If you were looking for a quiet Tuesday night in the world of football, you clearly weren't paying attention. Tonight felt like one of those mid-winter fever dreams where the big names start looking human and the underdogs decide they’ve had enough of being the punchline. From the rainy pitches of the EFL Trophy to the high-stakes drama in the Spanish Copa del Rey, we saw a bit of everything.
Honestly, it’s getting harder to predict these games. You think you've got the form guide figured out, and then a team like Port Vale goes and ruins everyone’s accumulator by toppling Bolton Wanderers 1-0 on their own turf. It’s wild.
Football Who Won Tonight: The Big Results and Breakdowns
The question of football who won tonight isn't just about one league; it's about a massive spread of action across Europe. Let's get into the meat of it.
In the EFL Trophy, we saw a goal-fest that probably gave the defensive coaches a collective migraine. Plymouth Argyle edged out Bristol Rovers in a 4-3 thriller. If you like your football chaotic and lacking in structure, that was the game for you. Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town made light work of Rotherham United, cruising to a 3-0 victory.
Over in Spain, the Copa del Rey delivered that classic cup tension. Atlético de Madrid needed a moment of pure magic from Antoine Griezmann to get past a very stubborn Deportivo de La Coruña. It ended 1-0, but it wasn't the stroll in the park Diego Simeone probably hoped for. Griezmann's 61st-minute free-kick was basically the only thing separating the two sides.
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Copa del Rey Highlights
- Atlético de Madrid 1 - 0 Deportivo de La Coruña: Griezmann with a peach of a free-kick.
- Athletic Club 4 - 3 Cultural Leonesa: A seven-goal heartbreaker that went to extra time.
- Real Sociedad 2 - 2 Osasuna: This one was a war of attrition, with Osasuna eventually clinching it 4-3 on penalties.
Basically, if you’re a fan of the big Basque clubs, tonight was a bit of a mixed bag. Real Sociedad will be kicking themselves for letting that one slip in the shootout.
The International Stage: AFCON and More
While club football was grinding away, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been building toward a massive crescendo. We are officially in the semi-final buzz phase. Tonight was less about matches played and more about the fallout and the massive buildup to tomorrow's giants-only clashes.
The big news out of the Gabon camp is that the drama has reached a temporary truce. After a rough exit, the federation actually lifted the sanctions on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It's a 180-degree turn that basically admits they can't live without him as they look toward the 2027 cycle.
Meanwhile, everyone is talking about the Senegal vs. Egypt semi-final scheduled for tomorrow. It's the Mané vs. Salah rivalry once again. People are obsessed with whether Salah can finally get one over on his former Liverpool teammate on the international stage.
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Why Tonight’s Results Matter
Football isn't played in a vacuum. A result like Port Vale beating Bolton might seem small, but in the context of the EFL Trophy, it shifts the entire momentum of the tournament. It proves that the "big" clubs in the lower tiers can't just coast through these midweek fixtures.
In Saudi Arabia, the league action was equally tight. Al Fateh handled Al Riyadh 3-1, showing some real clinical finishing. But the most interesting one was Damac vs. Al Ittihad, which ended in a 1-1 draw. For a team with the resources of Al Ittihad, a draw against Damac feels like a loss, frankly.
Digging Into the Italian Scene
We also have to look back at the tail end of the Serie A round. Juventus absolutely dismantled Cremonese 5-0. Luciano Spalletti’s men looked like they were playing a different sport.
Weston McKennie, Kenan Yıldız, and Jonathan David all got on the scoresheet. It was clinical. It was ruthless. And yet, Spalletti was still playing it cool in the post-match interviews, saying they aren't at the level of Inter or Napoli yet. That’s classic manager-speak to keep the pressure off, but everyone who saw that 5-0 demolition knows Juve is a problem right now.
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- Juve's Defense: They looked impenetrable.
- The Midfield Engine: McKennie is having a career year, sort of reinventing himself under Spalletti.
- The Clinical Edge: Five goals from five different players is the kind of stat that keeps opposing managers awake at night.
What’s Next for Your Betting Slip?
If you're following the football who won tonight to help with your future picks, keep an eye on the underdog trend. We are seeing a lot of "big" teams struggling with fatigue in these January fixtures.
The FA Cup third-round replays are coming up, and after seeing Macclesfield dump out Crystal Palace earlier this week, nobody is safe. If you’re looking at tomorrow’s AFCON slate, the smart money is on low-scoring, cagey affairs. Semi-finals in major tournaments rarely turn into 4-3 shootouts.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
- Watch the Griezmann Tape: If you want to see how to carry a team on your back, watch the second half of the Atleti game. He is "Le Petit Prince" for a reason.
- Track Juventus: Don't let Spalletti's humble routine fool you; they are the most in-form team in Italy right now.
- Prepare for AFCON Chaos: Tomorrow is the big one. If Nigeria plays the host Morocco, expect the atmosphere to be absolutely electric.
To stay ahead of the game, check the injury reports for the Premier League teams heading into the weekend. Many of them played heavy minutes in the Cup, and the rotation is going to be massive. Keep an eye on the fitness of players like Antoine Griezmann and Matthew Stafford, who have been carrying significant loads for their respective teams in high-pressure situations lately.
Check the official league apps for the most granular data on xG (expected goals) from tonight’s matches, as the scorelines didn't always reflect the true flow of play.