Match

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has come in for criticism after attempting to push Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch in the closing minutes of Thursday's Premier League draw with Liverpool at the Emirates. Martinelli tangled with Bradley after the 22-year-old went down and appeared to be in some distress. He was subsequently stretchered off the pitch and the fear is that he has sustained a serious injury.

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was embroiled in more controversy on Thursday after clashing with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone while being substituted during the two teams' Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia. The pair exchanged words in a heated moment as Real Madrid won 2-1 to book a final against bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Al-Nassr have slipped four points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal after slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2026 from the penalty spot in the game to halve the deficit but it was not enough as Jorge Jesus's team lost for the second match in a row. Yet Ronaldo is refusing to throw in the towel as he bids to win his first major trophy since moving to the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title hopes took a blow after Al-Nassr's disappointing 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday. Ronaldo's side were on top for large periods but second-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Nahitan Nández put the visitors in control. A late Ronaldo penalty set up a grandstand finish but Al-Nassr missed the chance to close the gap to table-topping Al-Hilal.

Antoine Semenyo delivered the perfect parting gift to Bournemouth fans ahead of his move to Manchester City later this week. The departing Cherries star rifled home a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham with what could prove to be his final touch for the club, topping off what was an electric and unpredictable evening on the south coast under the lights.

Chelsea fans have unleashed their rage on defender Marc Cucurella after he was sent off away to Fulham in the Premier League on Wednesday night. The Spaniard was caught out by a long ball over the top from goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who released Harry Wilson in on goal. Cucurella blatantly pulled the midfielder's arm back, sending him tumbling to the ground. To no-one's surprise, the full-back was shown a red card - the Blues' seventh of the season.

Folarin Balogun says that Mauricio Pochettino has ensured that no U.S. men's national team players feel their place is guaranteed, which only makes the Monaco striker's recent goals feel all the more important. After missing much of 2025 with injury issues, Balogun returned to full fitness in the fall and has been scoring for club and country.

Barcelona begin their quest to claim the Spanish Supercopa crown against Athletic Club in the semi-finals, taking place in Saudi Arabia, but they will do so without their talisman Lamine Yamal in the starting line-up. In a shock reveal, Hansi Flick named the 18-year-old on the bench, opting for a more cautious approach after struggling with injury issues this season.

Soccer’s rise in the United States has reached another milestone. According to a recent survey from The Economist, the sport has overtaken baseball to become the country’s third-most popular sport, trailing only American football and basketball - a shift driven in part by the continued growth of Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami are close to securing Tadeo Allende on a permanent transfer from Celta Vigo following a record-breaking MLS season. The Argentine winger was a key figure in Miami’s MLS Cup triumph, and his return would bolster a roster preparing not only to defend the title in 2026, but also to compete on the international stage.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has opened up on his feud with Andre Onana after infamously calling the Cameroonian one of the Red Devils' "worst-ever goalkeepers". The two traded barbs in the lead-up to United's Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon last season, before the Premier League side won a dramatic knockout tie. Now, the ex-Chelsea ace has revisited that thorny issue.

Lionel Messi has opened up on his post-retirement plans in an apparent nod to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. The Argentina international is coming towards the end of his career but is still, arguably, one of the best players in the world at the age of 38. While many would love the Miami ace to go into management, the veteran appears to have other ideas.

Florian Wirtz finds himself at the centre of a fresh VAR storm after Fulham lodged an official complaint regarding his controversial opener in the recent draw at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers are demanding answers from the refereeing body, convinced that the German international was clearly offside despite the new tolerance rules allowing the strike to stand.

West Ham fans were left fuming after the Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in a vital relegation six-pointer, as VAR played a key role. First, the home side saw a finish from Crysencio Summerville ruled out, just minutes before Forest scored an equaliser, and their winner came from a contentious penalty.

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher has opened up on the possibility of playing his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, during Wednesday's trip to Burnley in the Premier League. Fletcher, United's Under-18s coach, has been placed in temporary charge of the first team after the club decided to sack Ruben Amorim.

Liam Rosenior must wait to take charge of Chelsea for the first time, with Under-21 coach Calum McFarlane set to manage the first team against Fulham on Wednesday evening. The Blues have officially appointed Enzo Maresca's permanent replacement, with Rosenior jumping from BlueCo-owned Strasbourg to their sister club in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes is set to return from injury when Manchester United face Burnley on Wednesday in their first game since head coach Ruben Amorim was sacked. Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher is taking charge of the game as interim coach and he confirmed that the captain is in contention to play for the first time after suffering a muscle injury at Aston Villa on December 21.

Victor Osimhen marred Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory over Mozambique with a shocking display of petulance that stunned spectators. The striker squared up to team-mate Ademola Lookman mid-game before demanding to be subbed off and storming onto the team bus alone, leaving his colleagues to celebrate reaching the Africa Cup Of Nations quarter-finals without him.

LA Galaxy confirmed that Riqui Puig will miss the entire 2026 MLS season after undergoing another successful ACL reconstruction on his left knee. The Spanish midfielder described the setback as one of the hardest moments of his life but remains focused on a full recovery, with the club targeting his return for the start of the 2027 campaign.

Xabi Alonso says Vinicius Junior is "fundamental" to Real Madrid after the winger was whistled by parts of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd in their 5-1 win over Real Betis. The Brazilian started well but faded as the game wore on, with the 25-year-old being jeered by some supporters when he was taken off. Despite that, former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has come to the aid of the Los Blancos ace.

Florian Wirtz has admitted he was convinced his goal would be ruled out for being offside in Liverpool's 2-2 draw at Fulham. Harry Wilson gave the Cottagers an early lead before Wirtz and Cody Gakpo efforts turned the game around for the Reds. Harrison Reed's stoppage-time stunner ensured the points were shared on Sunday as Arne Slot's side ran out of luck at Craven Cottage.

Como manager Cesc Fabregas has been brutally trolled by AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta after the two went head-to-head in management. When the Italian icon was managing Monza in 2025, his side came up against Fabregas' Como, with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw. While the Spaniard is receiving praise for his managerial success, Nesta has taken aim at his apparent whining.

Ruben Amorim has been branded as "useless" and told to "f*ck off" out of Manchester United by one of Paul Scholes' sons after the Portuguese's criticism of the club's board. The 40-year-old coach appeared to take aim at the Red Devils' hierarchy in the wake of his side's draw with Leeds United on Sunday, insisting that he was the "manager and not the coach" of the Premier League side. Now, Arron Scholes has laid into the ex-Sporting CP boss.

A spectacular strike from Matty James helped Wrexham to a 2-1 victory at Derby, with Sam Smith also among the goals. The Red Dragons have now won four in a row, as they look to achieve a similar feat in the promotion department. Phil Parkinson’s side sit just outside the Championship play-off places, with Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac continuing to take aim at the Premier League.

Ruben Amorim has challenged Benjamin Sesko to be more clinical in front of goal, while stating that he is a "completely different" striker to Napoli loanee Rasmus Hojlund. Manchester United spent £74 million ($100m) on the Slovenia international last summer and sent his Danish counterpart to join Antonio Conte's Serie A holders. And after seeing Sesko fail to fire against Leeds United, Amorim has laid down the gauntlet for the 22-year-old.

Ruben Amorim says he came to be the "manager and not the coach" of Manchester United in a pointed message to the club's board. The Portuguese turned his ire towards the Red Devils' hierarchy after watching his side's 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday. In a stunning outburst, the 40-year-old hinted his days at Old Trafford may be numbered if he doesn't get the backing he feels he needs.

Manchester City star Rayan Cherki has explained how Pep Guardiola's style of football played a key role in his move to the Etihad Stadium. The France international credits Guardiola for helping him realise that football can be "simpler" and "cleaner".

Liverpool's Premier League clash with Fulham was delayed on Sunday afternoon. The Reds' match at Craven Cottage was due to kick off at 15:00 (GMT), but had to be pushed back due to a medical emergency inside the stadium. Arne Slot's side travelled to west London as part of an action-packed day of action in England's top flight.

United States men's national team star Brenden Aaronson scored a brilliant goal to put Leeds United 1-0 up in an epic Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday. Aaronson has developed into a key player under Daniel Farke, and produced a nerveless finish to give the Elland Road side a deserved lead.