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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.
Antony, the 2026 World Cup and turning down Bayern
The Brazilian winger confirmed that he was contacted by Bayern on the last day of the summer transfer window, but he couldn’t go back on the promise he had made to return to Betis after half a season on loan.
To win a World Cup, our defensive process will be fundamental
Portugal head coach Bino Maçães urges calm and defensive solidity ahead of the World Cup quarter final with Switzerland, stressing that staying true to the team’s identity will be key.
Adeyemi speaks for the first time about Mystery Box and BVB orders community service
Karim Adeyemi and BVB have cleared the air. The 23-year-old regrets his mistake and spoke for the first time about the illegal possession of weapons. Dortmund have ordered community service.
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.«
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.
English media are annoyed with Bellingham: Stop with this kind of nonsense
Jude Bellingham has been criticized in the English media because of his behavior when he was substituted in the World Cup qualifier against Albania. Former England international Ian Wright is actually defending the Real Madrid midfielder.
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.
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.
Grote Ivan gets his way: Gattuso and his frightened followers have fallen
Because of the trouble with Gennaro Gattuso, Ivan Perisic’s (international) career was in danger of fading away. The 36-year-old forward refused to accept that. Perisic got back up, played his 150th international match on Monday, and now stands on the verge of his fourth World Cup. And we’re going to make ourselves seen.