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ECOWAS revives regional blue economy strategy in Abuja, Nigeria

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Simeon Bateren
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ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24)— The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has restarted its efforts to finalize a long-stalled Regional Blue Economy Strategy, beginning with a high-level consultative workshop held Monday in Abuja. The meeting brought together representatives from ECOWAS member states, regional economic blocs, and continental institutions to review and validate a draft strategy that has remained dormant since its initial development in 2022.

The blue economy, encompassing marine resources, aquaculture, maritime transport, ocean conservation, and climate resilience, is seen as a crucial pillar for sustainable development across the region. The strategy was originally developed under the Programme for Improved Regional Fisheries Governance in Western Africa (PESCAO), but progress stalled following the end of that project due to administrative delays.

Djiga Thiao, Programme Officer for Fishery Development and ECOWAS Focal Person for the Blue Economy, addressed the gathering on behalf of the outgoing Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Traoré. Thiao emphasized the urgent need for policy coordination among member states to unlock the full potential of the region’s marine and water resources.

“You know that the marine resources and the water resources are the crossroads of many sectors—fisheries, aquaculture, shipping—also in the context of climate change and sustainable livelihood that we need to get from these resources. So we need to have harmonised policies and guiding policies to get the best benefit from these resources,” he said. “That’s why we need a blue economy strategy. ECOWAS needs to have a regional one.”

Thiao acknowledged the draft’s extended stagnation since 2022, noting that it remained untouched following the conclusion of the PESCAO project. Despite this setback, he stressed that the strategy remains a key priority within the ECOWAS Commission.

“The Commissioner said she wanted this blue economy strategy to be one of ECOWAS’ biggest legacies,” he added, referring to the outgoing leadership. “But like the French people say, les personnes partent, les institutions demeurent—people leave, institutions remain. So this blue economy will still be a big priority for the new director and Commissioner who are coming.”

He framed the workshop as a shared responsibility between ECOWAS and member states, urging collaboration toward successful validation of the final strategy draft.

“This work we are doing, if we get success, it will be our success together. But if we fail, we will fail together,” Thiao said. “We have the duty to work closely with the experts so that we get this blue economy strategy validated.”

Support from the African Union was visible throughout the workshop. Linda Etta, Blue Economy Advisor at the African Union Commission (AUC), delivered virtual remarks on behalf of Hassan Nyambe, Director of the AUC’s Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy Division. She affirmed the AU’s commitment to assisting regional blocs in translating strategy into impact.

“The African Union Commission is deeply committed to supporting member states and regional economic communities in translating the strategic ambitions into tangible outcomes,” Etta said. “Initiatives like the ECOWAS regional blue economy strategy are critical to ensuring policy harmonisation, shared best practices, and investment mobilisation across our region.”

AU-IBAR Blue Economy Expert Dr. Mohammed Seisay reiterated that support, noting the AU’s involvement in helping member countries develop national strategies. “We started with four countries. Then we supported another 11 countries. We have also been supporting regional economic communities,” he said, citing recent assistance to Burkina Faso as an example of timely engagement.

Participants included national delegates from ECOWAS member states, technical experts, and officials from the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the AUC, and the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea. The workshop marks a critical step in reviving the regional blueprint for managing ocean and water resources in a coordinated, sustainable way.

Man arrested after 3 family members found dead in County Louth, Ireland

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Simeon Bateren
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TALLANSTOWN, Ireland (BN24)— A man in his 30s has been arrested after three people were found dead at a home in the rural village of Tallanstown, County Louth, on Monday morning, prompting a major investigation by Irish authorities.

Gardaí, the national police force of Ireland, confirmed that two men and a woman were discovered deceased at the scene. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the victims are believed to be members of the same family and may have died in a violent attack.

The suspect was taken into custody shortly after the bodies were found. Gardaí continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths, but have indicated that they are not seeking additional suspects.

“There is no ongoing threat to the public,” said Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan. He declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the investigation.

The violent deaths have left the tight-knit Mid Louth community in shock. Local Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú described the events as “absolutely appalling,” expressing sorrow over what he called “dreadful and violent circumstances” that have deeply affected the area.

“The fact that three members of one family seem to have died in dreadful and violent circumstances on a Monday morning in a quiet and rural area of Mid Louth is appalling,” he said. “It has absolutely stunned the community all over County Louth.”

Ó Murchú urged the public to avoid speculation online and called on anyone with relevant information to come forward to the Gardaí.

Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly also reacted to the tragedy, describing it as “absolutely shocking.”

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole community and wider family members and friends,” she said.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Sheridan, who knew the family personally through local events and the recent local elections, said the area was experiencing a “huge degree of shock.”

“It’s the type of area where everyone would know everyone,” he told RTÉ’s News at One program. “We hear of tragic events quite often. We don’t expect them to happen in our own locality.”

The Garda Technical Bureau remains on site in Tallanstown as part of the forensic investigation. No cause of death has yet been officially released, and the identities of the victims have not been confirmed publicly.

Authorities are continuing to appeal for any information that may assist the ongoing investigation.

FIFA deducts points, awards win to Lesotho after South Africa fields ineligible player

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Simeon Bateren
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JOHANNESBURG (BN24)— FIFA has handed South Africa a heavy blow in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign after ruling that the country fielded an ineligible player during their March 21 qualifier against Lesotho. The ruling means South Africa has forfeited the match, which Lesotho is now awarded as a 3-0 victory.

The decision, announced Monday by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, centers on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to play due to a suspension resulting from accumulated yellow cards. South Africa had originally won the match 2-0, but FIFA overturned the result following the breach of regulations outlined in the FIFA Disciplinary Code and World Cup Preliminary Competition rules.

In addition to the forfeiture, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (approximately $12,500), while Mokoena received a formal warning. The ruling dramatically reshapes Group C standings, pushing South Africa from first to second place behind Benin on goal difference.

This ruling injects renewed competition into the race for the sole automatic qualification spot from the group. Nigeria and Rwanda remain within striking distance, trailing by just three points as the qualifiers head into their final phase. South Africa faces a daunting path ahead, including away matches in Zimbabwe and a crucial home fixture against Rwanda.

FIFA confirmed SAFA has ten days to request a detailed explanation of the ruling and may appeal the decision before the FIFA Appeals Committee. However, for the moment, the 3-0 forfeit result stands, casting serious doubts over South Africa’s ambitions to qualify for the World Cup scheduled in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.

A FIFA statement noted: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the match against Lesotho played on 21 March 2025. Consequently, the match is forfeited by South Africa with a 3-0 scoreline. SAFA must also pay a fine of CHF 10,000, and Mokoena has been issued a warning. The parties have ten days to request a motivated decision and may appeal the ruling.”

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Suspected stowaway found dead in plane’s landing gear at Charlotte airport

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FILE - American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. American Airlines has reached a tentative labor agreement with pilots who recently raised the possibility of a strike against the nation’s biggest airline if they were unable to get a new contract with higher pay. American said Friday, May 19, 2023, that the four-year deal, if ratified by pilots, would give them pay and profit-sharing “that match the top of the industry.” (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

Charlotte, NC (BN24) – Authorities in North Carolina are investigating after the body of a suspected stowaway was discovered in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines plane that had just arrived in Charlotte from Europe.

FILE – American Airlines planes are parked at Pittsburgh International Airport on March 31, 2020, in Imperial, Pa. American Airlines has reached a tentative labor agreement with pilots who recently raised the possibility of a strike against the nation’s biggest airline if they were unable to get a new contract with higher pay. American said Friday, May 19, 2023, that the four-year deal, if ratified by pilots, would give them pay and profit-sharing “that match the top of the industry.” (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

The grim discovery was made Sunday morning by maintenance workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport as the aircraft underwent routine servicing. Police said the body was located inside the wheel well but declined to release further details about the individual, including identity, nationality, or cause of death.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed it is leading the investigation, while both the airline and the airport expressed condolences and pledged to cooperate fully with authorities. “We are deeply saddened by this incident and are supporting the police investigation,” the airport said in a statement. American Airlines also confirmed its involvement in the inquiry but referred all additional questions to law enforcement.

Officials have not yet said where the flight originated in Europe. Aviation experts note that most stowaways attempting to survive inside a plane’s undercarriage die due to extreme cold, lack of oxygen, or injuries during takeoff and landing. Estimates suggest that about three-quarters of stowaway attempts end in death.

This latest case follows several similar tragedies in recent months. In January, two bodies were found in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue aircraft at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport during a post-flight inspection after the jet arrived from New York’s JFK. In December, another stowaway body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight after it landed in Maui from Chicago.

The Charlotte incident underscores the dangers and desperation often tied to attempted stowaway journeys, with investigators still working to determine how the person managed to access the aircraft.

Viagra crisis as hospital admissions for painful erections hit record high in Britain

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Britain is facing a record surge in hospital admissions linked to Viagra use, as new NHS data shows 518 men required treatment in the past year for painful erections lasting several hours.

The figures, covering the year to March 2025, reveal that 410 of those cases were emergency admissions for priapism — a dangerous condition where the penis remains erect for more than four hours. Another 108 men were treated through planned hospital visits or surgeries for related long-term complications.

NHS England said the average age of men admitted was 41, though 26 patients were over 65 and one was older than 90. Priapism is considered a rare but serious side effect of Viagra, which was prescribed 4.7 million times last year, also a record high. The condition can also arise from blood flow disorders.

Doctors warn that untreated priapism can cause permanent damage, including impotence, scarring or in severe cases, amputation. Treatments include injections of painkillers, muscle relaxants, or surgery to drain blood clots.

“After four hours, an erection is a medical emergency,” said Dr. Deborah Lee of the online pharmacy Dr. Fox. “Without urgent treatment, this can even result in gangrene. If you notice prolonged, painful erections, consult your GP immediately.”

The NHS spent more than £20 million last year addressing erectile dysfunction across England, underscoring the growing demand for treatments and the rising costs of dealing with complications.

thesun.co.uk

Death toll rises to 4 in Michigan Mormon church shooting and fire

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GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (BN24) — The death toll from Sunday’s violent attack at a Michigan church has risen to four, authorities confirmed, after an ex-Marine rammed his pickup truck into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened fire on worshippers, and set the building ablaze before being fatally shot by police. Eight others remain wounded, one critically, as investigators continue to sift through the church’s charred ruins for additional victims.

The gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, struck shortly after 10:25 a.m., when hundreds of members of the congregation were inside for worship. Police Chief William Renye said Sanford crashed through the church doors with American flags flying from his truck, then emerged with an assault rifle and began firing. Authorities believe he used gas to ignite the fire and may have had explosive devices, though it remains unclear whether they were deployed.

Two victims were discovered in the debris as firefighters extinguished the blaze, which consumed the large structure for hours. Officers responding to a 911 call arrived within 30 seconds, engaging Sanford in a firefight outside the church and killing him roughly eight minutes after the assault began, Renye said.

“This was an act of targeted violence,” said Ruben Coleman, special agent in charge for the FBI, which has taken the lead in the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also joined the probe.

Sanford served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008, including a deployment in Iraq. Investigators are combing through his residence and background for clues to his motive, which remains unknown.

Witnesses described terror inside the church as congregants shielded children and rushed them to safety. Outside, neighbors reported hearing bursts of gunfire followed by thick smoke rising from the church’s roof.

The violence rattled the wider Mormon community in Michigan, striking less than 24 hours after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old president of the Utah-based faith. “Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection,” church spokesperson Doug Anderson said in a statement. “We pray for peace and healing for all involved.”

The aftermath has been felt deeply across Grand Blanc Township and surrounding towns. Striking nurses from a nearby hospital ran to assist victims, and prayer services were held Sunday night at The River Church, where pastors urged healing for families, first responders, and the entire community.

President Donald Trump praised the FBI’s rapid response, writing on Truth Social: “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called the assault “unacceptable” and said her “heart is breaking for the community.”

Authorities are also investigating reports of bomb threats made to other churches in the area after Sanford’s death. No explosives were found.

As search teams work through the wreckage, Chief Renye said the toll could rise. “Some people are unaccounted for,” he said. “We fear we may find more.”

Arsenal stun Newcastle with stoppage-time header in 2-1 Premier League win

By
Simeon Bateren
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NEWCASTLE, England (Bn24) – Arsenal pulled off a dramatic late turnaround at St James’ Park on Sunday, snatching a 2-1 win over Newcastle United thanks to Gabriel Magalhães’ stoppage-time header that sealed all three points for Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League.

For much of the afternoon, the Gunners were left ruing missed chances and a controversial VAR decision. Despite dominating possession and tempo in the first half, Arsenal couldn’t find the net. Key opportunities from Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard went begging, and frustration peaked when a penalty initially awarded for a foul on Viktor Gyökeres was overturned following a VAR review.

Newcastle, largely on the defensive, made their breakthrough against the run of play in the 34th minute. Nick Woltemade capitalized on a brief lapse in Arsenal’s back line, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead that they managed to protect deep into the second half. Goalkeeper Nick Pope delivered a commanding performance, repeatedly denying Arsenal’s forwards and keeping the home side in front.

It wasn’t until the 84th minute that Arsenal found their equalizer. Mikel Merino, stepping up in a congested penalty area, nodded in from close range to restore parity and spark a frenetic finale.

As Newcastle looked to cling onto a point, Arsenal’s persistence paid off in the dying moments. Deep into added time, Martin Ødegaard delivered a precise corner that found Gabriel Magalhães unmarked. The Brazilian defender rose above his marker and powered a header past Pope to complete the comeback in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The result was a testament to Arsenal’s resilience and character, a vital away win that keeps them firmly in the hunt near the top of the Premier League table. With four wins, one draw, and a single defeat from their opening six matches, the Gunners now sit second in the standings.

For Newcastle, the result will sting, but Eddie Howe’s side can take some encouragement from a spirited defensive effort and a performance that nearly earned a result against one of the league’s top sides. The Magpies now find themselves in 15th place with work to do to climb the table.

Arsenal’s dramatic finish may prove to be a defining moment in their season, showcasing a squad willing to fight until the final whistle in pursuit of silverware.

FULL LIST: 10 fastest players to score 100 goals for one club

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Simeon Bateren
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LONDON (BN24) — Harry Kane has written his name into football history once again, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a single club, achieving the feat in just 104 appearances for Bayern Munich.

The England captain reached the milestone with a brace in Bayern’s 4-0 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen, continuing his electric start to life in Germany and surpassing several global icons in the all-time ranking for the fastest to 100 goals across all competitions for a single club.

According to figures compiled by Planet Football, Kane now leads a remarkable list of world-class forwards whose prolific goal-scoring records defined eras at their respective clubs.

Just behind Kane are Erling Haaland and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom took 105 matches to hit 100 goals, doing so for Manchester City and Real Madrid, respectively. Haaland’s arrival at City in 2022 sparked an immediate goal rush, culminating in a historic treble-winning season and a century of goals early in his third campaign. Ronaldo, meanwhile, began rewriting record books from the moment he joined Real Madrid for a then-world record fee in 2009, going on to become the club’s all-time top scorer.

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez needed only 120 games to reach the 100-goal milestone, forming one of the most feared attacking trios in history alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar. Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed closely with 124 goals in 124 games for Paris Saint-Germain, delivering consistent firepower during his dominant spell in Ligue 1.

Cristiano Ronaldo also appears again on the list for his time at Juventus, matching Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 131 games to reach 100 goals, the latter having delivered a lethal strike rate for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 2000s.

Edinson Cavani’s form at Napoli remains a benchmark for clinical forward play in Serie A, with the Uruguayan bagging 100 goals in just 135 games. At the same time, Robert Lewandowski took one fewer (136) during his devastating stint with Bayern Munich, where he scored at a historic clip before moving to Barcelona.

Rounding out the top 10 is Kylian Mbappe, who required just 137 appearances to score 100 goals for PSG, having joined the club as one of the world’s most sought-after teenagers in 2017.

Scoring 100 goals for one club is a rare achievement. Doing so in such few games separates the elite finishers from the merely excellent — and Kane, now setting the pace, adds yet another historic accolade to his glittering career.

This latest feat not only strengthens his reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in modern football but also sets a new benchmark for future stars aiming to etch their name in football folklore.

Serie A: Juventus stumble in title race after 1-1 draw with Atalanta

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Simeon Bateren
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TURIN, Italy (BN24) – Juventus missed a key opportunity to climb to the top of the Serie A standings on Saturday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Atalanta in a result that keeps reigning champions Napoli in pole position.

In an intense match at the Allianz Stadium, substitute Juan Cabal salvaged a point for the visitors with a scrappy 78th-minute equalizer, his first goal in Serie A, shortly after replacing the injured Gleison Bremer. The draw maintains Juventus’ unbeaten start to the season but leaves them a point behind league leaders Napoli, who have won all four of their opening matches.

Kamaldeen Sulemana had earlier put Juventus in front during first-half stoppage time, netting his second goal in as many games with a powerful finish that gave the hosts a deserved lead after a dominant spell.

Atalanta, however, showed their resilience in the second half and gradually grew into the game. The breakthrough came when Odilon Kossounou failed to deal with a Joao Mario cross, and Cabal capitalized to level the score. The Bergamo club was forced to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Marten de Roon was shown a red card, but Juventus failed to take advantage.

The best chance for the Turin side to snatch victory came in the dying seconds when Weston McKennie found himself unmarked in front of goal but shot straight at Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi from close range. That crucial miss ensured the visitors escaped with a point and climbed to fifth in the standings, level on nine points with AC Milan and Inter Milan, among others.

“We played really well, especially in the first half, one of the best since I’ve been here,” said Atalanta coach Igor Tudor. “It was a tough match between two Champions League teams, and the draw was fair.”

Napoli remain top of the table with a perfect 12 points and will look to maintain their lead when they visit AC Milan on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan also remains firmly in the hunt. Lautaro Martinez and youngster Pio Esposito scored in a 2-0 win over Cagliari earlier on Saturday. Martinez’s early header marked his 117th Serie A goal, overtaking club legend Sandro Mazzola — while Esposito’s late strike sealed the win and opened his top-flight account.

“He works hard and listens,” said Martinez of his young teammate. “He still has a lot to learn, but he’s already proving himself.”

Elsewhere, newly promoted Cremonese continued their impressive start with a 1-1 draw at Como, staying unbeaten alongside Juventus, Napoli, and Atalanta. Federico Baschirotto cancelled out Nico Paz’s third goal of the season in a closely contested Lombardy derby.

With the title race already heating just weeks into the campaign, dropped points for Juventus serve as a reminder that every match could prove decisive in what promises to be another competitive Serie A season.

La Liga: Barca beat Real Sociedad 2-1 as Yamal returns

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Simeon Bateren
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BARCELONA, Spain (BN24) — Lamine Yamal marked his return from injury with a game-changing performance, setting up Robert Lewandowski’s winning goal as Barcelona edged Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday to move to the top of the La Liga table.

Yamal, sidelined for the past four matches with a groin injury, came off the bench in the second half and made an immediate impact, delivering a pinpoint assist just over a minute after stepping onto the pitch. The 18-year-old’s burst of energy and creativity proved the difference in a game that saw Barcelona struggle to break down a well-organized Sociedad defense.

The result lifts Hansi Flick’s side above Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen-led campaign in the league table, after Madrid’s stunning 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday opened the door for Barcelona to claim top spot.

At the Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona have been playing their home fixtures while awaiting clearance to return to Camp Nou, the hosts found themselves behind despite dominating early possession. Real Sociedad struck first in the 31st minute through Alvaro Odriozola, who ghosted into the box to finish off a sharp counterattack led by Ander Barrenetxea. The goal stunned the home crowd and exposed Barcelona’s vulnerability in transition.

Hansi Flick’s lineup featured several changes, with 17-year-old Dro Fernandez making his senior debut in midfield, Roony Bardghji starting wide on the right, and veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny stepping in for the injured Joan Garcia.

Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, was lively from the outset. The England international saw an early chance saved by Alex Remiro. It later created an opening for Lewandowski with a perfectly weighted through ball, only for the striker to drag his shot wide from a tight angle.

Barcelona eventually found its equalizer late in the first half through Jules Kounde. Rashford whipped in a corner, his second assist in as many games, and the French defender rose to head home at the near post, beating Remiro to level the match at 1-1.

Yamal’s long-awaited return came just before the hour mark, and he wasted no time in making an impact. Surging into the box, the teenager delivered a sharp cross that Lewandowski met with a powerful header off the post to give Barcelona the lead.

Remiro did his best to keep Sociedad in the game, producing excellent saves to deny both Rashford and Dani Olmo. At the same time, Szczesny was called into action at the other end to parry a low shot from Mikel Oyarzabal.

The closing stages of the match were chaotic, with both sides rattling the crossbar in quick succession. Takefusa Kubo struck the woodwork after dispossessing Kounde in midfield, and moments later Ferran Torres set up Lewandowski, who thundered his effort against the bar in what could have been Barcelona’s third.

Despite the nervy finish, Barcelona held firm to take all three points, a crucial win ahead of their midweek Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, also to be played at the Olympic Stadium.

Yamal’s return will come as a major boost to Flick, with the youngster proving once again that he is capable of altering the course of a match in an instant. As Barcelona now sit one point clear at the summit, their title ambitions appear to be gaining momentum, powered in part by one of Europe’s most exciting teenage talents.

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