Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale is to undergo an operation on his injured ankle that will likely see him ruled out of action for two months. Bale was forced off just before the hour mark of Real's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday as the European champions secured their place in […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard called time on his glittering playing career on Thursday at the age of 36. AFP Sport remembers five of the Liverpool legend's finest displays: Miracle in Istanbul (v AC Milan, 2004-05 Champions League final) Faced with the prospect of a humiliating defeat after falling 3-0 […]

London (AFP) – Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from professional football on Thursday at the age of 36, calling time on an emblematic career. Gerrard spent 17 years at his home-town club Liverpool, 12 as captain, and won seven major honours including the 2005 Champions League before finishing his career […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has been offered the England manager's job and could be confirmed in the role as early as Monday, according to British newspaper reports on Thursday. Southgate, who recently completed a four-game stint as interim manager, was interviewed by a five-man panel at the St George's Park national football centre in […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola admits he is glad his Manchester City will avoid his ex-club Bayern Munich in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League. City booked their place in the knock-out phase on Wednesday with a sluggish 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach as both teams finished with ten men. […]

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal have lost momentum and look destined for a frustrating second-placed finish in their Champions League group after being held to a 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger's side were on course to wrap up top spot in Group A when they led 2-1 late in the second half […]

Moscow (AFP) – Soul-searching following Russia's miserable performance at the 2016 Euro led to one inescapable conclusion: the squad has a long way to go to avoid humiliation on home turf at the 2018 World Cup. Russia crashed out of Euro 2016 without a win, its short run at the tournament tarnished by hooliganism among […]

Berlin (AFP) – Uli Hoeness will complete his redemption on Friday when re-elected president of Bayern Munich having served out his tax evasion jail term earlier this year. The 64-year-old who in his playing days won three European Cups with Bayern plus the World Cup and European Championships with West Germany was released in February from […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach as both teams finished with 10 men. The point confirms City will finish second in their group with one game left. Gladbach are confirmed in third — which means […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid guaranteed top spot in Champions League Group D with a game to spare ahead of Bayern Munich as Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann struck in a 2-0 win over PSV Eindhoven. Already assured of their place in the last 16, Bayern's shock 3-2 defeat to Rostov earlier on Wednesday meant […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Lionel Messi bagged a brace as he returned to the Barcelona line-up to help them book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Celtic on Wednesday. Messi, who missed Saturday’s goalless draw with Malaga due to illness, provided a fine finish to Neymar’s […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal squandered a chance to wrap up first place in Champions League Group A as Paris Saint-Germain hit back to earn a 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger's side were on course to secure top spot and a possible easier draw in the last 16 after taking a 2-1 […]

Milan (AFP) – Napoli's Champions League last-16 hopes will be decided by a final group showdown away to Benfica after the Italians were held to a frustrating scoreless home draw by Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday. Napoli, who will need a draw in Portugal, were given extra incentive to seek their last-16 ticket when Benfica, despite […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal squandered a chance to wrap up first place in Champions League Group A as Paris Saint-Germain hit back to earn a 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger's side were on course to secure top spot and a possible easier draw in the last 16 after taking a 2-1 […]

Monchengladbach (Germany) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola's Manchester City booked their place in the Champions League's last 16 on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at Borussia Moenchengladbach as both teams finished with ten men. The point confirms City will finish second in their group with one game left. Gladbach are confirmed in third — which means […]