Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Germany booked their place in the Confederations Cup final as Leon Goretzka scored twice in a devastating opening spell to Thursday's 4-1 semi-final win over Mexico. Attacking midfielder Goretzka ran riot in Sochi with goals on six and eight minutes before Timo Werner and substitute Amin Younes netted in the second […]

Montpellier (France) (AFP) – French industrialist Louis Nicollin, the iconic president of Montpellier and the Ligue 1 side's founding father, died Thursday as he celebrated his 74th birthday, the club announced on Twitter. "It's with immense sadness that we have learnt of the death of of our president Louis Nicollin," tweeted the club. Nicollin had […]

New York (AFP) – A United States national team that's unbeaten since Bruce Arena replaced Jurgen Klinsmann as coach entertains World Cup nemesis Ghana on Saturday as a tuneup for next month's Gold Cup. The Americans play host to the Black Stars — whom they have beaten once and lost to twice in the past […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Lionel Messi's Barcelona teammates landed in private jets in his Argentine hometown on Thursday on the eve of the star striker's celebrity wedding. Curious locals watched stars such as Luis Suarez and Carles Puyol as well as ex-Barca and current Chelsea player Cesc Fabregas disembark at the small airport in the […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal's superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo revealed Thursday he will not play in the Confederations Cup third-place match this weekend so he can finally meet his newborn twins. Hours after Wednesday's 3-0 semi-final defeat to Chile in a penalty shoot-out in Kazan, Ronaldo said he had been given permission to miss Sunday's […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona will play Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was all but wiped out in an air crash last November, in a friendly match at the Camp Nou on August 7. The match will "help pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident on November 28th, 2016, as well as […]

Istanbul (AFP) – French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis Thursday signed for Turkish top flight side Galatasaray from Swansea City of the English Premier League in a three year deal for a 2.5 million euro transfer fee. Gomis, 31, who spent the past season on loan at Marseille, had the day earlier received an ecstatic welcome […]

London (AFP) – Veteran England striker Jermain Defoe signed for Premier League side Bournemouth on a free transfer on Thursday the club announced on its website. The 34-year-old — who scored 15 goals in the Premier League for Sunderland last season and was able to leave for free as he had an escape clause in […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Chile's indestructible team spirit and unyielding attitude have laid the foundations for a hugely successful run that will see them contest a third straight international final at the Confederations Cup. Claudio Bravo proved Chile's hero on Wednesday as the Manchester City goalkeeper saved all three penalties to eliminate Portugal in a […]

Rosario (Argentina) (AFP) – Football and showbiz stars gather in northern Argentina on Friday for Latin America's celebrity wedding bash of the decade when Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi marries his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo. Pop star Shakira and her husband, Messi's teammate Gerard Pique, are expected among the 260 guests, according to media and locals […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Claudio Bravo was Chile's hero on Wednesday as they beat Portugal 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out in the Confederations Cup semi-finals. The Manchester City goalkeeper saved all three penalties from Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani, while Arturo Vidal, Charles Aranguiz and Alexis Sanchez nailed their spot-kicks for the South […]

Milan (AFP) – Dutch international defender Rick Karsdorp joined Serie A runners-up Roma on Wednesday in a five-year deal worth 14 million euros ($15.9 million) to his former club Feyenoord. Full-back Karsdorp, 22, arrived in Rome on Tuesday for a medical and after signing his contract on Wednesday said: "Joining Roma is a great move […]

Berlin (AFP) – French striker Anthony Modeste will stay at Cologne for next season, despite offers from Chinese outfit Tianjin Quanjian, the Bundesliga club said on Wednesday. Tianjin Quanjian had reportedly offered the German side 35 million euros ($39.8m), and Modeste an annual salary of 10 million euros. "FC forward Anthony Modeste will not transfer […]

London (AFP) – Swansea City captain Leon Britton signed a new one-year contract with the Premier League club on Wednesday. Britton's new deal is on improved terms and has the option of a further 12-month extension if he reaches a certain amount of appearances next season. The 34-year-old midfielder has also been guaranteed a coaching […]

Istanbul (AFP) – French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis on Wednesday arrived in Istanbul to sign for Turkish top flight side Galatasaray from Swansea City of the English Premier League in a reported three million dollar deal. Gomis, 31, was mobbed by hundreds of excited Galatasaray fans chanting club songs and brandishing its yellow and red […]