Argentina's path to a third World Cup title got off to a disastrous start Tuesday after Saudi Arabia shocked the South American champions with a 2-1 upset that sent Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste hurtling back into traumatic memories of Iceland, Croatia, France and Chile.
Argentina, ranked third in the FIFA Rankings and a trendy pick to win the World Cup, has suffered one of the greatest upsets in tournament history after Saudi Arabia, ranked 51st and expected to finish fourth in Group C, went toe-to-toe with the South American giant and prevailed 2-1.
The match had presented Argentina with a chance at equaling Italy's international record of 37 games unbeaten, but that streak is over and more importantly, La Albiceleste are in serious trouble with Mexico (Nov. 26) and Poland (Nov. 30) up next.
AL RAYYAN, Qatar - FIFA President Gianni Infantino raised eyebrows on Saturday when he attempted to show empathy with marginalized groups by telling reporters in Qatar "I feel gay ... I feel like a migrant worker."
Infantino opened the traditional pre-World Cup news conference on Saturday with a lengthy monologue lambasting the critics of Qatar hosting the tournament because of the country's human rights record.
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani will replace RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku in the France squad for the World Cup in Qatar, the French federation (FFF) said on Wednesday.
Didier Deschamps has called up Randal Kolo Muani to replace Christopher Nkunku! #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/bFsbLfI7wI
Giovanni Reyna was given an early birthday present on Saturday when he was handed the ball to take a penalty for Borussia Dortmund during the team’s 3-0 victory vs. Bochum.
Reyna isn’t Dortmund’s usual penalty taker, but the American teenager — who turns 20 on Nov. 3 — confidently stepped up and scored from the spot in the 12th minute to give his side a 2-0 lead.
The goal was his eighth Bundesliga goal and his 12th in all competitions for Dortmund.
Prior to the penalty Donyell Malen was tackled in the box after a clever spin.
Video from a Kellyn Acosta press conference ahead of the MLS Cup clash between LAFC and the Philadelphia Union has been spreading on social media after a reporter asked a bizarre question.
Acosta has plenty on his mind. The 27-year-old midfielder is in his 11th season playing in Major League Soccer and has the chance to win his first MLS Cup on Saturday. Acosta is a lock for the United States’ World Cup roster and could make his World Cup debut 16 days after playing in MLS Cup.
There's no one really to blame here. LAFC didn't know it'd be hosting MLS Cup this Saturday until defeating Austin in the Western Conference finals last Sunday, and I will entertain no talk of the game being shifted back to a predetermined neutral location — I'm old enough to remember the Colorado Rapids taking on FC Dallas in Canada.
But Saturday's MLS Cup final at Banc of California Stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles — kick off at 1:05 p.m. on the West Coast — has run directly into a scheduling conflict with the behemoth USC Trojans football program.
Brighton recorded its first-ever Premier League victory against Chelsea with a 4-1 win at the Amex on Saturday. A shocking Christian Pulisic miss vs Brighton was one of the lowlights for the Blues in the defeat.
Pulisic got his second start in-a-row on Saturday. He recorded a great assist to Kai Havertz on Tuesday in Champions League action vs. RB Salzburg but had a forgettable performance against Brighton.
The moment we've been waiting for finally arrived Thursday during Manchester United's Europa League match against Sheriff. With the score level at 0-0 and his marker smartly giving him room, the trademark Antony spin skill — followed directly by an overweighted pass — was unleashed.
The sequence has gotten a lot of hate (the British absolutely despise this sort of thing) but that's because the internet is a foul place where joy and individual expression go to die.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid will be back on the pitch for their LaLiga games this weekend, licking their wounds after disastrous midweek performances in the Champions League.
For the first time in history Spain had three teams knocked out of the top European tournament in the group stage, as Barcelona, Atlético and Sevilla failed miserably to advance past their groups to the round of 16.
Even champions Real Madrid, who were already through and playing to wrap up top spot, lost 3-1 at Leipzig on Tuesday, their first defeat in all competitions this season.