Sports
Mbappe brace edges PSG closer to Ligue 1 title
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain took another step toward securing the Ligue 1 title despite an unconvincing performance in beating bottom club Angers 2-1 on Friday.
Mbappe scored the opener in the ninth minute and added another before the half-hour mark to move clear as the French top flight’s leading marksman on 22 goals for the campaign.
It looked like PSG might go on to record a big victory but they eased off in the second half and relegation-bound Angers pulled a goal back late on through Sada Thioub.
PSG are now 11 points clear at the top of the table with six games left, although nearest challengers Marseille can cut the gap when they visit Lyon on Sunday.
A record 11th French crown, and ninth since the Qatari takeover of 2011, is now inevitable with the capital club claiming a third straight win to ease the pressure on embattled coach Christophe Galtier.
However, Galtier was critical of his side’s performance after they failed to build on a strong start, just like in last week’s 3-1 win over Lens when all their goals came before half-time.
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“As much as we were serious and clinical in the first half, like Lens last week we took our foot off the pedal completely in the second half,” Galtier told broadcaster Amazon Prime.
“We played without any rhythm and didn’t really try to add to our lead. There is frustration for me as a coach. Of course we won and are top of the league but when you are at Paris Saint-Germain you can’t settle for only playing for half of the game.”
Appointed last year, Galtier’s position was under serious scrutiny following a poor start to 2023 as PSG went out of the Champions League and French Cup in the last 16.
He has since come under further pressure after being accused of making racist and discriminatory remarks about players last season when in charge of Nice.
Prosecutors in Nice have opened a preliminary investigation into possible “racial or religious discrimination” following the allegations, which surfaced in an email apparently sent by former Nice sporting director Julien Fournier and which were reported by various French media.
Galtier, who rigorously denies the allegations, has been the target of threats and on Friday his lawyer confirmed the 56-year-old was taking legal action against Fournier and two journalists for defamation.
“I am not interested in my situation. I am focused on the team, the importance of winning games and winning the club’s 11th title, so I am managing to see past everything that is happening outside,” Galtier said.
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His team never really looked in trouble after Mbappe opened the scoring early on, bundling the ball over the line at the second attempt after Juan Bernat cushioned a pass across the face of goal.
Lionel Messi had been at the origin of the opener and he then set up the second with a superb ball in behind the Angers defense for Mbappe to round goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni and score.
He now has 34 goals in all competitions this season and the 157th Ligue 1 strike of his career means he has now bypassed the great Jean-Pierre Papin’s career tally.
Thioub reduced the deficit with three minutes left when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from close range after a cross was nodded down into his path.
Angers are now 17 points from safety with six games left and could be relegated this weekend depending on other results.
They have managed just three wins all season and need three more points to avoid setting a new record for the fewest points in a French top-flight campaign.
Mbappe brace edges PSG closer to Ligue 1 title
arabnews
Sports
BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Nigeria’s Flamingos have made history after defeating Japan 2–1 to lift the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy in Morocco on Saturday, November 7.
The Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance in the final to secure the country’s first-ever championship title in the competition.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 38th minute of the first half with a long-range effort that slipped through the hands of Japanese goalkeeper Kou Kadowaki.
The Flamingos doubled their advantage early in the second half through Oluebube Umejiaku, who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to give Nigeria a commanding 2–0 lead.
Japan fought back and reduced the deficit through Ito in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian side held on to secure a historic 2–1 victory.
The triumph marks a major milestone for Nigerian and African football, as the Flamingos become the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria booked their place in the final after defeating Brazil 3–1 in the semi-finals, while Japan secured their ticket following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over defending champions North Korea.
The victory represents a remarkable achievement for coach Akeem Busari and his players, who have brought global recognition to Nigeria with their outstanding campaign.
The historic triumph is also Nigeria’s first title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, having previously finished third in the 2022 edition.
Nigeria’s victory over Japan has further established the Flamingos as one of the emerging forces in women’s youth football.
BREAKING: Flamingos Make History, Defeat Japan 2–1 to Win First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
Sports
BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his remarkable 23-year career with the Portugal national team.
The 41-year-old forward announced his decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in a video message shared on his social media accounts, saying he was ready to hand over Portugal’s iconic No. 7 shirt to the next generation.
Ronaldo, who made his senior international debut in August 2003, leaves the national team as the highest-scoring player in men’s international football and its most-capped player, with 146 goals in 234 appearances.
In his announcement, Ronaldo reflected on the privilege and responsibility of representing Portugal for more than two decades.
He said: “To the Portuguese people. The time has come to hang our national team’s number 7 shirt. I never felt that it belonged exclusively to me, but for 23 years I have had the privilege and responsibility of wearing it.”
He added that representing Portugal had given him some of the most memorable moments of his football career and that the country would always remain part of him.
A career filled with records and trophies
Ronaldo’s international career began in August 2003 when he made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18.
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Over the next 23 years, he established himself as one of the most successful players in international football, setting records for appearances and goals.
His major achievements with Portugal include winning the 2016 UEFA European Championship and two UEFA Nations League titles, in 2019 and 2025.
He also represented Portugal at six World Cups, from 2006 to 2026, becoming the first player to score at six different editions of the men’s tournament.
His 146 international goals and 234 appearances leave him at the top of the men’s international football records.
November matches expected to mark farewell
Ronaldo’s announcement comes after a difficult period with Portugal, including a disagreement with national team coach Jorge Jesus.
The Al-Nassr forward walked out of Portugal’s training camp in September following disagreements over his playing time and his exclusion from the starting line-up.
He subsequently apologised to his teammates and Portuguese supporters, while accepting a disciplinary punishment from the Portuguese Football Federation.
The federation handed him a 30-day suspension and a fine of €255 following the incident. The suspension was backdated to October 1.
Ronaldo is expected to bring his international career to a close after Portugal’s November international engagements, with the team scheduled to face Denmark on November 14 and Wales on November 17.
His departure will mark the end of an era for Portuguese football, as the country prepares to move forward without the player who has captained its national team and broken numerous international records.
Portugal will, however, continue to have the legacy of a footballer whose name has become synonymous with the country’s achievements on the international stage.
BREAKING: Ronaldo Retires From International Football After 23 Years With Portugal
Sports
Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final
Nigeria Flamingos Make History, Stun Brazil 3-1 to Reach U-17 Women’s World Cup Final
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have made history by becoming the first African country to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Brazil 3-1 in a thrilling semi-final encounter on Wednesday night.
Inspired by a brilliant brace from Awawu Bashiru and an early strike from Queen Joseph, the Nigerian girls produced an impressive performance to overcome their South American opponents and book a historic place in Saturday’s final in Morocco.
Joseph opened the scoring with a close-range finish from four yards to give Akeem Busari’s side an early advantage.
Bashiru then doubled Nigeria’s lead with a moment of brilliance, sending a lofted cross over the Brazilian goalkeeper and into the net in the 71st minute.
The forward completed her brace 10 minutes later, calmly firing home a well-placed effort at the near post to extend Nigeria’s advantage and send the Nigerian bench, supporters and officials into wild celebrations.
Brazil managed to pull one back through Greise Kelly in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late as the Flamingos held on for a memorable victory.
The triumph represents Nigeria’s first-ever victory over Brazil at this level and marks a significant milestone for African women’s football, with the Flamingos becoming the first team from the continent to qualify for the tournament’s final.
Nigeria will now have the opportunity to surpass their previous best achievement of winning the bronze medal in 2022 as they prepare for a showdown with Japan, who defeated tournament favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.
The eagerly anticipated final is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, in Morocco, with the Flamingos aiming to crown their historic campaign with Nigeria’s first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
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