We're just two weeks away from the start of the Women's Champions League quarterfinals now, where two Frauen-Bundesliga clubs remain — Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg. Bayern returned to the top spot in its domestic league with seven matches remaining following a 6-0 pummeling of Köln on Sunday, although Wolfsburg remains only two points back and maintains a game in hand.
Yimmi Chará scored a bicycle-kick goal in the 78th minute as the Portland Timbers rallied for a 2-2 tie with the visiting New England Revolution in both teams' Major League Soccer season opener Saturday night.
Dairon Asprilla also scored for the Timbers, who overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in a driving rainstorm. Portland goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič made five saves, including tipping a header from Adam Buksa just over the crossbar late in second-half stoppage time. Brandon Bye and Sebastian Lletget scored for the Revolution.
Let's start this Champions League match report with one particular talking point: Change is always difficult, especially for our soccer overlords in England, and there's going to be a lot written about how Real Madrid's negative approach at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday exemplifies UEFA's mistaken decision to do away with the away goals rule.
Egypt came from a goal down to defeat Morocco 2-1 in extra time and advance to the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations — where host nation Cameroon awaits — with captain Mohamed Salah providing an inspirational goal and assist for the Pharaohs on Sunday.
Morocco's opening goal came early. If you want an example of why Kylian Mbappé thinks Achraf Hakimi is the best right back in the world, here's one.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are now favorites at the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-0 on Wednesday to become the only team to make it through the group stage in Cameroon with a perfect record.
The form of Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has sent a message across Africa — he scored the match-winner against Egypt and provided a beautiful assist on Wednesday's opening goal — but the player to watch has been Nantes winger Moses Simon.
RIYADH - Real Madrid were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions after goals from Luka Modrić and Karim Benzema earned them a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Real took the lead in the 38th minute after Rodrygo sprinted past two defenders before passing to Modrić, who rifled a shot into the back of the net.
La edición número 100 del Torneo de Escuelas Secundarias de Japón se está convirtiendo en una fábrica de momentos virales. A la secuencia de balón detenido digna de los Supercampeones, ahora se suma el que muchos han bautizado como el penal más largo del mundo.
The best moments in rec league aren't often unbelievable goals or incredible displays of skill. They're things like batshit crazy tackles that aren't even whistled, own goals scored from the top of your own area and that 24 pack of beer in the cooler.
But all the hoofing, chasing and getting blasted in the face combine to make those rare moments of technique stick out all the clearer, like a Monet in a wastewater treatment plant.
The emergence of 17-year-old Pablo Páez Gavi for both Barcelona and Spain during the 2021-22 season has been criminally under-appreciated in the English-speaking world. It's a serious offense because just putting the La Masia product through the 90-minute eye test is enough to reveal a footballer of supreme talent, which is exceptionally rare when considering all the nuance and subtlety that comes with the midfield position.
Wow, what a year — so much so that it's almost impossible to really know where 2020 ended and when 2022 begins! The best way to get beyond this simultaneous feeling of being stuck in the past and hurtling violently towards the future is to stop and take stock of things with an awards gala unlike any other. You're on the guest list.