International Football Thread

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Poignant Portugal cruise, England unbeaten in World Cup qualifying​

Veteran striker on target twice in 5-0 win against Armenia

AFP
September 07, 2025

Photo: AFP

PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo helped an emotional Portugal enjoy a perfect start to their World Cup qualifying campaign as Thomas Tuchel's uninspiring England remained unbeaten on Saturday.

Portugal, playing for the first time since the death of their Liverpool forward Diogo Jota along with his brother Andre Silva in a car accident, took an impressive first step to the finals next year sweeping aside Armenia 5-0 in Yerevan.

Both teams observed one minute's silence before kick-off at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in tribute to Jota and his brother who were killed in a crash in northern Spain on July 3, 11 days after Jota had married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was in sparkling form, Portugal's irrepressible 40-year-old talisman scoring in either half, the second a sizzling shot from distance, to take his record international tally to 140 goals, over two decades after his first.

A brace from Joao Felix, Ronaldo's new teammate at Saudi side Al Nassr, and a contribution from another Saudi-based player Joao Cancelo lifted Roberto Martinez's Nations League winners top of Group F.

- Portugal's number 21 -

Cancelo marked his goal by pointing to the skies with both hands in memory of Jota's goal celebration.

Lazio left-back Nuno Tavares believed Ronaldo's 21st-minute goal held special significance as 21 was the shirt number worn by Jota when playing for his country.

"We're all very happy because it shows he's (Jota) with us, that he was there, and that moment, Ronaldo's goal, was made possible. He'll always be with us, as was clear today," said the defender.

Ronaldo said on social media it was the "first step taken" in his quest to appear at a sixth World Cup.

Portugal's next opponents on Tuesday are Hungary, who despite playing the last 30 minutes a man down secured a 2-2 draw in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland.

Hungary were on their way to take all three points until Adam Idah's equaliser in the third minute of added time for the hosts.

England extended their unbeaten run in Group K to four matches but hardly set the world alight in defeating modest Andorra 2-0 at Villa Park in Birmingham.

Christian Garcia's first-half own-goal was followed by Declan Rice's header to keep Tuchel's team firmly on course for the 2026 football fiesta in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

But while the Three Lions will be more than satisfied with their 12 points this was in truth another underwhelming display that raised questions about Tuchel's ability to produce a trophy-winning team from a gifted generation.

England were efficient but unspectacular, lacking guile and intelligence in the final third.

No wonder Tuchel wore a frustrated expression on the touchline.

 

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Man City 'keeper Donnarumma ready for challenge of world's best league​

Italian goalkeeper says ‘fully focused to make history and become a symbol for the club’

AFP
September 12, 2025

Photo: AFP

LONDON: Manchester City's new goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is ready to prove himself in the "best league in the world" after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

Donnarumma linked up with City for the first time on Thursday following his £30 million ($40 million) switch to the Premier League club on transfer deadline day.

The 26-year-old won the Champions League and his fourth French title last season, but PSG boss Luis Enrique surprisingly made it clear that Donnarumma was no longer first choice at the Parc des Princes.

That paved the way for his move to City, with a potential debut for the Italian in Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.

"It's a new chapter in my life and my career. Playing in the Premier League with Manchester City is a great emotion for me and I'm ready for this challenge," Donnarumma said.

"I've always dreamt about playing in the Premier League as it's the best league in the world. For a player, I think achieving in the Premier League is the maximum for his career, therefore I'm really happy to be here.

"I'm willing to take to the pitch for this club, who has been trying so much to sign me and I hope I can pay that trust back."

Having arrived in Manchester after spending the international break with Italy, Donnarumma is trying to get up to speed with boss Pep Guardiola, his new team-mates and the club's facilities.

"It's a club that has always fascinated me," he said. "I've always followed City with pleasure. I see everything around me like the training centre and the stadium, they are fantastic.

"You can't tell what the club values are until you really see it with your own eyes.

 

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Venezuela sack coach after World Cup hopes end​

Venezuela axe Batista after Colombia defeat ends World Cup dream

AFP
September 12, 2025

Fernando Batista gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Venezuela at the Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires on September 4, 2025. PHOTO: AFP

CARACAS: Venezuela sacked coach Fernando Batista on Wednesday night, a day after their World Cup qualification dream died and after an intervention by the country's president.

News of Argentine Batista's sacking, alongside his entire backroom staff, came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a "restructuring of the technical staff".

That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, were thumped 6-3 at home by neighbours Colombia, ending their hopes of reaching a World Cup for the first time.

"Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat," said Maduro.

"All of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of the Vinotinto, a reorganisation of the strategy, of the doctrine and of the line of combat and hard work."

The decision by the sport's world governing body FIFA to expand the 2026 World Cup in North America from 32 to 48 teams had boosted the hopes of teams like Venezuela -- the only side in the CONMEBOL federation never to qualify for a finals -- to make it to the global extravaganza for the first time.

But their defeat to Colombia meant that Bolivia -- 1-0 winners over five-time champions Brazil -- pipped them to a place in the intercontinental play-offs.

Peru, whose hopes of World Cup qualification had ended before the final round of matches, also sacked their coach, Oscar Ibanez.

They finished the group stage with a miserable record of two wins and just six goals alongside 10 defeats from their 18 matches.

 

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Hamburg visit Bayern as one of Germany's biggest rivalries returns​

Six-time German champions take on 34-time title holders in a revived North-South Summit

AFP
September 12, 2025

Photo: AFP

BERLIN: Newly-promoted Hamburg travel to Bayern Munich on Saturday as the Bundesliga sees the return of one of its most storied clashes -- seven years on from the last 'North-South Summit'.

The last meeting between the two in March 2018 was a testament to the vastly diverging paths of the northerners and the southern giants as Bayern rampaged to a 6-0 win at their Allianz Arena home ground.

That year Hamburg fell out of the top flight for the first time in their history, only to return this campaign following a seven-season stretch in the second division -- a situation that belied their status as one of German football's traditional powerhouses.

Hamburg are the only German side other than Bayern and Borussia Dortmund to have won the European Cup.

And only Dortmund, Schalke, Nuremberg and Bayern have won more than their six German league titles.

One of Germany's best-supported clubs, located in a wealthy region of the country and with a near 60,000-capacity ground, Hamburg have all the ingredients to be one of the Bundesliga's big guns.

Hamburg's great rivals of the 1980s, Bayern, meanwhile have won 12 of the past 13 Bundesliga titles.

The recent record between the pair also demonstrates just how wide the gap has become.

 

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FIFA receives 1.5 million World Cup ticket applications in 24 hours​

FIFA flooded with 1.5 million ticket requests in first 24 hours for 2026 World Cup

Reuters
September 12, 2025

The New York/New Jersey's FIFA World Cup 2026 logo is revealed during the kickoff event in Times Square in New York City, U.S., May 18, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS

MEXICO CITY: More than 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries have been received by FIFA within 24 hours of the presale draw for the 2026 World Cup being launched, the governing body of world soccer said on Thursday.

The extraordinary global demand for the tournament came primarily from the United States, Mexico and Canada, followed by Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal and Germany.

The response highlighted the international appeal of the expanded 48-team tournament which will be hosted by Mexico, Canada and the U.S. and will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities.

The draw is open until 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) on September 19, and the time of entry does not affect fans' chances of securing tickets.

Successful applicants will be notified via email starting September 29 and given designated time slots to purchase tickets beginning October 1.

Tickets will start at $60, yet dynamic pricing will be in operation during the first phase of ticket sales with fans paying different prices according to market demand.

Additional ticket sales phases are scheduled to begin in October.

 

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Blow for Chelsea as Delap sidelined until December​

Reuters

He was injured against Fulham before the international break

 

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Liverpool seek calm derby, Arsenal target Man City hat-trick​

Reds aim to avoid late drama at Anfield as Gunners eye statement at Emirates and United seek relief against Chelsea

AFP
September 19, 2025

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates his late winner against Atletico Madrid. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: Premier League leaders Liverpool will aim to cut out the late drama against Everton on Saturday, while Arsenal seek to prove they are title challengers against Manchester City.

Arne Slot's Liverpool have made a habit of scoring late this season on the way to winning all four of their league matches so far.

Their two main challengers, Arsenal and Manchester City, clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, while troubled Manchester United host Chelsea.

AFP Sport looks at three key talking points ahead of the weekend action:

Liverpool's late-goal kings

Andy Robertson wants Liverpool to get back to "winning a bit simpler" after yet another dramatic late twist in their victory over Atletico Madrid this week.

Virgil van Dijk's header in stoppage-time on Wednesday earned the Reds a 3-2 win in their Champions League opener.

Arne Slot's team have now scored a winner in the 83rd minute or later in all five games they have played this season.

"We need to get back to winning a bit simpler and easier," Liverpool left-back Robertson told TNT Sports.

"The assistant manager turned to me when Virgil put it in and said he's getting too old for it, so I can't imagine what the fans are like."

Next up for Liverpool are Merseyside rivals Everton, who have made a bright start to the season under David Moyes.

But the visitors face a stiff task at Anfield, where they have won just once in 28 games in all competitions.

Arsenal's title test

On the day of Arsenal's match against Liverpool last month, the club issued a social media post urging the team to "make a statement".

They failed to do so, allowing Liverpool to strike a psychological blow early in the title race with a 1-0 win, sparking criticism of Gunners manager Mikel Arteta for his conservative game-plan.

But the Gunners have another chance to show this could be their year on Sunday, when they host Manchester City.

Arsenal have been Premier League runners-up for three seasons in a row, finishing behind City on two of those occasions.

For eight years the Gunners failed to beat City home or away in the league but they are now eyeing a third straight win against Pep Guardiola's men at the Emirates.

City haven't beaten Arsenal since April 2023 and a victory in north London would a significant boost to Guardiola, who is in the midst of a major rebuild after last season's disappointing third-place finish.

Chelsea can heap pressure on Amorim

How much more time will Manchester United give struggling manager Ruben Amorim?

Since his first match in charge, no ever-present Premier League team have performed worse than United, who have taken just 31 points from 31 games.

United host Chelsea after last week's dismal 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, and could find themselves in the relegation zone if results go against them.

Former United captain and record goalscorer Wayne Rooney believes his old team have "got worse" since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag last November.

The Portuguese manager appears to retain the backing of United's hierarchy, who are desperate to avoid yet another reset, but their patience is not limitless.

United can take heart from the fact they have not lost to Chelsea in the Premier League at Old Trafford since 2013.

But Enzo Maresca's men have made a steady start to the season and have been tipped as outsiders to challenge for the title.

After Chelsea, United face Brentford and Sunderland, with Liverpool looming following the international break.

No game looks easy for the beleaguered Amorim.

Fixtures

Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated)

Liverpool v Everton (1130), Brighton v Tottenham, Burnley v Nottingham Forest, West Ham v Crystal Palace, Wolves v Leeds, Manchester United v Chelsea (1630), Fulham v Brentford (1900)

Sunday

Bournemouth v Newcastle, Sunderland v Aston Villa (both 1300), Arsenal v Manchester City (1530)
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Torres double helps Barca down listless Getafe​

Barcelona kept pace with Real Madrid after a dominant display at the Johan Cruyff Stadium

AFP
September 22, 2025

Barcelona's Spanish forward Ferran Torres took his chance with both hands. PHOTO: AFP

BARCELONA: Ferran Torres struck twice for champions Barcelona as they beat Getafe 3-0 on Sunday to stay on Real Madrid's tails at the top of La Liga.

Dani Olmo was also on target for the Catalans, who trail leaders Madrid by two points after Xabi Alonso's side beat Espanyol on Saturday to maintain their 100 percent record.

Playing at the 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff stadium besides their training ground again as the club waits for licences to reopen their renovated Camp Nou home, Barcelona dominated an unambitious Getafe team.

Despite his brace against Newcastle in the Champions League, German coach Hansi Flick left Marcus Rashford on the bench, with Spanish media reporting that it was because the England international was late for a morning meeting.

Flick has dropped other players from the line-up for the same offence in the past, including defender Jules Kounde.

Rashford's replacement as the stand-in for injured teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, Torres, took his chance with both hands.

The Spaniard opened the scoring with a powerful finish at the end of a slick move, with Olmo backheeling the ball into his path in the box.

Torres's second finish was even better, guided into the bottom left corner from outside the box after Raphinha sent him through on goal.

 

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Polokwane snatch another late winner in South Africa​

Defenders struck at crucial moments as Polokwane edged Chippa United in a dramatic league clash

AFP
September 22, 2025

Polokwane City snatched an added-time winner for the second time in five days, and rose four places to fourth in the South African Premiership by beating Chippa United 2-1 on Sunday. PHOTO: X (@KickOffMagazine)

JOHANNESBURG: Polokwane City snatched an added-time winner for the second time in five days, and rose four places to fourth in the South African Premiership by beating Chippa United 2-1 on Sunday.

After falling behind in the fifth minute, City levelled from a penalty on the stroke of half-time and secured maximum points by scoring again in the 94th minute.

Full-back Thabang Matuludi was the Polokwane match-winner as he rose at the far post to nod a free-kick past goalkeeper Elson Sithole, who was deputising for injured Nigerian Stanley Nwabali.

Both City goals came from defenders with centre-back Lebohang Nkaki converting a 45th-minute penalty in the capital of the northern region that borders Zimbabwe.

Captain Ayabulela Konqobe had put Chippa ahead with a snap shot from inside the box that flew past Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire into the corner of the net.

Polokwane trail leaders Sekhukhune United by seven points ahead of a local derby between the pair on Saturday. Chippa are bottom of the table, below three other clubs on goal difference.

 

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Man City's Silva fumes over lack of respect in schedule row​

Guardiola's team had virtually no time to rest and recover from the Napoli game

AFP
September 22, 2025

Photo: AFP

LONDON: Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has slammed football's schedule makers for lacking respect and fairness after his side were given little time to prepare for their clash with Arsenal.

City kicked off their 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday just 66 hours after the final whistle in the Champions League home win over Napoli.

While Pep Guardiola's team had virtually no time to rest and recover from the Napoli game before the crucial Premier League showdown in north London, Arsenal had played their Champions League opener at Athletic Bilbao 48 hours earlier on Tuesday.

Silva felt City's tiredness was decisive as Arsenal dominated after Erling Haaland's early strike before snatching a stoppage-time equaliser through Gabriel Martinelli.

Guardiola had named an unchanged side against Arsenal rather than rotating his players, but Silva is convinced it was the pressure of the fixture list that was to blame for City's late frustration.

"The reality is we cannot come in to one of the most important games in the season with such a disadvantage, in terms of rest. It is not fair to play one of these games like this. It is just not right," he said.

"They had five days and we had two and a half days. In one of the most important games, this cannot happen. It is just not enough.

"I wasn't feeling in a perfect condition to play like this, and people who have not played at the highest level don't know how it feels to play a game like this. You need to be at your best condition.

"We saw (Abdukodir) Khusanov getting injured because these games demand a lot. I feel it is just frustrating that we couldn't be at our best level simply because of the decision of someone that thinks it is fair to come away after two and a half less days than Arsenal."

 

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Man City 'keeper Donnarumma says would have stayed at PSG​

Italian shot-stopper hails PSG teammates after clinching second Yashin award at Ballon d'Or 2025

AFPS
eptember 23, 2025

Gianluigi Donnarumma received the Yashin Trophy for the best male goalkeeper at the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. PHOTO: AFP

PARIS: Gianluigi Donnarumma admitted to AFP on Monday he would have preferred to stay at Paris Saint-Germain before a shock switch to Manchester City this month.

Donnarumma, winner of the best goalkeeper award at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony on Monday for his key role in PSG's Champions League triumph last season, replied "yes" when asked if he would have liked to stay with the club.

"When you have shared a lot with people and spent a lot of time and made friends, it's difficult (to leave)," he admitted.

Donnarumma, 26, was allowed to leave after PSG signed French goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier this summer.

The Italian goalkeeper signed a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola's City after moving in a £26 million ($35 million) deal.

He said City were "an extraordinary club with extraordinary players and they welcomed me like a family, and that is very important for me".

Donnarumma won the Yashin award for the second time on Monday and thanked his former PSG teammates for their part in his brilliant season.

"This is wonderful, congratulations to the whole team, without them I wouldn't be here, it was the whole team," he said.

He also won the award in 2021 after Italy won the European Championship.

 

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Lamine Yamal - the eve of a new football era​

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal missed out on becoming the youngest Ballon d'Or winner, but he is destined to create a new footballing era, writes Guillem Balague.

 

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'Emotions got better of me' - Ekitike's 'stupidity' opens door for Isak​

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

23 September 2025

On a night when Liverpool celebrated the goalscoring arrival of their record signing Alexander Isak, a moment of "stupidity" proved costly for their other in-form forward.

Hugo Ekitike scored the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory against Southampton as the Reds progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

But, caught up in the moment of his 85th-minute goal, striker Ekitike removed his shirt and held it up to the Liverpool fans in celebration.

He most likely knew he would get booked and was happy it was a price worth paying, but what he had seemingly forgotten is he had already been shown a yellow card.

 

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Liverpool’s perfect start ended by Crystal Palace, Man Utd beaten at Brentford​

AFP
September 28, 2025



Crystal Palace’s Japanese midfielder #18 Daichi Kamada (L) vies with Liverpool’s Dutch midfielder #38 Ryan Gravenberch (R) during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on September 27, 2025. — AFP

Liverpool’s perfect Premier League start came undone in a 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday as Manchester United suffered another setback in losing 3-1 at Brentford.

Palace are now the only undefeated team in the Premier League after extending their club record run to 18 games in all competitions without losing, including three games against Liverpool.

“These are the moments why we love football. The fans will have a great Saturday evening now,” said Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

“We deserved it. Great performance, great game, great win.” The English champions were finally made to pay for another disjointed performance after being bailed out by a series of late goals in winning their opening five league games.

Ismaila Sarr fired the FA Cup winners into an early lead after Liverpool failed to deal with a corner.

Liverpool looked set to be rescued by another late goal when Federico Chiesa swept home a loose ball in the box to equalise on 87 minutes.

This time, the Reds were on the other end of a late winner.

Nketiah produced a composed finish in a packed penalty area with almost the last kick of the game.

Victory takes Palace up to second and within three points of Liverpool at the top of the table.

Arsenal can move back into second and cut the gap on their title rivals to two points when they travel to Newcastle on Sunday.

United boss Ruben Amorim’s wait for back-to-back Premier League wins goes on, nearly a year into his reign, after a disastrous defensive display at Brentford.

The Bees had previously won just once since Keith Andrews replaced Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, but the visitors were unable to deal with Brentford’s physical approach.

Harry Maguire’s attempt to play offside cost United the opening goal as Igor Thiago ran clear to smash home.

Thiago was the beneficiary of another United error on 20 minutes when he powered into an empty net from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s punch back into the danger area.

 

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AC Milan beat champions Napoli to make Serie A title statement​

A 2-1 win over Napoli sends the Rossoneri top of the table on 12 points

AFP
September 29, 2025

Photo: AFP

MILAN: AC Milan staked their claim as challengers for the Serie A title on Sunday after a statement 2-1 win over Napoli which put them top of the pile despite having to play over half-an-hour with 10 men.

Christian Pulisic was the star for Milan at the San Siro by setting up Alexis Saelemaekers' opener in the third minute and then doubling the hosts' lead just after the half-hour mark.

The American forward's matching-winning performance against a Napoli team weakened by injuries put Milan in first place on 12 points, ahead of both the champions and Roma -- 2-0 winners against Verona -- on goal difference.

"What we did out there today was incredible. It was a top, top performance," said Pulisic to DAZN.

"The manager has done really well to get the best out of every player here. We've got a lot of quality and we showed that on the pitch."

Pulisic has already scored six times this season in all competitions and, shortly before he finished off a brilliant passing move, sent Youssouf Fofana through on goal with a sensational pass reminiscent of his teammate Luka Modric.

The 27-year-old was given a standing ovation by Milan supporters when he made way for Davide Bartesaghi just before Kevin De Bruyne coolly slotted home the 60th-minute penalty which got Napoli back into the game.