1. Why has Romelu Lukaku gone AWOL on Napoli?!

    On the evening of February 28 in Verona, Romelu Lukaku came off the bench at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi to score a 96th-minute winner for Napoli against Verona with a close-range left-footed finish. It was by no means a beautiful goal - goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo had got a hand on the ball - but it was easily one of the most significant strikes of Lukaku's entire career.

  2. Chelsea need Palmer now more than ever to save their season

    Even when Chelsea were sweeping up trophies for fun during the first two decades of the 21st century, there was still an element of jeopardy to their seasons. Back then, however, that usually revolved around whether or not they would end the year with a piece of silverware to make up for the relative inconsistency of their Premier League campaign.

  3. Why Wiegman has made teen Parkinson her youngest-ever call-up

    When England's Under-23s took on Norway back in November, there was no shortage of top talent on show. Be it Ruby Mace or Maisie Symonds, who have both been involved in Sarina Wiegman's senior team; Gracie Prior, a starter in seven of the first nine games of the season for Women's Super League leaders Manchester City; or Martine Fenger on the opposite side, the teenage forward who made her Barcelona debut earlier that month. And yet it was 17-year-old Erica Parkinson, a player some five years younger than some of those involved, who stood out most.

  4. Desperate Slot should be embarrassed by Liverpool submission

    Arne Slot admitted on the eve of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain that his side had suffered so many setbacks this season that he there wouldn't have been time to reference them all in the one press conference. In that sense, Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Parc des Princes could be passed off as just another disappointing defeat to add to an already lengthy list.

  5. Unleash Dowman! Arsenal should start teen star in EPL run-in

    Much has been made of Arsenal's quadruple charge being dashed and downgraded to a double dream over the last few weeks, but that's still nothing to be sniffed at. The Gunners have an excellent chance of claiming the two top prizes available to them, though they are in danger of limping across the finish line rather than marching over it with the authority of champions.

  6. BDO Power Rankings: Yamal slides while Kane keeps cooking

    With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going.

  7. Chelsea slump shows Maresca is right Pep replacement

    As Enzo Maresca gazed out at the ocean from his infinity pool, he must have been grateful he was no longer managing Chelsea. From defeats at the hands of Newcastle, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain to controversies ranging from 'respecting the ball' to Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez heavily hinting that they would be open to leaving, Stamford Bridge resembles a battlefield when compared to Maresca's recent idyllic getaway in the Maldives.

  8. Slot shake-up falls flat as listless Liverpool again exposed

    Liverpool's hopes of salvaging their season were dealt another devastating blow on Wednesday, as Arne Slot's struggling side slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain. The under-fire coach had challenged his players to deliver a "strong and firm" response to last weekend's FA Cup capitulation at Manchester City, but while they never gave up at Parc des Princes, they still succumbed meekly to vastly superior opposition.

  9. Wubben-Moy deserves Lionesses start in crucial Spain clash

    Next week, at Wembley Stadium, the two best national teams in European women's football will meet once more as England, winners of the last two European Championship titles, welcome Spain, the reigning world champions. It'll be their sixth competitive encounter in less than four years and it again brings with it huge stakes as the two bid for the one automatic qualification spot from their group for next summer's World Cup. That England could be without their captain, Leah Williamson, then, is a huge blow.

Advertisement

Videos

  1. Video: A classy gesture from Vitinha after beating Liverpool In the aftermath of his side’s hard-fought victory over Liverpool, Vitinha underlined his burgeoning reputation with a

    In just 15 minutes on the pitch, the Portuguese star’s behaviour was laid bare for all to see. His every touch, glance and reaction spoke volumes about his current form, his relationship with team-mates and the pressure he is under. Observers noted his body language, his movement off the ball and his interactions with staff, building a detailed picture of a player in transition. This brief cameo offered richer insights than hours of analysis, underlining the importance of reading between the lines when judging a superstar’s performance.

  2. Video: In a scene reminiscent of a cup final showdown, Barcelona supporters launched an assault on Atlético Madrid’s team bus as it attempted to reach the stadium. The incident, ca

    Exciting moments before kick-off The atmosphere is electric as fans pour into the stadium, chanting, drumming, and draping themselves in the colours of their beloved teams. Players exchange final instructions with coaches, then line up for the traditional handshake under the watchful eye of the match officials. Cameras flash, capturing every smile, every stare, every fleeting emotion etched on faces around the pitch. The PA system blasts the latest team news, reminding everyone that this is more than 90 minutes of sport; it is a community ritual, a battle of pride, and a potential turning point in the season. With the national anthem echoing around the stands and the first notes of the referee’s whistle hanging in the air, the stage is set for drama, skill, and unforgettable moments that will be discussed long after the final whistle.

  3. Video: Atlético Madrid fans chant offensive slogans against Islam ahead of the Barcelona clash In a clip that has sparked widespread condemnation, supporters of Atlético Madrid wer

    The unfortunate incident surrounding the Egypt friendly match has repeated itself, prompting fresh concerns within the national team’s camp and among fans. Details remain scarce, but sources close to the federation confirm that the same logistical and organisational issues that marred the previous get-together resurfaced during the most recent gathering, forcing coaches to adjust the training schedule at the last minute. While the exact nature of the problem has not been disclosed, insiders whisper that communication breakdowns between the back-room staff and club representatives played a significant role. As a result, players arrived on different schedules, equipment was misplaced, and the planned warm-up session had to be abbreviated. These glitches, though minor on the surface, underline deeper coordination failures that could affect team harmony heading into crucial qualifiers. Egypt’s football hierarchy is now under pressure to address these recurring problems. Fans have taken to

Premier League

  1. Liverpool owners decide Slot future amid sack calls

    Liverpool’s owners have decided to keep faith with Arne Slot despite increasing calls for the Dutchman to be sacked. The Reds’ poor form continued with a Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but Fenway Sports Group (FSG) still believe Slot should lead the club into next season.

Must-read opinion and expert analysis

La Liga

  1. florentino perez real madrid

    Real Madrid deny sporting director claims

    Real Madrid have firmly rejected claims that the club is planning to appoint a new sporting director. The Spanish giants released a strong statement denying reports that they had begun searching for candidates through an external agency.

Serie A

Transfers

Betting