Author: Grace Johnson

In Tennessee, it wasn’t the NBA’s Grizzlies, NFL’s Titans, or NHL’s Predators who won the state’s first pro title. Nashville Soccer Club did, with English striker Sam Surridge, nicknamed “Super Sam,” leading the way. His decisive goal in the US Open Cup final earlier this month was just one of 29 he scored in all competitions this season. On Saturday, the 27-year-old aims to deliver more success in a city better known for country music than sports. Battle for the Golden Boot Surridge ranks third in Major League Soccer’s top scorers with 23 goals. He competes with Inter Miami’s Lionel…

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney doubts Marcus Rashford’s claim that the club’s environment affected his performance. Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United since debuting in 2016 and helped the club win five major trophies. He netted 30 goals across all competitions in 2022-23 but struggled to match that form afterwards. He fell out of favour and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa. Rashford now thrives on loan at Barcelona. In a recent interview, he said he had endured an “inconsistent environment for a very long time.” Rooney challenges the environment…

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recovery is on track, raising hopes he may face his former club Liverpool in November’s Champions League tie. The Real Madrid right-back is progressing well after his hamstring injury and could return in time for the group-stage encounter. Injury setback against Marseille The England international, 27, injured his hamstring during the match against Marseille on 16 September. He left the pitch after just five minutes. Early reports suggested he could be out for up to six weeks, putting his participation in doubt for the Liverpool match. Real Madrid will visit Anfield on 4 November, exactly seven weeks after…

Cristiano Ronaldo made history again but left the pitch frustrated. The 40-year-old striker scored twice and set a new all-time World Cup qualifying record. Yet Portugal had to settle for a draw with Hungary, missing the chance to secure their 2026 World Cup spot. A record written in goals Ronaldo now holds 41 goals in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing former Guatemalan star Carlos Ruiz, who netted 39. His relentless scoring continues to redefine international football history. Despite his individual brilliance, Portugal’s night ended in disappointment. Late heartbreak for Portugal While England cruised past Latvia 5-0 to book their ticket from…

Barcelona’s star striker Robert Lewandowski may miss the clash with Real Madrid later this month. The 37-year-old suffered a hamstring injury and faces a race against time to recover for El Clasico. Injury sidelines the Polish striker Lewandowski scored for Poland in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday. However, he will not play in Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga match against Girona this weekend. The injury also raises doubts about his participation in the Champions League game against Olympiakos next Tuesday. Barcelona will then face Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on 26 October in one of the…

At Hampden Park, confusion lingered in the air after the final whistle. The crowd didn’t know whether to cheer, boo, or simply collapse from the tension. Scotland had won, but it felt hollow — one of the poorest displays of Steve Clarke’s tenure. The World Cup dream remains alive with two wins still needed, yet the performance left supporters uneasy. Scotland staggered over the finish line like a marathon runner whose legs had given out. In the closing minutes, they clung on against a side that had shipped 17 goals in four games, six of them against Denmark. The three…

Chelsea celebrated their first win in three matches after overcoming Tottenham 1–0 in the Women’s Super League at Kingsmeadow. The reigning champions, frustrated by recent draws against Manchester United and Twente, finally broke through thanks to a brilliant second-half strike from Keira Walsh — her first goal for the club and her first league goal since 2021. Early dominance without reward Chelsea dictated the tempo from the start. Record signing Alyssa Thompson fired narrowly wide from the left, while Nathalie Bjorn headed off target from the first of 13 corners in a dominant opening half. Despite creating chance after chance,…

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) played to a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in a friendly match at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. The match offered both teams a crucial opportunity to test tactics and evaluate players ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The game began with high energy from both sides. Ecuador struck first, taking an early lead with a well-placed goal that challenged the USMNT defense. The Americans responded in the second half, showcasing improved coordination and pressing play, eventually earning a goal that leveled the score at 1-1. This friendly provided the USMNT coaching staff…

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has started the Premier League season in sensational form, scoring nine goals in his first seven games. While this is not his personal best—he netted 11 in the same period in 2022-23 and 10 last season—he already leads the early running for the Golden Boot by three goals. Remarkably, none of his nine goals came from penalties, adding weight to his dominance. A strong favourite for the award Injuries could still influence the Golden Boot race, but two factors make Haaland a clear favourite. First, he has already scored many goals and consistently created high-quality…

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has criticised football’s growing “expectation of perfection” and revealed that his family stopped attending his matches because of the abuse he faces. In his first major interview since being targeted by Roma fans after the 2023 Europa League final, Taylor described how the hostility reached his family when they walked through an airport together. The pressure of perfection The 46-year-old official says the constant scrutiny sometimes makes him question whether his job is worth the stress. Despite this, he still calls refereeing at the highest level one of the best jobs in the world. Taylor…