12 h. ago Spanish media all agree as Marcus Rashford sends timely Barcelona transfer message

On-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford came off the bench for Barcelona to score against Real Sociedad but couldn't prevent his side's 2-1 defeat

Politics

23 h. ago European football: Barcelona slip up at Real Sociedad while Milan stay in hunt

La Liga lead cut to one point after surprise 2-1 defeatFüllkrug scores first goal in Italy since leaving West HamReal Sociedad damaged Barcelona’s title defence with a surprise 2-1 home victory as Hansi Flick’s side fell to a first defeat in 12 matches. The Catalan side, who hit the woodwork four times and had two goals disallowed, now lead their rivals Real Madrid by only a point at the top of La Liga after Álvaro Arbeloa’s side beat Levante on Saturday.Sociedad, now unbeaten in four games under their new American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, had Carlos Soler sent off late on but managed to hold on. Continue reading...

Politics

54 h. ago European football: Mbappé spot on to deliver first Real Madrid win for Arbeloa

Raúl Asencio also on target in 2-0 win over LevanteLautaro Martínez gives Inter 1-0 victory at UdineseReal Madrid ended a turbulent week with a much-needed 2-0 win against relegation-threatened Levante, courtesy of second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Raúl Asencio, after being met with boos from a restless Bernabéu crowd before the breakthrough arrived.The win snapped Real’s two-match losing run and offered brief respite after a bruising week. They looked flat in the first half, still carrying the scars of Sunday’s 3-2 defeat by Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de España, followed by the departure of Xabi Alonso as manager the next day and a shock 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago No cups, no Europe, 40 matches: is this Manchester United’s post

As Michael Carrick prepares for Saturday’s derby, fans wonder if this is the club’s worst moment – but they are spoilt for choiceManchester United, without a permanent head coach or European football and knocked out of both domestic cups at the first time of asking, are facing another bleak season. In the almost 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson left, the club have struggled to find stability, with his shadow stretching down from the directors’ box to the dugout, emphasised by the stand named in his honour staring back.Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday in the opposite position, having had Pep Guardiola in post for a decade, amassing 18 major trophies. Michael Carrick will take charge of United for the first time since being appointed until the end of the season at a club who appear to be without a functioning long-term plan. This will be a campaign of only 40 competitive games for United, their fewest since 1914-15, with some fans thankful for being able to cut down ...

Politics

4 d. ago European football: Inter edge Lecce to stretch lead, Bayern earn comeback win

Esposito scores 78th-minute winner at San SiroNapoli 0-0 Lecce, Cologne 1-3 Bayern MunichFrancesco Pio Esposito was the hero for Inter, the substitute’s 78th-minute goal earning a 1-0 home win over lowly Lecce to boost their title hopes.The Serie A leaders laboured against stubborn opposition before Esposito scored from a rebound with 12 minutes remaining. Inter move six points clear of Milan and Napoli with victory in what could be a major turning point in this season’s title race. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Juventus deliver tale of humiliation and redemption inside three days | Nicky Bandini

On Saturday, Jonathan David’s lazy penalty cost Juventus a win. By Tuesday, he was the best player on the pitchFour years have passed since Andrea Agnelli, still the chairman of the European Club Association and president of Juventus back then, floated the idea of selling 15-minute viewing subscriptions for football games. A response to research showing that younger generations – “tomorrow’s spenders” – had shorter attention spans.Agnelli’s judgement has been called into question a few times since, between the failed launch of a European Super League and his suspension from Italian football following an investigation into financial irregularities at Juventus. But perhaps he was right about the need to serve modern audiences a faster fix of sporting theatre. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago How Scandinavian clubs fell behind the WSL – can they regain lost ground?

Once they seemed an unstoppable force but a huge gap between the Nordic leagues and Europe’s elite has emerged in the past 20 yearsFor a brief period in the early 2000s, Scandinavian clubs seemed unstoppable in European women’s football. Umeå lifted the Uefa Women’s Cup in 2003 and again in 2004, using a blend of technical skill and tactical intelligence. The Swedish side were a powerhouse and attracted top talent from around the world, including Marta, widely regarded as the greatest ever female player.That dominance feels very distant. In 2025, a Norwegian, Swedish or Danish club winning the Women’s Champions League is almost unthinkable. Vålerenga were the only Scandinavian team to reach the Champions League league stage this season and they did not qualify for the knockout phase. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: Napoli hold off Lazio in fiery contest with three red cards

Spinazzola and Rrahmani goals earn 2-0 away winSevilla slump to 3-0 home defeat against LevanteFirst-half goals from Leonardo Spinazzola and Amir Rrahmani helped Napoli claim a 2-0 victory at Lazio on Sunday in a heated contest that featured three red cards.Victory moves Napoli back to one point behind Serie A leaders Milan, who won 1-0 at Cagliari on Friday. Inter sit third but can reclaim top spot with victory at home to Bologna later on Sunday.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: García back to haunt Espanyol as Barcelona go seven clear

David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against LecceChelsea target Rosenior’s Strasbourg draw at NiceThe Barcelona manager Hansi Flick hailed Joan García as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after the former Espanyol player delivered a decisive performance against his old club in the Catalan derby on Saturday.García was instrumental in Barcelona’s 2-0 victory, producing a series of outstanding saves, with the league leaders extending their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to seven points. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago European football: David’s failed Panenka costs Juventus against Lecce

McKennie equalises in 1-1 draw but Juve’s title bid hitEspanyol ban fans with Barcelona shirts at city derbyJuventus’s Serie A title hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by relegation-battling Lecce on Saturday, with the hosts coming from behind but failing to win after Jonathan David had a Panenka-style penalty saved.Juventus remain fifth on 33 points, five off the leaders, Milan, who have played a game less. Lecce are 16th on 17 points, five points above the relegation zone.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Arsenal files: Lonely Zubimendi missing pooch but says he deserves better than London as Emirates welcomes safe standing

MARTIN ZUBIMENDI has settled brilliantly at Arsenal and has proved to be their best summer signing. Yet there is one thing the midfielder really misses about Spain. Zubimendi, who joined from Real Sociedad for £51million, explained: “My dog still lives in Spain. "The thing is that I live alone here and he doesn’t deserve that...

Events

3 w. ago European giants watching Cardiff City talent after nudge from familiar face

The Cardiff City youngster has enjoyed a stellar few months for club and country

Politics

3 w. ago John Robertson: ‘The Picasso of football’ who helped Nottingham Forest to two European Cups

The Scotland winger won the European Cup in successive seasons with Forest, scoring in the 1980 final

Politics

3 w. ago John Robertson, Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, dies aged 72

Winger was important part of Brian Clough’s famous sideScored in Scotland’s 1981 win over England at WembleyJohn Robertson, the Nottingham Forest and Scotland legend, has died at the age of 72. Robertson was a hugely important part of the great Forest team that under Brian Clough rose from the second tier of English football to win multiple major honours, most famously back-to-back European Cups.Robertson assisted the decisive goal in the first European Cup triumph in 1979 and scored the decisive goal in the second, contributions that mark him out as one of the most remarkable players in British football history. He earned 28 Scotland caps, notably scoring the winning goal in a Home Championship victory over England at Wembley in May 1981. Clough described him as “the Picasso of our game”. Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago European football: Lamine Yamal on target as Barcelona battle past 10

Barcelona head into new year on top of La LigaKoke, Gallagher and Griezmann strike for AtléticoBarcelona secured a composed 2-0 La Liga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors’ favour when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break.It took just 12 minutes for Barcelona to take the lead from the penalty spot after Santi Comesana blocked Raphinha with his back as the winger tried to break through and the Brazilian calmly converted the spot-kick.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Aston Villa looking for 10th consecutive win, European football and more – matchday live

⚽ Discussion, news and buildup to all Sunday’s action⚽ Live scores | Tables | Saturday’s reports | Mail us hereThere’s some interesting debate raging below the line about the tempestuous meeting between Tottenham and Liverpool last night, where Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were sent off but Micky van de Ven, whose challenge ended Alexander Isak’s involvement was not.Thomas Frank was certainly of the view that Simons sending off was unjust. “I don’t like those types of red card because I think the game is gone if that’s a red card,” he told the BBC soon after the game finished. “I don’t think it’s a reckless tackle. I don’t think it’s exceptional force. We have the referee’s call and that was a yellow, so that’s why I don’t think that’s a red.” Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago European football: Mbappé matches Ronaldo’s record as Real close on Barça

Mbappé makes it 59 goals in a year in win over SevillaJuventus stay in Serie A race with 2-1 win over RomaKylian Mbappé equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid with a late penalty in his side’s 2-0 home win over Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday, the French forward celebrating his 27th birthday in style.Mbappé missed several earlier chances before getting his chance from the spot four minutes from time and he made no mistake to net his 59th goal in as many games across all competitions in 2025 to level Ronaldo’s 2013 haul. Continue reading...

Politics