Mohamed Salah decided to stay at Liverpool despite receiving an offer to earn at least £500 milli...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> decided to stay at Liverpool despite receiving an offer to earn at least £500 million in the Saudi Pro League, sources told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c20xngdprpyo">BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel</a>.</p><p>The 32-year-old attacker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3264089" href="https://thescore.com/news/3264089">signed</a> a two-year deal on Merseyside on Friday, ending months of persistent speculation about his future. Salah reportedly didn't need to take a pay cut to ensure he remained at Liverpool and will earn close to £400,000 a week on his latest terms.</p><p>Still, that salary pales in comparison to the reported contract offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. Salah's weekly wage of £400,000 amounts to around £20.8 million per year, meaning he would need to stay at Liverpool for at least 24 more years on that salary to match the riches he could've enjoyed in the Saudi Pro League.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad <a href="https://www.thescore.com/epl/news/2708557">reportedly</a> made a verbal approach for Salah in the summer of 2023.</p><p>Salah inked fresh terms to stay at Liverpool because he wants to chase more silverware in Europe, try to win a Ballon d'Or, and ensure he continues to test himself against the best so he can perform well for Egypt, according to Mokbel. The Pharaohs are set to compete at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (which kicks off in December and concludes in January 2026) and are on the cusp of securing their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America.</p><p>Salah is likely to have the option to move to Saudi Arabia in the future, Mokbel reports. People close to the forward believe he has at least another three years playing at the elite level - a year beyond when his new Liverpool contract expires - and there's an unwavering desire from the high-spending Saudi Pro League to bring the Arabic icon to play in the country.</p><p>Saudi Arabia has attracted many big names in recent years, including Al-Nassr's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. Salah's former Liverpool teammates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/49565" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/49565">Fabinho</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engfa/players/13233" href="https://thescore.com/engfa/players/13233">Roberto Firmino</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/20486" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/20486">Sadio Mane</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/10448" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/10448">Georginio Wijnaldum</a> also play in the oil-rich country.</p>

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool signs a new contract extension at Anfield on April 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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Report: Salah refused Saudi deal worth at least £500M to stay at Liverpool

Lionel Messi's talks over a new Inter Miami contract are at an advanced stage and the iconic atta...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>'s talks over a new Inter Miami contract are at an advanced stage and the iconic attacker is expected to sign fresh terms through 2026 soon, sources told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6269451/2025/04/11/lionel-messi-inter-miami-contract-update/">The Athletic's David Ornstein</a>.</p><p>The artful Argentine's current deal was due to expire at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign.</p><p>Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023. He's scored 42 goals and provided 21 primary assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the club.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The South Florida franchise, which won the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield with Messi, is set to move into a new venue named Miami Freedom Park next year.</p><p>"The stars are aligning for something great, for a beautiful future for the club and for Lionel. It's solely his decision," Miami managing owner Jorge Mas told <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIPjA0fyZGA/?igsh=eWV3aDgxMnhvcWdk">FDP Radio Miami</a> earlier this week, with translation from The Athletic.</p><p>"I expect that within 60-90 days we'll have to determine all of this. My hope has always been - and everything we're doing - is to see Messi play at our new stadium in 2026. Hopefully, that happens."</p><p>The influence of Messi, who turns 38 in June, doesn't appear to be waning at Inter Miami.</p><p>He's raced to three goals and two primary assists in four appearances in the 2025 MLS campaign despite head coach Javier Mascherano's careful efforts to manage Messi's minutes. The former Barcelona forward scored twice Wednesday to help his side turn a two-goal aggregate deficit in its CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal against Los Angeles FC into a 3-2 victory. He played the penultimate pass for Inter Miami's other goal.</p><p>Inter Miami take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Champions Cup semifinals later in April.</p><p>Messi also continues to be a key figure for Argentina after winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa Americas (2021 and 2024) with his country. He was absent from Argentina's World Cup qualifying wins over Uruguay and Brazil in March due to a groin injury but weighed in six goals and five assists over 11 appearances in 2024. He holds the men's team's records for caps (191) and goals (112).</p><p>He's set to be a star attraction at the Club World Cup this summer. Before the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247413" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247413">recent removal</a> of Liga MX's Club Leon due to an ownership issue, Inter Miami were the last outfit invited thanks to their Supporters' Shield success. They are in a group with Portugal's FC Porto, Brazil's Palmeiras, and Egypt's Al Ahly.</p><p>Miami will now be joined at the tournament by Club Leon's replacement, which could the winner of a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3254929" href="https://thescore.com/news/3254929">mooted playoff game</a> between Mexican giants Club America and MLS side LAFC.</p>

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - APRIL 09: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates a goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarter-final football match between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF on Thursday April 9, 2025 at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Report: Messi set to sign Inter Miami contract through 2026

Arsenal rocked Real Madrid with a sublime three-punch combo Tuesday to take a commanding 3-0 lead...

<p>Arsenal rocked Real Madrid with a sublime three-punch combo Tuesday to take a commanding 3-0 lead into next week's Champions League quarterfinal second leg.</p><p><a href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/90903">Declan Rice</a> scored two magnificent free-kicks - incredibly, the first direct free-kicks he's scored in his professional career - and makeshift forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/58163" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/58163">Mikel Merino</a> netted an impressive one-touch shot from the edge of the area for a memorable night in north London.</p><p>And despite Arsenal's remarkable three-goal outburst in the second half, <a href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/9963">Thibaut Courtois</a> may have been Real Madrid's best player. He made five excellent saves over the opening leg and was only breached by finishes of the highest quality. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/4054" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/4054">David Alaba</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> also prevented two Arsenal goals with goal-line clearances.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rice bent his first free-kick around Real Madrid's wall in superb style, powering in a curling effort from over 25 yards in the 58th minute.</p><p>Then, incredibly, Rice did it again - and it was arguably better than his first. The angle seemed more appealing for left-footed playmaker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/34831" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/34831">Martin Odegaard</a>, who was also stood over the free-kick, but Rice strode toward the ball again and unleashed a perfect, swerving drive into the top corner.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/cropped_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779557/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209241260.jpg?ts=1744146786 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Richard Pelham - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>"Declan's been very determined because we have said in the last few months that we have not scored a direct free-kick in three-and-half years," Mikel Arteta said after the match, according to <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/it-s-beautiful-arteta-hails-rice-free-kick-magic-as-arsenal-stun-real-01db6823">Agence France-Presse</a>.</p><p>"If there's a player who can do it, how clean he strikes it, it's Declan. But you have to execute it at the highest level. And against one of the best keepers in the world as well. It's amazing."</p><p>Rice is now the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a Champions League knockout stage match.</p><p>Arsenal's remarkable evening became scarcely believable just five minutes later. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/192369" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/192369">Myles Lewis-Skelly</a> slid a pass across the edge of Real Madrid's 18-yard box and Merino, the backup midfielder moonlighting as a center-forward amid a rash of Arsenal injuries, confidently stabbed a first-time shot into the bottom corner.</p><p>"We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side. The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side," Merino told Amazon Prime, according to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3261969" href="https://thescore.com/news/3261969">Agence France-Presse</a>.</p><p>"When this side plays like that, the crowd go with us."</p><p>Real Madrid, the winners of a record 15 Champions League crowns, had little response to Arsenal's onslaught. Rather than come roaring back in true Real Madrid style, they left with a whimper as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/140079" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/140079">Eduardo Camavinga</a> was shown a second yellow card in the closing stages for kicking the ball away.</p><p>"We were not good," Real Madrid's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/49943" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/49943">Lucas Vazquez</a> admitted to Movistar post-match, according to Agence France-Presse. "I think Arsenal had a great game, they made chances, they knew how to press us and we couldn't play our game."</p><p>With such a one-sided win over Champions League royalty, some Arsenal fans will now believe their team can win Europe's top prize for the first time in its history.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Declan Rice during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Emirates Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England.

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Rice's stunning free-kick brace helps Arsenal smash Real Madrid

Leicester City became the first club since the 1888 formation of England's Football League to los...

<p>Leicester City became the first club since the 1888 formation of England's Football League to lose eight consecutive home matches without scoring Monday, setting the new record with a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United.</p><p>Ruud van Nistelrooy's Foxes are on the brink of relegation as they're 15 points adrift of safety with seven Premier League matches remaining. Somewhat surprisingly, Leicester are only the second-worst team in England's top flight because they have seven more points than Southampton, who suffered the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3259823" href="https://thescore.com/news/3259823">earliest relegation in Premier League history</a> Sunday.</p><p>Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich Town were promoted from the Championship last season. Ipswich are also close to an immediate return to the second tier due to the 12-point gap between them and 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Trouble in the Foxes' den</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Opposition</th>
<th>Result</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Dec. 22</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>0-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dec. 29</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>0-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jan. 15</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>0-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jan. 18</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>0-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Feb. 15</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>0-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Feb. 21</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>0-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>March 16</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>0-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>April 7</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>0-3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The aggregate score of Leicester's last eight league matches at home is 0-21.</p><p>Leicester's 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur in January marks the only time they scored over their last 11 Premier League home or away matches.</p><p>In Leicester's latest setback, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/49695" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/49695">Jacob Murphy</a>'s brace and ex-Leicester player <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/90749" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/90749">Harvey Barnes</a>' goal put the game out of the hosts' reach before halftime. The loudest cheer from the home support came when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/214418" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/214418">Jeremy Monga</a> was brought on as a substitute for his debut. At 15 years and 271 days old, he's the second-youngest player in Premier League history after Arsenal's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/190386" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/190386">Ethan Nwaneri</a> (15 years and 181 days).</p>

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City, looks dejected as he walks the edge of the technical area during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Newcastle United FC at The King Power Stadium on April 07, 2025 in Leicester, England.

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Van Nistelrooy's Leicester break miserable record amid run of home defeats

Pep Guardiola believes Matheus Nunes' future is at right-back for Manchester City after deciding ...

<p>Pep Guardiola believes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/166328" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/166328">Matheus Nunes</a>' future is at right-back for Manchester City after deciding the 26-year-old lacks the intelligence and composure required to play midfield.</p><p>Nunes' reputation blossomed while starring in Wolverhampton Wanderers' midfield during the 2022-23 campaign. Manchester City bought Nunes for around £53 million a few matches into the following season. However, the unconvincing displays from the Brazil-born Portuguese international and other players, a rash of injuries, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/4042" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/4042">Kyle Walker</a>'s January departure forced City manager Guardiola to rethink the player's role.</p><p>"(Nunes) can become a good right-back for his physicality," Guardiola said after Sunday's match at Manchester United, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44571172/man-city-matheus-nunes-not-clever-enough-play-midfield-pep-guardiola">ESPN's Mark Ogden</a>. "I think he's not a player to play in midfield because he's not clever enough, in the composure, but he has incredible skills, and he's learning a lot."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Nunes has played at right-back for each of his 11 starts since mid-January, including the goalless Manchester derby at Old Trafford.</p><p>"The big mistake of full-backs is when you have the cross to the far post where you are, they are always sleeping," Guardiola said. "But he defended really well two or three crosses, like when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/23312" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/23312">Bruno (Fernandes)</a> put it to the far post for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/200230" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/200230">(Patrick) Dorgu</a>.</p><p>"He has the attention and the physicality to do it, so he can play in that position and help us a lot."</p><p>Guardiola admitted he was surprised by Nunes' performance as a full-back, given there was little indication earlier in the campaign that would be his role.</p><p>"When you start the season, if you said, 'Matheus will play right-back,' you would ask what I'm talking about," Guardiola added. "But it is what it is."</p><p>City's defense against Manchester United featured Nunes, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/162375" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/162375">Josko Gvardiol</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/68136" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/68136">Ruben Dias</a> as the center-backs and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/192475" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/192475">Nico O'Reilly</a> - a versatile yet predominantly attack-minded midfielder - acting as the other full-back. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/189326" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/189326">Rico Lewis</a>, who often operates as an inverted right-back, replaced O'Reilly at left-back in the 74th minute.</p><p>"The back-four was excellent. Ruben was incredible. So we build from that," Guardiola said.</p>

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Matheus Nunes of Manchester City takes a throw in during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC at Old Trafford on April 06, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Guardiola: Nunes 'not clever enough' to play midfield

Southampton were relegated to the Championship on Sunday with seven matches still left to play in...

<p>Southampton were relegated to the Championship on Sunday with seven matches still left to play in the Premier League season.</p><p>The Saints' descent, which was confirmed by Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, is the earliest in Premier League history. The previous record was jointly held by Ipswich Town (1994-95) and Derby County (2007-08), who dropped from the top flight with six matches to spare.</p><p>Another unwanted Derby record looms for Southampton. The Rams' points tally of 11 in the 2007-08 campaign is the lowest ever recorded in the Premier League, and Southampton are one point shy of that miserable total.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Will Southampton avoid unwanted record?</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Fixture</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>April 12</td>
<td>vs. Aston Villa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>April 19</td>
<td>@ West Ham United</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>April 26</td>
<td>vs. Fulham</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 3</td>
<td>@ Leicester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 10</td>
<td>vs. Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 18</td>
<td>@ Everton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>May 25</td>
<td>vs. Arsenal</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>"We have to avoid that record, do our best. It cannot happen," Southampton manager Ivan Juric said after the Spurs defeat, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cg5qy16e18po">BBC Sport</a>.</p><p>Saints goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/68746" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/68746">Aaron Ramsdale</a> has now been relegated on three occasions. He suffered the same fate with Bournemouth (2019-20) and Sheffield United (2020-21) before his three-season spell with Arsenal.</p><p>"We want to get as many points as we can until the end of the season," Ramsdale said. "No one wants that record, and we will do what we can. But we will do what we can to get more points on the board."</p><p>Southampton were promoted to the Premier League 315 days ago. Manager Russell Martin was credited for his ambitious style of play in the Championship, but the team's approach proved to be a weakness in the tier above. Southampton repeatedly made costly errors as they tried to bypass the press and instigate attacks from defense. Mistakes drained confidence, and their dwindling confidence led to more mistakes.</p><p>Martin was sacked in December after one win in 16 Premier League games and was replaced by Juric. There's only been one league victory since.</p><p>Southampton offered little resistance and barely any attacking threat in north London. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/161384" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/161384">Brennan Johnson</a> scored two first-half goals before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190212" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190212">Mateus Fernandes</a>' 90th-minute strike and Spurs loanee <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/184462" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/184462">Mathys Tel</a>'s successful penalty at the death belatedly stirred a sleepy second period.</p>

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale (left) and team-mates react after Tottenham Hotspur's Brennan Johnson (not pictured) scores their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday April 6, 2025.

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Southampton suffer earliest relegation in Premier League history

Alphonso Davies' agent expressed "respect" for Jesse Marsch on Thursday after initially claiming ...

<p>Alphonso Davies' agent expressed "respect" for Jesse Marsch on Thursday after initially claiming the Canada men's team head coach "pressured" his client to start a match despite concerns over his fitness.</p><p>"Canada Soccer needs to do a better job managing these players," agent Nedal Huoseh <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3250860" href="https://thescore.com/news/3250860">surmised</a> Wednesday after Davies was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee. The left-back lasted just 12 minutes of Sunday's CONCACAF Nations League third-place game against the United States before being forced off with the issue.</p><p>Huoseh has since walked back his comments after discussions with the men's team boss.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"Over the past 24 hours, I spoke with Jesse Marsch on several occasions," Huoseh <a href="https://x.com/NedalHuoseh/status/1905368470545727998">wrote on X</a>. "I have a lot of respect for him as a coach. We had positive and productive discussions and laid down the groundwork to ensure we are all aligned and working together to continue to protect the best interests of players.</p><p>"Moving forward, everyone involved is focused on prioritizing Phonzie's recovery."</p><p>Bayern Munich estimated a layoff of "several months" for Davies, ruling him out for the remainder of the European club season. He's also unlikely to appear at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States. The 24-year-old wasn't expected to represent Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup due to his commitments in the Club World Cup.</p><p>As the current captain and a standout player of the Canadian men's team, Davies is expected to assume an important role for his country as it co-hosts the World Cup in 2026.</p><p>Canada recovered from Davies' enforced substitution to beat the United States 2-1 in Sunday's third-place match, thanks to goals from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/187409" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/187409">Tani Oluwaseyi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/159817" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/159817">Jonathan David</a>.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Alphonso Davies #19 of Canada stands for his national anthem before to the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal match between Canada and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Davies' agent softens stance after post-injury rant against Canada Soccer

Seven out of a possible 48 nations have booked their tickets to the 2026 World Cup, with Canada, ...

<p><em>Seven out of a possible 48 nations have booked their tickets to the 2026 World Cup, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States automatically included as co-hosts. By the end of 2025, we'll know 42 of the 48 participants. The FIFA qualifying cycle ends in March 2026, when the last remaining spots are decided. Below, we're keeping track of every team that's confirmed its place in the supersized tournament so far.</em></p><h3>What's the breakdown?</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Confederation</th>
<th>Spots (46)*</th>
<th>Qualified</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AFC</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CAF</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CONCACAF</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CONMEBOL</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>OFC</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UEFA</td>
<td>16 (4 via UEFA playoffs)</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>*The final two World Cup berths will be determined by inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026. Six teams will take part - two from CONCACAF and one each from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and South America. The two with the best FIFA ranking will go directly to one of two finals, while the other four will be drawn to play semifinal matches. New Caledonia has already secured the playoff spot for Oceania (OFC). Europe, the largest confederation, has its own playoff process that determines UEFA's final four tournament representatives.</p><h3>Who's qualified?</h3><h3>Argentina 🇦🇷</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> CONMEBOL</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> March 25, 2025</li>
</ul><p>The reigning World Cup champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3250567" href="https://thescore.com/news/3250567">already qualified</a> for the 2026 edition before taking the pitch in Buenos Aires, sealing a place by virtue of Bolivia's goalless draw with Uruguay earlier in the day. There was less at stake in Argentina's much-anticipated qualification tilt with Brazil. However, La Albiceleste took care of business nonetheless, crushing their hated rivals 4-1 to further assert their dominance in South American qualifying. Lionel Scaloni's side will be a popular pick to conquer the globe again despite the fact that talismanic captain Lionel Messi turns 39 before the tournament's group stage is over.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Iran 🇮🇷</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> AFC</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> March 25, 2025</li>
</ul><p>Iran confirmed its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, and seventh in the history of its men's team program, after racing to 20 points from its first eight matches in the third round of Asian qualifiers. Carlos Queiroz isn't in charge of this latest group, but the rest of the squad will be familiar to many onlookers: Eight of the 11 starters from the World Cup-clinching <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3250486" href="https://thescore.com/news/3250486">draw</a> with Uzbekistan are aged 30 or over, including mainstays Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Saman Ghoddos.</p><h3>New Zealand 🇳🇿</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> OFC</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> March 24, 2025</li>
</ul><p>To the surprise of nobody, New Zealand clinched Oceania's single automatic World Cup berth after winning each of its five qualification matches. The All Whites brushed aside Tahiti, Vanuatu, and Samoa before thumping Fiji 7-0 in the third round's semifinals, then officially punching their ticket to North America with a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3249383" href="https://thescore.com/news/3249383">3-0 win</a> over New Caledonia. Chris Wood's nine goals during the qualification process are more than twice the total of the second top scorer, fellow Kiwi attacker Elijah Just.</p><h3>Japan 🇯🇵</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/cropped_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/w220xh124_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/w320xh180_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/w640xh360_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/w768xh432_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777242/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2206028408.jpg?ts=1742951892 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kenta Harada / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> AFC</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> March 20, 2025</li>
</ul><p>Japan became the first team to qualify on the pitch for the 2026 World Cup - and did so with three matches to spare - when Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo's sumptuous finishes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3246540" href="https://thescore.com/news/3246540">sunk</a> Bahrain in Saitama. Japan is an early candidate for the World Cup's "dark horse" tag as the Samurai Blue's exciting generation is highlighted by goal-scorers Kamada and Kubo, and the likes of England-based players Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, and Ao Tanaka.</p><h3>Mexico 🇲🇽</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> CONCACAF</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)</li>
</ul><p>Mexico owes a debt of gratitude to Marco Silva. Raul Jimenez seemed to struggle with confidence after he fractured his skull in November 2020, but Silva has the striker playing with belief and bravery once more at Fulham. Mexico is reaping the rewards. The veteran scored four times as El Tri beat Canada and Panama to win the Nations League, and he could potentially form a potent striker partnership with AC Milan marksman Santiago Gimenez next year.</p><h3>Canada 🇨🇦</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> CONCACAF</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)</li>
</ul><p>American coach Jesse Marsch has been saying the right things to boost his popularity in Canada, but his charm offensive will lose its luster if his team can't score in big games. Beating the United States in the Nations League third-place game helped Marsch's cause, but Canada's 2024 Copa America run certainly wasn't free-scoring, and it should've posed more of a threat against Mexico in the Nations League semifinals. Finding the right strike partner to complement top scorer Jonathan David will be key for Marsch in the buildup to the World Cup.</p><h3>United States 🇺🇸</h3><ul>
<li>
<strong>Confederation:</strong> CONCACAF</li>
<li>
<strong>Date of qualification:</strong> Feb. 14, 2023 (co-host)</li>
</ul><p>Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure after the United States failed to deliver Nations League glory following a surprise semifinal defeat to Panama. The USMNT's misery was compounded when it fell to Canada in the third-place game. Pochettino needs to mastermind better performances in June's friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, but several issues - including underperforming stars and some starters not playing enough for their clubs - could lead to the USMNT disappointing fans on home soil in 2026.</p><h3>Key dates ahead</h3><p><strong>June 2-10</strong>: World Cup qualifying, UEFA Nations League finals<br><strong>Sept. 1-9</strong>: World Cup qualifying<br><strong>Oct. 6-14</strong>: World Cup qualifying<br><strong>Nov. 10-18</strong>: World Cup qualifying<br><strong>December 2025</strong>: World Cup draw (exact date TBD)<br><strong>March 23-31, 2026</strong>: Final World Cup qualifying matches<br><strong>June 1-9, 2026</strong>: Pre-tournament friendly matches<br><strong>June 11, 2026</strong>: World Cup opening match</p>

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Canada head coach Jesse Marsch admits he was deliberately spiky in the technical area during Sund...

<p>Canada head coach Jesse Marsch admits he was deliberately spiky in the technical area during Sunday's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3249123" href="https://thescore.com/news/3249123">2-1 win</a> over the United States in the Nations League third-place game.</p><p>With memories of his team being <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247266" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247266">denied a first-half penalty</a> against Mexico on Thursday still raw, Marsch twice protested to the officials for what he believed were fouls on Canada striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/159817" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/159817">Jonathan David</a> in the box. He was sent off in the 54th minute but says he has no regrets over his conduct.</p><p>"If I had to do it again, I would," Marsch told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6226778/2025/03/24/canadas-marsch-explains-his-nations-league-red-card-id-do-it-again/">The Athletic's Joshua Kloke</a> while reiterating that he and his team were "pissed off" after the apparent missed call in the defeat to Mexico.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Marsch added: "It's not like I went into the game thinking, 'OK, I'm going to get thrown out.' But I was definitely looking for opportunities to make a point, right?"</p><p>Marsch said he wished he appealed the first incident involving David more than the second. He was dismissed as he reacted to the second incident, one that David revealed post-match involved a slip rather than a foul.</p><p>The Canada boss was keen for video review to be used during penalty calls after the pitchside monitor wasn't consulted when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/99764" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/99764">Derek Cornelius</a> was kicked by Mexico's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85188" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85188">Edson Alvarez</a> as they fought for the ball in Thursday's Nations League semifinal. Marsch also got the impression Sunday that the officials were now prepared to use VAR more readily.</p><p>"The fourth official said to me when I was starting to escalate, 'No, we all reviewed what happened to you against Mexico and we're aware of it and we're going to look at this carefully.' And so I was like, 'OK, they're going to at least go to VAR,' and then they don't go to VAR," Marsch said.</p><p>"And then honestly, I was cursing myself. I should have freaking run over there, I should have forced a reaction."</p><p>Marsch, who took over the men's team last May, believes Canada has been on the end of many harsh decisions in CONCACAF tournaments over the years and wants to see a change in future matches. Canada takes on Ukraine and Ivory Coast in June friendlies before competing at CONCACAF's Gold Cup.</p><p>"You know what even makes me even more frustrated and happy that I did it? Did you see Panama's penalty (during <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3249256" href="https://thescore.com/news/3249256">the final</a> against Mexico)? Ours against Mexico is worse for me, right? I think it was necessary," Marsch reasoned.</p><p>"(Canada) have been through this, more than I have. So again, I'm learning what it is to be the Canadian national team coach, and certainly in this CONCACAF setting, they feel like they're getting the short end of the stick again. I get it."</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 23: Jesse Marsch head coach of Canada leaves the pitch after receiving a red card during the CONCACAF Nations League third place match between United States and Canada at SoFi Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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The Canadian men's national team's hopes of winning its first trophy in 25 years were dashed by T...

<p>The Canadian men's national team's hopes of winning its first trophy in 25 years were dashed by Thursday's 2-0 Nations League <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247051" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247051">defeat</a> to Mexico, and an incident in just the ninth minute could rankle head coach Jesse Marsch's side for some time.</p><p>Mexico held an early 1-0 lead in the semifinal following <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engfa/players/16216" href="https://thescore.com/engfa/players/16216">Raul Jimenez</a>'s goal in the first minute. Shortly afterward, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/99764" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/99764">Derek Cornelius</a> tried to win possession in the area and got a touch on the ball before midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85188" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85188">Edson Alvarez</a> kicked the Canadian's left foot. Referee Said Martinez gave Mexico a free-kick as Canada players converged on him to appeal for a penalty. He wasn't instructed to review his decision on the pitchside monitor.</p><p>"We have a clear, clear, clear penalty, I don't know how it's not given in terms of - we have VAR. He doesn't even look at it," Cornelius told <a href="https://x.com/onesoccer/status/1903060869581271290">OneSoccer's Kristian Jack</a> postgame.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Cornelius added, "I just tried to get to the ball first to keep the attack alive and then, obviously, I got kicked at the end of it."</p><p>The defender couldn't fathom any excuses to not award Canada what he felt was "100%" a spot-kick.</p><p>"This is high-level games with high-level players. It deserves high-level refereeing," the defender added, according to <a href="https://x.com/TSNScianitti/status/1902956511715889207">TSN's Matthew Scianitti</a>.</p><p>Marsch <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247051" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247051">described</a> the incident as "the definition of a penalty." Midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/134054" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/134054">Stephen Eustaquio</a> was similarly adamant that the referee missed a blatant call in Inglewood, California, but said the Honduran official was confident that a Mexican free-kick was the correct decision.</p><p>"We tried to talk to the ref and pressure the ref to see VAR, but he was certain from the beginning that it wasn't a penalty," Eustaquio <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/soccer/video/thats-a-penalty-everywhere-in-the-world-eustaquio-laments-missed~3100120">said</a>.</p><p>"I looked at the monitor, and I think that's a penalty everywhere in the world."</p><p>Instead of chasing its first title since the Gold Cup in 2000, Canada now falls into a third-place game against the United States on Sunday. The reigning champion U.S. was surprisingly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247018" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247018">beaten</a> in its semifinal earlier Thursday evening after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///intfr/players/163642" href="https://thescore.com/intfr/players/163642">Cecilio Waterman</a>'s dramatic 94th-minute winner for Panama.</p><p>Panama was the lowest-ranked team (36th) in the final four of the Nations League but will now contest the final against Mexico shortly after Sunday's meeting between Canada and the United States.</p>

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Derek Cornelius #13 of Canada shoots against Edson Álvarez #4 of Mexico during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Newcastle United captured the first League Cup in their history Sunday following a 2-1 win over r...

<p>Newcastle United captured the first League Cup in their history Sunday following a 2-1 win over runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.</p><p>Boyhood Newcastle fan <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/14564" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/14564">Dan Burn</a> gave his team the lead near the end of the first half before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/91018" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/91018">Alexander Isak</a> doubled its advantage in the 52nd minute. Liverpool substitute <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/68002" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/68002">Federico Chiesa</a> scored in added time, but Eddie Howe's side was rarely under serious pressure at Wembley.</p><p>Newcastle's committed display earned them their first piece of silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and their first major domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup final.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Liverpool, meanwhile, are strolling toward their 20th English top-flight title. But some onlookers were tipping Arne Slot's men for an unprecedented quadruple at the start of February before their FA Cup elimination to Plymouth Argyle, Tuesday's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, and now their surprise League Cup defeat to Newcastle.</p><p>Burn's aerial dominance over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/160602" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/160602">Alexis Mac Allister</a> during corner kicks eventually proved costly for Liverpool when the towering defender excellently headed into the bottom corner. Newcastle took a deserved one-goal lead into the break.</p><p>"We couldn't believe Dan Burn scored - he didn't train like that! He was a colossus for us," Howe said post-match, per <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c62zl58dg8qt?post=asset%3A1d4ff973-63ff-42d9-a8b8-9950f7a3e229#post">BBC Sport</a>.</p><p>Isak was denied a goal when a VAR review confirmed he strayed offside by inches before poking the ball into the net following another corner. However, he doubled Newcastle's advantage under two minutes later. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/49695" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/49695">Jacob Murphy</a> nodded <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/182238" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/182238">Tino Livramento</a>'s delivery across goal, and Isak hit a slick first-time finish past <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/84917" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/84917">Caoimhin Kelleher</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/cropped_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/775524/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204902571.jpg?ts=1742148897 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Nigel French/Allstar / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/99998" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/99998">Curtis Jones</a>' smash from around 15 yards forced an incredible save from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/16508" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/16508">Nick Pope</a> in the 59th minute, but Liverpool - 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and 23 points better off than sixth-placed Newcastle - played well below their best. Newcastle outdid the strong favorites with a battling team display and almost made it 3-0 when Kelleher pushed away Isak's close-range volley.</p><p>Liverpool scored in the 94th minute, with Chiesa slipping the ball into the corner of the net after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/103076" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/103076">Harvey Elliott</a>'s pass caught out a briefly disorganized Newcastle backline. The goal was initially disallowed before Chiesa was declared onside following video review.</p><p>But the Magpies, who seemed to feed off the energy of the traveling Toon Army, saw out the final minutes with relative ease. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/54907" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/54907">Joelinton</a> best demonstrated how keen he and his teammates were for the fight by celebrating tackles and urging for even more noise from the black-and-white half of Wembley.</p><p>Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest, AFC Wimbledon, Chelsea, Brentford, Arsenal, and Liverpool on their victorious League Cup run.</p><p>"When you have been without a trophy for so long, it can be in the back of your head. Hopefully, it is brighter days ahead," Isak told Sky Sports, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2025/mar/16/liverpool-v-newcastle-carabao-cup-final-updates-live">The Guardian's John Brewin</a>.</p>

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier lift the Carabao Cup trophy with team-mates following victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 16, 2025.

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<p>Manchester City's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a> became the first player to reach 100 Premier League goal involvements in fewer than 100 matches after opening the scoring with a penalty in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.</p><p>It was the striker's 84th goal in his 94th appearance in England's top flight. He's also provided 16 assists since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.</p><p>Haaland reached three figures in goal involvements in six fewer matches than the previous record holder, Alan Shearer. Liverpool's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> and Manchester United icon Eric Cantona both required 116 Premier League games to log their 100th goal involvement.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Sergio Aguero reached 100 goal involvements (77 goals, 23 assists) in his 118th Premier League outing for Manchester City.</p><p>Haaland, 24, is just one strike shy of 85 Premier League goals, which would equal Eden Hazard, Louis Saha, and Fernando Torres' individual tallies in the competition. He's currently level with former Manchester City standout Carlos Tevez on 84 goals.</p><p>The Norwegian holds the record for the most prolific season in Premier League history after cramming 36 goals into 35 appearances during his first season at Manchester City.</p>

Manchester City's Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 15, 2025.

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<p><em>During Women's History Month in March, theScore is publishing stories that illustrate how women in sports lead, inspire change, and navigate their careers.</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><p><span style="float: left; width: 0.65em; font-size: 340%; font-family: serif; line-height: 90%; color: #f39b18;">F</span>rishta Qasemi didn't know Farkhunda Muhtaj, but she put her life in her hands.</p></figure><p>"I was scared for my life. If the Taliban knows that I'm a soccer player, they're going to kill me, of course. I think that Farkhunda was the only choice," said Qasemi, who was just 15 when the democratically elected Islamic Republic of Afghanistan fell in August 2021. "I had to trust her."</p><p>Muhtaj - born to Afghan refugees in Pakistan before the family moved to Canada when she was 2 - proudly captained the Afghanistan women's national team before the Taliban took over. In April, she'll be among the trailblazers who kick off the inaugural season of Canada's first professional women's soccer league, the Northern Super League (NSL), when she suits up for Calgary Wild FC. Muhtaj was the club's first official signing last year.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Her work to help Afghan youth team members flee their homeland means her NSL journey will be followed by many much further afield than Calgary.<strong> </strong>The Afghanistan Football Federation asked Muhtaj, along with other Afghan players based around the globe, to coordinate the evacuation missions from Kabul four years ago. The dedication and dependability of Muhtaj, who was then a 23-year-old playing semi-professionally in Ontario, was undeniable, but her relative inexperience in such matters indicated how desperate the situation had become.</p><p>"I had no clue what to do, if I'm being honest," she told theScore.</p><p>"There's no commercial flights leaving the country, all borders are closed, there's Taliban checkpoints throughout the country, and the political landscape kept shifting as well," she explained of the hurdles that threatened to derail the evacuation efforts.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/cropped_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/w220xh124_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/w320xh180_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/w640xh360_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/w768xh432_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772469/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1701278480.jpg?ts=1740601339 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Muhtaj playing for Dutch side Fortuna Sittard in 2023 <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It took time for Muhtaj to find the support she needed. Certain organizations and humanitarian lawyers she felt would be well connected didn't provide the response she hoped for. It wasn't until she formed a team featuring government officials from the United States that her drive gathered momentum.</p><p>As the leader of her national team, Muhtaj would be a hero to thousands, or more likely millions, of girls in most parts of the globe. Afghanistan was different. "Many of them didn't even know who the hell I was," she said, detailing the lack of exposure given to the team while so many considered soccer unsuitable for women - even when Afghanistan wasn't under the Taliban's glare. Muhtaj also didn't have any social media presence until 2021.</p><p>But Qasemi and the other youth players had no choice. A stranger was their only possible path to freedom. Qasemi made the emotional decision to travel alone, without her mother or any of her four younger siblings - the eldest aged 10 and the youngest just six months - because they could bring no more than three family members with them. Despite this distress, she and her teammates keenly followed Muhtaj's updates over WhatsApp; they observed instructions to move around the country's capital and venture into remote locations for various escape plans.</p><p>"These girls were heavily at risk. Anything could have happened to them. I was really fearful," Muhtaj said. "And you know what? We failed miserably dozens and dozens of times within each plan that we had."</p><p>Qasemi remembers one failed plan two days before the Taliban's deadline of Aug. 30, 2021 for evacuees to leave the country. Muhtaj supplied the coordinate points to an unmapped gate at the back of the airport, but the girls found on their journey that the Taliban had recently opened a checkpoint on the only route to get there. Some girls, along with Qasemi, and their family members left their cars and still tried to reach the gate on foot through challenging terrain. They walked through the night and needed to wait until the darkness receded to see their target.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/cropped_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/w220xh124_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/w320xh180_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/w640xh360_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/w768xh432_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772470/w1080xh607_IMG-20250213-WA0015.jpg?ts=1740602006 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Qasemi, at 13, winning MVP following a tournament in Mazar-i-Sharif <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Frishta Qasemi</span></figcaption></figure><p>"I was walking five, maybe six or seven, hours on the mountains to find a way to the door," Qasemi told theScore. Except, when they eventually saw the gate, it was now blocked by the Taliban. They were firing their guns into the air to deter people from moving closer.</p><p>Qasemi started to doubt Muhtaj.</p><p>"I was so mad. I was crying so bad. I was like, 'Maybe she's just playing with us,'" Qasemi recalled.</p><p>Questions kept rolling around in her head: "Why am I doing this? Am I leaving the country or not? Is Farkhunda helping me or not?"</p><h3>Losing trust</h3><p>Muhtaj had the difficult task of keeping everyone on board with the ever-shifting operation to get them out of Afghanistan, while also ensuring their safety and maintaining their trust. In many instances, hope burned out - and it didn't help that the militant rulers' deadline for evacuees to leave had expired.</p><p>Belief was dwindling. Over 220 people were part of the original group Muhtaj was working to help evacuate. By the time she asked them to board buses for an eight-to-10 hour journey north from Kabul to Mazar-i-Sharif, more than half had decided to stay behind.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Afghanistan map" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-0eAuz" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/0eAuz/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="300" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Muhtaj attributes the loss of faith to malicious rumors that she was selling their passports and visas, deliberately feeding incorrect information, and planning to profit from the vulnerability of the girls and their desperate families.</p><p>"We never took a dime, ever," Muhtaj said. "We actually supported them financially as well, because all banks were closed, and so we tried through the partners that were on the ground (to give) them cash support to buy basic needs."</p><p>The party of over 80 that remained stayed in safe houses in Mazar-i-Sharif for 20 days. The delay was longer than expected as Muhtaj dealt with another rush of issues, including more airport chaos and bordering countries unwilling to let the group in without asylum.</p><p>They could only wait. Going outside risked attracting the attention of many Taliban stalking the streets.</p><p>"It was really hard for everyone to be in the same room with more than 20 or 30 people," Qasemi, who was born and raised in Mazar-i-Sharif, said. "It was really tough. Everybody was very bored and tired."</p><p>A breakthrough occurred when Muhtaj and her team managed to secure the group a place on a chartered flight out of Afghanistan, a rarity after the Taliban regained control of the country. It was 22 days after the deadline to evacuate. Buses were quickly sent to the safe houses for transport to the airport to capitalize on the small window of opportunity. Concerns over documentation and other security-related problems at the airport evaporated as the plane took off for the Portuguese capital of Lisbon via Tbilisi, Georgia.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/cropped_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/w220xh124_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/w320xh180_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/w640xh360_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/w768xh432_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770441/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1343905100.jpg?ts=1739479237 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Muhtaj gives refugees surprise welcome after asylum was granted in Portugal <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Horacio Villalobos / Corbis News / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There were mixed emotions as the girls left their homeland. From the bus window, Qasemi had soaked in the views of Mazar-i-Sharif; most of all her eyes studied the streets where she refused to surrender to oppressive cultural expectations, soldiering on through bruises and abuse to hone her soccer skills with local boys. Her defiance, and her talent as a skillful winger, ultimately led her to safety. She was still only 15 and without her family. But she was safe.</p><p>The eventual success of Muhtaj's first evacuation attempt led to another mission in November. During the second wave, 225 people landed in Portugal. Overall, Muhtaj has helped over 300 escape Afghanistan.</p><h3>'She's like a mother for us'</h3><p>Muhtaj's humanitarian efforts aren't restricted to moving people from Afghanistan. She's the co-founder of the Scarborough Simbas, based in the east Toronto district where she grew up, which was an idea spawned from when she saw "how disproportionately affected the newcomer and refugee community was" during COVID-19. Coaching soccer to children from refugee families is at the organization's core, but it crucially acts as a support hub for local immigrants, too. Meals and gatherings are held at the Simbas' base. Grocery store vouchers are sometimes available to further combat food insecurity.</p><p>Muhtaj's relationship with the footballers she saved also remains strong. Qasemi cherishes the times she plays with Ayenda FC, an Afghan youth national team. The squad is named after the word for "future" in Farsi and serves as an unofficial replacement for international soccer since playing sports is among the many basic human rights that the Taliban denies women. Qasemi and other girls who fled the deeply oppressive regime have competed at prestigious youth tournaments including Sweden's Gothia Cup and Denmark's Dana Cup, with Muhtaj on coaching duties.</p><p>"All of the girls on your team were the friends (from when) you were in the bad days. We know what we have been through," Qasemi said of the team spirit. "It's very special for me."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/cropped_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/w220xh124_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/w320xh180_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/w640xh360_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/w768xh432_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770628/w1080xh607_File_010.jpg?ts=1739561018 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Team Ayenda <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Dana Cup</span></figcaption></figure><p>Qasemi's ties to her homeland were strengthened further when, after three testing months alone in Portugal, her mother and four siblings joined her on the Iberian peninsula. She's now on a scholarship in Wisconsin, but she travels back to Portugal to spend time with her family during breaks in her studies.</p><p>Muhtaj's influence promises to endure in Qasemi's life. The Calgary Wild attacking midfielder and the young Afghan footballers don't get to see each other face-to-face regularly, but they keep in touch over WhatsApp and via video calls every two or three weeks.</p><p>"She's like a mother for us," Qasemi, now 19, said. "She always inspires us and motivates us to continue and to achieve the goals that we have."</p><p>The evacuations from Afghanistan and continued projects with the Simbas and Ayenda have highlighted to Muhtaj how much of an impact she can make as a professional player.</p><p>"I feel like now as a footballer, I feel a greater sense of responsibility, and I know the power of what we can achieve on and off the pitch," Muhtaj shared.</p><p>And, like Muhtaj, perhaps it's off the pitch where some of the girls will make the most meaningful impact.</p><p>"I always like to help people, especially refugees," Qasemi said.</p>

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Meet the women's soccer trailblazer who helped hundreds flee the Taliban

<p><em>During Women's History Month in March, theScore is publishing stories that illustrate how women in sports lead, inspire change, and navigate their careers.</em></p><p>Christine Sinclair watched the United States more than Canada in women's soccer as a kid. She found the rival team's matches more accessible, even north of the border in her home province of British Columbia.</p><p>"I had a Mia Hamm jersey, (it's) sad to say," Sinclair, whose 190 international goals are most by any female or male player in history, told theScore.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Like watching the USWNT on television, the shirt wasn't her first choice.</p><p>"(I) couldn't find a Canadian jersey anywhere," Sinclair remembered. "Especially a women's one."</p><p>Times have certainly changed. The difference between the Canadian women's soccer landscape then and now, Sinclair says, is "night and day." The beloved ex-striker who captained Canada to three successive Olympic medals from 2012 to 2021, culminating with a historic gold in Tokyo, deserves plenty of the credit for the growth and increased popularity of soccer in the country. Today, the considerably brighter outlook also owes much to the Northern Super League (NSL), the nation's first professional women's soccer league that begins its inaugural season April 16.</p><p>Sinclair recognized that Canada's success couldn't last without a pathway for the next generation to flourish. She was concerned the good times would fizzle out.</p><p>"I thought, without a professional league, our national team would get passed by sooner or later by these other countries that were investing in their domestic leagues," the co-owner of the NSL's Vancouver Rise explained.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/cropped_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/w220xh124_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/w320xh180_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/w640xh360_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/w768xh432_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771842/w1080xh607_GettyImages-149912936.jpg?ts=1740258364 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Sinclair with Jonelle Filigno and NSL co-founder Diana Matheson at 2012 Olympics. <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">AFP / AFP / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Sinclair spent 12 years with the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) before retiring in November at 41. She has first-hand experience of how the U.S. league presented extra chances for women to forge careers in the professional game. Players who otherwise might have dropped out of the sport suddenly had more scope to develop and eventually shine in a professional environment, possibly earning international recognition with their country. Crucially, many of those footballers were American.</p><p>The NSL now opens that same avenue to Canadians.</p><p>"We're women, we're always gonna be fighting for stuff, but the opportunities that these guys will have now - whether it's going overseas, whether it's wanting to stay at home, whether it's playing in America - they can have the choice," Sinclair said, noting that she never had the chance to play professionally in Canada.</p><p>She added, "I fear that we lost a lot of talent, a lot of young players that at some point had to move on with their lives and move on with another career because there weren't opportunities."</p><p>In addition to no professional league being at home until this year, squad restrictions in the United States and overseas also denied talented Canadians access to the pro game. The NWSL, for instance, had only seven non-U.S. roster spots in a squad of up to 26 players last season. Jessie Fleming was among the high-profile acquisitions in 2024 as she swapped English champions Chelsea for the Portland Thorns, but there wasn't an influx of Canadians. The huge impacts of fellow newcomers Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji (both Zambian), Ann-Katrin Berger (German), Temwa Chawinga (Malawian), Leicy Santos (Colombian), and many others emphasized that the whole world is competing for the NWSL's coveted few international player slots.</p><p>By contrast, between 68% and 100% of NSL rosters will be homegrown. However, Sinclair believes the league could promise Canadians much more than just regular minutes. Female athletes' playing salaries were 21 times smaller than the contracts of their male counterparts in 2022, leading women to take 82% of their annual income from off-field arrangements such as sponsorships and endorsements, according to research by <a href="https://www.teamwass.com/news/the-new-economy-of-sports-study-by-the-collective-defines-the-unparalleled-value-of-pro-women-athletes/">Wasserman</a>. Sinclair anticipates Canadians will get better chances to boost their profiles and therefore supplement their earnings at home rather than in leagues such as the NWSL.</p><p>"The opportunities that these players will get financially to play at home for sponsorships, the opportunities that will present themselves in each market - it's not the same that you have in the U.S. No offense, (but) if you're a Canadian player playing in the U.S., no one cares about you," Sinclair, a winner of three NWSL championships with Portland, observed.</p><p>"(The NSL is) an opportunity for these players to make a name for themselves."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/cropped_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/w220xh124_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/w320xh180_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/w640xh360_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/w768xh432_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771845/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1244337998.jpg?ts=1740258584 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Sinclair celebrates her third NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns in 2022. <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ira L. Black / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>But the biggest benefit of the NSL is long term: to inspire the next generation. The six founding teams - Calgary Wild, Halifax Tides, Montreal Roses, Ottawa Rapid, AFC Toronto, and Vancouver Rise - will deliver a constant stream of professional women's games between April and November, available to watch on linear television, digital streaming platforms, and in the stadiums themselves. More visibility creates more role models for youngsters to follow. Watching professional Canadian women is no longer strictly for international windows or club competitions in other countries.</p><p>Sinclair had little choice but to wear a Mia Hamm jersey. The next Canadian superstar-in-the-making won't face the same predicament.</p><p>"With this league, there's going to be so many benefits, but that is going to be one of them: there's a place for young girls to dream and aspire to reach," Sinclair said.</p><p>Lesser-known players are melding with established names in the NSL squads. Sinclair is delighted to have former international teammate Quinn in Vancouver after the 29-year-old midfielder left the NWSL's Seattle Reign. Other Canadian icons such as Erin McLeod (Halifax Tides) and Desiree Scott (Ottawa Rapid) were encouraged to put their retirements on hold to play in their homeland.</p><p>Just don't expect to see Sinclair on the pitch alongside them.</p><p>Despite the best efforts of Vancouver sporting director Stephanie Labbe, the former goalkeeper who backstopped Canada to Olympic gold in 2021, Sinclair won't be joining the lineup of players gracing the NSL.</p><p>"Absolutely not. Nope. I see Erin doing it, I see Desi (Scott) doing it, and Steph Labbe, she's like, 'Just play one season.' And I'm like, 'Dude, no,'" Sinclair said.</p><p>"I played as long as I could. I don't want to play anymore. I want to stay involved in the game and help grow the game, but I have not touched a soccer ball since my last game in Portland and I am A-OK with it."</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30464871/related

Sinclair elevated women's soccer; she's helping Canada's new league do the same

Manchester City will need to get past Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarterfinals to have any chance ...

<p>Manchester City will need to get past Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarterfinals to have any chance of collecting silverware in the 2024-25 season.</p><p>Elsewhere in Sunday's FA Cup draw, Fulham were rewarded with a visit from Crystal Palace immediately after their <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3231454" href="https://thescore.com/news/3231454">penalty shootout victory</a> over holders Manchester United. Preston North End, the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup, will entertain Aston Villa in Lancashire.</p><p>Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town play Monday to determine who will face Brighton &amp; Hove Albion on the south coast.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Manchester City won the competition in 2023 and were beaten finalists in 2024, but the other teams still standing have an opportunity to become a first-time winner or end a long FA Cup drought.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Last FA Cup win</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>1957</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brighton &amp; Hove Albion</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ipswich Town*</td>
<td>1978</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>2023</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nottingham Forest*</td>
<td>1959</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Preston North End</td>
<td>1938</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>* <em>Yet to qualify for quarterfinal stage</em></p><p>Manchester City are favorites to win the tournament but Pep Guardiola's team isn't as strong as previous campaigns. The club is fourth in the Premier League table, failed to reach the Champions League knockout rounds after losing its two-legged playoff with Real Madrid, and was booted from the last 16 of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur.</p><h3>Draw in full</h3><ul>
<li>Fulham vs. Crystal Palace</li>
<li>Preston North End vs. Aston Villa</li>
<li>Bournemouth vs. Manchester City</li>
<li>Brighton &amp; Hove Albion vs. Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town</li>
</ul><p>The quarterfinal matches will take place around the weekend of March 29-30.</p>

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Erling Haaland of Manchester City hits the post during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City FC at Vitality Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30456385/related

FA Cup QF draw: Man City go to Bournemouth, Preston host Aston Villa

Jose Mourinho could face a criminal complaint after Galatasaray vowed to initiate proceedings aga...

<p>Jose Mourinho could face a criminal complaint after Galatasaray vowed to initiate proceedings against Fenerbahce's head coach for "racist statements."</p><p>Mourinho, during a post-match press conference that followed Monday's goalless draw between the Istanbul rivals, <a href="https://x.com/SkySportsNews/status/1894169670711665023">accused</a> the Galatasaray bench of "jumping like monkeys" to appeal for a decision. He also expressed more disdain for Turkish officiating.</p><p>Galatasaray's statement, which was accompanied by a #SayNoToRacism tag, read:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><blockquote>
<p>Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.</p>
<p>We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to UEFA and FIFA. Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce — an institution professing to uphold "exemplary moral values" — in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.</p>
</blockquote><p>"After the big dive in the first minute, their bench, jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid," Mourinho said when highlighting an early incident involving Fenerbahce's 19-year-old defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///uefa/players/209751" href="https://thescore.com/uefa/players/209751">Yusuf Akcicek</a>, "with a Turkish referee we'd have a yellow card after one minute."</p><p>Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who Mourinho said he thanked for coming to Turkey at the end of the game, was appointed for the fixture after a request by both clubs, according to <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/43951308/fenerbahce-galatasary-foreign-ref-complaints">ESPN's Adriana Garcia</a>. Mourinho said after thanking Vincic that he told the Turkish fourth official that the "match would be a disaster" if it had been overseen by him.</p><p>"And when I say him, I mean the general tendency," Mourinho added.</p><p>Mourinho declared the Turkish Super Lig should use foreign referees for every match.</p><p>The world-renown manager, who's won major honors with numerous clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid, was punished in November for his conduct after a dramatic win over Trabzonspor, which included strong criticism of the officiating standards in the country.</p>

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Jose Mourinho of Fenerbahce makes statements to press following the Turkish Super Lig week 25 football match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye on February 24, 2025.

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Galatasaray accuse Mourinho of racism, will 'initiate criminal proceedings'

Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developmen...

<p><em>Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 25 of the 2024-25 season.</em></p><h3>What's behind rise in goalkeeper assists?</h3><p>Ederson became the goalkeeper with the most assists in Premier League history (six) and broke the record for the most in a single campaign (three) when his searching ball culminated with the first of Omar Marmoush's three goals in Manchester City's 4-0 win over Newcastle United. Brighton &amp; Hove Albion's Bart Verbruggen got an assist Friday when his whack upfield was excellently tamed by Kaoru Mitoma and then steered into the bottom corner of Chelsea's net.</p><p>Brentford's Mark Flekken, Fulham's Bernd Leno, and Everton's Jordan Pickford have also supplied assists this season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Taking such a direct route to goal appears to be a trend rather than an anomaly. The current number of assists by a goalkeeper this season is seven, which is the most since eight were tallied over the full 2007-08 campaign. The season average was just two over the 10 years preceding this term.</p><p>It's not hit-and-hope, ugly, mid-1900s English hoofball, though. Goalkeepers playing it short rose in popularity after Pep Guardiola dumped Joe Hart for the ill-fated Claudio Bravo at City in 2016, and that tactic remains popular in the Premier League. However, modern goalkeepers now have the ability and vision to pick their moments to send raking, and often accurate, passes toward their attackers.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/cropped_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770705/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199064338.jpg?ts=1739639419 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Ball-playing 'keepers aren't the only factor behind the rise in route-one assists. Long balls would be aimed at physical, but not necessarily quick, target men in the more traditional form of English football; now, teams are trying to catch out the high defensive lines regularly deployed in the top flight with deliveries over the top that pacey and technically gifted forwards can race onto and control.</p><p>Perhaps this trend is also a byproduct of the congested schedule: There's less time on the training ground to compose intricate playing patterns. As a result, more balls are simply being pinged from goalkeeper to attacker, quickly toward the wingers (like at Nottingham Forest), or, at the other end of the scale, straight to the other team or out of play (Crystal Palace). And, obviously, direct passing can be an effective way to prey on the mental and physical fatigue of opponents.</p><p>The rise of goalkeeper assists is a modern take on an English classic. Somewhere, Sam Allardyce is patting himself on the back.</p><h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3><p><strong>Arsenal holding it together</strong></p><p>The "how" doesn't matter right now for Mikel Arteta. Injury-ravaged Arsenal need wins any way they can secure them to keep pace with Liverpool. Some days that'll mean getting a late brace off the bench from makeshift striker Mikel Merino to beat one of the league's worst teams. Three points is three points. It's fair to question and critique Arsenal's decision not to sign another No. 9 in January, but any team would struggle to score with all four of its best forwards sidelined simultaneously with long-term ailments. That the Gunners labored in their 2-0 win over Leicester City wasn't a surprise. At this point in the season, and with a title on the line as Liverpool start to show the first signs of vulnerability, the process is largely irrelevant. Just win, baby.</p><p><strong>... but Liverpool pulled off the same trick</strong></p><p>Wolverhampton Wanderers were much better than Liverpool after the interval Sunday. The visitors pulled a goal back through Matheus Cunha's beautiful curler from the edge of the area and had nine more shots in the second half as they tried to level. Liverpool didn't record a single shot after the break - the first time that's happened to the Reds in a Premier League fixture since Opta started tracking efforts on goal in the 2006-07 campaign. But aside from the morale boost that a positive display can give Wolves for the rest of their survival mission, nothing else matters aside from a 2-1 win that maintained Liverpool's seven-point lead at the summit. "It says a lot (that) we kept fighting and kept going and got the three points," captain Virgil van Dijk told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c78w071g71gt?post=asset%3Aec82f650-fe31-48d5-b31b-3b44925ed00a#post">BBC Sport</a> post-match.</p><p><strong>'Light at the end of the tunnel'</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/cropped_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/767178/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195299774.jpg?ts=1737835587 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Yui Mok - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>After three wins in 19 matches, Everton were sitting just one point clear of the relegation zone when David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January. What a turnaround he's engineered upon returning to the club. Saturday's win over Crystal Palace gave the Toffees 13 points since "The Moyesiah" took over. No team in the Premier League has more in that time. Moyes' tally of four wins is <em>already</em> more than Dyche managed to procure this season. Previously braced for a nervous race to avoid the drop, Everton supporters can instead look ahead to next season and the promise of greener pastures in their new stadium. The outlook has flipped entirely. "Everton have had a difficult period, but I certainly think there's light at the end of the tunnel now," Moyes said.</p><p><strong>Traore revives Fulham's European bid</strong></p><p>Fulham used Nottingham Forest's specialty against them to reignite their bid for European football. Entering the weekend as the lowest-scoring Premier League side from set-piece situations, the Cottagers nodded in one sublime delivery and another corner kick to earn back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November. The 2-1 result also gave them their first home win in six league matches. Fulham are now four points behind the European places and could close the gap if Adama Traore continues to energize their attack. Traore whipped in the cross for Emile Smith Rowe's opener, and his runs down the right flank put defenders in danger. He accounted for nine of Fulham's 33 crosses, and it's that kind of direct game that's won Fulham points this season.</p><p><strong>Spurs must kick on from here</strong></p><p>Ange Postecoglou promised over and over that Tottenham would turn a corner once their best players returned from injury. While they didn't always look their best during Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United - allowing the kind of chances a more polished opponent would've put away - Spurs were able to get a result thanks in part to the performances of fit-again Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison. Vicario made six saves, including a couple of difficult diving efforts, to keep Tottenham's first clean sheet at home in the Premier League since August. Maddison, of course, scored the winner off a rebound, but most importantly, he gave Spurs a level of confidence and creativity on the ball that they'd missed in the five games he sat out. Tottenham still have six key players out injured but have enough back to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they face Ipswich Town next Saturday. They haven't put three league wins together since December 2023.</p><h3>Star performer 🌟</h3><p><strong>Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)</strong></p><p>Marmoush joined Manchester City at the most difficult period of Guardiola's reign - and that dour spell still isn't over - so it was no surprise that the Egyptian's first goal (and second, and third) didn't come until his fifth appearance.</p><p>There were glimpses of how dangerous Marmoush could be before Saturday's visit from Newcastle. He had some promising link-ups with Erling Haaland in his debut against Chelsea and provided a team-high three key passes in the otherwise disastrous 5-1 defeat at Arsenal.</p><p>But a hat-trick crammed into 14 first-half minutes truly announces Marmoush's arrival. He opened the scoring with a sumptuous lob after latching onto Ederson's missile and shrugging off Kieran Trippier, followed that goal with a deflected finish, and tapped home Savinho's cutback to complete his treble. Marmoush should take a lot of the scoring burden off Haaland's shoulders; he'll explore areas all around the attacking third, but his positioning on the penalty spot for his third goal clearly showed he's comfortable taking up spaces usually occupied by No. 9s.</p><h3>Best XI 😎</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025" srcset="https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 220w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 320w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 640w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 768w, https://www.fotmob.com/api/lineup-builder/team?players=643228:Palmer,1400227:Minteh,263653:Stones,877401:Bassey,894803:Spence,439369:Christie,1280132:Gonz%C3%A1lez,493647:Traor%C3%A9,1128965:Alcaraz,839204:Marmoush,574645:Merino&amp;formation=4-2-3-1&amp;lineupTitle=Matchweek%2025 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution"></span></figcaption></figure><p>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)</p><h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3><p>Ay, caramba! Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen's assist strengthened Barts' creativity superiority over footballing Simpsons like Danny, Fitzroy, and Paul.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">players with Bart in their name now have four times as many PL assists as those with Simpson in theirs</p>— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) <a href="https://twitter.com/oilysailor/status/1890520645001216445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Social media moment 📱</h3><p>No matter where they are, Evertonians continue to savor the thrilling midweek result in the Merseyside derby.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Went the ice cream museum in New York earlier… couldn’t resist 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/EEdCtKJXo3">pic.twitter.com/EEdCtKJXo3</a></p>— Neilo (@Neilo_m) <a href="https://twitter.com/Neilo_m/status/1890551542433886468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Where we stand 👀</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Pos.</th>
<th>Club</th>
<th>Played</th>
<th>GD</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Liverpool</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+36</td>
<td>60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2.</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+29</td>
<td>53</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3.</td>
<td>Nottingham Forest</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+12</td>
<td>47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4.</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+17</td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5.</td>
<td>Bournemouth</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+15</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6.</td>
<td>Chelsea</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+14</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7.</td>
<td>Newcastle</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+9</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8.</td>
<td>Fulham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+5</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9.</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10.</td>
<td>Brighton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11.</td>
<td>Brentford</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+1</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12.</td>
<td>Tottenham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>+13</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13.</td>
<td>Crystal Palace</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14.</td>
<td>Everton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15.</td>
<td>Manchester United</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16.</td>
<td>West Ham</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-18</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17.</td>
<td>Wolves</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-19</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18.</td>
<td>Ipswich Town</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-27</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19.</td>
<td>Leicester City</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-30</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20.</td>
<td>Southampton</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>-38</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.</em></p>

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EPL Review: Goalkeeper assists, winning ugly, and Bart Simpson

Manchester United's scouting network is expected to be targeted in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's next round...

<p>Manchester United's scouting network is expected to be targeted in Sir Jim Ratcliffe's next round of up to 200 redundancies, according to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/15/manchester-united-likely-to-slash-scouting-network-next-redundancies-jim-ratcliffe">The Guardian's Jamie Jackson</a>.</p><p>British billionaire Ratcliffe has tried to cut costs at United since he became co-owner in February 2024. The club has lost £313 million over the past three years and Ratcliffe has tried to plug the financial drain via means as varied as raising ticket prices and calling an end to free cereal bars for matchday stewards. There have been around 250 redundancies so far.</p><p>United employ 30 full-time scouts globally and 50 on a part-time or casual basis. A significant number of them are likely to be axed, which could impact United's recruitment at the senior and youth levels, reports Jackson.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>United's recruitment to the senior squad has been widely criticized in recent years, with moves for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/166123" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/166123">Antony</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17430" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17430">Casemiro</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engfa/players/94369" href="https://thescore.com/engfa/players/94369">Jadon Sancho</a>, and many others representing huge hits to the club's finances for very little on-pitch reward. However, United have a proud tradition of spotting young talent, which continues today as academy graduate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190670" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190670">Kobbie Mainoo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/163335" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/163335">Amad Diallo</a>, signed from Atalanta at 18 years old, are fixtures in the first team and the likes of Chido Obi-Martin and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/206276" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/206276">Ayden Heaven</a> put pressure on Ruben Amorim to include them in his squad.</p><p>Amorim is aware of the financial restrictions as he tries to address Manchester United's underperformance. His team is 14th - 15 points below the Premier League's top four - before it faces Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Sunday.</p><p>"Here is simple - to do something we need to sell players," Amorim <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3218289" href="https://thescore.com/news/3218289">said</a> of the club's recruitment challenges Friday.</p>

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: General View of Manchester United kit in the away dressing room prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester United FC at Craven Cottage on January 26, 2025 in London, United Kingdom.

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Report: Man United to cut back scouting network

Kaoru Mitoma put Brighton & Hove Albion ahead in Friday's Premier League visit from Chelsea in se...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/185551" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/185551">Kaoru Mitoma</a> put Brighton &amp; Hove Albion ahead in Friday's Premier League visit from Chelsea in sensational fashion.</p><p>The Japanese winger settled goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/193628" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/193628">Bart Verbruggen</a>'s long hoof upfield with a sumptuous and scarcely believable first touch before evading his marker and steering the ball into the bottom corner.</p><p><em>(Available to view in U.S. only)</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KAORU MITOMA THAT IS BRILLIANT. 🔥<br><br>Brighton strike first and lead Chelsea 1-0!<br><br>📺 USA Network | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BHACHE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BHACHE</a> <a href="https://t.co/K0Xyp9OrgW">pic.twitter.com/K0Xyp9OrgW</a></p>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1890499193820578006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><em>(Available to view in Canada only)</em></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kaoru Mitoma SCORES!!<br><br>⚽ 1-0 Brighton vs Chelsea FC<br><br>WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/05jY0FkrqF">pic.twitter.com/05jY0FkrqF</a></p>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/1890498824004616584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101870" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101870">Georginio Rutter</a> summed up the mood of many viewers as he pursued Mitoma in celebration:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Georgi is all of us right now! 😆 <a href="https://t.co/cvnxqzTbhV">pic.twitter.com/cvnxqzTbhV</a></p>— Brighton &amp; Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1890499026199405022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

Brighton's Japanese midfielder #22 Kaoru Mitoma (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on February 14, 2025.

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Watch: Mitoma gives Brighton lead over Chelsea after jaw-dropping 1st touch

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Daniel Rouse

Senior News Editor

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Anthony Lopopolo

News Editor

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