Football news
6717 stories
-
Messi Should Have Been Sent Off Against Algeria, Says Duluc and Petkovic
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup 2026 opener in Kansas City, but escaped a red card after stamping on Aïssa Mandi in the 32nd minute. Both the Algeria manager and journalist Vincent Duluc have condemned the refereeing decision as unjust.
Football -
Hat-trick and tears: Messi weeps over ailing father in victory against Algeria
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria (3-0) in the 2026 World Cup group stage and became the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer, but it was his visible emotion on the pitch that drew as much attention as his goals. After his first goal in the 15th minute, the Inter Miami forward broke down in tears, surrounded by his teammates. According to Argentine journalist Eduardo Feinmann, Messi's tears were linked to his father Jorge's concerning health condition.
Football -
Messi breaks Roger Milla's record as oldest player to score multiple goals in World Cup match
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria (3-0) at the 2026 World Cup, becoming at 38 years and 357 days the oldest player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match, surpassing Roger Milla's previous record.
Football -
Diaz and Campaz fire Colombia past debutants Uzbekistan in World Cup 2026 opener
Luis Diaz and substitute Jaminton Campaz scored second-half goals as Colombia came from 1-1 to beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with Daniel Munoz's first-half strike opening the scoring.
Football -
Yan Diomandé pays tribute to his sister, who died poisoned at 15
After a standout performance with Ivory Coast against Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup, RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomandé published a moving letter honouring his sister Roxane, who died at 15 after ingesting a substance without her knowledge.
Football -
Kane nets twice for England as Ronaldo struggles in Portugal's draw with DR Congo
Harry Kane scored twice against Croatia to reach 81 England goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo, starting as the oldest outfield player in World Cup history at 41, failed to make an impact as Portugal were held by DR Congo on Day 7 of the 2026 World Cup.
Football -
Iraola hands four fringe Liverpool players a fresh start with 'new signings' vow
Andoni Iraola has declared every Liverpool player a 'new signing' as he takes charge at Anfield, offering a lifeline to fringe figures including Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas and James McConnell.
Football -
Leao's flat 20-minute cameo does little to convince Manchester United ahead of £43m decision
Rafael Leao came off the bench for Portugal against DR Congo at the World Cup but failed to make an impression, leaving Manchester United manager Michael Carrick with serious doubts over a potential £43m move for the AC Milan winger.
Football -
Commentator Warren Barton left bloodied by projectile during Colombia's 3-1 win over Uzbekistan
Former Newcastle and England defender Warren Barton was struck by a projectile and left bleeding during his commentary duties at the Azteca Stadium, as Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to go top of World Cup Group K.
Football -
Ekitike blanks out football entirely to cope with Achilles injury as Nunez return rumours are dismissed
Hugo Ekitike has revealed he is mentally coping with a ruptured Achilles tendon — which will sideline him for the rest of 2025 — by pretending football no longer exists. Meanwhile, Liverpool have moved to quash reports linking Darwin Nunez with a free-agent return to Anfield.
Football -
Amorim targets £86m Sporting CP raid in first transfer move as AC Milan manager
Ruben Amorim has been confirmed as AC Milan's new manager and is already pursuing Sporting CP pair Francisco Trincao and Morten Hjulmand, with the two players valued at a combined £86m. Both targets are also attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
Football -
Ronaldo silent and criticized after Portugal's disappointing draw against Congo
Portugal could only manage a 1-1 draw against Congo in their World Cup opener. Cristiano Ronaldo, without a shot on target and goalless for ten competitive matches, is at the center of criticism.
Football -
Liverpool hijack Newcastle's move for Osasuna winger Victor Munoz in £34m deal
Liverpool are on the brink of signing Spain international Victor Munoz from Osasuna, triggering his €40m release clause to pip Newcastle United to the 22-year-old winger's signature. Munoz is set to sign a six-year contract at Anfield.
Football -
Ronaldo, Messi and a 40-year-old keeper headline World Cup's age extremes after week one
From Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match to a 17-year-old Mexican midfielder tracked by European clubs, the expanded 48-team tournament is showcasing football's full generational spectrum.
Football -
Greenwood agrees Roma move as Rooney brands Chalobah call-up over Shaw 'strange'
Mason Greenwood is set to join Roma on a permanent deal worth £3.9m a year after leaving Marseille, while Wayne Rooney has questioned Thomas Tuchel's decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah ahead of Luke Shaw for England's World Cup squad.
Football -
Zidane smashes door at Leipzig after controversial substitution against South Korea in 2006
Replaced in the 91st minute by Domenech after receiving a yellow card, Zinedine Zidane vented his rage in the corridors of Leipzig stadium during the 2006 World Cup, punching a reinforced door with his studs.
Football -
Outbid by Real Madrid for Bernardo Silva, Barcelona turns to internal options
After seeing Real Madrid snatch Marc Cucurella and then Bernardo Silva within two days, FC Barcelona is exploring internal alternatives to strengthen its right flank this summer.
Football -
Mane reveals he snubbed Man Utd deal to join Liverpool — and never ruled out a Premier League return
Sadio Mane has disclosed he had a contract agreed with Manchester United before choosing Liverpool in 2016, and later refused to rule out returning to the Premier League after leaving Bayern Munich.
Football -
Turkish World Cup broadcaster suspended after confusing Iran and New Zealand for four minutes
Veteran Turkish commentator Murat Ekrem Cimen was pulled from World Cup 2026 coverage by state broadcaster TRT after spending roughly four minutes misidentifying Iran and New Zealand players during their group-stage clash at SoFi Stadium.
Football -
Arsenal reportedly agree Gyokeres swap deal to land Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid
Arsenal are said to have struck a breakthrough agreement with Atletico Madrid to sign Julian Alvarez in a deal worth €50m plus Viktor Gyokeres, according to Spanish journalist Jota Jordi. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard impressed on corner duty for Norway in their 4-1 World Cup win over Iraq.
Football
