Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) – Germany continued their spotless record under new coach Hansi Flick and secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup as Chelsea striker Timo Werner scored twice in a 4-0 rout of North Macedonia on Monday. Just months after they slumped to a shock 2-1 defeat to the same opponent […]

Tallinn (AFP) – Wales claimed a 1-0 qualifying victory over Estonia in Tallinn on Monday to keep Belgium waiting for a place at the 2022 World Cup. Kieffer Moore's scrappy 12th-minute goal was enough for Wales to make amends for a disappointing goalless home draw with Estonia last month. Anything other than a Welsh victory […]

London (AFP) – England and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount said on Monday it was special to see his name included on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or. But the 22-year-old insisted he is just getting started after a year in which he helped the Blues win the Champions League and England reach a first […]

Beirut (AFP) – Lebanon's top football stadium once hosted some of the world's best players, but today it has become a neglected, explosion-hit arena at times used as a cereal warehouse. Stray dogs roam around its abandoned facilities, the walls are water-damaged and ceilings have caved in. The Beirut stadium is just one of several […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – A maximum of 2,000 spectators can attend a World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Ethiopia in Johannesburg on Tuesday as the republic eases Covid-19 restrictions introduced last year. "The (government) has approved that a limited number of spectators will be allowed back into the stadium," a national football association statement […]

Milan (AFP) – Didier Deschamps heaped praise on Karim Benzema after the once-exiled forward played a key role in France's Nations League triumph. Benzema scored France's equaliser in a 2-1 win over Spain which handed the world champions the trophy, and Deschamps was delighted with his striker. "Karim is a crucial player and he has […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Italy claimed third place in the Nations League on Sunday after beating Belgium 2-1 to bounce back from their world record unbeaten run being brought to an end. A superb volley from Nicolo Barella just after half-time and Domenico Berardi's 63rd-minute penalty were enough for the Azzurri to see off a […]

Panama City (AFP) – The United States crashed to their first ever World Cup qualifying defeat against Panama on Sunday as coach Gregg Berhalter's decision to ring the changes backfired. Anibal Godoy's glancing header on 54 minutes secured all three points for Panama at Panama City's Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez Stadium to jolt the USA's bid […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbors Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez rounded off a successful night for Lionel Scaloni's team in Buenos Aires as they maintained their unbeaten start to the qualification campaign and closed the […]

Milan (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe fired France to Nations League glory on Sunday after netting the winner which completed a comeback from a goal down to beat Spain 2-1 in Milan. Mbappe struck with 10 minutes remaining to win the title for world champions France after Karim Benzema had levelled just two minutes after Mikel […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil star Neymar said Sunday that the 2022 World Cup will be his last as he "doesn't have the strength to put up with more football". "I think it will be my last World Cup," the 29-year-old told DAZN. "I will play it like it is the last because I […]

Sydney (AFP) – Star striker Sam Kerr and her Australian teammates Monday backed veteran Lisa De Vanna after she made historic allegations of sexual harassment, but insisted the environment was now a "safe haven." De Vanna, who earned 150 caps for the Matildas before retiring in September, revealed last week she was regularly subject to predatory […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan are not out of the 2022 World Cup qualification picture yet, manager Hajime Moriyasu said Monday, as the embattled Asian giants prepared to host Australia in a crunch match. From their opening three games in Asian qualifying Group B, Japan have taken only three points, leaving them in real danger of […]

Paris (AFP) – Denmark can qualify for the 2022 World Cup with victory over Austria on Tuesday, while Germany could book a spot in Qatar when they visit North Macedonia on Monday. Belgium could also secure a place in next year's finals if Wales fail to win against Estonia in Tallinn, also on Monday. However, […]

Faro (Portugal) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo marked a record 181st international appearance with a goal as Portugal defeated World Cup hosts Qatar 3-0 in a friendly game on Saturday. The Manchester United star surpassed Sergio Ramos, who has played for Spain 180 times, as the most-capped international for a European nation. Ronaldo opened the scoring […]