Mohamed Salah snatched a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Egypt came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their first fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco on Monday. Egypt's captain, starting his first game after four successive matches on the bench at Liverpool, fired home a left-footed effort in the 91st minute to earn the seven-time champions a late victory after Zimbabwe had stunned them by going ahead in the first half.
On the morning of the match, we got the news that four Recreativo fans had died on the road to Madrid. In Huelva, we all knew each other. Mentally, we weren't ready to play. We actually requested that the match be postponed and genuinely thought they would agree. But in the end, we played because it was Real Madrid. TV rights were too important to move the date; that's the only explanation I can come up with.
Last week, Nick Woltemade hit rock bottom. His own goal cost Newcastle United the Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland, and he felt he owed supporters a reprieve. That came on Saturday, with two goals in the final match of 2025 at St James' Park against Chelsea. It was an extremely impressive way to bounce back. With the Magpies leading, in full control at half time and Woltemade squandering a chance for a hat-trick, it felt as though a huge victory was in reach.
Two former Africa Cup of Nations champions, Algeria and Sudan, face off in Rabat on Wednesday in a Group E fixture that could be crucial in the pair's qualification hopes. After suffering consecutive group-stage exits at the last two AFCON tournaments, Algeria enter the 2025 edition under pressure to make a strong opening statement against a Sudan side without a win at the finals since 2012.
Tunisia are set to compete in their 17th consecutive Africa Cup of Nations and begin their 2025 tournament against Uganda. The Eagles of Carthage qualified for the competition by finishing second in Group A, losing twice against eventual group winners Comoros and Gambia. Uganda also finished as runners-up in their qualifying campaign, just behind South Africa in Group K. The Cranes are managed by Paul Put, who has plenty of African management experience with Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Congo in the past.
"I have said many times before that to play for your country is the pinnacle of football for me," McBurnie said, external after scoring the winner in the weekend victory over West Brom. "The only way I can get back into that squad is to keep performing for Hull City and keep scoring as many goals as I can to make that decision for the manager as difficult as possible. "But that is my ultimate goal, to get back into the Scotland squad."
Do you want to test your quiz skills at an even more difficult level? We've gathered some of our trickiest brainteasers that we know you'll enjoy too, all available courtesy of Kwizly. Firstly, let's get visual. Can you tell us which sponsors were on these famous football shirts and identify all 100 club and country crests that make up our Big Badge Quiz?
Atalanta's teenage centre-back Honest Ahanor has rapidly emerged as one of the most coveted young defenders in European football, following an impressive start to life in Bergamo after his summer move from Genoa. Still only 17, Ahanor has defied expectations with a level of maturity and authority that belies his age, drawing widespread admiration. Chelsea are widely regarded as one of the most aggressive suitors, with reports suggesting the Blues could be prepared to test Atalanta's resolve with a bid in the region of 60 million,
Arsenal were one of England's most successful clubs during the 1990s, a time which was punctuated by the emergence of an unsung hero and his subsequent consolidation as a reliable operator. That player was Ray Parlour. Arsene Wenger's arrival in English football heralded a changing of the guard, especially in terms of nutrition and sports science. The days of 'Tuesday clubs' and post-match pints were on the way out, replaced by health foods, cleaner living and closer monitoring of player's physical markers.
"Matt brings extensive Champions League, Europa League and Premier League experience, a proven commitment to player development, and a clear, exciting tactical identity we believe will position our players to excel for trophies," Rapids president Pádraig Smith said. "His track record of success and his ambitions aligns with our long-term vision for the club, and we look forward to elevating the club to Championship contention under his leadership."
Fulham climbed away from the Premier League relegation zone and left Nottingham Forest mired in the fight for survival after Raul Jimenez's penalty sealed a 1-0 win on Tuesday AEDT. Marco Silva's side started the day just two points above fourth-bottom Forest, but Jimenez's first-half goal at Craven Cottage moved them 10 points clear of the bottom three.
Evan Ferguson could be offered another route out of Roma as reports in Turkey today have linked the Ireland striker with a January move to Fenerbahce.
Marmoush, 26, is admired by Spurs for his flexibility across the front line. Capable of operating both out wide and through the middle, he offers the kind of tactical adaptability Tottenham are keen to introduce as they look to improve consistency in the final third. His ability to carry the ball at speed, link play between midfield and attack, and contribute goals has long caught the eye of recruitment staff across Europe.
However, despite enjoying what was an eye-catching flurry on either side of November's international break, Chris Davies' men have gone crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in a nightmare display as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming away at Sheffield United, Birmingham have collected just one-point from any of their previous four consecutive Championship appearances.
Watch Arsenal vs Crystal Palace today as Eberechi Eze welcomes old friends to the Emirates once more, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels, wherever you are in the world. Cup football has been kind to Crystal Palace in 2025 and the Eagles are eager to follow their first major trophy with a second. Their Carabao Cup quarter-final draw is, on paper, the toughest the competition could throw at them.
