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Chelsea equaled the longest unbeaten streak in Women’s Super League history as they were held to a controversial 1-1 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. Alyssa Thompson’s opener was cancelled out by Alessia Russo's late strike in a breathless match which saw Sonia Bompastor’s Blues match their own 33-game unbeaten league run at the Emirates Stadium.

Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the WSL season, falling 1-0 to a spirited Aston Villa side. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, with Miri Taylor firing in from the edge of the box for her first goal as a professional. The Red Devils were uncharacteristically listless in attack as Mark Skinner's side failed to score for the first time in the 2025-26 season.

The Amakhosi defender did not complete the game on Friday, as he was withdrawn following the injury scare. The former Bucs tactician is now worried that his main defender might miss the next match. Since he arrived at his new club, the Glamour Boys' loanee has stamped his authority and become a regular starter, and Da Gama has also explained how he has been very helpful for them so far.

Former Real Madrid youth player Jacobo Ramon wants to return to his boyhood club one day after first meeting with 'football legend' Xabi Alonso. Ramon left Madrid in the summer to join Como to grow under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas but the 20-year-old is determined to improve his game as he wants to reach the 'Real Madrid level' and return to Santiago Bernabeu someday.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed Lamine Yamal to find his best form despite an ongoing groin problem. The German also looked to diffuse any further disagreement between La Blaugrana and the Spanish national setup, sharing his belief that Luis de la Fuente's coaching staff will "take care" of the 18-year-old superstar when he hooks up with La Roja for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Despite never playing his club football outside South Africa, the Masandawana vice-captain has earned global recognition for his consistent performances between the sticks. His name now features among the world’s top goalkeepers, which is proof of his qualities. The custodian who hails from the Eastern Cape is part of the Brazilians squad that has players who helped the team participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Masandawana are in Group C, a pool considered the toughest given the calibre of teams that will clash there. Another interesting factor that makes the group interesting is the fact that the Tshwane giants will face their former head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, who is in charge of Algeria's MC Alger. Lupopo are set for another trip south, after heartbreakingly eliminating the Sea Robbers in the second preliminary round.

AC Milan officials met with Robert Lewandowski's agent as they look to replace disappointing forward Santiago Gimenez next season. The Barcelona forward is nearing the end of his existing contract and is likely to leave the Blaugrana next summer as a free agent as the Catalan giants are yet to offer a contract extension to the veteran Polish forward.

Midfielder Marc Bernal is reportedly weighing up whether to seek a move away from Barcelona in January as he looks to earn more playing time this season. The 18-year-old has made just four appearances for the Spanish giants following his return from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury which saw him miss the majority of the 2024-25 campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti advised Neymar to change his position to get back to his best form after omitting the Selecao legend from the national team for the fourth time since taking charge as head coach in the summer. Neymar's fitness and form have been under the scanner at Santos and the 34-year-old is running the risk of missing out on his fourth World Cup appearance in North America next year.

Despite winning just one trophy in the almost full year he has been at Chloorkop, the Portuguese has found his name among the world's best coaches. His nomination could spark some debate given that he lifted only one trophy in almost a year he has been at the helm of Masandawana. Despite limited silverware, the former Esperance tactician has earned global recognition. Cardoso’s inclusion among elite names proves the growing influence of Premier Soccer League clubs on the African continent.

Kylian Mbappe has been told he has made a “massive mistake” which will “tarnish his image” after the Real Madrid superstar hit back at a new song criticising his controversial ownership of French side Caen. The 26-year-old forward took aim at French rapper Orelsan over social media on Friday after being made the subject of his fiery ‘diss track’.

Matheus Cunha recalled his tunnel conversation with Ruben Amorim last season after starring in Wolves' 1-0 win at Old Trafford in April. Cunha eventually went on to sign for Manchester United in the summer transfer window after the English giants triggered his £62.5million ($85m) release clause. Cunha, along with Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, was brought in at Old Trafford as part of Amorim's squad overhaul.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has named Jurgen Klopp as his “main rival” as he prepares to lock horns with his old adversary’s former club Liverpool in the 1,000th game of his illustrious managerial career. The Catalan has been reflecting on his famous battles with the German ahead of achieving what he describes as an “insane” milestone on Sunday.

Bryan Mbeumo has revealed his stance on a potential Cameroon national team call-up for the African Cup of Nations in December as the winger is determined to avoid the club vs country row. The AFCON 2025 kicks off in the last week of December, while the players are expected to link up with their respective national teams two weeks before the competition commences.

GOAL gives you the details to follow the Soweto giants' Carling Knockout semi-final clash with the Natal Rich Boyz at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The Buccaneers seem to have buried the disappointment of being knocked out of the CAF Champions League by posting positive results on the domestic scene. They come up against opponents from KwaZulu-Natal who are bidding to win their first-ever major trophy.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has urged Benjamin Sesko to “embrace” the challenge of proving his doubters wrong after receiving criticism following his slow start to the season. The Slovenia international has found it difficult following his £74 million (€84m/$97m) move from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig but his manager has now challenged him to change the script.

Niko Kovac held up Manchester City star Phil Foden's 'smooth control and finish' as an example for Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi after yet another disappointing performance on the pitch. Foden starred with a brace, while Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki also found the back of the net as City thrashed the Bundesliga side 4-1 in a Champions League clash on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.

Leny Yoro is adamant he has no “regrets” over joining Manchester United, saying he is “really happy” with his decision. The France Under-21 international has become a regular fixture for the Red Devils following his £52 million (€59m/$68m) move from Ligue 1 side Lille in July 2024, turning down interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid in the process.

Erling Haaland needed less than four minutes to score his first ever goal against Liverpool. Aged just 19 at the time, he had started on the bench for RB Salzburg's Champions League visit to Anfield in 2019, despite scoring a hat-trick on his competition debut against Genk. He was introduced by coach Jesse Marsch with his side in the middle of a comeback from three goals down and duly made it 3-3.

The Herons might miss the Uruguayan when they take on Nashville Saturday night, yet his absence could offer some answers as to how they function going forward

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including reports of Pulisic's return for AC Milan.

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to initiate contract talks with Dominik Szoboszlai, as the club looks to secure the future of the Hungarian. It has been revealed that Arne Slot is eager to tie down the playmaker, alongside teammate Ryan Gravenberch, with the Reds preparing for the long haul.

Matheus Cunha says he is determined to "bring back the glory days" at Manchester United. The Brazilian has helped Ruben Amorim's team become a more competitive force this season but the ex-Wolves man says this is just the beginning. But amid his impressive start to the season, the 26-year-old was quick to downplay comparisons to Red Devils icon Eric Cantona.

Florian Wirtz's dad claimed that the player's entourage is "perfectly happy" as he weighed in on his son's early struggles at Liverpool. The 22-year-old German was billed as the next great creative force as he was once the crown jewel of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side that swept to a historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. However, since he swapped Bay Arena for Anfield, his attacking output has seen an abysmal fall.

Preston North End attacker Milutin Osmajic has been handed a nine-game ban after being charged with racially abusing Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri. The incident took place during Preston's goalless draw with Burnley in February and now he will be out of action until late December. The forward denied the allegations but he has been fined £21,000.

Thomas Frank issued a concerning injury update on Mohammed Kudus ahead of their Manchester United clash this weekend. The Ghanaian playmaker, who joined Spurs from West Ham United in a £55 million ($72.5m) summer move, has become one of the club’s most consistent performers this season. He has scored once and set up five goals across 15 appearances. But just as he seemed to gain momentum, disaster struck again.

Mikel Arteta is excited about the return of the "very unpredictable" Gabriel Jesus from injury following a lengthy rehabilitation. The Brazilian forward has been sidelined by a brutal knee injury since January in an FA Cup encounter with Manchester United. The striker clashed awkwardly with Bruno Fernandes and had to be stretchered off from the pitch as Jesus was in visible pain.

Alejandro Garnacho has been told that facets of his game are not at a good enough level for a big club like Chelsea or Manchester United. The 21-year-old swapped Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge this summer and despite showing flashes of quality for Enzo Maresca's team so far, some of his detractors still feel there are some glaring holes in his game.