The vice president of Lionel Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys has revealed a plan to bring ...

<p>The vice president of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>'s boyhood club Newell's Old Boys has revealed a plan to bring the superstar back home.</p><p>"We are working on Leo playing for Newell's in the first half of 2027," Juan Manuel Medina told Argentine publication <a href="https://tn.com.ar/deportes/futbol/2026/02/03/bomba-en-el-futbol-argentino-revelaron-el-proyecto-para-que-lionel-messi-juegue-en-newells-en-2027/">TN</a> on Tuesday, as reported by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7020697/2026/02/04/lionel-messi-newells-old-boys-return/">The Athletic's Jessica Hopkins</a>.</p><p>He confirmed that nothing has been finalized over Messi's potential return, but said the idea originated in 2024. Newell's have held informal talks with Messi's representatives, <a href="https://as.com/futbol/internacional/newells-ofrece-un-megaproyecto-a-messi-f202602-n/">AS' Hector Perez</a> reports.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"It's a project that goes beyond Newell's. It's a project for the city of Rosario, the province, and Argentine football," Medina explained. "It all depends on what we can offer in terms of infrastructure and a competitive sports program."</p><p>Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023 and renewed his contract last October until the end of the 2028 MLS season. </p><p>Messi played for Newell's youth teams before he famously moved to Barcelona at 13, but his affection for the Rosario-based club remains. The iconic attacker told TyC Sports in 2017 - while still playing for Barca - that it was his "dream to play at Newell's," according to <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2017/12/06/5a2848d6468aeb741f8b45b3.html">Marca</a>.</p><p>The Argentine club's stadium, the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, has a stand named after Messi.</p><p>Messi, who turns 39 in June, is expected to captain reigning champion Argentina at this summer's World Cup, though he hasn't yet confirmed his participation in the tournament.</p><p>He's carried his success from Europe into his stint in North America with Inter Miami, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, the 2024 Supporters' Shield, and the 2025 MLS Cup, while becoming the first player in Major League Soccer history to collect back-to-back MVP awards.</p>

Inter Miami F.C's Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi at the Atanasio Girardot stadium moments prior to the Inter Miami F.C friendly match against Atletico Nacional in Medellin Colombia, January 31, 2026. (Photo by: Camilo Moreno/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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Newell's Old Boys working to bring Messi back to club in 2027

The clubs from Europe's top leagues wrapped up their business for the 2025-26 season as the Janua...

<p><em>The clubs from Europe's top leagues wrapped up their business for the 2025-26 season as the January transfer window closed Monday. We're picking out the biggest winners and losers from the winter signing period.</em></p><p>👉 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3461026" href="https://thescore.com/news/3461026"><strong>Deadline day analysis</strong></a></p><h3>Winners: Manchester City</h3><p>The latest incarnation of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City still feels like a work in progress. Their ongoing defensive frailties and failure to see out wins over Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur within the past month attest to that. Right now, they don't feel like genuine Premier League title challengers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Still, City can build toward their next era with victories in the transfer market - and they certainly did that in January. Marc Guehi's introduction to the backline has brought brawn, confidence, and elite decision-making that was sorely missed during crucial junctures of the campaign. He could've joined for nothing when his Crystal Palace contract expired in the summer, but City were proactive to acquire an elite defender for just £20 million, beating out numerous European rivals in the process. It's excellent business.</p><p>Antoine Semenyo also turned up at just the right time. His four goals in five appearances have helped offset Erling Haaland's unexpected struggles and Jeremy Doku's injury problems. Semenyo's versatility and single-mindedness have instantly enhanced City's attack.</p><h3>Losers: Crystal Palace</h3><p>There's been an exodus of Crystal Palace's 2025 FA Cup winners. Eberechi Eze, who scored the only goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final, joined Arsenal last summer, and long-serving defender Joel Ward also left following the expiration of his contract. In mid-January, manager Oliver Glasner revealed he would call it quits at Selhurst Park in the summer, and days later Guehi relinquished the captaincy to move to Manchester City.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/cropped_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/w220xh124_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/w320xh180_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/w640xh360_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/w768xh432_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820194/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2215595779.jpg?ts=1770065453 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jan Kruger - The FA / The FA Collection / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Jean-Philippe Mateta stuck around after his deadline-day transfer to AC Milan <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3469942" href="https://thescore.com/news/3469942">fell through</a>, but whether that's a good thing or not remains to be seen. He's scored just once in his past 12 outings, with Palace winning only the first two matches of Mateta's miserable run, and a troublesome knee issue was apparently flagged in his failed medical with Milan.</p><p>Perhaps concern over Mateta's fitness and form encouraged Palace to rubber-stamp the signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen. But how much impact can a striker with one goal in 22 Premier League appearances this season be expected to have on a team completely drained of confidence? There's incentive for Strand Larsen to prove himself at Palace, especially with Norway's World Cup campaign on the horizon, but he's only scored against West Ham United, Burnley, and Shrewsbury Town this season. He's broken. And yet, Palace paid almost £50 million to acquire him.</p><p>Brennan Johnson signed for Crystal Palace earlier in January. The Welsh international carefully built his reputation at Nottingham Forest before his 2023 transfer to Tottenham, but, at £35 million, his signing marks another expensive gamble for the Eagles.</p><h3>Winners: Chelsea</h3><p>The relationship between Chelsea and Strasbourg under the BlueCo investment group works just fine for the Premier League club. Rather than take risks in west London, Chelsea use the smaller Ligue 1 side as a testing ground for young talent and simply take their pick of the best Strasbourg players in each transfer window.</p><p>The one-sided arrangement appeared to reach its nadir for Strasbourg when Emmanuel Emegha was unveiled as a Chelsea player in September 2025, despite the move not going through until the following summer. Chelsea announcing yet another transfer seemingly took priority over everything else, including Strasbourg's preparations for a match two days later and their fans' increasing frustration with their club being geared toward fostering Chelsea's success.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/cropped_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/w220xh124_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/w320xh180_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/w640xh360_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/w768xh432_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820159/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2152118674.jpg?ts=1770050676 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">ABDESSLAM MIRDASS / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The unfair alliance got even worse this winter. Chelsea pinched Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca as head coach. Then, in the final hours of the transfer window, Chelsea turned to Strasbourg yet again after missing out on other defensive targets. Highly-rated defender Mamadou Sarr was recalled from his loan deal in France after captaining Strasbourg against Paris Saint-Germain the previous day, and Aaron Anselmino - who started just four league matches while he spent the first half of the season with Borussia Dortmund - was apologetically sent the other way.</p><p>The way BlueCo treats Strasbourg is deeply unsavoury, but Chelsea aren't complaining.</p><h3>Losers: Napoli</h3><p>Napoli's Serie A title defense is on life support - and their transfer dealings over the past two windows must take some of the blame.</p><p>The injuries to Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, and David Neres - among others - are unfortunate and have contributed to the nine-point gap behind league leaders Inter Milan. Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was also ruled out after suffering a knee sprain over the weekend.</p><p>But there's been so little quality in reserve.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/cropped_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/w220xh124_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/w320xh180_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/w640xh360_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/w768xh432_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/806893/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2242076381.jpg?ts=1761237040 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">BSR Agency / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Noa Lang, Lorenzo Lucca, and Luca Marianucci were all signed over the summer before being offloaded in January after making minimal impact in Campania. And the incoming winter deals for Alisson Santos (Sporting CP) and Giovane (Hellas Verona) - basically gambles on raw, young talent - aren't going to be much use to Antonio Conte right now.</p><p>Napoli crashed out of the opening phase of the Champions League. They're at serious risk of elimination from the Coppa Italia quarterfinals against in-form Como next week. A season that promised so much could turn into nothing more than a desperate cling to a top-four finish in Serie A.</p><h3>Winner: Christian Norgaard (maybe)</h3><p>Christian Norgaard has played 33 minutes of Premier League football since he joined Arsenal from Brentford last summer. Mikel Arteta recently <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp37rdx13nro">suggested</a> England's top flight should allow for bigger squads so there's room for Norgaard on his bench, which isn't the greatest endorsement for the former Brentford captain.</p><p>But Mikel Merino's foot operation could finally open the door for Norgaard. Arteta <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3470004" href="https://thescore.com/news/3470004">stated</a> the club was "actively looking" to find a replacement for Merino during his absence but nothing materialized, leaving Martin Zubimendi as the only regular starter who plays at the base of midfield. Declan Rice can also fill the Merino void, but most of his success at Arsenal has been in a more marauding role.</p><p>"He is a leader, and a player with high tactical intelligence and versatility who will have a very positive impact to the squad," Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berti <a href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/christian-norgaard-signs-arsenal">said</a> when Norgaard was unveiled last July.</p><p>Well, it might just be time for the Dane to shine.</p><h3>Loser: The loan market</h3><p>So many teams rely on their on-loan players for the full season, but parent clubs seem more willing than ever to break agreements for short-term fixes or to help them conduct business elsewhere. Trust in the system must be eroding.</p><p>Chelsea recalling Anselmino and using him as a pawn to swipe Sarr from Strasbourg is just one of many examples. Watford have slipped six places down the Championship table and been eliminated from the FA Cup since Manchester City ended Max Alleyne's loan to cover an injury crisis. Alleyne has already lost his spot in Guardiola's starting lineup following Guehi's arrival, and he'll disappear completely from view when Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol are fit again.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/cropped_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/w220xh124_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/w320xh180_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/w640xh360_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/w768xh432_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/820165/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2256290794.jpg?ts=1770054984 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Simon Stacpoole/Offside / Offside / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>West Bromwich Albion are at risk of being relegated from the Championship, but weakening them further didn't matter to Manchester United. They took Toby Collyer back from the Baggies before sending him to Hull City, who are in much better shape in third place of England's second tier.</p><p>Sunderland almost lost Lutsharel Geertruida when Liverpool had the audacity to ask RB Leipzig to cancel his loan so he could join them instead. Liverpool only opted out of the deal because it was too complicated to broker with so little time left in the transfer window, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7013309/2026/02/01/liverpool-transfer-news-geertruida/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.</p><p>There's already evidence that smaller clubs are moving on from the insecurity of the loan market. Lincoln City, one of the better-run clubs in the EFL, helped improve the likes of Morgan Rogers and then-Forest youngster Brennan Johnson on loan deals in recent years, but they're now surpassing expectations with a strong bid for promotion to the Championship. The difference? They predominantly lean on players on long-term contracts rather than run the risk of borrowing from bigger clubs.</p><h3>Other winners and losers</h3><p><strong>Winners:</strong> Schalke fans are starting to believe there are brighter times ahead for their club. Miron Muslic's side is in first place in the Bundesliga 2 and should improve after a strong winter recruitment drive. Edin Dzeko, Adil Aouchiche, and Dejan Ljubicic joined the promotion push.</p><p><strong>Losers:</strong> Leading figures at Barcelona were furious after losing one of their top prospects to Paris Saint-Germain for just €8 million. Dro Fernandez, 18, was being carefully integrated into the first team and already had a big fan in head coach Hansi Flick, but PSG triggered his release clause - while paying a little extra to maintain a good relationship with Barca - to bring him to the French capital. This transfer could sting Barcelona for years.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/cropped_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/w220xh124_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/w320xh180_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/w640xh360_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/w768xh432_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/819221/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2247985145.jpg?ts=1769468664 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Pedro Salado / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Winners:</strong> Fans of throwbacks and reclamation projects should have a soft spot for Sheffield United in the Championship. Kalvin Phillips moved to Bramall Lane on loan from Manchester City on deadline day, joining a sizeable group of fallen stars and Premier League veterans playing under Chris Wilder, including Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford, Tom Davies, Ben Mee, Jairo Riedewald, and Japhet Tanganga.</p><p><strong>Losers:</strong> Al-Nassr. The Saudi Pro League club's relationship with its prized asset, Cristiano Ronaldo, has apparently soured due to his anger over the club's lack of transfer activity. Portuguese reports cited by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronaldo-na-nassr-soccer-transfers-d583d1300ea32184a792a72711720c85">The Associated Press</a> claimed Ronaldo missed Monday's match against Al-Riyadh because he was on strike. This isn't a good look for a country that's aggressively pursuing a place at soccer's top table.</p>

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Biggest winners and losers from January transfer window

Crystal Palace moved ahead with their signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen on transfer deadline day de...

<p>Crystal Palace moved ahead with their signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen on transfer deadline day despite Jean-Philippe Mateta's transfer to AC Milan <a href="https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/crystal-palace-sign-jorgen-strand-larsen/">reportedly</a> collapsing earlier Monday.</p><p>Strand Larsen, 25, joins from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an initial £43 million plus £5 million in add-ons, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7015234/2026/02/02/jean-philippe-mateta-ac-milan-deal/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>. He's the most expensive signing in Crystal Palace's history.</p><p>The Norwegian striker, who was heavily linked with Newcastle United last summer, has scored one goal in 22 Premier League appearances this season. His prior campaign with Wolves was more successful, with 14 goals over 35 top-flight outings.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I'm here to bring energy and goals and to try to do my best for the club," Strand Larsen said in a statement.</p><p>Mateta, who now appears to be staying at Crystal Palace for a few more months, is the club's top Premier League scorer this term with eight goals, but only one of those has come in his last 12 outings.</p><p>Crystal Palace are on a 12-game winless streak across all competitions and currently sit 15th in the Premier League table.</p>

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers in action during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Molineux on January 18, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England.

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Crystal Palace sign Strand Larsen from Wolves for reported £48M

Jean-Philippe Mateta's switch to AC Milan from Crystal Palace reportedly collapsed during the fin...

<p>Jean-Philippe Mateta's switch to AC Milan from Crystal Palace reportedly collapsed during the final hours of the January transfer window Monday.</p><p>The failure to complete the transfer stemmed from an issue that was uncovered during the French striker's medical with Milan, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7015234/2026/02/02/jean-philippe-mateta-ac-milan-deal/">The Athletic's David Ornstein, Matt Woosnam, and James Horncastle</a>. The 28-year-old has been dealing with a knee problem.</p><p>Mateta's move, which was expected to exceed the €30-million mark, was granted after Palace agreed to terms to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jorgen Strand Larsen.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Strand Larsen's transfer still went ahead, with Palace announcing the deal for the Norwegian striker minutes before Monday's 2 p.m. ET deadline.</p><p>After pulling out of the Mateta move, AC Milan now face the prospect of relying on Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leao, and Christian Pulisic as their main sources of goals for the rest of the season. Santiago Gimenez, who has endured a difficult time with the club, is currently sidelined with a significant ankle injury, while Niclas Fullkrug has started once and made five substitute appearances since arriving on loan from West Ham United early in January.</p><p>Crystal Palace, meanwhile, may be spared losing another important figure from their 2025 FA Cup-winning squad following the exits of Eberechi Eze, Joel Ward, and Marc Guehi over the past six months. In mid-January, manager Oliver Glasner revealed he would also leave Selhurst Park in the summer.</p><p>Mateta has struck just once in his last 12 appearances but remains the club's top Premier League scorer over the past two-and-a-half seasons. Overall, he's tallied 46 goals over 153 top-flight appearances since joining the Eagles from Bundesliga side Mainz on an initial loan deal in January 2021.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace holds the match ball after his hat-trick but reacts possibly with thoughts of a late missed chance - during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on October 18, 2025 in London, England.

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Mateta's move to Milan collapses after reported issue with medical

Dominic Solanke spearheaded Tottenham Hotspur's recovery from a wretched first-half display to dr...

<p>Dominic Solanke spearheaded Tottenham Hotspur's recovery from a wretched first-half display to draw 2-2 with Manchester City on Sunday.</p><p>Solanke's second goal, which brought Spurs level, was an incredible piece of improvisation and skill. Conor Gallagher played a cross a little behind Solanke, but the forward managed to hook his foot back to produce a scorpion kick that steered the ball into the far corner.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOW ON EARTH HAS DOMINIC SOLANKE PULLED THAT OFF? 🫨<br><br>SPURS FIGHT BACK TO TIE IT UP AGAINST MAN CITY! <a href="https://t.co/95AKOW0ihp">pic.twitter.com/95AKOW0ihp</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/2018024889848922415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dominic Solanke SCORES!!<br><br>⚽ 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City<br><br>WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/6ztVSalt6F">pic.twitter.com/6ztVSalt6F</a></p>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/2018023143793709488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Solanke admitted he found it hard to resist watching in-stadium replays of his goal.</p><p>"I was trying to stay focused on the game," Solanke <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3469464" href="https://thescore.com/news/3469464">said</a> post-match, "but I heard the crowd cheering every time it was on the screen, so I had a few looks."</p><p>Though Manchester City held a two-goal advantage at the interval through finishes from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, it could've been much more. Erling Haaland, who has just one goal from open play in his last 11 matches across all competitions, was guilty of wastefully lobbing one effort over the crossbar.</p><p>Spurs retook the pitch in the second half with a renewed sense of purpose and earned a commendable point through Solanke's brace. After attempting three shots throughout the opening period, Solanke scored with Tottenham's fourth effort of the second stanza in the 53rd minute.</p><p>Solanke's superb equalizer was followed by Spurs pushing for a third goal, until City gradually shifted focus to attack, forcing the hosts to defend their box.</p><p>However, there was no dramatic winning goal in north London at the end of a Premier League weekend that featured eight strikes scored in the 85th minute or later.</p><p>"It was a game of two halves," Solanke told Sky Sports, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/ckgljennkd2t?post=asset%3A6a503210-571a-4d2f-82ab-b1235de1b78b#post">BBC Sport</a>. "The first half was difficult; we could not get near them at times.</p><p>"The second half was a different story. In the second half, we were great and grew with confidence and belief and could have gone on to win it. We know we need to start games quicker."</p><p>Manchester City are six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who beat Leeds United on Saturday, after 24 matches. Tottenham are in 14th place following a result that should relieve pressure on head coach Thomas Frank.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Dominic Solanke of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England.

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Watch: Spurs' Solanke nets outrageous scorpion kick in Man City draw

Timo Werner joined Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday after winning major hon...

<p>Timo Werner joined Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday after winning major honors with RB Leipzig, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur in Europe.</p><p>The German forward, 29, will occupy a Designated Player spot following his move from Leipzig. He's under contract until June 2028.</p><p>To complete the deal, San Jose bought discovery priority from the New York Red Bulls for $50,000 in 2026 general allocation money.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Every club I've joined, I've wanted to win a trophy. In the end, I've always delivered. That's why I want to come to San Jose - to win," Werner said in a statement.</p><p>Chelsea paid RB Leipzig <a href="https://www.thescore.com/epl/news/1977906">around</a> €53 million to sign Werner in 2020. He won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup with the Blues, but his scoring record of 10 goals in 56 Premier League appearances fell below expectations.</p><p>He played for RB Leipzig again after his Chelsea stint and won the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup in 2023. He was also on loan at Tottenham when the club won the Europa League in 2025.</p><p>Werner has 57 caps for Germany, scoring 24 goals.</p><p>"To have a player of Timo's caliber coming in is simply outstanding for the club and the community," Quakes head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said. "I believe he'll offer us quality on the field, experience, and leadership."</p>

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 20: Timo Werner of RB Leipzig acknowledges the fans during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and 1. FC Köln at Red Bull Arena on September 20, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany.

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Timo Werner joins San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig

What's better than soccer? More soccer, of course! You can now follow your favorite clubs in Belg...

<p><em>What's better than soccer? More soccer, of course! You can now follow your favorite clubs in Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands with theScore. Tap on the flags to subscribe: </em><a href="thescore:///blg_fed/events">🇧🇪</a> | <a href="thescore:///por_fed/events">🇵🇹</a> | <a href="thescore:///ned_fed/events">🇳🇱</a></p><p>The opening phase of the 2025-26 Champions League season concluded Wednesday some 132 days after the first round of fixtures kicked off.</p><p>Eighteen concurrent matches created an at times overwhelming yet entertaining finale, with 61 goals scored and only the dour draw between Monaco and Juventus offering nothing to the overall count.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here's how the league phase unfolded and what comes next in Europe's premier competition.</p><h3>Who's in?</h3><p><strong>Arsenal</strong>, <strong>Bayern Munich</strong>, <strong>Liverpool</strong>, <strong>Tottenham Hotspur</strong>, <strong>Barcelona</strong>, <strong>Chelsea</strong>, <strong>Sporting CP</strong>, and <strong>Manchester City</strong> finished with the best eight records in the opening phase, earning byes to the Champions League round of 16.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-UyAmX" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/UyAmX/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="486" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>But the story of the night was Benfica's 4-2 win over Real Madrid. The Portuguese side's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin joined the attack for a late free-kick and scored a miraculous 98th-minute header, sending Jose Mourinho's Benfica above Marseille and into the final spot for the knockout playoffs (more on that below) on goal difference.</p><p>The shock defeat had huge implications for Real Madrid. That result, along with Sporting CP's 95th-minute winner at Athletic Bilbao, meant the Spanish club fell outside the top eight and must now go through the playoffs.</p><p>Arsenal finished atop the opening phase with a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches, including notable victories over Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich and Serie A table toppers Inter Milan, plus a 4-0 rout of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. Statement made.</p><p>Bayern only dropped points to Arsenal, firmly establishing themselves among the favorites to win the trophy. Liverpool and Tottenham found respite from their frustrating domestic campaigns with an impressive set of results in Europe.</p><p><strong>Knockout playoffs</strong></p><p>The next 16 teams in the league phase table enter the knockout playoffs, where they'll battle for the remaining spots in the round of 16. Two-legged affairs will determine which eight clubs advance and join the eight teams that earned byes to the last 16.</p><p>The eight teams in the upper half of the playoff positions - highlighted by <strong>Real Madrid</strong>, <strong>Paris Saint-Germain</strong>, and Italian giants <strong>Inter Milan</strong> and <strong>Juventus</strong> - will be seeded and therefore drawn against the teams in the lower half, which includes <strong>Borussia Dortmund</strong>, <strong>Galatasaray</strong>, and <strong>Benfica</strong>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ImQN5" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ImQN5/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="898" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>The seeded teams have the (theoretical) advantage of playing their respective second legs at home.</p><h3>Who's out?</h3><p>Little-known Kazakh side <strong>Kairat Almaty</strong> were the first team officially eliminated from knockout contention when they lost 4-1 to Club Brugge earlier this month on Matchday 7. </p><p>But smaller clubs weren't the only ones to fall at this hurdle.</p><p>La Liga high-flyers <strong>Villarreal</strong>, who won the Europa League in 2021, were surprisingly lackluster with an abysmal record of one draw and seven defeats. The Spanish team was eliminated with <strong>Ajax</strong>, <strong>Marseille</strong>, and, all the way down in 30th place, reigning Italian champions <strong>Napoli</strong>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-j7K5u" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/j7K5u/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="673" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}});</script></figure><p>Napoli were in 19th spot and headed for the knockout playoffs at halftime Wednesday, but a second-half brace from Chelsea's Joao Pedro gave the Blues a 3-2 win and ended Napoli's European adventure.</p><p>And remember: There's no soft landing in the Europa League for these teams since UEFA removed that safety net when the Champions League format was rejigged ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.</p><h3>What's next?</h3><p>The top eight sides won't compete in Europe until the round of 16 kicks off on March 10.</p><p>The teams that finished ninth to 16th will take on those that finished 17th to 24th in two-legged clashes that begin Feb. 17. The draw for the knockout playoffs is Friday.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048" srcset="https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048 220w, https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048 320w, https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048 640w, https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048 768w, https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/02a1-1fcb0d3e1a27-00cdcfb24960-1000/format/free1/full_bracket_graphic_20260128233953.png?imwidth=2048 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Courtesy: <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/029a-1de997d047d3-6764f63d69c6-1000--uefa-champions-league-knockout-phase-play-off-draw-where-is/">UEFA</a>)</p><p>The playoff bracket pairs clubs by their final position in the league phase, so fans know their team will face one of two potential opponents before the draw. For example, ninth-placed Real Madrid or 10th-placed Inter Milan could face 23rd-placed Bodo/Glimt or 24th-placed Benfica.</p><p>Another big showdown in the playoffs will be Victor Osimhen's Galatasaray taking on either Juventus or Atletico Madrid.</p>

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 10: A detailed view of the UEFA Champions League Trophy inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 10, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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UCL: Who's in, who's out, what comes next after wild league phase?

The start of Michael Carrick's Manchester United reign couldn't have gone any better.  Brought in...

<p>The start of Michael Carrick's Manchester United reign couldn't have gone any better.</p><p>Brought in to steady the ship after Ruben Amorim was sacked, Carrick has immediately surpassed expectations by following last week's win over Manchester City with Sunday's huge 3-2 triumph at Arsenal.</p><p>Bryan Mbeumo's goal preceded excellent strikes by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha to earn United a victory that lifts them into the Premier League's top four. It was the club's first away win at Arsenal since 2017.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Arsenal scored courtesy of a Lisandro Martinez own goal and a scrappy close-range finish by Mikel Merino, but succumbed to their first top-flight defeat at the Emirates Stadium since May 2025. They failed to win a game in which they opened the scoring for the first time this season.</p><p>Including his United caretaker stint in 2021, Carrick has now beaten Mikel Arteta twice, masterminded wins over Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery, and overseen a draw with Thomas Tuchel. Carrick and his players lapped up the adulation of the away supporters after the final whistle.</p><p>"It's a fantastic position to be in," Carrick told Sky Sports when asked if he wanted the job beyond this season, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cr7jlmdg323t?post=asset%3Ac7f0655f-a925-49f9-8264-afe2e2e85275#post">BBC Sport</a>.</p><p>He added, "I'm enjoying it, and I'll continue to do what I can."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Michael Carrick has as many points in his two games since being appointed Man Utd manager (6) as Ruben Amorim managed in his last five games. <br><br>Amorim faced Burnley, Leeds, Wolves, Newcastle and Villa. Carrick had City and Arsenal. <br><br>Something special is happening. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/SJul1jbg9x">pic.twitter.com/SJul1jbg9x</a></p>— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) <a href="https://twitter.com/StatmanDave/status/2015496270400328116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Manchester United were unchanged from the team that impressively dismissed Manchester City the previous weekend. Dorgu was again selected to the left of the attack, therefore keeping Cunha on the bench.</p><p>Arsenal started strongly but only Martin Zubimendi forced a good save from Senne Lammens before Manchester United started to get a foothold in the game.</p><p>Neither of the first-half goals were pretty. Martin Odegaard sliced a volley toward the six-yard box which hit Martinez's standing leg and rolled into the goal while he attempted to clear the ball. Mbeumo did well to round David Raya for United's equalizer but he was gifted possession thanks to an ugly pass from the usually faultless Zubimendi.</p><p>Dorgu's finish was much easier on the eye. The wideman played a pair of one-twos with Bruno Fernandes to circumnavigate Zubimendi and Declan Rice before slamming a shot from outside the box in off the underside of the crossbar.</p><p>Arsenal made it 2-2 in the 84th minute when Merino bundled home following a corner, but Cunha - who replaced Mbeumo earlier in the second half - decided the entertaining affair with a monstrous effort with three minutes of normal time remaining. Kobbie Mainoo slid a pass through two Arsenal bodies to Cunha, who turned and strode purposefully toward the penalty area before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner from around 25 yards.</p><p>"We're just starting off, and it's a good starting point, but we need to start putting some layers on top, and we'll try to do that in the coming weeks," Carrick said.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Matheus Cunha of Manchester United celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 2-3 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, United Kingdom.

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Carrick's Man United revival continues with late win at Arsenal

Manchester City fell in a shock 3-1 Champions League defeat to spirited Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt...

<p>Manchester City fell in a shock 3-1 Champions League defeat to spirited Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.</p><p>Playing three days after their deserved <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3457649" href="https://thescore.com/news/3457649">2-0 loss</a> at cross-city rivals Manchester United, Pep Guardiola's team was bereft of ideas when Bodo/Glimt dropped into their defensive shape and then vulnerable when the hosts surged forward in numbers.</p><p>Bodo/Glimt led 2-0 at halftime after Kasper Hogh twice capitalized on sloppy defending from City in front of 12,000 supporters in northern Norway. Jens Petter Hauge superbly picked out the top corner to establish a three-goal advantage before Rayan Cherki struck for the visitors.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rodri endured a rotten outing for City. For the third goal, he surrendered possession before he was easily bypassed by Hauge. He was sent off shortly afterward for two quick-fire yellows. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, who tore his ACL in September 2024, was among a number of City players who were far below their usual standards in last Saturday's Manchester derby.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">53 - There were just 53 seconds between Rodri's first and second yellow cards, the fewest for a sending off for an English club in the UEFA Champions League since Wayne Rooney for Man Utd against Villarreal in September 2005 (4 seconds). Quickfire. <a href="https://t.co/303G9vCaUa">pic.twitter.com/303G9vCaUa</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/2013692531523879382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bodo/Glimt recorded the famous win in their first competitive match since Dec. 10, 2025. They drew 2-2 at Borussia Dortmund on that occasion.</p><p>The result puts Manchester City's chances of finishing in the top eight - and therefore earning a direct route into the Champions League knockout rounds - at risk. City faced Real Madrid in the knockout-phase playoffs last season after finishing below the leading pack and wound up losing 6-3 on aggregate.</p><p>Manchester City take on Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane's Galatasaray in their final match of the Champions League's opening phase Jan. 28.</p>

BODO, NORWAY - JANUARY 20: Rodri of Manchester City hands over the captain's armband to teammate Erling Haaland after receiving a red card during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Manchester City at Aspmyra Stadion on January 20, 2026 in Bodo, Norway.

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Man City suffer stunning defeat to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt

Manchester City completed the signing of center-back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on Monday.  C...

<p>Manchester City completed the signing of center-back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on Monday.</p><p>City agreed to pay £20 million for the English international, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cwy8lve847eo">BBC Sport</a>. The 25-year-old signed a contract until 2031 at the Etihad Stadium. His terms at Crystal Palace were due to expire at the end of the season.</p><p>"This move feels like the culmination of all the hard work I have put into my career. I am now at the best club in England and part of an unbelievable squad of players. It feels good to be able to say that," Guehi <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/marc-guehi-signs-for-manchester-city-63904430">said</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bayern Munich and Liverpool were targeting a free transfer for Guehi once his Palace terms expired, per <a href="https://www.thescore.com/eng_fed/news/3456950">Agence France-Presse</a>. Liverpool <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3335972" href="https://thescore.com/news/3335972">reportedly</a> had a £35-million transfer in place last summer, but Palace scrapped the deal after failing to find a replacement prior to the closure of the summer window.</p><p>The defender, who has 26 England caps, captained Crystal Palace to silverware in the FA Cup - which was the first major trophy in the club's history - and the Community Shield.</p><p>City increased their efforts to bring Guehi aboard in January in the wake of injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. John Stones hasn't started a Premier League fixture since October and last appeared as a substitute on Dec. 2 due to his own fitness issues. Twenty-year-old defender Max Alleyne was recalled from his loan spell with Watford on Jan. 5 and immediately started City's next four games against Brighton &amp; Hove Albion, Exeter City, Newcastle United, and Manchester United.</p><p>Guehi, who will wear No. 15 at City, <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/marc-guehi-written-reaction-story-phil-foden-john-stones-63904430">said</a> he was excited to link up with England teammates Phil Foden and Stones at his new club, and now believes he's in the right environment to develop even more as a player.</p><p>"I have always just been obsessed with getting better and wanting to improve and that's something I am constantly striving for and this is the perfect place for me to do that," Guehi <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/marc-guehi-first-city-interview-written-one-63904428">said</a>.</p><p>Guehi represents Manchester City's second major signing of the January window after they <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3435927" href="https://thescore.com/news/3435927">added</a> attacker Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for a reported £62.5-million initial fee.</p>

BELGRADE, SERBIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Marc Guehi of England celebrates his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Serbia and England at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 09, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia.

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Guehi joins Man City from Crystal Palace for reported £20M fee

Toronto FC are in talks to sign Norwich City's Josh Sargent after submitting an official $18-mill...

<p>Toronto FC are in talks to sign Norwich City's Josh Sargent after submitting an official $18-million offer for the American striker, <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2010403477701161117">transfer insider Fabrizio Romano</a> reports.</p><p>Norwich head coach Philippe Clement said after his team's 5-1 FA Cup win over Walsall on Sunday that Sargent refused to play because of "transfer things in his head."</p><p>"It is something we need to speak about inside the club, but the club has made it really clear to Josh and his agent that he will not be leaving during this transfer window," Clement added, according to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sargent-transfer-norwich-clement-usmnt-153497abacf9bf31375c1e2de4afcb25">The Associated Press</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Should a deal go through, Sargent would become the most expensive incoming transfer in Toronto FC's history. The record arrival to Major League Soccer is understood to be Son Heung-min. The South Korean attacker moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Los Angeles FC for a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3223079" href="https://thescore.com/news/3223079">reported</a> $26.5-million fee in August.</p><p>Missouri native Sargent has scored seven goals over 23 appearances in England's second tier this season. His best haul in the Championship occurred in the 2023-24 campaign, when he amassed 16 goals. He represented Norwich in the Premier League four seasons ago and previously suited up for Werder Bremen in Germany.</p><p>The 25-year-old has earned 29 caps for the United States men's national team, scoring five goals, but featured in just two matches in 2025. As Mauricio Pochettino prepares his squad for this summer's World Cup, he's opted for Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright in the No. 9 slot for recent friendlies.</p><p>Toronto FC's top scorer in MLS last season was Theo Corbeanu with six goals. The Canadian side finished 12th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, scoring 37 goals in 34 matches.</p>

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 06: Josh Sargent #9 of the United States walks on the field during the second half of an International Friendly between the United States and Korea Republic at Sports Illustrated Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Harrison, New Jersey.

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Report: Toronto FC submit $18M bid for Norwich, USMNT striker Sargent

Macclesfield, a club in England's sixth tier, pulled off one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup his...

<p>Macclesfield, a club in England's sixth tier, pulled off one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history Saturday, eliminating reigning champions Crystal Palace with a 2-1 win in their third-round match.</p><p>Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored either side of the break for Macclesfield. The National League North outfit then held on for the victory despite Palace playmaker Yeremy Pino converting a superb 90th-minute free-kick.</p><p>Macclesfield, who are managed by Wayne Rooney's brother John, are the first non-league team to eliminate the FA Cup holders since 1909. The last non-league side was, incredibly, Crystal Palace, who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers on that occasion.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," Silkmen boss Rooney told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvg8m2rmldjt?post=asset%3Aa9a94c86-ef30-4298-9cf8-f8863c941295#post">BBC One</a>. "We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads."</p><p>"I couldn't have asked any more of them and you can see the joy in them."</p><p>Buckley-Ricketts, a Manchester United fan who idolized his boss' elder sibling growing up, showed great improvisation to score his the eventual match-winning goal at Moss Rose. However, the scrappiness that preceded his touch, and the way the ball dribbled over the line, was typical lower-league fare.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Absolute carnage! 🤯<br><br>Sixth-tier <a href="https://twitter.com/thesilkmen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thesilkmen</a> have doubled their lead against the holders <a href="https://twitter.com/CPFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPFC</a>!<br><br>📺 Watch live on <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCMOTD</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/footballontnt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@footballontnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/0AZPlWkt7x">pic.twitter.com/0AZPlWkt7x</a></p>— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmiratesFACup/status/2009985897635221599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Macclesfield, positioned 117 places below Crystal Palace in the English league pyramid, dragged their illustrious opponents down to their level with a memorable performance. They outshot Palace 13-12.</p><p>Palace's previous FA Cup match was their famous win over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in last May's final.</p><p>"We had no kind of quality today and I saw no one who could win a dribble. Then conceding set goals and timing in the header," Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner said to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cvg8m2rmldjt?post=asset%3A17e4ef59-403f-43d2-a210-8fe7de750285#post">BBC Sport</a> post-match.</p><p>"If you can't create clear chances, it is a lack of quality that we have shown today. We deserved to lose."</p><p>Macclesfield now shift focus to matches against Woking, Oxford City, and Hereford after beating a team that featured English internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.</p>

MACCLESFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Goal scorers Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Paul Dawson of Macclesfield celebrate after the team's victory following the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace at Moss Rose Ground on January 10, 2026 in Macclesfield, England.

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6th-tier Macclesfield oust holders Crystal Palace in all-time FA Cup stunner

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is due to meet with senior figures at Manchester United on Saturday to discu...

<p>Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is due to meet with senior figures at Manchester United on Saturday to discuss returning to the club as caretaker manager, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2kg8djv7jo">BBC Sport's Simon Stone</a>.</p><p>Michael Carrick, who was sacked as Middlesbrough boss last June, has reportedly already talked to club chiefs about the possibility of temporarily taking over first-team affairs.</p><p>United are looking for somebody to assume the position until the end of the season and want to make the appointment before the Manchester derby on Jan. 17, Stone reports.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Darren Fletcher is interim manager following Ruben Amorim's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3446425" href="https://thescore.com/news/3446425">dismissal</a> from the full-time job last Monday. The former Scottish midfielder, who oversaw Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Burnley, said Friday that "there have been no thoughts or conversations over my future" while he focuses on the new role.</p><p>Members of Manchester United's leadership team are impressed with how Fletcher has conducted himself since succeeding Amorim under difficult circumstances, reports Stone.</p><p>Solskjaer, Carrick, and Fletcher are all former Manchester United players, boasting many major honors between them. Solskjaer won six Premier League titles and earned legendary status at Old Trafford when he scored the winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final. Carrick and Fletcher were teammates and captured five Premier League winners' medals and the 2008 Champions League together.</p><h3>The trio's record at United</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Appearances</th>
<th>Major honors</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Michael Carrick</td>
<td>464</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Darren Fletcher</td>
<td>342</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ole Gunnar Solskjaer</td>
<td>366</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Solskjaer took a caretaker role at Manchester United in December 2018 after Jose Mourinho left the club. He was given the job on a permanent basis in March 2019 and led the team to the 2021 Europa League final - where it was beaten by Villarreal - before he was sacked in November 2021. Solskjaer earned 1.81 points per game as United boss, which is only bettered by Mourinho (1.89) in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.</p><p>Solskjaer's last coaching role was at the helm of Besiktas. He lasted a little over seven months in Turkey before he was fired last August after losing in the playoffs of both the Europa League and Conference League. He worked at Norwegian side Molde and Cardiff City before his first opportunity as Manchester United manager.</p>

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 28: Head Coach of Besiktas Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks during a press conference following the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg match between Besiktas and Lausanne at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye, on August 28, 2025.

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Report: Solskjaer to discuss caretaker role with Man Utd over weekend

Antoine Semenyo has chosen Manchester City.  The London-born Ghanaian international has joined Pe...

<p>Antoine Semenyo has chosen Manchester City.</p><p>The London-born Ghanaian international has joined Pep Guardiola's side on a contract until June 2031 after City struck a deal with Bournemouth that reportedly bypassed his £65-million release clause.</p><p>Manchester City will instead pay £62.5 million over a 24-month spell, while Bournemouth could earn an extra £1.5 million in bonuses and a further 10% of any profit from a future sale, reports <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6953448/2026/01/08/man-city-semenyo-transfer-release-clause/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup," Semenyo <a href="https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/antoine-semenyo-transfer-manchester-city-bournemouth-63903542">said</a> upon his unveiling. </p><p>"I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me ... My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position - still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">City's number 4️⃣2️⃣ <a href="https://t.co/EF5QX7oFQq">pic.twitter.com/EF5QX7oFQq</a></p>— Manchester City (@ManCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/2009555350383415492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Bournemouth convinced City to let Semenyo feature in three more matches for the club before his transfer, Ornstein adds. The 26-year-old's final act for the Cherries was an excellent 95th-minute winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.</p><p>"He's a big miss for us, he's a player that you cannot replace," Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola said after the 3-2 win, as quoted by <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/antoine-semenyo-man-city-transfer-news-latest-b2896933.html">The Independent's Will Castle</a>. "He's an incredible player."</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Simply incredible. <a href="https://t.co/BgyzpjlaNn">pic.twitter.com/BgyzpjlaNn</a></p>— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) <a href="https://twitter.com/afcbournemouth/status/2009052433868374258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham were all tracking the dynamic winger prior to the January transfer window, according to an earlier report by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6915594/2025/12/23/antoine-semenyo-manchester-city-transfer/">Ornstein</a>. However, Semenyo picked Manchester City because he wanted to work with Guardiola, transfer insider <a href="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2008668184182964699">Fabrizio Romano</a> reported Tuesday.</p><p>Semenyo was also linked with Manchester United.</p><p>The former Bristol City prospect has been one of the Premier League's standout attackers this season. He remains Bournemouth's leading scorer in England's top flight with 10 goals. Only two players - Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Brentford's Igor Thiago - have scored more this term.</p><p>Semenyo has also provided three assists, and should add another credible threat to a side that relies heavily on Haaland for goals. The prolific Norwegian has a league-leading 20 tallies on the campaign, but nobody else has more than seven for City. Only Haaland has taken more non-penalty shots than Semenyo since the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season.</p><p>Semenyo should immediately push for regular starts at City, especially while Oscar Bobb and Savinho are in the treatment room and Omar Marmoush is with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.</p><p>Manchester City sit second in the Premier League after 21 matches, six points behind leaders Arsenal.</p>

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur at Vitality Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Bournemouth, England.

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Manchester City currently rate Enzo Maresca as one of their top candidates should manager Pep Gua...

<p>Manchester City currently rate Enzo Maresca as one of their top candidates should manager Pep Guardiola leave the club in the summer, reports <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6896778/2025/12/18/pep-guardiola-man-city-enzo-maresca/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.</p><p>There's a growing feeling that this will be Guardiola's 10th and final season at City, sources told Ornstein. A firm decision on his future is reportedly expected toward the end of the campaign.</p><p>Chelsea's Maresca previously worked in Manchester City's academy - winning the Premier League 2 with the under-23 team in 2021 - and returned to join Guardiola's coaching staff following a brief spell in charge of Parma. Members of City's hierarchy still rate Maresca highly, but he reportedly wouldn't be the only contender to replace Guardiola.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Maresca left Manchester City for Leicester City in June 2023. He got the Foxes promoted back to the Premier League in his only season in charge before taking over Chelsea. He won last season's UEFA Conference League with the Blues before hoisting more silverware in the 2025 Club World Cup.</p><p>There has been speculation regarding Maresca's future at Chelsea after he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3429596" href="https://thescore.com/news/3429596">said</a> in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 win over Everton that he had endured his worst 48 hours at Chelsea. The Italian tactician complained that he and his team lacked "support" from "many people."</p><p><strong>Premier League top four after 16 matches</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>#</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>+20</td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>+22</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>+8</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Maresca is under contract at Chelsea through 2029. Guardiola's City deal runs until June 2027.</p><p>Guardiola greatly appreciates Maresca and is expected to be involved in the decision to select his successor when he decides to depart Manchester City, soccer insider <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPxPjgpTw9o">Fabrizio Romano</a> reports. Maresca recently appointed super-agent Jorge Mendes as his new representative.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25:Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola with Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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The winners of The Best FIFA Awards 2025 were revealed before and during the FIFA Celebration Din...

<p>The winners of The Best FIFA Awards 2025 were revealed before and during the FIFA Celebration Dinner in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.</p><p>For the awards recognizing the best player, goalkeeper, and coach, votes from national team coaches, national team captains, journalists, and fans were weighted equally. The finest goals and best XIs were determined by votes from supporters and a group of appointed FIFA legends.</p><p>The awards recognize excellence in soccer between Aug. 11, 2024 and Aug. 2, 2025.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Best Men's Player</h3><p><strong>Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain and France)</strong></p><p>Dembele shifted to a central attacking position midway through last season, and the move was inspired. The Frenchman scored 33 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions as Paris Saint-Germain hoarded trophies in the 2024-25 season.</p><p>He boasted 14 goal contributions (eight goals and six assists) en route to Champions League glory, finished joint-top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 strikes during PSG's victorious campaign, and weighed in with key goals during the team's Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions successes.</p><p>Dembele also won the Ballon d'Or in September.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Mohamed Salah, Vitinha, Lamine Yamal</p><h3>Best Women's Player</h3><p><strong>Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona and Spain)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/cropped_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/w220xh124_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/w320xh180_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/w640xh360_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/w768xh432_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/814159/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2246356754.jpg?ts=1765907451 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Spanish icon Bonmati missed out on Euro 2025 glory following a heartbreaking defeat to England in the final, but she still swept up the Primera Division title, the Copa de la Reina, and the Supercopa de Espana with Barcelona.</p><p>Her intricate footwork, vision, and immense tactical intelligence continue to bewitch viewers and were enough to earn her the award despite strong competition from the likes of Mariona Caldentey, club and international teammate Alexia Putellas, and members of England's Euro 2025-winning squad.</p><p>Bonmati has won the top women's honor at both The Best FIFA Awards and Ballon d'Or ceremony for three straight years.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Sandy Baltimore, Nathalie Bjorn, Lucy Bronze, Mariona Caldentey, Temwa Chawinga, Kadidiatou Diani, Melchie Dumornay, Patri Guijarro, Lindsey Heaps, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson</p><h3>Best Men's Coach</h3><p><strong>Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)</strong></p><p>Who else? Luis Enrique was a strong favorite to collect this piece of silverware after he shook up Paris Saint-Germain's identity - ditching the club's superstar-centered approach for a stronger team focus - and won the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophee des Champions. PSG also finished second at last summer's Club World Cup.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Hansi Flick, Enzo Maresca, Roberto Martinez, Arne Slot</p><h3>Best Women's Coach</h3><p><strong>Sarina Wiegman (England)</strong></p><p>Wiegman is a force in international management. She's won the Women's European Championship on three occasions (once with the Netherlands and twice with England) and has twice finished as runner-up at the Women's World Cup. The Dutch coach's England team upset the odds to beat Spain in the Euro 2025 final.</p><p>Wiegman also won FIFA's best women's coach award in 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2023.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Sonia Bompastor, Jonatan Giraldez, Seb Hines, Renee Slegers</p><h3>Best Men's Goalkeeper</h3><p><strong>Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City and Italy)</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/cropped_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/w220xh124_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/w320xh180_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/w640xh360_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/w768xh432_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/811913/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2248439797.jpg?ts=1764450450 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Shaun Brooks - CameraSport / CameraSport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Donnarumma won the top goalkeeper prize for the first time on the back of his gold rush with Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian shot-stopper was surprisingly deemed surplus to requirements by PSG head coach Luis Enrique after the French side won the Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Trophee des Champions during the 2024-25 campaign.</p><p>Now with Manchester City, Donnarumma will be hoping to play at his first World Cup next summer. Italy needs to overcome Northern Ireland and then Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoffs to reach the tournament for the first time since 2014.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez, Manuel Neuer, David Raya, Yann Sommer, Wojciech Szczesny</p><h3>Best Women's Goalkeeper</h3><p><strong>Hannah Hampton (Chelsea and England)</strong></p><p>Hampton's reputation soared at Euro 2025 courtesy of her superb distribution and, most notably, her magnificent stops in open play and during penalty shootouts.</p><p>The 25-year-old also secured hero status with her ability to overcome obstacles and her mischievousness. She was told to avoid playing sports as a youngster after surgeries to correct eye misalignment weren't fully successful, but now she's deemed the best goalkeeper on the planet. She also threw the water bottle of her Spanish counterpart into the crowd - therefore ditching the penalty-taker notes on the side of it - during the shootout in the Euro 2025 final.</p><p><strong>Beaten nominees:</strong> Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Christiane Endler, Anna Moorhouse, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Phallon Tullis-Joyce</p><h3>Best Men's XI</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="in" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Men's 11 in 2025. ✨</p>— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2000983265243480153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Best Women's XI</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> FIFA Women's 11 in 2025. ✨</p>— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/2000981752827814257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Puskas Award</h3><p><strong>Santiago Montiel (Independiente)</strong></p><p>Montiel's marvelous overhead kick was declared the greatest goal in the men's game. The Argentine winger, who's a cousin of World Cup winner Gonzalo Montiel, <a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2025/articles/puskas-winner-2025-santiago-montiel">said</a> he "just hit it" when asked about his excellent strike.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Santiago Montiel, ganador del premio Puskas de la FIFA al mejor gol del año 🔥<br><br>¡Felicitaciones, Monti!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TodoRojo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TodoRojo</a> 🔴 <a href="https://t.co/7hQ0HlKivm">pic.twitter.com/7hQ0HlKivm</a></p>— C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) <a href="https://twitter.com/Independiente/status/2000936553384652834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Marta Award</h3><p><strong>Lizbeth Ovalle (Tigres UANL)</strong></p><p>Ovalle's outrageous scorpion kick for Tigres in March took the prize for best goal in women's soccer. The Mexican winger became the most expensive female player ever when she <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3328882" href="https://thescore.com/news/3328882">joined</a> the Orlando Pride for around $1.5 million in August.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="es" dir="ltr">La locura de gol de <a href="https://twitter.com/lizbethovalle7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lizbethovalle7</a>. <br><br>Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/fifacom_es?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fifacom_es</a> te tenemos una nominada al premio Puskás. <a href="https://t.co/TQIcKXK499">pic.twitter.com/TQIcKXK499</a></p>— Club Tigres Femenil 🐯 (@TigresFemenil) <a href="https://twitter.com/TigresFemenil/status/1896754119974474135?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 16: The Best Fifa Men's Player winner, Ousmane Dembele, poses for a photo with the trophy during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 at the Fairmont Katara Hall on December 16, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

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Mohamed Salah came off the bench and set up a goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Al...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> came off the bench and set up a goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Brighton &amp; Hove Albion on Saturday, one week after his explosive outburst against the club and manager Arne Slot.</p><p>The Egyptian star was greeted by cheers from the Anfield crowd when he was introduced in the 26th minute to replace injured defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/49610" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/49610">Joe Gomez</a>.</p><p>Liverpool were leading 1-0 at the time after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166446" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166446">Hugo Ekitike</a>'s early goal.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Frenchman doubled the lead in the 60th minute when he headed home Salah's corner kick. </p><p>The assist saw Salah become the Premier League's all-time leader in goal contributions for a single club with 277. He moved ahead of Wayne Rooney, who racked up 276 combined goals and assists for Manchester United during his celebrated career.</p><p>Salah had a great chance to score a goal of his own in stoppage time, but his wayward shot sailed over the net after a quick Liverpool counterattack.</p><p>After the match, Slot said there was "no issue to resolve" with Salah, according to <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251213-liverpool-s-slot-says-no-issue-to-resolve-with-salah-after-outburst">Agence France-Presse</a>.</p><p>"For me he's now the same as any other player," the Dutch coach said. "You talk to your players if you're happy or unhappy with things, but there's nothing for me to talk about after what happened against Leeds, after the game."</p><p>"I think, as I usually never say anything about (what) we talk about, I'm not going to make an exception now, but I think actions speak louder than what has been said," Slot continued. "He was in the squad again and when I had to make my first substitutions, I brought him in. And he performed as I think every fan, including me, would like him to perform today."</p><p>Salah recently expressed his frustration with Liverpool, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3420671" href="https://thescore.com/news/3420671">saying</a> last weekend that the club had "thrown me under the bus" and that his relationship with Slot was over after being named on the bench for three consecutive games. He came on as a second-half substitute in the second match of that run against Sunderland, but didn't make a telling contribution in the 1-1 draw.</p><p>Slot omitted Salah from the Champions League squad that traveled for Tuesday's 1-0 win at Inter Milan after the rant. However, he opened the door for reconciliation Friday morning when he said he would talk to the Egyptian attacker later that day. "I have no reasons not wanting him to stay," Slot <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3425489" href="https://thescore.com/news/3425489">said</a>.</p><p>However, during his tirade, Salah revealed that he had invited his parents to the Brighton game, believing that it could be his last appearance for Liverpool. "I don't know if I am going to play or not, but I am going to enjoy it," he said.</p><p>Salah is now due to join the Egypt squad for its Africa Cup of Nations campaign. </p><p>The break from Liverpool is viewed as time for both parties to decide whether his future lies at Anfield or elsewhere, according to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/12/12/arne-slot-i-will-talk-to-salah-today-decide-if-he-is-back/">The Telegraph's Mike McGrath</a>. Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas, will continue talks with the club while his client is at the tournament, Patel reports.</p><p>Salah has frequently been linked to a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League, and those rumors intensified Wednesday after <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/37607550/mo-salah-jordan-henderson-liverpool-meeting/">The Sun</a> published pictures of the 33-year-old meeting former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in London. Salah's ex-teammate played for Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia but left the club after five months.</p>

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool celebrate after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on December 13, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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Mark Shapiro has been handed a third five-year term as president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays...

<p>Mark Shapiro has been handed a third five-year term as president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays.</p><p>Shapiro is now set to remain with the franchise through 2030. The extension follows a remarkable 2025 campaign that culminated with the Jays reaching the World Series before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7.</p><p>"The opportunity to lead the Blue Jays organization over the past 10 years has been incredibly fulfilling," Shapiro <a href="https://x.com/BlueJays/status/1999510264673096139">said</a>, adding, "I am grateful and honored to be able to continue that work."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Blue Jays' recent heroics followed a last-place finish in the 2024 campaign. John Schneider's team finished atop the American League East with a 94-68 record through the 2025 regular season before beating the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners to clinch the American League Championship Series.</p><p>"Watching our country unite behind our team this past season has inspired and energized us to continue a relentless pursuit of bringing World Series championships back to Canada," Shapiro said.</p>

TORONTO, ON - October 2 Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro answers questions from the media. The Toronto Blue Jays held their final press conferences of the year at the Rogers Centre following the end of their season. October 2 2024 Richard Lautens/Toronto Star (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

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<p>Alphonso Davies was brought on as a late substitute during Bayern Munich's 3-1 Champions League win over Sporting CP on Tuesday.</p><p>The Canadian wideman tore his ACL during his country's 2-1 win over the United States on March 23, a result that secured the team third place in the CONCACAF Nations League. The injury sparked a war of words <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3251954" href="https://thescore.com/news/3251954">between Davies' agent and Canada Soccer</a>, as well as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3253283" href="https://thescore.com/news/3253283">Bayern and the federation</a>, over its handling of the player.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Phonzy is 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞!!!! 🥹🤩 <a href="https://t.co/lLltRoljHK">pic.twitter.com/lLltRoljHK</a></p>— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBayernEN/status/1998431585297641733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Davies hadn't played for Bayern since completing 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Union Berlin on March 15. That appearance occurred within seven weeks of him signing a new contract with the club, extending his stay through 2030.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Davies returned to training with a ball at the start of September.</p><p>A rotating cast has featured at left-back in Davies' absence, including Josip Stanisic, Konrad Laimer, and Tom Bischof. Stanisic played to the left of the defensive quartet in Vincent Kompany's lineup to face Sporting CP before Davies was introduced in the 88th minute.</p><p> </p>

08 December 2025, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Champions League, Bayern Munich - Sporting Lisbon, preliminary round, match day 6, final training session FC Bayern at the training ground at Säbener Straße. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) in action. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

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Davies returns to Bayern duty after almost 9 months on sidelines

It took a while, but FIFA eventually conducted the draw for the 2026 World Cup on Friday. With th...

<p><em>It took a while, but FIFA eventually <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3412147" href="https://thescore.com/news/3412147">conducted the draw</a> for the 2026 World Cup on Friday. With the groups and matchups set, it's time to break down the biggest winners and losers from the glitzy event.</em></p><blockquote><p><strong><em><a href="thescore:///topsn/news">Get the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications</a>.</em></strong></p></blockquote><h3>Winners - The hosts</h3><p>The United States got Australia and Paraguay. Canada will face Switzerland and Qatar. In front of fervent home support, those should be winnable matches for both nations, especially since the U.S. defeated Australia and Paraguay in recent friendlies. However, both groups have open spots that'll be determined once the European playoffs are completed next March. The possible additions of Italy and Turkey, for example, could suddenly make each quartet look a lot tougher.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Group B</th>
<th>Rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Canada</strong></td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Switzerland</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Qatar</td>
<td>51</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Potential extra team:</strong> Italy (ranked 12th), Wales (32nd), Northern Ireland (69th), or Bosnia and Herzegovina (71st)</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Group D</th>
<th>Rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>United States</strong></td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Australia</td>
<td>26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paraguay</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Potential extra team:</strong> Turkey (ranked 25th), Slovakia (45th), Romania (47th), Kosovo (80th)</p><p>You could argue that Mexico is the biggest winner from the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. Securing first place in Group A offers a huge incentive, positioning Mexico in a favorable part of the knockout bracket with back-to-back games in Mexico City. The team enjoys its home comforts. Its best World Cup finishes (quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986) came when it hosted the tournament, and it can always call upon a mass of passionate fans when it plays in the United States.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Group A</th>
<th>Rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Mexico</strong></td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Korea</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td>61</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Potential extra team:</strong> Denmark (ranked 21st), Czechia (44th), Republic of Ireland (59th), North Macedonia (65th)</p><p>Although Mexico was outplayed by South Korea in a 2-2 friendly draw in September, Taegeuk Warriors boss Hong Myung-bo has produced mixed results with his preferred 3-4-3 setup. El Tri can also take inspiration from its 2018 World Cup win over the East Asian nation. South Africa, meanwhile, shouldn't intimidate Mexico.</p><h3>Losers - Defenders in Group I</h3><p>Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have combined for 114 goals for club and country in 2025. Haaland-inspired Norway was irresistible in its World Cup qualification cycle, plundering a remarkable 37 goals while conceding just five in eight straight victories. France predictably eased through its group, with Mbappe scoring in each of his six appearances.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/cropped_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800703/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233958145.jpg?ts=1757450746 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">FREDRIK VARFJELL / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Senegal and a yet-to-be-determined qualifier from Bolivia, Iraq, and Suriname face the unenviable task of trying to hinder Haaland's and Mbappe's pursuits of the World Cup Golden Boot. Expect defenders to attempt to turn their duels with the free-scoring forwards into gritty, physical affairs. One notable center-back potentially tasked with marking Haaland and Mbappe is former Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly, who will turn 35 during the group stage and now plays for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal.</p><h3>Winner - Argentina</h3><p>Lionel Messi's Argentina received a gift in Friday's draw. Though the team should easily brush aside Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, head coach Lionel Scaloni will undoubtedly use La Albiceleste's 2-1 reverse to Saudi Arabia in 2022 - one of the most surprising results in World Cup history - as a warning to his star-studded team. </p><p>Of course, Argentina followed that Saudi shock with a victorious run at the World Cup, beating France on penalties in the final after a 3-3 thriller.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Group J</th>
<th>Rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Argentina</strong></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Austria</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Algeria</td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jordan</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Scaloni's side impressively breezed through South America's notoriously tricky World Cup qualifiers, outscoring all of its rivals as it finished with a nine-point cushion in first place. Argentina celebrated a resounding 4-1 win over its great rival, Brazil, on the same day it secured World Cup qualification in March.</p><h3>Losers - England and Croatia</h3><p>Panama and Ghana are ranked 30th and 72nd in FIFA's rankings. Croatia and England must've had no issues being drawn alongside that pair in Group L - but facing one another is a different matter entirely.</p><p>England and Croatia locking horns on the first day of Group L means there's no time to mull over last-minute selection decisions or tactical fine-tuning. Any lingering questions will need to be resolved before facing such high-quality opposition; otherwise, flaws will inevitably be exposed, and the pressure will skyrocket before the other group games. That means England boss Thomas Tuchel has only four friendlies to solve numerous conundrums, including determining who will start in his four-man defense and whether there's room for either or both of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in his lineup.</p><p>The Three Lions should enter this demanding group opener with the greatest trepidation. England has lost six of its last eight World Cup matches against fellow European nations, including its eliminations by Croatia in 2018 and France in 2022.</p><h3>Winner - Cristiano Ronaldo</h3><p>Cristiano Ronaldo is on course to play at a record sixth World Cup, but he's also got an opportunity to rid himself of some painful memories from the last tournament.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/cropped_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/w220xh124_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/w320xh180_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/w640xh360_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/w768xh432_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812315/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2246838593.jpg?ts=1764712464 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Tim Clayton / Corbis Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Manchester United released Ronaldo from his contract two days before Portugal's opener at Qatar 2022 after his relationship with the club deteriorated. Ronaldo subsequently scored a penalty in a thrilling 3-2 win over Ghana, but his contributions to the team were soon questioned over the next two matches. He was quiet in a scrappy victory over Uruguay, and his underwhelming performance against South Korea was further marred when the ball deflected off his back, teeing up Kim Young-gwon for the equalizer in a disappointing 2-1 defeat for Portugal.</p><p>Fernando Santos bravely dropped Ronaldo for the knockout rounds, preferring greater mobility from Goncalo Ramos up front. The move paid off immediately, with Ramos scoring a hat-trick in a 6-1 thumping over Switzerland in the last 16. Portugal brought Ronaldo on as a substitute in the 50th minute in the quarterfinal, but he could muster only a single shot and 11 touches of the ball as Morocco eliminated the team in a 1-0 loss.</p><p>Unlike his predecessor, Roberto Martinez doesn't seem inclined to drop Ronaldo, giving the legendary forward a chance at redemption in North America. Turning 41 at the tournament, Ronaldo could add to his tally of eight World Cup goals and secure Portugal's passage into the knockout rounds through Group K clashes with Colombia, Uzbekistan, and one playoff team from DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia.</p><h3>Loser - Gianni Infantino</h3><p>Gianni Infantino clearly believes he's a showman. If you can somehow cloud out the shadier elements of his FIFA reign, there can be some cheap entertainment found in his antics at high-profile events.</p><p>The FIFA president's stilted attempt at a comedy routine with Rio Ferdinand, who struggled greatly in a presenter role at the Kennedy Center, inadvertently provided a level of cringe-humor befitting of the British version of "The Office." Infantino seemed to appear onstage every few minutes to produce another grandiose yet ultimately empty speech, all while wearing a wide, self-satisfied grin. When he engineered a selfie with Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, and Mark Carney - the respective leaders of the United States, Mexico, and Canada - during the overblown ceremony, the voiceover of the BBC's coverage, Jonathan Pearce, almost sounded impressed as he remarked on the extent of Infantino's shamelessness.</p><h3>Winners - Nostalgia lovers</h3><p>Any writers fond of producing retrospective features won't be short of stories to explore ahead of the World Cup.</p><p>France's opening fixture is against Senegal, a matchup that likely evokes painful memories for many French fans of the 2002 World Cup - a campaign plagued by infighting and wretched performances. That tournament opened with the reigning 1998 champions losing to Senegal and ultimately finishing at the bottom of its group.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/cropped_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/w220xh124_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/w320xh180_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/w640xh360_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/w768xh432_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812721/w1080xh607_GettyImages-651833156.jpg?ts=1764974415 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Neal Simpson - EMPICS / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The 2026 World Cup opener will see Mexico take on South Africa, a repeat of the first match of the 2010 edition. In Group C, Scotland will face Brazil and Morocco - two of the three teams it faced during its last World Cup appearance in 1998.</p><h3>Loser - Scotland</h3><p>Speaking of which, Group C is underwhelming <em>and</em> problematic for Scotland. Many fans would've wanted some variety to celebrate their country's overdue return to sports' greatest stage, but they got Brazil and Morocco again. Not only does the pair remind Scottish supporters of the team's failings in 1998, it sets up games against the most successful squad in World Cup history - managed by Carlo Ancelotti, the most successful coach in Champions League history - and an emerging force in Morocco, which reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals and remains unbeaten in its last 20 outings, with 19 wins and one draw.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">8 - 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland are winless in eight previous meetings with South American opposition at the FIFA World Cup (D2 L6); the most times any nation have faced opponents from the same confederation without ever winning. Underdog. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/iYWa34vGGH">pic.twitter.com/iYWa34vGGH</a></p>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1997017218492600441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>At least Haiti, ranked 84th in the world and making its first appearance at the tournament since 1974, offers Scotland a chance to win its first World Cup match in 36 years.</p><h3>Winner - Variety in Groups E and H</h3><p>One of the most unique selling points of World Cups is the unfamiliar culture clashes, and Germany and Spain will enjoy some variety when they compete in North America.</p><p>In Group E, Germany will face Curacao for the first time, the Ivory Coast for the second time following a 2009 friendly in Gelsenkirchen, and Ecuador for the third time after their meetings at the 2006 World Cup and in a 2013 friendly.</p><p>Spain and Uruguay will share some familiarity due to the La Liga-based players in the South American nation's squad, but the pair's Group H scuffle will be just their third World Cup meeting. Spain will also have its second World Cup match against Saudi Arabia and its first against Cape Verde.</p><h3>Bonus winner - Andrea Bocelli</h3><p>It's hard to imagine an instance where Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli <em>wouldn't</em> upstage any performer that followed him - but this event was especially easy in that regard. Opening the draw coverage by singing the iconic "Nessun Dorma," Bocelli sang a bona fide soccer anthem - evoking memories of the 1990 World Cup and Leicester City's Premier League title win. At 67, Bocelli left no doubt that he's still one of the finest performers on the globe.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/cropped_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/w220xh124_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/w320xh180_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/w640xh360_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/w768xh432_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/812722/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2249476218.jpg?ts=1764974605 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">SAUL LOEB / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>And after the Michelin star dish of Bocelli, FIFA ladled out some sugary, sloppy servings. Robbie Williams, showbiz's equivalent of lumpy custard, teamed up with Nicole Scherzinger - remember her? - to sing the forgettable official World Cup song. Lauryn Hill plated up tinny, tatty versions of some of her old tunes. Once the draw was over, the Village People performed "Y.M.C.A." President Donald Trump adopted the sickly-sweet 1978 pop song for his re-election campaign rallies.</p><blockquote><p><strong><em><a href="thescore:///topsn/news">Get the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications</a>.</em></strong></p></blockquote>

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Biggest winners and losers from 2026 World Cup draw

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Daniel Rouse

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