Madrid (AFP) – Karim Benzema drew level with Real Madrid great Raul as the Spanish giants' second-highest goalscorer by netting his 323rd goal for the club in a 6-0 thrashing of Levante on Thursday. The France striker headed in Real's second goal against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the mark. Cristiano Ronaldo remains […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham forward Son Heung-min insisted he "accepted" Antonio Conte's decision to substitute him in Thursday's crucial 3-0 win over Arsenal despite his angry reaction to the decision. Son scored Tottenham's third goal early in the second half as Conte's side demolished their north London rivals to reignite their hopes of a top […]

London (AFP) – Harry Kane scored twice as Tottenham beat 10-man Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday with a north London derby masterclass that kept alive their hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four. Antonio Conte's side would have been eliminated from the race to qualify for next season's Champions League if they had lost […]

Montreal (AFP) – Canada will play host to Iran in a June 5 football friendly at Vancouver between Qatar World Cup-bound teams ahead of matches against North American rivals. Canada Soccer announced Thursday plans for three international matches, with Iran followed by CONCACAF Nations League matches against Curacao and Honduras. Iran will face the Canadians […]

London (AFP) – Aston Villa completed the permanent signing of Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho on Thursday in a deal the La Liga club said is worth 20 million euros (£17 million). The Brazilian has impressed since arriving at Villa on loan in January after struggling to make an impact at Barcelona. Barca confirmed the transfer […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Another venue row involving Morocco is brewing, this time over qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Ivory Coast. Liberia have no international-standard stadium and Group K rivals Morocco say the west Africans can stage their three home fixtures in the kingdom. But group rivals South Africa […]

The Hague (AFP) – Club Brugge manager Alfred Schreuder was appointed head coach of Dutch giants Ajax on Thursday, replacing the massively successful Erik ten Hag, who is leaving for Manchester United. "Ajax, Club Brugge and Alfred Schreuder have reached an agreement about a transfer to Ajax," the club said in a statement. Schreuder, 49, […]

London (AFP) – Eddie Howe admitted Thursday that Newcastle will not be able to spend wildly in the upcoming transfer window after securing their Premier League status. The Magpies' presence in next season's English top flight was confirmed on Wednesday by Leeds' 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, meaning Howe and the club's Saudi-backed owners can now […]

When you hear the name HBO Max, you may think of several things. First and foremost, a streaming service. Second, the place to stream The Batman movie and Game of Thrones. Third, dare we say, sports? Not yet, but HBO Max subscribers in Latin America have already started watching sports on the service in that […]

Rome (AFP) – Inter Milan claimed their eighth Italian Cup on Wednesday after overcoming old foes Juventus 4-2 in an extra-time victory full of incident and controversy. Ivan Perisic secured a thrilling win with a double in the first half of extra time but the match hung on the awarding of a soft-seeming penalty which […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Erling Haaland's arrival at Manchester City will make the English champions an even more ruthless attacking force, said Pep Guardiola after seeing his side thrash Wolves 5-1 on Wednesday. Haaland's £51 million ($63 million, 60 million euro) signing ends City's search for a recognised striker to replace the departed Sergio […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola described Kevin De Bruyne's form as "beyond perfect" after the Belgian scored four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Wolves that took Manchester City another step closer to retaining the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's men move three points clear of Liverpool with two games to play and boosted […]

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid secured qualification for the Champions League on Wednesday as a 2-0 victory away at Elche guaranteed their place in La Liga's top four. Matheus Cunha and Rodrigo De Paul were both on target as Atletico pulled six points clear of Real Betis in fifth, with two games left to play. […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Ajax secured a second straight Dutch Eredivisie title on Wednesday with a 5-0 thrashing of Heerenveen at the Amsterdam Arena. The club's 36th league crown is the third in charge for outgoing coach Erik ten Hag, who will end his five-year stint at the helm at the end of the season to […]

Wolverhampton (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kevin De Bruyne's four-goal haul kept Manchester City on course for the Premier League title as the defending champions thrashed Wolves 5-1 at Molineux on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola's men move three points clear of Liverpool with two games to play and boosted their goal difference to seven superior to the […]