Kazakhstani side beaten 4-1 at Sporting Frankfurt and Brugge enjoy victories Kairat Almaty’s debut in the league phase of the Champions League was ruined by conceding three goals in four second-half minutes as Sporting ran out 4-1 winners at the Estádio José Alvalade. The visitors from the city of Almaty in south-eastern Kazakhstan undertook the longest journey ever recorded between two clubs in Champions League history, and they struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Sporting were handed a penalty after 21 minutes when Aleksandr Mrynskiy brought down Luis Suárez, but Morten Hjulmand’s spot kick was kept out by 18-year-old Kairat goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza. Continue reading...

Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez is banned for three MLS games - in addition to his six-game ban in the League Cup.

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez is given a six-match suspension for spitting at a member of the Seattle Sounders' staff following his side's 3-0 Leagues Cup final defeat.

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez apologises for his behaviour after spitting at a member of the Seattle Sounders' coaching staff following his side's 3-0 Leagues Cup final defeat.

Winger responds to account with half a million followers Post mocked two of Liverpool’s outgoings this summer The Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah called out a popular fan account on Wednesday for “disrespecting” former teammates Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez after a social media post mocked their departures from the club. Salah took exception to a post on X featuring images of the departed duo in black-and-white over new signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak with the caption: “Name a bigger upgrade in footballing history.” Continue reading...

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez appears to spit at a member of the Seattle Sounders' coaching staff following his side's 3-0 Leagues Cup final defeat.

Uruguayan striker lashed out at Sounders’ Obed Vargas Seattle wins its ninth major honor since joining MLS The Seattle Sounders defeated Inter Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday, and the time between the final whistle and the trophy lift offered eyebrow-raising scenes all their own. Luis Suárez, who got into a few minor altercations but was frustratingly goal-less through the intense, physical match, took time after the final whistle to confront Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas. In that interaction, Suárez put his arm tightly around Vargas’ neck before being pulled away by Sounders players as more players and staff from both teams joined the melee. Continue reading...

Barça prodigy stood out on La Liga’s opening weekend, but Santi Cazorla and Nico Williams produced compelling storylines, too Heavy is the head that wears the crown but Lamine Yamal is willing to wear it. Willing? He wants to, so there he was on Saturday night conducting his own coronation. With the last touch of Barcelona’s first game of 2025-26, their new No 10 – the player handed a six-year contract and the shirt Ladislao Kubala, Luis Suárez, Diego Maradona, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi wore, the kid Spain coach Luis del la Fuente claimed was “touched by the wand of God”, the baby Messi bathed – scored against Real Mallorca. It was his first goal as an adult; it was also exactly as you imagine it, Lamine Yamal scoring the Lamine Yamal goal that was Messi’s once. He had come in from the right and then, when the ball settled in the corner, went back out again. Where, stopping before the Son Moix stands, he lowered an invisible crown to his head, a statement of intent for this season and beyond. Continue reading...

Add-ons could follow but fee is lower than £60m wanted Isak the top target if Uruguayan completes transfer Liverpool have agreed a fee of €53m (£46.3m) plus add-ons with Al-Hilal for Darwin Núñez. The Uruguay international is expected to complete a move to the Saudi Pro League once personal terms have been finalised. Núñez was interested in a transfer to Saudi Arabia in January, when Liverpool rejected £60m from Al-Nassr as they prioritised winning the Premier League. The player and his representatives reiterated their desire for a move this summer. Continue reading...

Deal for the 26-year-old forward is expected soon Striker may still feature in Sunday’s Community Shield Liverpool have given Darwin Núñez permission to negotiate a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal close to finalising a fee for the Uruguay international. They remain in negotiations over a deal for the 26-year-old, who started eight Premier League games last season, but an agreement is expected to be reached quickly providing Núñez is open to the transfer. Continue reading...

Young winger showed great promise in the 4-1 rout of Athletic Bilbao as Anfield paid its respects to Diogo Jota A vacancy has arisen on the left of Liverpool’s forward line and an early, eye-catching application to fill the role has arrived from a 16-year-old. Rio Ngumoha further enhanced his first team claims with a sparkling display against Athletic Bilbao that underlined the formidable strength, and options, available to Arne Slot. Ngumoha opened the scoring superbly and teed up a second goal for Darwin Núñez inside five minutes at Anfield in the first of two pre-season friendlies against the Basque club. A packed Anfield crowd had to wait for the second fixture to catch a first glimpse of new signings Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Hugo Ekitiké and Jeremie Frimpong. Ngumoha kept them entertained and whetted the appetite prior to their appearances as Liverpool recorded a comfortable 4-1 win in match one. Continue reading...

Reports of £69m deal being agreed said to be premature Ekitike keen on move to Premier League champions Liverpool continue to be in negotiations over the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike. Reports in Germany of a deal being agreed for a £69m fee are said to be premature by sources at the Premier League champions, although it is believed the France Under-21 forward does favour a move to Anfield. Ekitike is expected to eventually join Liverpool as they look to overhaul their striking department, a situation further necessitated by the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this month. Luis Díaz could well depart from Merseyside, with Bayern Munich an interested party in the Colombia international, and Darwin Núñez is still very much for sale despite a move to Napoli the Uruguayan wanted having gone cold. Neither departure will be at a cut price. Continue reading...

Juventus eliminate Wydad after 4-1 victory Sweltering conditions in Philadelphia and Charlotte Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler scored late in the first half to help 10-man Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Pachuca in a Group H clash played amid sweltering conditions on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Federico Valverde’s sliding volley in the 70th minute sealed Xabi Alonso’s first victory as Madrid manager. The result puts his side’s Club World Cup campaign back on track after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in Wednesday’s opener, and despite Sunday’s early dismissal of defender Raúl Asencio. Continue reading...

Lionel Messi and co kick off in Atlanta at 3pm ET/8pm BST Explainer: all your Club World Cup questions answered Questions or comments? Email Alexander here 4 min: Messi involved again, this time latching on to a bouncing ball in midfield, slotting a through ball for Suárez that has just a bit too much on it, allowing Ramos to gather it easily. 2 min: A chance! Already! Lionel Messi finds a spot in the right half-space, and lofts a perfect diagonal ball over the backline to Luis Suárez. Suarez’s attempt is saved, and he is later called offside. An early statement from Miami. Continue reading...