Tag Archives: Soccer

HONG KONG (AP) — Lionel Messi made another conciliatory gesture to fans in Hong Kong and mainland China on Monday by releasing a video on social media to explain why he didn’t play in an exhibition match this month, and insisted that there were no political reasons behind his decision. Messi disappointed fans in Hong Kong and the city’s government …

MADRID (AP) — Second-placed Girona missed a chance to cut into Real Madrid’s lead of the Spanish league when it lost to Athletic Bilbao 3-2 on Monday. The Catalan side could have reduced the gap to three points but was sunk by an Alex Berenguer double and an Iñaki Williams goal and remained six adrift of Madrid. It was another …

PARIS (AP) — Bradley Barcola receives a pass near the halfway line and as he attacks a defender his next touch appears far too heavy and the ball gets away. The touch is deliberately heavy to draw in the right back. So Barcola can then flick the ball past him in a flash and use his electric pace to sprint …

After a historic night in the Champions League, Lazio has to swiftly turn its attention to domestic matters to ensure it qualifies for next season’s competition. Lazio hosts Bologna on Sunday in a direct fight for fourth place in Serie A. Bologna — one of the Italian league’s surprises this season — is level on points with fourth-placed Atalanta after …

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The Premier League has approved Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed bid to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United. The British billionaire has been cleared to complete a deal under the league’s rules determining who is allowed to be an owner or director of a soccer club. The league can disqualify people from becoming owners or directors for …

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer fans were already in a funk after a year that saw a string of poor results, a coaching void and a political tug of war at the country’s federation. Things got even worse Sunday after Brazil failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics thanks to a loss to archrival Argentina, meaning the two-time defending …

With his flowing curls and thrilling attacking play, it was no surprise that Akram Afif was likened to Liverpool star Mo Salah at the Asian Cup. Over the space of a month the Qatar forward lit up the tournament. With eight goals, including a hat trick in the 3-1 win over Jordan in the final, he was the leading scorer …

MILAN (AP) — A sublime second-half performance from league leader Inter Milan saw it win 4-2 at Roma in the teeming rain on Saturday and end Daniele De Rossi’s perfect record. Goals from Gianluca Mancini and Stephan El Shaarawy had given Roma the lead at halftime following Francesco Acerbi’s opener for Inter. But the Nerazzurri turned things around immediately after …

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Little importance was given to Girona’s away game at Real Madrid when the Spanish league published its calendar. But six months and 23 rounds later and Saturday’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu promises to decide which side will be in pole position to win the title come May. It is a clash of the league’s most …

PARIS (AP) — World Cup runner-up France, European champion Italy, Belgium and Israel were drawn together in a tough group Thursday for the men’s UEFA Nations League that starts in September. The Nations League is the next action for UEFA member countries after this summer’s European Championship, where France, Italy and Belgium — all top-10 teams in the FIFA world …