Sports
Liverpool outclass Arsenal 3-1
Liverpool came from behind to maintain a perfect start to their Premier League title defence as goals from Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota saw off a resilient Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield.
The Gunners had also won their opening two league games of the season and hit the champions on the counter-attack to take the lead through Alexandre Lacazette.
But while Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and now Arsenal have all lost in the opening three weeks of the new campaign, Liverpool have taken maximum points to lay down an early marker that they remain the team to beat in the Premier League this season.
The outcome of the match could have been very different had Mane not escaped with just a yellow card for an elbow on Kieran Tierney after just three minutes.
Arsenal followed the game plan that had brought them two victories over Liverpool in recent months as they dropped deep then looked to play around the Reds’ press when in possession.
However, unlike when they met at the back end of last season’s Premier League when Jurgen Klopp’s men had already won the league or the Community Shield in August, Liverpool were far sharper in pulling the Gunners out of position.
Mane was first to threaten with a clean strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross that was too close to Bernd Leno before Alexander-Arnold’s deflected effort came back off the crossbar.
The only time Arsenal did manage to pierce the Liverpool press before half-time, they opened the scoring completely against the run of play.
Robertson was at fault as he spooned Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s cross into the path of Lacazette, who also failed to make a proper connection but the ball bounced into the ground and looped over the helpless Alisson Becker.
Liverpool responded immediately to level within three minutes as Salah outmuscled Tierney and when his shot was parried across goal by Leno, Mane turned into an empty net.
Robertson them made amends for his previous error as Liverpool’s flying full-backs combined as Alexander-Arnold’s cross was this time converted by the Scotland captain.
However, where Arsenal sides of recent years might have collapsed, as they did in losing 4-0 and 5-1 at Anfield in 2018 and 2019, Mikel Arteta has instilled a new-found belief in the FA Cup winners.
The visitors were more expansive after the break and created a huge chance to level when Dani Ceballos put Lacazette through on goal, but Alisson stood up well to block the French striker’s shot.
Klopp introduced Jota for his league debut 10 minutes from time and the Portuguese international should have sealed the win when he fired into the side-netting from Salah’s excellent through ball.
The Egyptian was less generous moments later when he stole the ball of Jota’s toes and failed to beat Leno.
But Jota did not have to wait long for his first Liverpool goal as a sweetly-struck volley found the bottom corner to show why the Reds spent £41 million ($52 million) to sign him from Wolves.
Sports
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is already taking shape, with Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé emerging as early front-runners for football’s most prestigious individual award. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now past their peak, the field is wide open for new stars to claim the coveted Golden Ball.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tops early rankings thanks to his influential performances in club and international competitions, particularly his leadership in Arsenal’s title push. Close behind are Harry Kane, who continues to score prolifically for Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland with his lethal finishing for Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, maintaining his form for Real Madrid and France.
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Rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, also features prominently among early favourites, while other notable contenders include midfield dynamo Vitinha and reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Analysts note that the race is still early and that Champions League and World Cup performances will heavily influence the final outcome.
The early rankings provide a snapshot of the competition, highlighting a mix of established stars and emerging talents who could define the next era of global football.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé
Sports
NFF Explains Why Super Eagles Missed AFCON 2025 Bronze Medal Ceremony
NFF Explains Why Super Eagles Missed AFCON 2025 Bronze Medal Ceremony
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has explained why the Super Eagles skipped the bronze medal ceremony at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, despite their 4‑2 penalty win over Egypt to secure third place.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau revealed that the players could not remain for the medal presentation because of club commitments in Europe, which required them to return immediately after the third-place match. He noted that the situation was similar for other teams, including Egypt, and assured fans that the bronze medals are now with the NFF and will be handed to players soon.
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The decision sparked debates among football fans and analysts, highlighting the ongoing tension between national team duties and European club schedules, especially during major tournaments like AFCON. Many experts have suggested that CAF consider rescheduling medal ceremonies to accommodate teams whose players face tight club obligations.
Despite missing the ceremony, the Super Eagles’ achievement has been widely celebrated, marking Nigeria’s ninth AFCON third-place finish — the most in the tournament’s history. Officials, fans, and football commentators continue to praise the team for restoring national pride with their resilient performance.
NFF Explains Why Super Eagles Missed AFCON 2025 Bronze Medal Ceremony
Sports
Brahim Diaz Apologises to Morocco Fans Over Missed Penalty
Brahim Diaz Apologises to Morocco Fans Over Missed Penalty
Brahim Diaz has issued a public apology to Morocco fans following his missed penalty in a recent international match, acknowledging the disappointment caused and pledging to bounce back stronger for the Morocco national team.
The forward, who recently committed his international future to Morocco, described the miss as a painful moment, admitting that he felt the frustration of supporters and teammates. Diaz said the incident would serve as motivation to improve and continue giving his best whenever he wears the national colours.
“I know how much this means to the Moroccan people. I take responsibility and will keep working to make you proud,” Diaz said in a message shared online.
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The penalty miss came at a time of high expectations for the Atlas Lions, who have been under close scrutiny as they prepare for upcoming AFCON qualifiers and World Cup qualification matches. Since Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, pressure has continued to mount on the team’s attacking players to deliver in key moments.
Football analysts note that penalty misses are part of the game but often attract intense attention, especially at international level. Similar incidents involving top players in Africa and Europe in recent months have sparked debates around mental strength and pressure management during spot-kicks.
Despite the setback, Diaz remains an important figure in coach Walid Regragui’s squad, alongside established stars such as Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi. Team officials and supporters are expected to rally behind the player as Morocco focus on upcoming competitive fixtures.
Attention now shifts to Morocco’s next matches, with the technical crew reportedly working on improving set-piece execution, including penalties, as part of broader preparations.
Brahim Diaz Apologises to Morocco Fans Over Missed Penalty
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