With two open-play goals in their last three games, a lot of the talk coming into Chelsea's Women's Champions League clash with Paris FC on Wednesday night was about the dominant force in English football, and one of the front-runners for this trophy, not being quite themselves in front of goal. But Sonia Bompastor's Blues were able to quieten those doubters in their final game before the international break, with a 4-0 victory over the Parisians at Stamford Bridge.
Bafana Bafana concluded a successful international break with qualification for the 2026 World Cup. GOAL now turns its attention to the PSL clubs and South African stars taking centre stage in the CAF inter-club competitions this weekend, with an array of challenges awaiting across the continent.
Alisha Lehmann left her Switzerland team-mate disgusted as the Como star revealed her favourite cheat meal. The Switzerland women's team released a video on Instagram of players and coaches sharing their favourite guilty pleasure foods on camera. Former Arsenal star Johan Djourou, who is on the coaching staff of the national team, also shared his favourite.
Thomas Tuchel delivered a rousing team talk as England booked their place at the 2026 World Cup, saying he accomplished a “childhood dream” following the emphatic 5-0 victory over Latvia. The Three Lions will compete at next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States after powering through their qualifying group with two games to spare.
The results didn’t go Mexico’s way under Javier Aguirre during this FIFA window. El Tri had a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Colombia at AT&T Stadium and then drew 1-1 with Ecuador in Guadalajara - two potential World Cup opponents. Despite that, San Diego FC winger Hirving Lozano offered a positive assessment and highlighted some encouraging signs.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente gave a huge billing to Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino as the La Roja boss claimed that the Gunners star is as good as Rodri and Pedri. On Tuesday, Merino scored twice as Spain thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 in a World Cup qualifying game at home. The win also helped the reigning European champions maintain their 100 per cent record in the qualifying rounds.
Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly looking to leave Manchester United in January after falling out of favour under manager Ruben Amorim. Having made just three Premier League appearances so far this season, the striker is now attracting interest from two Serie A clubs as he aims to boost his chances of making the Netherlands’ squad for the 2026 World Cup by exiting Old Trafford.
The Bafana Bafana star left Amakhosi for their PSL rivals, and now the move has been described as a mistake on the part of the Glamour Boys. After just one season with his current club, he is tipped to be the next top defender for the national team.
There has been a twist in Rangers' manager hunt as Steven Gerrard has once again emerged as favourite to take charge at Ibrox Stadium, days after he pulled out of the race for the head coach's role. After Rangers parted ways with Russell Martin earlier this month, Gerrard was poised to return to Glasgow and he even held talks with the club hierarchy, but he later withdrew his name.
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is reportedly facing legal action over a party held for his 25th birthday which saw him build his own theme park for around 500 attendants. The Brazil international threw the lavish celebrations in Rio de Janeiro in July, with the military police being called to the event after one local complained about the level of the noise being generated by the gathering.
England defender Dan Burn revealed a hilarious dressing room question from Newcastle United team-mate Anthony Gordon after the Three Lions sealed their berth in the 2026 World Cup. England maintained their 100 per cent record in the qualifiers as they thrashed Latvia 5-0 in Riga on Tuesday, courtesy of a brace from captain and star striker Harry Kane.
Two-time World Cup champion Christen Press announced her retirement from professional soccer on Wednesday, bringing an end to a remarkable 14-year career as one of the most accomplished forwards in United States women's national team history. The 36-year-old star scored 64 international goals, ranking ninth all-time in USWNT history.
South Africa will be part of the global competition once again for the first time since 2010, when they hosted it. However, this achievement came against some odds, as Mzansi were faced with what appeared like an insurmountable challenge, which, in the end, they overcame.
Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have been warned that, despite their rapid rise up the leagues, there is a risk the club may be growing too fast. The Hollywood stars have seen the club go from the National League all the way into the Championship and have made no secret of the fact they would love to watch their team in the Premier League in the future. However, the duo have been warned the club must keep pace financially and there is one major factor holding the Welsh side back currently.
Harry Kane moved into an elite goalscoring club as he scored twice to help England qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker bagged a first-half brace to help the Three Lions defeat Latvia 5-0 and book their place at next summer’s tournament, continuing a rich vein of form which has seen him score 21 goals in just 13 games for club and country this season.
A former Premier League legend has urged Steven Gerrard to ignore an old football cliche after the Liverpool icon re-emerged as the favourite candidate to land the Rangers job. The club's hierarchy are in the market for a new head coach after they parted ways with Russell Martin earlier this month. Martin oversaw a nightmare start for the Gers in the 2025-26 campaign in the Scottish Premiership.
Manchester City wonderkid Sverre Nypan has opened up on his journey in England as he revealed a culture shock following a loan move to Championship side Middlesbrough. The Cityzens beat Manchester United and other top European clubs to complete the signing of the 18-year-old Norwegian midfielder in the summer transfer window from Rosenborg, but he was immediately sent out on loan for more game time.
Trinity Rodman is set to return to the U.S. women's national team as Emma Hayes has named a 26-player squad for the upcoming three-match October window. The U.S. will take on Portugal twice, and also play New Zealand during the window. With the call-up, Rodman returns to the USWNT for the first time since April after dealing with back issues.
Dele Alli's hopes of sealing a move to Wrexham on a free transfer have disappeared after the Championship side confirmed the final place in their squad for the 2025-26 season has gone to returning star Ollie Rathbone. The former Como midfielder had been linked with a move to Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's side after being released by the Serie A side but must now look elsewhere for a fresh challenge.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will serve a one-match touchline ban after he admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of misconduct following his dismissal in the 2-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool. The Blues manager has also been fined £8,000 by the FA after his wild celebration following Estevao’s last-gasp winner at Stamford Bridge before the international break.
The Spaniard left the Sea Robbers after three years, and the club's skipper says it was a good decision for both parties. Although he has been described as a tired figure by the end of last season, he went on to coach African giants Al Ahly straight away after leaving the Bucs, which saw him getting sacked after just seven games in charge.
Danny Dyer and daughter Dani have been chatting about Jarrod Bowen amid a tough time at West Ham. The Hammers sacked manager Graham Potter after just nine months in charge and have since appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as his replacement. Bowen clashed with angry fans at the start of the season after the team's Carabao Cup exit but swiftly apologised and has gone on to score three times in seven appearances in the Premier League for the Hammers.
After being defeated 3-0 and seeing their own World Cup dreams extinguished, Rwanda's coach Adel Amrouche felt he had an important message to deliver to Hugo Broos on the age of the Belgian's squad and the need for young players to be integrated ahead of major tournaments.
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