Author: Akshat Mehrish

For the second time in three months, Senegal beat Egypt on penalties in a one-legged final – this time, booking their place at Qatar 2022 at the expense of their opponents. AFCON 2021 finalists carried a 1-0 lead to the second leg of their CAF playoff final for one of the berths at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mohamed Salah and company had come away with a win, courtesy of a fourth-minute own goal in the first leg from Saliou Ciss. Remarkably, in the fourth minute of the second leg, Egypt’s Hamdi Fathi put the ball in his net, leveling the tie on aggregate – the midfielder,…

As far as records go, it’ll take an extraordinary effort to reach the milestone set by League Two side Port Vale, who recently became the only active team in the Football League to have at least one win to their name against the other 91. Presently, 92 teams make up what can be considered the English football pyramid, including 20 of those playing in the associated Premier League. The 92 teams make up the top four flights of professional English football, and almost all of the 92 have played at least once in all four divisions since their respective conceptions. …

Arsenal’s record purchase Nicolas Pepe has thrown doubts over his future at the club. The attacker, who joined from Lille for 80 million euros, has failed to replicate the form he showed at Lille, and has lost his starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s first-squad. After failing to replicate the form that compelled the Gunners to break the bank for him in 2019, the Ivorian lost his place in the first-eleven to academy graduate Bukayo Saka, meaning his stint has been, lately, reduced to sporadic appearances from the bench or the odd start in cup competitions. Speaking to the media, Pepe claimed…

Borussia Dortmund believe they can get a deal over the line to sign RB Salzburg forward Karim Adeyemi for the following season. However, should they fail to do so, the German giants will turn their attention to a pair of Premier League outcasts. However, should Borussia fail to bring 20-year-old in, they will turn their attention to a pair of Premier League outcasts – Timo Werner of Chelsea and Anthony Martial of Manchester United – as per 90min. Formerly of RB Leipzig, Werner has been linked with a return to Bundesliga in some quarters after failing to settle into his stride in England. Despite finishing…

Roberto Mancini will not step down as the Italy national team boss following his side’s humiliating exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup contention. Winning the competition remains Italy’s target, says the tactician. For the second edition in a row, and for the first time since the competition’s inception, the Azurri will miss out on back-to-back FIFA World Cup appearances. The European champions were eliminated from the qualification process by minnows North Macedonia, four years on from their exit at the same stage at the hands of Sweden. Credit: AFP Also read 👉 Italy to miss second consecutive World Cup; Portugal, Wales,…

Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has asked current Ajax manager Erik ten Hag to stay away from the soon-to-be-vacant position at the club. Ten Hag was reportedly interviewed by the Red Devils recently for the managerial position. Van Gaal was forced to walk away from his job as the Manchester United head coach under unceremonious circumstances, mere minutes after the Dutchman led the club to an FA Cup win – the first of their three trophies in the last nine years. The veteran tactician, who took the charge of the Netherlands national team in 2021, has been vocal about his…

After a transfer to Manchester City fell through last summer, Tottenham’s Harry Kane could join their rivals Manchester United this time around. The striker is on the Red Devils’ striker shortlist, but so is Benfica’s Darwin Nunez. Facing a potential attacking crisis next summer, United are considering making a move for the Spurs striker. As per The Athletic, the club sees a forward as a priority target for the upcoming transfer window but would also like to add a right-winger, a defensive midfielder, and an attacking midfielder to the squad; Kane, being the top target for the first position. As…

Canada men’s team qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years by beating Jamaica on March 27. Their head coach John Herdman achieved a unique milestone on Sunday night when he became the first individual to lead a Men’s and a Women’s team to a FIFA World Cup. A 4-0 win over Jamaica finally pushed Canada over the line after they missed an opportunity earlier in the same window. Canada are now assured of back-to-back World Cup appearances at the very least, given that, as it stands, they are co-hosting the 2026 edition of the competition with neighbors USA and Mexico.  “”I still…

The Catalans club have agreed personal terms with Leeds United winger Raphina, as per reports. Completing a transfer would not be an issue, given that the Brazilian has two separate release clauses embedded in his contract. As per Spanish publication Sport, the 25-year-old has given his assurances to the Barca hierarchy over a move this summer which can be considered a significant blow towards any other club’s chances of signing him.  The report further states that Barcelona already have had a bid knocked back by Leeds United, who are still fighting for Premier League safety as things stand. The offer,…

AS Roma are keen on signing Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot, says La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Portuguese was signed for the Red Devils by their former head coach Jose Mourinho, who, as it happens, is the current manager of Roma. However, the youngster soon lost his place in the squad to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, albeit he has been given a renewed lease of life under new manager Ralf Rangnick. Dalot spent the season before on loan at AC Milan, for whom he gathered 33 appearances and two goals across all competitions. However, the Rossoneri decided against signing Dalot permanently, and he returned to be included…