International Football Thread

[ghazi52]

Semenyo an instant hit as Man City close on League Cup final​

They beat Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup

AFP
January 14, 2026

Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring for Manchester City. Photo: AFP

NEWCASTLE: Antoine Semenyo made himself an instant Manchester City hero as Pep Guardiola's men took a giant stride towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win at Newcastle.

The Ghana international, who joined from Bournemouth for £65 million ($87 million) last week, opened the scoring and also had a second goal controversially ruled out.

But Rayan Cherki delivered what could be the knockout blow to the holders in the 98th minute.

The Magpies ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the League Cup last season, but will need a heroic fightback to reach Wembley when the sides meet again for the second leg of the semi-final on February 4.

Semenyo also scored on his debut on Saturday in a 10-1 demolition of Exeter in the FA Cup.

 

[ghazi52]

Real Madrid crash out of Copa del Rey​

They fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16

AF
January 15, 2026

Alvaro Arbeloa's tenure as Real Madrid coach begins with shock Cup loss. Photo: AFP

MADRID: Real Madrid fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday as Alvaro Arbeloa's debut as coach ended in humiliation by second-tier opposition.

Appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and his side were ousted by Jefte Betancor's stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

Without French superstar Kylian Mbappe and various other key players, Arbeloa's side struggled against a side currently 17th in Spain's second division.

Albacete took the lead through Javi Villar but Franco Mastantuono equalised just before half-time.

Jefte put the hosts back ahead after 82 minutes and then scored the winner after Gonzalo Garcia's 91st-minute goal looked to have forced extra time for the 15-time European champions.

 

[ghazi52]

Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to set up Cup of Nations final v Senegal​

• Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, will face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat

Reuters
January 15, 2026



RABAT: Yassine Bounou saved two penalties and Youssef En-Nesyri netted the decisive spot kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shootout victory over Nigeria following their 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat on Wednesday.

Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, will face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff a day before.

The 120 minutes before the shootout had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created the greater opportunities, though they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Nigeria had the best scoring record in the competition coming into the semi-final, but offered very little going forward in a limp display.

And when Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their tame penalties saved in the shootout, they were left to reflect on a performance that showed little ambition.

Morocco were workmanlike and efficient as they have been all through the competition, even if they are still to find their best form.

They are on the brink of a first continental crown since 1976, but their biggest challenge awaits in an impressive Senegal side who beat Egypt 1-0 thanks to Sadio Mane’s winner in the first semi-final in Tangier earlier on Wednesday.

The first half hour in Rabat was devoid of goalmouth chances until Achraf Hakimi’s corner was headed into the path of Ayoub El Kaabi five yards from goal.

But he was caught in two minds whether to turn and shoot or try an overhead kick, and in the end did neither as the chance was lost.

 

[ghazi52]

Manchester United sweep past Manchester City​

Carrick’s side enjoyed a perfect 2-0 victory

Reuters
January 17, 2026

Manchester United's Harry Maguire heads at goal. Photo: REUTERS

MANCHESTER: A transformed Manchester United kicked off interim manager Michael Carrick's second stint in charge with an exhilarating 2-0 derby day defeat of Manchester City in the Premier League at a vibrant Old Trafford on Saturday.

Carrick's attack-minded side swept away the gloom hanging over the club with second-half goals by Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu underlining their dominance of a disappointing City whose title hopes suffered a crushing blow.

Mbeumo, just back from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon, finished sweetly in the 65th minute and Dorgu got on the end of Matheus Cunha's cross to put the home fans in dreamland 10 minutes later.

But for a superb display by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and three disallowed goals, United would have enjoyed a far greater margin of victory while the visitors barely threatened as goal machine Erling Haaland hardly got a look-in.

 

[ghazi52]

Diaz could be the key for Morocco in Afcon final​

They will face Mane's Senegal

Reuters
January 17, 2026

Brahim Diaz celebrates after giving Morocco the lead in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Cameroon. Photo: AFP

RABAT: Morocco coach Walid Regragui is predicting that Brahim Diaz could be the catalyst for his side as they bid to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in half a century on Sunday.

Diaz is the top scorer at the tournament with five goals in six matches but it has been his dribbling play and constant probing of opposing defences that have seen him emerge as one of the best players over the last month of competition.

Morocco take on Senegal in Rabat in Sunday’s final and the pressure is on the Real Madrid midfielder to deliver for the hosts, whose only previous Cup of Nations success was in 1976.

"His mentality is strong, he plays with a lot of desire,” Regragui said of Diaz in Saturday’s pre-match press conference.

“He knows he has to make a difference. The most important thing is how he orchestrates the attacking phases.”

 

[ghazi52]

Dembele brace fires PSG top in France​

They secure a 3-0 win over Lille at a rainy Parc des Princes

AFP
January 17, 2026

Paris St Germain’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring their first goal. Photo: REUTERS

PARIS: Ousmane Dembele scored twice as champions Paris Saint-Germain climbed top of Ligue 1 on Friday with a dominant 3-0 win over Lille at a rainy Parc des Princes.

Surprise packages Lens could return to the summit on Saturday should they win at Auxerre, but PSG coach Luis Enrique will be buoyed by a return to form from his top striker.

Dembele won the Ballon d'Or last season but has suffered an injury-blighted season so far.

His goals, including a stunning lob, on Friday will hearten the PSG faithful, however.

A confident Dembele curled a sweet left-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box on 13 minutes to open the scoring.


He then chipped Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer from inside the box for a sumptuous second just after the hour mark.

"That's the magic of Ousmane, he can do anything, he's just brilliant," said teammate Warren Zaire-Emery after the game.

He also netted shortly after the break, popping up unmarked at the far post only for an offside flag to deny him.

Bradley Barcola, a late substitute for an industrious but misfiring Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, clipped home the third in stoppage time, pouncing on a defensive mix-up that left him with only Ozer to beat.

PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier had little to deal with over the 90 minutes.

Fourth-placed Lille harried PSG into spilling several loose balls, one of which offered a half-chance to veteran Olivier Giroud, who chipped the ball onto the bar for an agonising near miss when they were only 1-0 down.

PSG started with Dembele, Desire Doue and Kvaratskhelia in a line up similar to the one that beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final last May, but were missing key defender Achraf Hakimi, who will play in the African Cup of Nations final for Morocco on Sunday.

The Parisians won the league by 19 points last season but Lens have strung together a nine-match winning run in all competitions to keep pace with the European champions this season.

 

[ghazi52]

Mane eyes second AFCON title​

Senegal will lock horns against hosts Morocco in the final

AFP
January 17, 2026

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final against Egypt at the Grand stadium in Tangiers. Photo: AFP

RABAT: Sadio Mane will cement his status as one of the all-time great African players if he can lead Senegal to victory against hosts Morocco in Sunday's Cup of Nations final – a game he has said will be his farewell to the tournament.

Former Liverpool star Mane turns 34 in April and has played over 120 times for his country going back to a debut against Morocco shortly after his 20th birthday in 2012.

The high point of his international career came in February 2022, when he starred as the Lions of Teranga beat Egypt on penalties in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde.

Having missed a penalty during normal time that night, he stepped up to score the decisive kick in the shoot-out and Senegal – World Cup quarter-finalists in 2002 – were African champions for the first time.

A huge weight was lifted off the shoulders of the boy from a small town on the banks of the Casamance River in southern Senegal.

 

[Flotilla]

Real Madrid crash out of Copa del Rey​

They fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16

AF
January 15, 2026

Alvaro Arbeloa's tenure as Real Madrid coach begins with shock Cup loss. Photo: AFP

MADRID: Real Madrid fell to a shock 3-2 defeat in the Copa del Rey last 16 on Wednesday as Alvaro Arbeloa's debut as coach ended in humiliation by second-tier opposition.

Appointed on Monday to replace Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and his side were ousted by Jefte Betancor's stoppage-time winner at the Carlos Belmonte stadium.

Without French superstar Kylian Mbappe and various other key players, Arbeloa's side struggled against a side currently 17th in Spain's second division.

Albacete took the lead through Javi Villar but Franco Mastantuono equalised just before half-time.

Jefte put the hosts back ahead after 82 minutes and then scored the winner after Gonzalo Garcia's 91st-minute goal looked to have forced extra time for the 15-time European champions.

Madrid is burning!!!!

 

[Yellow is Okay]

Madrid is burning!!!!

Madrid might be heading into a banter era, or honestly could already be in one. It's giving me the same vibe I went through as a Madrid fan in the mid-to-late 2000s.

 

[ghazi52]

Manchester United hurt City title hopes as Spurs flop again​

AFP
January 18, 2026



MANCHESTER: Patrick Dorgu of Manchester United shoots to score during the Premier League match against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.—AFP

LONDON: Michael Carrick’s Manchester United beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday, dealing a huge blow to their neighbours’ title hopes, as sorry Tottenham Hotspur slipped to defeat against relegation-threatened West Ham United.

Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley while Liam Rosenior celebrated his first league win in charge of Chelsea.

The early result at a bouncing Old Trafford left Pep Guardiola’s City six points behind Arsenal, who could extend their lead when they visit struggling Nottingham Forest in the late kick-off match.

 

[ghazi52]

Lookman gives Nigeria third place​

They beat Egypt on penalties in AFCON

AFPJanuary 18, 2026

Nigeria reserve goalkeeper Amas Obasogien carries Stanley Nwabali, who saved two penalties in a shoot-out victory over Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off. Photo: AFP

CASABLANCA: Ademola Lookman converted the spot-kick that gave Nigeria a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Egypt after a 0-0 draw on Saturday in the Africa Cup of Nations third place play-off.

Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.

Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.

Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.

 

[ghazi52]

Real Madrid overcome Bernabeu boos to record Arbeloa's first win​

AFP
Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asencio sealed a 2–0 win over Levante

​

......​

Morocco ready for battle with Mane's Senegal in AFCON final​

AFP
The match kicks off at 1900 GMT at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat

 

[ghazi52]

Carrick magic dents Man City Premier League bid​

Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored 2-0 to secure the win at Old Trafford

AFP
January 18, 2026

Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu scores their second goal. Photo: REUTERS

LONDON: Michael Carrick made a flying start to life as Manchester United boss against Manchester City on Saturday but Premier League leaders Arsenal missed a chance to pull nine points clear.

Sorry Tottenham slipped to defeat against relegation-threatened West Ham, further increasing the pressure on beleaguered boss Thomas Frank, while Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley.

Carrick's first game of his second temporary spell in charge of the Red Devils could barely have gone better in a dominant 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

The former United midfielder was appointed as head coach until the end of the campaign following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.

The 44-year-old, who was also briefly United's caretaker boss in 2021, said ahead of his first game that there was still "magic" at United, and his team put on a memorable show.

 

[PakAl]

Senegal 1-0 Morocco - AFCON 2025 Final - FULL TIME

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[PakAl]

Anyone know about the stealing towels controversy, what the voodoo going on.

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