Soccer

ESPN News Services Dec 1, 2023, 08:24 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Cristiano Ronaldo walked off the field with the gleeful chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi!” ringing in his ears from delighted Al Hilal fans who had just watched their Saudi Pro League team beat the Portugal superstar’s Al Nassr 3-0 in the Riyadh derby

ESPN News Services Dec 1, 2023, 10:11 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Almost one year after Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy for Argentina in Qatar, the Inter Miami CF star revisited the complicated path to the title and expressed his satisfaction for turning criticism into praise in his country. In an interview for

Constantin Eckner Dec 1, 2023, 11:10 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Xabi Alonso’s arrival in the Bundesliga has made huge waves, seizing the attention of German football enthusiasts. Alonso’s association with the league predominantly revolved around his later years as a midfielder at Bayern Munich, a stint that left a lasting imprint. His experience as

Tor-Kristian Karlsen, ESPNDec 1, 2023, 04:00 AM ET Open Extended Reactions João Neves’ form has caught the eye of some major clubs in recent months. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images) Welcome back to the ESPN FC Hot List, which each month highlights some of the most in-form talent aged 23 or under across Europe. Generally, young-but-established

Alex Kirkland, ESPN FCNov 30, 2023, 10:46 AM ET Open Extended Reactions “There’s been a big change inside this stadium.” Atletico Madrid have just fought back from 1-0 down to beat Villarreal 3-1 and, just a short distance inside the tunnel, the applause of the home crowd still ringing around the Estadio Metropolitano, Antoine Griezmann

Nov 30, 2023, 05:00 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Matchday five of the 2023-24 Champions League group stage provided goals galore, comebacks and drama all across Europe. Manchester United have left it all to do on the final matchday when they face Bayern Munich. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clinched their spot in the round of

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentNov 29, 2023, 05:32 PM ET Open Extended Reactions ISTANBUL — Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has refused to blame André Onana despite two mistakes from the Cameroon goalkeeper contributing to a 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday. United’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds are hanging by a

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentNov 29, 2023, 04:29 PM ET Open Extended Reactions ISTANBUL — “Your nightmare is back again” read one of the banners at Galatasaray‘s Rams Park. For André Onana, who is making a habit of Champions League howlers, it was especially true. After errors against Bayern Munich away and Galatasaray at home already this

Julien Laurens, CorrespondentNov 29, 2023, 11:33 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Romelu Lukaku is off to a good start with Roma after scoring nine goals in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, but will he keep the momentum going? Luciano Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images Romelu Lukaku is 30 years old now and even at

Open Extended Reactions Despite the effort of Christian Pulisic, pictured, AC Milan suffered a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, potentially derailing the Italian club’s campaign. Davide Spada/LaPresse via AP MILAN — So much for best-laid plans. AC Milan‘s chances of advancing to the knockout phase of the Champions League,

Open Extended Reactions PARIS — Kylian Mbappé might be heading for the exit door at Paris Saint-Germain, but if this season is his last shot at UEFA Champions League glory with his hometown club, he is making sure it doesn’t end in the group stages — just ask Newcastle United‘s distraught players after the 24-year-old’s

Open Extended Reactions Manchester United are in the Premier League title race after manager Erik ten Hag stumbled on a winning formula; Arsenal are top of the table despite doubts over their two senior goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya; Tottenham Hotspur can move level with reigning champions Manchester City with a win at the

Graham Hunter, Spain writerNov 27, 2023, 01:29 PM ET Close Graham Hunter is a Barcelona-based freelance writer for ESPN.com who specializes in La Liga and the Spanish national team. Open Extended Reactions I accept that many of you won’t have either seen Terry Venables at his impish, clever best as a midfielder at Spurs and

Nov 27, 2023, 10:52 AM ET Open Extended Reactions And then there were four. The 2023 Major League Soccer playoffs have whittled us down to the four teams doing battle in the conference finals: Columbus Crew will face “Hell is Real” rivals FC Cincinnati in the East, while LAFC will do battle with the Houston

Sophie Lawson Nov 27, 2023, 06:16 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Chelsea forward Lauren James has been in fine form. Tom Dulat/Getty Images In the last weekend of domestic football before the final international window of the year, Women’s Super League teams showed just how much work still needs to be done between the top four

SEATTLE — Denis Bouanga scored his fourth goal of the MLS Cup playoffs in the 30th minute, goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau made seven saves, and defending champion Los Angeles FC advanced to the Western Conference final with a 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday night. Bouanga got one chance at goal and didn’t miss,

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentNov 26, 2023, 02:28 PM ET Open Extended Reactions GOODISON PARK, England — If this is the beginning of Manchester United turning a corner, Erik ten Hag can thank two teenagers for grabbing the steering wheel. Playing an in-form Everton at Goodison Park, which at times felt like a bear pit given the

Nov 26, 2023, 07:34 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Terry Venables pictured in 2013. Photo by Tony Marshall – PA Images via Getty Images Former England manager Terry Venables has died at the age of 80, following a long illness. The news was announced in a statement released by the League Managers’ Association on behalf of