Category: Football

Mohammed Kudus scored as Ghana beat Comoros 1-0 in Accra on Sunday to win Group I and become the fifth African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana dominated first-half possession and territory, but slow, predictable attacks meant Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was seldom troubled.

However, the home side wasted little time after the interval in taking the lead as Tottenham midfielder Kudus struck on 47 minutes.

Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble, and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range.

Success against Comoros was particularly sweet as the Indian Ocean islanders shocked Ghana at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and beat them again in the second round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.

Ghana top the group with 25 points from 10 matches. Madagascar finished second with 19 points despite a 4-1 loss to third-placed Mali in Bamako.

It will be the fifth appearance by the Black Stars in the global showpiece. Their best performance was in 2010 in South Africa, where they lost to Uruguay after a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Qualification for the expanded 48-nation 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host, justified the faith of Ghanaian officials in coach Otto Addo, who was under fire last year.

There were persistent demands from the public and media in the West African country for Addo to be sacked after a disastrous 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana, winners of the competition four times between 1963 and 1982, did not win any of the six AFCON qualifiers and finished a humiliating last behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger with just three points.

The other four automatic African qualifiers for the World Cup will be decided on Monday and Tuesday, with Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Senegal the group leaders.

Egypt rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their final match at home to Guinea-Bissau, and an early goal from Mohamed Hamdy delivered a 1-0 Group A victory in Cairo.

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Niger upset Zambia 1-0 in Ndola to finish second in Group E behind Morocco, and currently lie third in the mini-leagues runners-up table behind Gabon and Burkina Faso.

The four best-ranked second-placed teams after the final qualifiers on Tuesday advance to the play-offs in Morocco during November.

Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Niger striker Daniel Sosah scored in his third straight qualifier, firing a rebound into the net on 56 minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga failed to hold a Victorien Adebayor shot.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad, coaches, technical staff, and officials arrived safely in the southeastern city of Uyo on Sunday.

Returning home after a Group C win over Lesotho in South Africa last Friday, the jet carrying the Super Eagles had to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen.

The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed.

Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round on Tuesday, three points behind Benin and one point below South Africa.

However, the Super Eagles could finish first if they defeat shock leaders Benin in Uyo and South Africa do not win at home to Rwanda.

South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has reportedly been suspended for 15 days and told to stay away from the national squad after a 5-0 home loss to Group B leaders Senegal on Friday.

France-born Dupuis, 57, guided Madagascar to a shock win over Nigeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt, and the islanders exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance.

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Lionel Messi scored twice to spark Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, seizing the lead in Major League Soccer’s scoring table in a key victory for the Florida club.

The Argentine superstar scored his 25th and 26th goals of the season, moving ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga in the race for the Golden Boot after starting the day tied with the Gabon international on 24 goals.

Miami, already assured of an MLS Cup playoff berth, continued their push for better playoff position.

They pulled level with Cincinnati on 62 points in the Eastern Conference, four points behind leaders Philadelphia, who have clinched the Supporters Shield as the team with the best regular season record in the league.

Messi’s 39th-minute strike to open the scoring was a beauty.

Baltasar Rodriguez robbed an Atlanta defender and found Messi just outside the box. Messi strode forward and curled a left-footed shot around Pedro Amador and out of the reach of Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert in the upper left corner of the net.

Hibbert had denied Messi in the 13th minute as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came up empty on a string of early attempts.

Messi was instrumental in Jordi Alba’s goal that doubled Miami’s lead in the 52nd minute, lofting a ball forward to the Spaniard, who chipped a left-footed shot over Hibbert into the bottom right corner of the net.

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Alba’s sixth goal of the season came on the day that Inter paid tribute to the former Spain and Barcelona star, who announced this week that he would retire at the end of the MLS season.

Uruguay’s Luis Suarez made it 3-0 in the 61st minute, and Messi added his second in the 87th, knocking in a left-footed shot from the center of the box after Alba found him with a long through ball.

With MLS playing through the FIFA international window, Messi’s status for Inter’s match remained a mystery until shortly before kickoff when manager Javier Mascherano announced his lineup.

Messi and Rodrigo De Paul had trained with Argentina this week in Florida, although Messi was a spectator as Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 in a friendly at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday.

De Paul came on as a late substitute against Venezuela and was unavailable for Inter, who had six players called up for international duty during the current window, which will also see Argentina play Puerto Rico on Monday in a match moved from Chicago to Inter’s Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Saturday’s game was Inter’s last regular-season home game at the venue, as they prepare to move into their new Miami Freedom Park next season.

READ: Solano proud of Pakistan’s fighting display against Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan football team head coach Nolberto Solano has lauded the national team and their fighting spirit following their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier clash against Afghanistan.

Pakistan ended its eight-match losing streak in a goalless draw with Afghanistan here at the Jinnah Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistan dominated throughout the match; however, Otis Khan missed a vital chance, squandering a penalty in the 65th minute, which denied them all three points at the end of the game

Green Shirts will now travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14. The winner of the group advances to the tournament finals in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Solano mentioned the delayed arrival and praised the players’ performance, particularly in the second half of the match.

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“First of all, I’m really pleased with the team, with all the boys. With all the small issues we had, especially with some players arriving a little late, it’s not easy,” he told reporters.

But I was very pleased with their attitude today, especially when the players came on in the second half.”

He rued the missed chance and heaped praise on players for showing determination.

“I believe we dominated the match for most parts of the game and were a very solid team. Like the players, I’m disappointed we couldn’t take all three points not just because of the missed penalty, but because we had other chances as well.

Honestly, these guys are doing their best, and I’m proud of them,” Solano continued.

“It’s not easy for these guys traveling 15, 19, or even 20 hours to arrive in Pakistan a day before the match. They didn’t have much time to train together, but I had confidence in them,” he explained.

Nolberto Solano aimed for a strong showing in Pakistan’s next away encounter against Afghanistan while mentioning the pride of players on representing their country.

“We’ll prepare in the same way. We need to check how the boys are physically and mentally after traveling from different parts of the world.

I was very impressed with most of them, especially as it was my first time seeing some of them play. We’ll build on this performance for the next match on Tuesday,” he concluded.

READ: Mbappe ‘relaxed’ and ready to play in France’s World Cup qualifiers

France captain Kylian Mbappe said Thursday that he is feeling relaxed with his life in Madrid and is in good shape ahead of the Azerbaijan clash in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Mbappe had received treatment for a “small niggle” in his right ankle, picked up playing for Real Madrid last weekend.

“The coach (Didier Deschamps) wants me to play. I don’t think there will be a major problem,” Mbappe told reporters on Thursday.

Deschamps added: “It’s not prohibitive; it depends more on his sensitivity regarding his ankle.”

Mbappe said he was feeling “more relaxed” in his life, having fully settled into life in the Spanish capital since joining Real from Paris Saint-Germain last season.

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“A career can have some slightly more complicated years, years where you have a little more hardship,” he said.

“But in life, I think I’ve adapted well to Madrid. This isn’t an attack on France, but it’s true that I’m more relaxed there. In Madrid, the lifestyle is different. It’s less hectic than in Paris.

“I’ve managed to score goals. But I think that moreover in my game I’m also in a good mood, even if I think I can still do better,” he further remarked.

Deschamps urged his players not to underestimate Azerbaijan.

“Certainly, they’re not among the best European teams, but they’re coming off a draw against Ukraine,” said Deschamps.

“Seven of their players play for Qarabag,” which has won its first two Champions League pool matches, added the France coach.

Les Bleus are top of their group with two wins from two so far in qualifying. They host Azerbaijan on Friday at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium before travelling to Iceland three days later.

READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Otis misses penalty as Pakistan held by Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Otis Khan squandered a penalty as Pakistan ended its eight-match losing streak in a goalless draw with Afghanistan in the AFC Asia Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia qualifiers here at the Jinnah Stadium on Thursday.

The draw split points between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and both are now off the mark in Group E of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Pakistan had ample chances to pierce the net against the visitors; however, during the 65th minute of the game, Otis Khan missed a vital chance by sending his penalty kick soaring over the bar, midway through the second half, in front of more than 7000 people.

The Green Shirts will now travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14. The winner of the group advances to the tournament finals in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan started its campaign having suffered consecutive defeats against Syria and Myanmar. In their opening match played in March, Syria outplayed Pakistan 2-0 at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Saudi Arabia.

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Pakistan also faced a 1-0 defeat against Myanmar at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, a match played in June 2025.

For the unversed, the Afghanistan team arrived in the capital following a delay due to visa issues, which initially put the clash in jeopardy.

The issue was sorted out due to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s who took notice of the issue after it was highlighted.

“Issued now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post, “Thank you for highlighting it,” Naqvi added.

The delay was caused by the need for clearance for Afghanistan’s overseas players.

Those players and officials who were in Afghanistan managed to obtain their visas to travel to Pakistan. However, those living abroad had to return to Afghanistan to get the necessary clearance.

READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Afghanistan team arrives in Pakistan after visa issues resolved

ISLAMABAD: The first contingent of the Afghanistan men’s football team touched down here in the federal capital on Wednesday evening for their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers clash against Pakistan, after facing delays due to visa issues.

The match between Pakistan and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at the Jinnah Football Stadium in Islamabad tomorrow.

Earlier, the much-anticipated clash faced uncertainty due to visa issues affecting several players.

A day earlier, Pakistan Football Federation president Mohsen Gillani stated regarding the issues.

“The players and officials who were in Afghanistan have obtained their visas to travel to Pakistan but those living abroad had to go to Afghanistan to get the required clearance,” Mohsen said.

“That process is mandatory as per the Afghanistan Football Federation’s decision of nominating the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul to issue the visas.”

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However, once the issue was highlighted, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice and awarded the team special permission to travel to Pakistan.

“Issued now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post, “Thank you for highlighting it,” Naqvi added.

The match will be broadcast live on A Sports, and will begin at 2 pm, with stadium gates opening at 12 noon.

For context, both Pakistan and Afghanistan are winless after losing their opening two matches in Group E against Syria and Myanmar.

Following the home leg, the Pakistan national team will travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14.

The winner of the group advances to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

READ: FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Laporte replaces Huijsen in Spain’s squad

Aymeric Laporte has replaced injured Dean Huijsen in the Spain squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to a calf injury.

“Huijsen arrived with symptoms of muscular fatigue at the Spain national team camp on Monday night,” said the Spanish football federation in a statement.

“On Tuesday he did not train… and on Wednesday he had a medical test confirming a muscular injury, which Real Madrid have been informed of.”

Real Madrid said Huijsen has suffered a “calf muscle injury in his left leg”, without specifying an expected recovery date.

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Spanish media reported he is likely to return in 10-12 days, putting in doubt Huijsen being fit for Madrid’s La Liga game at Getafe on October 19.

The 20-year-old centre-back joined Real from Premier League club Bournemouth this summer and made his Spain debut in March in the Nations League.

Laporte, who recently rejoined Athletic Bilbao, was a key part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez had already withdrawn from the squad for the games against Georgia and Bulgaria on Saturday and October 14, respectively.

Spain tops Group E after beating Bulgaria and Turkey in their opening qualifiers for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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ISLAMABAD: The AFC Asian Cup qualifiers 2027 clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled for October 9, is facing uncertainty as the Afghan National team has yet to receive its visas.

The match is scheduled to be played at the Jinnah Stadium of the Pakistan Sports Complex in the federal capital.

Sources privy to the matter have said that some players and officials are yet to receive their visas for the game.

Sources further informed that if visas are not issued, a visa-on-arrival option will be used, and due to the delay, the match schedule will be adjusted via a press conference.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced ticket details for the much-anticipated clash.

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The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced ticket details for Pakistan’s upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifier home fixture against Afghanistan.

The match, which will be broadcast live on A Sports, will begin at 2 pm, with stadium gates opening at 12 noon.

According to the press release, tickets will be available exclusively through Bookme.pk, with the following categories and prices: Premium Plus: Rs 4,000, Premium: Rs 1,500, and First Class: Rs 750.

Following the home leg, the Pakistan national team will travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14.

READ: Tickets for Pakistan, South Africa series to go on sale today

Spain confirmed Monday Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez will not be joining them for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, after suffering a hamstring injury.

Rodri is “out of the squad because of injury” said the Spanish national team in a statement, ahead of games against Georgia and Bulgaria on October 11 and October 14 respectively.

The 29-year-old was taken off in the 21st minute of City’s Premier League win over Brentford on Sunday, confirming after the game he had felt discomfort in his hamstring.

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Rodri was a key part of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph but suffered a serious knee injury in September of that year, missing the majority of last season as he recovered.

Spain did not say if they would be calling up another player in place of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.

On Sunday coach Luis de la Fuente selected Celta Vigo striker Borja Iglesias to replace injured Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

READ: Mohammad Amir opens up on comeback plans

Mohammed Kudus’ first Tottenham goal lifted Spurs up to second in the Premier League by ending Leeds United long unbeaten home run with a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Noah Okafor cancelled out Mathys Tel’s opener for the visitors in a first half that raged from end to end.

Kudus grabbed the winner just before the hour mark, and Tottenham had to show their newfound defensive resolve under Thomas Frank to inflict Leeds’ first league defeat at Elland Road for 24 games.

Spurs close to within one point of leaders Liverpool, but Arsenal can go top later on Saturday when they host West Ham.

Tottenham needed late fightbacks to avoid defeat against bottom-of-the-table Wolves and Champions League debutants Bodo/Glimt over the past week.

Frank made six changes to the side that started in the Arctic Circle on Tuesday and was rewarded with a far more purposeful performance from the visitors.

But Leeds will rue their missed chances to avoid a first league defeat at Elland Road since losing to Burnley in September 2024.

Joe Rodon should have put the home side in front when he headed Sean Longstaff’s free-kick off the post on seven minutes.

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Tel was left out of Spurs’ Champions League squad after struggling to make an impression since making his move from Bayern Munich a permanent one in the transfer window.

The Frenchman was handed a rare chance to start in the middle of a front three and made it count with his first goal of the season.

Tel was played in by Kudus and his powerful shot deflected off Pascal Struijk to leave Karl Darlow helpless.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin blazed a glorious chance to level wide before Kudus did the same at the other end as a slick Spurs counter-attack cut Leeds open.

However, Daniel Farke’s men were well worthy of being at least level at the break.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario should have done better as he could only parry Brenden Aaronson’s shot back into the path of Okafor, who tapped in to an empty net for his second Leeds goal.

Tel came close to his second with a looping header that hit the crossbar in first-half stoppage time.

The second half started in a similar end-to-end fashion as Vicario denied Calvert-Lewin with his feet.

Kudus then produced the match-winning moment with a surging run infield before unleashing another powerful shot that deceived Darlow via a deflection off Gabriel Gudmundsson.

Last season, Tottenham lost more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League on their way to finishing just above the relegation zone in 17th.

Frank has so far stamped out that habit as Spurs are yet to drop points after taking the lead in a match.

The visitors had to survive a scare deep into stoppage time when Vicario redeemed himself with a fine save low to his left from Joel Piroe.

Defeat leaves Leeds in 12th with eight points from their first seven games.

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