Already out of the Champions League, Barcelona's season almost took another turn for the worse on Wednesday when third-tier Intercity (founded 2017 in the Valencian Community) forced them into extra-time in the Copa del Rey Round of 32 with a 3-3 scoreline after 90 minutes.
After another memorable performance in Qatar for Mr. World Cup (stonewalling Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot), Guillermo Ochoa made his Serie A debut with Salernitana on Wednesday against defending champions AC Milan.
Salernitana hosted at Stadio Arechi, but the gap between the two sides was evident with Milan putting 11 shots on target to just one for the hosts.
LONDON - Brentford pulled off their latest Premier League shock by beating Liverpool 3-1 at home on Monday, bringing Jürgen Klopp's side's four-game winning streak to an end and rattling their top-four ambitions.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté knocked the ball into his own net in the 19th minute while Yoane Wissa doubled Brentford's advantage before halftime after his side had two goals disallowed following VAR reviews in a frantic opening 45 minutes.
West Brom's incredible renaissance under Spanish manager Carlos Corberán continued Monday with a 1-0 victory over Reading courtesy of Daryl Dike's goal in the 60th minute.
After missing a large portion of the start of the season with a thigh injury, the 22-year-old American striker enjoyed his longest outing of the Championship season (66 minutes) and scored his second goal in eight games.
TOKYO - Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will remain in charge of the Asian team for another World Cup cycle, the country's football association announced on Thursday, with the aim of breaking new ground after a number of near misses.
That Moriyasu would continue in the role came as little surprise after he led Japan to victories over former World Cup winners Germany and Spain during the finals in Qatar en route to topping what was considered the most difficult group at the tournament.
When we cover the San Marino national team here at The18, it's usually to report on players breaking down in tears after securing 0-0 draws with Gibraltar.
The squad has attracted a global following by virtue of being the worst international team on the planet — San Marino sits dead last (211th) in the FIFA Rankings with an all time record of 194 matches played, one win, eight draws and 185 defeats with a goal difference of negative 770.
For the casual soccer fans wondering, “has the USA ever made the World Cup Final?” we have some bummer news. The men’s team has never made it to the finale of the World Cup.
The USA women’s team, on the other hand, has been to five World Cup finals and have won four times.
No. The best they’ve ever done is third place.
Trailing 1-0 to France shortly before halftime in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal, Morocco center back Jawad El Yamiq almost found an equalizer with an outrageous bicycle kick from 12 yards out.
Initially it looked like the overhead attempt had thumped directly off the base of the post, but it was counted as a shot on target and save for Hugo Lloris after replays showed the French goalkeeper getting his fingertips to it to help aid it onto the woodwork.
Without Lloris' touch, maybe the shot hits the inside of the post and goes in.
When Morocco takes to the pitch Wednesday night against France in the World Cup semifinals, they'll do so as 6/1 outsiders against the defending world champions. But one advantage the record-setting African side will have is nearly the entire backing of the 68,895 capacity Al-Bayt Stadium.
Syracuse Orange men's soccer captured their first NCAA Tournament championship Monday night by defeating eight-time champions the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2022 Men's College Cup Final at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC.
The two teams couldn't be separated in regular time with the game level at 2-2.
Sophomore striker Nathan Opoku opened the scoring for Syracuse in the 24th minute with a left-footed curler into the far corner.