Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

Vuskovic was the man of the moment last weekend, his second-half header securing Hamburg an unlikely 2-2 draw and a first point against Bayern since 2014. Yet it was his maturity in dealing with Harry Kane at the back that caught the eye. "It's not just about winning headers and tackles or scoring goals: he's somebody who can organise a defence. That's something you find very rarely," Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus told Sky Sports Germany.

Researchers from Bielefeld University, Germany, found that fans' stress levels are a whopping 41 per cent higher on match days. A supporter's average heart rate jumped from 71 beats per minute on an average day to 79 beats per minute during an important fixture. The effect was even more pronounced for fans in the stadium, where the average heart rate was 23 per cent higher than that of those watching on television. Having a few drinks compounded the effect, with data showing that heart rates were five per cent faster among those who had consumed alcohol.

The Football Association is experiencing difficulties in securing suitable opposition for England's World Cup warm-up games owing to their late start to the expanded 48-team tournament. England open against Croatia on the last day of the first round of games on 17 June, six days after the first match between Mexico and South Africa, and Thomas Tuchel wants final preparation games as close to his team's tournament kick-off as possible.

Michael Olise is a bit of an enigma. Since arriving from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024, the Bayern Munich winger has barely shown an ounce of emotion, despite wracking up goals and assists in the league and in Europe. His signature celebration is relatively sedate, and he rarely ever gets riled up by the opposition. This stoic demeanor has resulted in his being labeled "nonchalant" and an "aura farmer" by fans of the club.

Newcastle United players waited impatiently in the tunnel at the Etihad. It was three minutes until kick-off and the Carabao Cup holders were desperate to get going as a bemused Kieran Trippier looked around and wondered where his counterparts from Manchester City were. There was no sign of Pep Guardiola's team. The hosts took their time to emerge from the dressing room, but they quickly left Newcastle in a daze after racing into a 3-0 lead in the second leg of their semi-final.

Of course, we are aware of the fact that Virgil will not play for this club for 10 more years but he has a one-and-a-half year contract left so he will be with us for that period of time and maybe even longer if he keeps staying fit as he is now. As I've said before, what a compliment to him at his age to play every three days, not only for his club but also for his country.

In Christoph [Freund], Vinnie [Kompany] and me, you've got three people responsible who all had to come through the youth ranks. We are cautious but also careful. Lennart Karl is the rising star at the moment. We also have a lot of lads who train with the first team on a regular basis,

This time last year, Elliott was flying high with the Reds squad who were on their way to a Premier League title. Despite only playing 28 times in 2024/25, the young midfielder was at the place he loved being most: Anfield. He had found it difficult to break into the starting line-up under Arne Slot. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister had locked down the holding midfield roles, with Dominik Szoboszlai occupying the attacking midfield role.

Rodrigo Mendoza completed a move to Atletico Madrid in January, and he is already being linked with another transfer. According to a report from Fichajes, Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation, and they could look to make a move for him next summer. The Blues are aware of the fact that he is likely to cost a premium, but they are monitoring his development.

Ademola Lookman scored on his Atletico Madrid debut as his new side thrashed Betis 5-0 in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. David Hancko headed in the 12th-minute opener from a corner before Giuliano Simeone slotted in to double the advantage in the 30th minute and Lookman fired in from inside the box eight minutes before half-time, completing a one-two with Pablo Barrios started by the forward inside his own half.

Monaco have dropped Paul Pogba from their Champions League squad for the knockout stages in order to make room for their January new signings, sources have told ESPN. Pogba, who will turn 33 next month, has not played since the start of December and has only featured three times this season for the club -- a pair of five minute cameos against Rennes and PSG in November and again off the bench against Brest.

Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have signed off January with consecutive La Liga victories, Los Ches have come crashing back down to earth over the past week. Watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an end on Wednesday night as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Athletic Bilbao, Carlos Corberan's men are still at the heart of an infamous relegation scrap.

MEXICO CITY -- American-born Aaliyah Farmer asked to be released from her team in Mexico's top women's soccer league after just one year because she was subjected to harassment in the country, UANL Tigres coach Pedro Losa said Wednesday. Losa did not provide details about the type of harassment Farmer said she faced. The 22-year-old was born in California but has Mexican descent and plays for the country's national team. She was released earlier this week and signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Stars of the National Women's Soccer League.