January 30, 2025
Another high-profile mistake from Kobel
Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel somehow failed to control a backpass from Pascal Groß allowing Shakhtar's Marlon Gomes to steal it off his foot and score with ease.
Luckily for him, the Bundesliga side still secured the win, but Dortmund fans will remember it wasn't the first time that Kobel had committed this kind of howler.
📸 INA FASSBENDER - AFP or licensors
Absolute scenes in Brest
Competing in the Champions League for the first time ever, Brest pulled off a miracle by qualifying for the playoff rounds, finishing above Manchester City and Juventus in the standings.
And it's not every day when you host competition holders Real Madrid, which explained some of the over-excitement with flares that got the kick-off delayed.
De momento, no puede arrancar el partido entre Brest y Real Madrid. El humo de las bengalas impide la visión#UCL pic.twitter.com/17Ah9qpizI
— MARCA (@marca) January 29, 2025
Musah's costly lack of discipline
Milan had the chance to qualify for the top eight before the night began, but two yellow cards in just eight minutes for Yunus Musah all-but ended their hopes of a sixth straight win.
Let's bear in mind that his second yellow for wrestling Luka Stojković to the ground just outside the penalty area, came after just 39 minutes, before ex-Juventus man Marko Pjaca netted the winner for Dinamo Zagreb that would condemn the Rossoneri to the playoffs.
📸 DAMIR SENCAR - AFP or licensors
Which incident was your favourite? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!
📸 PAUL ELLIS - AFP or licensors