Highlights from the Weekend in European Football Competitions
The weekend was packed with exciting matches across Europe's top leagues, featuring a mix of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and impressive statistical achievements. From the FA Cup to the Spanish Supercopa and Bundesliga action, several teams made headlines.
FA Cup: Surprises and Record-Breaking Moments
In the FA Cup, several Premier League giants faced unexpected challenges. Crystal Palace, the current holders, were knocked out by Macclesfield, a sixth-tier team. This marked the first time in 117 years that a non-league team has eliminated an FA Cup holder. Additionally, Macclesfield became the first non-league team to score twice against a Premier League side in 17 years. The match also saw a significant gap between the two teams in the league pyramid, with 117 places separating them.
Manchester United were also eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford. This result meant they will play 40 competitive games this season, the lowest since 1913. It was also the first time since 1980 that Manchester United lost their opening match in both the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Other notable results included Manchester City’s 10-1 victory over Exeter City, which tied the largest margin of victory in an FA Cup game. This win also made Manchester City the first English top-flight team to score 10 or more goals in a match in any competition since Liverpool’s 10-0 win over Fulham in 1986.
Statistical Milestones and Key Performances
Several players achieved remarkable feats over the weekend. Robin Roefs, Sunderland’s goalkeeper, became the first Premier League keeper to save three or more penalties in an FA Cup shootout since Jason Steele in 2021. Danny Welbeck continued his record against Manchester United, scoring his eighth goal against them this season, matching his tally against West Ham United.
For Chelsea, Marc Guiu was directly involved in nine goals in his last nine starts, including eight goals and one assist. Meanwhile, Arsenal scored 23 set-piece goals this season, the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
Another standout moment came when Wrexham beat Nottingham Forest in a penalty shootout, marking their first victory over a Premier League team in 27 years. Tottenham Hotspur also suffered a historic defeat, as they were eliminated from the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2014.
La Liga and the Spanish Supercopa
Barcelona secured a 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, extending their winning streak to 10 consecutive matches. This is their longest streak since 2016. The match also marked the 20th straight El Clasico without a draw, the longest such streak in the fixture’s history.
Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior ended a 16-game goalless run for the club and a 19-game drought for Brazil, both career highs. Gonzalo García contributed five goal involvements in his last three matches, while Robert Lewandowski continues to dominate against Real Madrid, scoring 12 goals in 18 games.
Gerard Moreno reached a milestone by scoring his 126th LALIGA goal and 90th for Villarreal. He also netted his eighth goal against Alavés, making them his favorite opponents in the league.
Bundesliga Action and Standout Players
Bayern Munich continued their dominance with a strong performance. Luis Díaz scored his 14th goal of the season, with three of them coming from headers. Stuttgart snapped a 15-game winless streak against Bayer Leverkusen with a 2-0 victory.
Borussia Dortmund had two key moments, scoring two result-changing goals after the 90th minute. They also had seven goals from substitutes this season, with five different players contributing. Harry Kane leads the Bundesliga with 20 goals, tying Erling Haaland for the top scorer in the Top 5 European leagues.
Serie A: New Challenges for Players
In Serie A, Scott McTominay made a significant impact, matching his two-goal record in 52 games with Napoli as he did in 178 games with Manchester United. His 24 goal contributions for Napoli this season are one more than he managed with Manchester United.
These developments highlight the unpredictable nature of football and the incredible performances that continue to shape the sport.
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