16 h. ago Asia benefits from World Cup expansion as AFC qualification delivers thrills | John Duerden

There are concerns that quality at the 2026 tournament will be diluted but giving Asia more places has brought a new dimension to qualificationJeddah is more relaxed and laid-back than Riyadh. Tony Popovic should know. On Tuesday, for the second time in his coaching career, he left Saudi Arabia with a big prize, though back in 2014, it had been a far more fierce fight. Then, Western Sydney Wanderers went to the capital to defend their 1-0 first leg lead in the Asian Champions League final and, despite the best that Al Hilal could throw at them, held firm amid the storm for the most unlikely of trophy wins. This week, however, there was a five-goal cushion by the Red Sea, meaning there was only ever going to be one outcome: a seventh World Cup appearance. After successive playoff qualifications, to advance directly to North America is a welcome change and to do so with wins against Japan and Saudi Arabia is especially pleasing.It may have ended calmly, but this campaign has been a re...

Politics

3 d. ago Portugal crowned UEFA Nations League champions after scrappy final with Spain

Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League after the pair couldn't be separated until penalty kicks in Munich on Sunday evening

Sport

3 d. ago Rangers 'arrange' friendly against French Ligue 1 side as Russell Martin squeezes in final Champions League warm up game

Reports in France say that the Light Blues will take on Toulouse on July 18

Sport

5 d. ago Barcelona’s rebirth and one last job for Szczesny: La Liga season review

It’s the Sids! Barça reclaimed the title as Madrid’s giants faltered while Athletic, Celta and Rayo shook up the European placesThe day La Liga 2024-25 began, Wojciech Szczesny was sitting on the beach in Marbella lighting up a cigarette, enjoying his retirement. The night it ended, he sat in the dressing room in Cornellà, 1,000km round the coast, and lit up a cigar instead. He had walked away in August, at 35 years old, unwanted and his heart no longer in it, or so he thought. Nine months on, here he was surrounded by kids half his age, a footballer again and winner of every trophy his new home country had to offer. He had not lost a single league match en route to becoming a champion.“I’ve arrived where even my imagination wouldn’t even dare to take me,” Szczesny had said when he retired. And if he hadn’t dared imagine that, there was no way he could imagine this: a Copa del Rey, a Super Cup and a Champions League semi-final to go with the title. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Arsenal star's reaction to Champions League question says it all before 'improve' message

Arsenal came close to competing in their first Champions League final since 2006 but were bested in the semi-finals by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain

Sport

6 d. ago Family of drug kingpin gunned down in Costa Del Sol pub say notorious rival gang are NOT responsible for killings as fears grow over 'revenge' attacks

Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, were shot dead as they were watching Saturday's Champions League final at a pub on the Costa del Sol.

Events

6 d. ago Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate explains Anfield influence on PSG wonderkid Desire Doue

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has lauded Desire Doue after the Paris Saint-Germain talent helped inspire the French giants to victory in the Champions League final

Politics

7 d. ago Fans spent 27 hours in stadium toilet to watch Champions League final

They watched a historic final as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the title

Sport

7 d. ago TikTokers spend 27 hours in stadium toilet to break into Champions League final

They watched a historic final as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Inter Milan 5-0 to lift the title

Sport

8 d. ago ‘I will never forget you’: Simone Inzaghi leaves his post as Inter head coach

Inzaghi departs after heavy Champions League final lossLed Inter to Serie A title during four-year spell at clubSimone Inzaghi has left his position as manager of Inter, the Serie A club confirmed on Tuesday.The 49-year-old is departing three days after a humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final and with Inter having missed out on the domestic title, to Napoli, by one point. The Nerazzurri also lost 4-1 to city rivals Milan in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Simone Inzaghi leaves Inter Milan following historic Champions League final demolition

Inzaghi leaves after his side suffered the worst final defeat in Champions League history

Sport

9 d. ago Salt Bae responds to claims he was 'KICKED OUT' of Champions League final party

The notorious restauranteur attended the showpiece event in Munich, in which Luis Enrique's side cruised to a 5-0 win - the largest ever margin of victory in a Champions League final.

Sport

9 d. ago PSG’s Champions League win was thrilling. It was still sportswashing | Jonathan Wilson

After years as a directionless collection of celebrity footballers, PSG are a true team now. But they still represent one of the sport’s darkest trendsSign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereParis Saint-Germain’s success in the Champions League final on Saturday was a victory for youth and adventure. It was a victory for a team built with a coherent vision, and a rebuke to those who believe the game is just about collecting the biggest names. It was a victory for Luis Enrique, a very fine coach who has suffered dreadful personal tragedy. It was a victory for forward-thinking, progressive, fluent football.But it was also a victory for sportswashing. Continue reading...

Sport

9 d. ago Salt Bae denies being kicked out of Champions League party after World Cup final drama

Salt Bae has waltzed into more football-related controversy after he was reportedly turned away from a party in the aftermath of PSG's Champions League final victory

Sport

1 week ago 'F***ing hell Rio!' Laura Woods turns air blue in unseen TNT Sports footage

Rio Ferdinand signed off 10 years with TNT Sports at Saturday's Champions League final in Munich but he got on the wrong side of presenter Laura Woods pre-match

Politics

1 week ago PSG 'strongly condemn' violence and disorder in France after Champions League final win

Paris Saint-Germain insist “isolated acts” in “no way represent the vast majority of our supporters”

Sport

1 week ago Two Scottish men shot dead by masked men outside Irish pub in Malaga

The popular Irish-themed bar was showing the Champions League final on Saturday evening

Events

1 week ago PSG 2.0 have potential to dominate but young stars could be lured away | Nick Ames

Despite Champions League triumph, the likes of Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola may not stay put in ParisAs the hundreds of VIP guests at Uefa’s official Champions League final dinner listened attentively, Aleksander Ceferin addressed his audience. It was the night before Paris Saint-Germain eviscerated Inter and, taking the floor before the starters were served at Munich’s Paulaner am Nockherberg brewery, he elected to keep his predictions general. “Tomorrow we play the best game a club could ever play,” he enthused. “The one who wins tomorrow will be the best club in the world.”Ceferin’s wording was no accident. The final took place against the context of Uefa’s continuing tensions with Fifa and, most pertinent, the imminent rebirth of the Club World Cup. Whether PSG are the planet’s most becoming football institution may depend on where your moral compass points but, about 26 hours after the Uefa president’s speech, they proved beyond any doubt that their team sit above everyone. ...

Politics

1 week ago Luis Enrique in brutal Arsenal snub after PSG's Champions League triumph

PSG claimed a historic Champions League triumph after beating Inter Milan on Saturday and boss Luis Enrique was asked who their toughest opponents were along the way - but refused to name Arsenal

Sport

1 week ago How close Tottenham came to signing Desire Doue after Champions League final heroics

Teenage sensation reportedly visited Hotspur Way last summer before eventually opting for PSG transfer

Sport