London (AFP) – Huddersfield Town won promotion to the Premier League in dramatic fashion as Christopher Schindler's penalty sealed a 4-3 shoot-out victory over Reading in the Championship play-off final on Monday. David Wagner's side will play in the English top-flight for the first time in 45 years after holding their nerve in the nerve-shredding […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has labelled 11-time winners Real Madrid favourites for the Champions League final, but said the "optimistic" Italians intend on bringing the trophy home from Cardiff on Saturday. Fresh from securing a record third consecutive league and Cup double, Juventus are looking to complete a treble this season […]

Berlin (AFP) – Marco Reus' injury misery continued Monday when Borussia Dortmund confirmed the winger partially tore his cruciate ligament in Saturday's German Cup final – a set-back which could sideline him for months. "In the coming days, there will be further tests and a decision will be made on the necessary treatment," said Dortmund […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona are expected to confirm Ernesto Valverde as their new coach later on Monday after club president Josep Maria Bartomeu called a press conference for 1900 local time (1700 GMT). Bartomeu said after Saturday's Copa del Rey final win over Alaves that there would be a board meeting on Monday afternoon where […]

Barcelona (AFP) – German international goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen tied his future to Barcelona by extending his contract with the Catalan giants to 2022 on Monday. "FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Marc-Andre ter Stegen to extend and improve his contract until June 30, 2022," Barca said in a statement. "His buyout clause will […]

Madrid (AFP) – Argentine coach Mauricio Pellegrino announced on Monday he will not remain in charge of La Liga side Alaves next season. Alaves lost out 3-1 to Barcelona in Pellegrino's last game in charge in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. "I will not be here next season," said the former Liverpool and […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona are expected to confirm Ernesto Valverde as their new coach later on Monday after club president Josep Maria Bartomeu called a press conference for 1900 local time (1700 GMT). Bartomeu said after Saturday's Copa del Rey final win over Alaves that there would be a board meeting on Monday afternoon where […]

London (AFP) – David Wagner insists Huddersfield are ready to hit the Premier League jackpot as his unfashionable club face Reading in a £200 million ($256 million) shoot-out in Monday's Championship play-off final. Wagner is aiming to take his team into the English top-flight for the first time in 45 years and the Huddersfield boss […]

Seoul (AFP) – France will look to soar into the Under-20 World Cup quarter-finals this week when they take on Italy in a rematch of last year's U19 European final. Just 10 months ago, the French thrashed Italy 4-0 to lift the European trophy and they will have little to fear after a perfect tournament […]

Riyadh (AFP) – The world's most expensive footballer Paul Pogba has posted pictures of himself at the holiest site of Islam, days after helping Manchester United to victory in the Europa League final. He also issued greetings for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, which began on Saturday. On Instagram, the Frenchman posted a […]

Atlanta (AFP) – Miguel Almiron scored two goals as the Atlanta United defeated the David Villa-led New York City FC 3-1 on Sunday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. Reigning MLS MVP Villa had two shots on goal but failed to score, leaving him one goal shy of his 50th MLS goal. The former Barcelona […]

Chicago (AFP) – Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore highlight a group of 27 players invited to USA Soccer's training camp as the national team prepares to play two World Cup qualifiers in June. Dempsey and Altidore are two of 11 players on the invite list who have played in 10 or more FIFA World Cup […]

Madrid (AFP) – Even for a man and a club synonymous with European Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid stand on the brink of history in Saturday's Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff. Since the European Cup was rebranded and expanded into the Champions League in 1992, no team has been capable of defending […]

London (AFP) – Per Mertesacker says his key role in Arsenal's FA Cup final triumph was fuelled by the critics who claimed he was past his best. With Arsenal's defence ravaged by injury and suspension, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger handed Mertesacker his first appearance in the starting line-up for 392 days in Saturday's Wembley showpiece […]

Paris (AFP) – Brittany side Lorient's stay in France's Ligue 1 came to an end after 11 years on Sunday as they lost a play-off against second-tier Troyes. The 0-0 draw at Lorient's Stade du Moustoir was not enough for them to overturn a 2-1 defeat in the first leg on Thursday, meaning Troyes are […]