Bayern Munich concluded their pre-season tour of Asia on a high note, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Kai Tak Sports Park. Despite a dominant start from the Bundesliga giants, Unai Emery's side produced a spirited late rally that forced Manuel Neuer into heroics to preserve the win.
Arsenal's pursuit of Vinicius Junior always seemed like a stretch. It emerged in a bombshell revelation in late July that the Gunners were 'exploring' the possibility of striking a deal for the Real Madrid superstar as they seek to make a marquee left-wing signing, but those explorations ultimately came to nothing as he agreed a new contract at the Bernabeu. So, where do they turn next?
Harry Kane is reportedly ready to commit his long-term future to Bayern Munich, with club CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen confirming that both parties are eager to agree on a contract extension. The England captain has enjoyed a sensational spell in Germany since his arrival from Tottenham, cementing his status as one of the world's most clinical finishers.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
Ruben Vargas slotted home the decisive spot-kick as Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. After one of the worst games of the tournament so far had unsurprisingly finished scoreless, Davinson Sanchez and Manuel Akanji both failed to convert from 12 yards out before Gregor Kobel saved from Cucho Hernandez to hand the advantage back to the Swiss. Vargas then stepped up to score to send the outnumbered Swiss fans in Vancouver into ecstasy and leave their Colombian counterparts devastated.
Luis Diaz proved exactly why he is one of the most in-form attackers in world football, turning in a Man of the Match performance to guide Colombia to a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan. The Bayern Munich star was at the heart of everything positive for the South Americans as they kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign in style at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez believes international teammate Luis Diaz is a genuine contender for the upcoming Ballon d'Or following a spectacular season with Bayern Munich. The iconic midfielder insists a deep run on the global stage would validate the winger's world-class status, sparking intense excitement ahead of the nation's return to the tournament.
We're now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, with teams currently making their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday. This is the biggest World Cup ever, with 48 teams having qualified, meaning there are a whole host of players making their first appearance on the global stage.
After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. The best players in the world have descended on the United States, Mexico and Canada with dreams of lifting the most prestigious trophy in global football ahead of the action getting under way in Mexico City.
The European football season is almost over. Just one game remains - the Champions League final, as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain prepare to do battle in Budapest on Saturday. Both sides come into the game having won their own domestic titles, with PSG looking to defend the crown they won for the first time last season, while the Gunners are aiming to secure their first European Cup.
The 2025-26 European season is almost in the books. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in Saturday's Champions League final after both secured league titles in England and France, respectively, while there was joy for Bayern Munich in Germany and Inter in Italy as both won domestic doubles. Rounding out the 'Big Five' leagues, Barcelona successfully defended their crown in La Liga as Real Madrid tailed off in chaotic circumstances.
If anyone knows their football, it's the editors at SPOX. As usual, we staked our expertise before the campaign kicked off, fully aware that our reputations were on the line. And while some calls were spot-on, others left us red-faced. Here are the bold predictions we made for the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
Bayern Munich’s European dreams ended in heartbreak as they were outclassed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs of their Champions League semi-final. While the Bavarians have enjoyed domestic dominance, the defeat has prompted a scathing review of Vincent Kompany’s tactical approach and player selection on the highest stage.
In the 44th minute of Bayern Munich's Bundesliga clash with St. Pauli on November 29, Luis Diaz ended up prone in the penalty area. However, while the winger had lost his balance, he'd not lost control of the ball - and somehow managed to flick it up off the floor and into the path of Joshua Kimmich to score. It was an extraordinary piece of skill - but Bayern boss Vincent Kompany wasn't in the least bit surprised by it.
