Shanghai (AFP) – Football communities in the US and China were on Monday mourning the death of former Chinese international Zhang Ouying who had been fighting cancer. She was 43. Zhang came agonisingly close with China to winning the 1999 World Cup final, arguably the country's greatest footballing moment. She scored during the penalty shootout […]

Paris (AFP) – The winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or will be revealed at a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday evening, with Croatia's Luka Modric and a host of French World Cup winners all hoping to finally end the 10-year duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the award […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – The 2018/2019 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round second legs this week offer four newcomers in the second-tier African competition a chance to triumph. Armed Forces of the Gambia and Mukura Victory of Rwanda drew away while AS Nyuki of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Silver Strikers of Malawi trail by one-goal […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain are again sweating on Neymar's fitness on Sunday after the superstar attacker left the field at Bordeaux clutching his groin before Andreas Cornelius' late header ended the French champions perfect start to the Ligue 1 season. Brazilian Neymar was substituted 57 minutes into the hugely entertaining 2-2 draw the Matmut […]

Milan (AFP) – Roma battled back for a 2-2 draw which denied Inter Milan second place in Serie A on Sunday in a Stadio Olimpico thriller between two sides looking to impress after losing in Europe during the week. Keita Balde Diao gave Inter the half-time lead, but injury-depleted Roma powered back with a Cendiz […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain's perfect start to the Ligue 1 season came to an end on Sunday at Bordeaux, where Andreas Cornelius' late header was enough to earn the hosts a deserved and hugely entertaining 2-2 draw. Thomas Tuchel's side had won all 14 of their league matches going into the clash at the […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Moroccan club Raja Casablanca ended a 15-year wait for an African trophy by winning the CAF Confederation Cup in the Democratic Republic of Congo Sunday despite a 3-1 second-leg loss to V Club. Raja, who won the last edition of the CAF Cup in 2003, beat V Club 3-0 in the first […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford apologised on Sunday to fans for his blunder that handed Liverpool a 1-0 victory in the Merseyside derby at Anfield but said he is mentally strong enough to bounce back. The England international misjudged a looping, miskicked shot from Virgil Van Dijk, appearing to push the ball upwards […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Divock Origi's freak injury-time winning goal settled a thrilling Merseyside derby as Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 on Sunday to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Manchester City, although the FA may yet have the final word on a tempestuous finale to the game. Jurgen Klopp apologised on TV afterwards for his […]

Dublin (AFP) – UEFA confirmed on Sunday the creation of a third European club competition from the 2021/22 season designed to offer more clubs and associations the chance to play European football. After approval from UEFA's Executive Committee in Dublin, the Europa League will be cut from its current 48-team group stage so that all […]

Madrid (AFP) – Ousmane Dembele took another step on the road to redemption as Barcelona eased past Villarreal on Sunday to move back to the top of La Liga. Dembele, dropped last month by coach Ernesto Valverde, was making his second consecutive start and repaid the faith by teeing up Gerard Pique's opening goal in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness on Sunday insisted there is no chance of burying the hatchet with club legend and his former friend Paul Breitner in their heated public feud. "Paul Breitner has been made into a martyr, but Paul Breitner is not the victim – he's the culprit," Hoeness fumed on […]

Milan (AFP) – AC Milan got back to winning ways in Serie A on Sunday as second half goals from Patrick Cutrone and Franck Kessie saw them come from behind to beat promoted Parma 2-1 and move fourth ahead of Lazio who were held 1-1 at bottom club Chievo. Gennaro Gattuso's Milan side fell 2-0 […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool stayed hot on the heels of Manchester City on Sunday after a bizarre late winner against Everton as Arsenal issued a powerful statement of intent on Sunday's Premier League derby day. Jurgen Klopp's unbeaten side looked set to drop a precious two points in their dogged pursuit of City but they […]

Girona (Spain) (AFP) – Atletico Madrid's troubles away from home continued on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 La Liga draw by Girona despite Diego Costa's late show helping to salvage them a point. Costa's excellent run and first touch panicked Girona's Jonas Ramalho into poking into his own net in the 82nd […]