A drama erupted at San Siro as VAR once again took centre stage in AC Milan’s 2–1 win over Fiorentina. A late, controversial penalty awarded to Milan after Santiago Gimenez went down softly in the box ignited fury from Fiorentina’s camp. Sporting director Daniele Prade called the officiating “scandalous,” while manager Stefano Pioli accused VAR of “encouraging simulation,” reigniting the debate on fairness and football’s integrity.
Mexican Football Federation president Mikel Arriola says El Tri are aiming to face Portugal in the long-awaited reopening of Estadio Azteca, with only a few technical details left to finalize. He also confirmed plans to take the national team to Central America as part of its 2026 World Cup preparations. Mexico have already faced opponents from Asia and South America in their buildup.
The former Orlando Pirates attacker maintained his good form in Accra, where the Red Castle took on the Porcupine Warriors. The man nicknamed Nyoso played an integral role in helping the North African giants overcome the 26-time Ghanaian champions.
Mokwena's side were unable to secure a victory in the first-leg encounter. The results mean there is everything to fight for in the second-leg showdown set for October 26, as both sides hope to reach the next stage.
The Brazilians kicked off their CAF Champions League journey with a trip to M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium on Sunday, 19 October, for the second preliminary round of the continental showpiece. Ranked among Africa’s elite, the South African side received a first-round bye; a nod to last season’s run to the final, where they ultimately fell short against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC.
A former Buccaneer played a crucial role in Bahlabane Ba Ntwa's first goal before their new signing struck to help them collect maximum points. After a run of winless runs, Gallants can now breathe a sigh of relief after seeing off their rivals.
The Buccaneers travelled to Stade Frédéric Kibassa Maliba on Sunday, 19 October, hoping to secure a first-leg advantage against the Railmen. But the hosts had other plans, showing no mercy and seizing a crucial home win that leaves the Sea Robbers with work to do in the return leg at Orlando Stadium.
Jamie Redknapp hailed Bukayo Saka after the winger inspired Arsenal to a gritty 1-0 win over Fulham that took them back to the top of the Premier League. On a day when Mikel Arteta's men struggled for fluency, Saka's leadership and composure shone through, underlining once again why the England star is so crucial to the Gunners' title ambitions.
It has now emerged that some of the players fell sick before the game at TP Mazembe Stadium as they registered a goalless draw. However, the Glamour Boys have to blame themselves for the chances they created but failed to score from.
Vincent Kompany was full of praise for Harry Kane after the Bayern Munich forward netted his 400th career goal to seal a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Klassiker. The England captain's clinical header helped Bayern maintain their perfect start to the season, with Kompany hailing his striker's "complete" display in another statement Bundesliga win.
Cristiano Ronaldo marked another historic milestone in style, scoring a spectacular long-range goal as Al-Nassr demolished Al-Fateh 5-1 in the Saudi Pro League. The 40-year-old reached an unprecedented 800 club career goals before delivering a trademark post-match message that reiterated his belief that hard work is central to everything that he has ever achieved.
Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will continue as Manchester United's first-choice penalty taker, despite costly recent misses against Fulham and Brentford in the Premier League. The Portuguese has scored just one of three from the spot so far this season, the decider at home to Burnley, but Amorim maintains full faith in his club captain ahead of the Red Devils trip to face Liverpool on Sunday.
Lionel Messi has claimed Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot, finishing the season with 29 goals to outpace Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, who each scored 24. It’s the Argentine’s first MLS Golden Boot, after narrowly missing out last year to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke by three goals.
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick powered Inter Miami to a 5-2 road win over Nashville SC to close out the MLS regular season in style, securing third place in the Eastern Conference. The Argentine star now sits on 29 goals, strengthening his case for a second straight MVP. The two sides will meet again in the first round of the playoffs.
After scoring for the U.S. men's national team during the international break, Folarin Balogun built on that momentum on the club level, scoring his side's only goal in Monaco's 1-1 draw with Angers. The strike is his second of the season, with the first coming back on Aug. 31. Les Monégasques now sit fifth in Ligue 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo made amends for a penalty miss by scoring a stunning goal in the second half, while Joao Felix stole the limelight with a sublime hat-trick to help Al-Nassr pick up a thumping 5-1 win over Al Fateh on Saturday in the Saudi Pro League. Jorge Jesus' side maintained their 100 per cent record in the league, as they remained at the top of the table with 15 points from their first five games.
Bayern Munich made it seven wins from seven as they defeated rivals Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday evening. The Bavarian giants were a class above Kiko Kovac's men at the Allianz Arena to continue their seemingly unstoppable march towards a second successive Bundesliga title as they opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table.
Matthijs de Ligt says he has a “good relationship” with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim, likening the Portuguese’s straight-talking style to his own personality. The Red Devils boss has faced criticism following the club’s stuttering start to the 2025-26 season but the Netherlands defender insists his manager is not alone in feeling a pressure which naturally comes with representing one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will miss the first Clasico of the season with Real Madrid after being sent off in his side’s last-gasp 2-1 victory over Girona on Saturday. The German received his marching orders for an angry protest as the Spanish champions moved above their fierce rivals at the top of La Liga thanks to defender Ronald Araujo’s late winner.
The Premier Soccer League outfit received a bye from the initial round but had to get past the Equatorial Guinea outfit to secure the group stage ticket. Last season, they reached the semi-final of the continental second-tier tournament, explaining why they are hopeful of reaching the latter stages of the annual competition.
Ryan Longman failed to convert an easy chance as Wrexham suffered yet another Championship defeat at the hands of high-flying Stoke City. The loss comes as yet another setback for Ryan Reyndols and Rob Mac's side, who continue to remain in the bottom half of the league table. Sorba Thomas scored a stunning goal for the hosts in the 36th minute to seal a key win for his side.
Manager Javier Mascherano says the choice is simple when it comes to the MLS MVP award: Lionel Messi. The Inter Miami star has delivered a season for the ages, with 26 goals and 15 assists in 27 matches. Messi and Miami visit Nashville SC on Saturday, looking to lock up second place in the Eastern Conference and keep their title push alive.
The winger who returned to his former team in search of playtime made a crucial contribution, which saw the league debutants manage a win at Umhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday. Initially, the forward was criticised, but his latest performance seems to have won the coach's trust.
Amakhosi marched into Stade TP Mazembe chasing a first-leg edge in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round. But after 90 tense minutes of end-to-end action, the Congolese hosts held firm, denying the Glamour Boys a breakthrough. With the tie still deadlocked, everything now hinges on the return leg in Soweto next Saturday.
Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Nottingham Forest manager - just minutes after his side’s 3-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea ensured they failed to win any of their eight games under his stewardship. The Australian was only appointed as Nuno Espirito Santo’s successor in September but owner Evangelos Marinakis is now looking for his third head coach in a season which promised so much following the club’s return to European football.
Controversy has erupted in Spain after the television broadcast of Real Oviedo’s clash with Espanyol cut away from the opening moments of play, missing both teams’ planned 15-second protest against La Liga’s decision to move Barcelona’s upcoming league game to Miami. The censorship has drawn fresh criticism of the league’s handling of its controversial U.S. expansion plan.
The Premier Soccer League will be well represented this weekend across the two CAF inter-club competitions in Africa. The four teams are hoping to get a positive result in the first leg of the annual tournaments. An aggregate win for Mzansi representatives will see the trio get into the group stage and reap big financial rewards.
In the final qualifier against Rwanda, Hugo Broos selected a starting XI made up of players from the local league, and they got the results needed. Although the locally based stars did the job, the former Amakhosi tactician suggests how the team can become even stronger.
The 26-year-old joined the Glamour Boys from TS Galaxy, hoping to take the number one spot for several seasons. However, things haven't worked in his favour at the Soweto giants as Brandon Petersen is currently doing well in between the posts, leaving the Amavubi custodian with no option but to play second fiddle to him.