Match

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.

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham has been defended from criticism by pundit Gordon Strachan, who insists that both Xabi Alonso and Thomas Tuchel need to "protect" the midfielder. Bellingham has been at the centre of controversy at international level and has also previously been defended by Ian Wright.

The 21-year-old is among the most talented attackers in the Premier Soccer League, always bringing his 'A' game when representing either the Buccaneers or the national team, Bafana Bafana. However, his future with the Sea Robbers is in doubt after his recent admission from Morocco, where he is taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The reigning Premier Soccer League champions have once again decided to break the bank and get a player they feel will help them meet their target for the season after losing a key player at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. Apart from the South African top flight, the Brazilians are hoping to challenge for the CAF Champions League crown.

Declan Rice admitted that he was "fuming" after missing Arsenal's victory over Aston Villa with a knee injury. The England midfielder returned to action with a brace against Bournemouth, such was his desperation to prove his worth as the Gunners returned to the Premier League's summit.

The Eagles endured a tough time at Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca against the Carthage Eagles to make the last eight of the biennial competition and send their fans into raptures. The North African team were punished for failing to take their chances and coming up with tactics to stop the determined opponents who played with a man less for almost 100 minutes. Ex-Glamour Boys target saved two penalties in the shootout to see his team through.

Ruben Amorim has defended himself against criticism that he does not take enough risks with Manchester United by insisting they are one of the most attacking teams in the Premier League. The coach has seen his tactics slammed by former Red Devils' greats such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes in recent weeks while fans have taken against his substitutions.

Ruben Amorim had a tetchy exchange with a reporter as he refused to explain why he is veering from the 3-4-3 formation he wanted to build his Manchester United side around. The Portuguese was asked three times during Friday's press conference before facing Leeds what he had meant with previous comments about his change of heart. But each time he shied away from giving an answer.

In a bid to return stronger and sharper for the second round of the Premier Soccer League campaign, Masandawana have added another arsenal to their striking department. After the departure of Lucas Ribeiro, there were fears Sundowns would struggle to get another equally capable goal-scoring machine, but the Brazilians could prove doubters wrong, given who they signed in the last transfer window. Even before the new signings fully settle, the league's defending champions are set to add another star from South America.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has offered an update on Antoine Semenyo amid talk the winger is on the brink of a £65 million move to Manchester City. Semenyo played for Bournemouth against Arsenal on Saturday and, according to his manager, is set to feature for the Cherries again on Wednesday night against Tottenham in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium.

West Ham were beaten 3-0 by Wolves on Saturday in a result that has left the club in dire relegation trouble and piled more pressure on manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Alan Shearer has called out the "pathetic" performance of the Hammers, as they were beaten by a Wolves team rooted to the bottom of the table and without a single win prior to kick-off at Molineux.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike admits it is "difficult" to know that he is playing regularly for the Reds because of Alexander Isak's leg fracture. The £125 million ($168m) signing from Newcastle scored against Tottenham but, in doing so, was challenged by Micky van de Ven, and has since been ruled out for a significant period due to a leg fracture that required surgery.

South Africa is among the 16 teams that made it out of the initial group stage after finishing second in their pool, which had the seven-time champions Egypt who eventually topped it, alongside COSAFA duo Zimbabwe and Angola, who were eliminated. Former Buccaneers tactician hopes to see his country in the final but has branded another team as the 'most dangerous.'

The Africa Cup of Nations has reached a critical juncture where there are no second chances. Given that South Africa struggled against 10-man Egypt and were given a run for their money by Zimbabwe, there are suggestions that it is time for Hugo Broos to tweak his lineups. But can the Belgian tactician afford to massively tweak his lineup when South Africa need to win to remain competing in Morocco?

The 73-year-old will be coming up against his former team this weekend in the Last 16 of the biennial competition, hoping to get into the last eight and eventually go all the way to win their second continental crown. The initial one came in 1996 when South Africa were hosts. In 2023, the Belgian led Bafana to a bronze.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix were left fuming after Al-Nassr's defeat to Al-Ahli, as a Portuguese director of their opponents sprinted onto the pitch and celebrated with goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi. In doing so, he appeared to brush Felix's arm, and both he and Ronaldo were left angry at his decision to take to the field after their unbeaten run came to an end.

Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been trolled by former Juventus team-mate Merih Demiral after his side lost their unbeaten start to the Saudi Pro League season. The Portugal international is attempting to win his first league title with Nassr but Al-Ahli dealt them a 3-2 defeat on Friday evening, much to Ronaldo's chagrin.

The 25-year-old former AmaZulu player has been doing well for South Africa in the biennial competition, having made two direct contributions to the five goals Hugo Broos' men scored in Group B to finish second with six points behind seven-time champions Egypt. The winger is expected to play a crucial role in the knockout phase.

Premier League clubs face unusual kick-off times this weekend, as the New Year's schedule continues apace. Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea are all in action on Sunday, with 3pm kick-offs being aired live on television. GOAL can explain why the kick-off times are out of the ordinary as the year of 2026 gets underway.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet to Eberechi Eze after dropping him from his XI. The playmaker joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace for an initial fee of £60 million ($81.2m) in August, and after impressing in the first few months of the season, Arteta has barely called upon the 27-year-old in recent weeks. Now, he has gone as far as saying Eze needs to "improve" certain parts of his game.

Wayne Rooney has revealed that Sol Campbell did not speak to him for six months after Manchester United beat Arsenal to end their 49-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford in 2004. The former United striker won a penalty in the game, as he cut in from the right and went down easily under the challenge of Campbell, who claimed his compatriot dived.

Sunderland stalwart Luke O'Nien has brutally trolled Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following their heated post-match clash at the Stadium of Light. The Mackems defender didn't play in the goalless Premier League draw but still found time to wind up the Italian stopper, while manager Pep Guardiola appeared to play the role of peacemaker after the game.

Major League Soccer revealed the 2026 MLS Official Match Ball, introducing a striking red, white, and blue design that nods to the people, places, and culture shaping the sport across North America as the region gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Set to debut when the MLS season kicks off on the weekend of Feb. 21–22, the new match ball turns the playing surface into a symbolic map of the league.

The 2023/24 Carling Knockout champions have once again lost an influential figure in the dressing room amid their struggles in the Premier Soccer League, where they have been posting inconsistent results this season. Former Amakhosi coach Gavin Hunt, who took over from Steve Barker, will have to find a suitable replacement before club football resumes.

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a poor night in front of goal as Ivan Toney's brace helped Al-Ahli beat Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. The former Brentford star had put his side 2-0 up before Al-Nassr rallied to level proceedings by half-time, but Merih Demiral's effort ensured Al-Ahli earned the points before two red cards were dished out in stoppage time.

The Sea Robbers, under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, have been exceptional in the domestic competitions this season, where they have already won two titles. The Buccaneers are also targeting the South African top-flight crown they last won more than a decade ago, but will have to do it without one of their key players.

The 20-year-old made a surprising move to Major League Soccer, where he joined the Chicago Fire, who showed interest after the youngster's consistent displays for the Sea Robbers. There have been contradicting reactions to the youngster's decision to join the latter from the Premier Soccer League; a section has been supporting while others feel otherwise.

The 1996 winners finished second in Group B, which had the seven-time champions alongside COSAFA duo Angola and Zimbabwe. South Africa were not convincing despite having fielded a team with players who have been playing together for a long time under coach Hugo Broos. Ahead of the Round of 16, the organisers have revealed a list of those who impressed in the initial phase.

Mexican full back Julián Araujo has joined Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season, the club announced, as he looks to reignite his career following a difficult spell at Bournemouth. Limited Premier League minutes prompted the move, which offers Araujo a chance to regain form and momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.