London (AFP) – Dele Alli fired Tottenham Hotspur into the Champions League last 16 as his brace inspired a swaggering 3-1 win over Real Madrid that condemned the troubled holders to their first group-stage defeat in five years. Alli put Tottenham ahead from close range in the first half and the England midfielder doubled their […]

Madrid (AFP) – Sevilla put themselves back in pole position to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League as goals either side of half-time from Clement Lenglet and Ever Banega secured a nervy 2-1 win over Spartak Moscow on Wednesday. Victory moves Sevilla back above the Russians in Group E on seven points […]

Liverpool (AFP) – Second-half goals from Mohamed Salah, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge moved Liverpool closer to the Champions League knockout phase after the five-time European champions beat Maribor 3-0 on Wednesday. Liverpool had crushed Maribor 7-0 in the reverse fixture two weeks ago, but had to be content with three goals at Anfield as […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane was named in the Tottenham starting line-up for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring injury. Kane had missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, but the England striker demonstrated his fitness by training with his Tottenham team-mates on Tuesday. That was enough […]

Paris (AFP) – Turkish champions Besiktas missed a chance to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as they drew 1-1 with Monaco in Istanbul on Wednesday. The home side needed a penalty from Cenk Tosun in the second half to earn a point after Rony Lopes had given Monaco the […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Reigning African Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez of Algeria failed to make the 30-nominee list of contenders announced Wednesday for the 2017 award. The winger was a key figure in the Leicester City side that defied 5,000-1 odds and stunned the football world by winning the 2015/16 English Premier League title. […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United fans have invited manager Jose Mourinho to discuss his concerns around the atmosphere at Old Trafford after apparent tensions surfaced in recent games. The Portuguese boss held a finger to his lips and told the doubters to calm down after his side beat Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday to remain five […]

London (AFP) – Injury-plagued midfielder Jack Wilshere is ready for a return to the England squad despite barely featuring in the Premier League this season, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said on Wednesday. Wilshere's last England cap came as a substitute in the shock 2-1 defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016 which led to Roy Hodgson's […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona duo Sergi Roberto and Andre Gomes will be sidelined for around a month after picking up hamstring injuries in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Olympiakos, the club confirmed on Wednesday. Roberto, who has featured more often at right-back than his preferred central midfield role under Ernesto Valverde, hobbled off at half-time in […]

London (AFP) – Wales manager Chris Coleman said on Wednesday he has "no idea" if he will stay in the job after holding initial talks with football chiefs. Coleman's current contract expires at the end of this month after friendlies away against France on November 10 and Panama in Cardiff on November 14. The 47-year-old's […]

New York (AFP) – Norwegian striker Ola Kamara scored in the sixth minute and the host Columbus Crew thumped 10-man New York City FC 4-1 Tuesday in a Major League Soccer playoff match. Artur, Justin Meram and Harrison Afful added second-half goals after NYCFC lost Alexander Callens to a red card in the 52nd minute, […]

Rome (AFP) – Antonio Conte blasted Chelsea's lack of hunger after becoming the first English club to lose in the Champions League this season with a ruthless 3-0 rout by AS Roma. Conte lamented that the English champions — who would have advanced to the last 16 with a win — "lacked everything" after a […]

Paris (AFP) – Having made a perfect start to their Europa League campaign, Arsenal can secure a place in the knockout phase with two group games to spare by beating Red Star Belgrade on Thursday. The Gunners play host to the 1991 European Cup winners in north London a fortnight after Olivier Giroud's remarkable late […]

Tirana (AFP) – It may not be one of Thursday's Europa League glamour ties but Skenderbeu's visit to Partizan is nonetheless steeped in the history of the bitter rivalry between Albania and Serbia. Three years ago Partizan's stadium in Belgrade was the stage for a Euro 2016 qualifier between the fractious neighbours that descended into […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Simeone defended Atletico Madrid's style as another profligate performance left his side on the brink of an early Champions League exit after being held 1-1 at home by 10-man Qarabag. Back-to-back draws against the Azerbaijani champions, playing their first ever Champions League campaign, mean Simeone's men have to beat Roma at […]