Football | DD News

June 9, 2025 10:06 AM

Portugal’s emotional Ronaldo rejoices in winning Nations League

Portugal skipper Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of joy as they won their second Nations League title on Sunday, insisting that winning trophies with his country beats all club honours. Ronaldo's 138th international goal in the second half took the final to penalties after a 2-2 draw with Spain, with the substituted 40-year-old forward looking on from the sidelines as Portugal netted all five spot kicks to claim the title. The triumph, which left the five-times Champions League winner in tears, w...

June 6, 2025 9:40 AM

Spain beat France 5-4 in thriller to reach Nations League final

Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal inspired his country to a thrilling 5-4 win over France on Thursday to send the holders through to their third successive Nations League final where they will face Iberian neighbours Portugal. The European champions dazzled in the first half of the semi-final at the MHP Arena and raced into a 2-0 lead with fine goals by Nico Williams and Mikel Merino inside 25 minutes. Spain's 17-year-old starlet Yamal then got in on the act to coolly add a third from the...

June 5, 2025 9:28 AM

Man City’s third-placed finish may be better achievement than title win: Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described his team's first trophyless campaign since 2017 as a season of growth and reflection, dismissing notions of failure and suggesting it may have been a greater achievement than a previous title win. "I want to suffer when I'm not winning games," Guardiola told Reuters in an exclusive interview. "I want to feel bad. I want to sleep badly. I want that when the situation goes bad, it affects me... I want that! “I'm angry... my food, it tastes worse....

June 5, 2025 9:19 AM

Ronaldo fires Portugal into Nations League final

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal fought back to beat Germany 2-1 on Wednesday, with the 40-year-old bagging his 137th international goal to send them into the Nations League final. It was Portugal's first win over Germany since 2000 with Ronaldo's goal earning them a spot in their second Nations League final, after winning the inaugural edition in 2019. Spain and France will clash in the other semi-final on Thursday to decide who will face Portugal in the decider on Sunday. Ger...

June 4, 2025 9:18 AM

FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

FIFA's billion-dollar gamble to revolutionise club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States. The tournament – designed as a glittering curtain-raiserfor the 2026 World Cup – has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season. Lionel...

March 26, 2025 3:32 PM

Argentina football team set for India visit in October

The Argentina national football team, led by Lionel Messi, will visit India in October 2025 for an international exhibition match, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) made the announcement on Wednesday. This visit comes as part of Argentina’s global outreach efforts ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualification final matches. AFA President Claudio Fabian Tapia hailed the initiative as a milestone in Argentina’s international growth. "A new milestone has been achieved for the expansion of ...

February 28, 2025 12:16 PM

Soccer: Ambitious Australia aims to put Women’s Asian Cup on global map

When former Australia forward Sarah Walsh recalls their 2006 Women's Asian Cup final defeat by China, she remembers a sea of red-clad Chinese fans outnumbering locals in a crowd of about 5,000 at Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium. Now chief operating officer of the 2026 event, Walsh is envisioning an 80,000 sell-out crowd for the title-decider at Sydney's Stadium Australia in just over a year's time. "The Women's Asian Cup historically hasn't been a big drawcard on the international global football...

February 6, 2025 11:40 AM

Leverkusen move past Cologne to advance into German Cup semifinals

Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen came from two goals down to beat stubborn second-division Cologne 3-2 in extra time to book its semifinal spot in the German Cup on Thursday (IST). Facing a well-organised Cologne side, it took half an hour for Leverkusen to create its first clear chance when Alejandro Grimaldo's free kick hit the woodwork and four minutes later, Grimaldo shot wide from a tight angle. On the stroke of halftime, Damion Downs pounced on Dejan Ljubicic's good work to break the...

January 17, 2025 10:11 AM

Diallo hat-trick drags Man United to comeback win over Southampton

Three late goals from Amad Diallo dragged a below-par Manchester United to an unlikely 3-1 comeback victory over bottom side Southampton in the Premier League on Thursday. United will have fancied their chances of getting back to winning ways against struggling Saints but the hosts were second best from the off, deservedly falling behind to a Manuel Ugarte own goal just before halftime. Staring down the barrel of another home defeat, United upped the ante after the break, getting back on level...

January 15, 2025 10:43 AM

James rescues a point for Chelsea in 2-2 draw with Bournemouth

Chelsea captain Reece James rescued a point for Chelsea with a 95th minute free kick to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday. Second-half substitute James, who returned from a long spell out injured at the weekend, beat goalkeeper Mark Travers with a perfectly placed curling shot into the far corner of the net. But it was two points dropped for the hosts who dominated much of the game, scoring through Cole Palmer in the first half before allowing Bournemouth...