A mid-week sports frenzy has taken over as the UEFA Champions League reaches a critical juncture and international cricket resumes in the subcontinent. From Liverpool’s tactical masterclass in France to Newcastle’s dominant display at St. James’ Park and the start of England’s white-ball “reset” in Sri Lanka, here is the breakdown of the action.
⚽ UEFA Champions League: Clinical Liverpool Silence the Vélodrome
Final Score: Marseille 0-3 Liverpool
Arne Slot’s Liverpool continues to look like a juggernaut on the European stage. In a high-stakes Matchday 7 clash at the Orange Vélodrome, the Reds dismantled Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille with a performance defined by clinical finishing and defensive solidity.1
- The Breakthrough: After a tense opening, Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a clever low free-kick that caught the Marseille wall off guard.2
- The Killer Blow: A mix-up in the Marseille defense, pressured by the tireless Frimpong, led to a second goal (credited as a Gerónimo Rulli own goal) that effectively ended the contest.3
- The Finisher: Cody Gakpo added a third in stoppage time to add gloss to the scoreline.4
- The Bigger Picture: The win lifts Liverpool to 4th in the Champions League table, putting them on the verge of automatic qualification for the Round of 16.5 For Marseille, the defeat drops them to 19th, leaving them facing a difficult playoff route.
⚽ UEFA Champions League: Magpies Flying High
Final Score: Newcastle 3-0 PSV Eindhoven
St. James’ Park was rocking as Newcastle United delivered one of their most complete European performances to date. Facing a PSV side that had been unbeaten on the road for nearly a year, Eddie Howe’s men used a relentless high press to force the Dutch champions into submission.
- Tactical Dominance: PSV’s insistence on playing out from the back proved fatal against the speed of Anthony Gordon and Yoane Wissa.
- The Result: Harvey Barnes capped off a 3-0 rout that ensures Newcastle will, at the very least, feature in the knockout playoffs.
- The Next Step: Newcastle now faces a daunting final group-stage trip to Paris Saint-Germain, where a win could see them bypass the playoffs entirely and head straight into the last 16.
🏏 Cricket: England’s New Era Begins in Colombo
Match Status: 1st ODI, Sri Lanka vs. England
Following a difficult Ashes campaign, England’s white-ball side has arrived in Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI and T20I series.6 This tour serves as vital preparation for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.
Match Highlights & Team News:
- Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss at the R. Premadasa Stadium and elected to bat first, seeking to exploit a pitch expected to favor spin as the game progresses.
- England’s XI: Captain Harry Brook is leading a refreshed side. Notably, Will Jacks was ruled out of the series opener due to illness, with young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed taking his place.
- Sri Lanka’s Strategy: The hosts have recalled veterans like Dushmantha Chameera and Dhananjaya de Silva, aiming to use their home-field advantage to stifle England’s aggressive batting lineup.
Key Stat: England and Sri Lanka share a remarkably close head-to-head record in ODIs, with England leading 38-37. This series is more than just a bilateral trophy; it’s a trial by fire for England’s “tempo-based” approach in subcontinent conditions.
What to Watch Next
- Liverpool looks to secure their top-8 spot against Qarabag next week.7
- Newcastle prepares for a “win-or-bust” trip to Paris.
- England and Sri Lanka continue their ODI series on Saturday, January 24.8