If you thought January was for taking a breather after the holiday rush, European football clearly didn't get the memo. Honestly, the schedule today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, is basically a fever dream for anyone who likes their matches with a side of high-stakes drama and massive upsets. We aren't just talking about routine league play here. Between a historic "cuptset" in Spain and a heavyweight clash in London, today has been anything but quiet.
The Carabao Cup Shocker at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge was supposed to be the fortress where Chelsea’s new era under Liam Rosenior really took flight. Instead, Arsenal showed up and essentially ruined the housewarming party. In a wild 3-2 victory for the Gunners, the first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final lived up to every bit of the hype.
Viktor Gyokeres—who is having an absolute monster of a season—pounced on a Robert Sanchez mistake that's going to be on highlight reels for all the wrong reasons tomorrow. Chelsea fans were basically pulling their hair out until Alejandro Garnacho decided to go into "super-sub" mode. He bagged two goals late in the game to give the Blues a literal lifeline.
- Arsenal Goals: Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi
- Chelsea Goals: Alejandro Garnacho (2)
- The Takeaway: Arsenal goes back to the Emirates for the second leg on February 3 as massive favorites, but Chelsea isn't dead yet.
Real Madrid’s Nightmare in Albacete
If you missed the Copa del Rey action, you missed what might be the biggest story of the year so far. Real Madrid is out. Let that sink in.
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Following the departure of Xabi Alonso, Álvaro Arbeloa took the reins for his first match, and it couldn't have gone worse. Playing at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium against Albacete, Madrid looked like a team that had never met each other before kickoff. Albacete took them to the cleaners in a 3-2 thriller.
Dani Betancor scored a late winner that sent the 18,000-strong crowd into a total frenzy. It’s the kind of result that makes the Copa del Rey so incredibly special, even if it leaves the Madrid board in a total crisis. This wasn't just a loss; it was a collapse.
Serie A: Inter Grinds, Napoli Stumbles
Over in Italy, the title race took a sharp turn. Inter Milan managed to squeeze past Lecce 1-0 thanks to a goal from Francesco Pio Esposito. It wasn't pretty. It was, however, exactly what champions do.
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Meanwhile, Napoli had a night they'd rather forget. Facing a struggling Parma side at home, they were held to a 0-0 draw. The frustration at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was palpable. Scott McTominay actually thought he’d scored the opener, but VAR—the ultimate mood killer—ruled it out for an offside in the buildup.
Parma's 23-year-old keeper Filippo Rinaldi was making his senior debut and played like he had three arms. He was rightfully named man of the match. Napoli is now six points behind Inter, and with Antonio Conte watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, things are looking a bit shaky in Naples.
Bundesliga: Bayern's Smoke-Filled Record
Germany gave us a weird one today. The game between Bayern Munich and Cologne was delayed for 10 minutes because flare smoke literally covered the pitch.
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Once the air cleared, 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl continued his breakout season by scoring his fourth goal in a 3-1 win for the Bavarians. This win is actually huge for the history books. Bayern has now matched the record of 47 points at the halfway stage of the season—a record previously held by Pep Guardiola's 2013-14 squad. They’ve actually surpassed it on goal difference.
AFCON Semi-Finals: Mane’s Magic
While Europe was busy with cups and league titles, Africa was deciding who goes to the big dance. Senegal is through to the AFCON final after a gritty 1-0 win over Egypt.
It was a cagey, tactical battle with almost no clear chances until Sadio Mane decided to do Sadio Mane things. His late long-distance strike was the difference. Egypt didn't even manage a single shot in the first half—a stat that’s almost unheard of for a team of their caliber.
What's next for today's winners?
- Watch the fallout: Expect some serious pressure on the Real Madrid hierarchy after that Albacete loss.
- Keep an eye on the second legs: The Carabao Cup isn't over. Mark February 3 on your calendar for Arsenal vs. Chelsea part two.
- Serie A title watch: AC Milan plays Como tomorrow. If they win, they close the gap on Inter to just three points.
- AFCON Final: Senegal will face the winner of Nigeria vs. Morocco.
The "football games going on today" aren't just mid-season fillers; they’re defining how the rest of 2026 is going to look for some of the biggest clubs in the world.