The last three versions of the Copa Libertadores final have been all-Brazilian affairs. This re-enforces the point that the domestic Brazilian league, which kicks off at the weekend, has effectively become the English Premier League of South America. Its relative financial muscle allows clubs to bring back veterans from Europe — even non-Brazilians such as Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal — and sign younger players who failed to live up…
Carlo Ancelotti has said he’s not annoyed by talk of Manchester City as Champions League favourites — but insisted that Spanish and Italian teams can still compete with big-spending Premier League clubs. City beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday, with Ancelotti’s Madrid beating Chelsea 2-0 a day later to set up a potential semifinal showdown with City. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga,…
Manchester City are monitoring Erling Haaland 24 hours a day in an effort to keep the Norwegian fit for the season run-in. City are still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup and Pep Guardiola is so desperate to have Haaland available that he says the 45-goal striker is being wrapped in cotton wool. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) “We take care…
Cristiano Ronaldo generated worldwide headlines with his move to Al Nassr in December, and Lionel Messi could follow in his great rival’s footsteps by moving to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) this summer. But while football’s two biggest stars are raising Saudi Arabia’s football profile, intentionally or otherwise, sources told ESPN that this summer will see a change in the type of players moving to the Middle East nation. Saudi…
Manchester United were left stunned by two late own goals as Sevilla rescued a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday. Marcel Sabitzer scored twice, seven minutes apart, in the first half after through balls from Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial to put United in control of the match and seemingly the tie ahead of next week’s second leg in Spain.…
We’ve passed a key mile marker this week and are now less than 100 days from the summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. We know who the favorites are, and we know the primary questions each favorite will need to answer. And if you’re a casual women’s soccer fan, we know you’ll recognize plenty of veteran faces. Alex Morgan (six goals and three assists in the…
Carlos Vela scored twice as host Los Angeles FC beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 on Tuesday to complete a 6-0 win in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series. LAFC advance to a semifinal matchup against either Mexico’s Atlas or the Philadelphia Union. Heading into the second leg of that quarterfinal series on Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Union hold a 1-0 lead. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)…
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier vehemently denied accusations that he made racist and anti-Muslim comments when he was in charge of French league club Nice, adding Wednesday that he would take legal action. RMC Sport and other French media published reports quoting a leaked email from Nice’s former director of football Julien Fournier to the club’s owners, in which he accused Galtier of saying there were too many Black and…
Frank Lampard insisted “the door is open” for Chelsea to reach the Champions League semifinals, but added they will need a “special night” at Stamford Bridge to find a way past Real Madrid. Madrid took control of their quarterfinal tie on Wednesday as goals from Karim Benzema and substitute Marco Asensio gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side a 2-0 win over the Blues, who played the final half-hour with 10 men following…
LONDON — In manager Sarina Wiegman’s 31st game in charge of England, the Lionesses suffered their first defeat of her tenure after the Matildas scored a goal in each half on a rainy Tuesday in West London. The 2-0 loss to Australia also marked the first time England had conceded more than a single goal in a match under Wiegman. The Matildas went ahead when Aussie striker Sam Kerr chased…