Soccer | DD News

September 18, 2025 9:46 AM

Liverpool edge Atletico Madrid 3-2 with last-gasp Van Dijk goal

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk headed home a last-gasp goal in stoppage time to lead Arne Slot's men to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the opening game of their Champions League campaign on Wednesday at Anfield. The game appeared headed for a draw after Marcos Llorente scored twice to pull the Spaniards back into the game - before Van Dijk's header from a corner in the 92nd minute. Atletico manager Diego Simeone was sent off moments later after having to be pulled away from...

September 17, 2025 12:55 PM

FIFA to distribute record $355 million to clubs for 2026 World Cup

FIFA is set to distribute a record $355 million to clubs around the world as part of an expanded Club Benefits Programme (CBP) tied to the 2026 World Cup, soccer's world governing body announced on Tuesday. The initiative marks an increase of close to 70% from the $209 million paid out after the 2022 tournament in Qatar. For the first time, clubs that release players for World Cup qualifiers -- not just the finals -- will be compensated. The initiative is part of a renewed memorandum of under...

September 15, 2025 12:34 PM

Man City and Haaland clobber United 3-0 in Manchester derby

Manchester City's goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland struck twice in a 3-0 Premier League thrashing of Manchester United on Sunday, giving Pep Guardiola's side bragging rights in the latest edition of the derby. Phil Foden also scored for City in his first start of the season, heading in Jeremy Doku's cross in the 18th minute. Doku squeezed brilliantly through United's defence and had his first cross blocked but dug out a second that Foden leapt to guide in. Haaland, who has a remarkable seve...

September 12, 2025 10:25 AM

FIFA receives 1.5 million World Cup ticket applications in 24 hours

More than 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries have been received by FIFA within 24 hours of the presale draw for the 2026 World Cup being launched, the governing body of world soccer said on Thursday. The extraordinary global demand for the tournament came primarily from the United States, Mexico and Canada, followed by Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal and Germany. The response highlighted the international appeal of the expanded 48-team tournament w...

September 10, 2025 4:47 PM

Extreme heat a rising threat to 2026 World Cup venues, says report

The 2026 World Cup could be North America's last without urgent climate adaptation measures, according to a new study highlighting extreme weather threats. The "Pitches in Peril" report, compiled by Football for the Future, Common Goal and Jupiter Intelligence, found that 10 of the 16 venues are at very high risk of experiencing extreme heat stress conditions. By 2050, nearly 90% of North America's host stadiums will require adaptation to extreme heat while one-third will face water demand equ...

September 10, 2025 4:47 PM

Bolivia seal playoff spot with win over Brazil, Argentina stunned by Ecuador

Bolivia shocked Brazil 1-0 to secure a spot in the intercontinental play-offs for next year's World Cup while Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat by Ecuador in the final round of South America's 2026 qualifiers on Tuesday. Bolivia's Miguel Terceros converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to secure the home win over five-times World Cup winners Brazil in La Paz, a result which saw Carlo Ancelotti's side drop to fifth in the standings. Bolivia will be joined in the playoffs by two teams from...

September 10, 2025 2:03 PM

Mbappe on the spot as France beat Iceland 2-1 in World Cup qualifier

France striker Kylian Mbappe scored one goal and set up another as the hosts came from behind to claim a fortunate 2-1 win against Iceland on Tuesday, maintaining their perfect start in World Cup qualifying Group D. The result left Didier Deschamps’s side top of the standings with six points from two games, three clear of Iceland. Ukraine and Azerbaijan have one point each after drawing 1-1 earlier on Tuesday. Iceland's Andri Lucas Gudjohnsen thought he had grabbed a dramatic equaliser two m...

September 10, 2025 2:01 PM

England thrash Serbia 5-0 to close in on World Cup spot

England took a huge step towards automatic qualification for next year's World Cup with captain Harry Kane paving the way for a crushing 5-0 victory away to main Group K rivals Serbia in an impressive free-flowing display on Tuesday. While Kane netted his record-extending 74th England goal, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scored their first senior international goals in an emphatic win. England have a maximum 15 points from five games and could even seal automatic qualification as ...

September 10, 2025 1:59 PM

FIFA WC qualifier: Portugal edge Hungary 3-2 with late Cancelo goal

Portugal earned a 3-2 victory at Hungary in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, with Joao Cancelo scoring a late winner, two minutes after the hosts had equalised, to put them in control at the top of Group F with two away wins from two. The visitors had come from behind to lead thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty but almost let the three points slip when conceding late on before Cancelo's goal rescued the win to add to their 5-0 success in Armenia on Saturday. Hungary took the lead in the...

September 9, 2025 10:05 AM

Italy keep World Cup hopes ticking over with crazy 5-4 win over Israel

Italy prevailed in a whirlwind game to beat Israel 5-4 in their World Cup qualifier in Hungary on Monday after the Italians scored two own goals, twice came from behind and conceded a late equaliser but scrambled a win to stay in the hunt in Group I. Italy had won their first game under new manager Gennaro Gattuso in a 5-0 home win over Estonia on Friday and, while it was far from a five-star performance on neutral ground away to Israel they somehow came away with the three points. "It was a c...