Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

Cristiano Ronaldo made history yet again with a record-breaking brace, but Portugal were left frustrated after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Hungary at the Estádio José Alvalade. The result delayed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai struck late to deny the hosts all three points. Ronaldo, 40, showed no signs of slowing down as he scored his 41st goal in World Cup qualifying — surpassing former Guatemala striker Carlos Ruiz’s tally of 39 to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history. The two goals also took his…

England stormed into next summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 5–0 win over Latvia in Riga, maintaining their perfect qualifying record under head coach Thomas Tuchel. The result confirmed England’s place at the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States with two games to spare, as they outclassed a Latvian side ranked 137th in the world. Goals from Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane (twice), an own goal by Andrejs Ciganiks, and a late strike from Eberechi Eze sealed a dominant display for the Three Lions at the Daugavas Stadionā. Despite tensions between Tuchel and sections of England’s travelling…

Cape Verde made history on Monday, securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3–0 win over Eswatini at the National Stadium in Praia. The victory sparked celebrations across the archipelago and among the diaspora, marking the first time the island nation will appear at football’s biggest stage. The decisive moment came in the 91st minute when Stopira scored the final goal, sealing Cape Verde’s qualification. Players, staff, and fans erupted in jubilation, with some players shedding tears as years of planning and dedication came to fruition. For a nation of just over half a million people,…

England defender and Chelsea captain Millie Bright has announced her retirement from international football, drawing the curtain on a distinguished nine-year career with the Lionesses. The 32-year-old, who earned 88 caps for England, was part of the team that won the UEFA Women’s European Championship in 2022 and captained the side to the 2023 World Cup final. Bright made her international debut in September 2016 and became one of the most dependable figures in the national setup under managers Phil Neville and Sarina Wiegman. Speaking on Monday’s episode of her podcast The Rest is Football: Daly Brightness, which she co-hosts…

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos insists his Bafana Bafana side are fully prepared to secure maximum points when they face Rwanda in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night at Mbombela Stadium. With the qualification picture in Group C delicately poised, South Africa’s destiny is no longer entirely in their hands. The team sits second in the group with eight points, two behind leaders Benin, following a disappointing goalless draw against Zimbabwe last week. To keep their hopes alive, Broos’ men must not only defeat Rwanda but also hope that Nigeria can do them a favour…

Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard is set to be out of action until after the November international break, following confirmation that he has suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his knee. The 26-year-old Norwegian sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 3-1 Premier League win over West Ham United on October 4 and was forced off midway through the first half. Although the club initially released a brief statement confirming his withdrawal from international duty, no return date was provided at the time. However, reports now indicate that Ødegaard will not be available for selection until mid-to-late November, meaning he is…

Morocco has officially been confirmed as the host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Sunday. The North African country, renowned for its growing football influence and modern sporting infrastructure, will stage the mini-tournament that will determine which African nation advances to the intercontinental playoffs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup. According to CAF, the playoff competition will take place in November 2025, featuring the four best second-placed teams from the nine CAF qualifying groups after matchday 10. The semi-final fixtures will be held on November 13, with…

The Netherlands stormed to a commanding 4-0 victory over Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday night, with Memphis Depay once again the architect of a masterful attacking display that reinforced his status as one of the greatest players in Dutch football history. The 31-year-old Corinthians forward delivered a performance brimming with class and efficiency, breaking the all-time national assist record and extending his own goalscoring tally in the process. Depay’s first-half display was a clinic in creativity and composure, guiding the Oranje to a decisive lead before the break and ensuring the contest was effectively settled by half-time.…

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has strongly condemned the violent scenes that unfolded at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano after the league match between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars ended in a 1-1 draw. According to eyewitness reports, moments after the final whistle, sections of the home fans invaded the pitch, targeting match officials and players from the visiting team. The disturbing scenes have sparked outrage within the Nigerian football community and renewed calls for stricter disciplinary measures to curb crowd violence in domestic football. In an official statement released late on Sunday, NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson…

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Joseph Dosu has thrown his full support behind Flying Eagles shot-stopper Ebenezer Harcourt following Nigeria’s 4–0 loss to Argentina in the Round of 16 of the ongoing 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The heavy defeat on Wednesday night ended Nigeria’s campaign earlier than expected, with fans and pundits pointing fingers at several players, including Harcourt, for their below-par performances. But Dosu, an Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist, has urged Nigerians to show patience and encouragement toward the young goalkeeper, emphasizing that he remains a promising talent still in the developmental stage of his career. Taking to…