On an unforgettable European night at St. James' Park, Newcastle United achieved a resounding and historic 4-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the second round of the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League group stage. The Magpies delivered an exceptional performance, reflecting the passion of their fans who had waited for this moment for over 20 years.

The overall context and historical background of the event:
This match marked Newcastle's first home appearance in the Champions League in two decades, creating a special and exciting atmosphere. The English club has been experiencing a remarkable period of growth since its acquisition by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, with the team, under the leadership of manager Eddie Howe, successfully returning to the ranks of Europe's elite clubs. This victory was more than just three points; it served as a powerful declaration of Newcastle's return as a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage, underscoring the ambitions of the club's new project.

Match details and events:
Newcastle opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Miguel Almirón, who capitalized on a glaring error by the Paris Saint-Germain defense. In the 39th minute, defender Dan Burn added a second goal with a powerful header after a VAR review, giving the home side a deserved lead at halftime. At the start of the second half, Newcastle continued their high press, and academy graduate Sean Longstaff scored the third goal in the 50th minute with a powerful shot. Although Lucas Hernandez pulled one back for the visitors in the 56th minute, Swiss defender Fabian Schär delivered the final blow with a superb fourth goal in the 91st minute, completing the rout.

The significance of the event and its anticipated impact
on the domestic front boosted the confidence of the team and its fans, proving that Newcastle is capable of competing with the world's biggest clubs. Regionally and internationally, this resounding victory sent a clear message to European clubs that Newcastle is not just a participant, but a genuine contender in the "group of death," which also included Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. The result also highlighted the challenges facing Paris Saint-Germain, despite its star-studded squad, in achieving its dream of winning the European title, especially in away matches played in front of intense home crowds.

Liverpool returned to winning ways in Europe with a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over French side Olympique Marseille in their Champions League group stage match. This game marked a significant turning point for the team, not only because of the emphatic scoreline but also because of the return of their star player, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, who started and spearheaded the Reds' attack once again.

Liverpool opened the scoring in the dying moments of the first half, specifically in the first minute of first-half stoppage time (45+1), through a powerful shot from Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai . In the second half, Liverpool continued their attacking pressure, resulting in a second goal in the 72nd minute when Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli scored an own goal under pressure from the Reds' forwards. Before the final whistle, Dutch striker Cody Gakpo his team's hat-trick with a goal in the third minute of stoppage time (90+3), confirming Liverpool's complete dominance of the match.

The overall context and Mohamed Salah's impactful return

This victory came at an ideal time for Liverpool, who had stumbled in their previous Premier League match, drawing 1-1 with Burnley, which had raised some concerns among fans. More importantly, the match saw the long-awaited return of captain Mohamed Salah to the starting lineup after missing several games due to his participation with the Egyptian national team in the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Salah's absence clearly impacted the team's attacking effectiveness, and his return gives manager Jürgen Klopp more options and much-needed attacking depth in the crucial stages of the season.

The importance of winning and its impact on the team's journey

The impact of this victory extends far beyond the three points Liverpool added to their Champions League group; it has a significant psychological boost. A resounding win against a prestigious European club like Marseille strengthens the players' confidence and reinforces their ability to compete fiercely for the continental title, which they have won six times. Historically, matches between Liverpool and French clubs have always been highly competitive, and this victory further cements the Reds' dominance in recent head-to-head encounters. On a regional and international level, this performance sends a powerful message to Liverpool's European rivals that the team has regained its full strength and readiness, especially with Salah's return to the attack.

In a move that could represent a turning point for Iraqi football, the management of Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya , one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Iraq, has opened official communication channels with the agent of Spanish defensive legend Sergio Ramos , with the aim of bringing him to the team during the winter transfer window. The club's media spokesman, Rahim Al-Daraji, confirmed to AFP that preliminary negotiations are underway, sparking widespread anticipation in local and regional sporting circles.

General context and ambitions of the Iraqi league

This ambitious move comes at a time of significant changes in the global football landscape, with many international stars moving to leagues outside Europe, most notably the Saudi Professional League. It appears that the Iraqi Premier League is also seeking to enhance its standing, raise the level of competition, and boost its marketing by attracting global names. The mere fact that a name of Sergio Ramos's stature is linked to the Iraqi league reflects a genuine desire to develop the football system and attract international attention, a strategy adopted by many emerging leagues in the region.

Presentation details and technical team vision

According to Al-Daraji, the club's management, headed by Maad Badai, is awaiting the player's final response and conditions for completing the deal, noting an initial "positive reaction" from his agent. He added that the team's coach, the Omani Rashid Jaber, expressed a strong desire to bolster the "Falcons" squad with players possessing international experience and significant on-field presence, which would contribute to achieving the team's ambitions of a strong return to the podium. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya currently occupies fourth place in the league standings, making strengthening the team an urgent necessity to compete for the title.

Who is Sergio Ramos? A career full of achievements

Sergio Ramos (37 years old) is one of the greatest defenders in the history of football. He achieved glory with Real Madrid , leading them as captain to four Champions League titles, in addition to numerous La Liga titles. Internationally, Ramos was a key figure in Spain's golden generation, earning 180 caps and winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. After a stint with Paris Saint-Germain , Ramos recently returned to his boyhood club, Sevilla , and continues to perform at a high level in La Liga.

The expected impact of the deal on Iraqi football

If this historic deal goes through, its impact won't be limited to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya club alone, but will extend to Iraqi football as a whole. Locally, Ramos will bring immense leadership experience and unparalleled technical skill to the Falcons' defense, serving as an inspiration to the young players. Nationally, the presence of a global star of this caliber will boost the marketing value of the Iraqi Premier League, attracting international media attention and sponsors, and potentially paving the way for other stars to join the league in the future, thus raising the overall level of the game and enhancing Iraq's reputation on the international football map.