Defender humiliated in goal of the season contender

Noni Madueke scored a contender for Champions League goal of the season as Arsenal's dream campaign continued in Belgium on Thursday (AEDT).

Madueke scored twice in Arsenal's 3-0 demolition of Club Brugge.

His second was a simple header against an outgunned defence but his first will be replayed over and over on highlight reels (watch the goal in the video player above).

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The England international received the ball near the touchline and sized Joaquin Seys up before nearly breaking his ankles with a sublime piece of skill.

Madueke then set off on a long run, keeping Raphael Onyedika at bay with his pace and smart body control.

The 23-year-old ran towards the teeth of the Brugge defence and unleashed a fierce strike with his left foot that smashed the crossbar and went in.

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Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal's third in the second half with his own superb top corner finish from outside of the box.

Unfortunately for Martinelli it wasn't quite as good as Madueke's and might get lost in the shuffle.

Madueke has been one of the buys of the year after joining from London rivals Chelsea.

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Arsenal now lead both the Champions League and Premier League as their fans dare to dream of a trophy double.

Mikel Arteta's have won all six of their European games and sit three points clear of Bayern Munich.

In the Premier League they are two points clear of Manchester City, who also tasted Champions League success on Thursday (AEDT).

"The first goal was really nice, second a tap-in but the first one was sweet," Madueke said.

"We're fighting on all fronts. I feel like we can win this competition and win the league, that has to be the aim. We're in a good place at the moment."

Arsenal's sixth win in as many games confirms a top-eight finish, meaning they will skip the knockout phase playoffs in February and move straight into the round of 16 in March.

City pulled off a massive 2-1 upset of European kings Real Madrid at the Bernabeu to jump to fourth in the 36-team league competition.

Madrid struck first with Rodrygo on target with a pinpoint finish in the 28th minute.

But uncharacteristically clumsy goalkeeping from Thibaut Courtois opened the door for City before halftime.https://x.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1998855487098687978?s=20

One of the best keepers ever failed to deal with Josko Gvardiol's header, which came at an awkward height, and Nico O'Reilly reacted smartly to equalised.

Madrid's unusually sloppy defending continued when Antonio Rudiger bundled Erling Haaland over in the box for a penalty.

Haaland duly converted for his 50th goal in 51 Champions League starts.https://x.com/StanSportFC/status/1998860263379071485?s=20

Madrid had chances to equalise, with Endrick coming closest, striking the post in the dying minutes, but were unable to find the breakthrough as the home crowd's jeers grew louder with every missed opportunity.

"Such a good feeling. To come here, what an atmosphere, what a stadium, so tough to come here but we got the three points and that's the most important thing," O'Reilly said.

Newcastle United also came from behind to draw 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.https://x.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1998891209805467834?s=20

Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley scored for Newcastle in the second half after Bruno Guimaraes had given the hosts the lead at BayArena.

But Alejandro Grimaldo put a cork in Newcastle's celebrations when he equalised in the 88th minute.

The result left Newcastle in 12th on 10 points, while Leverkusen dropped to 20th on nine.

"I don't know (how the game slipped away) but it's happening too many times, to be honest," said man-of-the-match Gordon, who also set up Newcastle's second goal.

"The first half an hour was really poor but we reacted well and we came out well in the second half. The manager gave us a kick up the backside and we reacted well.

"Defensively we need to be more tight because we are conceding too many goals late in games. I don't know if that is fatigue, but it all comes back to mentality. We have to hold out in these games because that is what top teams do."

- with Reuters