Author: Andrew Rogers

Youri Tielemans’ composed second-half finish earned Aston Villa a valuable Europa League victory in Basel, keeping Unai Emery’s side firmly on course for automatic qualification to the last 16. After Evann Guessand’s early opener was cancelled out before the break, Emery introduced Tielemans at half-time and was rewarded within eight minutes. The midfielder met a neat pass from Emiliano Buendía and side-footed calmly into the corner to restore Villa’s lead. The win was Villa’s fifth in six Europa League matches and their 14th victory in 16 games across all competitions, lifting them to third in the table. Despite heavy rotation…

Fifa is facing fierce backlash from fan groups after details emerged showing that the cheapest ticket for the 2026 World Cup final will cost more than £3,000, with supporters calling the pricing a “monumental betrayal” of football tradition. The anger erupted when the Croatian football federation published fixed-price tickets from the Participant Member Association (PMA) allocation. These prices, reserved for a country’s most dedicated travelling supporters, revealed that a Category 3 ticket for the final at MetLife Stadium on 19 July will cost $4,185 (£3,120). Football Supporters Europe (FSE), representing fans across the continent, said the cost of following a…

England are exploring alternative training camp locations for the 2026 World Cup amid growing concern that their preferred base in Kansas could be allocated to the Netherlands instead. The FA has sent staff to the United States this week to scout possible sites, particularly on the east coast, as a contingency. Thomas Tuchel had approved plans for England to train at Sporting Kansas City’s high-performance centre following a pre-tournament camp in Fort Lauderdale. However, because the Netherlands will play group matches in Kansas, Houston and Arlington, FIFA rules on proximity mean they are likely to receive first choice for the…

Tottenham Hotspur and England winger Jessica Naz has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in her right knee during Spurs’ WSL win over Aston Villa on Sunday. The club confirmed she will undergo surgery. This is the 25-year-old’s second ACL injury, having previously spent 18 months out after damaging her other knee in 2019. Since returning, Naz earned six England caps and became a key player for Spurs, featuring in all 10 league matches this season and helping the team climb to fifth, just two points behind Chelsea. Her setback adds to a…

Crystal Palace continued their impressive form as Marc Guéhi’s late header secured a 2-1 victory away at Fulham, pushing Palace into the Premier League’s top four. The defender rose at the near post to meet a corner near the end of the match, stunning Marco Silva’s side and sealing Palace’s third win over Fulham within a year. Eddie Nketiah opened the scoring for Palace on his first league start of the season, finishing sharply after excellent build-up play from Adam Wharton and Tyrick Mitchell. Fulham hit back with a moment of brilliance from Harry Wilson, who curled in a superb…

Lionel Messi was named the Most Valuable Player of the MLS Cup after delivering two critical assists in the championship match. His performance played a decisive role in his team’s victory and further cemented his status as a star in U.S. club soccer. Messi’s vision and precision on the field were on full display as he created scoring opportunities that shifted the momentum in favor of his team. The assists came at crucial moments, helping to secure a win that will be remembered as a defining moment in the league’s history. The Argentine forward has consistently demonstrated his ability to…

Emiliano Buendía scored with virtually the final kick of the match to secure a dramatic 2-1 win for Aston Villa over Premier League leaders Arsenal, sparking wild celebrations at Villa Park and blowing the title race wide open. Deep into stoppage time, chaos unfolded in Arsenal’s box after David Raya saved Youri Tielemans’ effort and a scramble followed. Buendía’s first attempt was blocked before the ball broke loose again, and with remarkable composure, he curled a first-time finish into the corner. Arsenal players fell to the turf in disbelief as Villa players and substitutes flooded the pitch in jubilation. The…

England will open their 2026 World Cup campaign with a rematch of the 2018 semi-final against Croatia after being placed in Group L. They will also face Panama, who they beat 6-1 in Russia, and Ghana, a team they have never previously met at a World Cup. Group fixtures will be spread across five host cities: Dallas, Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia and Toronto, with schedules to be confirmed. Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the challenge ahead: “Difficult group, difficult opener. Croatia and Ghana are strong World Cup regulars. We’ll learn more about Panama before the tournament starts.” Scotland also drew a…

Former Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed he is being treated for prostate cancer that has spread to his pelvic bone. The 56-year-old learned of the illness 18 months ago after insisting on a PSA test during a routine check-up. Further scans confirmed an aggressive form of the disease, leading to surgery last December. Six months later, rising PSA levels showed the cancer had returned and spread, prompting medication and seven and a half weeks of radiation therapy. Hislop shared his story publicly to encourage men to be proactive about testing. He stressed that regular PSA…

Ruben Amorim says Leny Yoro’s reaction to being substituted in Manchester United’s 2–1 win over Crystal Palace was “unacceptable,” but stressed the young defender simply “thinks too much” and will learn from the experience. Yoro, 20, conceded the penalty that put Palace ahead and was taken off early in the second half. Visibly upset on the bench and still frustrated after full-time, he was consoled by Mason Mount. Amorim said the support reflects the team’s strong culture. “He makes a mistake and then he struggles because he’s too young and wants to do everything so well,” Amorim said. “He cannot…