Morgan Rogers was delighted to make the most of his opportunity to impress for England against Wales, with the Aston Villa playmaker aware that "people will take your role" if the demands of head coach Thomas Tuchel are not met. Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham is among those to have missed out on a place in the latest Three Lions squad, with competition for places now fierce across all areas of the field.
U.S. international Haji Wright is back with the national team after being left out of the September squad, thanks to his strong recent form. The Coventry City forward sits among the Championship’s top scorers with eight goals. Yet U.S. icon Alexi Lalas cautions that club form - especially in England’s second tier - doesn’t always translate to international success.
The U.S. U20 men’s national team had a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating Italy 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Parma midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi extended his strong scoring form at the tournament with a brace, while San Jose Earthquakes’ Niko Tsakiris added a brilliant free kick.
Cody Gakpo wrote his name into Dutch football history on Thursday night, becoming the first Netherlands player since Rob Rensenbrink in 1978 to score two penalties in a single match as the Oranje thrashed Malta 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier. The Liverpool forward converted from the spot twice and also assisted Tijjani Reijnders, leading the Netherlands to a comfortable victory in World Cup qualifying.
Thomas Tuchel took aim at the 'silent' England fans following their 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday night. Early goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka were enough for the Three Lions to cruise to a routine win against the Dragons, even as England failed to really kick on after easing into the lead. However, Tuchel criticised the supporters at Wembley after the full time whistle.
Manchester United have opened talks with Harry Maguire over a new contract, reports transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. Maguire's current United deal expires at the end of the season yet the Premier League side are eager for the former Hull and Leicester centre-back to extend his stay at Old Trafford. The 32-year-old moved to United back in 2019 for a reported £80 million ($106m).
Ollie Watkins was taken off at the break during England's 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday night. The Aston Villa striker was deputising for Harry Kane on the frontline in the friendly at Wembley but had to be replaced at the break following a nasty collision with the post. It now remains to be seen whether Watkins will be fit to face Latvia on Tuesday night.
Bukayo Saka etched his name into history on Thursday night, becoming Arsenal’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer for England after netting a stunning strike against Wales. Just a day after celebrating five years since his Three Lions debut, the 23-year-old produced a trademark curling finish to register his 13th goal for the national team and surpass Gunners' legend Cliff Bastin’s record.
England warmed up for next week's World Cup qualifier away at Latvia with a 3-0 thrashing of rivals Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday night. Thomas Tuchel had the perfect response to any critics who have taken aim at his team's style of play or his squad selection, with the Three Lions quickly racing into an unassailable lead and flexing their strength at picking holes in deep blocks.
Rasmus Hojlund has enjoyed a impressive start to life with Napoli, scoring four goals in six outings, following his arrival on loan from Manchester United on deadline day. Denmark Brian Riemer has since aimed a dig at the Premier League side for their use of the young striker, who struggled for consistency at Old Trafford following his arrival from Atalanta in 2023.
England raced into a 3-0 lead against Wales in their friendly on Thursday night. Bukayo Saka bagged the Three Lions' third with a stunning finish from 20 yards out, leaving Dragons shotstopper Karl Darlow clutching at thin air. Morgan Rogers had fired England ahead in the third minute before Aston Villa teammate Ollie Watkins doubled their advantage eight minutes later.
Former Chelsea midfielder Ulises Davila has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a yellow card fixing scheme in Australia’s A-League that netted nearly £100,000 in illegal betting payouts. The ex-Macarthur FC captain admitted to leading an operation involving two teammates, manipulating cautions in multiple matches — a scandal that has shocked Australian football and tarnished his once-promising career.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic has called on his side to produce a pair of good performances as they take on Ecuador and Australia in international friendlies over the next week. The Milan attacking midfielder's comments come on the back of a difficult stretch for the U.S., who went 1-1 last month and lost the Gold Cup final. Pulisic has been in fine form for his club side.
German soccer icon Thomas Müller enjoyed his first NBA experience on Monday night, sitting courtside at Vancouver's Rogers Arena as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Toronto Raptors 112-108 in preseason action. The Bayern Munich legend, who joined Vancouver Whitecaps FC this summer, was accompanied by his new MLS teammates for the 2025 NBA Canada Series.
Rayan has emerged as one of the most promising talents in Brazilian football and his performances haven't gone unnoticed by some of the Premier League's heavy hitters. Tottenham have now emerged as the favourites to sign the teenage forward, who has also attracted interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa. However, it's Spurs who are the frontrunners for the 19-year-old.
Chelsea have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Bologna striker Santiago Castro, sending scouts to assess the 21-year-old’s performances in Serie A ahead of a potential January move. The Argentine, who is already on the fringes of the senior national team, has emerged as a player of interest for Enzo Maresca as the Blues continue their long-running search for a consistent and clinical No. 9.
Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on his relationship with Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior, claiming that the media outlets are responsible for the speculation about the duo not getting along. The Frenchman believes that publications "sell a lot of papers" by spreading false narratives about their dynamic, adding that he has absolutely no issues with Vini Jr.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino believes that the international calendar should be changed in order to accommodate winter World Cups in the future. With the 2034 edition currently scheduled to take place in the height of summer in Saudi Arabia, football's showpiece could follow Qatar's lead in 2022 and move to the winter, which saw domestic seasons start earlier and finish later.
Former Bolton striker Ivan Klasnic has confessed that he could die at any time as he opens up on his hellish kidney condition. The Croat has undergone three kidney transplants after painkillers worsened his undiagnosed renal disease during his time at Werder Bremen. And Klasnic, who retired in 2013, has revealed he could die any minute owing to the medicine prescribed during his spell in Germany.
Nottingham Forest have reportedly decided to stick with Ange Postecoglou — at least for now — despite growing calls for his dismissal following a winless start at the City Ground. After fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during the 3-2 loss to Midtjylland, owner Evangelos Marinakis is using the international break to assess the situation.
Alexander Isak has revealed his first impression of Liverpool following his deadline-day move. The Sweden international departed Newcastle for the Premier League champions as a long-running summer saga finally came to an end on deadline day. And while he has struggled for form since his move to Anfield, the club and city have already made a positive impact on the former Magpies hitman.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed how hair treatments have played a crucial role in maintaining his trademark confidence, insisting he “wouldn’t be the same” without his iconic hair. The Portuguese superstar, now 40, admitted that his appearance and self-esteem are closely linked, as he continues to champion health and wellness through his hair care brand in Saudi Arabia.
Chelsea are prepared to reignite their interest in Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz as they look to bolster their attack. The Old Lady forward is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in Europe. Chelsea have reportedly already seen one €70 million (£61m/$81m) offer rejected by the Serie A giants, who are understandably keen to retain the Turkey's international's services.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has broken ranks with his fellow club legends by naming Eddie Howe as the man he wants to see replace under-pressure manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backing for the Portuguese coach, speculation over Amorim’s future continues to swirl — and Scholes is convinced that Howe is “definitely” the right fit.