Los Angeles (AFP) – US women's national team coach Vlatko Andonovski went with rising talents in naming a 23-player roster Thursday for this month's SheBelieves Cup against the Czech Republic, New Zealand and Iceland. Don't, however, count out US stars like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Christen Press being on the pitch when […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Betis cruised into the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday after thrashing Real Sociedad 4-0 to continue their superb season under Manuel Pellegrini. Betis sit third in La Liga with genuine hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League and on this form they will take some stopping in […]

London (AFP) – Brentford boss Thomas Frank said Thursday he hoped new signing Christian Eriksen would be in action within "weeks" but could not make a full assessment until he had seen him train. The Premier League club announced the signing of the Denmark midfielder on Monday, seven months after he suffered a cardiac arrest […]

London (AFP) – Frank Lampard admitted on Thursday he has a tough job on his hands to revive the fortunes of struggling Everton after taking over as manager following Rafael Benitez's dismissal. Lampard was hired by Everton on Monday, inheriting a team sitting 16th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone. The […]

Yaoundé (AFP) – Football's power to bring people together has been nowhere more evident than in Cameroon over the past month where the fortunes of the Indomitable Lions have briefly papered over the cracks of a country at war with itself. Throughout Cameroon, each victory for the host nation in the Africa Cup of Nations […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said Thursday that Mason Greenwood's arrest and suspension by the club was a factor in the decision to keep Jesse Lingard at Old Trafford. Greenwood was arrested on Sunday over the alleged rape and assault of a young woman. While still in custody, the 20-year-old was […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang called joining Barcelona "the opportunity of his life" on Thursday and backed the club to regain its place among Europe's elite. Aubameyang was officially presented at Camp Nou after his signing was confirmed on Wednesday, the 32-year-old allowed to move on a free transfer after Arsenal terminated his contract. His […]

London (AFP) – Ashley Cole has reunited with former Chelsea and England team-mate Frank Lampard after agreeing to join Everton as first-team coach. Lampard was hired as Everton manager on Monday and moved quickly to take Cole with him to Goodison Park. Cole and Lampard were team-mates at Chelsea from 2006 to 2014, winning a […]

Pune (India) (AFP) – Midfielder Cho So-hyun's fourth-minute goal helped ease South Korea to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Philippines and enter their first Women's Asian Cup final in India on Thursday. Son Hwa-yeon doubled the lead in the 34th minute and South Korea, who beat Australia 1-0 in the quarter-finals, dominated the game with […]

Abu Dhabi (AFP) – Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel will attempt to lead Chelsea to more silverware and a first Club World Cup title as the seven-team competition kicks off Thursday in Abu Dhabi. The European champions fly out to the UAE following Saturday's FA Cup tie against third-tier Plymouth, and are aiming to become the […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Canada moved to the brink of their first World Cup finals appearance in 36 years on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over El Salvador as the United States reignited their qualification campaign with victory against Honduras. Second-half goals from Atiba Hutchinson and Jonathan David gave Canada a deserved victory in San […]

Saint Paul (AFP) – Two members of the Honduras team beaten 3-0 by the United States on Wednesday were substituted due to the bone-chilling temperatures during the World Cup clash in St Paul, the team said. A Twitter post from the Honduras national team said two players were substituted at half-time "due to the extreme […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – The United States reignited their World Cup qualifying campaign on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Honduras. Goals from Weston McKennie, Walker Zimmerman and Christian Pulisic secured all three points for the USA at a frozen Allianz Field in St.Paul, Minnesota. The victory leaves the USA with 21 points from 11 […]

Paris (AFP) – The Covid-19 pandemic has left Europe's clubs with a massive seven billion euro-crater in their bank accounts, a UEFA report concluded on Thursday. The virus-disrupted past two seasons, with many games played to empty terraces, ended an uninterrupted rise in revenue over the previous 20 years. With gate receipts decimated, sponsorship down […]

Madrid (AFP) – Rayo Vallecano reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey for the first time in 40 years on Wednesday after they beat Mallorca 1-0 at a jubilant Vallecas. Oscar Trejo's penalty just before half-time was enough to seal victory for Rayo, who will now attempt to make their first ever final in […]