Honestly, if you stepped away from your phone for even an hour this Saturday, January 17, 2026, you basically missed a season's worth of drama in a single afternoon. The landscape of European football just got shifted on its axis. We aren't just talking about a few lucky goals; we’re talking about massive shifts in the Premier League title race and a historic milestone in Spain that’s going to be on every highlight reel for the next decade.
People keep asking about football games today who won, and the short answer is: the underdogs had a field day, while the heavyweights are mostly licking their wounds.
The Manchester Derby: Red Silence at Old Trafford
The biggest story of the day—no contest—is what went down at Old Trafford. Manchester United didn't just beat Manchester City; they systematically dismantled them 2-0. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Pep Guardiola look that frustrated on the touchline. Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu provided the goals, but the real story was the defensive masterclass.
United moved into the top four with this win. More importantly, they finally broke that curse. They haven't beaten City at home in the league since 2023. You could feel the relief through the TV screen. City looked sluggish, maybe even a bit "over" the tactical grind, while United played like their lives depended on every single 50/50 ball.
Premier League Chaos: Liverpool and Spurs Falter
If you’re a Liverpool fan, today was... rough. A 1-1 draw at home against 19th-place Burnley is the kind of result that keeps managers awake at night. Steven Gerrard, who was watching from the sidelines, didn't hold back. He called the performance "unacceptable," and he’s right. When you’re chasing a title, you cannot drop points at Anfield to teams in the relegation zone.
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Marcus Edwards was the hero for Burnley, grabbing a late equalizer that silenced the Kop. It’s a huge point for Burnley’s survival hopes, but for Liverpool, it feels like a massive step backward in a race that’s becoming increasingly tight.
And then there’s Tottenham. Oh, Spurs. Leading into added time, they somehow managed to lose 2-1 to West Ham. Wilson’s 93rd-minute winner for the Hammers was absolute clinical cruelty. It’s the kind of "Spursy" moment that makes you realize why the "Tottenham in crisis" headlines are already starting to circulate.
Elsewhere in England:
- Chelsea handled business with a 2-0 win over Brentford.
- Leeds United scraped a 1-0 victory against Fulham.
- Sunderland stayed unbeaten at home, edging out Crystal Palace 2-1.
- Arsenal and Nottingham Forest played out a gritty 0-0 draw at the City Ground.
Mbappe Makes History in Madrid
Over in Spain, the Santiago Bernabeu witnessed history today. Kylian Mbappe finally hit the 50-goal mark in La Liga. He did it from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to help Real Madrid secure a 2-0 win over Levante. This wasn't just any win, though. It was Alvaro Arbeloa’s first league game as the new boss of Los Blancos.
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Raul Asencio added a second header from an Arda Guler corner, but the atmosphere was weirdly tense. Vinicius Junior was actually getting jeered by parts of his own crowd. It’s a strange vibe in Madrid right now, even with a win that puts them just one point behind Barcelona.
Bayern’s "My God" Moment in Germany
If you want to talk about football games today who won in terms of pure dominance, look at Bayern Munich. They went down 1-0 to RB Leipzig early on. Romulo scored for the hosts, and for a while, it looked like Bayern’s unbeaten run was in serious trouble.
Then the second half happened.
Vincent Kompany said his boys "delivered," and that’s an understatement. They put five past Leipzig in the second half. Harry Kane got his 21st of the season. Serge Gnabry, Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Michael Olise all joined the party. A 5-1 comeback away from home is a statement. It’s the kind of performance that tells the rest of the Bundesliga to just give up already. Bayern now have an 11-point lead. It’s basically their league to lose at this point.
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AFCON and Ligue 1 Updates
Nigeria fans, celebrate. The Super Eagles grabbed the bronze medal at AFCON 2025 today. They beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a scoreless 90 minutes. Stanley Nwabali was the hero, saving penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. To see two of the world’s best players denied like that? Unreal.
In France, Lens is the story. They beat Auxerre 1-0 thanks to a Wesley Saïd volley. That is 10 consecutive wins for them. Ten! They are sitting on top of Ligue 1, ahead of a PSG side that did win 3-0 against Lille yesterday but is still chasing this incredible Lens run.
What Does This Mean for the Table?
Honestly, the title races in England and Spain are completely wide open now. Manchester United are officially "back" in the conversation for the top three. Liverpool’s inconsistency is becoming a structural problem that a January signing might not even fix.
In Germany, the race is over. Bayern are 11 points clear and scoring for fun. If you're betting on the Bundesliga, look for value in the "top 4" race because the title is settled.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Leeds vs. Fulham Replay: If you want to see a tactical masterclass in defensive positioning, Leeds showed how to nullify a high-press today.
- Keep an Eye on the Transfer Portal: With the window open, expect Liverpool to move for a creative midfielder after that Burnley stalemate. They lack the "lock-breaker" they had in years past.
- Draft Arda Guler in Fantasy: His set-piece delivery for Real Madrid today was world-class. He’s going to be a primary assist provider under Arbeloa.
- Follow Lens: If you aren't watching Ligue 1, start. Their 10-game win streak isn't a fluke; they are playing the most cohesive football in Europe right now.
The results from today's football games prove that the gap between the "elite" and the rest of the pack is shrinking, except perhaps in Munich. Whether it was United’s derby dominance or Mbappe’s milestone, January 17 was a day for the history books.