Page 14 - Football

ISL: Punjab FC notch first win after 7 games, beat Bengaluru FC 3-2

Punjab FC defeated Bengaluru FC 3-2 to snap their seven-game-long winless run in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. The home team made an emphatic comeback that saw them strike thrice in the second half to get all the three points from the match. They stay in ninth spot in the standings with 23 points to their kitty. Alberto Noguera pulled off a slick corner kick in the 23rd minute, well-directed to Sunil Chhetri on the far post that produced Bengaluru FC's first concrete chance of the game. Chhetri's headed effort was aimed on target but blocked in time to keep the scores level. Noguera replicated a similar delivery from another corner kick in the 36th minute, this time from the left side. He attempted a different route this time, giving the ball to Rahul Bheke who was placed at a distance down the centre. Bheke thundered his shot above the post though as he couldn't keep his effort on target. Muhammad Suhail came close to breaking the

Transfer news: Jhon Duran joins Ronaldo at Al-Nassr from Aston Villa

Forward Jhon Duran became the latest player from one of Europe's top leagues to move to Saudi Arabia after joining Al-Nassr from Aston Villa on Friday. The Colombia international's move was worth a reported 64 million pounds ($80 million). The 21-year-old Duran will team with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and wear No. 9. His move represents a significant profit for Villa after joining from the Chicago Fire for 18 million pounds ($22 million) in 2023. Duran had 12 goals in 29 games this season including a memorable winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career, his former club said.

UEFA Champions League: Manchester City vs Real Madrid live streaming

Despite their longstanding dominance, both teams have had their struggles in the competition's new format, which expanded to 36 teams this season.

UEFA Champions League playoff draw: Man City to take on Real Madrid

The draw took place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland and involved teams that finished from ninth to 24th position in the new format of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Kyle Walker not regretting leaving Man City for lackluster AC Milan

England defender Kyle Walker could be forgiven for having some regrets over leaving Manchester City for AC Milan. Especially after seeing close up how his new team is performing, with even Milan coach Srgio Conceio saying his players are lacking footballing basics. Walker joined Milan last week on loan, with the option to make the move permanent at the end of the season. He watched Milan's rollercoaster win over lowly Parma from the stands at San Siro last weekend. The Rossoneri were trailing 2-1 in injury time before two stoppage-time goals. Walker, who was cup tied, was also just an observer on Wednesday for Milan's Champions League match at Dinamo Zagreb, where the 10-man Rossoneri lost 2-1. But Walker, who won six Premier League titles and the Champions League in seven seasons at City, insists he hasn't had any second thoughts even when Milan was 2-0 down at home to Parma. Definitely not. It's football. Things happen in football, he said. But by the end of the game, we won 3

UEFA Europa League: Full list of qualified teams for knockout stages

Lazio, the only team to qualify for the round of 16 with a game to spare, suffered their first defeat of the campaign, losing 1-0 at Braga.

'Only Santos can give me the love I need', Neymar confirms return to Brazil

Neymar has confirmed he will sign what is expected to be a short-term contract with his boyhood club, Santos, as the Brazil striker aims to recharge his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 32-year-old Neymar said on Thursday that he's returning to the Sao Paulo club, and local media reported that the deal will extend only to June 30. "Only Santos can give me the love that I need to prepare for the challenges I have in the next few years. All of you, no matter who you support, know well what I am talking about," Neymar said on his social media channels. "I hope you all follow me in this new phase of my life." Santos used its social media channels to respond Neymar's video: "Your home awaits. Your people awaits." Neymar left Santos nearly 12 years ago to join Barcelona. The striker's return follows the termination of his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Neymar had returned in October from an ACL injury sustained while playing for Brazil only months after he joined ...

UEFA Europa League: Manchester United, Tottenham qualification scenarios

Both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have already ensured their places in the knockout play-offs with crucial victories.

UEFA Champions League sees more goals per game and more one-sided wins

After a frantic last round of action Wednesday, the inaugural 36-team league phase in Champions League history is over. Here's a look at some of the numbers that tell the story of how the first season in the new-look format has gone: 144: The number of games in the 36-team league phase, up from 96 last year in the old 32-team group format. 3.27: Goals per game in the new format, up from 3.09 per game in last season's group stage. 9: Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy are joint top scorers with nine goals each. 28: The number of goals scored by Barcelona, six more than any other team in the league phase. Manchester City led the way with last season with 28 goals in its entire Champions League campaign, including knockout games. 7: Liverpool's winning streak stopped at seven games with a 3-2 loss at PSV Eindhoven. That loss meant there were no unbeaten teams in the league phase. Six teams qualified unbeaten from their groups last season. 23: The

UEFA Champions League 2024/25: When will the playoffs draw take place?

For teams finishing in 9th to 16th place, they will enter the knockout round play-offs, where they are seeded and face unseeded teams from 17th to 24th in a two-legged encounter.

UEFA Champions League: List of qualified teams for knockout stages

Meanwhile, the teams that finished outside the automatic qualification spots have now confirmed their places in the knockout phase play-offs.

UCL 2025: All matchups for the final matchday and live streaming details

All 18 final matches of the Uefa Champions League will be available to live stream on the Sony LIV app and website in India

Leading goal scorers in Europe's top 5 football leagues this season

Premier League star Mohamed Salah is top goal scorer among all leagues with his 19-goal spell for Liverpool in the 2024-25 season

UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern qualification scenario

If City fails to win, it will mark their first early elimination from the Champions League in 12 years, leaving fans wondering if their once-dominant European campaign is losing steam.

Transfer news: Arsenal new bid for Sesko, Barca eager to sign Rashford

Manchester United, keen on adding reinforcements before the window shuts, is reportedly looking to bring in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku on loan.

Al Hilal agrees to terminate Neymar's contract; Santos return imminent

In August 2023, Neymar made the switch to Al-Hilal, joining other football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the lucrative Saudi Pro League.

From Khusanov to Evra: Worst debuts in the Premier League over the years

Khusanov's City debut quickly turned into a nightmare. Within the first five minutes, Khusanov mistimed a header, leading to a loose ball that Chelsea capitalized on, taking the lead.

Lionel Messi to India confirmed? When will Argentina come to play in India?

In addition to a friendly match, Messi is expected to spend 20 minutes on a public stage to interact with his fans in Kerala.

LaLiga: Mbappe scores first hat trick for Real Madrid; Atletico held

Kylian Mbapp tucked the ball under his shirt as he raised both hands to return the applause to the Real Madrid fans who savored his first hat trick for his new club. The France star had just led a 3-0 victory at struggling Valladolid that extended Madrid's lead of La Liga on Saturday, keeping it in position to retain the title just after the midway point of the campaign. Gone was the inconsistent play and missed penalties from Mbapp during his first months with Madrid following his move from Paris Saint-Germain. The France captain has started pouring in goals with back-to-back multi-goal games and has Madrid in pole position with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona stalled. I'm very happy for the hat trick but even happier for the win, Mbapp said in fluent Spanish. It was very important to win after Atletico's result because that gave us a bit more pressure to take advantage of it. Madrid's fourth straight triumph in the league combined with Atletico Madrid's 1-1 draw with Villarreal let

Manchester City vs Chelsea Premier League live match time and streaming

Chelsea have had their own struggles but managed to get back on track with a vital 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday - their first league triumph since Christmas.