Lausanne (AFP) – Portugal climbed two places to fifth in the latest FIFA rankings on Friday after adding the inaugural Nations League title to their European Championship crown. Fernando Santos' side leapfrogged Croatia and Uruguay. Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final in Porto thanks to a second-half strike from Goncalo Guedes, after a […]

London (AFP) – Former England international Jonathan Woodgate has been given his first senior managerial role at former club Middlesbrough, the Championship club announced on Friday. The 39-year-old will be joined by former Leeds and Tottenham teammate Robbie Keane, who forms part of Woodgate's coaching staff. "Middlesbrough Football Club are delighted to confirm that Jonathan […]

Paris (AFP) – South Africa are close to genuinely competing with the very best women's football has to offer despite losing both games so far at their debut World Cup, according to captain Janine van Wyk. Banyana Banyana lost 1-0 to former runners-up China in Paris on Thursday, leaving them still without a point in […]

London (AFP) – Maurizio Sarri is set to return to Italy to take the vacant managerial role at Juventus and bring the curtain down on a fretful one-year stay at Chelsea. Sarri met his targets by returning Chelsea to the Champions League via a third-placed finish in the Premier League and winning the Europa League, […]

Montpellier (France) (AFP) – For Australia, the come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Brazil in Montpellier did not just keep their World Cup hopes alive — it provided vindication. "Real Aussie heart being shown," said goalkeeper Lydia Williams. "It was kind of do or die for us." Australia were mugged by Italy in the first game, taking […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Teenage sensation Takefusa Kubo is poised to be snapped up by Spanish giants Real Madrid, Japanese media reported on Friday. The FC Tokyo forward, who recently made his full Japan debut and is dubbed the "Japanese Messi", has also been linked with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and English champions Manchester City. Contacted by AFP, […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Japan plan on displaying their "strength" at the Copa America when the Blue Samurai make their second appearance as guests in a tough Group C alongside champions Chile, coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday. "I'm really looking forward to playing in the Copa America, it's one of the highest level tournaments […]

Mexico City (AFP) – Diego Maradona has resigned as coach of Mexican second-division club Dorados for health reasons, his lawyer said Thursday, after nine tumultuous months in the job for the Argentine football legend. Maradona, 58, "has decided not to continue in his position as manager of Dorados. Under his doctors' advice, he will be […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer earning $7.2 million per year, according to figures released by the MLS Players Association. The 37-year-old Swedish star, who joined the Los Angeles Galaxy last season, earned more than double the $3.5 million paid to former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney, […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Star forward Neymar's injury absence changes nothing for Brazil at the Copa America, midfielder Casemiro said on Thursday, insisting that the hosts must triumph come what may. Neymar will miss the South American showpiece after injuring ankle ligaments last week in the Selecao's penultimate competition warm-up friendly match. His untimely injury […]

Paris (AFP) – A Monica own-goal completed a remarkable turnaround by Australia at the women's World Cup on Thursday, as the Matildas came from two goals down to stun Brazil 3-2, while China beat South Africa in Paris. Li Ying's first-half strike gave former runners-up China a 1-0 victory which ensured that their Group B […]

Paris (AFP) – A solitary strike by Li Ying gave China a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Paris on Thursday and ensured that Germany and hosts France are guaranteed qualifiers for the last 16 of the women's World Cup. Li, who was brought into the Chinese starting line-up following their opening 1-0 loss to […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Africa Cup of Nations hosts Egypt rested star Mohamed Salah as they defeated Tanzania 1-0 Thursday in the first of two warm-up matches before the June 21 tournament kick-off. With the prolific Liverpool scorer sitting on the bench in Alexandria, it was left to full-back Ahmed Elmohamady to break the deadlock on […]

Milan (AFP) – Football agent Mino Raiola, whose high-profile clients include Manchester United star Paul Pogba, has won an appeal against a three-month ban in Italy, Gazzetta Dello Sport reported on Thursday. Raiola, 51, was banned by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) last April with FIFA's disciplinary committee extending the sanctions worldwide in May. However, […]

Paris (AFP) – A solitary strike by Li Ying gave China a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Paris on Thursday and ensured that Germany are the first guaranteed qualifier for the last 16 of the women's World Cup. Li, who was brought into the Chinese starting line-up following their opening 1-0 loss to the […]