Category: Football

Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho scored first-half goals to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday while Chelsea cruised and Manchester United edged Real Betis 3-2 in pre-season matches.

Kai Havertz scored Arsenal’s goal in front of a crowd of 69,879 at the home stadium of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

In other friendly action in the United States, Chelsea swept past Mexico’s Club America 3-0, AC Milan beat Real Madrid 1-0 and Manchester United edged Real Betis 3-2.

Egyptian Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 13th minute, outpacing the defenders to latch onto Harvey Elliott’s defence-splitting pass.

The striker shrugged off the attentions of Arsenal centre-back Gabriel and fired a low left-footed shot past Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein.

Carvalho doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 34th minute, with Elliott again the provider.

The 21-year-old Portuguese winger ran onto a perfectly-lofted Elliott pass into the box and fired home a crisp right-foot volley through Hein’s legs.

Arsenal reduced the deficit in the 40th minute when Havertz scored past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from point-blank range after Martin Odegaard found him in the six-yard box.

A goalless second half secured the triumph for Liverpool’s new Dutch manager Arne Slot, who has replaced Jurgen Klopp.

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Arsenal’s newly signed 22-year-old Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori was not in the Gunners’ lineup.

At San Diego, Real Betis grabbed an early advantage thanks to Iker Losada’s strike in the 15th minute.

The lead lasted only three minutes as Romain Perraud fouled Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in the box and Marcus Rashford blasted home from the spot.

Diallo gave the Old Trafford club the lead in the 24th minute and Casemiro added a left-footed blast off a pass from Rashford in the 31st for a 3-1 half-time lead.

Diego Llorente’s 61st-minute header pulled one back for Betis.

In Atlanta, Chelsea’s French striker Christopher Nkunku converted a penalty in the third minute to set them on their way against their Mexican club opponents.

Spanish 18-year-old Marc Guiu scored the second with a 21st-minute header.

Winger Noni Madueke scored Arsenal’s second penalty of the game in the 79th minute to seal the 3-0 win.

In Chicago, Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze’s 55th-minute goal gave AC Milan a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.

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France captain Kylian Mbappe has taken over as majority shareholder of Ligue 2 club Caen, Mbappe’s company Interconnected Ventures announced in a statement on Wednesday. 

The new Real Madrid player, who came close to signing for Caen when he was younger, has acquired 80 percent of the shares through Coalition Capital, the investment entity of Interconnected Ventures, replacing US investment fund Oaktree as majority shareholder.

No figure has been released officially but French media reports put the acquisition fee at 15-20 million euros ($16-21.6 million).

“This transaction marks a significant step in the club’s strategic development and reinforces its natural ambition to remain one of the most successful clubs in French football,” the club said in a statement.

“This acquisition will provide Caen with additional strategic resources to strengthen its sporting policy, modernise its infrastructure and develop innovative projects.”

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Mbappe’s close friend Ziad Hammoud will take over as chairman of the club.

“We are determined to create an environment where young talent can flourish and where the club can defend its identity with strength and ambition,” Hammoud said in the press release.

The 25-year-old World Cup winner, who now becomes one of the youngest owners of a professional club, was courted by Caen when he was just 13 before he joined Monaco and then Paris Saint-Germain.

“You’d have to think that the time he spent at Caen in his youth left its mark on him! How proud we are to see a champion like @KMbappe investing in @SMCaen,” the mayor of Caen Aristide Olivier posted on social media.

Founded in 1913, Caen finished fifth in the top flight in 1992 and reached the League Cup final in 2005 but have played in France’s second tier since 2019.

READ: BCCI VP breaks silence on Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 boycott threat

New Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made a triumphant start to his tenure on Tuesday as the Spanish giants beat Manchester City on penalties after their pre-season friendly at Orlando finished 2-2 at full-time.

Toni Fernandez, who signed with Barca earlier this month after turning 16, flicked in a left-footed shot past reserve City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to give the German manager’s side a 4-1 win on penalties.

Barcelona kicked off their US tour in the pre-season contest against the four-time reigning Premier League champions, guided by former Barcelona player and coach Pep Guardiola.

A sellout crowd of 63,237 spectators were unhappy early as a storm delayed the start by 80 minutes, but were delighted with a strong early pace before both teams gave reserve players abundant time on the pitch.

Barcelona jumped ahead 3-0 on penalty kicks thanks to a left-footed shot by Alejandro Balde before Amar Ahmed kept City in it by beating reserve Barca goalkeeper Ander Astralaga, setting the stage for the teen newcomer’s heroics.

Pau Victor had opened the scoring in open play for Barcelona in the 24th minute, taking a quick through ball pass from Marc Casado and firing a right-footed blast from the right side into the goal.

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Nico O’Riley answered for Manchester City in the 39th minute, firing in a left-footed shot from the left side off a pass from Josko Gvardiol, the Croatian international making his first US tour start.

Pablo Torre’s goal in the second minute of first-half stoppage time gave Barcelona a 2-1 half-time lead.

The 21-year-old Spanish midfielder took a centring pass from Gerard Martin at the left wing, nudged the ball to his right, and then blasted a right-footed shot past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson and inside the left post.

Jack Grealish equalized for City in the 60th minute off an impressive fast break.

Croatian international Mateo Kovacic, making his first start on City’s US tour, gathered a loose ball just beyond the City box, split two defenders and raced upfield with the ball before passing to English left winger Grealish, who outraced a defender and finished with an outstanding left-footed shot from a steep angle high into the goal.

Barcelona will continue their US tour with pre-season matches against Real Madrid and AC Milan.

City, who lost earlier US matches to Celtic and AC Milan, will close the US tour by facing Chelsea on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

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OSLO: Pakistan Street Child Football team on Tuesday, thumped Oystese IL Oystese/Norheimsund 3-1 to register a hat-trick of victories in the ongoing Norway Cup 2024.

The national street child football team, playing under the name of Muslim Hands FC, qualified for the playoff stage of the tournament by winning their last group-stage fixture in a thumping fashion.

The Pakistan team started their third fixture of the Norway Cup on a high as they netted two goals in the first half, compared to Oystese IL Oystese/Norheimsund’s one.

The side carried on the momentum in the second half and scored one more to clinch a dominant victory.

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Skipper Mohammad Adeel and Shahid Anjum scored for the Pakistan street child football team.

The national team will feature in the Norway Cup 2024 playoff stage on August 1.

Pakistan kicked off their Norway Cup campaign in style as they defeated Astor Footballklubb 6-1 with Abdul Ghani leading the charge with a brace.

They then outclassed Vardeneset BK 5-0 to claim their second successive victory in the ongoing tournament.

Pakistan’s squad for Norway Cup 2024

Goalkeepers: Aryan, Adeel Ali Khan
Defenders: Asad Nasir, Ubaidullah, Mohammad Adeel, Hamza Gul
Midfielders: Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Khan, Daniyal, Owais, Mohammad Osama
Forwards: Mohammad Kashif, Isa Khan, Shahid Anjum, Abdul Ghani

For the unversed, the Pakistan street child football team finished as the runners-up of the previous edition of the Norway Cup after falling to a 9-10 defeat on penalties against Sola FK.

Pakistan street child football team entered the final after remaining unbeaten in seven games.

The national team scored the most goals by any team in the tournament and also recorded the largest victory in the tournament’s history when they blew Frigg Oslo FK 11-1.

For an exceptional tournament, Pakistan’s Asad Nasir was adjudged the player of the Norway Cup 2023.

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OSLO: Pakistan Street Child Football team on Monday, outclassed Vardeneset BK 5-0 to claim their second successive victory in the ongoing Norway Cup.

The national street child football team, playing under the name of Muslim Hands FC, extended their dream start to the tournament with an all-round display.

The Pakistan team started their second fixture of the Norway Cup on a high as they netted two goals in the first half. The side carried on the momentum in the second half and scored three more to clinch a thumping.

Leading the way for Pakistan was Mohammad Kashif, who scored a brace while skipper Mohammad Adeel, Mohammad Khan and Shahid Anjum chipped in with a strike apiece.

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While Pakistan forwards were on a roll against Vardeneset BK, their defence also displayed exceptional grit and refrained the opposition from scoring a single goal.

Pakistan kicked off their Norway Cup campaign in style as they defeated Astor Footballklubb 6-1 with Abdul Ghani leading the charge with a brace.

Pakistan street child football team next faces Oystese IL Oystese/Norheimsund in their last group-stage fixture on Tuesday, July 30th.

Pakistan’s squad for Norway Cup 2024

Goalkeepers: Aryan, Adeel Ali Khan
Defenders: Asad Nasir, Ubaidullah, Mohammad Adeel, Hamza Gul
Midfielders: Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Khan, Daniyal, Owais, Mohammad Osama
Forwards: Mohammad Kashif, Isa Khan, Shahid Anjum, Abdul Ghani

For the unversed, the Pakistan street child football team finished as the runners-up of the previous edition of the Norway Cup after falling to a 9-10 defeat on penalties against Sola FK.

Pakistan street child football team entered the final after remaining unbeaten in seven games.

The national team scored the most goals by any team in the tournament and also recorded the largest victory in the tournament’s history when they blew Frigg Oslo FK 11-1.

For an exceptional tournament, Pakistan’s Asad Nasir was adjudged the player of the Norway Cup 2023.

READ: Bangladesh ‘A’ edge past Pakistan Shaheens to level series

Reigning Ballon d’Or Aitana Bonmati scored one goal and helped create another as World Cup holders Spain came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in their first game of the Paris Olympics women’s football tournament on Thursday.

Spain are making their Olympic women’s football debut at the Paris Games but are leading contenders to win the gold medal after their World Cup triumph in Australia and New Zealand last year.

They fell behind against Japan in the western French city of Nantes to Aoba Fujino’s early free-kick, but Bonmati soon equalised before Mariona Caldentey netted the winner in the 74th minute.

It is the perfect start for Spain in Group C of the Paris Olympics’ women’s football, in which rivals Nigeria and Brazil meet later.

With 12 teams split into three groups of four, there is margin for error as the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

That will provide some comfort for Japan, who won the silver medal at London 2012.

Spain’s starting XI featured seven players who were in the line-up for last year’s World Cup final win over England in Sydney, plus Alexia Putellas, the two-time former Ballon d’Or winner.

Japan’s side included Hinata Miyazawa, the top scorer at the World Cup, but it was Fujino who opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a fine strike from a dead ball which proved too powerful for goalkeeper Cata Coll.

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However, Spain bossed possession and drew level midway through the first half when Bonmati was played in by Athenea del Castillo and rounded the goalkeeper to score.

They then grabbed what proved to be the winner when Caldentey came in from the left and played a quick exchange of passes with Bonmati before firing in.

Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champions Canada shrugged off a spying scandal to come from behind and start their campaign with a 2-1 win over New Zealand in Saint-Etienne.

Mackenzie Barry gave New Zealand the lead before an embarrassingly sparse crowd at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, the same venue where the men’s game between Argentina and Morocco was affected by crowd trouble on Wednesday.

However, Arsenal’s Cloe Lacasse levelled in first-half stoppage time for Canada, who beat Sweden on penalties in the final in Tokyo three years ago.

Evelyne Viens then latched onto a long ball forward to fire in the winner 11 minutes from the end.

Canada’s build-up had been overshadowed after an assistant coach and an analyst were sent home from the Olympics on the eve of their opening game.

The analyst, 43-year-old Joey Lombardi, was also given a suspended eight-month prison sentence for flying a drone over a New Zealand training session this week in Saint-Etienne.

Lombardi pleaded guilty when he appeared in court in Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.

The assistant coach was Jasmine Mander, to whom Lombardi reported.

Head coach Bev Priestman apologised and decided to take no part in the game against New Zealand as a result because she felt it would not be appropriate.

Canada and New Zealand are in Group A along with hosts France and Colombia, who meet later in Lyon.

Record four-time gold medallists the United States meet Zambia later in Group B, which also sees Germany take on Australia.

READ: Nooh Dastgrit Butt blames authorities over Paris Olympics absence

Chaos and confusion reigned on Wednesday as Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in their opening game of the men’s Olympic football tournament.

Argentina were disallowed a late equaliser, while the final minutes were played out in an empty stadium following crowd trouble.

The South American side thought they had escaped from the Group B match in Saint-Etienne with a 2-2 draw when Cristian Medina scored in the 16th minute of added time.

But as their players celebrated, projectiles including bottles and plastic cups rained down from the stands and several spectators entered the pitch, with the referee promptly blowing the whistle.

The teams left the playing area, but the referee had not blown for full-time and the outcome of the match was completely unclear until the sides finally reappeared two hours later to play out three more minutes in a stadium by now emptied of spectators.

Medina’s goal was eventually disallowed for offside following a VAR review, and Morocco held on for all three points.

It was an undignified start to the sporting action at the Paris Games, and a bad day all around for Argentina, whose players were booed as they emerged onto the pitch and during the national anthem by the crowd, most of whom were supporting Morocco.

That welcome came after Argentina players were filmed singing racist chants following their victory in the recent Copa America.

“It is a circus,” complained Argentina coach Javier Mascherano. “At no point did they tell us our goal was not valid… this would not even happen in a neighbourhood tournament. It’s pathetic.”

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“Beyond the Olympic spirit, the organisation needs to be up to standard. At the moment it is not, unfortunately.”

Argentina are looking to win men’s football gold for the third time after success in 2004 and 2008, but Mascherano’s side trailed 2-0 following a brace by Soufiane Rahimi.

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) full-back, set up Rahimi for the opener in first-half stoppage time.

The reigning African Under-23 champions doubled their lead six minutes into the second half from the penalty spot, Rahimi converting after Ilias Akhomach was brought down.

Mascherano, who starred in the teams that won gold in Athens and Beijing, had at one point hoped to persuade Lionel Messi to feature among the three permitted overage players in his squad otherwise limited to those under 23.

Messi turned him down, and the biggest names in their side here were Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez and captain Nicolas Otamendi, the Benfica defender.

Giuliano Simeone, son of former Argentina star Diego, came off the bench to pull one back midway through the second half.

Medina then thought he had saved a point in the 106th minute as he nodded in after Otamendi and Bruno Amione both hit the woodwork in a frantic few seconds of action, only for Argentina to be denied.

Argentina’s next game will be in Lyon on Saturday against Iraq, who came from behind to beat Ukraine 2-1 in their opener.

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Nicolas Kuhn scored twice and Luis Palma netted the decider in the 68th minute to give Celtic a 4-3 victory over Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday.

Norway’s Erling Haaland, wearing the City captain’s armband for the first time, nodded home an equalizer in the 57th minute only for Honduran international Palma to tap in the winning goal on a breakaway at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Memorial Stadium.

The match was a tuneup for next month’s start of the 2024-25 campaigns for Celtic, winner of the past three Scottish Premiership crowns, and four-time defending English Premier League champion Manchester City, which began a US tour.

With several top stars resting from the European Championships, City manager Pep Guardiola used the opportunity to analyze younger talent.

The match marked a Celtic debut for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the 37-year-old Dane who began his career with City in 2006. He played the first half for the Hoops.

German right-wing Kuhn netted a first-half brace for Celtic, playing in a fourth pre-season match.

Down 3-1 at half-time, City answered seconds into the second half on just-inserted 21-year-old Argentine substitute Maximo Perrone’s goal, a left-footed shot from the right side into the far corner on his first touch of the ball.

Haaland headed in a centring pass from countryman Oscar Bobb in the 57th minute to lift the City level.

But Celtic scored the winner in the 68th minute as Palma, who entered three minutes earlier, finished a three-man breakaway as City’s defenders were caught flat-footed near midfield after pressing with the backline.

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Manchester City substitute Ben Knight was denied an equalizer in the 76th minute when second-half Celtic keeper Viljami Sinisalo of Finland knocked the ball over the crossbar.

Kuhn opened the scoring in the 13th minute, taking a pass on the right side and charging in on City starting goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, then firing a left-footed shot just inside the far post.

Schmeichel denied Haaland in the 23rd minute with a right-hand save on a left-footed shot off a feed from James McAtee.

In the 31st, Schmeichel again denied Haaland, from the right side on a left-footed shot that Schmeichel swatted away with his left hand.

But Manchester City equalized in the 33rd minute as Haaland flicked the ball left to onrushing Bobb, who blasted a shot that deflected off Schmeichel and bounced into the goal.

Kuhn answered for Celtic in the 36th minute, rushing in from the right wing then pulling back the ball to evade a defender and curling a left-footed blast high into the goal.

Celtic stretched the edge to 3-1 in the 44th minute when Kuhn delivered a perfect centring pass to Japan’s fast-rushing Kyogo Furuhashi, who split two defenders, evaded Ortega and fired in a left-footed shot from a steep angle.

Manchester City’s US tour continues Saturday against AC Milan at New York’s Yankee Stadium, with other matches next week against Barcelona at Orlando and Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio.

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Pep Guardiola insists Kevin De Bruyne will not leave Manchester City this season after reports the Belgium star could move to Saudi Arabia.

De Bruyne has just one year left on his current City contract and the midfielder revealed recently he has spoken with his wife Michele about his future plans.

“For Michele an exotic adventure is OK,” De Bruyne said in a hint that he could end his successful spell at Premier League champions City.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad were believed to be interested in De Bruyne. But UK press reports on Tuesday said City manager Guardiola had rejected any thought of the 33-year-old being allowed to walk away this season.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s friendly against Celtic in North Carolina, Pep Guardiola told reporters “Kevin isn’t leaving”.

Kevin De Bruyne returned after missing the first half of last season due to injury and helped City make history with a fourth successive Premier League title.

He has been with City since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, winning 15 major trophies including six Premier League titles and one Champions League crown.

While Guardiola is adamant, that his influential playmaker will stay at the Etihad Stadium this term, it remains to be seen if he can persuade the Belgian to remain in Manchester longer than that.

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“My eldest (child) is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play at City. Once the time comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way,” De Bruyne said in a recent interview.

“At my age, you have to be open to everything. You talk about unbelievable amounts in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.

“If I play there for two years, I will be able to earn an incredible amount of money.”

Meanwhile, Guardiola claimed City would not make major changes to his squad before their Premier League season kicks off against Chelsea on August 18.

Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze has been linked with the champions, while City goalkeeper Ederson has potential offers from Saudi Arabia.

“Of course, until the last day, we have chances (to make transfers), I don’t rule it out the option to have new players but I think there is an 85,90 per cent chance we will have the same squad,” Guardiola said.

“I feel comfortable, because the quality of human beings we have in the squad is difficult to be replaced, and the quality is there.

“But we’ll see, I don’t know in the last moment if someone comes for some players and they leave, we’re going to decide. If someone leaves, we’re going to talk about that.”

READ: Afghanistan break silence on rumours of boycotting Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Pakistan women’s football team’s seasoned striker Malika-e-Noor announced her shock retirement from the sport with immediate effect.

Noor, who rose to the limelight with his 89th-minute winner for Pakistan against Maldives in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in 2010 shared that she has formally retired from international football but will continue to play domestic tournaments.

“Probably the hardest decision that I have made in my life! I wasn’t mentally ready—I thought I would give some more years to the team—but the scenarios have changed, and this feels like a must-do,” Noor posted on Instagram.

“RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL!”

 

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A post shared by Malika-e-Noor (@noormalika10)

Malika-e-Noor, who played 25 international football matches for Pakistan, termed it as the biggest honour of her life.

“Representing my country on the world stage has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to wear the national team jersey,” said Noor.

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Noor expressed her satisfaction over playing with “the best teammates” and “exceptional coaches” before going on to thank her friends and family for their unwavering support throughout her professional career.

“From my debut to my final match, the journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, hard-fought victories, and invaluable lessons. I have been privileged to play alongside some of the best teammates and under the guidance of exceptional coaches. Each match and every training session has shaped me not only as a player but also as a person,” said Noor.

“Thank you to my family and friends for your unwavering support and sacrifices, allowing me to pursue my dreams. To my teammates, thank you for your fellowship and for pushing me to be the best version of myself. And to the fans, your passion and encouragement have been the driving force behind every performance.

“Though I am stepping away from international play, I look forward to continuing my career at the club level and contributing to the game in new ways. I will forever cherish the memories made and the relationships built through this incredible journey.

“My thoughts and best wishes remain with the youth. I hope they find themselves in an environment where they are safe, heard, and treated with equality. Young girls are driving change within the system, and I trust that stakeholders and authorities will recognize this and support the youth in achieving their dreams.”

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