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Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvey Safonov fractured his hand during the Intercontinental Cup final penalty shootout but played through the pain to guide his side to victory. After ending extra-time with the game at 1-1, the French giants emerged victorious with a 2-1 shootout win as Safonov saved a remarkable four spot-kicks. Days on from that result, it appears he pulled off his heroics despite being injured.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson offered an emphatic defence of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after a late mistake proved decisive in a pulsating 2-1 Championship defeat away to Swansea City. In a fixture loaded with history and emotion, Wrexham’s hopes of claiming a valuable derby point were undone in the closing stages, leaving Parkinson’s side ruing what might have been.

In Europe, much of the build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has unfortunately - but inevitably - focused on which clubs will be most affected by the tournament's scheduling slap-bang in the middle of the season. As an incredibly prestigious tournament that rarely fails to deliver a barely-believable amount of drama, the AFCON deserves so much better.

Jadon Sancho might be more of a basketball man than baseball but ever since he joined Aston Villa he has been on his third strike. He flopped terribly at Manchester United even before blowing his career up over a petty dispute with Erik ten Hag. He then failed to convince on loan at Chelsea, who backed out of an agreed deal to sign him. Now he is a periphery squad member for Villa.

Bethany England remembers vividly the first time she won the League Cup. There were just five minutes remaining when Leah Williamson levelled the scores for Arsenal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, putting the 2020 final on the brink of extra time. But then, basically on the goal line at the other end, England popped up with the stoppage time winner for Chelsea, as Emma Hayes’ Blues filled a frustrating gap in an otherwise bulging trophy cabinet.

Arne Slot has offered a revealing update on Liverpool's January transfer window plans amid links with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and Bournemouth ace Antoine Semenyo. The Reds spent nearly £450 million ($602m) on players over the summer but missed out on England centre-back Guehi and seemingly have desires over bringing Ghana winger Semenyo to Anfield as well. But Slot has given little away over a potential double deal.

Mohamed Salah has apologised to the Liverpool dressing room following his incendiary interview earlier this month, team-mate Curtis Jones has revealed. The Reds midfielder insists the squad are united behind the Egypt forward despite him accusing the club of “throwing me under the bus” on the back of the dramatic Premier League draw with Leeds United.

Leicester City have found themselves in uncomfortable territory off the pitch after being forced to apologise to staff over a late change to their December pay schedule. For the first time in several years, employees were informed that their salaries would not arrive until after Christmas, breaking with a long-standing club tradition designed to ease financial pressures during the festive period.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made a last-gasp howler as Swansea City came from behind to earn a dramatic 2-1 Championship victory over Wrexham in the Welsh derby on Friday evening. Second-half strikes from Zan Vipotnik and Adam Idah helped Vitor Matos' side secure the bragging rights after Phil Parkinson's visitors had taken the lead thanks to an own goal from defender Cameron Burgess.

Bournemouth have reportedly identified a replacement for in-demand winger Antoine Semenyo, handing a boost to Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window opening. The Premier League trio are all believed to be keen on signing the forward, who has a release clause which becomes active on New Year’s Day.

Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of completing a move for 15-year-old Norwich City forward Ajay Tavares. The highly-rated attacker has been tracked by a host of leading European clubs ahead of the January window, but the Catalan giants are now expected to win the race for his signature.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Richards taking on Aaronson and what the French Cup could mean for Ligue 1's USMNT quartet.

Everton boss David Moyes shared a hilarious insight into what it was like to manage “moaner” Mikel Arteta ahead of their reunion on the touchline this weekend. The Scot has opened up about coaching the Spaniard during his playing days, while jokingly criticising how the now-Arsenal gaffer conducts his transfer business, having lost Declan Rice to his protege while he was in charge of West Ham United.

Endrick has been told to join Tottenham by ex-Brazil star Sandro to reignite his flailing career. Signed from Palmeiras in 2022 in a deal that could rise to €60 million (£52.5m/$70.5m), the Brazilian forward was heralded as one of the most exciting teenagers in world football. His first season in Spain hinted at that promise, with seven goals across 37 appearances under Carlo Ancelotti. However, since the Italian left the Spanish capital, things have not gone according to plan for Endrick.

Manchester United have been told to sign Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi to replace Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absence. The Red Devils are bracing themselves for a difficult festive period as the AFCON threatens to strip Ruben Amorim of a crucial spine on the right side of his team. With the tournament in Morocco beginning over Christmas and running until mid-January, the absences of three key squad members, including Noussair Mazraoui, are expected to leave a significant dent in their resources.

Manchester City legend Yaya Toure is adamant he was “better” than his brother Kolo after revealing the siblings had a “bitter rivalry” growing up. The former midfielder has opened up about what it was like to both compete and play alongside his brother, who represented Premier League trio Arsenal, City and Liverpool in a 14-year spell in English football.

Manchester United to advance with Antoine Semenyo interest after Patrick Dorgu was left "ruined" by tough Old Trafford experience. It is another effort in Ruben Amorim’s recalibrated recruitment strategy, with the club increasingly determined to fix a problem position that has undermined their consistency this season.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has come to the aid of Bruno Fernandes, saying the midfielder is only on the receiving end of “lazy” criticism because he is in the spotlight as the club’s talisman. The Red Devils captain has been told he - like Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo - is an easy target for scorn because of his “enormous” contribution at Old Trafford.

With the 2026 World Cup just months away, GOAL looks at the state of the attacking players vying for spots next summer.

Arne Slot will not speak about Mohamed Salah while the Liverpool forward competes at the Africa Cup of Nations, saying both he and the Egypt star have “moved on” following his incendiary interview earlier this month. The Reds manager has issued his stance on the eve of his side’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Mikel Arteta has warned Viktor Gyokeres that he must experience the Arsenal doubters following the "global impact" of his summer transfer. The Sweden international arrived in north London last summer in a deal worth up to £63.5 million ($85m), fuelled by staggering numbers at Sporting CP, where he struck 97 goals in 102 appearances. That reputation ensured his transfer landed with global fanfare, but it also guaranteed that every performance would be under intense scrutiny.

Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a stark assessment of Manchester United’s long road back to the summit of English football, suggesting the club could face another decade without a league title despite early signs of progress under Ruben Amorim. Speaking during a visit to Bahrain, the legendary former manager offered a realistic prediction of the future, acknowledging the scale of the task at hand while urging patience in a demanding era.

Scott McTominay has received glowing praise from an unlikely source after Hollywood star Timothee Chalamet hailed the midfielder following his heroics in Scotland’s successful World Cup-qualifying campaign. The Napoli ace scored a stunning overhead kick to help his country defeat Denmark and book their place at next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Ruben Amorim has said he will not punish Kobbie Mainoo for his brother's provocative t-shirt, insisting it will have no impact on whether or not the homegrown midfielder will start Manchester United's next game against Aston Villa. The coach also accused the club's young players including Chido Obi and Harry Amass of being entitled after they appeared to respond to previous comments he made.

Arsenal have been warned that they face the threat of enduring a bleak Harry Kane-esque scenario if major silverware is not captured soon. The Gunners have remained in contention for top honours across recent seasons, only to be left empty-handed. Frank Leboeuf has told GOAL why that lack of tangible success could lead the likes of William Saliba to explore transfer opportunities elsewhere.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola revealed U.S. international Tyler Adams will be out at least two months after suffering an MCL injury in a press conference on Friday. The injury came against Manchester United, and it will rob the Cherries of the U.S. men's national team star's presence through this crucial winter stretch.

Cole Palmer appears to have a new love interest, but the Chelsea star was eager to keep his presence under wraps when stepping out with his model companion. The England international, who is back in action after shaking off a series of unfortunate injuries, has attended the Winter Wonderland extravaganza in London. He was joined on that trip by Olivia Holder.

Pep Guardiola became agitated with repeated questions about his Manchester City future days after a bombshell report suggested he was going to leave the club at the end of the season. Guardiola, who is into his tenth season at the Etihad Stadium, renewed his deal with the Cityzens during last year's troublesome campaign and is under contract until June 2027.

The identity of the star that "pushed" for a barber shop at Manchester United’s recently renovated Carrington training centre has been revealed. It is claimed that Diogo Dalot was the man eager to ensure that Red Devils stars did not have to go off site for a trim, with a hairdresser that boasts ties to Old Trafford icon Cristiano Ronaldo being drafted in.