15 h. 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

20 h. 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

34 h. 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

5 d. ago Ousmane Dembele wins FIFA Best award as PSG star beats Lamine Yamal again

The FIFA Best ceremony has taken place, with Ousmane Dembele winning the men's award after an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain in which they won the Champions League

Events

5 d. ago FIFA Best Awards 2025 latest winners confirmed as Ousmane Dembele battles Lamine Yamal for top prize

First two winners have been announced ahead of Doha ceremony

Events

7 d. ago ‘Even bankers aren’t taking that much’: Bosman at 30 and what the future holds for transfers

Revolution is still being sought three decades after the landmark ruling with a Dutch lawyer calling for a collective bargaining agreement for playersOn 15 December 1995, judges at the European court of justice (CJEU) took two minutes to bring an end to a legal process that had lasted five years. The Bosman rule, as it was known, was to stand, the judges said. European football clubs were no longer allowed to demand transfer fees for players whose contracts had expired, with governing bodies stopped from capping the number of Europeans in any team. The man whose dogged legal pursuit had brought about these changes, Jean‑Marc Bosman, emerged from a crowd of cameras and well‑wishers to give his verdict. “I have got to the top of the mountain and I am now very tired,” he said.For Bosman himself, it was downhill from there. “In the past I got a lot of promises but never received anything,” he told the Observer in 2015, claiming he “earned nothing” from the changes that ensued. He went b...

Politics

7 d. ago European football: Real Madrid relieve pressure on Xabi Alonso with crucial win at Alavés

Rodrygo keeps Real within four points of Barça at topInter win 2-1 at Genoa, as Milan draw and Napoli loseRodrygo secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Real Madrid at Alavés in La Liga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of the leaders, Barcelona.Real, under pressure after two successive defeats in all competitions, broke the deadlock through Kylian Mbappé’s stunning first-half strike. However, a resilient Alavés levelled in the 68th minute through Carlos Vicente. The visitors restored their lead eight minutes later, courtesy of a counterattack led by Vinícius Júnior, whose assist was converted by Rodrygo. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago European football: Inter make no mistake and go top after rivals falter

2-1 win at Genoa lifts Inter as Milan draw and Napoli loseHarry Kane rescues a draw for Bayern against MainzInter moved to the top of Serie A with a 2-1 victory at Genoa thanks to first-half goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martínez. The result put Inter on 33 points, one ahead of their city rivals Milan and two ahead of Napoli, both of whom failed to win earlier in the day. Genoa are 16th with 14 points.Inter’s match was preceded by unrest outside the stadium as supporters of both teams clashed, with several vehicles set on fire before police restored order. The incident did not delay kick-off. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago European football: Ekkelenkamp’s stunner for Udinese hits Napoli off course

Champions miss chance to go top as Milan drop pointsReal Sociedad sack Sergio Francisco after Girona defeatNapoli missed the opportunity to move top of Serie A after suffering a deserved 1-0 defeat at Udinese. The visitors had a chance to take first place after Milan earlier drew with Sassuolo but Napoli struggled against an aggressive Udinese, who had two goals disallowed.Napoli are second with 31 points, one point behind Milan and a point ahead of third-placed Inter, who play at Genoa later on Sunday. Bologna host Juventus in the night match. Udinese are 10th with 21 points. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago European football: Bartesaghi’s double not enough as Milan held by Sassuolo

Laurienté equalises for visitors after defender’s two goalsReal Sociedad sack Sergio Francisco after Girona defeatMilan had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo at San Siro after Armand Laurienté’s late strike for the visitors ensured the Serie A title race remains finely poised. Milan are top by one point with 32 points from 15 matches but can be overtaken by Napoli, the defending champions, who visit 12th-placed Udinese later on Sunday. Sassuolo sit ninth on 21 points.The visitors stunned Milan in the 13th minute when Andrea Pinamonti’s clever layoff set up the midfielder Ismaël Koné, who expertly chipped Mike Maignan to open the scoring.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago European football: Raphinha sinks Osasuna to consolidate Barcelona’s lead

Real Madrid, who play on Sunday, now trail by seven pointsLeverkusen’s Terrier hits back-heel volley against CologneRaphinha struck twice late in the second half as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resolute Osasuna side, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Hansi Flick’s men now sit on 43 points, comfortably clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and play at Alavés on Sunday.Despite their control of the game, Barcelona struggled to break down Osasuna’s deep defensive block until the 70th minute when Pedri’s incisive pass cut through the visitors’ defence, finding Raphinha in his stride. The Brazilian forward took a controlled touch before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, the ball arrowing inside the left post to finally break the deadlock. Raphinha sealed the win in the 86th minute. A deflected cross from Jules Koundé on the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post, and he calmly volleye...

Politics

8 d. ago European football: Griezmann strikes to end Atlético’s losing run in La Liga

Substitute scores late in 2-1 win over ValenciaSimeone’s side had lost last two in the leagueAtlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to guide them to a 2-1 victory over struggling Valencia, helping snap their losing run in La Liga and stay in touch with the frontrunners.Koke opened the scoring in the 17th minute, his first league goal in nearly two years, but Lucas Beltrán provided the equaliser for the visitors in the 63rd minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.This story will be updated Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Broken Celtic fanatics trigger Hotline meltdown as incredible claim about Wilfried Nancy rings loudest

Ryan McDonald takes your calls after another sobering European night for Scottish football

Sport

9 d. ago Man Utd news: 'Transfer opportunity' for January as Ruben Amorim has big decision to make

Manchester United face Bournemouth on Monday night as they look to strengthen their bid for European football next season but in the meantime the January transfer window is looming

Politics

1 week ago Aberdeen's sorry European campaign dies as jeered fallen Chelsea star and Strasbourg kids hit summit

Dons are outclassed by French side - all that is left is beers in Prague

Events

1 week ago Man Utd finances can't hide fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is following the Glazers' blueprint

Latest set of Old Trafford accounts show a move from loss to profit but a lack of European football has taken a toll and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is racking up debt just like the Glazer family

Politics

1 week ago Harry Kane makes final decision on Barcelona transfer as Tottenham suffer £57m blow

Harry Kane recently emerged as target for Barcelona while the Bayern Munich star has also been linked with a return to Tottenham due to his £57million release clause

Economics

1 week ago Man United release latest financial report as cost of missing out on Europe is revealed

Manchester United have released their financial figures amid a season where they are not involved in European competitions

Economics

1 week ago Rangers risk of European expulsion rises as controversial ruling to back UEFA puts 49ers on alert

The multi-club ownership model is facing major scurrility in European football's corridors of power

Events

2 w. ago Africa Cup of Nations shunted into margins as greedy game finds no room at top table | Jonathan Wilson

So long as the Premier League invests in its players and Fifa pays it lip service, the continent’s flagship tournament will always struggle to fit inPerhaps attitudes are not quite as parochial as they once were, but it remains true that, in England at least, the Africa Cup of Nations is discussed less as a tournament in its own right than in terms of what it means for the Premier League.There will be the usual harrumphing about why the tournament is played in the middle of our season, but the Confederation of African Football has tried to satisfy European clubs only to be thwarted by Fifa and the increasing demands of the calendar. Continue reading...

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