Tournaments & Standings

Harry Kane Double Sends Bayern into Champions League Last 16 as Ultras Section Closed

Harry Kane
January 2026

Bayern beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2-0 to secure automatic Champions League last-16 qualification, with Kane scoring twice. Kim was sent off, and Kane later missed a hat-trick when his second penalty struck the crossbar in the closing stages. Kane headed in from an Olise corner, then converted a penalty after being fouled. Despite playing with ten, Bayern controlled possession and limited danger. The Sudkurve was empty because tickets were cancelled after UEFA punished pyrotechnics from prior matches.

Mane Says He Stopped Senegal Walkoff to Protect the Game

Sadio Mane
January 2026

Mane explained why he persuaded Senegal players and staff to return to the pitch after they began walking off in protest over a disputed penalty decision. A penalty for Morocco sparked walkout attempts led by Thiaw, but Mane stayed, spoke with officials, and called teammates back; Diaz then missed the spot kick, and both Mane and Thiaw later said emotions ran high but football must be respected.

Salah’s AFCON Exit Delays Liverpool Return Due to Third-Place Playoff

Mohamed Salah
January 2026

Egypt were knocked out by Senegal in the AFCON semi-final, but Salah is still not expected back immediately because Egypt must play Nigeria in the third-place playoff. Mane scored late to decide the semi-final. Egypt can release players early, but the expectation is Salah remains with the squad until the playoff is completed.

Salah Hits 100 Egypt Goal Contributions Faster Than Messi and Ronaldo

Mohamed Salah
January 2026

Salah reached 100 goal contributions for Egypt (65 goals, 35 assists) after scoring in a 3-2 win over Ivory Coast to send Egypt into the AFCON semi-finals. He scored in the 52nd minute, taking him to 100 contributions in 111 games, quicker than Messi (122) and Ronaldo (136), but behind Pelé (77) and Neymar (94).

Morocco Knock Out Cameroon as United AFCON Pair Clash, Mbeumo Set to Return

Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo
January 2026

Morocco beat Cameroon 2-0, ending Mbeumo’s tournament and extending Mazraoui’s run to at least the semi-finals. Brahim Diaz scored first from close range after a corner sequence, then Ismael Saibari finished low into the corner after a free-kick fell kindly. United regain Mbeumo quickly, while Mazraoui remains away for at least another week.

Arteta Demands Arsenal Finish the Job as Title Lead Holds at New Year

Mikel Arteta
January 2026

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to finally win the Premier League after several near-misses, with the club top of the table and four points clear of Manchester City. Arsenal are also in strong positions across cups and Europe. Arsenal have combined elite defensive numbers with depth through injuries, including a 4-1 win over Aston Villa without Declan Rice. Arteta’s test is turning a mid-season lead into the trophy, after multiple past seasons ended with Arsenal losing ground late.

De la Fuente Tells Messi “Never Retire” as 2026 World Cup Decision Stays Open

Lionel Messi
January 2026

pain coach Luis de la Fuente urged Lionel Messi to keep playing as the Argentina captain continues to weigh up whether he will feature at the 2026 World Cup. Messi has said he will decide based on fitness and not wanting to be a burden. Messi helped Argentina qualify by scoring eight goals in South American qualifying, but has repeatedly stressed he will assess his physical condition day by day. Argentina will attempt to defend the title they won in 2022, and Messi is still undecided about joining that run.

Egypt Stay Unbeaten at AFCON After 0-0 Angola with Salah Rested

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Egypt stayed unbeaten at AFCON after drawing 0-0 with Angola in their final Group B match, with Mohamed Salah unused on the bench. The Pharaohs had already secured a last-16 spot, so the result was about managing minutes rather than chasing goals. Coach Hossam Hassan rotated heavily and also rested Omar Marmoush, keeping key players fresh for the knockouts. Egypt had qualified via earlier wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, then closed the group with a clean sheet at Adrar Stadium in Morocco.

Arteta vows Arsenal will fight City to the finish after title-race response

Mikel Arteta
December 2025

City briefly went top after a late Cherki winner at Forest, but Arsenal reclaimed first place by edging Brighton 2-1, with Odegaard’s early strike and a Rutter own goal enough despite Gomez pulling one back to set up a nervous finish at the Emirates. Arteta admitted feeling “hacked off” by last season’s home draw with Brighton but praised his side’s resilience despite another unconvincing display. He insisted Arsenal are ready to push City all the way, treating routine-looking games as must-win tests in a title race decided by tiny margins.

Guardiola prefers comfort cushion as City chase leaders Arsenal

Pep Guardiola
December 2025

Pep Guardiola says he would much prefer Manchester City to be comfortably top rather than chasing Arsenal, but insists they remain well placed across competitions, close in the league, strong in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and about to launch their FA Cup campaign. Aiming to avoid a second straight season without a league title, Guardiola urged players not to overindulge at Christmas and highlighted the difficult Forest trip, while also paying tribute to club legend John Robertson, emphasising respect for opponents even amid City’s relentless push for trophies.

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