Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain came so close to winning the prize they crave more than anything in last season's Champions League and are hoping to go one better this time, but there are concerns that the Qatar-owned club might actually have gone backwards in recent months. Bayern Munich's greater experience told in Lisbon in […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Moroccan Achraf Bencharki completed a miserable weekend for his country in the CAF Champions League semi-finals by scoring as Egyptian visitors Zamalek beat Raja Casablanca 1-0 Sunday. On Saturday, Al Ahly triumphed 2-0 over Wydad Casablanca in the other first leg in Morocco through goals from Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdy and Ali […]

Milan (AFP) – Sassuolo moved second in Serie A on Sunday behind leaders AC Milan after a thrilling 4-3 win at Bologna as Roma also staged a 5-2 comeback against promoted Benevento. Roberto de Zerbi's Sassuolo had been trailing 3-1 after an hour, but three substitutions, including a first start for French midfielder Maxime Lopez, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Sociedad continued La Liga's unpredictable start to the season by going top of the table on Sunday, after a 3-0 win away at Real Betis. Villarreal had temporarily claimed first place earlier in the day by beating Valencia 2-1 at la Ceramica but Real Sociedad's impressive victory put them ahead on […]

Paris (AFP) – Lille grabbed top spot in Ligue 1 on Sunday by thrashing newly-promoted Lens 4-0 in France's northern derby as the ill-disciplined visitors had two players sent off. Lens had a chance to go top in France for the first time in 16 years but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Lille […]

London (AFP) – West Ham ruined Gareth Bale's Tottenham return with a stunning late fightback from three goals down to rescue a thrilling 3-3 draw, while Aston Villa extended their perfect start with a dramatic 1-0 win at Leicester on Sunday. Tottenham were leading 3-0 when Bale came on as a 72nd minute substitute for […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's Premier League title defence was rocked on Sunday when the club confirmed key defender Virgil van Dijk has suffered knee ligament damage amid reports the Dutchman could miss the rest of the season. Van Dijk, who will require surgery, hobbled off after a shocking challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga crisis club Schalke picked up their first point of the season on Sunday as Goncalo Paciencia's second-half equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Union Berlin. Paciencia's 69th minute header ended a nightmare start to the season for Schalke, who began the day with no points and one goal from […]

London (AFP) – Jose Mourinho questioned Tottenham's mental strength after a stunning late collapse saw West Ham come from 3-0 down in the final eight minutes to draw 3-3 on Sunday. Manuel Lanzini's sensational 94th minute strike into the top corner capped the comeback after Fabian Balbuena's header and Davinson Sanchez's own goal resurrected David […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga crisis club Schalke picked up their first point of the season on Sunday as Goncalo Paciencia's second-half equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw at home to Union Berlin. Paciencia's 69th minute header ended a nightmare start to the season for Schalke, who began the day with no points and one goal from […]

London (AFP) – Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew says he is "feeling fine" after missing Sunday's 1-1 draw against Brighton following a positive coronavirus test. Ghana's Ayew was absent from the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park and Palace boss Roy Hodgson later revealed a positive virus test was the reason. Ayew has gone into […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale's second Tottenham debut was ruined by a stunning West Ham fightback from 3-0 down in the final eight minutes to draw 3-3 on Sunday. Manuel Lanzini's sensational long-range strike into the top corner capped the comeback after Fabian Balbuena's header and Davinson Sanchez's own goal resurrected David Moyes's men. Spurs […]

London (AFP) – West Ham ruined Gareth Bale's Tottenham return with a stunning late fightback from three goals down to rescue a thrilling 3-3 draw, while Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic endured a penalty nightmare in a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Sunday. Tottenham were leading 3-0 when Bale came on as a 72nd minute substitute […]

London (AFP) – Liverpool's Premier League title defence was rocked on Sunday with the news Virgil Van Dijk must undergo knee surgery amid reports the Dutch defender could miss the rest of the season. Van Dijk hobbled off after a shocking challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby […]

Berlin (AFP) – Borussia Dortmund’s 15-year-old star Youssoufa Moukoko was subjected to threats of violence and racist abuse during a local derby between the two clubs’ junior sides on Sunday. Moukoko scored a hat-trick as Dortmund's under-19 side beat Schalke 3-2, but his brilliant display was overshadowed by racist abuse from spectators in Gelsenkirchen. In […]