Arsenal beat Everton 2-0 thanks to a late, late show on Saturday, and an incredible impact from 16-year-old Max Dowman. The teenager came off the bench to whip in the cross for Viktor Gyokeres' opener, and then he scored the second himself in truly incredible scenes in north London.
U.S. international Josh Sargent made his long-awaited Toronto FC debut on Saturday, coming off the bench in the 70th minute for Robin Fraser’s side. The 26-year-old was welcomed with a loud roar from the BMO Field crowd and nearly made an immediate impact, but Toronto had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s late equalizer.
Atletico Madrid director Mateu Alemany has broken his silence on Julian Alvarez, insisting the forward will stay at the club despite growing interest heading into the summer transfer window. Alemany firmly dismissed any talk of a move for the Argentine star, whose ambiguous comments recently sparked rumours of a summer exit from the Metropolitano.
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany could not hide his frustration after seeing Luis Diaz dismissed in the closing stages of a pulsating encounter against Bayer Leverkusen. Diaz, who had earlier netted the equaliser for the visitors, was shown a second yellow card for an alleged dive after a challenge from Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.
FC Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on matchday 26 of the Bundesliga was marred by a number of controversial decisions by referee Christian Dingert, who disallowed two of Munich’s goals and sent off Luis Diaz for an alleged dive. He says he would not make that decision again.
As the Premier Soccer League entered matchday 21, the title race is intensifying with contenders pushing hard to gain an advantage. At the other end of the table, several sides are locked in a tense fight to avoid the drop as the pressure of relegation looms large. Meanwhile, attention is also fixed on the crowded midtable, where teams are battling to secure places in next season’s MTN8.
After the loss to Richards Bay in midweek, it will be another chance for Amakhosi to try and end the four-match losing run across all competitions. It is expected to be a challenging encounter, given that the Premier Soccer League debutants will be keen to win and cement their place among the top four sides.
Antonio Conte has clarified his position at Napoli, insisting he intends to honour his long-term commitment despite a challenging campaign. Ahead of the clash against Lecce on Saturday, the veteran coach addressed his tenure and the collective need to rebuild, insisting he remains focused on his three-year plan to restore the club's domestic and European success.
FC Bayern picked up a point in a heated match in Leverkusen. Two controversial incidents in particular caused a great deal of frustration for the record champions.
The Glamour Boys are under incredible pressure to turn the tide after four consecutive losses. Against the Premier Soccer League debutants, they enjoy a home advantage, but playing in front of their fans will put them under more pressure. Another loss, or even a draw, will only act to jeopardise their position, with more ground ceded in the league's title race.
Sandro Tonali remains a man in high demand across the European elite, and his representative, Giuseppe Riso, has suggested that the Newcastle star is exactly where he needs to be to facilitate a future move to the very top of the English game. Riso addressed reports linking the former AC Milan midfielder with heavyweights such as Arsenal and Manchester City, noting that the plan upon leaving Italy was always to elevate Tonali into the bracket of "stellar" global talents.
Hansi Flick is delighted as Gavi returns to Barcelona’s squad after a gruelling six-month ACL injury. Though initially expected back later, the Spaniard’s rapid recovery earned him the medical green light ahead of schedule. The midfielder is now set to feature in Sunday’s La Liga clash against Sevilla, providing a massive boost to the leaders.
There is a clear bond between the two greatest French forwards of their respective generations, even if they never had the chance to share a pitch. Thierry Henry, now 48, remains a constant source of inspiration for Kylian Mbappe, who is currently chasing down the final few goals needed to surpass Olivier Giroud as Les Bleus' all-time record goalscorer.
Borussia Dortmund CEO Lars Ricken has provided an update regarding the club's ongoing efforts to secure the future of Nico Schlotterbeck. The 26-year-old centre-back has developed into one of the Bundesliga's premier defenders, attracting significant interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool. As the Black and Yellows look to solidify their squad for the coming years, the internal pressure to finalise a deal with their defensive lynchpin is mounting, even as the player weighs his options for the next stage of his career.
The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns coach had been going through what appeared to be a difficult spell in Algeria. His time at the capital city club ends less than 24 hours after he guided them to a 2-0 league victory over Paradou AC that put them five points clear at the top of the Algerian Ligue 1 with several games in hand. The sudden exit adds another twist to what had already been a turbulent period for the tactician.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac traded the boardroom for the commentary gantry during Wrexham’s clash with Swansea, but with a hilarious safety measure. Fearing their signature "colourful" language, Mac pinned a blunt sign in the booth.
The high-stakes clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich took an explosive turn as striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off, reducing the visitors to 10 men. Vincent Kompany’s side faced a nightmare opening at the BayArena as Leverkusen took the lead before Jackson's reckless challenge. Then, after the Bundesliga champions pulled level through Luis Diaz, the Colombian received a second yellow card as the game ended 1-1.
After winning two domestic trophies, Bucs' focus is now firmly on the Premier Soccer League title. However, they face a real challenge from defending champions Masandawana, who have put themselves in a strong position to extend their dominance in the top flight. Just like the previous seasons, the race is turning out to be a two-horse race as Downs and the Soweto giants engage in a tight battle for the title.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has praised Michael Carrick’s performance as interim boss, boosting his hopes for the permanent role. Since replacing Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick has transformed United into the Premier League's most in-form side, securing 19 points from 24 to ignite Champions League hopes and climb into third place.
Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac has revealed a surreal moment during the club's FA Cup clash with Chelsea, admitting he was on FaceTime with David Beckham. Despite the deafening noise at the Racecourse, the Hollywood star tried to navigate a video call with the England legend while the game was going on.