The announcement, made through an official club communication, follows recent changes in ownership and management, with the new leadership outlining a long-term vision that includes both geographical relocation and identity restructuring.

According to the club, discussions around the move began in 2024 shortly after their return to the FKF Premier League. The timing indicates the decision has been part of a structured strategic plan rather than a short-term reaction.

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Mathare United, widely recognised for their strong community roots in Nairobi and a history of developing local talent, now face a defining moment as they prepare to shift base. The relocation to Kericho County is expected to open up new commercial pathways while also expanding the club’s footprint within Kenyan football.

The rebrand to Kericho United Football Club is intended to align the club more closely with its new home, creating a fresh identity that resonates with the local community while setting the foundation for long-term sustainability.

Further operational details, including home stadium arrangements, squad planning, and administrative structure, are yet to be disclosed. The club confirmed that more information will be shared as the current season draws to a close.

The move is likely to generate mixed reactions among supporters, particularly those who have long associated Mathare United with Nairobi. However, it also presents an opportunity to grow a new fan base in Kericho while contributing to football development in the region.

For Kericho County, the arrival of a top-flight side represents a significant boost, both in sporting and economic terms, as the region prepares to host FKF Premier League football.

As the transition period unfolds, attention will now shift to how Kericho United will navigate its first season under a new identity and whether the bold move will translate into success on and off the pitch.

The North London club sit just one point above the drop zone with only seven matches remaining, raising the very real prospect of their first relegation from England’s top flight in nearly five decades.

De Zerbi arrives on a reported five-year deal, underlining the club’s long-term belief in his philosophy, even as they face immediate short-term danger. Spurs are said to have accelerated the appointment to secure his services now rather than risk losing him depending on their divisional status next season.

“I am delighted to be joining this fantastic football club, which is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world,” De Zerbi said in a club statement.
“I am here because I believe in that ambition and have signed a long-term contract to give everything to deliver it.

“Our short-term priority is to climb the Premier League table, which will be the complete focus until the final whistle of the last game of the season.”

De Zerbi replaces Igor Tudor, whose brief interim stint lasted just seven matches following Tottenham’s exit from the Champions League and continued slide toward relegation danger.

The Italian tactician built his reputation in England during an impressive spell with Brighton & Hove Albion between 2022 and 2024, where his progressive, possession-based football earned widespread praise.

He later moved to Olympique de Marseille, guiding the French side to a second-place finish behind Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and securing Champions League qualification. However, his tenure ended in February following a disappointing European campaign and a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG.

Tottenham’s current predicament marks a dramatic fall for a club that, just a few years ago, were regulars in the Champions League under Mauricio Pochettino, even reaching the final in 2019.

Despite boasting one of the most modern stadiums in Europe and revenues placing them among the world’s richest clubs, Spurs now face the very real threat of dropping into the Championship for the first time since the 1977/78 season.

The instability has been stark. Ange Postecoglou was dismissed despite delivering Europa League success after a 17th-place league finish. His successor, Thomas Frank, lasted only briefly before being sacked following a dismal run of two wins in 17 matches, paving the way for Tudor’s short-lived spell.

Now, the responsibility falls on De Zerbi to halt the slide and restore belief within a struggling squad.

His first test will come away to Sunderland on April 12 a fixture that could prove pivotal in determining whether Tottenham preserve their Premier League status or suffer one of the most shocking relegations in modern English football.

It marks a landmark moment for the Central African nation, who will now feature at the global showpiece for the first time in 52 years, having last appeared in 1974 under the name Zaire.

The decisive moment came in the 100th minute when Axel Tuanzebe bundled home from close range following an in-swinging corner, breaking Jamaica’s resistance in a tense and physically demanding encounter played in hot conditions near Guadalajara.

The result caps off a remarkable qualification journey for the Leopards, who eliminated continental heavyweights Nigeria and Cameroon en route to Tuesday’s decisive playoff in Mexico.

Despite dominating possession for large spells, DR Congo were repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined Jamaican defence led by goalkeeper Andre Blake.

The Congolese started brightly and thought they had taken an early lead when Cedric Bakambu found the net inside five minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Bakambu remained a constant threat, later testing Blake with a looping header and a curling effort from distance.

Meschack Elia also came close, firing into the side netting and forcing a sharp save at the near post as DR Congo pushed for a breakthrough.

Jamaica, meanwhile, offered little going forward, with their only notable chance falling to Kasey Palmer, whose deflected effort drifted wide in the first half.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with DR Congo controlling proceedings but struggling to convert chances. Bakambu had another goal disallowed late on, while substitute Edo Kayembe narrowly missed the target from long range as the match edged towards extra time.

The breakthrough finally arrived when Tuanzebe rose in the six-yard box to convert from a corner, sending the Congolese bench and supporters into wild celebrations.

The victory secures DR Congo’s place in Group K, where they will face Portugal national football team, Colombia national football team, and Uzbekistan national football team.

For DR Congo, the qualification represents more than just a return to the World Cup — it is a statement of resurgence on the global stage and a reminder of the nation’s rich footballing heritage.

Their last appearance in 1974 ended in a group-stage exit against Scotland, Yugoslavia, and Brazil, but this new generation now has the opportunity to rewrite history.

For a nation synonymous with football greatness, the defeat marks a third consecutive World Cup absence, deepening a crisis that continues to shake Italian football at its core.

Italy appeared on course early in the contest, with Moise Kean striking in the 15th minute after capitalising on a costly mistake by Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj. The early breakthrough settled nerves, but what followed was a dramatic unraveling.

The turning point arrived just before halftime when defender Alessandro Bastoni was sent off, leaving the four-time world champions to navigate the remainder of the match with ten men.

Bosnia grew into the game and eventually found their reward in the 79th minute, as Haris Tabakovic equalised to send the tie into extra time. Despite Italy’s resilience, neither side could find a winner, forcing a tense penalty shootout.

In the decisive moment, Italy faltered. Only Sandro Tonali converted from the spot, while Bosnia held their composure to claim a 4-1 shootout victory and secure a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.

At the final whistle, scenes of heartbreak unfolded. Italian players collapsed to the turf in disbelief, while fans watched on in silence as another World Cup dream slipped away.

“This is upsetting for everyone,” admitted Leonardo Spinazzola, summing up the mood in the Italian camp. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso also issued an apology, acknowledging the magnitude of the failure.

The result extends Italy’s World Cup drought, having also missed the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Their last appearance remains the 2014 edition, where they exited at the group stage — a stark contrast to their storied past as four-time champions.

For Bosnia, the victory represents a historic achievement, as they qualify for their first World Cup since 2014, reigniting belief in a new generation of players.

Elsewhere across the European playoffs, the Czech Republic national football team advanced past Denmark on penalties, while the Sweden national football team edged Poland 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. Türkiye national football team also sealed qualification with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kosovo.

Attention now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will feature an expanded 48-team format, but notably, one of football’s traditional giants will once again be absent.

Italy’s fall from global dominance to repeated qualification failure now raises serious questions about the future direction of the national team and whether the Azzurri can find a way back to the world stage.

The victory marked a strong recovery for the side under Benni McCarthy following their penalty shootout loss to Estonia, with the coach rotating his squad and handing Duke Abuya the captain’s armband.

Kenya signalled their intent early when Clarke Oduor came close inside two minutes, but his effort drifted wide. Harambee Stars maintained their attacking tempo, with Austine Odhiambo emerging as a constant threat throughout the first half.

The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute after Ryan Ogam forced a save from Grenada goalkeeper Thishawn Malcolm. The rebound fell kindly to Odhiambo, who calmly slotted home to give Kenya a deserved lead.

Kenya doubled their advantage shortly after in similar fashion. Abuya’s initial effort was blocked, but Ben Stanley reacted quickest to set up Ogam, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-0.

Harambee Stars could have extended their lead further before the break. Oduor squandered another chance after a brilliant run, while Odhiambo rattled the post and Abuya missed an opportunity to square the ball to an unmarked Ogam.

At the start of the second half, McCarthy reshuffled his side, introducing fresh legs including Mohamed Bajaber, Alpha Onyango and Daniel Sakari.

Bajaber nearly made an instant impact but fired wide after a clever back-heel assist from Odhiambo. Further changes followed as Zech Obiero, Aboud Omar and Brian Bwire were introduced.

The third goal eventually arrived in the 81st minute, sealing the contest. Lawrence Okoth delivered a precise cut-back to William Lenkupae, who laid the ball into the path of Obiero. The midfielder’s effort took a slight deflection, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding the back of the net for his first international goal.

Obiero’s strike capped a memorable international break for the England-born midfielder, who had already impressed with an assist on his debut against Estonia. Currently on loan at Tranmere Rovers from Leyton Orient, the youngster continues to underline his growing importance to the national team.

Harambee Stars’ convincing win not only secured third place in the tournament but also offered a glimpse of the squad depth and attacking potential being built under McCarthy as Kenya continues its preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.

Head coach Benni McCarthy handed starting debuts to England-born Zechariah Obiero and Frank Odhiambo, signalling a bold approach as Kenya looked to build a new identity.

Estonia began the match on the front foot, controlling possession and dictating tempo in the early exchanges. Their early intent nearly paid off in the 7th minute when Michael Larsen fired just wide after finding space inside the box.

Kenya responded midway through the first half when Aboud Omar’s well-struck free-kick forced goalkeeper Karl Vallner into a sharp save. However, Estonia soon capitalised on a set-piece situation to take the lead.

Kevor Palumets delivered an in-swinging corner that found Tanel Tammik unmarked, and the defender made no mistake with a powerful header to put Estonia ahead.

Kenya struggled to find rhythm in the first half, with attacking moves breaking down in the final third. Job Ochieng, one of the brighter performers, was later forced off due to injury, further disrupting the team’s momentum.

Richard Odada also entered the referee’s book after a heavy challenge, adding to Kenya’s difficulties before the break.

The Harambee Stars returned with renewed energy in the second half and quickly found a breakthrough. Obiero produced a precise through ball that split the Estonian defence, allowing Ryan Ogam to latch onto it and finish clinically from close range.

The equaliser lifted Kenya’s confidence, and McCarthy responded with tactical changes, introducing Austin Odhiambo, Chrispine Erambo, and Lawrence Okoth in search of a winner.

Okoth came closest to sealing victory but saw his effort narrowly miss the target after striking the post. Late drama followed when a defensive mix-up involving Alphonce Omija and goalkeeper Ian Otieno nearly gifted Estonia another goal, though Omija recovered just in time.

With neither side able to find a winner, the match proceeded to penalties.

Otieno gave Kenya hope by saving Ioan Yakovlev’s spot-kick, but missed penalties from Mohamed Bajaber and Richard Odada proved costly. Odada’s failed Panenka attempt ultimately handed Estonia the victory.

The defeat means Kenya will now face the loser of the clash between Grenada national football team and Rwanda national football team in their next fixture.

Despite flashes of promise, Harambee Stars will need to address their finishing and composure as they continue their preparations under McCarthy.

According to the report, none of Kenya’s identified stadiums currently meet the required Category 4 standards needed to host Africa’s premier football tournament as of February 2026.

The assessment covered major venues including Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nyayo National Stadium, and the under-construction Talanta Stadium. While Kasarani and Nyayo require extensive upgrades, Talanta stands out as a new-build project designed to meet CAF standards from the ground up.

However, Talanta itself remains incomplete, with construction timelines already pushed from March to July, raising further concerns about delivery deadlines.

CAF noted that Kenya’s infrastructure programme is currently in a mixed phase, combining ongoing renovations, new construction, and operational redesign. This has created uneven readiness across venues, particularly in critical areas such as training facilities and matchday operations.

“While Kenya benefits from a strong metropolitan environment in Nairobi, the delivery programme remains exposed due to the scale of structural upgrades required, dependency on new construction and uneven readiness of training infrastructure,” CAF stated in its report.

The governing body outlined several urgent requirements, including validation of spectator circulation systems, proper segregation plans, and confirmation of the Venue Operations Centre. Integration of essential infrastructure such as lighting systems, backup power, and safety measures was also highlighted as a priority.

Kasarani, traditionally regarded as Kenya’s main football arena, now faces major reconstruction works. These include pitch upgrades, installation of modern floodlights, enhanced security systems, and improved media facilities to meet international standards.

Nyayo Stadium, meanwhile, has received a less favourable outlook. CAF suggested it may be more suitable as a training venue due to its aging infrastructure and lack of a comprehensive renovation roadmap.

The spotlight is now firmly on Talanta Stadium, envisioned as the flagship venue for AFCON 2027 and a symbol of Kenya’s hosting ambitions. Its successful completion will be critical in determining the country’s readiness.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has sought to reassure the public, stating that the government remains committed to meeting all infrastructural and financial obligations. This includes settling the hosting fee of KSh 3.9 billion ahead of the March 30 deadline.

The challenges are not unique to Kenya. The CAF report also highlighted similar concerns in Uganda, where none of the proposed venues currently meet Category 4 standards.

In Kampala, Mandela National Stadium is undergoing renovations as the primary venue. Meanwhile, Hoima City Stadium has been structurally completed but flagged for layout inefficiencies, and Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira remains under construction.

With time ticking and expectations rising, Kenya faces a critical race against deadlines to ensure it delivers facilities capable of hosting one of Africa’s biggest sporting spectacles.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel confirmed that the match, originally set for April 11, will now be played on May 13. The decision is aimed at giving PSG adequate recovery time between their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clashes against Liverpool FC.

PSG are scheduled to host Liverpool in the first leg on April 8 before travelling to Anfield for the decisive return leg on April 14. The congested schedule had raised concerns over player fatigue, prompting the league to intervene.

The rescheduling places the PSG vs Lens fixture between the final two weekends of the Ligue 1 season, adding further intrigue to an already tight title race.

However, the decision has not gone down well with Lens. The club had openly opposed the postponement, arguing that it disrupts competitive balance at a critical stage of the campaign.

Lens currently sit second in the standings, just one point behind PSG, although the Parisians still have a game in hand. With only seven matches remaining, the altered schedule could have a decisive impact on the title outcome.

The LFP defended its move by emphasising the broader objective of supporting French clubs in European competitions. Strong performances in UEFA tournaments are key to maintaining Ligue 1’s allocation of four Champions League qualification spots.

In a related move, the league also postponed Strasbourg’s fixture against Brest, allowing them similar recovery time ahead of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final against Mainz.

As the domestic and European calendars collide, the decision highlights the ongoing tension between league integrity and continental ambitions, with PSG now positioned to benefit most from the adjustment.

The Egyptian forward, who has spent nine years at Anfield, will depart on a free transfer after reaching an agreement with the club, with Liverpool opting not to stand in his way as he seeks a new chapter in his career.

Salah’s exit marks the end of a remarkable journey that saw him establish himself as one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players. During his time on Merseyside, he helped the club secure major honours including the Premier League title, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups, while also rising to become the club’s third all-time top goalscorer.

Financially, the move will also ease Liverpool’s wage structure, with the club set to free up around £400,000 per week in wages, approximately KSh 64 million, though they will not receive any transfer fee for the forward.

In an emotional farewell message, Salah expressed deep gratitude to the club, the city, and the supporters who have defined his career.

“Unfortunately, the day has come. This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season,” Salah said.

He added: “Liverpool is not just a football club. It is a passion, a history, a spirit. We celebrated victories, won the most important trophies, and fought through the hardest moments together.”

The 33-year-old also reserved special praise for the fans, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout both the highs and the difficult periods of his career.

“The support you showed me through the best time of my career and stood by me in the toughest times is something I will never forget,” he said.

Liverpool also confirmed the departure in an official statement, noting that Salah had chosen to make the announcement early out of respect for supporters and transparency regarding his future.

His departure will leave a significant void both on and off the pitch, with Liverpool now facing the challenge of replacing not just a prolific goalscorer, but a global icon who defined an era at the club.

As the season progresses, attention will turn to where Salah will land next, but for now, the focus remains on giving one of Liverpool’s greatest players the send-off his legacy deserves.

In a match short on clear-cut chances but rich in tactical discipline, it was Hassan Beja who made the difference with a decisive 81st-minute goal that handed Ingwe all three points in a contest that looked destined to end goalless.

The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides showing plenty of structure and discipline but little attacking adventure. Tusker enjoyed more of the ball in the opening stages and looked the more settled side in possession, but they found it difficult to penetrate an AFC Leopards defence that stayed compact and alert throughout.

Leopards, on their part, looked to strike on the counter but lacked the final pass needed to turn promising transitions into genuine scoring opportunities. Their attacking moves often fizzled out before they could truly test the Tusker back line.

After the restart, the tempo of the game improved as both teams began to sense the importance of the result. AFC Leopards raised their intensity, pushed higher up the pitch and committed more bodies forward in search of a breakthrough.

That aggressive approach gave them greater territorial control and forced Tusker into rushed decisions in their own half. The pressure began to build, with Leopards earning a number of set-piece opportunities and spending longer spells in advanced areas.

Tusker remained disciplined and resilient for large parts of the second half, attempting to absorb pressure while looking to break quickly. However, they failed to produce the final pass or attacking incision needed to trouble Leopards in any meaningful way.

With the game drifting towards a stalemate, Leopards finally found the moment they needed in the 81st minute. Hassan Beja kept his composure to finish off a well-worked move and break Tusker resistance, sending the Ingwe faithful into celebration.

From there, AFC Leopards managed the final stages with maturity. They slowed the tempo, stayed compact defensively and ensured Tusker had little room to mount a serious comeback. Tusker did push bodies forward late on, but their efforts lacked the cutting edge required to rescue a point.

The result gives AFC Leopards a major lift in the Kenya Premier League standings as the title race gathers momentum. Ingwe now sit second on 49 points, seven behind leaders Gor Mahia, keeping themselves firmly in the hunt heading into the decisive stretch of the season.

For Tusker, it was another frustrating outing as they remain seventh on 37 points, knowing they must find greater consistency if they are to finish strongly.

In other Kenya Premier League matches played on Sunday, Posta Rangers beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-1, Kakamega Homeboyz drew 1-1 with Bandari FC, Ulinzi Stars secured a 2-1 win over Nairobi United, while Murang'a Seal and Mathare United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

It was Nico O'Reilly who stole the show for Pep Guardiola's side, with the young City defender rising to score twice in four minutes and send the sky blue half of Wembley into celebration. His brace handed City another domestic cup crown and underlined the club's enduring habit of delivering on the big stage.

Arsenal began the final brightly and looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges. Kai Havertz had the first big chance of the contest after being slipped through inside the box, but James Trafford stood tall to deny him. The City goalkeeper then reacted superbly to keep out two follow-up efforts from Bukayo Saka in a vital early moment that prevented Mikel Arteta's men from taking control of the occasion.

Those missed chances would later come back to haunt Arsenal.

After weathering the early pressure, City gradually settled into the match and began to dictate possession. Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Rayan Cherki helped Guardiola's side gain composure in midfield, while Antoine Semenyo offered a constant outlet on the right as City probed for weaknesses in the Arsenal back line.

Despite City's growing control, clear openings remained limited in a tense first half. Arsenal defended with discipline, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes dealing well with Erling Haaland, while City also stayed compact at the back to keep Viktor Gyokeres quiet. At the break, the final was still finely balanced at 0-0.

The game changed decisively just before the hour mark.

In the 60th minute, Cherki delivered a high ball into the Arsenal area and Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to deal with it cleanly. O'Reilly reacted quickest, nodding home from close range to hand City the breakthrough. It was a painful moment for Arsenal's cup goalkeeper and a massive turning point in the contest.

Before Arsenal could regroup, City struck again.

Only four minutes after his opener, O'Reilly rose once more inside the box to head beyond Kepa after a fine delivery from Matheus Nunes. Rodri had helped engineer the move, but it was O'Reilly who applied the finish to make it 2-0 and put one hand on the trophy for Guardiola's side.

That double blow knocked the life out of Arsenal.

Arteta turned to his bench in search of a response, introducing Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus as the Gunners chased a way back into the final. However, for all their late pressure, Arsenal struggled to create enough clear openings against a City side that suddenly looked composed, resilient and fully in control.

Arsenal did come close to reducing the deficit in the closing stages. Calafiori struck the post with a fierce low effort after Trossard nodded the ball into his path, while Jesus later saw a header crash against the crossbar from Madueke's cross. Yet those chances only summed up Arsenal's frustrating evening. They had started well, but when the defining moments arrived, City were sharper, stronger and far more ruthless.

The statistics reflected City's superiority in the second half. Guardiola's men finished with the better chances and greater authority, while Arsenal faded badly after the break despite arriving at Wembley on a long unbeaten run and with talk of a possible quadruple still surrounding them.

For Guardiola, this was another landmark achievement in a glittering career. The City boss became the first manager to win the EFL Cup five times, further cementing his place among the finest coaches in English football history. For Arsenal, it was another bitter final defeat and an opportunity missed on one of the biggest stages of the season.

This final had been billed as a battle between the Premier League's top two and a meeting of master and apprentice in Guardiola and Arteta. For one half, it looked like Arsenal might rise to the moment. But when City found their rhythm and O'Reilly found the net, the final swung decisively in favour of the reigning serial winners.

Manchester City leave Wembley with the trophy. Arsenal leave with regret, unanswered questions and the painful feeling that they let the moment slip away.

The hosts controlled proceedings from the opening whistle, applying sustained pressure on Union Berlin’s defence. Despite early resistance from the visitors, Bayern’s attacking intent was clear, with Michael Olise causing problems down the right flank and Harry Kane coming close to breaking the deadlock.

After a series of missed chances, Bayern finally found the breakthrough in the 43rd minute. Leon Goretzka’s precise pass over the defence released Olise, who cut inside and fired a powerful strike past Frederik Ronnow to give the home side a deserved lead.

Just moments later, Bayern doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. Joshua Kimmich delivered a dangerous cross into the box, and after a failed clearance, Serge Gnabry reacted quickest to fire home and make it 2-0 before the break.

Bayern carried their momentum into the second half and effectively sealed the contest in the 49th minute. Konrad Laimer provided the assist as Harry Kane created space on the edge of the box before curling a superb finish into the net, continuing his remarkable scoring form this season.

Union Berlin struggled to cope with Bayern’s relentless attacking waves, and the hosts added a fourth goal in the 67th minute. A blocked effort from Olise fell kindly to Gnabry, who smashed the ball past Ronnow to complete his brace and cap off a dominant performance.

The Bavarians continued to create chances, with Kane and Olise both going close to extending the scoreline further, but Union Berlin managed to avoid further damage.

The victory keeps Bayern firmly on course for the Bundesliga title, maintaining their advantage at the top of the table as they prepare for upcoming domestic and European challenges, including a Champions League quarter-final clash against Real Madrid.

Union Berlin, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they continue their mid-table campaign, having struggled to contain Bayern’s attacking quality throughout the match.

The hosts started brightly and took the lead in the 14th minute through experienced forward Danny Welbeck. The move began with a well-delivered diagonal ball from Ferdi Kadioglu, which was nodded back into the danger area by Diego Gomez, allowing Welbeck to head home from close range.

Liverpool, however, found a way back into the contest in the 30th minute under fortunate circumstances. Brighton captain Lewis Dunk misjudged a backward header from a long ball, and Milos Kerkez reacted sharply to intercept before lifting the bouncing ball over goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to level the score at 1-1.

The first half ended evenly balanced, with both sides creating opportunities in an open contest. Brighton showed greater attacking threat, but Liverpool remained dangerous on the counter.

Brighton regained the lead in the 56th minute with a well-worked attacking move. Yankuba Minteh delivered a deep cross which Jack Hinshelwood intelligently kept alive at the far post, cushioning the ball into the path of Welbeck, who made no mistake from close range to complete his brace.

Liverpool pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones both testing Verbruggen, but the Brighton goalkeeper stood firm to preserve his side’s advantage.

The Seagulls also threatened to extend their lead, with Kaoru Mitoma and Hinshelwood creating late opportunities, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Brighton managed the final minutes with composure, despite mounting pressure from Liverpool, and saw out the game to secure all three points in front of their home fans.

The result marks Brighton’s fourth win in five Premier League matches, lifting their hopes of finishing in the European qualification spots.

For Liverpool, the defeat extends their winless run in the league to three matches, dealing a significant setback in their bid to secure a top-four finish. With key fixtures ahead, including domestic and European commitments, Arne Slot’s side will need a swift response to keep their season on track.

The game started at a high tempo, with Shabana showing early attacking intent. Brian Michira had the first sight of goal in the fifth minute but opted to go alone instead of releasing Keith Imbali, sending his effort over the bar. Moments later, Bronson attempted to combine with Imbali down the flank, though the move broke down before it could trouble Gor Mahia.

Gor Mahia gradually settled into the contest, with Bryton Onyona and Samuel Kapen linking up in the eighth minute, but their final delivery failed to penetrate the Shabana defence. Paul Ochuoga came close shortly after following a defensive lapse, but could not get a clean touch to capitalise.

The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Ebenezer Adukwaw glided past multiple defenders with a powerful run before setting up Jackson Dwang, who calmly curled the ball into the net to give K’Ogalo the lead.

Shabana responded almost instantly. Just a minute after the restart, Wycliffe Awiko Omondi struck to level matters at 1-1, restoring parity and setting up a fiercely contested battle.

Gor Mahia continued to press, with Shariff Musa a constant threat in attack. The forward forced a string of saves from Shabana goalkeeper Stephen Ochieng, who produced an outstanding performance, including a superb reflex stop just before halftime to keep his side level.

The second half maintained the same intensity, with both sides pushing for a winner. Omondi and Alpha Onyango were booked early as the tempo rose, while Shabana created opportunities through Michira and Imbali. However, Gor Mahia goalkeeper Gad Mathews remained alert, producing a crucial save in the 71st minute to deny Michira from a dangerous free kick.

Gor Mahia turned to their bench for inspiration, introducing Ghanaian forward Ebenezer Assifuah to inject fresh energy into the attack.

The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when captain Alpha Onyango rose highest to meet a well-delivered corner from Jackson Dwang, guiding his header into the far corner to restore Gor Mahia’s lead.

Shabana pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but Gor Mahia managed the closing stages with composure despite a few nervy moments and late bookings. Tactical substitutions in the final minutes helped the league leaders see out the result.

The victory moves Gor Mahia to 56 points, extending their advantage at the top of the FKF Premier League to ten points. The result also spoiled the debut of Shabana interim coach Andrew Mark Ongwae, as K’Ogalo maintained their dominance with another crucial win.

The Yellow Submarine needed only 23 minutes to put the match firmly in their control, with Gerard Moreno, Georges Mikautadze and Nicolas Pepe all finding the net in a blistering opening spell.

It took Villarreal just seven minutes to break the deadlock. From a corner, Santi Comesana provided the assist and Moreno was perfectly placed to head home from close range for 1-0.

The home side kept pressing and were rewarded again in the 15th minute. Moreno forced Alex Remiro into a save, but Mikautadze reacted quickest to the rebound and converted from very close range to double Villarreal’s advantage.

Real Sociedad were struggling to contain Villarreal’s sharp movement and direct attacking play, and the third goal soon followed. In the 23rd minute, Mikautadze turned provider after a fast break, slipping the ball into the path of Pepe, who calmly finished into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

That rapid-fire start left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Real Sociedad did create a few openings before the break, with Mikel Oyarzabal and Goncalo Guedes both testing Luiz Junior, but Villarreal looked the more dangerous side throughout the first half. Pepe nearly added a fourth before the interval when he struck the crossbar after another flowing move.

The visitors tried to respond after the restart and found a goal just two minutes into the second half. Luka Sucic, introduced at half-time, reduced the deficit with a left-footed finish from the right side of the box after a corner to give Real Sociedad a glimmer of hope.

For a brief spell, the away side pushed for another goal and looked more aggressive in possession, but Villarreal managed the game with control and maturity. Luiz Junior remained alert when called upon, while Remiro had to make several important saves at the other end to keep the scoreline respectable.

Mikautadze came close to adding to his tally in the second half, while Pape Gueye and Pepe also threatened as Villarreal continued to create openings on the counter.

Real Sociedad’s late pressure did not produce the comeback they wanted, with Sucic and Arsen Zakharyan both missing chances in the closing stages. Villarreal, meanwhile, stayed organised and saw out the contest comfortably to collect all three points.

It was a result built on an explosive opening quarter and clinical finishing, with Moreno and Mikautadze leading the charge and Pepe capping a fine attacking display.

For Villarreal, this was an important and convincing victory against one of their direct LaLiga rivals. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, were left to rue a dreadful first half that ultimately decided the outcome.

After a quiet opening 45 minutes, the match exploded into life after the break, delivering drama, controversy, and late tension as both sides shared the spoils.

The first half offered little in terms of clear-cut chances, with Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic producing the standout moment when he denied Bruno Fernandes from close range. United controlled large spells but failed to convert their dominance into goals, heading into the interval locked at 0-0.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 61st minute following a lively duel between Matheus Cunha and Alex Jimenez. The United forward won a penalty after being brought down in the box, and Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending Petrovic the wrong way to give the visitors the lead.

However, the advantage lasted only minutes. United were left frustrated after appeals for another penalty were waved away when Amad Diallo went down in the area. Bournemouth capitalised instantly, launching a swift counter-attack that ended with Ryan Christie firing into the bottom corner to level the score at 1-1 after a lengthy VAR check.

The momentum continued to swing as United regained the lead in the 71st minute. Fernandes’ dangerous corner caused chaos in the Bournemouth box, with Marcos Senesi’s attempted clearance flicking the ball towards the back post, where James Hill inadvertently turned it into his own net.

But the drama was far from over.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Bournemouth were handed a golden opportunity to respond once again. Evanilson showed brilliant control inside the box to get past Harry Maguire, who brought him down as the last man. The referee pointed to the spot and issued a red card to the United defender.

Teenage forward Junior Kroupi stepped up under pressure and converted the penalty with confidence, firing into the bottom corner to make it 2-2 and cap a remarkable comeback.

Despite late pressure from both sides, neither team could find a winner in a frantic closing period that saw Bournemouth push forward while United defended deep with 10 men.

The result sees Bournemouth continue their strong run, climbing into mid-table while extending their unbeaten streak. Manchester United remain in third place, maintaining a cushion in the race for Champions League qualification.

Bournemouth will now turn their attention to a tough trip to face league leaders Arsenal, while United prepare to host rivals Leeds United in their next outing.

At the Allianz Arena, Bayern completed one of the most one-sided ties of the round by thrashing Atalanta 4-1 on the night to seal a crushing 10-2 aggregate victory. Vincent Kompany’s side had already all but finished the job with a 6-1 first-leg win in Bergamo, but they showed no interest in easing off in front of their home fans.

Harry Kane set the tone for the German champions, converting a retaken penalty in the 25th minute after Marco Sportiello had initially saved from the spot only to be judged off his line. Kane then doubled Bayern’s lead in superb fashion early in the second half, turning sharply before blasting into the top corner.

The floodgates opened from there. Lennart Karl, one of Bayern’s brightest young performers on the night, added the third just two minutes later after a slick attacking move, before Luis Diaz raced through to chip Sportiello and bring up Bayern’s 10th goal across the two legs.

Atalanta did at least find a late consolation through Lazar Samardzic, whose close-range header cut the deficit to 4-1 on the night, but it did little to change the overall picture. Bayern dominated the tie from start to finish and now head into the quarter-finals looking every inch genuine contenders for the crown.

Over at Anfield, Liverpool produced a stirring comeback to overturn a first-leg deficit and beat Galatasaray 4-0, advancing 4-1 on aggregate after a commanding display in front of a charged home crowd.

Arne Slot’s men came into the match needing a response and they delivered one with conviction. Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 25th minute after meeting Alexis Mac Allister’s clever corner routine, bringing Liverpool level in the tie.

The Reds could have gone ahead before the break, but Mohamed Salah saw his penalty saved by Ugurcan Cakir, who kept Galatasaray in the contest with a string of impressive stops. Yet the Turkish side could only hold on for so long as Liverpool’s relentless pressure eventually told in the second half.

Hugo Ekitike gave the hosts the aggregate lead in the 51st minute after Salah turned provider with a low ball across the face of goal. Ryan Gravenberch then reacted quickest to a rebound two minutes later to make it 3-0 on the night and leave Galatasaray chasing shadows.

Salah finally got his reward just after the hour mark, curling in brilliantly from the edge of the area to score his 50th Champions League goal. The strike underlined Liverpool’s total control and capped off a huge European turnaround that sent them into the last eight, where Paris Saint-Germain now await.

In North London, Tottenham Hotspur bowed out despite beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 on the night, with Diego Simeone’s side progressing 7-5 on aggregate after making full use of their dominant first-leg advantage.

Spurs needed something close to a miracle after their heavy defeat in Madrid, but to their credit they played with more purpose and courage this time. Randal Kolo Muani gave the hosts hope in the 30th minute when he rose to meet Mathys Tel’s inviting cross and powered a header home.

That hope was quickly dented after the break when Julian Alvarez restored parity on the night with a superb finish on the counterattack, pushing Atletico further clear overall. But Tottenham refused to fold and responded almost immediately through Xavi Simons, whose excellent strike from range made it 2-1 on the night.

The tie was effectively killed in the 75th minute when David Hancko rose to convert Alvarez’s whipped corner, stretching Atletico’s aggregate lead to 7-4. Simons grabbed a late penalty to make it 3-2 in stoppage time after Jose Gimenez brought him down, but it was too little, too late for Igor Tudor’s men.

While Spurs can take encouragement from a far improved display, Atletico’s maturity and first-leg ruthlessness proved decisive. Simeone’s side now move into the quarter-finals, where an eye-catching showdown with Barcelona awaits.

It was, in the end, a night that summed up the brutal nature of Champions League knockout football. Bayern were relentless, Liverpool were irresistible, and Atletico were clinical enough when it mattered most. The quarter-final line-up is beginning to take shape, and after these performances, the road to the final is only getting more intense.

What had started as a tense and wildly entertaining contest turned into a one-sided demolition after the break, with Hansi Flick's side overwhelming the Premier League visitors through quality, movement and ruthless finishing.

The tie had been finely balanced after the first leg ended 1-1 at St James' Park, but Barcelona took the lead early in Catalonia when Raphinha struck in the sixth minute. Lamine Yamal twisted away from his marker and the ball eventually found Fermin Lopez, who slipped a pass through for Raphinha to calmly slot beyond Aaron Ramsdale after Lewis Hall lost his footing at a crucial moment.

Newcastle, however, responded with real courage. Anthony Elanga pulled the visitors level in the 15th minute after a superb pass from Hall split the Barcelona defence and allowed the winger to clip a composed finish past Joan Garcia.

That comeback was short-lived as Barcelona restored their lead just three minutes later. A set-piece caused chaos in the Newcastle box, Gerard Martin cushioned a header into the path of Marc Bernal, and the midfielder made no mistake from close range to put the hosts back in front.

Still, Newcastle refused to go away. Eddie Howe's side found another equaliser in the 28th minute when Harvey Barnes drove forward and delivered a dangerous low cross across the six-yard box for Elanga to tap home at the back post and make it 2-2 on the night.

For a while, Newcastle looked capable of causing a real shock, but the decisive moment came deep into first-half stoppage time. Raphinha was judged to have been pulled back by Kieran Trippier inside the area after a VAR review, and Yamal stepped up to bury the penalty and give Barcelona a 3-2 lead on the night and 4-3 on aggregate heading into the break.

If the first half had been breathless, the second belonged entirely to Barcelona.

Just six minutes after the restart, the Spanish giants sliced Newcastle open with a superb move. Raphinha's clever clipped pass released Fermin Lopez through on goal, and the midfielder kept his cool to slide a low finish beyond Ramsdale for 4-2.

That goal visibly knocked the energy out of Newcastle, and Barcelona took full advantage.

Robert Lewandowski then took centre stage with a ruthless quickfire brace. First, in the 56th minute, he rose highest to meet Raphinha's corner and powered a header into the bottom corner. Five minutes later, Yamal danced away from pressure and picked out the veteran striker, who showed all his experience to dummy his first effort before guiding a classy finish into the bottom-left corner.

At 6-2 on the night, the contest was already over, but Barcelona were not finished.

Raphinha capped a magnificent individual display in the 72nd minute when he pounced on a dreadful Newcastle pass around the edge of the area and calmly slotted in his second goal of the evening to complete the rout.

The Brazilian forward was sensational throughout, finishing with two goals and two assists in one of the standout performances of the Champions League knockout stage so far. Yamal also tormented Newcastle with his creativity and confidence, while Lewandowski once again showed his killer instinct in front of goal.

For Newcastle, there were moments of promise, especially in the first half when Elanga's pace and movement exposed Barcelona's high line. Barnes and Hall also had bright spells, but once Barcelona stepped up the tempo after the break, the Magpies had no answer.

It was a bruising end to Newcastle's European adventure, and a result that will sting deeply after they had twice fought their way level in such an intimidating stadium. Conceding seven goals in a Champions League knockout match marked a night they will want to forget quickly.

Barcelona, on the other hand, looked every bit like serious contenders for the trophy. Their attacking football was electric, their movement too much for Newcastle to handle, and their second-half control underlined why they remain one of the most dangerous sides left in the competition.

The Catalan giants now move into the quarter-finals where either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham await. On this evidence, Barcelona will take some stopping.

The controversy stems from the AFCON final played in Rabat on January 18, 2026. Senegal had originally beaten Morocco 1-0 after extra time thanks to a Pape Gueye goal, but the match descended into chaos late in normal time after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Senegal's players left the pitch in protest and only returned after a delay of around 14 to 15 minutes. Brahim Diaz then missed the penalty before Senegal went on to win the match in extra time.

CAF's Appeal Board found that Senegal's actions fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, which provide that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of the match without the referee's authorisation can be deemed to have lost the game. On that basis, CAF upheld Morocco's appeal and formally declared Senegal to have forfeited the final.

That decision means Morocco are now recognised as AFCON champions, with Reuters and AP both reporting it as the country's second continental title and first since 1976. It is a stunning reversal nearly two months after Senegal's victory had been celebrated across the continent.

The ruling did not stop at the match result. CAF also revised several disciplinary sanctions linked to the chaotic final. Reuters reported that a $100,000 fine on Morocco striker Ismael Saibari was cancelled and his suspension was reduced from three matches to one, while a separate $100,000 fine on Morocco over interference in the VAR process was upheld. Using the Central Bank of Kenya's indicative rate of about KSh129.52 to one US dollar on March 17, 2026, that confirmed fine is worth roughly KSh12.95 million.

Senegal, however, are not taking the verdict quietly. Their football federation said the ruling was legally baseless and indicated that the matter will now be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. AP also reported strong criticism in Senegal, where the verdict has triggered anger and disbelief after the team believed it had secured a second AFCON title in five years.

There has also been a defiant reaction from within the Senegal camp. Reports say some Senegal players posted photos of themselves with the trophy after the verdict, underlining the sense that, in their eyes, the title was won on the field and should not be erased by a ruling made weeks later.

For Morocco, the decision closes a bitter chapter from a final that had originally ended in heartbreak. For Senegal, it opens a fresh legal and political battle that could yet continue for weeks if the case reaches CAS. Either way, CAF's intervention has created a landmark moment in African football, one that will be debated for a long time because of both its legal basis and its wider implications for how major finals are decided after the final whistle.

Already trailing 5-2 from the first leg in Paris, the Blues needed a fast and near-perfect start in west London to keep their fading hopes alive. Instead, PSG struck early, controlled the contest and exposed Chelsea's defensive weaknesses all over again in a brutal European lesson.

The holders wasted no time in tightening their grip on the tie. Just six minutes into the match, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia punished Chelsea's shaky defending after Mamadou Sarr failed to deal with a long ball forward. The Georgian forward raced through and calmly slotted past Robert Sanchez to make it 1-0 on the night and extend PSG's aggregate lead even further.

Any hope of a Chelsea response was dealt another heavy blow eight minutes later.

PSG sliced through the hosts with ease as Warren Zaire-Emery drove forward and linked up with Achraf Hakimi, who played Bradley Barcola into space. The winger produced a superb finish, lifting the ball into the top corner for 2-0 on the night and 7-2 on aggregate.

At that point, the contest was effectively over.

Chelsea tried to respond and did create chances, but their finishing and composure deserted them. Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto all had moments where they might have reduced the deficit, yet PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov stood firm whenever he was called upon.

By half-time, the mood inside Stamford Bridge had already turned sour. Boos rang around the stadium as Chelsea walked off 2-0 down on the night and five goals behind overall, with many supporters already fearing a long and painful second half.

To their credit, the Blues showed a bit more intent after the restart. Neto caused occasional problems down the right, Joao Pedro went close, and substitute Liam Delap nearly made an instant impact after coming on. Alejandro Garnacho also offered some energy in the closing stages, but Chelsea could not find the breakthrough their effort deserved.

Instead, PSG delivered another sucker punch in the 62nd minute.

Kvaratskhelia broke into space down the left and cut the ball back into the danger area. Hakimi's attempted effort did not connect cleanly, but the loose ball fell kindly for substitute Senny Mayulu, who kept his composure and curled a left-footed finish into the far corner to make it 3-0.

That goal took the aggregate score to 8-2 and turned Chelsea's exit into one of the heaviest European defeats in the club's history.

The result underlined the gulf between the two sides across the tie. PSG were clinical, composed and dangerous whenever they went forward, while Chelsea were open, uncertain and repeatedly punished for poor defending and lack of leadership at key moments.

Kvaratskhelia was outstanding, scoring once and tormenting Chelsea's back line throughout the evening. Barcola was sharp and decisive, while Vitinha controlled the tempo in midfield with intelligence and calm authority. Safonov also played a major role, producing several saves to ensure PSG kept a clean sheet despite Chelsea generating a number of openings.

The night got even worse for Chelsea late on when Trevoh Chalobah suffered an injury that forced him off on a stretcher, leaving the home side to finish the match with 10 men after all substitutions had already been used. It summed up an evening where almost everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

For Chelsea, this was a sobering reality check. Their European journey ended not with a valiant fightback, but with a heavy defeat on their own ground and serious questions over their defensive organisation, mentality and ability to compete with the continent's elite.

For PSG, it was another statement performance from the reigning champions. They never allowed the tie to become complicated, managed the occasion expertly and now move into the quarter-finals full of confidence. They will next face either Liverpool or Galatasaray as they continue their defence of the European crown.

Chelsea now have to pick themselves up quickly and turn their attention back to domestic matters, but there will be no escaping the scale of this disappointment. An 8-2 aggregate defeat at this stage of the competition will sting for a long time at Stamford Bridge.

Los Blancos arrived in Manchester with a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg and never truly looked in danger of letting it slip, even in a chaotic contest that saw City reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Pep Guardiola's men actually started with intensity and urgency, knowing they needed something special to revive the tie. City pinned Madrid back in the opening stages and created early chances through Rayan Cherki and Rodri, but Thibaut Courtois stood firm in goal for the visitors.

Real Madrid, however, weathered that early pressure and delivered the decisive blow midway through the first half.

The turning point came in the 20th minute when Bernardo Silva handled Vinicius Junior's goalbound effort on the line. After a VAR review, the referee awarded Real Madrid a penalty and sent the City captain off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Vinicius stepped up and calmly sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to put Real Madrid 1-0 ahead on the night and 4-0 up on aggregate, leaving Manchester City with an almost impossible mountain to climb.

That goal looked to have ended the contest, but City did show some fight before the break. Jeremy Doku caused problems down the left flank and his dangerous low delivery in the 41st minute eventually fell to Erling Haaland, who bundled the ball over the line to make it 1-1 on the night.

The goal gave the home side brief hope, but with a man down and still needing three more goals just to force extra time, the task remained enormous.

Real Madrid controlled the tie better after the restart, although City continued to push forward with bravery and determination. Doku remained their brightest attacking outlet, repeatedly testing Madrid's defence with his dribbling and direct running, while Haaland also forced a sharp save from Andriy Lunin after the Ukrainian replaced Courtois at half-time.

Despite City's efforts, Madrid always looked the more dangerous side in transition. Vinicius was a constant threat, Brahim Diaz linked play well, and Aurelien Tchouameni went close with a header that forced a fine save from Donnarumma.

Kylian Mbappe was later introduced from the bench as Real Madrid added fresh energy for the closing stages, but the final decisive moment again belonged to Vinicius.

Deep into stoppage time, Tchouameni surged forward and delivered an excellent cross into the box, where Vinicius arrived to steer home from close range and seal a 2-1 win on the night. The Brazilian had earlier seen another effort ruled out for offside, but there was no denying him this time as he wrapped up a complete and ruthless Madrid performance.

For Manchester City, it was another painful European exit at the hands of the Spanish giants. Despite registering 22 shots and an xG of 1.91, they were made to pay for missed chances, poor discipline and the costly red card that changed the game.

Haaland's goal offered City a flicker of resistance, while Doku was outstanding in patches, but the damage from the first leg and the numerical disadvantage in the second proved too much to overcome.

For Carlo Ancelotti's side, or in this case Alvaro Arbeloa's matchday team leadership, it was another statement performance on the European stage. Real Madrid have built a fearsome reputation in this competition, and once again they showed why they remain one of the teams to fear as the tournament enters its decisive phase.

Manchester City now turn their attention back to domestic matters, with serious questions again likely to be asked about their inability to overcome Madrid in Europe. For Real Madrid, the march continues, and after another commanding knockout display, belief will only continue to grow.

With the tie delicately poised after a 1-1 draw in Germany, Mikel Arteta's side delivered a composed and clinical performance at the Emirates Stadium to keep their European dream alive. Arsenal now advance to the final eight where they will face Sporting CP, who completed a dramatic comeback against Bodo/Glimt earlier in the night.

The Gunners had to work for the result against a disciplined Leverkusen side, but when the key moments arrived, Arsenal found the quality that separated the two teams.

The hosts began brightly and steadily built pressure, forcing Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich into a string of important saves in the opening half. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice all tested the visitors as Arsenal pushed for the breakthrough in front of a lively home crowd.

Leverkusen had spells of neat possession and looked organised defensively, but they struggled to create clear openings in the final third as Arsenal remained compact and alert.

The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute, and it was a goal worthy of the occasion.

Trossard slipped a pass into Eze just outside the box, and the attacker produced a moment of brilliance. With one sharp movement, Eze controlled, turned and unleashed a fierce right-footed strike high into the top-left corner, leaving Blaswich with no chance. It was a stunning finish and Eze's first Champions League goal, one that instantly lifted the Emirates and gave Arsenal control of the tie.

That goal was the reward for Arsenal's dominance in the first half, where they registered more shots, more attacking momentum and far greater composure than the Bundesliga side.

Leverkusen tried to respond after the break, but Arsenal continued to manage the contest well. David Raya remained largely untroubled for long stretches, while William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and the rest of the back line dealt calmly with the visitors' limited attacking threat.

Arsenal then found the second goal in the 63rd minute, and once again it came through individual quality.

Leverkusen failed to clear their lines from a dangerous situation, and Rice reacted quickest on the edge of the area. The midfielder strode onto the loose ball and bent a superb low finish inside the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. It was another excellent strike and a goal that effectively ended Leverkusen's hopes of a comeback.

Rice's all-round display underlined his growing importance to Arsenal on the biggest stage. He was authoritative in midfield, broke up play, drove the team forward and capped his performance with a goal of real class.

Eze, meanwhile, was electric whenever he found space between the lines. His movement and confidence gave Leverkusen problems throughout the evening before he was withdrawn to warm applause late in the second half.

Leverkusen kept searching for a way back into the tie but lacked the cutting edge needed to trouble Arsenal seriously. Their best late chance was kept out by an excellent Raya save, as the Arsenal goalkeeper once again showed his sharp reflexes when called upon.

There was even a brief moment of celebration for Kai Havertz when the substitute thought he had added a third, only for the effort to be ruled out. By then, however, Arsenal were already cruising toward the quarter-finals.

The statistics reflected the control Arteta's side had over the contest. Arsenal created the better openings and outperformed Leverkusen in decisive attacking moments.

The result continues Arsenal's strong unbeaten run and keeps alive hopes of a memorable season in both domestic and European competition. With a Carabao Cup final also on the horizon, confidence will be high in North London.

For Leverkusen, this was a frustrating end to their Champions League campaign. They arrived in England still firmly in the tie, but they were unable to match Arsenal's sharpness in the decisive moments and ultimately bowed out with little complaint.

Arsenal, though, will believe bigger nights may yet lie ahead. With Eze and Rice producing magic under the lights and the team showing growing maturity in Europe, the Gunners head into the quarter-finals with real momentum.

The Portuguese side had gone into the second leg facing a daunting task after losing the first meeting 3-0, but they produced a powerful response in front of their home fans to complete a famous 5-3 aggregate comeback.

Sporting came flying out of the blocks and immediately pinned Bodo/Glimt deep inside their own half. Trincao, Pote and Luis Suarez all threatened early as the hosts attacked with urgency, knowing they needed a fast start to revive the tie.

Their pressure was eventually rewarded in the 34th minute when Goncalo Inacio rose highest to meet Trincao's corner and powered a header into the top corner to make it 1-0 on the night.

That goal lifted the stadium and gave Sporting fresh belief, although Bodo/Glimt nearly hit back before the break when Odin Bjortuft crashed a header against the crossbar in a huge let-off for the hosts.

Sporting maintained their dominance after half-time and continued to push for the goals needed to get back into the contest. Their second arrived in the 61st minute when Luis Suarez burst down the right and squared for Pote, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to cut the aggregate deficit to just one goal.

With Bodo/Glimt struggling to contain the relentless pressure, Sporting kept coming. The turning point came in the 78th minute when the referee awarded the hosts a penalty after a VAR review for handball by Fredrik Bjorkan. Suarez stepped up and buried the spot-kick into the bottom corner to level the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.

That strike completed the comeback in normal time, but Sporting were not done yet.

Just two minutes into extra time, Maxi Araujo sent Estadio Jose Alvalade into wild celebrations when he collected a pass from Trincao and fired a fine left-footed finish into the bottom corner to give Sporting the lead in the tie for the first time.

Bodo/Glimt, who had arrived in Lisbon dreaming of a historic quarter-final place, looked stunned as the match slipped away from them. They still had one big chance to force penalties late on, but Rui Silva produced an important save to deny Andreas Helmersen and preserve Sporting's advantage.

The final word belonged to substitute Rafael Nel in stoppage time of extra time. After Daniel Braganca won possession high up the pitch, he slipped the ball to Nel, who kept his composure and rifled his finish into the roof of the net on his Champions League debut to seal a remarkable 5-0 victory on the night.

It was a result Sporting thoroughly deserved. Rui Borges' side finished with 38 shots, 14 on target and an xG of 3.35, underlining just how dominant they were across the second leg. In contrast, Bodo/Glimt managed only nine shots and an xG of 0.54 as their impressive European run came to an end.

Trincao was at the heart of everything good Sporting produced, registering two assists and constantly stretching the Norwegian side, while Suarez also played a decisive role with a goal and an assist. Inacio, Pote, Araujo and Nel all stepped up on a famous night in Lisbon.

For Bodo/Glimt, this was a painful end to what had still been a memorable campaign. The Norwegian side had taken a commanding lead into the second leg and were on the brink of history, but they could not withstand Sporting's intensity, quality and belief.

Sporting now march on to the quarter-finals brimming with confidence after one of the great comeback performances of this season's Champions League. They will face either Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen in the next round, but after a night like this, few teams will relish meeting them.

The meeting brought together league stakeholders to discuss the unique challenges facing women’s football in Kenya, with a focus on creating practical and sustainable solutions.

FKF leadership engaged club representatives in detailed discussions aimed at identifying structural gaps, financial constraints and operational hurdles that continue to limit the full potential of the women’s game.

The federation noted that collaboration between FKF and clubs will be central to unlocking growth, with both sides agreeing on the need for a unified approach moving forward.

Among the key areas discussed were funding models, player welfare, league organisation and visibility of the women’s game across the country.

FKF emphasised that it will maintain continuous engagement with clubs to ensure that policies and initiatives are aligned with the realities on the ground.

The federation also pointed to existing structures such as the FKF Women’s Desk and the FKF Women’s Committee as key pillars in driving reforms and supporting the development of the sport.

These bodies are expected to play a central role in implementing strategies that promote competitiveness, professionalism and sustainability within the women’s league.

FKF acknowledged that women’s football in Kenya holds significant untapped potential, noting that deliberate and consistent action will be required to translate that promise into tangible progress.

The federation added that its long-term objective is to create a thriving ecosystem where players, clubs and stakeholders can operate in a stable and supportive environment.

The engagement marks another step in FKF’s broader strategy to elevate women’s football and position it as a key pillar of the sport’s growth in Kenya.

The sanctions relate to player transfers carried out between 2011 and 2018, during the period when the club was owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The payments were linked to a number of high-profile deals involving players such as Eden Hazard, David Luiz, Samuel Eto’o, Nemanja Matic, Ramires, Andre Schurrle and Willian.

Chelsea’s current owners, the BlueCo consortium, discovered the irregularities during due diligence when they purchased the club in 2022. The findings were voluntarily disclosed to the Premier League, the Football Association and UEFA as part of the ownership transition.

According to the Premier League settlement agreement, a total of £47.5 million (about KSh 8 billion) was paid to more than a dozen entities that were deemed to have breached the regulations governing football intermediaries at the time.

Of that amount, approximately £23 million (about KSh 3.9 billion) went to seven unregistered intermediaries connected to the transfers of several prominent Chelsea players.

The league noted that the payments might never have come to light if Chelsea’s new ownership had not reported them.

As part of the disciplinary action, the Premier League imposed a two-year suspended transfer ban on Chelsea. The punishment will only be activated if the club commits similar rule breaches within that period.

In addition, the club has received a nine-month suspension on registering academy players who previously belonged to another Premier League or English Football League academy.

The academy restriction does not affect players already within Chelsea’s system or youth recruits arriving from overseas. However, it could temporarily weaken Chelsea’s ability to attract young domestic talent, potentially benefiting rival academies across England.

Despite the sanctions, Chelsea’s first-team recruitment plans for the upcoming summer transfer window will remain unaffected.

Head coach Liam Rosenior is still expected to reshape the squad during the off-season as the club continues its rebuilding project under the BlueCo ownership.

The investigation also confirmed that the breaches do not affect Chelsea’s standing under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Independent accountants concluded that the undisclosed payments did not constitute violations of financial sustainability regulations, meaning the club faces no additional penalties related to spending limits.

Chelsea responded to the decision by stating they were satisfied with the outcome of the settlement.

The club said it had “voluntarily and proactively disclosed” the historical issues once they were discovered during the 2022 takeover process.

UEFA had already punished the club in 2023 with a €10 million fine (about KSh 1.4 billion) for related self-reported financial irregularities covering transactions between 2012 and 2019.

Meanwhile, the Football Association continues to run a separate investigation into the same matter, meaning further disciplinary action cannot be ruled out.

For now, Chelsea have avoided immediate sporting sanctions on their first team, but the record financial penalty and academy restrictions serve as a warning over historic governance failures during the club’s previous ownership era.

The World Cup is scheduled to be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Iran due to play group matches against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and June 21 respectively, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

However, the political and security situation surrounding the country has now cast a huge shadow over those plans.

Speaking in an interview with IRIB Sports Network, Donyamali made it clear that the current climate does not allow the national team to travel for the competition.

He said Iran could not participate after what he described as the assassination of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and argued that the players would not be safe.

The minister also pointed to the wider conflict that has affected the country in recent months, saying Iran had endured repeated wars and heavy loss of life, leaving no realistic possibility of taking part in the World Cup.

His remarks came shortly after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said United States President Donald Trump had assured him that Iran would be welcome to compete at the tournament.

Infantino revealed that he had discussed preparations for the World Cup with Trump and had also spoken about the situation involving Iran, stressing that football should serve as a force to unite people during difficult times.

Despite those comments from FIFA, uncertainty remains inside Iranian football itself.

Mehdi Taj, the head of Iran's Football Federation, had already raised concerns over the team's potential participation after six members of Iran's women's national team were granted humanitarian visas by Australia due to safety fears.

That episode appears to have deepened concerns within the federation about whether travelling to the United States for the World Cup would be feasible or safe.

Taj suggested that if the outlook around the tournament remained similar, then it would be difficult for any sensible person to approve sending the team to America.

If Iran eventually pulls out, FIFA would have the authority to select a replacement nation, although the process would not necessarily be straightforward.

Speculation has already pointed to the possibility of another Asian side stepping in, with Iraq and the United Arab Emirates among the names mentioned. However, FIFA rules do not require the replacement to come from the same confederation.

Even so, it may still be too early to conclude that Iran will definitely miss the tournament.

The final decision is expected to rest with the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran rather than the sports ministry alone, meaning Donyamali's remarks, while significant, may not be the final word.

History also shows the issue could carry major consequences. Iran previously refused to play Kuwait during qualification for the 1982 World Cup, a move that ended their hopes of reaching that tournament and later led to a FIFA ban from the 1986 edition.

For now, FIFA is likely to wait before making any firm move, especially with qualifying play-off matches still to be completed and the wider political situation continuing to evolve.

As things stand, Iran's World Cup future remains uncertain, and what should have been a football conversation is increasingly being shaped by conflict, diplomacy and security fears.

The Norwegian side once again showed why they have become one of the stories of this season's competition, turning in an energetic, disciplined and clinical display to leave the Portuguese giants with a huge task in the return leg.

From the opening exchanges, Bodo/Glimt looked the sharper side. They played with confidence, pressed aggressively and moved the ball with purpose, unsettling Sporting and forcing the visitors into mistakes across the pitch.

Their first big chance arrived when Hakon Evjen was sent through on goal, but Rui Silva came to Sporting's rescue with an important save. The visitors briefly threatened on the counter through Luis Guilherme, yet that only served to underline how open the game had become.

Bodo/Glimt's pressure eventually told in the 30th minute when Sondre Fet was bundled over inside the box by Georgios Vagiannidis. After a VAR check confirmed the decision, Fet stepped up and calmly sent Silva the wrong way from the penalty spot to give the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.

That goal lifted the home crowd even further and Bodo/Glimt kept pushing with the same intensity. Sporting struggled to cope with the movement and counter-pressing of the Norwegian champions, who repeatedly found space in wide areas and between the lines.

Their dominance was rewarded again deep into first-half stoppage time. Jens Petter Hauge slipped a pass into the area and, after a kind deflection, the ball ran through to Ole Blomberg. With time and space in front of him, Blomberg stayed composed and placed a cool finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 just before the break.

It was a major blow to Sporting, who had seen more of the ball in spells but offered very little threat in the final third. At half-time, Bodo/Glimt's lead fully reflected the balance of play.

The Portuguese side returned with greater urgency after the restart and enjoyed more possession, but clear chances remained hard to come by. Trincao was kept quiet for much of the evening, while Bodo/Glimt's defensive organisation ensured goalkeeper Nikita Haikin was rarely seriously troubled.

Luis Suarez did force Haikin into a save from a tight angle, and Sporting briefly looked more aggressive in midfield, but they lacked the cutting edge needed to haul themselves back into the contest.

Instead, Bodo/Glimt struck again in the 71st minute to put one foot in the quarter-finals. Hauge drove forward brilliantly down the left before firing a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, where Kasper Hogh arrived to finish from close range and make it 3-0.

That third goal drained the belief from Sporting and allowed the hosts to control the closing stages with even greater confidence. Bodo/Glimt almost added a fourth late on, but Ulrik Saltnes chose to square the ball from a tight angle instead of shooting, and the chance went begging.

For Sporting CP, the defeat leaves them facing a severe uphill battle in the second leg at home. They will need a huge response if they are to turn the tie around and avoid a painful European exit.

For Bodo/Glimt, however, this was another statement performance in a season already full of extraordinary moments. The underdogs from Norway now stand on the brink of a historic place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

In a match packed with momentum swings, Chelsea twice fought back to level the score, but Luis Enrique’s side produced a ruthless late surge to leave the Premier League club with a mountain to climb ahead of the second leg in London.

PSG made a bright start and took the lead in the 10th minute through Bradley Barcola. Ousmane Dembele whipped in a dangerous delivery from the right, Joao Neves nodded the ball down intelligently, and Barcola reacted quickest in the middle to fire home from close range with the effort taking a slight deflection on its way in.

The French champions looked dangerous whenever they pushed forward, but Chelsea responded well and gradually found their way into the contest. Their reward came in the 28th minute when Enzo Fernandez picked out Malo Gusto with a lofted pass into the box. Left with too much space, the full-back took a touch and then drove his finish through Matvey Safonov to make it 1-1.

That equaliser gave Chelsea fresh belief, and they continued to carry a threat in transition. However, PSG struck again five minutes before the break with a classic counter-attacking move. After Safonov had denied Cole Palmer at one end, the hosts broke quickly through Desire Doue, who released Dembele. The forward still had plenty to do, but he surged ahead, shifted his body twice and buried a clinical finish into the bottom-left corner to restore PSG’s advantage at 2-1.

Chelsea refused to go away and found another response in the 57th minute. Pedro Neto led a sharp break down the left before sending a precise low cross into the area, where Enzo Fernandez timed his run perfectly to side-foot home and level the game at 2-2.

At that stage, the tie felt delicately balanced and Chelsea had reason to believe they could leave Paris with a valuable draw. Instead, one costly mistake changed everything.

PSG regained the lead in the 74th minute after a poor attempt to play out from the back by Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The loose pass was cut out and the ball eventually broke kindly for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who showed composure to square for Vitinha. The midfielder took one touch and lifted a composed finish over the stranded goalkeeper to make it 3-2.

Chelsea never truly recovered from that blow. Their shape became loose, their decision-making deteriorated and PSG punished them mercilessly in the closing stages.

Kvaratskhelia made it 4-2 in the 86th minute with a moment of pure quality. Collecting the ball in space outside the penalty area, the Georgian winger shifted inside and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew beyond Jorgensen despite the goalkeeper getting a slight touch.

The visitors then completely lost their discipline in stoppage time as tensions flared on the touchline and PSG continued to find space. Deep into added time, Achraf Hakimi surged down the right and delivered a precise low cutback into the middle, where Kvaratskhelia arrived to finish first time and complete a devastating late double.

For all of PSG’s attacking quality, the scoreline was still remarkable given the expected goals told a different story. Chelsea finished with a higher xG of 1.53 compared to PSG’s 0.87, but the French side were vastly more clinical and far more composed in decisive moments.

Luis Enrique will be delighted with the cutting edge shown by his side, especially after what had looked like a fragile defensive display for long periods. Chelsea, on the other hand, will regret the individual errors and lapses in concentration that turned a competitive first leg into a punishing defeat.

The result leaves PSG as firm favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, while Chelsea must now produce something special at Stamford Bridge if they are to rescue their European campaign.

On a night built around elite European pedigree, it was Valverde who stole the spotlight as Los Blancos punished City with ruthless efficiency and left Pep Guardiola's side facing an uphill task ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.

City began the contest with plenty of possession and looked the more enterprising side in the early stages, but Madrid carried the greater threat whenever they broke forward. Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz asked questions of the visitors' back line, while Thibaut Courtois remained alert whenever City pushed into dangerous areas.

The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute and it came from an unlikely route. Courtois launched a long ball forward that Valverde controlled brilliantly before taking it around Nico O'Reilly. With Gianluigi Donnarumma rushing out, the Uruguayan midfielder kept his composure and slid the ball into an empty net from a tight angle to hand Madrid the lead.

That goal transformed the mood inside the Bernabeu and Real Madrid quickly tightened their grip on the match. Seven minutes later, they struck again. Vinicius burst forward down the left and his pass, helped on by a deflection, fell kindly for Valverde, who arrived at speed and hammered a first-time left-footed finish beyond Donnarumma for his second of the evening.

Manchester City were rocked and Madrid smelled blood. The hosts continued to press aggressively and looked sharper in every duel, while City's defence struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Vinicius and Brahim Diaz.

Valverde completed a memorable hat-trick in the 42nd minute with the finest goal of the night. Brahim Diaz clipped a clever pass into his path and the Madrid captain produced a sublime touch to flick the ball over Marc Guehi before finishing calmly into the bottom-left corner. It was a goal of outstanding technique and composure, and it capped a near-perfect first half from the home side.

By half-time, City were shell-shocked. Madrid had scored three times from their four shots on target and fully deserved their commanding lead, having punished the English side for a series of costly defensive mistakes.

Guardiola made changes at the break in an effort to spark a response, and City did improve slightly in the second half. Jeremy Doku provided some energy on the left while Rodri and Bernardo Silva tried to impose themselves more in midfield, but clear openings remained difficult to come by against a disciplined Madrid defence.

City's best chance to claw a goal back came when Nico O'Reilly forced Courtois into an important save, while later in the game the Belgian goalkeeper again stood firm to deny efforts from Omar Marmoush and others as Madrid protected their advantage.

Real Madrid, however, still had opportunities to make the scoreline even more painful. Vinicius was handed the chance to make it 4-0 in the 57th minute after Donnarumma brought him down in the box, but the Brazilian failed to convert from the spot as the City goalkeeper redeemed himself with a strong save.

Even with that missed penalty, Madrid remained fully in control. Carlo Ancelotti's side managed the game with authority, defended with discipline and kept City talisman Erling Haaland largely anonymous. The Norwegian striker managed only limited involvement before being withdrawn late on after another frustrating evening against Spanish opposition.

The final whistle confirmed a massive result for the 15-time European champions, who now head to Manchester with a three-goal cushion and one foot in the quarter-finals. For City, the scale of the defeat leaves them needing something extraordinary in the second leg if they are to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Madrid may have entered the match with questions over injuries and recent domestic inconsistency, but on the grandest stage they once again looked every bit like Europe's ultimate specialists.

The Gunners entered the match with strong momentum in Europe after finishing top of the league phase, but they were made to work hard by a disciplined Leverkusen side in a tightly contested contest.

The first half produced few clear chances, though Arsenal came agonisingly close to taking the lead midway through the period. Gabriel Martinelli found space inside the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed effort that rattled the crossbar, leaving Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich beaten.

Despite Arsenal controlling much of the possession early on, Leverkusen held their defensive shape well and limited the visitors to only a handful of threatening moments before the break.

The game burst into life immediately after half-time. Within a minute of the restart, Leverkusen stunned Arsenal by taking the lead. Alejandro Grimaldo delivered a dangerous inswinging corner that found Robert Andrich unmarked at the back post, and the midfielder powered a header past David Raya to make it 1-0.

The goal lifted the home crowd and injected confidence into the Bundesliga side, who began to move the ball with greater authority. Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful opportunities and appeared short of their usual attacking sharpness.

Mikel Arteta turned to his bench in search of inspiration, introducing fresh attacking options as the match entered its final stages. The changes eventually paid off as Arsenal began to push Leverkusen deeper into their own half.

Their breakthrough arrived in the 86th minute when substitute Noni Madueke burst into the penalty area and went down under pressure from Malik Tillman. The referee pointed to the spot, giving Arsenal a golden chance to rescue the tie.

Up stepped Havertz, returning to the stadium where he began his professional career. The Germany international kept his composure and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner in the 89th minute, sending Blaswich the wrong way and silencing the BayArena crowd.

Arsenal almost snatched victory in stoppage time when Declan Rice delivered a corner that Gabriel Jesus met at the far post, but Blaswich produced an excellent save to keep the score level.

Despite Arsenal finishing the game with a higher expected goals figure of 1.65 compared to Leverkusen’s 0.88, the Premier League side will know they must be sharper in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

For Leverkusen, the result will feel slightly disappointing after leading for much of the second half, but Kasper Hjulmand’s side can still take positives from a disciplined performance against one of Europe’s strongest teams this season.

The tie now remains finely balanced ahead of next week’s decisive second leg in north London, where a place in the Champions League quarter-finals will be at stake.

The quarter-final matches will be played across the weekend of April 4 and April 5 as the remaining teams battle for a place in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Defending their hopes of another domestic trophy, Manchester City were handed the toughest draw of the round after being paired with Liverpool. The tie promises to be one of the most anticipated clashes of the competition, pitting two of England's most dominant clubs against each other.

City are already facing a demanding schedule in April as they continue their pursuit of silverware across multiple competitions. Pep Guardiola's side could play a Champions League quarter-final around the same period, sandwiched between the FA Cup tie and a crucial Premier League trip to Chelsea before hosting Arsenal in what could be a decisive title encounter.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were given a potentially easier route to the semi-finals after being drawn away to Southampton, who currently sit eighth in the Championship.

The Gunners have already progressed through several lower-league opponents during their FA Cup campaign. They defeated Championship side Portsmouth in the third round before eliminating League One teams Wigan Athletic and Mansfield Town in the following rounds.

A victory over Southampton would send Arsenal to the semi-finals without having faced Premier League opposition in the competition this season.

Chelsea will host League One side Port Vale at Stamford Bridge after the underdogs stunned Premier League side Sunderland in the fifth round.

Port Vale's progress to the quarter-finals has been one of the most remarkable stories of this year's FA Cup. The club, currently struggling near the bottom of the League One table, has reached this stage of the competition for the first time since 1954.

For the Vale supporters, the trip to Stamford Bridge represents a historic moment, with many fans describing the draw as a dream opportunity despite the difficult challenge awaiting them against the Club World Cup champions.

The final quarter-final tie will see West Ham United host Leeds United in another all-English clash as both clubs aim to move one step closer to Wembley.

With the semi-finals scheduled for April 25 and the final set for May 16, the FA Cup continues to deliver high drama as the competition enters its decisive stages.

The delegation is led by FKF vice president McDonald Mariga and includes FKF National Executive Committee member Yusuf Abdallah as well as Harambee Stars team manager and data analyst Nicodemus Kimanthi.

Kenya has a growing pool of footballers born abroad who qualify to play for the country through their Kenyan heritage. However, many of these players have yet to pledge their international futures to Harambee Stars, with some still weighing their options between Kenya and other nations.

FKF believes engaging the players directly will help address their concerns and encourage them to represent the country. The federation is particularly keen to strengthen the national team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host alongside East African neighbours.

The success of many African nations that have integrated diaspora players into their national teams has highlighted the importance of tapping into talent developed in Europe and North America. FKF hopes a similar strategy will help Harambee Stars build a competitive squad capable of performing strongly at AFCON 2027.

Among the players already approached is 19-year-old winger Andre Gitau, who was born in the United States and currently plays for German club FSV Mainz 05 II. Gitau has represented the United States at youth levels including the U16, U17, U18 and U20 teams but has not yet made a senior appearance, leaving him eligible to switch allegiance to Kenya.

The FKF delegation hopes the outreach will convince several eligible players to commit to Harambee Stars in the coming months.

Some of the targeted players could receive their first national team call-ups for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from March 23 to March 31.

The mini-tournament will feature Kenya, Estonia, Grenada and hosts Rwanda and is expected to provide Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy with an opportunity to assess new players as he continues building a squad capable of competing at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

For FKF, securing commitments from diaspora players could significantly boost the depth and quality of the national team as preparations for the continental showpiece intensify.

The hosts took control of the match during an energetic first half, capitalising on their attacking momentum to build a two-goal lead before the break.

Villarreal opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Tajon Buchanan produced a clinical finish from the right side of the box. The Canadian winger was set up by Pape Gueye and fired a precise shot into the top-right corner, giving goalkeeper Matias Dituro little chance.

The Yellow Submarine continued to press forward and doubled their advantage ten minutes later. Defender Santiago Mourino found himself in the right place inside the penalty area and finished confidently into the top corner after a well-worked move involving Santi Comesana.

Elche struggled to cope with Villarreal's attacking intensity during the opening period, although they did create several chances of their own. Alvaro Rodriguez and Rafa Mir both tested Luiz Junior, but the Villarreal goalkeeper remained alert to keep the visitors at bay.

The second half saw Elche push forward in search of a way back into the contest. Luiz Junior was forced into several saves, including a sharp stop to deny Rafa Mir and another crucial intervention against Victor Chust as the visitors increased the pressure.

Villarreal also threatened to extend their lead, with Nicolas Pepe and Gerard Moreno both going close. Pepe forced Dituro into a strong save with a curling effort, while Moreno headed wide from a dangerous cross late in the match.

Elche finally found a breakthrough in the 82nd minute when Andre Silva headed home from close range after Martim Neto delivered a well-placed corner. The goal set up a tense finish as the visitors threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser.

Despite the late pressure, Villarreal held firm during five minutes of stoppage time to secure all three points in front of their home supporters.

The victory strengthens Villarreal's push in the LaLiga standings, while Elche are left to reflect on missed opportunities after their late rally fell short.

The Turkish tactician’s Lebanese club Nejmeh SC confirmed his death in a statement posted on its official social media channels, revealing that Firat collapsed suddenly at Istanbul Airport.

According to the club, the former Kenya national team coach was travelling from Beirut and had just landed in Istanbul on his way to Adana when he suffered the fatal heart attack.

“With great sadness and sorrow, Star Athletic Club mourns first team coach Captain Engin Firat,” Nejmeh SC said in a statement.

The club added that Firat left a strong impression during his short time with the team.

“During the time he spent with the club, the deceased was known for his professional commitment and high ethics, and he left a good impression among the team and the members of the Nejmeh family,” the statement continued.

Firat had only recently taken charge of the Lebanese side, having been appointed head coach on February 9, 2026, meaning he had spent just over a month with the club before his sudden passing.

The experienced coach was well known in Kenya after serving as head coach of Harambee Stars between October 2021 and December 2024.

He took over the national team during a challenging period for Kenyan football and remained in charge until shortly after the election of new Football Kenya Federation leadership led by president Hussein Mohammed.

During his tenure, Firat oversaw approximately 23 matches for Harambee Stars, recording seven wins, seven draws and nine defeats. Several of those victories came in international friendlies as he attempted to rebuild the squad.

One of the highlights of his time with the national team came in March 2024 when Kenya won the Four Nations Tournament held in Malawi. Harambee Stars defeated the hosts Malawi 4-0 before overcoming Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy.

Despite that achievement, Firat was unable to guide Kenya to qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations during his time in charge. His tenure also coincided with a difficult period when the national team was forced to play home matches outside the country due to the lack of FIFA-approved stadiums in Kenya.

Firat was also known for his outspoken personality and occasionally sparked debate with his blunt comments about the state of football in Kenya.

At one point, he caused controversy when he suggested that football was not respected enough in the country.

“Kenya is a country where they don’t know anything about football, so in that sense they don’t respect it enough,” he once remarked during his time as Harambee Stars coach.

At the time of his death, Firat still had three Kenyan players in his squad at Nejmeh SC — Austin Odhiambo, Masoud Juma and Anthony Akumu. Akumu, in particular, had been one of Firat’s most trusted players during his time with the national team.

The three Kenyan players had recently been allowed to return home following rising tensions in the Middle East.

Following Firat’s departure from the Harambee Stars job, reports also emerged that he was owed unpaid salaries by the Football Kenya Federation, although the exact amount was never publicly confirmed.

Firat’s death marks the sudden loss of a coach who had a significant connection with Kenyan football and leaves the football community mourning a familiar figure who once guided the national team through a challenging period.

The decisive moment arrived in the 35th minute when Pervis Estupinan fired Milan ahead with a superb finish, capping a dramatic sequence of play that turned the momentum of the match in less than a minute.

Inter had looked the more threatening side moments earlier and were inches away from taking the lead when Henrikh Mkhitaryan broke through on goal. With Milan’s defence scrambling, the Armenian midfielder attempted a close-range chip, but Mike Maignan produced an instinctive save with his chest to deny what seemed a certain goal.

Milan immediately turned defence into attack and punished their rivals. Youssouf Fofana combined neatly with Rafael Leao before spreading the ball wide to Estupinan on the left. The wing-back surged forward and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that flew into the top corner, giving Yann Sommer no chance and sending the home supporters into celebration.

The goal injected life into what had initially been a cagey contest between the two Serie A heavyweights. Inter enjoyed slightly more possession and tried to dictate the tempo, but Milan remained organised and disciplined at the back.

Christian Pulisic almost doubled the Rossoneri’s advantage shortly after the opener when he danced past defenders inside the penalty area before squaring for Alexis Saelemaekers, whose effort from the penalty spot sailed over the crossbar.

After the break, Inter increased the pressure as they searched for an equaliser. Federico Dimarco and Nicolo Barella combined effectively down the flanks, creating several dangerous moments around the Milan box.

Inter’s best opportunity of the second half fell to Dimarco just after the hour mark. Following a clever move that ended with a cut-back pass to the penalty spot, the wing-back somehow scooped his first-time effort over the crossbar from close range, leaving the travelling fans stunned.

Substitute Denzel Dumfries also came close when he met a cross inside the box, but his effort was blocked, while another promising chance saw Ange-Yoan Bonny head over the bar after a teasing delivery from the right.

Despite Inter’s dominance in chances, Milan held firm with a resilient defensive display led by Maignan and the back line of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic.

The closing minutes brought late drama when Inter thought they had finally equalised from a corner. Dimarco’s delivery caused chaos in the Milan penalty area, and the ball eventually crossed the line. However, referee Daniele Doveri had already blown his whistle during the build-up, ruling out the goal and leaving the Nerazzurri furious.

From there, Milan managed the remaining stoppage time professionally to secure a crucial derby victory.

The win keeps Milan’s hopes alive heading into the final stretch of the Serie A season while boosting their push for a Champions League place next term. It also extends their impressive recent record against Inter, having now gone unbeaten in six consecutive derby matches across all competitions.

For Inter, the defeat ends a long unbeaten run in the league stretching back to November 2025. Despite the setback, they remain firmly in control at the top of the table and will look to respond quickly when they face Atalanta in their next fixture.

Meanwhile, Milan will aim to build on the momentum from this derby triumph when they travel to face Lazio next weekend.

The decisive moment came in the 84th minute when substitute Dennis Mutheni struck the winning goal just a minute after coming off the bench, sending the underdogs into celebration and knocking the competition favourites out of the tournament.

Gor Mahia dominated possession for long spells of the match, but BB Bread showed strong defensive organisation to keep the Kenyan Premier League leaders at bay. Despite controlling much of the play, Gor struggled to create clear scoring opportunities against the determined lower-tier side.

https://x.com/OfficialGMFC/status/2030644815415660822

BB Bread gradually grew in confidence as the match progressed, sensing an opportunity to pull off another upset. Their patience eventually paid off when Mutheni found the breakthrough late in the game, finishing calmly to seal a historic victory.

The win adds another impressive chapter to BB Bread's FKF Cup journey. The side had already eliminated AFC Leopards in the round of 64 last month after holding them to a 2-2 draw before winning on penalties.

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For Gor Mahia, the defeat represents a major disappointment after reaching last season's FKF Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Nairobi United. The early exit means the record Kenyan champions will now shift their full focus to the league title race, where they currently sit at the top of the table.

BB Bread FC, meanwhile, continue to make headlines with back-to-back giant-killings against two of Kenya's biggest clubs. Their reward is a place in the round of 16, with their next opponents set to be confirmed after the remaining round-of-32 fixtures are completed.

In a match that offered very little in terms of rhythm and clear-cut football, it was Lamine Yamal who provided the one flash of true quality, producing a superb second-half finish to hand Hansi Flick's side a priceless three points.

The result ensured Barcelona maintained their four-point cushion over Real Madrid, who had beaten Celta Vigo on Friday, and it also kept their title push firmly on track.

Athletic Club started with more energy and almost forced the breakthrough in the opening minute when Alex Berenguer's low delivery caused panic in the Barcelona box, with Joao Cancelo diverting the ball onto his own crossbar. It was an early warning sign for the visitors, who looked short of sharpness in the opening stages.

The hosts continued to press aggressively and unsettled Barcelona's build-up play, while the visitors struggled to create much in the final third. Ferran Torres had one opportunity from a Yamal delivery, but Unai Simon reacted well to keep the effort out.

For long periods of the first half, the game lacked quality and fluency. Athletic were disciplined without the ball, limiting Barcelona's space, while Flick's men enjoyed possession but did very little with it.

The match remained goalless at the break, and Barcelona needed a change in tempo and invention after producing a flat first-half display.

Flick responded by introducing Pedri at halftime, and the midfielder immediately gave Barcelona more control and composure between the lines. His presence helped the visitors play with greater clarity, while Athletic began to lose some of their earlier intensity.

Even so, the home side still had their moments. Oihan Sancet, introduced at the break for Athletic, came close when he found space in the box, but Joan Garcia was equal to the effort. Another promising opportunity followed when a poor Barcelona pass handed the hosts a dangerous opening, only for the final decision to let them down.

That wastefulness was punished in the 68th minute.

Pedri received the ball in central space and slipped a beautifully weighted pass into the path of Yamal on the right side of the penalty area. The teenager then did the rest, cutting inside onto his left foot and curling a brilliant finish in off the far post and into the top corner.

It was a goal full of class and composure, the kind of moment that can decide title races and tight away games.

Yamal's strike lifted Barcelona and took the sting out of Athletic's momentum. The visitors looked far more comfortable after going ahead, with Pedri, Yamal and Raphinha helping them keep possession and manage the tempo more effectively.

Athletic pushed for a late response, but their final ball and finishing let them down. Alex Berenguer sent one inviting cross through the area with nobody able to apply the finishing touch, while Sancet also tried his luck from distance without success.

Barcelona stayed organised in the closing minutes and saw out the match without allowing Athletic any clear route back into the contest.

It was far from a vintage performance from the Catalan giants, but it was the kind of win that often defines a serious title challenge. In a difficult away fixture, on a night when chances were scarce and the football was often untidy, Barcelona found the decisive moment through one of their brightest stars.

For Athletic Club, it was a frustrating evening. They competed well, pressed hard and had spells where they unsettled the league leaders, but they lacked the cutting edge required to take advantage.

For Barcelona, though, the night belonged to Yamal. When the game needed inspiration, the teenager delivered once again.

Pep Guardiola's side recovered from a slow start to dominate large spells of the contest, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice in the second half to seal a deserved victory for the visitors.

Newcastle began the match brightly and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Harvey Barnes fired the hosts into the lead. Sandro Tonali produced a perfectly weighted through ball that split the Manchester City defence, allowing Barnes to surge into the box before drilling a powerful finish into the top-right corner beyond James Trafford.

The early goal lifted the Magpies and they continued to threaten, forcing City onto the back foot during the opening stages of the match.

Manchester City gradually settled into the game and began to assert their control through possession. Their equaliser arrived in the 39th minute following excellent work from Jeremy Doku.

The Belgian winger skipped past two defenders on the left before delivering a dangerous cross into the Newcastle penalty area. Under pressure, the ball eventually struck Savinho and bounced into the net to level the score at 1-1 before halftime.

City carried that momentum into the second half and quickly took control of the tie.

Just two minutes after the restart, Matheus Nunes burst down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the six-yard area. The ball slipped past several defenders before falling kindly to Omar Marmoush, who calmly finished from close range to give Manchester City a 2-1 lead.

The visitors continued to dominate proceedings and nearly extended their advantage as Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders both went close during a sustained period of pressure.

Newcastle struggled to regain their earlier momentum and were largely restricted to defensive duties as City dictated the tempo of the match.

The decisive moment arrived in the 65th minute when Marmoush produced a moment of individual brilliance to complete his brace. After receiving a pass from Nunes outside the penalty area, the forward took a touch before unleashing a powerful strike into the top-left corner that left Aaron Ramsdale with no chance.

The stunning effort effectively sealed the contest and ensured Manchester City maintained their strong record in the FA Cup.

Newcastle attempted to respond late on, but Eddie Howe's side looked increasingly fatigued and struggled to create clear chances in the closing stages.

Manchester City comfortably managed the remaining minutes to secure progression, continuing their impressive run in the competition as they pursue more silverware this season.

For Newcastle, the defeat marked a fourth loss to Manchester City in all competitions this season, highlighting the difficulty they have faced against Guardiola's side.

City now advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals, while Newcastle must quickly regroup as they prepare for a challenging European clash against Barcelona in their next outing.

While Liverpool did not officially disclose the length of the agreement, multiple reports indicate that the Dutch international has signed a six-year extension that will keep him at Anfield until the end of the 2031-32 season.

Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in September 2023 and has steadily grown into an important player within the squad. Since arriving on Merseyside, the midfielder has made 123 appearances across all competitions and has become one of the most consistent performers in Slot's system.

This season, the 22-year-old has contributed four goals and three assists, while also making a major impact defensively. No Liverpool player has recorded more tackles than Gravenberch's 45 this season, while his 37 interceptions highlight his growing influence in midfield.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website after signing the new deal, the midfielder expressed his excitement at committing his future to the club.

Gravenberch said he felt extremely proud to extend his stay at such a big club and was delighted to remain part of the Liverpool project for many more years.

He also revealed that the trust shown by both the club and manager played a major role in his decision to sign the new contract.

The Dutch international noted that he immediately felt the belief from the club and coaching staff, making the decision to continue his journey at Liverpool an easy one.

Looking ahead, Gravenberch made it clear that his ambitions remain focused on winning more silverware with the Reds.

He explained that in the short term his aim is to help Liverpool finish the current season as strongly as possible, while in the long term he hopes to win many more trophies with the club.

The midfielder also paid tribute to the Liverpool supporters, acknowledging the role they have played in the team's success.

Gravenberch said he is grateful for the fans and believes the team must continue working hard to reward their support with more trophies in the future.

Since joining Liverpool, the midfielder has already enjoyed notable success, helping the club lift the Premier League title and the EFL Cup. The Reds are also still competing strongly this season, having reached the FA Cup quarter-finals and the Champions League round of 16.

The contract extension signals Liverpool's long-term confidence in Gravenberch, who continues to develop into one of the club's most important midfield players.

Despite the difference in league status, Mansfield gave the Premier League leaders a serious test and produced a fearless performance that kept the contest alive until the final whistle.

The Gunners eventually relied on moments of individual brilliance from Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze to seal their passage to the last eight.

Mikel Arteta’s side started on the front foot and created early chances through Max Dowman and Leandro Trossard, but Mansfield responded with impressive attacking intent of their own. The hosts came close when Louis Reed and Rhys Oates both tested Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Tyler Roberts narrowly missed the target with an ambitious effort.

Arsenal continued to push forward and nearly opened the scoring when Madueke’s corner struck the crossbar. Dowman also came close from close range, but Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts produced an excellent save to keep the game level.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 41st minute and it was worth the wait. Gabriel Martinelli held the ball well on the left flank before laying it off to Madueke, who unleashed a superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner.

It was a goal of real quality and gave Arsenal a narrow lead heading into halftime.

Mansfield refused to back down after the break and their persistence was rewarded just five minutes into the second half. A defensive mix-up from Arsenal proved costly as substitute Will Evans intercepted a loose back pass from Marli Salmon. The forward raced clear, rounded Cristhian Mosquera and calmly slotted the ball past Arrizabalaga to level the score at 1-1.

The goal ignited the atmosphere inside One Call Stadium and suddenly Arsenal were facing a real cup fight.

Arteta responded by turning to his bench, introducing Eze and Jurriën Timber in search of fresh attacking inspiration.

That decision proved decisive in the 66th minute.

Christian Norgaard found Eze just outside the Mansfield penalty area and the midfielder wasted no time, unleashing a thunderous strike that rocketed into the top corner. It was a stunning finish that restored Arsenal’s lead and ultimately settled the contest.

Mansfield continued to battle bravely and even threatened a late equaliser when Oliver Irow headed straight at Arrizabalaga from close range during stoppage time.

Arsenal also had opportunities to extend their advantage, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both going close on the counter attack, but the score remained unchanged as the final whistle confirmed the Gunners’ progression.

Although Mansfield bowed out of the competition, their performance earned widespread praise after creating numerous chances and pushing one of England’s strongest teams all the way.

For Arsenal, the victory keeps their FA Cup ambitions alive as they move into the quarter-finals and continue their pursuit of domestic silverware this season.

The Bavarians were once again too strong on home soil, turning control into goals and moving a huge 14 points clear at the top of the table after another ruthless attacking display.

The home side thought they had made the perfect start when Lennart Karl found the net in the 11th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Even so, Bayern did not lose their rhythm and continued to dominate possession while pinning Gladbach deep inside their own half.

Their pressure eventually paid off in the 33rd minute. Leon Goretzka, surrounded by defenders on the edge of the box, showed brilliant vision to clip a clever pass into the path of Luis Diaz, who met it with a fine volley and fired beyond Moritz Nicolas for the opener.

It was a goal that reflected Bayern's growing authority in the contest and it gave Vincent Kompany's side the reward their control deserved.

Gladbach tried to stay in the game and looked for moments on the counter, but Bayern's pressing and movement continued to suffocate them. Just when the visitors were hoping to reach halftime still only one goal down, Bayern struck again in stoppage time.

Nicolas Jackson, leading the line in the absence of the injured Harry Kane, helped launch a quick counter attack before Diaz received the ball on the left and squared it into the box. Konrad Laimer arrived in space and smashed home to make it 2-0, giving Bayern real breathing space before the break.

That second goal effectively knocked the wind out of Gladbach, and matters became even worse for the visitors 10 minutes into the second half.

Jackson wriggled his way into the penalty area and was dragged down from behind by Rocco Reitz, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot. Reitz was shown a red card for the foul, and Bayern were suddenly in total command both on the scoreboard and in numbers.

Jamal Musiala stepped up and calmly converted the penalty for his first Bundesliga goal since returning from injury, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-0.

With Gladbach down to 10 men, Bayern continued to push and were rewarded again in the 79th minute. Youngster Lennart Karl burst to the right byline and fizzed a low cross into the danger area, where Jackson was on hand to finish from close range. The goal came as a welcome relief for the striker, who had not scored in the league since November.

At 4-0, Bayern looked set for a complete cruise, but Gladbach still managed a late moment of history. In the 89th minute, Wael Mohya reacted quickest after Jonas Urbig made a save, slamming the rebound in off the post to become the first 17-year-old to score for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

It was a bright moment in an otherwise difficult evening for the visitors, who were second best for most of the contest and now remain uncomfortably close to the relegation play-off places.

For Bayern, this was another powerful statement in the title race. Even without Kane, they showed quality, depth and control, with Diaz outstanding in attack, Musiala looking sharper with every minute, and Goretzka influential in midfield.

Kompany's men now appear to be marching steadily toward the Bundesliga crown, and on this evidence, it will take something extraordinary to stop them.

PSG came into the match looking to tighten their grip at the top of the table, but Monaco showed far greater sharpness in both boxes and walked away with a huge three points after taking their chances at key moments.

The visitors could easily have gone ahead inside the opening five minutes when Caio Henrique delivered an inviting cross to Denis Zakaria, only for the midfielder to head over from close range. PSG responded quickly and almost struck through Achraf Hakimi, but Philipp Kohn produced a strong save with his feet to keep the scores level.

It was an open contest in the first half, with both teams finding space in dangerous areas. PSG pushed forward through Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes, but Monaco stayed compact and defended with discipline whenever the home side threatened.

The breakthrough came in the 27th minute after a costly mistake from Warren Zaire-Emery inside the PSG penalty area. Monaco reacted sharply, with Folarin Balogun showing composure to hold up the ball before laying it off for Maghnes Akliouche, who fired home past Matvey Safonov to give the visitors a surprise lead.

That goal gave Monaco belief and left PSG chasing the game. Luis Enrique's side saw plenty of the ball and created openings, but their finishing lacked the usual cutting edge. Monaco, on the other hand, looked dangerous whenever they broke forward.

The visitors landed a second major blow 10 minutes into the second half. Aleksandr Golovin had only just entered the pitch when he made an immediate impact, finishing smartly from the edge of the area after a loose ball dropped kindly for him. It was a dream contribution from the substitute and it left PSG with a mountain to climb.

To their credit, the hosts kept pushing and finally found a way back into the contest in the 71st minute. Hakimi burst forward with purpose, skipping past several challenges before squaring for Barcola, who applied the finish from close range. A slight deflection helped the ball on its way, but PSG suddenly had hope again at 2-1.

That hope, however, lasted only two minutes.

Monaco restored their two-goal cushion almost immediately after Lee Kang-In lost possession in a dangerous area. Akliouche was alert once again, winning the ball and teeing up Balogun, who took aim from distance and saw his effort skim past the helpless Safonov. It was a brutal response from Monaco and a reminder of just how efficient they had been all evening.

PSG continued to attack in search of another route back into the game, but it was simply not their night. Ousmane Dembele forced Kohn into a fine save late on, while Goncalo Ramos could not convert the rebound. Monaco even came close to adding a fourth when substitute Simon Adingra struck the crossbar after a lively run.

By full time, the visitors fully deserved their win. They were more decisive in the final third, more organised defensively, and far more composed when the big moments arrived. PSG finished with plenty of shots, but Monaco's superior efficiency told the real story of the night.

The defeat leaves PSG still on top of Ligue 1, but their advantage is now under pressure and could be trimmed further depending on other results. For Monaco, this was a statement win that boosts their push for European qualification and underlines their ability to trouble the division's biggest sides.

For Luis Enrique and PSG, there will be real frustration at the manner of the loss. They had possession, they created situations, but repeated wastefulness and costly errors turned a big home game into a painful setback.

Monaco, meanwhile, will leave Paris with renewed confidence after one of their finest performances of the season.

The Reds had to be patient before getting the job done, but once they found their rhythm after the break, Wolves simply could not live with them.

Arne Slot's side dominated most of the first half, moving the ball sharply and pinning Wolves deep inside their own half, though clear cut chances were still limited. Teenager Rio Ngumoha was the liveliest player for Liverpool in the opening period and repeatedly troubled the home defence with his direct running and confidence on the ball.

Liverpool came close early on when Cody Gakpo headed against the post, though the flag had already gone up for offside. Ngumoha also forced Sam Johnstone into a smart save after being picked out inside the area, while Alexis Mac Allister tried his luck from distance as the visitors kept knocking on the door.

Despite all their pressure, Liverpool went into the break level at 0-0. Wolves offered very little going forward in the first half and failed to register a shot, but they were still within reach of a result thanks to their defensive organisation and Johnstone's alert goalkeeping.

The breakthrough finally arrived six minutes into the second half and it was a goal worthy of changing any cup tie. Liverpool broke forward with purpose, Mohamed Salah held the ball up well, and Curtis Jones teed up Andrew Robertson, who unleashed a superb strike from around 20 yards that flew into the far corner beyond Johnstone.

It was a moment of real quality from the Scotland captain and it immediately shifted the contest firmly in Liverpool's favour.

Just two minutes later, Robertson turned provider. The full-back surged forward again and delivered for Salah at the back post. The Egyptian finished emphatically, and although the goal was first ruled out for offside, VAR overturned the decision after replays confirmed he was behind the ball. In a flash, Liverpool were 2-0 up and in full control.

Wolves struggled to respond. Their midfield was overrun, their attacks lacked bite, and Liverpool continued to move through the gears. With confidence flowing, the visitors added a third in the 74th minute through Curtis Jones, who glided past a couple of challenges before calmly curling his effort into the corner to end any hopes of a comeback.

That goal capped a fine all round display from Jones, who not only contributed going forward but also helped Liverpool control the tempo of the game in midfield.

Wolves eventually found a consolation goal in stoppage time when goalkeeper Sam Johnstone launched a long ball over the top. Liverpool failed to deal with it cleanly, allowing Hwang Hee-Chan to sneak in behind and poke home past Alisson. It denied the Reds a clean sheet, but it did little to change the overall story of the match.

Liverpool finished the tie as deserved winners after generating the better chances and controlling long spells of possession. Their quality in the second half made the difference, with Robertson's goal and assist proving especially decisive.

For Wolves, this was another reminder of the gap they still need to bridge against elite opposition. They now have time to regroup before returning to league action, where the battle for survival remains the priority.

Liverpool, meanwhile, can take confidence from both the result and the manner of the performance. With the FA Cup still offering a realistic shot at silverware, this was exactly the response Slot would have wanted ahead of their Champions League assignment against Galatasaray.

The victory could prove crucial in the Spanish title race as Los Blancos moved to within one point of leaders Barcelona, although having played a game more.

Celta Vigo began the match brightly and created the early opportunities, forcing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into action with a series of saves. Borja Iglesias threatened twice in the opening minutes, but the Belgian shot stopper reacted well to keep the hosts at bay.

Despite Celta’s positive start, Real Madrid struck first in the 11th minute. A well worked short corner routine saw Arda Guler find Aurelien Tchouameni inside the box, and the French midfielder calmly steered his finish into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.

The goal marked Tchouameni’s first LaLiga strike of the season and temporarily silenced the home crowd.

Celta Vigo, however, refused to be rattled and continued to push forward. Their persistence paid off in the 25th minute when Williot Swedberg capitalised on a defensive lapse to set up Borja Iglesias, who finished confidently from close range to bring the hosts level.

The equaliser injected fresh belief into the home side and they continued to threaten before the break. Courtois was once again called upon to make key saves, denying both Iglesias and Swedberg to ensure the sides went into halftime locked at 1-1.

Real Madrid dominated possession in the second half and spent long spells camped inside the Celta half, but struggled to break down a well organised defence.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side created a number of half chances, with Vinicius Junior, Valverde and substitute Cesar Palacios all testing the Celta backline, but the hosts stood firm and looked increasingly likely to secure a valuable point.

Just as the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Real Madrid found a decisive moment in the fourth minute of added time.

Trent Alexander Arnold’s cross was partially cleared by the Celta defence, but the ball fell kindly to Federico Valverde on the edge of the box. The Uruguayan struck a first time effort that took a slight deflection off Marcos Alonso before flying into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations among the visiting players.

The late winner stunned the home crowd and ensured Real Madrid secured a hard fought three points in dramatic fashion.

Celta Vigo will now shift their attention to European action with a Europa League clash against Lyon, while Real Madrid prepare for a huge Champions League encounter against Manchester City next week.

Although not their most convincing performance, the victory could prove decisive for Real Madrid as they continue their pursuit of the LaLiga title.

The directive follows a ruling by the Tribunal that the FKF Disciplinary Committee and the Appeals Committee are currently not legally constituted, meaning they cannot hear or determine any football related cases until they are formally approved by the federation's General Assembly.

According to the Tribunal, FKF must urgently regularise the status of the two independent bodies if they intend to rely on them to resolve disputes within the country's football structures.

The ruling has immediate implications across Kenyan football governance as any pending matters before the two committees cannot proceed until the required ratification is completed.

In the same decision, the Tribunal also nullified the earlier ruling by the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee regarding the abandoned Premier League match between Gor Mahia and Nairobi United.

The committee had previously awarded both teams one point each after their encounter was abandoned in the 58th minute last December.

However, the Tribunal ruled that the decision was reached using the wrong regulatory framework. It directed that the case be reheard under the 2019 FKF rules instead of the 2025 regulations that had been used in the initial ruling.

The matter has now been referred back to the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee for a fresh and fair hearing.

The committee has been given five days to make a new determination, with the deadline set for next Friday.

The ruling introduces fresh uncertainty into the Kenyan Premier League standings depending on the outcome of the rehearing, while also placing pressure on FKF leadership to urgently address governance gaps within the federation's judicial structures.

For Kenyan football, the Tribunal's decision reinforces the importance of proper constitutional processes in the administration of the game and could have wider implications on how disputes are handled moving forward.

CAF revealed the change on Thursday through its official website, bringing clarity after months of speculation about the future of the competition originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026 in Morocco.

In recent months, uncertainty had surrounded the tournament amid reports suggesting a possible postponement. The rumours intensified in the past few weeks even as participating nations continued their preparations for the prestigious continental event.

At one point, a South African government official publicly stated that the country was ready to step in and host the tournament if Morocco failed to meet its obligations as the designated hosts. However, CAF has now confirmed that Morocco will remain the host nation despite the shift in dates.

In a statement explaining the decision, CAF cited unforeseen circumstances and said the new schedule was agreed upon following consultations with key partners and stakeholders, including FIFA.

CAF noted that after discussions with its partners and relevant stakeholders, the decision was taken to reschedule the TotalEnergies CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations 2026 to July and August to ensure the successful organization of the competition in light of certain unforeseen circumstances.

The continental football body also reassured fans and participating nations that preparations for the tournament are progressing well and expressed confidence that the event will be a successful celebration of women's football in Africa.

The 2026 edition will mark the 14th staging of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s premier tournament for women's national teams.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons head into the competition as defending champions, having won the previous edition to extend their dominance in African women’s football. The West African giants remain the most successful side in the history of the tournament with a record 10 titles.

With the new dates now confirmed, teams across Africa are expected to adjust their preparations as they gear up for what promises to be another highly competitive Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Posta Rangers made several changes to their starting lineup, with Bixente Otieno handed the gloves ahead of Fredrick Otinda while Leon Kimungui and Jackson Macharia came in for Elvis Osok and Brian Marita. Gor Mahia also shuffled their squad, bringing in Bryne Omondi in goal in place of Gad Mathews, while Paul Ochuoga and Bryton Onyona returned to their familiar right and left back roles respectively.

The hosts started brightly and broke the deadlock in the early stages of the match when Jackson Macharia rose highest to meet a well delivered cross from Vincent Wasambo and headed home to give Posta Rangers the lead.

Gor Mahia almost responded immediately two minutes later when Bixente Otieno’s quick restart released Samuel Kapen, who laid the ball off to former Posta Rangers man Jackson Dwang. The forward struck the ball well but saw his effort crash against the woodwork to the relief of the home supporters.

The game remained competitive with both sides battling for control in midfield. Shariff Musa became the first player to enter the referee’s book after pulling down Olilo to stop a promising counter attack.

Just before halftime, Posta Rangers nearly doubled their advantage when Maloba attempted a close range effort that deflected off Odhiambo before goalkeeper Bryne Omondi reacted quickly to make the save, ensuring Gor Mahia trailed by only one goal heading into the break.

Gor Mahia emerged from the dressing room with renewed urgency and began to push forward in search of an equaliser. A deflected effort from Jackson Dwang in the 50th minute forced Posta Rangers to concede a corner as the visitors increased the pressure.

In response, Gor Mahia made a double substitution with Ben Stanley Omondi and Ebenezer Adukwaw coming on for Jackson Dwang and Samuel Kapen as they looked to inject fresh energy into their attack.

Despite Gor Mahia’s growing dominance, Posta Rangers defended resolutely and looked set to claim a memorable victory against the league leaders.

However, the decisive moment arrived late in the match with just three minutes remaining. Enock Morrison delivered a dangerous cross into the area which substitute goalkeeper Fredrick Odhiambo failed to deal with cleanly. Ghanaian striker Ebenezer Assifuah reacted quickest at the back post, controlling the ball on his chest before finishing calmly to secure a dramatic equaliser for K’Ogalo.

The late goal ensured Gor Mahia maintained their grip at the top of the FKF Premier League standings, although the dropped points could encourage their closest challengers.

Speaking after the match, Gor Mahia’s head coach admitted his side had started the game slowly but praised their resilience to fight back.

He noted that the team looked sluggish in the opening stages but improved significantly after the break when they adjusted their approach. He added that securing the equaliser was important because losing the match would have been a major setback.

For Posta Rangers, the result will feel bittersweet after coming so close to claiming a famous win. Nevertheless, the performance demonstrated their ability to compete strongly against one of the league’s title favourites.

Both sides will now shift their attention to FKF Cup action, with Gor Mahia set to host giant killers BB Bread while Posta Rangers prepare to face Oinopsos in their next assignment.

For Manchester United, it was meant to be another step in a strong run under Michael Carrick. For Newcastle, it felt like a must-win just to steady a wobbling league campaign. What followed was pure Premier League madness.

Newcastle started with real bite, pressing high and forcing United into hurried decisions. They created the early moments of danger, with the home crowd roaring on every cross and second ball. United gradually settled, though, and as the half wore on the match began to tilt into that edgy midfield battle where one incident can flip everything.

Then came the first-half stoppage time storm.

With the game deep into added time, Jacob Ramsey — already booked — went to ground in the box under pressure, and the referee wasn’t buying it. Second yellow. Red card. Newcastle were staring at 45 minutes a man down.

But instead of collapsing, the Magpies responded like a side that refused to accept the script.

Almost immediately, Anthony Gordon burst into the area, chopped inside, and was clipped by Bruno Fernandes. This time, there was no debate. Penalty. Gordon stepped up and rolled it into the corner to make it 1-0, sending St. James’ Park into full eruption.

Manchester United hit back just as quickly. From a Fernandes delivery into the box, Casemiro attacked the ball and glanced a header into the far corner to level it at 1-1. Three huge moments in stoppage time. One half. Total mayhem.

With Newcastle down to 10 for the second half, United were expected to dominate. But Newcastle didn’t play like a team in damage limitation. They came out sharply again, pushing forward in bursts, with Gordon twice threatening to restore the lead and Sandro Tonali whipping in deliveries that had United nervy.

United did start to take control as the half wore on, piling pressure around the Newcastle box. Leny Yoro had a big chance from close range, Bruno Fernandes tried his luck from distance, and Aaron Ramsdale was forced into a string of important stops — including a superb diving save to deny Joshua Zirkzee late on.

It looked like United’s extra man would tell. But Newcastle had one last twist, and it was filthy.

On 90 minutes, Kieran Trippier sent a ball down the right channel for substitute William Osula. What happened next was pure street football. Osula drove at Tyrell Malacia, shifted the ball, beat him again, faced up Harry Maguire, and then curled a left-footed beauty into the far corner.

A goal of the season contender. A moment of madness. A stadium detonated.

United threw everything forward in the final minutes, but Newcastle defended like men protecting the last bottle of water in a desert. Blocks, headers, clearances, bodies on the line — they survived the late siege and finally had something to celebrate after a difficult run.

The win lifts Newcastle up to 12th and gives Eddie Howe breathing space, at least for now. For Manchester United, it’s a painful first defeat in 10 league matches and a reminder that form means nothing when St. James’ Park turns a night into a war.

It was not pretty. It was not fluent. But it was exactly the sort of result that wins leagues.

The match began at a frantic pace, and Arsenal nearly sabotaged themselves within minutes. David Raya, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, gifted Brighton a huge early opening with a loose pass. Carlos Baleba pounced and instinctively tried to lob the goalkeeper, only for Gabriel to sprint back and head the ball over his own crossbar in a heart-in-mouth moment for the travelling fans.

That scare appeared to sharpen Arsenal’s focus, and they struck quickly. In the ninth minute, Bukayo Saka cut inside from the right and aimed a left-footed effort toward the bottom corner. The shot was not hit with huge power, but a crucial deflection off Baleba wrong-footed Bart Verbruggen and the ball squeezed into the net.

It was a priceless goal, made even sweeter by the milestone it celebrated, Saka’s 300th appearance for Arsenal delivered with a moment that could define a season.

From there, the pattern changed. Brighton began to control possession, pushing Arsenal deeper and probing for gaps. Fabian Hurzeler’s side moved the ball neatly through midfield and forced the Gunners into long spells without it, but the home team struggled to turn that dominance into clear chances.

Arsenal, meanwhile, played with the mentality of a side that understands the stakes. They sat in, they stayed organised, and they defended their box with aggression. Gabriel was colossal at the back, Declan Rice covered ground like a man possessed, and Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie kept their shape even as Brighton tried to overload wide areas.

Brighton’s best moment came in the second half when Georginio Rutter found space on the edge of the box and arrowed a strike toward the bottom-left corner. Raya responded with a sharp save, pushing the ball away to preserve Arsenal’s lead at a time when the game felt like it was tilting toward the home side.

Mikel Arteta turned to his bench to manage the final half-hour, introducing Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard to provide fresh legs and a bit more control. Havertz almost sealed it late on, breaking through to meet a threaded pass and attempting to sneak a near-post finish, only for Verbruggen to react well and beat it away.

The closing stages were tense, with Brighton throwing bodies forward and Arsenal doing everything possible to slow the game down and protect their advantage. But the Gunners never lost their nerve. They cleared their lines, won their duels, and showed the kind of defensive steel that turns away trips into title-building nights.

When the final whistle went, the significance was obvious. Arsenal had won with just a single goal and very little in the way of attacking output, but it did not matter. The points were the point.

With Manchester City dropping points at home in a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal’s victory becomes even bigger. The Gunners now sit seven points clear at the top, and in a race this tight, that cushion feels like gold.

Brighton remain 12th and will feel they had plenty of the ball without enough bite, while Arsenal march on with momentum firmly in their hands.

Next up, Brighton travel to Sunderland, while Arsenal switch focus to the FA Cup with an away trip to Mansfield Town, carrying the confidence of a side that knows how to win ugly when it counts.

Forest actually started with real intent, pressing early and carving out a couple of moments that rattled City’s rhythm. The biggest first-half chance before the opener fell to Morgan Gibbs-White on the break, but his finish lacked the power to truly test Gianluigi Donnarumma and City escaped.

The hosts eventually settled, began to move the ball with more authority and found the breakthrough in the 31st minute. Rayan Cherki picked out Antoine Semenyo in space inside the box, and the January signing delivered with an acrobatic volley to put City 1-0 up and spark the Etihad into life.

Forest almost answered immediately through Igor Jesus, who forced Donnarumma into a sharp low save, signalling that this would not be one-way traffic. City carried the lead into the interval, but the game never felt safe.

The second half exploded into life. Forest levelled in the 56th minute with one of the most cheeky finishes you will see all season. A deep ball into the box was knocked down by Jesus, and Gibbs-White produced a stunning backheel that slipped through the defender’s legs and into the net to make it 1-1.

City’s response was swift and direct. Six minutes later, they were back in front through Rodri, who powered home a header from a wicked corner delivery by Rayan Ait-Nouri. It was the kind of set-piece punch that champions land when momentum starts to swing.

With City leading 2-1, you expected Guardiola’s men to shut the door and squeeze Forest out. Instead, Forest refused to accept the script. They stayed brave, stayed organised, and waited for the right moment to hit again.

That moment arrived in the 76th minute, and it was spectacular. Elliot Anderson played a neat one-two with Callum Hudson-Odoi to create space on the edge of the area, then bent a brilliant strike into the bottom-right corner beyond Donnarumma. The goal silenced the stadium and sent the away end into disbelief. At 2-2, the match became chaos.

City threw everything forward, camping around the Forest box and forcing a frantic finale. Semenyo struck a late free-kick that clipped the crossbar, before the most dramatic moment of all arrived deep into stoppage time.

A scramble inside the Forest area saw the ball drop invitingly, Savinho poked a shot goalward, and Murillo produced an incredible goal-line block to deny what looked like a certain winner. Seconds later, the whistle went, and Forest celebrated like a team that knows how priceless a point can be.

On the numbers, City created more, finishing with higher expected goals, but Forest were clinical with the moments they earned and showed the kind of fight that keeps clubs alive in brutal relegation battles.

For City, it is another painful reminder that the title race is not only about dominance, but about finishing the job. They remain second and continue to chase Arsenal, while Forest stay just above the bottom three on goal difference, with the pressure rising around them.

Next up, City turn attention to the FA Cup fifth round against Newcastle United, while Forest switch focus to Europe as they prepare to face Midtjylland in the Europa League.

The scoreline might suggest it was smooth from the first whistle, but the opening stages had the usual edge of a league battle, with Rayo pushing aggressively while Oviedo tried to settle and play through spells of pressure. It didn’t last long.

Rayo kept forcing corners, kept squeezing Oviedo into their own half, and eventually found the breakthrough in the 44th minute. After sustained pressure, the ball broke kindly inside the area and De Frutos reacted fastest, finishing from point-blank range to make it 1-0 just before the break.

That goal changed the mood completely. Instead of Oviedo regrouping at half-time, Rayo came out with even more intent and doubled their lead within five minutes of the restart.

In the 48th minute, Alvaro Garcia drove into the box and was brought down, with Lucas Ahijado penalised for the foul. De Frutos stepped up and made no mistake, burying the penalty low into the corner in the 50th minute to put Rayo firmly in control at 2-0.

Oviedo tried to respond with changes and a few bursts forward, including attempts from Nicolas Fonseca and Thiago Borbas, but Rayo never looked like a side willing to relax. Augusto Batalla was sharp when called upon, and the hosts continued to threaten whenever they moved the ball quickly into wide areas.

Any lingering hope for Oviedo was completely extinguished in the 62nd minute. Alvaro Garcia, already heavily involved, finished brilliantly from a tight angle on the left, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner for 3-0.

From there, the match became a question of game management for Rayo and damage limitation for Oviedo. The home side remained organised, won their duels, and kept the ball smartly when the moment demanded it. Oviedo had moments where they threatened to at least grab a consolation, but their best efforts were either blocked in a crowded box or comfortably dealt with by Batalla.

The final whistle confirmed a commanding performance from Rayo, who took their chances and punished Oviedo’s mistakes with real efficiency. De Frutos was the clear standout, delivering a match-winning brace, while Alvaro Garcia’s energy and end product ensured the hosts never let the visitors back into the game.

For Oviedo, it was a harsh night in Vallecas, one where they struggled to cope with Rayo’s pressure and looked short of answers once they fell behind.

It was Villa who landed the first punch, and they did it almost immediately. Inside two minutes, Leon Bailey raced to the byline and fired in a dangerous low cross. Ollie Watkins cleverly stepped over it, and Douglas Luiz arrived to flick a stylish finish past Filip Jorgensen for a dream start.

For a brief moment, Villa Park roared as if this would be the night Unai Emery’s side steadied their wobble. Instead, that early goal seemed to wake Chelsea up. From that point, the visitors took control of the ball, raised the tempo and began to pin Villa back with wave after wave of pressure.

Chelsea could have levelled quickly when Garnacho’s teasing cross found Joao Pedro, but Emiliano Martinez produced a superb reaction save to keep Villa in front. It was a warning Villa failed to heed.

With Enzo Fernandez pulling strings and Cole Palmer drifting into pockets, Chelsea kept finding space in behind Villa’s high line. Alejandro Garnacho, in particular, was a constant menace on the left, repeatedly driving at Matty Cash and forcing the home defence into last-ditch blocks.

The equaliser arrived in the 35th minute and it had been coming. Fernandez floated a delicious ball over the top, Malo Gusto received it on the right and drilled a low cross across the six-yard box. Joao Pedro was exactly where a striker should be, tapping in from close range to make it 1-1.

Villa threatened sporadically on the counter, and Watkins even thought he had restored the lead later in the half, only for VAR to rule him offside. That moment proved pivotal, because Chelsea finished the half with a killer blow.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Enzo again found the gap. He slipped a sharp pass into the box and Joao Pedro showed real composure, turning before clipping a deft finish over Martinez and into the bottom corner. From 1-0 down, Chelsea went in 2-1 up, and Villa Park felt the air drain out of the night.

Any hopes of a Villa response after the break were crushed quickly. In the 55th minute, Palmer struck to stretch Chelsea’s lead. Reece James drove a dangerous ball across the face of goal, Martinez could only parry it into the danger zone, and Palmer arrived to drill a low finish home from around 15 yards. At 3-1, Chelsea were in full control.

Villa tried to shuffle the pack, but their play lacked conviction. There were too many sideways passes, too few runners, and not enough sharpness in the final third. Chelsea, by contrast, looked composed and confident, happy to soak up anything Villa offered before breaking with speed.

The decisive moment, though, belonged to the man of the match. In the 64th minute, Garnacho was released down the left and delivered a low pass across the box. Joao Pedro again timed his movement perfectly and tapped in to complete his hat-trick, sealing a 4-1 win and earning warm applause from the travelling Chelsea fans as he later left the pitch.

The numbers told the story of a one-sided contest. Villa’s modest xG of 0.88 reflected a blunt attacking display beyond that early burst, while Chelsea’s 3.92 underlined how often they cut through the hosts and how many chances they created.

For Chelsea, it was the sort of away win that shifts belief, not just points. Joao Pedro ended the night with three goals, a key involvement in Palmer’s strike, and the sort of clinical edge that has too often been missing in their season.

For Aston Villa, the concern deepens. After such a bright start, they were second-best in every key phase of the game, and their recent dip in form is now threatening to turn a top-four push into a nervous scramble.

Villa now have time to reset before next week’s Europa League clash with Lille, while Chelsea carry momentum into Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wrexham, knowing this performance has put them firmly back in the conversation for the Champions League places.

The 32 year old England international was originally arrested during a late night altercation with police officers while on holiday in Greece. After a lengthy legal process that stretched for years, the Greek courts have now reaffirmed the guilty verdict against the defender.

Maguire was charged with non serious assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery following the confrontation. The appeals court found him guilty on all three counts, bringing a dramatic chapter of legal uncertainty to a close.

The judges revised his original punishment, reducing the earlier 21 month sentence to a suspended jail term of 15 months and 20 days. Because the sentence is suspended, Maguire will not serve time in prison unless he commits another offence during the suspension period.

In addition to the suspended sentence, the court imposed a financial penalty of €1,500 (approximately KSh 210,000), which is also equivalent to about £1,304. The fine forms part of the disciplinary measures ordered by the court following the verdict.

Maguire did not attend the hearing in person as he remained in England preparing for Manchester United's upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle United. The defender has consistently maintained his innocence since the original arrest and his legal team had spent nearly six years attempting to overturn the ruling.

Meanwhile, his brother Joe Maguire received mixed news from the court proceedings. While he was acquitted of the attempted bribery charge, the appeals court upheld accusations of aggravated assault and verbal abuse against police officers.

The case has drawn widespread attention across the football world since the initial arrest in 2020, largely due to Maguire's status as one of England's most prominent defenders and a former captain of Manchester United.

With the appeals court now delivering its decision, the legal battle that has lingered around Maguire's career for years appears to have reached its final chapter, even as the player continues focusing on his responsibilities on the pitch.

It was the kind of performance that normally books a place in a final. Hansi Flick’s men played with urgency, control and fury, pinning Atletico back for long stretches and forcing wave after wave of pressure. But football is ruthless with two-legged ties. Barcelona were brilliant in the second leg, while Atletico were simply efficient enough across both matches.

The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute and it felt inevitable. Lamine Yamal, electric from the first whistle, glided past his marker and drilled a low cross into the danger area. Marc Bernal arrived perfectly and tapped in from close range to ignite belief inside the stadium.

Barcelona did not ease up. They kept Atletico trapped, moving the ball quickly, recycling pressure and hunting a second goal that could turn the tie into a frenzy. Just before half-time, they got it. Pedri’s dribble drew a clumsy challenge in the box and Raphinha stepped up with ice in his veins, stroking a penalty into the bottom corner in added time to make it 2-0 on the night.

At that point, the scoreboard told a story of a comeback brewing, but Atletico still had one priceless advantage. They could absorb, frustrate and survive. Simeone’s men did exactly that, defending with the grim discipline that has defined their identity for over a decade.

The second half became a Barcelona assault against a red-and-white wall. Yamal continued to torment the Atletico left side, creating chances and dragging defenders into uncomfortable positions. Joao Cancelo pushed high and wide, Ferran Torres worked the channels, and Raphinha kept arriving at the back post with menace.

Atletico, however, had their moments. Antoine Griezmann flashed an effort straight at Joan Garcia, and Ademola Lookman had a golden header that should have changed everything, only to nod over from close range. Those misses mattered because Barcelona refused to blink.

In the 72nd minute, Camp Nou exploded again. Cancelo whipped in a delicious cross towards the far post and Bernal ghosted into space, side-footing calmly into the bottom corner for his second of the night. It was 3-0, and suddenly the impossible looked frighteningly close.

Barcelona poured forward searching for the goal that would force extra time, racking up corners and half-chances, but Atletico defended with bodies on the line. Juan Musso stood tall when called upon, while Simeone’s late tactical tweaks tightened the visitors into an even deeper block as the clock bled away.

There was late drama, of course. Barcelona screamed for a penalty when Raphinha went down under pressure while attacking a cross, but the referee showed no interest. In stoppage time, Alexander Sorloth had a chance to kill the tie on the break but blazed over, before Yamal bent a final effort wide as Barcelona’s last roll of the dice drifted away.

The whistle brought two emotions in the same stadium. Barcelona were applauded for a performance full of fight and quality, yet the empty feeling of elimination remained because the damage was inflicted in the first leg. Atletico did not need to sparkle in Catalonia. They needed to survive, and they did.

Bernal was the headline act, scoring twice and driving Barcelona forward all night, while Yamal’s creativity and swagger lit up the tie. But for Atletico, it is the collective endurance that sends them into April’s Copa del Rey final, where they will meet either Athletic Club or Real Sociedad.

Barcelona now turn attention back to LaLiga, travelling to face Athletic Club on Saturday, while Atletico return to Madrid to take on Real Sociedad, still carrying the quiet confidence of a team that knows how to suffer and still win.

For much of the evening the match appeared destined to drift towards a dull stalemate. Liverpool dominated possession and created the majority of chances, but Wolves remained disciplined and compact at the back, frustrating the visitors throughout the first half.

Arne Slot’s side struggled to turn their territorial advantage into clear scoring opportunities. Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike all tried their luck, yet Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa remained largely untroubled as the opening half ended goalless.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Liverpool probing patiently while Wolves waited for moments on the counterattack. The Reds came close shortly after the restart when Curtis Jones failed to convert from close range following a corner, with the ball bouncing dangerously across the Wolves goalmouth before being cleared.

Despite Liverpool registering numerous attempts, Wolves had yet to produce a single shot as the game entered its final quarter. However, the contest suddenly burst into life in the 78th minute.

Substitute Rodrigo Gomes made an instant impact just minutes after coming on. Tolu Arokodare controlled a long ball forward and shrugged off the challenge of Virgil van Dijk before releasing Gomes into space. The Portuguese midfielder kept his composure and clipped a clever finish over Alisson Becker to give Wolves a shock lead with their first shot of the match.

Liverpool responded quickly as Mohamed Salah finally ended his long wait for a Premier League goal. The Egyptian forward cut inside from the right and squeezed a low effort past Sa in the 83rd minute to level the match, ending a drought that had stretched nearly four months and nine league games.

Just when it seemed Liverpool had rescued a point, Wolves produced one final twist deep into stoppage time. Jackson Tchatchoua found Andre outside the penalty area, and the Brazilian midfielder struck a low effort that deflected off Joe Gomez and looped over the helpless Alisson into the net.

The dramatic goal sparked wild celebrations around Molineux as Wolves secured a famous victory against the defending champions.

Liverpool had dominated large parts of the contest and finished with significantly more chances, but Wolves showed resilience and clinical finishing when it mattered most. The hosts ultimately made the most of their limited opportunities to secure three valuable points.

For Wolves, the result continues an impressive run of performances at home after already claiming big results against Arsenal and Aston Villa in recent weeks. Despite their struggles earlier in the campaign, performances like this have reignited hope among supporters that survival may still be possible.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are left with serious questions to answer after another frustrating defeat. The Reds remain fifth in the Premier League standings and will be disappointed that their dominance in possession and chances did not translate into victory.

On a night that looked destined to fade quietly into the Premier League schedule, Wolves instead delivered a dramatic finale that will live long in the memories of the Molineux faithful.

Los Blancos came into the clash riding an impressive run of eight straight league victories, but they found themselves frustrated by a disciplined Getafe side that executed their game plan to near perfection. Despite dominating possession and creating the better chances on paper, Madrid lacked the clinical edge required to break down the visitors.

The decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute and it was one of real quality. After Antonio Rudiger failed to properly clear a cross, Mauro Arambarri reacted quickest to keep the move alive before teeing up Martin Satriano. The forward unleashed a superb 20 yard volley that flew past Thibaut Courtois into the top corner, silencing the Bernabeu.

Madrid responded with urgency after the break, pushing Getafe deeper into their own half. Vinicius Junior looked the most threatening in white, but David Soria stood firm in the visitors’ goal, producing key saves whenever called upon. The hosts finished with a superior expected goals tally of 1.57 compared to Getafe’s 0.49, underlining their wastefulness in front of goal.

Alvaro Arbeloa attempted to inject life into his side with a series of second half substitutions, including the introduction of Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono. The changes increased Madrid’s attacking tempo, but clear cut chances remained scarce as Getafe defended with discipline and composure.

Tempers flared in a chaotic stoppage time period that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. Madrid substitute Mastantuono was shown a straight red card in the 95th minute after appearing to say something to the referee, compounding the hosts’ misery. Moments later, Getafe’s Adrian Liso received his marching orders for a second bookable offence after kicking the ball away while time wasting.

Vinicius Junior also picked up a late yellow card amid the growing frustration, while Alvaro Carreras’ booking means he will miss Madrid’s upcoming trip to Celta Vigo.

In the end, Getafe held firm to secure their first league win at the Bernabeu since February 2008, a result that significantly boosts their survival hopes. Jose Bordalas’ men now sit eight points clear of the relegation zone after a disciplined and clinical display.

For Real Madrid, the defeat could prove costly in the title race. Arbeloa’s side remain four points behind leaders Barcelona and have now suffered back to back league defeats at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Madrid will look to respond quickly when they travel to Celta Vigo on Friday, while a confident Getafe side return home to host Real Betis two days later.

The proposal comes in the wake of allegations involving Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, who reported being racially abused by Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni during their UEFA Champions League playoff first leg. The incident drew particular attention after Prestianni appeared to shield his mouth while speaking, prompting UEFA to open a formal investigation.

Prestianni has since been suspended for the return leg and could face a ban of up to 10 matches if found guilty by European football’s governing body.

Speaking to Sky News, Infantino suggested the act of covering one’s mouth during confrontations should raise immediate suspicion.

If a player covers his mouth and says something, and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off, obviously,” Infantino stated.

There must be a presumption that he has said something he should not have said, otherwise he would not have had to cover his mouth.”

The FIFA boss acknowledged that disciplinary cases still require proper evidence and analysis but insisted football authorities must evolve their approach to keep pace with modern challenges.

His remarks align with FIFA’s broader anti racism drive, with the world governing body already planning regulatory changes ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The issue was discussed at Saturday’s meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), where officials examined ways to discourage players from hiding their speech during confrontations.

English FA chief executive and IFAB member Mark Bullingham supported the review, noting that there are very few legitimate reasons for players to cover their mouths when speaking to opponents.

Momentum is now building toward possible rule adjustments, with next month’s FIFA Congress in Vancouver expected to be a key checkpoint in the process. Measures could even be approved in time for implementation at the upcoming World Cup cycle.

Beyond punishment, Infantino also floated the idea of encouraging accountability and cultural change within the game. He suggested that football authorities should consider frameworks that allow offenders to apologise publicly, particularly in moments driven by emotion.

You can do things that you do not want to do in a moment of anger and apologise, and then the sanction has to be different,” he said.

The proposal reflects FIFA’s growing determination to demonstrate zero tolerance toward racism while also promoting behavioural reform across the sport. As investigations continue in the Vinicius Junior case, the debate around mouth covering and on pitch conduct is likely to remain firmly in football’s spotlight.

The Red Devils had to dig deep after a shaky start, but captain Bruno Fernandes delivered a commanding second-half performance to turn the contest on its head and maintain United’s strong push for Champions League qualification.

Crystal Palace stunned the home crowd inside four minutes. Brennan Johnson’s corner found Maxence Lacroix, who shrugged off his marker and guided a precise header in off the post to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.

United initially struggled to find rhythm, with Palace looking comfortable in possession and dangerous on the counter. Gradually, however, the hosts began to assert themselves. Fernandes tested Dean Henderson with a curling free kick, while Benjamin Sesko and Casemiro both went close as the pressure built.

Despite United edging the expected goals battle in the first half, Palace held their advantage going into the break.

The match turned decisively just before the hour mark.

In the 52nd minute, Matheus Cunha burst into the box and was hauled down by Lacroix as he prepared to shoot. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty and sent the Palace defender off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Fernandes stepped up and calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom-right corner in the 57th minute to level the scores and swing momentum firmly United’s way.

With Palace reduced to ten men, the hosts raised the tempo and the breakthrough arrived eight minutes later. Fernandes once again pulled the strings, delivering an inviting cross that Benjamin Sesko met with a firm header into the bottom corner for 2-1.

It was Sesko’s sixth goal in seven Premier League games and ultimately proved decisive.

United continued to press for a third, with Henderson producing several important saves to keep Palace in contention. Amad Diallo came closest late on, forcing a superb flying stop from the Palace goalkeeper during an extended period of stoppage time.

Palace rarely threatened after the red card and finished with just 0.38 xG compared to United’s 2.05, underlining the home side’s dominance after the turning point.

The victory also marked a historic milestone for Michael Carrick, who becomes the first Manchester United manager since Frank O’Farrell in 1971 to win his first five home fixtures in charge.

United’s top-four momentum continues, while Palace are left to rue another defeat from a winning position.

Elsewhere, Tottenham’s relegation fears deepened after a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham, prompting boss Igor Tudor to question his team’s effort levels.

Spurs fell behind early when Harry Wilson volleyed Fulham in front, and the hosts doubled their advantage after the break through Alex Iwobi’s superb strike from distance. Substitute Richarlison pulled one back late on, but Tottenham still slumped to their fourth straight league defeat.

A frustrated Tudor did not hold back in his post-match assessment.

We were not good, we lacked everything. Attacking and defending, Fulham were much better. There are problems here, big problems," he told Sky Sports.

The Croatian, who has now overseen back-to-back defeats since replacing Thomas Frank, insisted his side must stay mentally focused despite sitting just four points above the relegation zone.

Fulham boss Marco Silva, meanwhile, praised Iwobi’s standout display after the Cottagers completed a rare league double over Spurs.

It’s one of his best goals. He is capable of doing these types of things. It was a brilliant moment for him," Silva told BBC Sport.

With the season entering a decisive phase, United are surging upward while Tottenham’s slide shows little sign of slowing.

The Starlets are scheduled to depart on February 28, kicking off a carefully structured build-up programme designed to sharpen the team ahead of the tournament.

Kenya will first head to Ivory Coast for two high-profile international friendlies aimed at fine-tuning tactics and assessing match readiness. The Starlets will face Benin on March 2 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, before taking on the hosts Ivory Coast on March 4 at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe.

The technical bench views the West African tests as crucial measuring sticks against physically demanding opposition.

After completing the friendlies, the squad will travel to Miramas, France, for a residential training camp running until March 15. The camp is expected to focus heavily on tactical organisation, physical conditioning, recovery routines and strengthening team chemistry as the players enter the final phase of preparation.

Kenya will then head straight to Morocco for WAFCON 2026, which runs from March 17 to April 3.

Drawn in Group A, the Starlets face a challenging opening assignment against tournament hosts Morocco on March 17. They will then meet Senegal on March 20 before concluding their group-stage campaign against Algeria on March 23.

The Starlets booked their ticket to Morocco after a convincing 4-1 aggregate victory over The Gambia in the final qualifying round. Mwanahalima Adam’s decisive strike in the second leg sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win and confirmed Kenya’s return to Africa’s premier women’s football competition.

With momentum building and expectations rising back home, Odemba will be banking on a balanced squad blending experience and youthful energy to make a meaningful impact on the continental stage.

Harambee Starlets WAFCON 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers:
Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo

Defenders:
Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi

Midfielders:
Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele

Forwards:
Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana

In a fixture billed as a heavyweight battle near the summit, it was Ingwe who ultimately turned the evening into a one-sided statement, showcasing clinical finishing and relentless control.

Shabana actually made the brighter start. Inside two minutes, Mambote Assis forced Leopards goalkeeper Levis Ssettuba into an early save, briefly hinting at the visitors’ attacking intent.

But once AFC Leopards settled into their rhythm, there was only one team in control.

The breakthrough arrived in the 17th minute through a well-worked set piece. James Kinyanjui’s composed assist found Samuel Semo in space, and the midfielder calmly slotted home to ignite the home crowd.

With the opener secured, Ingwe tightened their grip on proceedings, dominating possession and cutting off Shabana’s forward supply lines.

Their pressure yielded a second goal deep into first-half stoppage time. Ronald Sichenje delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the danger area, and Tyson Otieno kept his composure to finish neatly and hand Leopards a comfortable 2-0 advantage at the interval.

The hosts resumed the second half on the front foot. Victor Omune nearly extended the lead ten minutes after the restart but saw his effort drift narrowly wide as Leopards continued to stretch the Shabana backline.

Shabana briefly threatened to spark a comeback in the 63rd minute when Wycliffe Awiko pulled one back, offering the travelling side a glimmer of hope.

That hope did not last long.

Five minutes later, Samuel Ssenyonjo restored Leopards’ cushion with a clinical finish to make it 3-1. Shortly after the goal, the match experienced a brief stoppage following unrest in the stands, but the interruption did little to slow Ingwe’s momentum.

Once play resumed, the home side stepped up another gear. Kayci Odhiambo struck in the 70th minute to stretch the lead to 4-1, effectively putting the contest beyond reach.

Ssenyonjo then completed the rout just four minutes later, grabbing his second of the night with a tidy finish to seal an emphatic 5-1 victory and cap a memorable performance for the hosts.

The result sees AFC Leopards move to 43 points in second place, trimming Gor Mahia’s lead at the summit to six. Shabana remain third on 40 points, still three ahead of defending champions Kenya Police.

In the heat of the title race, Ingwe have made their intentions unmistakably clear.

Betis started with the kind of hunger that turns a derby into a statement, and they were rewarded early. In the 16th minute, Antony pounced from close range to fire the hosts ahead, capping a bright opening spell that had Sevilla scrambling to settle.

The tempo stayed high, tackles flew in, and the referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea had his hands full as both sides battled for every second ball. Betis, though, were the sharper unit in the first half and doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Abde Ezzalzouli slid a clever pass into Alvaro Fidalgo, who finished with authority to make it 2-0 and send the green-and-white half of the stadium into full voice.

At the break, Sevilla had plenty of the ball but too little bite. Betis had the cushion and, for a time, the control.

Sevilla’s response arrived after the restart, sparked by changes and a more direct approach down the flanks. The visitors finally got a foothold and pulled one back in the 62nd minute when Alexis Sanchez rose to meet a cross from Oso, powering a header beyond Alvaro Valles to make it 2-1 and tilt the derby’s emotional balance.

From there, the game became what derbies so often become: a test of nerve.

Betis threatened through Abde and Pablo Fornals, while Sevilla pushed and pushed, searching for the moment that would turn pressure into payoff. With the clock winding down and frustration growing, the visitors found their breakthrough in the 85th minute.

A set piece caused trouble, Djibril Sow’s headed pass found its target, and Isaac Romero applied the finish with his left foot into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. He celebrated hard, earned a booking for it, and Sevilla’s travelling support roared like they had won it.

The closing minutes were frantic rather than clean. Sevilla had half-sights through Adnan Januzaj and Akor Adams, but Betis held on, surviving a tense stoppage time to secure a point that felt very different to the two sides: relief for Sevilla, regret for Betis.

For Betis, this will sting. A 2-0 lead in a derby is supposed to be a platform, not a warning sign. For Sevilla, the fightback will feel like a small victory in itself, proof of resilience when the match threatened to slip away.

One city, one derby, and no winner again, just another chapter of noise, nerves and late drama.

In a contest that swung wildly from end to end, the Giallorossi twice held control but ultimately paid the price for failing to shut the door, as Juventus snatched a dramatic point with virtually the final kick of the match.

The hosts began with purpose and nearly struck inside three minutes when Niccolo Pisilli forced Mattia Perin into an early save, but Lorenzo Pellegrini failed to convert the rebound. Juventus responded through Kenan Yildiz, whose effort flew over, setting the tone for an open contest.

Roma’s persistence finally paid off in the 39th minute. Pisilli released Wesley on the left and the Brazilian produced a moment of real quality, cutting inside before curling a superb effort into the top-right corner beyond Perin to give the home side a deserved lead.

Juventus emerged from the break with renewed urgency and needed just two minutes to restore parity. After a half-cleared free kick, Gleison Bremer teed up Francisco Conceicao, who unleashed a thunderous strike under Mile Svilar’s crossbar to make it 1-1.

The momentum shift was short-lived. Roma responded in the 54th minute when Pellegrini’s clever delivery from a short corner found Evan Ndicka, who reacted quickest to prod home and restore the hosts’ advantage.

When Kouadio Kone split the Juventus defence with a perfectly weighted through ball for Donyell Malen to delicately dink Perin in the 65th minute, Roma looked firmly in control at 3-1 and cruising towards a vital three points.

However, Juventus refused to fold.

The Bianconeri began their comeback in the 78th minute through substitute Jeremie Boga. After Edon Zhegrova’s dangerous cross caused confusion in the box, the Ivorian reacted sharply to volley home and reduce the deficit, injecting fresh belief into the visitors.

Roma tried to manage the closing stages but could not hold firm under late pressure. Deep into stoppage time, Juventus delivered the decisive blow. A floated free kick caused panic in the Roma area and the loose ball fell kindly to Federico Gatti, who smashed past Svilar to silence the Olimpico and spark wild celebrations among the away supporters.

The dramatic finish ensured the spoils were shared in what will go down as one of the season’s most entertaining encounters.

Roma, despite generating 1.65 xG and looking in control for long spells, dropped two crucial points and remain fourth in the standings. Juventus, who slightly outperformed their 1.39 xG, stay sixth but will take immense encouragement from their late fightback.

For the neutral, it was pure Serie A theatre.

Mikel Arteta’s side had to withstand late pressure from the Blues but ultimately did enough to secure three vital points that keep Manchester City at arm’s length in the title chase.

The Gunners started with purpose and were rewarded in the 21st minute through their trusted weapon set-pieces. Bukayo Saka’s deep corner was nodded back across goal by Gabriel, allowing William Saliba to force the ball home from close range to give the hosts an early advantage.

Chelsea gradually grew into the contest and found a way back just before the break. Reece James whipped in a dangerous corner that was inadvertently glanced into his own net by Piero Hincapie in first-half stoppage time, sending the sides into the interval level at 1-1.

The second half opened with both teams showing attacking intent, but Arsenal regained control midway through the period. Declan Rice delivered a pinpoint corner in the 66th minute and Jurrien Timber rose highest to power home a decisive header that restored the Gunners’ lead.

Chelsea’s hopes of mounting a comeback suffered a major blow moments later when Pedro Neto was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on Gabriel Martinelli, reducing Liam Rosenior’s men to ten players.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors pushed forward bravely in the closing stages. David Raya was forced into two crucial late interventions, including a brilliant stop deep into stoppage time, before an offside flag denied Chelsea a dramatic equaliser.

In the end, Arsenal’s defensive discipline and efficiency from set-pieces proved the difference in a tightly contested encounter that saw the hosts post 1.13 expected goals compared to Chelsea’s 1.05.

The victory restores Arsenal’s five-point cushion at the top of the table and keeps their title ambitions firmly on track, while Chelsea suffer their first Premier League defeat under Rosenior and miss the chance to close in on the top four.

Both sides now turn attention to midweek away fixtures, with Arsenal travelling to Brighton and Chelsea set to face Aston Villa.

The record champions had to dig deep to secure the win, but the result pushed K’Ogalo to 49 points, opening a commanding nine-point gap at the summit of the FKF Premier League table.

From the opening whistle, Gor Mahia set the tempo with aggressive pressing and sustained attacking intent. However, despite their early dominance, they struggled to penetrate a disciplined Mathare United backline in a tightly contested first half that ended goalless.

Sensing the need for fresh impetus, head coach Charles Akonnor made bold halftime changes, introducing Ebenezer Assifuah, Paul Ochuoga and Bryton Onyona. The tactical reshuffle proved decisive.

Gor finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when Assifuah timed his run perfectly to latch onto Jackson Dwang’s incisive through ball before calmly slotting past goalkeeper Kevin Ouru.

Mathare United refused to fold and mounted a late response. Their persistence paid off in the 83rd minute when Dennis Okoth punished a defensive lapse, converting from close range after Gor failed to clear their lines to restore parity.

But the drama was far from over.

With four minutes remaining, Assifuah was brought down inside the penalty area after another dangerous Gor attack. Enock Morrison stepped up with composure and coolly dispatched the spot kick, sending the Nyayo crowd into celebration and sealing all three points for the league leaders.

The victory extended Gor Mahia’s unbeaten run to seven matches and strengthened their push for a 22nd league crown following last season’s rare trophy drought.

Off the pitch, however, the club fell short of their gate revenue target. Gor Mahia confirmed collections of KSh 941,200 from the match, an increase of KSh 65,050 from their previous home fixture against KCB but still below the KSh 1 million mark.

The Mathare clash marked the sixth consecutive home game in which K’Ogalo have failed to surpass the million-shilling threshold. Their last major windfall remains the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards, which generated KSh 7,011,500.

Despite the financial shortfall, the mood around the club remains upbeat as performances on the pitch continue to deliver. With AFC Leopards and Shabana locked on 40 points behind them, Gor Mahia have firmly placed themselves in the driving seat as the title race gathers momentum.

Pep Guardiola’s men arrived in Yorkshire without their talisman Erling Haaland, but still found a way to claim maximum points thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s close-range finish deep into first-half stoppage time. The result moves City to within touching distance of league leaders Arsenal and extends their winning streak in the league to four matches.

Leeds, desperate to create breathing space above the relegation zone, started the brighter side and should have taken the lead inside the opening minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a glorious chance from close range after being picked out by Brenden Aaronson, setting the tone for a frustrating evening for Daniel Farke’s side.

The hosts continued to press aggressively and carved out the better openings in the first half, with Aaronson and Jayden Bogle both going close. Despite enjoying long spells of possession, City struggled to create clear-cut chances and were second best for much of the opening period.

However, as has often been the case under Guardiola, the visitors punished Leeds with ruthless efficiency. In first-half stoppage time, Rayan Cherki threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Rayan Ait-Nouri, whose low cross was turned home by Semenyo from point-blank range to silence Elland Road.

The goal shifted the momentum after the break. City tightened their defensive structure and managed the game with typical composure, limiting Leeds to zero shots on target in the second half despite late pressure from the hosts.

Karl Darlow produced a fine save to deny Marc Guehi’s header midway through the second period, but clear opportunities remained scarce as City focused on protecting their slender advantage. Guardiola even introduced defensive reinforcements late on, with Nathan Ake coming in to help see out the result.

Leeds pushed bodies forward in the closing stages and threw everything into the box, but City’s backline, marshalled superbly by Ruben Dias, stood firm. Frustration eventually boiled over after the final whistle, with Farke shown a red card following a confrontation with referee Peter Bankes.

Statistically, the contest was tight, with Leeds posting 1.47 expected goals compared to City’s 1.77. Yet the visitors’ clinical edge proved decisive on a night when margins were razor thin.

The defeat leaves Leeds 15th on the table and still six points above the relegation zone, while City ramp up the pressure on Arsenal in what is shaping into another gripping title run-in.

Leeds now face a busy week at Elland Road, hosting Sunderland in the league before welcoming Norwich City in the FA Cup. City, meanwhile, turn their attention to a midweek Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest before an FA Cup showdown with Newcastle United.

Facing intense pressure from the opening whistle, Glimt absorbed wave after wave of Inter attacks in the first half, with goalkeeper Nikita Haikin producing a composed display to keep the hosts at bay. Inter dominated possession and chances but lacked cutting edge, especially in the absence of injured captain Lautaro Martínez.

The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute, and it came in ruthless fashion. A costly defensive error from Manuel Akanji was pounced upon by former Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge, who finished calmly to extend Glimt’s aggregate lead and silence the home crowd.

Inter pushed even harder in response, committing numbers forward, but that ambition left them exposed. In the 72nd minute, Hauge turned provider, delivering a precise cross that Håkon Evjen converted emphatically to make it 2–0 on the night and effectively decide the tie.

A late goal from Alessandro Bastoni offered Inter brief hope, but it proved little more than consolation. Despite registering 30 shots overall, the Italian side managed just seven on target, epitomising a frustrating European exit.

For Glimt, the final whistle marked a landmark achievement. They are the first Norwegian club to progress from a Champions League knockout tie since 1987 and will now face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the last 16. Inter, meanwhile, turn their full focus to domestic matters as they continue their pursuit of the Serie A title.

First-half tension after early breakthrough

With the aggregate score locked at 3–3 following the first leg in Brussels, the opening exchanges carried obvious edge. Brugge started confidently, but Atlético struck first against the run of play in the 23rd minute. A long clearance from Jan Oblak released Sørloth, who held off his marker before firing low past Simon Mignolet to give the hosts a crucial lead.

The advantage proved short-lived. Brugge responded with authority and were level just before the interval when Joel Ordonez nodded home from close range following a dangerous corner delivery. Moments later, the visitors came agonisingly close to turning the tie on its head, only for Oblak to produce a stunning point-blank save to deny Hugo Vetlesen.

At half-time, the contest — and the aggregate score — remained delicately poised.

Cardoso spark ignites Atlético surge

Atlético emerged with renewed intent after the break and regained control in spectacular fashion just three minutes into the second half. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso marked his first goal for the club with a sublime right-footed volley from the edge of the area, sending the home crowd into raptures and swinging momentum decisively back toward Diego Simeone’s side.

Brugge continued to probe and enjoyed spells of possession, but Atlético grew increasingly dangerous on the counter. With 14 minutes remaining, Sørloth struck again, finishing clinically after a swift passing move to give the Spaniards breathing space at 3–1 on the night.

Any remaining doubt was extinguished late on. A precise cross from Matteo Ruggeri found Sørloth at the back post, and the Norwegian forward made no mistake to complete his hat-trick three minutes from time, capping a devastating second-half display.

Clinical finish seals progression

While Brugge competed bravely and generated promising moments — finishing with a respectable expected goals tally — Atlético’s ruthlessness in key moments proved decisive. The hosts scored with all three of their second-half shots on target, underlining the efficiency that ultimately separated the two sides.

The final whistle from referee Clément Turpin confirmed Atlético’s progression, with the Spanish side now set to face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round of the competition.

Atlético return to domestic action with a trip to Real Oviedo this weekend, while Brugge regroup ahead of their league visit to Charleroi — their European campaign ending with pride intact, but disappointment nonetheless.

The visitors appeared to be cruising after an assured opening that saw Arsenal strike inside five minutes. Bukayo Saka, deployed in a central role, rose unmarked to glance home a teasing Declan Rice delivery and silence the home crowd early on. The goal settled the Gunners, who dominated possession without fully pressing their advantage before the break.

Arsenal finally found what looked like breathing space ten minutes into the second half when Piero Hincapié timed his run to perfection and smashed past José Sá, a finish eventually confirmed after a VAR check. At 2-0, the league leaders seemed set to move further clear at the summit of the Premier League.

However, football rarely follows the script. Wolves, rooted to the foot of the table and playing for pride, found inspiration through Hugo Bueno, whose stunning curling effort from distance reignited belief among the home faithful. The strike, his first in the Premier League, shifted the momentum decisively.

What followed was an uncharacteristically flat closing spell from Arsenal. Rather than manage the game with authority, Mikel Arteta’s side retreated, inviting pressure from opponents who had little to lose. That approach proved fatal deep into stoppage time when David Raya failed to deal cleanly with a wide delivery, allowing teenage substitute Tom Edozie to pounce and bundle the ball over the line, sparking wild celebrations in the stands.

For Wolves, the point felt like a victory — a rare reward in a difficult campaign and a reminder of the Premier League’s unforgiving nature. For Arsenal, it was a missed opportunity that could loom large in the title race, especially with testing fixtures ahead.

As the Gunners head back to North London to prepare for the derby weekend, questions will be asked about game management, focus, and whether small margins may yet define their season.

Akonnor, who had faced mounting scrutiny following a difficult December, engineered a tactical reset that delivered five wins and one draw from six league fixtures. The record champions not only collected maximum points in critical matches but also restored defensive compactness and attacking fluidity.

“January was demanding, but the players responded well to our ideas,” Akonnor noted. “We are building something, and this is further testament that the work the technical team is doing is taking shape.”

Ochuoga’s Numbers Tell the Story

Operating from right-back, Ochuoga emerged as the league’s standout performer. The 21-year-old featured in all six matches, contributing four direct goal involvements, one goal and three assists, while also registering 28 cross attempts, eight interceptions and three clean sheets.

His influence went beyond raw metrics. He claimed two Man of the Match awards, first in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Murang’a SEAL where he supplied an assist, and later in a 2-1 triumph against Bidco United where he found the back of the net.

“This award means a lot to me because it reflects the work we put in as a team,” said Ochuoga. “I dedicate it to my coaches, teammates, and the fans who push us to be and remain the best in such a competitive league.”

For his exploits, he received Ksh 50,000 and a customised trophy courtesy of SportPesa, sponsors of the monthly award introduced in October 2025.

January Run in Detail

Gor Mahia’s month began emphatically with a 4-1 dismantling of Kariobangi Sharks on January 6. A goalless draw away to Shabana FC briefly slowed momentum, but Kogalo quickly shifted gears.

They edged Murang’a SEAL 3-2 in a spirited contest, brushed aside Mara Sugar 3-0, secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bidco United, and closed the month with a commanding 3-0 victory against Sofapaka.

Across those six matches, Gor Mahia scored 15 goals, conceded just four and kept three clean sheets, posting the highest win rate in the division during the period. The run opened a four-point cushion at the summit, though rivals remain within striking distance.

Strong Competition for the Award

Ochuoga edged out stiff competition from teammates and league rivals. Midfield dynamo Enock Morrison impressed with industrious displays and two Man of the Match awards, including a standout showing in the 3-0 win over Sofapaka.

AFC Leopards defender Kaycie Odhiambo was also shortlisted after helping Ingwe secure four consecutive wins and scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Sofapaka.

Mara Sugar’s Jimmy Owili completed the nominations list, standing out despite his side’s struggles. He featured in all five matches, providing an assist and forcing an own goal in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Kakamega Homeboyz.

Since its inception, the award has recognised consistent excellence. Previous winners include Gor Mahia’s Musa Sharif in October, Ulinzi Stars’ Paul Okoth in November, and Murang’a SEAL captain Joe Waithira in December. Ochuoga now joins that elite list with a memorable start to 2026.

February Tests Await

January may have been a statement, but the real examination lies ahead. Gor Mahia travel to Kericho Green Stadium to face APS Bomet on February 15, host KCB at Kasarani on February 20, and clash with Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium five days later.

If Akonnor maintains tactical balance and Ochuoga sustains his attacking output from deep, Kogalo’s resurgence could gather unstoppable momentum.

For now, January belongs to Gor Mahia. The champions are unbeaten, the structure looks restored, and belief has returned to their dressing room.

Spurs sit 16th in the table, just five points above the drop, following a dreadful run that saw them go eight league games without a win. It is their longest winless stretch in the Premier League since October 2008. In their last 17 league matches, Tottenham have managed only two victories and collected a meagre 12 points, a return that ultimately forced the board’s hand.

In a club statement, Tottenham admitted they had been determined to give Frank time and support to build for the future. However, recent results made it clear that a change was necessary.

Frank arrived in June following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou and signed a contract running until 2028. The Dane was seen as a progressive tactician capable of stabilising the club. While he delivered strong performances in Europe, his domestic record failed to convince.

In the league this season, Spurs managed seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats. Their inconsistency left them adrift of European qualification spots and uncomfortably close to danger. Ironically, Frank’s side excelled in the Champions League group stage, finishing fourth to secure automatic qualification for the last 16. They won five of eight group matches, losing only once away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.

Domestically, though, disappointment mounted. Spurs exited the Carabao Cup in the fourth round after defeat to Newcastle and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Aston Villa. The exits compounded frustrations among supporters already angered by league performances.

Boos rang around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent weeks. Defeats at home to Newcastle and West Ham intensified the pressure. Frank was taunted with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” during the loss to West Ham and again in the 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Against Manchester City, Spurs were jeered off at half-time while trailing 2-0 before rallying to secure a 2-2 draw. Yet even that spirited comeback could not mask deeper issues within the squad.

Captain Cristian Romero publicly criticised the board, calling it disgraceful that only 11 senior players were available against City. Injuries have ravaged the squad throughout the season. Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have all been sidelined for extended periods. Romero himself is suspended for the next three league matches after receiving his second red card of the campaign in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

At home, Spurs collected just 10 league points under Frank, a shocking statistic for a club of their stature. Their away form was marginally better, with 19 points gained from 13 matches, but it was not enough to offset their struggles in north London.

Frank’s tenure began with promise. Spurs defeated Burnley, Manchester City and West Ham in their opening four league matches and beat Villarreal in the Champions League. However, heavy defeats soon followed, including a 4-1 loss to Arsenal and a damaging 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

Before joining Tottenham, Frank spent seven years at Brentford, guiding them from the Championship to the Premier League in 2021. His reputation as a builder and long-term planner made him an appealing appointment. Yet at Spurs, the gamble did not pay off.

In their farewell message, the club thanked Frank for his unwavering commitment and wished him success in the future. For Tottenham, attention now turns to survival and the search for a manager capable of restoring stability to a club once aiming for silverware but now fighting to steady the ship.

In Group A, Rivers United saw their hopes take a heavy blow after collapsing to a 4-1 home defeat against Pyramids FC at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The hosts had made a dream start when Stephen Manyo fired them ahead in the 33rd minute with a low strike from outside the box. However, Pyramids emerged a different side after the break and quickly turned the match on its head. Mostafa Fathi levelled matters early in the second half before Marwan Hamdi converted from the penalty spot following a handball in the box.

As Rivers United pushed for an equaliser, gaps began to appear at the back. Odeh Al-Fakhouri capitalised with a clinical finish in the 88th minute, and Nasser Maher added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time to complete a dominant Egyptian display. The defeat leaves Rivers United facing an uphill task heading into the final round of fixtures.

In Group C, Saint Eloi Lupopo and Mamelodi Sundowns played out a tense 1-1 draw at the Stade du TP Mazembe.

Lupopo struck first in the 19th minute through Henoc Molia, who reacted quickest inside the box to put the hosts in front. Sundowns dominated possession for long spells and were rewarded in the 55th minute when Jayden Adams rose highest to head home from a corner.

The South African champions pressed for a winner late on, hitting the post and forcing several nervy moments in the Lupopo defence, but the hosts held firm to earn a valuable point that keeps their qualification hopes alive.

Meanwhile in Group D, Stade Malien recorded one of the standout results of the round by edging Esperance 1-0 at Stade 26 Mars.

After a tightly contested first half, the breakthrough arrived in the 54th minute when Daouda Coulibaly finished from close range following sustained pressure. Esperance pushed hard for an equaliser, peppering the Stade Malien box with crosses and long-range efforts, but the home side defended resolutely to secure all three points.

The result blows Group D wide open, with Stade Malien boosting their chances of progressing while Esperance are left needing a strong finish in the final round.

With one matchday remaining, qualification battles across the CAF Champions League remain finely poised, promising more drama as Africa’s elite clubs chase continental glory.

The hosts started brightly and thought they had taken an early lead midway through the first half when Teun Koopmeiners fired home from the edge of the box. However, celebrations were cut short following a VAR review, with the effort ruled out for offside as Khephren Thuram was judged to have interfered with the goalkeeper’s line of sight.

That decision proved costly moments before the break. Manuel Locatelli was caught in possession on the halfway line, allowing Daniel Maldini to pounce and release Pedro. The experienced Spaniard kept his composure inside the area, guiding a low effort past Michele Di Gregorio via a deflection to hand Lazio a shock lead in first-half stoppage time.

The visitors struck again immediately after the restart. Captain Danilo Cataldi split the Juventus defence with a perfectly weighted pass down the right channel, sending Gustav Isaksen through on goal. The Dane showed pace and precision, racing clear before blasting a fierce finish into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.

Facing the prospect of their first home defeat of the season, Juventus responded with intensity. Weston McKennie gave the Bianconeri hope in the 59th minute, rising highest to nod home Andrea Cambiaso’s teasing cross and swing momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour.

What followed was relentless pressure from Juventus, who dominated possession and chances, racking up wave after wave of attacks. Lazio, however, could have wrapped up the contest on the counter, with clear opportunities falling to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Kenneth Taylor and Tijjani Noslin, all of which went begging.

The missed chances came back to haunt the visitors deep into injury time. Substitute Fabio Miretti switched play out wide to Jeremie Boga, whose pinpoint cross was met by the onrushing Pierre Kalulu. The defender’s powerful header crashed into the net in the 96th minute, sparking wild celebrations and salvaging a deserved point for the home side.

The result extends Juventus’ unbeaten run at home this season and keeps them firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification. For Lazio, it was a bitter outcome, leaving them stranded in mid-table and ruing a failure to kill off a game they had firmly in their grasp.

The opening half was cagey and short on clear chances, with Madrid dominating possession but struggling to break down a disciplined Valencia backline. The hosts showed flashes of threat through Lucas Beltran and Arnaut Danjuma, but failed to truly test Thibaut Courtois, while Stole Dimitrievski stood firm to deny efforts from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde.

The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute and came in spectacular fashion. Left-back Alvaro Carreras picked up the ball on the flank, drove relentlessly towards goal, skipped past three defenders and calmly slotted into the bottom corner to give Real Madrid the lead.

Valencia attempted to respond and went agonisingly close to equalising when Beltran clipped the post with a first-time effort, but their momentum faded as Madrid regained control. The visitors managed the tempo well, keeping the ball and limiting Valencia to speculative chances from distance.

Any lingering hope for the home side was extinguished in stoppage time. Mbappe, who had earlier missed a couple of presentable opportunities, finally got his reward when he timed his run to perfection, raced in behind the defence and finished from close range after being set up by Brahim Diaz to make it 2-0.

The win extends Madrid’s winning streak in the league to seven matches and moves them to within one point of leaders Barcelona, ensuring the title race remains finely poised. For Valencia, the defeat leaves them hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, with pressure mounting as the season enters its decisive phase.

After a cagey first half filled with half chances and frantic pressing, the match burst into life midway through the second period. Liverpool finally found their breakthrough in the 74th minute through Dominik Szoboszlai, who unleashed a thunderous free kick from nearly 30 yards that flew past Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the net, sending Anfield into raptures.

The lead, however, lasted just ten minutes. City responded with composure and precision as Erling Haaland flicked on a delivery into the path of Bernardo Silva, who poked the ball through Alisson Becker’s legs to level matters at 1-1 and shift the momentum decisively.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the contest turned chaotic. Alisson rushed off his line and clattered into Matheus Nunes inside the box, leaving referee Craig Pawson with little option but to point to the spot. Haaland stepped up under immense pressure and calmly rolled his penalty into the bottom corner in the 93rd minute to complete the comeback.

There was further drama in the closing seconds as City thought they had added a third goal through Rayan Cherki, only for VAR intervention to rule it out after an incident involving Szoboszlai and Haaland. Moments later, Szoboszlai was shown a red card as tempers flared in the frantic finale.

The win marks City’s first league double over Liverpool since 1937 and keeps them firmly in the title hunt, cutting the gap on leaders Arsenal. For Liverpool, it was a painful night at Anfield, undone by late lapses despite moments of individual brilliance.

The Kenyan side started the match with confidence and looked the more dangerous outfit in the opening half. They moved the ball with purpose and repeatedly troubled the Wydad backline, but a familiar problem returned to haunt them - poor decision making in the final third.

Shami Mwinyi found himself in promising positions twice but failed to capitalise, hesitating when clean through on goal on one occasion and choosing to pass instead of shooting on another. Lesley Owino later tested the Wydad goalkeeper with a powerful long range effort, while Dancan Omala saw a follow up chance ruled out for offside.

Wydad were largely quiet before the break, relying on isolated efforts from Hakim Ziyech, who fired wide from the edge of the area. Nairobi United goalkeeper Kevin Oduor was called into action late in the half, producing a key save before quickly launching a counter attack that almost paid off, only for Benson Omala to miss from close range.

After the interval, head coach Salim Ali attempted to change the tempo by introducing Titus Ssematimba, Muhadjiri Hakizimana and Charles Waibi. The substitutions brought renewed energy as Nairobi United dominated possession for long spells, pushing Wydad deep into their own half and forcing a series of corners and free kicks.

Despite the sustained pressure, clear cut chances remained elusive and the breakthrough never came. Instead, it was Wydad who struck late against the run of play. In the 89th minute, Walid Nassi burst into space and squared the ball for Wissam Ben Yedder, who finished from close range to silence the home crowd.

Things went from bad to worse in stoppage time when defender Steve Biko was shown a straight red card after denying Wydad a clear goal scoring opportunity, compounding Nairobi United’s misery in the dying moments.

The result leaves Nairobi United winless after five group matches, with defeat once again highlighting their struggles in front of goal. They will now turn their attention to their final group fixture away to Maniema Union, hoping to end a difficult CAF Confederation Cup campaign on a positive note.

The visitors showed early ambition and briefly unsettled the home crowd with a series of promising attacks, but Barcelona’s composure eventually told. The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute when Robert Lewandowski pounced inside the box, swivelling sharply before rifling the ball home to give the hosts the lead.

That goal shifted the momentum decisively. Barcelona began to move the ball quicker and pin Mallorca deeper, although they were denied a second before the interval when Lamine Yamal somehow failed to convert a gilt-edged chance at the back post.

Any lingering doubt was erased shortly after the restart. On 61 minutes, Yamal made amends in spectacular fashion, cutting inside from the right and unleashing a sumptuous left-footed strike from range that arrowed into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted.

With Mallorca stretched and chasing shadows, Barcelona finished the job late on. A slick counter-attack carved the visitors open in the 83rd minute, and substitute Marc Bernal kept his nerve to slot home a classy third, capping a flowing move that drew loud applause from the stands.

The statistics underlined Barcelona’s dominance, with the hosts posting 2.63 expected goals to Mallorca’s 0.8, while also maintaining their perfect home record in LaLiga this season. The clean sheet further highlighted their defensive solidity on home soil.

The victory lifts Barcelona four points clear at the summit ahead of Real Madrid’s tricky trip to Valencia, while attention now turns to a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid. For Mallorca, defeat leaves them still glancing over their shoulders near the relegation zone as they prepare for a home clash with Real Betis.

The Gunners were made to work hard in the opening exchanges as Sunderland showed no fear, pressing high and creating early moments of danger. David Raya was forced into action, while Kai Havertz produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Brian Brobbey as the visitors threatened to stun the league leaders.

Arsenal gradually grew into the contest and found the breakthrough three minutes before the break through Martin Zubimendi. The midfielder produced a moment of pure class, collecting Leandro Trossard’s pass on the edge of the area before bending a superb right-footed strike in off the post, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.

Sunderland started the second half with real intent and briefly unsettled the hosts, but Mikel Arteta’s changes on the hour proved decisive. Viktor Gyokeres was introduced and wasted little time making his mark. In the 66th minute, Kai Havertz’s cut-back found the Swedish striker, who steadied himself before firing low into the corner to double Arsenal’s lead.

With Sunderland chasing the game, space opened up late on and Arsenal punished them. Deep into stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli broke forward and unselfishly squared for Gyokeres, who calmly slotted home his second of the evening to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

The result leaves Arsenal with a commanding cushion at the summit and full of confidence ahead of their next league outing, while Sunderland slip to ninth despite another spirited display.

Elsewhere, Chelsea continued their climb up the table with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, inspired by a devastating first-half display from Cole Palmer.

The visitors struck early when Joao Pedro was brought down inside the area, allowing Palmer to calmly convert from the spot in the 13th minute. Wolves failed to heed the warning and were punished again soon after, as another foul on Joao Pedro resulted in a second penalty, which Palmer dispatched with equal composure.

Chelsea then delivered the killer blow before the break. A swift move down the left saw Marc Cucurella pull the ball back into the box, where Palmer arrived to smash home his third goal of the half, completing a remarkable hat-trick and effectively ending the contest before the interval.

Wolves showed more fight after the restart and were rewarded when Tolu Arokodare reduced the deficit, reacting quickest in the box to swivel and score following a corner. However, any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Chelsea regained control and comfortably saw out the closing stages.

The win marks another milestone for Chelsea under Liam Rosenior, who has now won his opening four Premier League matches in charge. For Wolves, the defeat leaves them rooted near the bottom, with performances still not translating into results.

As the title race and battle for European places intensify, both Arsenal and Chelsea sent out clear messages that they are hitting form at a crucial stage of the season.

The hosts wasted no time in asserting themselves and were handed an early opportunity when Stefan Bell was fouled inside the box just five minutes into the contest. Amiri stepped up with confidence and calmly rolled his effort into the bottom corner, giving Mainz a deserved eighth-minute lead and settling the nerves inside the MEWA Arena.

Augsburg attempted to respond through long-range efforts and set pieces, but Mainz remained compact and organised, limiting their visitors to speculative chances. Daniel Batz was rarely troubled, dealing comfortably with anything that came his way as Mainz controlled the tempo for long spells.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mainz looking patient while Augsburg searched for a way back into the contest. The visitors did enjoy moments of pressure, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third proved costly once again.

The game was effectively decided in the 80th minute when Mainz were awarded a second penalty. Amiri was once more entrusted with the responsibility, and he made no mistake, dispatching his spot-kick with composure to double the advantage and put the result beyond doubt.

Despite Augsburg’s late attempts to salvage something from the match, Mainz held firm through the closing stages, seeing out the contest without any real alarm. The clean sheet underlined a solid all-round display, built on defensive discipline and efficiency at key moments.

The victory provides a timely boost for Mainz as they continue to navigate a competitive Bundesliga campaign, while Augsburg are left to reflect on missed opportunities and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

The club confirmed that Abungana died shortly before midnight on Wednesday while receiving treatment at Kakamega General Hospital. He had been admitted with serious head injuries after an assault that took place on Tuesday night at his home. Reports indicate that the attack involved a close family member, sending shockwaves through both his family and the football fraternity.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the suspect reportedly fled, prompting an intensive search by law enforcement officers. On Thursday, Kakamega Homeboyz confirmed that a suspect connected to Abungana’s death has since been arrested, a development the club acknowledged with cautious relief amid deep mourning.

While welcoming the swift response from the authorities, the club made it clear that no arrest can ease the pain of losing a teammate, friend and brother in such tragic circumstances. They reiterated their commitment to seeing justice served, while honouring Abungana’s memory and the contribution he made on and off the pitch.

“The perpetrator behind the death of our dear brother Silas Abungana has been apprehended. We appreciate the swift action by the authorities as we continue to mourn and seek justice for Silas. Forever in our hearts, Silas,” the club said in a statement.

Abungana’s passing has been felt even more deeply given how recently he had been in action. Just days before his death, the experienced fullback played the entire match for Homeboyz in their FKF Premier League fixture against Mara Sugar, showing the commitment and professionalism that defined his career.

He joined Kakamega Homeboyz in August 2025 and quickly became an important figure in the squad under head coach Patrick Odhiambo. Known for his discipline, work rate and calm presence at the back, Abungana earned respect both in the dressing room and among the fans.

Before moving to Kakamega, he had built a solid reputation at Shabana FC, where he was part of the team that achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2023. Following his release in January 2024, he joined Gucha Stars and played a key role in their promotion to the National Super League ahead of the 2025-26 season, performances that eventually earned him his move to Homeboyz.

As investigations continue, tributes continue to pour in for a player whose journey was defined by perseverance and quiet leadership. Kenyan football has lost not just a defender, but a life taken far too soon.

The hosts started on the front foot and nearly struck inside the opening minute, only for Mbeumo to fire wide after being teed up by Fernandes. That early warning proved decisive, as United dominated territory and chances throughout the opening half.

The turning point arrived in the 29th minute when Tottenham captain Cristian Romero once again let his side down. The Argentine defender lunged recklessly into Casemiro, catching the Brazilian high on the leg. Referee Michael Oliver had little hesitation in producing a straight red card, leaving Spurs with a mountain to climb.

United quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage. From a cleverly worked short corner in the 38th minute, Kobbie Mainoo pulled the ball back for Bryan Mbeumo, who calmly guided a left-footed finish into the bottom corner to give the home side a deserved lead.

From there, it was largely one-way traffic. United controlled possession, pressed aggressively and repeatedly tested Guglielmo Vicario, who kept the scoreline respectable with a string of saves. Tottenham, by contrast, struggled to muster any attacking threat and managed just a single shot on target all afternoon.

After the break, the pattern remained the same. Fernandes dictated play with authority, while Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha stretched the Spurs defence. United’s persistence was finally rewarded in the 81st minute. Diogo Dalot’s high delivery from the right caused chaos in the box, and Fernandes reacted quickest, guiding a composed finish into the bottom-right corner to seal the points.

The goal capped another outstanding display from United’s captain, who continues to carry the team creatively and now boasts direct involvement in 200 goals for the club across all competitions.

In truth, the margin could have been greater. United registered 23 shots and an expected goals tally of 1.79, underlining their dominance, while Spurs produced little response despite late attacking substitutions.

The win lifts United firmly into fourth place and marks their first run of four consecutive league victories since early 2024. For Tottenham, the problems continue to mount. Now winless in seven Premier League matches, they could slip dangerously close to the relegation places if results elsewhere go against them.

United will look to extend their fine form away at West Ham next, while Spurs return home desperate for a response when they face Newcastle United.

From the moment Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring in the 20th minute, the contest felt one-sided. Bologna had enjoyed plenty of the ball early on, but their possession lacked purpose, and Milan punished them the first time they failed to clear their lines. After Mike Ravaglia saved an initial effort, Adrien Rabiot reacted quickest, squaring for Loftus-Cheek to guide a composed finish into the net.

The Rossoneri smelled blood. Bologna’s confidence visibly drained, and their defensive uncertainty was laid bare again just before half-time. Christopher Nkunku darted into the area and cleverly drew a foul from Ravaglia, before calmly dispatching the resulting penalty to double Milan’s advantage and effectively settle the contest before the break.

Any lingering hope the home crowd had was extinguished almost immediately after the restart. A dreadful throw-in from Juan Miranda gifted possession straight to Rabiot, who took a touch, surged forward and slid a low finish beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 inside three minutes of the second half.

From there, Milan were in full control. They dropped into a compact shape, soaked up Bologna’s harmless possession, and picked their moments to threaten on the break. The hosts’ attacking struggles were summed up by an expected goals figure of just 0.45 across the entire match, compared to Milan’s commanding 2.62.

Bologna’s misery deepens with a fifth defeat in six home games, their early-season promise now a distant memory. Milan, meanwhile, extend their Serie A unbeaten run to 22 matches and remain firmly in the hunt behind city rivals Inter.

With Pisa next on the schedule, Massimiliano Allegri’s side will believe momentum is firmly on their side. Bologna must regroup quickly, with a derby against Parma looming and a Coppa Italia quarter-final against Lazio offering both danger and opportunity.

The 22-year-old joins the Addicks from Serbian SuperLiga side FK Vojvodina, with the London club confirming his arrival earlier this week. For Sichenje, the transfer represents both validation of his steady rise and a fresh challenge in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.

“It feels amazing to be here. It is a good club with good projects and I’m ready to start working with them,” Sichenje said.
“It’s a big step for my career. It’s a good opportunity to keep working, developing and helping the team. I just need to stay humble and keep working, that’s the goal.”

Sichenje’s journey has been anything but straightforward. He began his career with Kakamega High School’s famed Green Commandos before earning a move to AFC Leopards in September 2019, where his performances quickly marked him out as one of the country’s brightest defensive prospects.

A move to Greece with PAOK followed, before a brief return to Leopards. In 2022, he signed for Swedish giants AIK, later spending the 2023/24 season on loan at Finnish side KuPS Kuopio. Regular football in Finland allowed him to rediscover his rhythm and confidence, performances that reopened doors at a higher level.

Despite that progress, opportunities at AIK were limited, leading to another loan spell at FK Vojvodina. The Serbian club were impressed enough to make the move permanent in September 2024, and Sichenje has been a regular feature for them until his switch to England.

The defender has already been encouraged by the reception he has received at Charlton, particularly the faith shown by head coach Nathan Jones.

“The manager has a lot of belief in me. He has told me what I need to improve in my game, and I’ve started learning and adapting quickly. The first impression is good and I’m happy to be here,” he said.

Charlton’s managing director James Rodwell confirmed that Sichenje had been on the club’s radar for some time.

“He’s a player we’ve been tracking for a long time and was originally budgeted to join us in the summer as part of our multi-window strategy. We’re pleased the opportunity came to bring him in earlier,” Rodwell noted.

Sichenje becomes Charlton’s seventh signing of the winter transfer window as the club looks to climb away from danger. The Addicks currently sit 18th on 35 points after 29 matches, and will be hoping the composure and athleticism of the eight-capped Harambee Stars defender can help steady their campaign.

For Kenyan football, it is another encouraging sign, with Sichenje now set to test himself on one of English football’s most competitive stages.

The first half offered little in the way of clear chances, with both sides cancelling each other out in a cagey contest. Albacete were organised and disciplined, while Barcelona struggled to find rhythm despite dominating possession. Just when it seemed the teams would head into the break level, Lamine Yamal produced a moment of pure quality. After Barcelona won the ball high up the pitch, Frenkie de Jong slid a perfectly weighted pass to the teenager, who bent a first-time left-footed finish into the far corner to give the visitors the lead.

That goal changed the tone of the game. Barcelona emerged with more intent after the break and doubled their advantage in the 56th minute. Marcus Rashford’s delivery from a corner was met by Ronald Araujo, who rose highest to power a header past the goalkeeper and make it 2-0. At that point, it looked like the tie was slipping away from the hosts.

Albacete, however, refused to fold. They grew in belief as Barcelona failed to add a third goal, and the crowd sensed an opening. The home side thought they had pulled one back when Betancor found the net, only for VAR to rule the move out for offside in the build-up.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 87th minute. Jose Carlos Lazo whipped in a superb free-kick, and Javi Moreno attacked it bravely, sending a fine header past Joan Garcia to cut the deficit to 2-1 and set up a nervy finish.

Barcelona believed they had sealed the game in the 90th minute when Ferran Torres scored from close range, but VAR again intervened, ruling the goal out for offside. That decision gave Albacete renewed hope, and in stoppage time they came agonisingly close to forcing extra time. Gamez dinked the ball over the goalkeeper, but Gerard Martin, back-pedalling desperately, managed to head the effort off the line and save Barcelona at the last possible moment.

That proved to be the final twist. Barcelona held on to progress to the semi-finals, finishing the night with an xG of 2.27 compared to Albacete’s 0.67. For the hosts, it was the end of a memorable cup journey that had already delivered famous wins, but this final hurdle proved just too high.

Barcelona march on, their name back in the hat for the semi-final draw on February 6, while Albacete bow out with heads held high after pushing one of Spain’s giants to the limit.

The second leg was never a game for the purists. Chances were scarce, the tempo cautious, and both sides appeared locked in a tactical stalemate for long spells. Arsenal, holding a narrow advantage from the first leg, were content to stay compact and disciplined, while Chelsea focused on staying in the tie before unleashing their attacking options late on.

Chelsea’s game plan nearly worked. They kept Arsenal at arm’s length for much of the night, limited clear chances, and gradually committed more bodies forward as the clock ticked down. With six minutes of added time announced, the visitors pushed almost everyone into Arsenal territory, chasing the goal that would have forced extra time.

That gamble proved fatal.

In the 97th minute, Arsenal sprang forward on the counter. Declan Rice carried the ball out of danger and produced a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Havertz. The German showed composure beyond the chaos of the moment, rounding the goalkeeper before calmly rolling the ball into the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations inside the Emirates.

It was a cruel end for Chelsea, who had thrown everything at Arsenal in the closing stages, but it summed up the Gunners’ night. They were not spectacular, but they were resilient, organised, and ruthlessly efficient when it mattered most. The underlying numbers reflected the story of the match, with both teams posting modest attacking output, yet Arsenal found the one moment that decided the tie.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now won both legs of the semi-final and remain firmly on course in multiple competitions this season. It is their first EFL Cup final appearance since 2018, and they will now head to Wembley with belief that silverware is within reach for the first time in this competition since 1993.

For Chelsea, it was a night of frustration. The plan to keep the contest alive until the final moments was sound, but the lack of a cutting edge and one lapse in transition cost them dearly. Their wait for another EFL Cup final goes on.

For Arsenal, the job is done. Wembley awaits, and one more hurdle stands between them and lifting the EFL Cup once again.

The hosts struck in the 37th minute, capitalising on a rare lapse in Lille’s defensive shape. Ruben Kluivert’s delivery found Nartey in space inside the box, and the midfielder showed composure to guide a right-footed effort straight down the middle, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

That goal shifted the balance of a contest that was otherwise evenly matched and fiercely contested. Lille enjoyed long spells of possession and tested Lyon’s defensive resolve, but Dominik Greif stood firm in goal, producing several important saves to preserve the advantage.

The second half followed a familiar pattern, with Lille pushing numbers forward in search of an equaliser while Lyon sat deeper and looked to strike on the counter. Chances were limited, but Lille came close late on when Matias Fernandez-Pardo tried his luck from distance, only to see his effort comfortably gathered.

As the minutes ticked away, Lyon managed the game intelligently, breaking up play, drawing fouls and frustrating a Lille side that struggled to find a cutting edge in the final third. Despite sustained pressure and a flurry of late set pieces, the visitors could not find a way through.

The final whistle confirmed a valuable three points for Lyon, who showed resilience and discipline to see out the narrow win. Lille were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of sharpness in front of goal on a night where fine margins decided the outcome.

Los Blancos made a bright start and struck first inside 15 minutes through Vinicius Junior, who produced a moment of pure quality to lift the home crowd. Found on the left, the Brazilian drove into the box and bent a superb right-footed effort into the far corner, ending his league goal drought in emphatic fashion.

Despite taking the lead, Madrid never truly settled. Rayo Vallecano grew in confidence as the first half wore on, repeatedly finding space down the flanks and unsettling a home side that struggled to control the tempo. The warning signs were clear, and they were punished shortly after the restart.

Four minutes into the second half, Jorge de Frutos brought Rayo level with a well-taken finish from close range after a smart move down the left. The equaliser sparked belief among the visitors, who suddenly looked the more dangerous side.

Madrid were rocked further when Andrei Ratiu burst through on goal just past the hour mark, only for Thibaut Courtois to produce a vital save that kept the hosts alive. That moment proved decisive in shaping the rest of the contest.

The game swung again on 80 minutes when Pathé Ciss was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Dani Ceballos. With Rayo reduced to ten men, Madrid laid siege to the Vallecano box, pinning the visitors back and forcing wave after wave of pressure.

Just when it appeared Rayo would cling on for a famous point, late drama arrived. Deep into stoppage time, Fran Garcia was brought down inside the area, and Kylian Mbappe stepped up with nerves of steel. The French forward calmly rolled the penalty into the bottom corner to seal the win and score his 22nd league goal of the season.

Tempers flared even further moments later as Pep Chavarria was sent off for a second bookable offence, leaving Rayo with nine men by the final whistle.

The statistics underlined Madrid’s late dominance, with the hosts finishing with an xG of 2.14 compared to Rayo’s 0.06, but the scoreline told a story of a far more demanding afternoon than expected.

The victory moves Real Madrid back within a point of LaLiga leaders Barcelona as they turn their focus to an away trip to Valencia. Rayo Vallecano, despite defeat, will take encouragement from a disciplined and fearless display as they prepare to host Oviedo next.

United set the tone early and were rewarded in the 19th minute when Casemiro rose highest to power home a header from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick. The Brazilian’s goal, his fifth of the league campaign, capped a dominant opening spell in which Fulham struggled to cope with United’s intensity and set-piece threat.

The hosts continued to press after the break and doubled their advantage just before the hour mark. Casemiro turned provider with a perfectly weighted pass into the box, and Matheus Cunha did the rest, smashing an unstoppable finish into the near-post top corner from a tight angle to make it 2-0.

At that point, United looked comfortable, but Fulham refused to disappear quietly. Marco Silva’s side had a goal ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check, yet their persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute. Harry Maguire’s sliding challenge on Raul Jimenez resulted in a penalty, and the striker calmly sent the spot-kick into the top corner to give the visitors renewed belief.

Then came chaos. In the first minute of added time, substitute Kevin stunned the home crowd with a sensational curling strike from the edge of the area, drawing Fulham level and threatening to snatch the momentum entirely.

Old Trafford, however, had one final roar left. With the clock deep into stoppage time, another substitute, Benjamin Sesko, pounced inside the box, spun sharply and rifled a decisive finish into the roof of the net to restore United’s lead and send the stadium into raptures.

Despite Fulham finishing with a higher expected goals tally, United held firm through a nervy finale to claim all three points. The victory lifts Carrick’s side inside the Premier League top four and equals the longest winning run achieved by his predecessor, while reinforcing the growing sense of belief around the club.

Fulham drop to eighth but leave Manchester with their heads high after contributing to a match that will be talked about for a long time.

The Gunners arrived in Leeds under pressure following mixed domestic results, but Mikel Arteta’s side responded in emphatic fashion, controlling the contest and punishing the hosts with clinical efficiency, particularly from set pieces.

Arsenal’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute after sustained pressure. A delivery from Noni Madueke caused problems in the Leeds area and Martin Zubimendi reacted quickest, powering a close range header into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Leeds barely had time to regroup before Arsenal struck again. Another dangerous corner from Madueke caused chaos, with goalkeeper Karl Darlow punching the ball into his own net under pressure to hand Arsenal a two-goal cushion and leave Elland Road stunned into silence.

Despite enjoying more possession after the interval, Leeds struggled to create anything meaningful. Arsenal’s defensive organisation limited the hosts to hopeful efforts, while David Raya was rarely troubled between the posts.

The match was effectively put beyond doubt in the 69th minute when substitute Gabriel Martinelli burst down the flank and delivered a teasing cross that Viktor Gyokeres finished with the instinct of a natural striker to make it 3-0.

Arsenal were not done yet. Gabriel Jesus, introduced from the bench, added the finishing touch late on, showing composure and strength in the box before guiding his effort into the corner to complete a comprehensive four-goal rout.

The result underlined Arsenal’s growing authority in the title race. They outperformed Leeds in all key moments, showing maturity, depth and a cutting edge that will worry their closest challengers as the season enters a decisive phase.

For Leeds United, it was a sobering night. Daniel Farke’s side found themselves second best throughout and will need to regroup quickly as their focus shifts back to securing Premier League survival.

Arsenal, meanwhile, march on with confidence restored. With momentum back on their side and rivals under pressure, Arteta’s men look every bit like a team determined to go all the way.

The league leaders wasted little time asserting control, punishing Sofapaka defensive lapses with a clinical opening half that effectively settled the contest before the break. Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino and Ebenezer Adukwaw were all on target as K’Ogalo cruised into a commanding halftime lead.

Gor Mahia took the lead in the 15th minute following a long throw from Enock Morrison that found Frank Odhiambo unmarked in the box, the defender rising highest to head home and give the champions an early advantage. The goal set the tone for a relentless spell of pressure from the hosts.

Sofapaka attempted a quick response through Musa Ndusha, whose dangerous free kick forced a save and a corner, but that was as close as Batoto Ba Mungu came to mounting a serious threat in the opening exchanges. Gor Mahia remained composed at the back and incisive going forward.

The second goal arrived soon after when Jackson Dwang split the Sofapaka defence with a precise pass that allowed Sylvester Owino to head home from close range, doubling Gor Mahia’s advantage and tightening their grip on the match.

Matters went from bad to worse for the visitors when Shariff Musa was brought down in the box, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot. Ebenezer Adukwaw stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to make it 3-0, capping a devastating first-half performance by the league leaders.

Gor Mahia were forced into a change before the interval after Patrick Essombe picked up an injury, with Ebenezer Assifuah coming on in his place, but the substitution did little to disrupt the hosts’ rhythm.

The second half saw Sofapaka introduce fresh legs in an attempt to stem the tide, but Gor Mahia were content to manage the game, maintaining their defensive shape and controlling possession. Head coach Charles Akonnor also handed Lewis Bandi his debut, withdrawing Paul Ochuoga in a notable moment late in the match.

With the victory, Gor Mahia moved to 39 points, opening a four-point cushion over rivals AFC Leopards, who were not in league action due to continental commitments. The result ensures K’Ogalo will remain top of the table heading into the FKF Cup break.

The performance once again highlighted Gor Mahia’s depth and balance, with different players stepping up in key moments. As the season enters a crucial phase, the record champions look firmly in control of the title race, while Sofapaka are left with serious questions as they continue to battle near the bottom of the standings.

In the case involving Ulinzi Stars and Murang’a SEAL, the committee confirmed that the match was abandoned after Ulinzi Stars declined to resume play. After reviewing the circumstances and applying FKF competition rules, the committee ruled in favour of Murang’a SEAL FC. As a result, the match has been awarded to Murang’a SEAL with a 2–0 scoreline registered against Ulinzi Stars.

The committee further noted that the matter has been escalated to both the FKF Disciplinary Committee and the Referees Committee for further examination, opening the door for possible sanctions depending on the outcome of those reviews.

Meanwhile, the high-profile fixture between Nairobi United and Gor Mahia was ruled abandoned due to force majeure, meaning unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the participating teams. In line with FKF regulations, the score at the time of abandonment has been upheld, with the match officially recorded as a 1–1 draw.

However, the ruling has not been without controversy. Nairobi United were not invited to present their case before the Leagues and Competitions Committee reached its decision. The federation has acknowledged this, and the club now retains the right to challenge the outcome through the appropriate FKF channels.

The twin rulings are likely to have a direct impact on the league standings, while also reigniting debate around match management, procedural fairness, and the handling of abandoned fixtures in Kenyan football.

Arsenal set the standard. Mikel Arteta’s side completed a flawless league phase, winning all eight matches to finish top of the table on 24 points. Their 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty on the final matchday capped a dominant run that saw the Gunners combine attacking freedom with ruthless efficiency. As top seeds, Arsenal now carry significant advantages into the knockout rounds, including home second legs and protection from the strongest opponents until the latter stages.

Liverpool followed closely behind, finishing third with six wins from eight. Despite a couple of setbacks along the way, Jurgen Klopp’s side did enough to stay in the top eight, once again showing their pedigree on the European stage. Their ability to control games away from home proved decisive in avoiding the play offs.

Tottenham also impressed, ending the league phase in fourth place. Ange Postecoglou’s side blended intensity with attacking flair, collecting crucial points against fellow heavyweights and ensuring a smooth passage into the last 16. Their finish marked a statement of intent as Spurs continue to establish themselves among Europe’s elite.

Chelsea joined their domestic rivals in the automatic qualification places after finishing sixth. While not always convincing, Enzo Maresca’s side showed resilience when it mattered most, picking up vital results late in the campaign to stay clear of the play off positions.

Manchester City completed the Premier League’s top eight contingent in eighth place. Pep Guardiola’s side navigated an inconsistent league phase but still had enough quality to finish inside the automatic qualification spots. With Erling Haaland leading the line, City remain one of the most feared sides in the competition despite their lower seeding.

Newcastle were the only English side to miss out on a top eight finish, ending 12th and dropping into the knockout play off round. However, Eddie Howe’s men remain well placed as seeded entrants and will face either Qarabag or Monaco in February.

The presence of five Premier League clubs in the last 16 has wider implications. England is now almost certain to secure a fifth Champions League spot again, reinforcing the league’s growing dominance on the continent.

As the knockout stage approaches, the Premier League’s leading lights have positioned themselves strongly. With Arsenal setting the pace and their domestic rivals close behind, England’s push for European supremacy is very much alive.

In a strongly worded decision, the CAF Disciplinary Board ruled that the conduct of players, officials and supporters from both nations violated key principles of fair play, integrity and respect for the game, bringing African football into disrepute on its biggest stage.

Senegal were hit the hardest. Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five CAF matches for unsporting conduct, with CAF citing behaviour that undermined the integrity of the competition. He was also fined USD 100,000. On the pitch, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches after directing unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

The Senegalese federation was also handed multiple financial penalties. CAF fined the FSF USD 300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, another USD 300,000 for the unsporting behaviour of players and technical staff, and an additional USD 15,000 after five Senegal players were cautioned during the match. The total financial hit for Senegal runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars, underlining CAF’s zero tolerance stance.

Morocco were not spared either. Star defender Achraf Hakimi received a two match suspension, although one of those matches has been suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was handed a three match ban and fined USD 100,000 for his conduct. CAF also fined the Moroccan federation USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of ball boys during the final.

Further sanctions followed after Moroccan players and technical staff were found to have invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee. That incident alone resulted in a USD 100,000 fine, while the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters earned the federation an additional USD 15,000 penalty.

CAF also dismissed a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan federation, which had accused Senegal of breaching Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. The disciplinary board rejected the complaint in full, bringing an end to all post final legal proceedings.

The ruling sends a clear message from CAF. Even on the grandest stage, discipline, respect and sporting integrity remain non negotiable. With AFCON 2025 now firmly in the history books, both Senegal and Morocco will feel the consequences of a final that spilled far beyond football.

The Gunners made a flying start, striking inside two minutes through Viktor Gyokeres. The striker latched onto Kai Havertz’s incisive pass and finished with confidence, immediately putting Arsenal on the front foot. Kairat, however, responded quickly. A shirt pull inside the area resulted in a penalty, and Jorginho calmly converted to draw the visitors level.

Arsenal soon reasserted control. Havertz, starting his first match in almost a year, marked his return with a superb left footed finish to restore the lead, before Gabriel Martinelli tapped in at the far post. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision, sending Arsenal into the break with a deserved 3-1 advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Arsenal dominating possession and creating chances at will. Gabriel Jesus thought he had added a fourth, only for semi automated offside to intervene once again. Kairat’s resistance finally cracked in stoppage time, albeit in their favour, as substitute Ricardinho headed home with the final touch of the game to make the scoreline 3-2.

Arsenal ended the night with an expected goals figure of 4.06 compared to Kairat’s 1.11, underlining their attacking superiority. While the visitors finish bottom of the table with a single point, Mikel Arteta’s side march confidently into the round of 16.

Elsewhere on a dramatic final night of the league phase, Barcelona came from behind to beat FC Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou, securing automatic qualification to the last 16. Benfica produced one of the shocks of the round by defeating Real Madrid 4-2 in Lisbon, with a stoppage time goalkeeper header sealing a famous win. Liverpool ran riot at Anfield with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of Qarabag, while Manchester City maintained their momentum with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Galatasaray.

Bayern Munich edged PSV Eindhoven 2-1 away from home, Chelsea fell 3-2 at Napoli, and Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United in a tense encounter in Paris. Juventus were frustrated by a goalless draw at Monaco, while Inter Milan continued their strong campaign with a 2-0 away win over Borussia Dortmund. Elsewhere, Club Brugge beat Marseille 3-0, Bayer Leverkusen brushed aside Villarreal 3-0, and Atletico Madrid were held 2-2 by Bodo Glimt.

As the dust settles on an action packed league phase, Arsenal stand alone at the summit with a perfect record, while Europe’s elite now turn their focus to the knockout rounds, where the margins will be even finer and the stakes even higher.

The shock came early. Just four minutes in, Viktor Dadason punished a sloppy Barcelona pass, racing through on goal and calmly slotting past Joan Garcia to stun the home crowd. Copenhagen defended with discipline for much of the first half, frustrating Barcelona despite sustained pressure and a flurry of chances that included efforts off the woodwork and several sharp saves from Dominik Kotarski.

The game changed completely after the break. Three minutes into the second half, Robert Lewandowski restored parity, finishing from close range after a slick move involving Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal. The goal lifted the tension inside Camp Nou and Barcelona never looked back.

Twelve minutes later, the stadium erupted again. Yamal collected possession on the right, cut inside and unleashed a curling effort that took a deflection on its way in, handing Barcelona a deserved lead and underlining the teenager’s growing influence on the biggest stage.

Copenhagen’s resistance finally cracked in the 69th minute when Barcelona were awarded a penalty. Raphinha stepped up and smashed his effort past Kotarski, putting the result beyond doubt and confirming Barcelona’s return to control.

There was still time for more. Marcus Rashford, introduced from the bench, added the final touch five minutes from time with a beautifully struck free kick that flew over the wall and into the net, capping a dominant second half performance.

Barcelona finished the night with 28 attempts, 13 on target, and an expected goals tally of 3.05, underlining how comprehensive their victory was. Copenhagen, who managed just six shots all evening, are eliminated from the competition, while Barcelona march directly into the last 16 and await one of Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Monaco or Qarabag.

After an anxious opening, this was a statement win from Flick’s side, proof that when Barcelona click, they remain a force to be feared in Europe.

Real Madrid struck first against the run of play when Kylian Mbappe powered home a header in the 30th minute, briefly silencing the Lisbon crowd. Benfica, however, refused to panic. Six minutes later, Andreas Schjelderup rose unmarked to head in Vangelis Pavlidis cross and restore parity, igniting belief across the stadium.

The momentum stayed with the hosts and they were rewarded deep into first half stoppage time. Nicolas Otamendi was hauled down in the box, and Pavlidis calmly converted from the spot to give Benfica a deserved 2-1 lead at the break, a scoreline that barely reflected their dominance.

Nine minutes into the second half, Schjelderup struck again. The Norwegian winger glided past Raul Asencio and fired a low finish beyond Thibaut Courtois to make it 3-1, leaving Real Madrid chasing shadows. Mbappe once more tried to rescue his side, finishing clinically from Arda Guler cross in the 58th minute to cut the deficit and raise hopes of a comeback.

Those hopes quickly turned to frustration. Benfica stood firm, while Madrid lost their composure in the dying moments. Asencio was sent off for a reckless challenge, and moments later Rodrygo followed him down the tunnel after picking up two yellow cards for dissent.

With Madrid down to nine men, Benfica produced a moment that will live long in Champions League folklore. In the final kick of the match, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went forward for a free kick and met Fredrik Aursnes delivery with a thunderous header, sealing a stunning 4-2 victory and sending the Estadio da Luz into absolute chaos.

The numbers backed up the drama. Benfica finished with 2.99 expected goals compared to Madrid’s 1.50, underlining how deserved the win was. The result sends Mourinho’s side into the knockout play off round, while Real Madrid end the league phase in ninth place and face an anxious wait to see who they meet next.

On a night defined by belief, bravery, and beautiful madness, Benfica reminded the football world that the Champions League still belongs to moments like these.

The opening half was cagey, with both teams cautious in their approach. Kenya Police FC looked to impose themselves physically, while Bandari relied on quick transitions and set-piece deliveries. Chances were limited, with Marvin Nabwire coming closest for the visitors when his effort sailed over the bar, while Bandari were forced into an early change after Brian Otieno Chonjo picked up an injury.

After the break, Bandari emerged with renewed intent. The Dockers pushed higher up the pitch and began to win key duels in midfield, pinning Police back for long spells. That pressure eventually paid off in the 72nd minute when a well-worked corner kick caused chaos in the box, allowing Darius Msagha to apply the finishing touch and send the home fans into celebration.

Kenya Police FC attempted to respond in the final stages, making tactical substitutions and committing more numbers forward. However, Bandari’s defence remained disciplined, soaking up pressure and managing the game effectively as the clock ticked down.

At the final whistle, the Dockers celebrated another vital win, further strengthening their position and momentum in the league. For Bernard Mwalala, the result was yet another sign that his methods are taking root, while for Kenya Police FC, it was a frustrating afternoon that ended with nothing to show despite a spirited effort.

The first half was largely forgettable, with both sides cancelling each other out and chances at a premium. Oviedo showed early intent through Haissem Hassan, while Barcelona dominated possession without cutting edge. The clearest opening fell to Raphinha in stoppage time, but Aaron Escandell stood firm to keep the score level at the break.

Everything changed early in the second half as Barca capitalised on Oviedo mistakes. In the 52nd minute, Lamine Yamal’s relentless pressure forced David Carmo into an error inside the box. The loose ball broke kindly for Dani Olmo, who kept his composure to guide a low finish into the bottom corner and finally break the deadlock.

Five minutes later, Oviedo gifted Barcelona a second. A blind back pass from David Costas was seized upon by Raphinha, who raced through on goal and delicately chipped Escandell to double the lead and put daylight between the sides.

With confidence flowing, Barcelona began to enjoy themselves, and the moment of the night arrived in the 73rd minute. Olmo floated in a teasing delivery from the left and Yamal, showing maturity beyond his years, produced a stunning overhead kick from the edge of the area. The ball flew into the bottom corner, leaving Escandell rooted and the Camp Nou on its feet.

From there, it was routine for the hosts. Barca managed the game expertly, circulating possession and limiting Oviedo to hopeful efforts, while creating further chances of their own. The statistics underlined the dominance, with Barcelona posting a superior xG and rarely looking troubled as the rain poured down late on.

The victory lifts Barcelona to 52 points, one clear of Real Madrid, and keeps their title defence firmly on track. Attention now turns to an away trip to Elche, while Real Oviedo remain bottom of the table and face another crucial battle in their fight for survival when they host Girona.

In a match billed as a heavyweight showdown, Arsenal looked on course to tighten their grip at the summit when they took the lead just before the half-hour mark. Bukayo Saka kept a loose ball alive inside the area before Martin Odegaard’s strike deflected off Lisandro Martinez and into the net, handing the Gunners a deserved advantage after a dominant opening spell.

However, United refused to be overawed. The visitors grew into the contest and were rewarded in the 37th minute when a costly error from Martin Zubimendi gifted Bryan Mbeumo a clear sight of goal. The forward showed composure to beat David Raya and restore parity, shifting the momentum firmly in United’s favour.

The decisive spell came shortly after the restart. Just five minutes into the second half, Patrick Dorgu combined superbly with Bruno Fernandes before unleashing a sensational curling effort that crashed in off the crossbar, silencing the home crowd and putting United ahead for the first time.

Arsenal responded with urgency as Mikel Arteta emptied his bench, introducing fresh legs and attacking intent. The pressure eventually told in the 84th minute when Mikel Merino reacted quickest to a scrappy corner situation, forcing the ball over the line to make it 2-2 and ignite the Emirates.

But United were not finished. Almost straight from the restart, Kobbie Mainoo slid a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Matheus Cunha, who produced a moment of pure quality. The Brazilian curled an audacious low strike beyond Raya and into the bottom corner, a goal worthy of winning any Premier League match.

The closing stages were frantic as Arsenal threw everything forward, but United stood firm. Late chances for the hosts were snuffed out by disciplined defending and calm goalkeeping as Carrick’s side held on for a famous victory.

The result lifts Manchester United into fourth place, leapfrogging both Chelsea and Liverpool, and marks consecutive league wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. For the Gunners, the defeat is a significant blow, leaving their lead at the top trimmed to just four points and injecting fresh life into an already tense title race.

January has been relatively quiet in terms of arrivals, but there has been no shortage of upheaval behind the scenes. Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager have added further uncertainty, even if Carrick’s first game in charge delivered a morale-boosting derby victory over Manchester City, with Casemiro producing one of his strongest performances in recent months.

Despite that display, United have opted not to activate the 12-month extension clause in Casemiro’s contract, meaning the Brazilian will leave when his deal expires. The decision has accelerated internal discussions over midfield reinforcements, with the club now actively assessing both short-term stability and long-term succession planning.

One name high on United’s radar is Felix Nmecha. Borussia Dortmund are keen to secure the midfielder’s future and are planning fresh contract talks once the January window closes, even though his current deal runs until the summer of 2028. Nmecha’s growing influence in Dortmund’s midfield, highlighted by five goals and three assists across 28 appearances this season, has attracted interest from several clubs, United included.

United’s task is complicated by fierce competition elsewhere in the market. Liverpool are monitoring developments closely, particularly in midfield, and are reportedly prepared to move decisively should opportunities arise. Adam Wharton, one of the Premier League’s standout young midfielders, has also emerged as a shared target, with Liverpool understood to be readying a potential £80 million bid if Crystal Palace are willing to sell.

The situation leaves United under pressure to act swiftly. With rivals prepared to flex their financial muscle and Casemiro’s departure confirmed, the coming months are shaping up to be decisive for the club’s recruitment strategy. Failure to secure the right profile of midfielder could leave a significant void at the heart of the team heading into next season.

As Carrick steadies the ship in the short term, United’s hierarchy face critical decisions that will define the club’s direction beyond the summer. The search for midfield reinforcements is no longer optional; it is now central to United’s plans.

In a decision communicated by the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee, the abandoned NSL Match No.142, which was due to be played on December 20, was resolved in favour of Mombasa United following a formal hearing.

According to the determination dated January 22, the committee reviewed match officials reports, submissions from the concerned parties, and all documentation presented before arriving at its ruling.

The committee resolved that Mombasa United be awarded the match on a three-point and two-goal basis, in line with Rule 21.1 of the FKF Rules and Regulations governing match forfeits and abandonment.

The hearing into the matter was conducted on January 21, after the fixture failed to take place on the original date, prompting the issue to be escalated for deliberation.

The ruling provides a significant boost to Mombasa United in the National Super League standings, with the awarded points potentially influencing the promotion race as the season progresses.

The FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee further noted that a detailed report outlining the reasons behind the decision will be issued within 21 days upon request.

The decision brings closure to a case that had lingered since the failed fixture, allowing the league to move forward with clarity on the outcome of the contested match.