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Jamaica head coach resigns after failing to secure direct qualification
Jamaica head coach Steve McClaren resigned after a 0–0 draw against Curaçao cost the team direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Despite dominating and needing a win to go through automatically, Jamaica were held to a draw and must now try to reach the tournament via intercontinental play-offs in March. The federation will appoint a new coach to lead the team into these crucial games.«
Palmer was close to returning for Chelsea
Cole Palmer will miss at least the next three Chelsea games, including the Champions League clash with Barcelona, after suffering a toe injury in a domestic accident just as he was about to return from a groin problem. The 23 year old has already been out for two months and missed 11 matches, and is now expected to be sidelined for a further two weeks.
Luis Díaz apparently suspended for one Champions League match
Next Wednesday, Luis Díaz will not be available for Bayern in London. After that, he will be again.
Furious Mourinho tears into Benfica players
José Mourinho is not at all pleased with Benfica’s squad. The coach of the Portuguese giants faces Ajax on Tuesday in the Champions League and has fired up his players with a heated tirade. And that after a victory.
Remarkable request: Lewandowski was told by Barça not to score anymore
A book about Robert Lewandowski has caused quite a stir in Spain and Poland. In the book Lewandowski: The Real One, it emerges that the Polish striker had to stop scoring for Barcelona in the 2022/23 season, because otherwise the club would have had to pay extra money to Bayern Munich.
Italy avoid old tormentors: the draw for the European play-offs
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European play-offs for the four remaining World Cup spots. This was determined by Thursday afternoon’s draw.
I would have loved to see a sprint duel between Van de Ven and me in our prime
There is no limit to Micky van de Ven’s speed. The Dutchman is now breaking his own speed records in the Premier League. Still, Jarchinio Antonia, aged 34, believes that in his peak years he could have matched the Spurs sprint phenomenon.
Haaland one goal away from smashing the Premier League record
Erling Haaland can shoot himself into the Premier League history books on Saturday. The Norwegian superstar needs only one more goal to become the fastest player to reach one hundred Premier League goals. The current record held by Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer could be shattered at St James’ Park.
Thigh muscle injury: Schmied ruled out for Cologne
The 1. FC Köln defense has been plagued by injuries this season. Joel Schmied is sidelined for now, but at least another recently injured player is on his way back into the team.
Playing at Camp Nou is very different
Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 4-0 on their return to Camp Nou, almost three years later. When the stadium first opened in 1957, it was against a Polish team. Yesterday, it was a Polish forward, Lewandowski, who scored the first goal in the new version of the ground.