France got the better of South Africa in a seven-goal thriller as Andre-Pierre Gignac s hat-trick inspired Les Bleus to a 4-3 victory at the Tokyo Olympics.
Having been thrashed 4-1 by Mexico in their opening game of Group A, France hit back to keep their chances of progression alive, though they had to do so the hard way in Saitama.
Indeed, South Africa led on three occasions during a remarkable second half, yet it was Les Bleus who took the points.
Liberato Cacace s stunner was not enough to propel New Zealand to victory against Honduras in Group B, while reigning champions Brazil could only draw 0-0 with the Ivory Coast and Spain overcame Australia thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal s late winner.
GIGNAC AND SAVANIER SETTLE THRILLER
France we…
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insists Cristiano Ronaldo is serene despite a warrant for his DNA amid the ongoing investigation into a rape allegation.
American Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009, something the Portugal captain has strenuously refuted.
German publication Der Spiegel first reported the claims, which also included the suggestion Ronaldo paid Ms Mayorga $375,000 in 2010 as part of a privacy agreement, preventing her from going public with the allegations. Ms Mayorga filed a lawsuit in an attempt to quash that agreement, while Las Vegas police have re-opened an investigation.
Ronaldo s lawyer Peter Christiansen confirmed the payment was made to Ms Mayorga, but said some documents presen…
Fulham could push a deadline-day loan bid through for Chelsea striker Armando Broja.
The Albania striker was among the Chelsea substitutes as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool on Wednesday.
Broja did not get on the pitch and Fulham boss Marco Silva is keen to bolster his forward options with Raul Jimenez’s hamstring injury leaving them light in attack.
Aston Villa, West Ham and Wolves have also been linked with Broja this month, but Fulham now appear Broja’s most likely destination should he leave Stamford Bridge for now.
Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to Tottenham throughout January, but Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou suggested on Tuesday it would be “unlikely” to see any more signings.
Thomas Tuchel is refusing to pretend nothing is happening as Chelsea suffer a run of poor form, including some average performances.
The Blues have won just three of their last seven games across all competitions and just one of their last four a narrow 2-1 Premier League victory over relegation-threatened Watford.
Chelsea s last two results have been particularly disappointing, losing 3-2 to West Ham and drawing 3-3 with Zenit in the Champions League despite being ahead in both matches.
Tuchel is keen to address the issues that have caused his side s slump head-on, but revealed that he is not worried about getting back on track.
If you have the lead four times in two matches and you escape with one point and six goals conceded it s not the moment to loo…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic maintained his scoring run with a goal in each half to help Milan earn a 3-1 win over 10-man Napoli that takes his side back to the top of Serie A.
Sassuolo moved to the summit earlier on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Hellas Verona but Milan responded with an Ibrahimovic-inspired victory at Stadio San Paolo to go two points clear.
The veteran striker headed in from 14 yards with 20 minutes played to score for the eighth league game running before kneeing in an unorthodox second after 54 minutes, but he worryingly limped off late on with a thigh injury.
Dries Mertens had responded for Napoli only for Tiemoue Bakayoko to be sent off 165 seconds later and Milan, without head coach Stefano Pioli and a number of other backroom staff members due to corona…
Ernesto Valverde has described Pedro as an historic Barcelona player after the Chelsea winger claimed he would like to return to Camp Nou.
Pedro told Ser Catalunya this week that he would love to go back to the club where he won 20 major trophies, including five LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues, between 2008 and 2015.
The 32-year-old has only played four times in the Premier League under Frank Lampard this season and, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it has been suggested the Spain international could be allowed to leave next month.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Barca coach Valverde said of Pedro: He s an historic Barca player let s not kid ourselves. He s one of the players to win the most titles with this club, but he plays for…
After thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 on December 19, Liverpool were six points clear at the Premier League summit.
Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were all on target in the clinical rout at Selhurst Park, after which Jurgen Klopp said: It was really difficult to play against us.
The reigning champions had seemingly found top gear again.
Fast forward to January 21 and, following a stunning 1-0 loss to Burnley at Anfield, Liverpool were left to wonder just where it had all gone so badly wrong.
For a fourth successive outing in the league they had failed to score, while the shock result sees them stuck in fourth position in the table, six points behind leaders Manchester United.
Never mind moving through the gears: th…
Tottenham took control of their Europa League round-of-32 tie against Wolfsberger with ease as Gareth Bale impressed in a 4-1 victory in Budapest on Thursday.
On the same ground where Liverpool beat RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday, Spurs dismantled their Austrian opponents with a superb first-half display.
Bale was integral, teeing up Son Heung-min s opener before doubling Spurs lead with a fine finish.
Lucas Moura put Spurs further ahead and even though Moussa Sissoko s lapse amid a disjointed second-half performance from Spurs allowed Michael Liendl to pull one back from the penalty spot, substitute Carlos Vinicius restored the three-goal cushion.
20 Excluding qualifiers, Son Heung-Min is the fourth Spurs player to score 20 European…
Atletico Madrid enhanced their chances of winning the La Liga title this season with a over Barcelona at home on Saturday evening.
Yannick Carrasco’s goal in first-half injury time at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium proved to be the difference between the two sides in Madrid.
It was a brilliant goal from the 27-year-old winger, as the Belgium international drove in from midway inside the Barcelona half and got the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The result means that Atletico are now second in the La Liga table with 20 points from eight matches.
Diego Simeone’s side are fast becoming the favourites for the title and could end up clinching the championship this season.
The defeat was another blow for Barcelona, who are having a tough time in…
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term contract.
The 21-year-old England international, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and provided 11 assists, has put pen to paper on a deal running to summer 2027, the PA news agency understands.
Saka told the club website: “I’m just really happy. There’s been a lot of talking and it’s been a while, but I’m here now. I think this is the right club, the right place to make the next step. It’s a beautiful club – look where we are.
From Hale End to first team. Arsenal through and through.
It’s time for the next chapter.
Bukayo Saka: Gunner
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
“For me, it’s about achieving my personal ambitions – how much I push mysel…