International Football Thread

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Man Utd's upcoming fixtures
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Manchester United

Manchester United have just two fixtures until the next international break is upon us.

The importance of those fixtures, however, has never been bigger.

Victories in those two would make it five wins in a row.

Five wins in a row would, of course, mean that poor fan finally gets to cut his hair.

Pre international break:

• Nottingham Forest (a)
• Tottenham Hotspur (a)

Post international break:

• Everton (h)
• Crystal Palace (a)
• West Ham (h)
• Wolves (a)

 

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Man Utd's recent results
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Manchester United

Three victories in a row has brought a feel good factor back to Manchester United that has been long missing.

But fans will be fully aware of how quickly things can change in football.

Here are the last seven results from Ruben Amorim's men since their EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby:

• Man Utd 4-2 Brighton
• Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd
• Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland
• Brentford 3-1 Man Utd
• Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
• Man City 3-0 Man Utd
• Man Utd 3-2 Burnley

 

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This weekend's Premier League fixtures
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All times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Saturday:

• Brighton v Leeds United
• Burnley v Arsenal
• Crystal Palace v Brentford
• Fulham v Wolves
• Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
• Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30)
• Liverpool v Aston Villa (20:00)

 

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Dowman is something special - Arteta
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Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Max Dowman made his Premier League debut off the bench in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Leeds in August.

But his talent has had everyone at the club excited for a long time, given he has trained with the first team since he was 14.

"He just does what he does best, which is to play football," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said.

"To play football with a lot of courage and determination and today again, he has shown some incredible skill, some capacity to run past players at that level in the Premier League at 15.

"It's definitely something special."

 

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'One of the best groups of players in my career' - Pereira
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Wolves 3-4 Chelsea

Wolves supporters were hammering the club's ownership and manager from the stands, chanting "we're going down". But, by the full-time whistle, the fans stayed behind to acknowledge their team's efforts.

Wolves remain bottom in the Premier League, still winless after nine games after losing at home to newly promoted Burnley on Sunday and manager Vitor Pereira's future is being questioned.

"This is maybe one of the best groups of players in my career, with spirit and character, to try to change the situation. When you change 11 players from the last game, you take the risk," Pereira said.

"This was my responsibility because I decided to do it. I wanted to give opportunities to players that deserved the opportunity. It is very difficult for a team to come back from losing 3-0 to show what they did in the second half.

"We showed the supporters we can do it again. We just need a win to believe and move on. We won the second half 3-1 but it was a pity they got that goal. I don't have any doubts that we can do it [stay up] and turn around the situation by the end of the season."

 

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Rebuilt Leverkusen hope to reignite Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern​

Alonso's Leverkusen won three and drew three of their six domestic fixtures

AFP
October 31, 2025

Bayer 04 Leverkusen's players celebrate after the end of the German first division Bundesliga match. PHOTO: AFP

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen will resume their recent Bundesliga rivalry at Bayern Munich on Saturday but are almost completely unrecognisable from the side who struck fear into the hearts of the Bavarian giants in past seasons.

Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen went toe-to-toe with Bayern for more than two seasons, pushing them harder than any German side had done since Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund more than a decade before.

Alonso's Leverkusen won three and drew three of their six domestic fixtures with Bayern during his tenure at the club, including a 3-0 demolition in February 2024 on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double.

This season however, the clubs' fortunes have reverted to type.

Leverkusen lost several first-team cornerstones in the summer and are on their second coach of the season, with Kasper Hjulmand replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag after just two Bundesliga games.

With just eight games played, Leverkusen sit fifth, seven points behind an unstoppable Bayern.

Bayern's 4-1 German Cup win over Cologne on Wednesday was their 14th in 14 games, breaking a decades-old record for the best start in the history of Europe's top-five leagues.

 

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Premier League blames European expansion for lack of Boxing Day games​

This year only one game will be played on December 26 instead of the usual Premier League's Christmas schedule

AFP
November 01, 2025

General view of the Premier League ball before the match. PHOTO REUTERS

LONDON: Premier League chiefs have blamed the reduction of Boxing Day matches this season on the expansion of European competitions.

Fixtures on December 26 have been a traditional part of the Premier League's Christmas schedule, but this year only one game will be played when Manchester United host Newcastle.

With Boxing Day falling on a Friday, the Premier League will instead play seven games on Saturday, December 27 and two on Sunday, December 28.

Aware that the lack of action on Boxing Day will prompt complaints from football traditionalists, the Premier League was quick to lay the blame on UEFA.

European football's governing body has overseen increases in the number of clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

"The Premier League would like to acknowledge the circumstances that have led to a reduced number of matches on Boxing Day this season - impacting an important tradition in English football," the Premier League said in a statement on Friday.

"There are now several challenges to Premier League fixture scheduling rooted in the expansion of European club competitions - which led to a revision of our domestic calendar ahead of last season, including changes to the FA Cup.

"This ultimately left the Premier League as a 33-weekend competition - fewer than previous seasons, despite being a 380-match competition since 1995.

"With fewer weekends to work with, the league is bound by how the calendar falls."

 

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Arsenal oppose Palace request to reschedule League Cup tie​

The match is now set for December 16, part of a gruelling run of four games in eight days

REUTERS
November 01, 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. PHOTO: REUTERS

BENGALURU: Arsenal have opposed Crystal Palace's request to reschedule their League Cup quarter-final to December 23, with manager Mikel Arteta saying it would be unfair for both teams to play twice in barely 48 hours.

The match is now set for December 16, part of a gruelling run of four games in eight days, with Palace facing Manchester City in the Premier League on December 14, KuPS in the Conference League on December 18, and returning to league action on December 21, away at Leeds.

Palace argued that both sides should have equal time to recover before the quarter-final, as Arsenal host Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 13.

The south London club were open to a Christmas Eve game, but that option was ruled out after talks with the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London, who cited limited public transport services.

Arsenal, the home team, were also opposed to playing on Christmas Eve, while Palace later proposed December 23 as an alternative, two days before Arsenal's trip to Everton (December. 21), kicking off at the same time as Palace's game at Leeds.

 

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Salah's 250th Liverpool goal sinks Villa​

Arsenal cruised at Burnley to surge seven points clear

AFP
November 02, 2025

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League match with Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: Mohamed Salah's 250th Liverpool goal ended the Premier League champions' losing streak in a 2-0 win against Aston Villa, while leaders Arsenal beat Burnley to surge seven points clear on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at struggling Nottingham Forest and Chelsea won 1-0 at London rivals Tottenham.

After losing their previous four league games, and six of their last seven in all competitions, spluttering Liverpool finally showed signs of life at Anfield.

Arne Slot's troubled team were gifted their opening goal in first half stoppage-time when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez's wayward pass was intercepted by Salah, who slotted into the empty net for his fifth goal this season.

The Egypt forward's milestone 250th goal in all competitions for Liverpool was followed by Ryan Gravenberch's 58th minute deflected strike, wrapping up the Reds' first league victory since they beat Everton on September 20.

"It's a great feeling to score goals and win trophies for this big club. It's something I don't take for granted. I'm so proud," Salah said.

Liverpool's win, which leaves them third but seven points behind Arsenal, was well-timed ahead of a crucial week featuring clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City.

"What I liked most was everybody here felt the importance of the game. I'm talking about my players and the fans. They felt this was the moment today to show we're still there," Slot said.

Arsenal eased past Burnley 2-0, creating a five-game winning streak in the league to position themselves as firm favourites to end their painful two-decade wait to be crowned English champions.

 

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Barca beat Elche to recover from Clasico loss​

AFP

They continued to struggle in defence and Elche had chances to cause an upset

Barnstorming Bayern face acid test at reigning champions PSG​

AFP

They have won 15 from 15 matches in all competitions so far this campaign.

 

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David Beckham knighted for services to sport and charity​

LONDON: David Beckham, one of Britain’s most celebrated soccer players, was knighted by King Charles at Windsor

 

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Ronaldo says he will retire ‘soon’ to spend more time with family​

Reuters



Cristiano Ronaldo said he will retire “soon” and while he admits it will be difficult to bring his glittering career to an end the 40-year-old has been planning for his post-football life for some time.

The Al Nassr striker is the all-time leading goalscorer with 952 goals for club and country combined and said last month he is targeting 1,000 goals before quitting the game.

“Soon,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said when he was asked when he would hang up his boots.

“I think I will be prepared. It will be very, very difficult,” he said on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored in an interview published on Tuesday.

“But, I have prepared my future since 25, 26, 27-years-old. I think I will be capable to support that pressure. Nothing will compare to the adrenaline you have to scoring a goal in football.

 

[Master Chief]

Ronaldo says he will retire ‘soon’ to spend more time with family​

Reuters
View attachment 157920


Cristiano Ronaldo said he will retire “soon” and while he admits it will be difficult to bring his glittering career to an end the 40-year-old has been planning for his post-football life for some time.

The Al Nassr striker is the all-time leading goalscorer with 952 goals for club and country combined and said last month he is targeting 1,000 goals before quitting the game.

“Soon,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said when he was asked when he would hang up his boots.

“I think I will be prepared. It will be very, very difficult,” he said on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored in an interview published on Tuesday.

“But, I have prepared my future since 25, 26, 27-years-old. I think I will be capable to support that pressure. Nothing will compare to the adrenaline you have to scoring a goal in football.

Like yesterday

 

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The Bavarians sit six clear atop the table, with Leipzig and Dortmund also slipping up

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Chelsea down Wolves to ease criticism of Maresca's rotation policy​

AFP

Malo Gusto scored his first professional goal as the Blues cruised to a 3-0 win over Wolves

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Messi leads Miami into MLS playoff matchup with Cincinnati​

AFP

Argentine star scored twice and set up two assists in a 4-0 rout of Nashville

 

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African players in Europe: In-form Mbeumo scores again​

The 26-year-old Cameroon star will switch his attention to the 20026 World Cup this week

AFP
November 10, 2025

Photo: AFP

LONDON: Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo notched his fourth goal in his last four appearances at the weekend, opening the scoring in a 2-2 Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old Cameroon star will switch his attention to the 20026 World Cup this week as the Indomitable Lions face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday in an African play-off.

A win for Cameroon in Rabat will take them into a final against Gabon or Nigeria three days later with a place in the inter-continental play-offs next March up for grabs.