Fan's Death Overshadows Bayern's Win in Champions League

Soccer Football - Champions League - Bayern Munich v Benfica - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - November 6, 2024  Bayern Munich players applaud fans after the match REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Soccer Football - Champions League - Bayern Munich v Benfica - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - November 6, 2024 Bayern Munich players applaud fans after the match REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
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Fan's Death Overshadows Bayern's Win in Champions League

Soccer Football - Champions League - Bayern Munich v Benfica - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - November 6, 2024  Bayern Munich players applaud fans after the match REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Soccer Football - Champions League - Bayern Munich v Benfica - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - November 6, 2024 Bayern Munich players applaud fans after the match REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

Bayern Munich is mourning the death of a fan who attended the team’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Bavarian club said early Thursday morning that it received the news that the fan had died while being transported to the hospital.
Bayern fans did not sing or chant during the game out of respect for the person. The atmosphere in Bayern’s stadium was noticeably muted some minutes after kickoff when it became apparent there was a medical emergency requiring the attention of paramedics and police officers.
The Bayern supporters’ group Club Nr. 12 said its members would “not be supporting as usual today because of an emergency medical intervention. Life comes before sport. We wish the family and friends lots of strength.”
The Bayern supporters did not resume chanting after the person was carried out of the block on a stretcher after about half an hour, The Associated Press reported.
Jamal Musiala’s 67th-minute header – set up by Harry Kane – was enough for Bayern to end its two-game losing run and claim its second win of the league phase.
The Bayern fans cheered and celebrated the goal, but the atmosphere remained muted for the rest of the match.
“We didn't know of it during the game, just after it,” Bayern midfielder Konrad Laimer said of the medical emergency. “We wish the family strength and best wishes, we're thinking of all involved, and we're hoping for the best for the individual fan."
Bayern's announcement came later.



Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
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Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent when Al-Nassr lost for the first time in the AFC Champions League Elite, to Al-Sadd of Qatar 2-1 on Monday.

Al-Nassr was already guaranteed a place in the round of 16 so Ronaldo, who has five goals in his last three matches, was rested. He watched from the sidelines, The Associated Press reported.
Al-Sadd took the lead through Akram Afif, named the Asian player of the year in November, eight minutes after the break.
While Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca went close for Al-Nassr, an own goal from close range by Romain Saiss made it 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Afif was brought down in the area and, in the ninth minute of added time, Algeria’s Adam Ounas converted the penalty.
The win ensured 2011 champion Al-Sadd booked a place in the round of 16, moving into fourth in the 12-team group, a point behind Al-Nassr in third. The top eight from each of the two groups progress to the knockout stage.
“It was a tough and close game,” Al-Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said. “We worked hard to stop Al-Nassr having the ball, and to win at their home stadium. The players showed their character.”
Al-Ahli was first in the group after the Saudi Arabian side was held by Esteghlal of Iran to 2-2.
Ivan Toney scored both goals for the host in Jeddah. Raphael Silva opened the scoring for the Tehran team after 42 minutes but Toney made it 1-1 just before the break from the spot.
Mohammad Hossein Eslami restored Esteghlal’s lead six minutes after the restart but Toney scored his second penalty four minutes from the end, a fourth goal in Asia for the England striker in the space of a week.
Elsewhere, Persepolis of Iran beat Al-Shorta of Iraq 2-1, while Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew with Al-Rayyan of Qatar 1-1.