Today in Football: Moments You Might Have Missed
Football never stops. At any moment of the day, somewhere across the globe, something is happening in the beautiful game — from dramatic last-minute goals in big matches to heated debates on social media, or even friends casually kicking a ball against a wall.
Because of that, no single person can keep track of everything in football. Often, it’s the smallest yet most fascinating moments that make the sport special: a fan’s unique angle of a penalty save, a brief but revealing exchange between rivals, or a viral post explaining why N’Golo Kanté might be the kindest player in professional football.
To capture those moments, GIVEMESPORT launched a live blog designed to bring together the best football stories and social media highlights from the past 24 hours.
January 29: Hugo Ekitike’s Instagram Comment After Liverpool’s 6–0 Win
Ryan Gravenberch impressed in an unfamiliar role as Liverpool cruised to a 6–0 Champions League victory over Qarabag. With Virgil van Dijk the only natural centre-back available, Gravenberch partnered him in defence and played a key role in securing a clean sheet.
After the match, Liverpool fans were stunned by Hugo Ekitike’s comment on Gravenberch’s Instagram post. When the Dutch midfielder shared photos from the game with the caption “top 8,” Ekitike replied simply: “Guehi!” — a clear reference to Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign Marc Guehi, who recently joined Manchester City.
The comment quickly went viral among fans, sparking a mix of laughter and disbelief across social media.
January 28: Benfica Goalkeeper’s 98th-Minute Winner
Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin produced a moment of pure drama by scoring a stunning 98th-minute winner in a 4–2 Champions League victory over Real Madrid. With elimination looming, Benfica earned a last-gasp corner, and Trubin headed home to secure their place in the competition.
The goal sent José Mourinho into wild celebrations and sealed Benfica’s narrow qualification, finishing 24th — just one goal ahead of Marseille. It was an extraordinary escape in the most unlikely fashion.
January 28: Martinelli Accused of “Doing a Nani”
Arsenal fans were amused after Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Kairat Almighty reminded many of Luis Nani’s infamous moment in 2010. Martinelli tapped in a shot that was already heading for the net, effectively denying Viktor Gyökeres a goal.
Fans quickly compared the moment to Nani’s controversial goal that once robbed Cristiano Ronaldo, with social media flooded with jokes accusing Martinelli of “stealing” his teammate’s strike.
January 26: Kobbie Mainoo’s Eye-Opening Statistic
Kobbie Mainoo delivered another standout performance as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3–2. The young midfielder registered an assist and covered 11.2km — the most distance of any player in the match
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This statistic challenged earlier claims that Mainoo lacked mobility and went viral among fans, many of whom questioned why he had previously struggled for game time.
January 26: Romeo Beckham’s Savage Reply to David Beckham
After Manchester United’s win over Arsenal, David Beckham teased his Arsenal-supporting son Romeo. Romeo responded with a picture of the league table and a cheeky message telling his father to “mind the gap,” sparking laughter online.
January 25: Mbappé’s Message to Brahim Díaz
Following Brahim Díaz’s painful penalty miss in the AFCON final, Kylian Mbappé appeared to show support by scoring a Panenka penalty for Real Madrid and telling Díaz it was “for you.” Mbappé later confirmed the gesture was intentional.
January 22: Even Worse Penalty Goes Viral
Chilean player Cristian Zavala became an online sensation after attempting a disastrous Panenka penalty that barely reached the goalkeeper. The moment sparked widespread mockery on social media.
January 21: Bellingham Explains His Strange Celebration
Jude Bellingham revealed that his unusual celebration after scoring against Monaco was a playful response to rumours about his lifestyle, insisting he prefers to laugh off criticism rather than dwell on it.
January 20: Rooney’s Brutal Verdict on Arsenal vs Man United
When asked how Arsenal would fare against his 2008 Manchester United team, Wayne Rooney delivered a blunt response: “We’d batter them.”
January 18 and Beyond: Viral Moments Across Football
From Marc Cucurella’s controversial antics and Dembele’s stunning goal to dramatic penalties, awkward managerial moments, and shocking on-field incidents, football continues to deliver unforgettable stories — both on and off the pitch.