Johannesburg (AFP) – A brilliant assist by Egypt captain Mohamed Salah triggered a comeback that earned a 2-2 World Cup draw in Angola on Friday, and a place in the final African qualifying stage. The Liverpool star pushed the ball between two defenders and onrushing Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny slammed the ball into the net […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane fired England to the verge of World Cup qualification as he became his country's record goalscorer in competitive matches with a hat-trick in Friday's 5-0 demolition of Albania. Gareth Southgate's side need a draw in their last Group I qualifier at San Marino on Monday to seal their place at […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy's bid to return to the World Cup after eight years away is still in the balance after a late penalty miss from Jorginho led to the European champions drawing 1-1 with Switzerland on Friday. The Azzurri remain ahead of the Swiss at the top of Group C on goal difference thanks […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane scored a first half hat-trick as England romped towards the 2022 World Cup with a 5-0 thrashing of Albania, but Italy still have work to do to reach Qatar after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. England still need a point to mathematically qualify when they visit San Marino on Monday, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona announced on Friday that veteran defender Dani Alves will be returning to the club as new coach Xavi Hernandez's first signing. Alves, 38, has been a free agent since leaving Sao Paulo in September but is ineligible until the transfer window opens early next window. He played for the Camp Nou […]

Chisinau (AFP) – Scotland ensured their place in a semi-final playoff for a place at next year's World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win in Moldova on Friday. Nathan Patterson and Che Adams struck either side of half-time in Chisinau to give Steve Clarke's men an unassailable lead in second place in Group F behind […]

Paris (AFP) – Paris Saint-Germain women's footballer Aminata Diallo on Friday denied any involvement in a street attack on her teammate Kheira Hamraoui, in her first public statement about an incident that has shaken the Qatar-owned club. Diallo was driving fellow midfielder Hamraoui home on Thursday evening last week near Paris after dinner when her […]

Tubize (Belgium) (AFP) – Manchester City attacker Kevin De Bruyne said on Friday a proposal to hold the World Cup every two years was "not a bad idea." FIFA's biennial World Cup scheme was mooted earlier this year by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who now works as chief of global football development for the […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona forward Sergio Aguero has dismissed as rumours reports a heart condition had ended his playing career, insisting he hoped to be back in action within three months. The 33-year-old Argentine was rushed to hospital on October 30 after suffering breathing problems while playing in the Liga draw against Alaves. The club […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale said he wants to round off "an incredible journey" by taking Wales to a first World Cup since 1958 as he prepares to win his 100th cap against Belarus on Saturday. The Real Madrid forward became the then youngest player to appear for his country in May 2006 when making […]

Nairobi (AFP) – Kenyan police said they had arrested the head of the national football federation on Friday after the body was dissolved over corruption allegations. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss Nick Mwendwa was picked up by police at a Nairobi hotel the day after the government set up a caretaker committee to run the […]

Paris (AFP) – French police sought new leads on Friday to identify the attackers of French women's football star Kheira Hamraoui after releasing her PSG teammate and rival Aminata Diallo from custody after nearly 35 hours of questioning. Diallo, who was arrested on Wednesday at her home near Paris, was driving Hamraoui home last week […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – Lucas Paqueta's instinctive strike gave Brazil a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Colombia on Thursday to book their place at Qatar 2022. The five-time world champions join the hosts and Europeans Germany and Denmark as early qualifiers for next year's finals. The have produced a near perfect qualifying campaign, winning […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Liverpool star Sadio Mane suffered an injury that forced him to be substituted by Senegal 27 minutes into a World Cup qualifier against Togo that finished 1-1 on Thursday. The 29-year-old forward fell awkwardly after colliding with a defender as he sought to head the ball and had to be replaced […]

Berlin (AFP) – Hansi Flick became the first coach to win his first six games in charge of Germany on Thursday as his side crushed ten-man Liechtenstein 9-0 in a low-stakes World Cup qualifier. Having already secured qualification for next year's tournament in Qatar, Germany smashed nine past Group J's bottom side to hand Flick […]