The football world witnessed an extraordinary week filled with emotions, drama, and history. Barcelona made their long-awaited return to Camp Nou after 909 days, Liverpool’s title defense crumbled and Arsenal extended their lead with a derby victory, and Lionel Messi continued his relentless pursuit by leading Inter Miami to their first-ever Eastern Conference Final while etching another milestone in the record books. Meanwhile, across Europe’s top leagues, defensive battles were won, records were shattered, and qualification dreams became reality. This week encapsulated everything that makes football the beautiful game – triumph, heartbreak, resilience, and the unforgettable moments that define seasons.
Laliga
Barcelona’s Triumphant Camp Nou Return Decimates Athletic Bilbao
After 909 days away from their spiritual home, Barcelona celebrated their triumphant return to the renovated Camp Nou with a commanding 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on November 22. Robert Lewandowski scored within minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance, while Ferran Torres added two clinical finishes. The atmosphere was electric as over 45,000 supporters witnessed history, with Blaugaranas breathing down the neck of League Leaders by just 1 points. The iconic Camp Nou, despite ongoing construction work, roared back to life as Barcelona fans celebrated their long-awaited homecoming.
Real Madrid Survives Elche Scare with Late Bellingham Heroics
Real Madrid came from behind twice to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw at Elche on November 23, with Jude Bellingham scoring a crucial 87th-minute equalizer. Despite not registering a victory in three consecutive matches across all competitions, Madrid returned to the top of La Liga by one point ahead of Barcelona. The dramatic encounter showcased both sides’ attacking prowess, though Real’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed by Elche’s coordinated pressing.
Premier League
Forest’s Anfield Shock Ends Liverpool’s Title Aspirations
Nottingham Forest delivered a stunning 3-0 demolition of defending champions Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, marking Forest’s first consecutive league victories at the ground in 62 years. Goals from Murillo, Nicolò Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White inflicted Liverpool’s heaviest home defeat in over a decade and sixth loss in seven league matches. Arne Slot’s struggling side slipped to 11th place, eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal, as their title defense lay in tatters.
Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes Brace Stuns Manchester City
In a sensational upset at St James’ Park on November 22, Newcastle United clinched a 2-1 victory over Manchester City, marking Eddie Howe’s first triumph against Pep Guardiola in the Premier League after 17 attempts. Harvey Barnes scored both goals, with his brace coming either side of Ruben Dias’s leveler, showcasing Newcastle’s resilience and tactical discipline. The victory prevented City from closing the gap on Arsenal and left Guardiola’s squad searching for answers.
Eberechi Eze’s Hat-Trick Dominates North London Derby
Eberechi Eze delivered an outstanding hat-trick as Arsenal ruthlessly dispatched Tottenham 4-1 in the North London Derby on November 23, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points. Eze became only the fourth player to score a hat-trick in the north London derby, with his performance marking the first such achievement since 1978. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring as Arsenal dominated Thomas Frank’s defensive setup.
Serie A
AC Milan Edges Inter in Thrilling Derby della Madonnina
AC Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in a tightly contested Derby della Madonnina on November 23, with Christian Pulisic breaking the deadlock in the 54th minute. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan emerged as Milan’s hero, making a brilliant penalty save to deny Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s late attempt at equalization. The victory moved Milan to second place, just two points behind leaders Roma, continuing their impressive recent form against top opposition.
Bundesliga
Olise’s Masterclass Propels Bayern’s Comeback Win Against Freiburg
Bayern Munich orchestrated a stunning comeback from two goals down to demolish SC Freiburg 6-2 on November 22, with Michael Olise delivering a performance that will be remembered as one of the season’s most dominant individual displays. After Freiburg capitalized on Bayern’s set-piece vulnerabilities with goals from Yuito Suzuki and Johan Manzambi in the opening 18 minutes, Olise single-handedly shifted the momentum, scoring twice and providing three assists to become the youngest player in Bayern Munich’s history to be involved in five goals in a single Bundesliga match. The victory maintained Bayern’s unbeaten status and allowed them to tie their 52-year-old record of 43 consecutive matchdays atop the Bundesliga standings.
RB Leipzig’s Unbeaten Home Record Continues Against Werder Bremen
RB Leipzig maintained their perfect home record with a clinical 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the Red Bull Arena on November 23, thanks to goals from Assan Ouédraogo and Xaver Schlager. Ole Werner’s side, facing his former club, controlled the encounter from start to finish, with Ouédraogo unleashing a stunning 64th-minute strike from distance before Schlager added the insurance goal in the 80th minute. The victory showcased Leipzig’s defensive stability and attacking efficiency, keeping them firmly in contention for the Bundesliga title chase. Bremen, despite arriving unbeaten in five matches, couldn’t find their rhythm against the dominant hosts.
Ligue 1
PSG Returns to Ligue 1 Throne with Convincing Victory Over Le Havre
Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed top spot in Ligue 1 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Le Havre at the Parc des Princes on November 22. Goals from Lee Kang-in in the 29th minute, João Neves in the 65th minute, and a late Bradley Barcola strike in the 87th minute secured a dominant performance from Luis Enrique’s side. Despite Le Havre’s organized defensive setup and their goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier making crucial saves, PSG’s attacking prowess proved too much to handle as they moved to 30 points atop Ligue 1, restoring their position at the summit ahead of rivals Marseille.
Messi Reaches Magical 1,300 Career Contribution Milestone
Lionel Messi etched his name further into football’s history books on November 23 when he achieved his 1,300th career goal contribution—combining 896 goals and 404 assists—as Inter Miami crushed FC Cincinnati 4-0 in the MLS Eastern Conference semifinal. Messi scored once and provided three assists in a masterclass performance that also set a new MLS postseason record of 12 goal contributions in a single playoff run. His brilliance propelled Miami to their first-ever Eastern Conference Final and reinforced his legacy at 38 years old.
World Cup 2026 European Playoff Draw Sets Up Thrilling Qualification Battles
The World Cup 2026 European playoff draw on November 20 set the stage for 16 nations competing for the final four European spots at next summer’s tournament in North America. Teams including Italy, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland will battle in dramatic single-leg knockout matches scheduled for March 26 and 31, 2026. The draw produced intriguing semifinals, with seeded teams guaranteed home advantage in the first legs.
Vinicius Jr Refuses Renewal Amid Strained Alonso Relationship
Vinicius Junior has informed Real Madrid he won’t renew his contract as tensions with head coach Xabi Alonso persist. The Brazilian rejected the club’s €20 million offer, demanding up to €30 million annually. Talks started in January but stalled over financial terms and his perception of unfair treatment under Alonso, especially after a heated incident during the El Clásico substitution.
Looking Forward to Next Week’s Premier Fixtures
The football world prepares for another enthralling week ahead with crucial fixtures across Europe’s top divisions. Arsenal will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a pivotal Premier League clash, while Barcelona welcomes Alavés to their Camp Nou, eager to maintain their championship credentials. In MLS, Inter Miami’s Eastern Conference Finals showdown against New York City FC promises to be a thrilling encounter for a spot in the MLS Cup. Champions League football continues its captivating group stage with intriguing matchups set to unfold across the continent, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich visiting London midweek and Atletico hosting Inter Milan. The intensity of the season is reaching fever pitch, with every point crucial and every performance capable of reshaping the landscape of European and global football. Fans worldwide can anticipate another weekend filled with drama, brilliance, and unforgettable moments that will further define the 2025-26 season.
