The celebration, arranged by local organisers in Seattle rather than FIFA itself, was decided on before the draw and scheduling was done. Egypt and Iran were the sides selected for the slot, two countries where homosexuality is illegal. Iran qualified for the tournament back in March, with a draw against Uzbekistan (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Argentine has scored 11 goals in 15 matches for Atleti in the Champions League, the best goals per game ratio (0.73) for any Atleti player in the competition, while only Antoine Griezmann has scored more for the club (39). In the last two seasons, only Serhou Guirassy (16) has been involved in more goals in the Champions League group/league phase than Alvarez (10 goals, three assists).
A draw was the right result considering how the game was going. We didn't have enough energy in the first half and struggled with their intensity, but then we found the right key to create problems for them. That was after being forced into making two substitutions, which meant in the second half we couldn't make more changes and were running short on energy.
As for Semenyo, he would be open to considering other options should a move to Liverpool not happen, but if given a choice, but at the moment, securing a move to Anfield is his priority. The 25-year-old presented himself in the best way possible to Liverpool boss Arne Slot, scoring both goals in his team's 4-2 defeat at Anfield back in August.
I am very much looking forward to this new role. I am convinced that with strong teamwork and a focus on RB Leipzig's strengths, we can tap into significant potential. I can't wait to get started in January and to get to know the club on a deeper level. Together, we want to continue on what is already a successful path, and achieve our ambitious goals.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have made initial enquiries for Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan as they consider a January move for the 23-year-old. (Daily Mail), external Heart of Midlothian midfielder Cammy Devlin, who is out of contract in the summer, says "nothing has happened of yet" amid talks about a new deal but says he has a great relationship with sporting director Graeme Jones and his main focus is on playing well.
In all honesty, between round-of-16 appearances against eventual champions Italy and Argentina, the drought-breaking win over Japan in 2006, the knockout-stage-securing win over Croatia in that same tournament, or group-stage games against defending champions such as France and Spain, it would struggle to break into the top 10. But when Tony Popovic's side run out to face the Americans in Seattle on June 19, it might just be one of the most hyped games that the Socceroos have ever played.
Alisson has been one of Liverpool's most important players ever since he signed for them in 2018. Image Photo Agency/Getty Images TRENDING RUMORS - AC Milan are preparing to make a move to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Sky Sports' Sacha Tavolieri reports. Milan are braced to lose current No. 1 Mike Maignan at the end of the season, with Chelsea most heavily linked with interest in the France international, and have already made contact with Alisson's representatives.
MADRID -- Former winners VfL Wolfsburg had the perfect opportunity to break into the top four of the UEFA Women's Champions League table and earn automatic qualification to the knockouts. Instead, they gifted that chance to nine-player Real Madrid, who claimed a 2-0 victory and have positioned themselves on the cusp of avoiding the knockouts. It was always going to be a tight contest, with both sides needing a win in the penultimate game of the league phase.
Charles De Ketelaere provided a hammer blow to Chelsea's top-eight hopes in the Champions League after his late goal inspired Atalanta to a 2-1 win. Having set up Gianluca Scamacca's second-half equaliser, the Belgium forward powered past Robert Sanchez with seven minutes remaining. His goal lifted Atalanta to third in the 36-team standings, eight places and three points above Enzo Maresca's side with just two league-phase games remaining.
Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli has become one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe, with several elite clubs vying for his signature ahead of the January transfer window. The 23-year-old has taken Ligue 1 by storm this season, emerging as a breakout star for RC Strasbourg and now finds himself firmly on the radar of Chelsea, who are leading the chase thanks to their close ownership ties with the French club, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
NEW YORK -- After a yearslong legal battle, U.S. prosecutors told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that they want to give up their fight to preserve the convictions of a former Fox executive and a South American sports media company in a corruption case related to TV rights for international soccer tournaments. Hernan Lopez, ex-CEO of Fox International Channels, and Full Play Group SA were convicted in 2023 after a trial in New York but subsequently granted an acquittal by a judge.
Liverpool's ongoing turmoil took a surprising turn on Tuesday night when traveling supporters at the San Siro broke into chants of support for under-pressure manager Arne Slot during the club's Champions League clash against Inter Milan. Ian Doyle reported on X that the fans of the Premier League side chanted Slot's name during the early stages of the match against Inter at San Siro.
The hosts should have doubled their lead soon after, but Driouech tried to play one pass too many after being released by Sergino Dest, allowing Marc Pubill to intervene. That missed chance came back to haunt them when, having seen Pablo Barrios go close moments before, Yarek Gasiorowski made a mindless mistake in possession and allowed Julian Alvarez a simple finish.
Ireland striker needs to prove his worth to Italian club before the end of the year if he is to stay in Serie A for rest of the season Like any footballer in any league right now, if Evan Ferguson was asked how he thought he was doing and what his hopes for the future were, he'd reply with, "I'm just taking it game by game". But the 21-year-old appears to be running out of games in his time as a Serie A player with AS Roma.
The cracks are starting to show with this England team and with the narrative we've been fed for three years after another defeat. Their identity of always taking the aggressive option, of relentlessly putting pressure on their opponents, isn't holding up to scrutiny. So far in this series they haven't had the strength needed to achieve it, and they haven't had the skills either.
"I think the league is committed to working with us, and we're committed to working with them through that, and with it is kind of a lot of back and forth. So it's just a continual process, and that's why I say we're having probably daily conversations with them, trying to figure this out and trying to get a resolution that can hopefully keep Trinity here with us for a long time,"
Delivering. Like a postman delivers a council tax bill. Like a waiter delivers a round of drinks. Of all the verbs used to describe the bowling of a ball, this one speaks to the deep-seated cultural inequity that has plagued this sport since its inception. If there was ever a word that proves we live in a batter's world, this is it.
The tiny island of Curacao is the smallest country to ever reach a FIFA World Cup, an honor it earned with an unbeaten run through an 18-month qualifying tournament in which it outscored opponents by nearly 2½ goals a game. But when it came time to introduce Curacao to the world during last Friday's tournament draw, the Great One shot well wide of the net, stealing its glory.