Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a second-half goal after surviving a horror challenge from Renato Veiga as the defending champions comfortably beat Villarreal 2-0 to restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Raphinha had handed the visitors the lead from the penalty spot before Yamal scored the clincher.
Kobbie Mainoo has been left out of Manchester United's matchday squad to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. The midfielder was expected to at least be among the substitutes but was a surprise omission from the Red Devils' travelling party. A reason has now been given for his absence as United look to kick off the festive period with a win on the road.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insisted Xavi Simons did not intend to hurt him in a challenge which led to the Spurs midfielder being sent off in Saturday’s Premier League clash between the two teams. The defender revealed he spoke to his Netherlands team-mate following the tackle which led to his first-half dismissal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho was fortunate not to receive a red card for a “really nasty” tackle in Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, according to the Magpies’ former goalkeeper Shay Given. The Argentina winger avoided receiving his marching orders in a game full of contentious moments, with Toon boss Eddie Howe criticising the match officials after the full-time whistle.
Kylian Mbappe sent a heartfelt message to “idol” Cristiano Ronaldo after copying the Portugal superstar’s iconic celebration following his landmark goal in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Sevilla. The France forward had a birthday to remember as he found the back of the net to help Xabi Alonso’s men move to within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday.
Matt Doherty says he and his Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mates run the risk of being called “cowards” if they do not show more accountability as the club’s woeful Premier League season plunged to new depths. The Molineux club equalled an unwanted record as they suffered their 15th top-flight defeat of the campaign in a 2-0 reverse against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
Alexander Isak limped out of Liverpool's clash with Tottenham just seconds after scoring the opening goal of the game, after appearing to injure his knee. The Sweden international came off the bench at half-time but was withdrawn shortly after a lunge from Micky van de Ven left him writhing in agony on the turf.
Mikel Arteta has revealed what he tells his Arsenal players about his long-term future at the club. Saturday's trip to Everton marks six years in the job for Arteta but in that time, the Gunners have only won the FA Cup. The Spaniard's contract expires in the summer of 2027 but if he is to stay on, he suggested he needs to "earn the right" at the north London team.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. international Christian Pulisic and AC Milan saw their Supercoppa Italiana title defense end with a 2-0 semifinal loss to Napoli in Saudi Arabia. Milan entered the match as defending champions after lifting the trophy earlier this year with wins over Juventus and Inter Milan, marking Pulisic’s first - and so far only - silverware with the club.
Fresh off an MLS Cup title, Inter Miami are already making moves with a repeat championship in mind. According to The Athletic, the club is nearing an agreement to sign Minnesota United and Canada international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. The reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year is out of contract following the 2025 season and would arrive to address one of the Herons’ key weaknesses.
Club América have begun shaping their roster for the Clausura 2026 and have identified Obed Vargas as a potential reinforcement for their midfield. According to a report from ESPN, América’s front office has already made contact with the Seattle Sounders midfielder, as the player is also weighing his future in Major League Soccer following the recently completed season.
Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve to come through a penalty shootout to claim victory over Brazilian side Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov the hero as he saved four of five shots from the spot to help PSG outscore the Copa Libertadores winners 2-1 on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 in normal time after strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jorginho.
Manchester United reportedly complained to FIFA after Morocco refused to allow Noussair Mazraoui to play in the club's Premier League game against Bournemouth. The Red Devils believed that the defender should have been eligible under the Africa Cup of Nations release arrangements. FIFA’s regulations state that players selected for AFCON squads must be released seven days before their nation’s opening fixture, with the release period beginning on December 15 - the day of the Bournemouth clash.
Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford were on target for Barcelona in the second half as the La Liga champions secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over third-tier Spanish side CD Guadalajara in a Copa del Rey round of 32 clash on Tuesday. The minnows fought tooth and nail throughout the match and had successfully kept a clean sheet until the 76th minute but Hansi Flick's side eventually prevailed.
Washington surrendered a 2-0 lead to NC State, but roared back in extra time to clinch the College Cup in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 win. The Huskies seemed to be in control after 60 minutes, but the Wolfpack roared back in style, equalizing in the dying minutes of normal time. Yet Washington, who started the NCAA tournament unranked, struck first and won on a golden goal.
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