United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to see a strong response from h...

United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to see a strong response from his players following their surprising defeat to Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League.Pochettino, who <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3247018" href="https://thescore.com/news/3247018">bemoaned</a> his team's lack of aggression and intensity after the humbling 1-0 semifinal loss, demanded a show of "character" ahead of Sunday's third-place match against continental rival Canada."I think what we want to see is the same focus and concentration and mental level in every single game, official (competition) or no official competition," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44360057/pochettino-usa-character-canada-concacaf-nations-league">Jeff Carlisle of ESPN</a>. "And for me, (Sunday) is going to be a game, an important game to see how we react. We need to show character ... It's not only about the result but it's also about (improving) our performance."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Argentine tactician called on his top playmakers, including AC Milan star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/60435" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/60435">Christian Pulisic</a>, to put Thursday's tentative performance behind them, saying they must play with more freedom and "trust that they can make a mistake.""People that take risks is what we want, what we love and you cannot play football without risk," he added. "If you want to play safe, you are not going to affect the game. That is the important thing that also we were talking (about) yesterday - to take risks, is to be brave."Pochettino said he accepts and understands the intense criticism directed at his side in recent days. Thursday's loss was viewed by many as a significant step backward for a team that's running out of opportunities to prepare for next year's World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico.Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, a Wisconsin native who was once in the running for the U.S. job, is acutely aware of the conversations being had around the USMNT right now."I've heard from the camp that they're internally disappointed with their performance. Then, in the media here in the U.S., I think the media has been very aggressive about how disappointed they are in this team and now they've turned a little bit and put it toward the players," Marsch said. "So we would be very foolish that if based on those two factors, we don't expect a real hard game and a big response from the U.S. national team."Marsch, who noted that the political rhetoric and climate surrounding the contest has "calmed" somewhat of late, expects his team to rise to the occasion following its own 2-0 semifinal loss to Mexico."Our guys are excited about the challenge. The disappointment of the game against Mexico is behind us," he said. "I think we know there's some things that we can do better, but overall the performance was strong and our team continues to show that we are a good team and that we're going to continue to get better."Canada won 2-1 when these two teams last met in a friendly match in Kansas City in September. The result was Canada's first away victory over the United States since 1957."I'd rather coach our team right now, 100%. No questions asked," Marsch <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3069607">said</a> after that triumph, which came before Pochettino took his place on the USMNT bench.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with Weston McKennie #8 of the United States during the second half of a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match against Panama at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Pochettino: USMNT must be brave, show 'character' vs. Canada

Canada's men's national soccer team couldn't capitalize on a golden opportunity Thursday, falling...

Canada's men's national soccer team couldn't capitalize on a golden opportunity Thursday, falling 2-0 to Mexico in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engfa/players/16216" href="https://thescore.com/engfa/players/16216">Raul Jimenez</a> recorded both goals for the Mexicans, opening the scoring 46 seconds into the contest and then sealing the victory at SoFi Stadium with a sensational free-kick in the 75th minute. El Tri will now take on surprise finalist Panama in Sunday's title game after the latter stunned the reigning champion United States in the first semifinal earlier in the night at the same venue.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Canadian men, still without a trophy since the 2000 Gold Cup, will have to settle for a third-place match against the Americans.Jesse Marsch's team got off to the worst possible start Thursday, conceding the opening goal before many fans even sat down.A scrappy sequence of play, which started from a Canadian throw-in, led the ball to bounce off multiple defenders and fall to Jimenez's feet inside the penalty area. The Fulham striker made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner and sending the pro-Mexican crowd in Inglewood, California wild.Marsch and Canada were incensed later in the half when referee Hector Said Martinez and the VAR didn't award a penalty for what appeared to be a clear foul by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85188" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85188">Edson Alvarez</a> on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/99764" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/99764">Derek Cornelius</a>.The on-field official wasn't even instructed to review the incident on the monitor despite replays showing Alvarez kicking the bottom of Cornelius' foot inside the penalty area."What I think is inexcusable ... is that it's not at least looked at by the head referee, right? First it's called a foul in the other direction which is strange, because we clearly get contact first," Marsch said after the match, according to <a href="https://x.com/joshuakloke/status/1902948089100734473">Joshua Kloke of The Athletic</a>. "But for me, this is the definition of a penalty."That incident, and the fury it incited, only added to the chaotic atmosphere on the pitch, as five yellow cards were dished out in the first half to go along with 25 total fouls.Canada, despite needing to push for an equalizer coming out of the halftime interval, generated little up front, failing to consistently put the Mexican defense under pressure. The Canadians finished the feisty affair with one shot on target en route to only their fourth loss in 14 games under Marsch.Jimenez's curling free-kick in the 75th minute put the contest beyond doubt.Mexico wisely killed the rhythm of the match, and the clock, after taking the 2-0 advantage, as a host of Canadian substitutes failed to turn the tide.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 20: Derek Cornelius #13 of Canada (C) reacts during the second half of the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal match between Canada and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

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Canada falls to Mexico, will play U.S. for 3rd place in Nations League

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he's tired of Atletico Madrid's complaints following...

Real Madrid goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/9963" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/9963">Thibaut Courtois</a> said he's tired of Atletico Madrid's complaints following Wednesday's contentious Champions League encounter, chastising the club for "always crying" about perceived slights.Real Madrid advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating their bitter city rivals 4-2 on penalties, knocking them out of the tournament for the fifth time in 11 years.Atletico were incensed after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/182721" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/182721">Julian Alvarez</a>'s shootout goal was disallowed. The Argentine fired his effort into the roof of the net, but, after a dramatic VAR check that sparked confusion inside the stadium, it was ruled that he touched the ball twice when his foot slipped during his run-up.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Diego Simeone disputed the call after the match, insisting, "The ball doesn't move." Alvarez himself was "incredulous" over the decision, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44233131/atletico-madrid-julian-alvarez-incredulous-penalty-source">Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez of ESPN</a>.Courtois had no sympathy."It's bad luck for (Alvarez), but it can happen," the Belgian goalkeeper said, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44233060/real-madrid-thibaut-courtois-atletico-madrid-always-crying">ESPN</a>. "For UEFA, it's clear. I'm sick of this victimhood, always crying about things like this. Referees don't want to benefit one team or another, not in Spain and not in Europe. For them, it was clear. With the technology, in the VAR room they saw it clearly. They have a lot of cameras and a lot of images."Courtois said Atletico's approach to the game was to blame for their ouster, questioning why Simeone's side sat back after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/160089" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/160089">Conor Gallagher</a>'s first-minute goal leveled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate."If you're 1-0 up from the first minute and then you don't try to look for the second goal, I think that's where they got the game wrong," he added.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/160984" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/160984">Rodrygo</a> said he and his teammates noticed the double touch from the bench during the shootout and tried to pressure the referee to review the incident."I was on the bench, and the way the ball left his boot was very strange, as if he'd touched it twice," the Real Madrid forward told TNT Sports Brazil, as translated by ESPN."We had a camera behind us, and they started shouting, 'Two touches, two touches.' Then we started to put pressure on the referee, and he saw it."Real Madrid have never been eliminated by Atletico in the competition. Los Blancos will now meet Arsenal in the quarterfinals as they look to defend their Champions League crown and claim a record-extending 16th European Cup.

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid celebrates the victory with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on March 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Courtois takes shot at Atletico amid penalty drama: 'Always crying'

And then there were eight. The Champions League field has been whittled down once again after the...

And then there were eight. The Champions League field has been whittled down once again after the round of 16 came to an exciting conclusion Wednesday. Below, a collection of theScore's soccer editors review the last-16 action, providing one major takeaway from each of the fixtures.<h3>Yamal, Raphinha dazzle for Barca</h3>Barcelona beat Benfica 4-1 on aggregate<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/cropped_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/w220xh124_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/w320xh180_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/w640xh360_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/w768xh432_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774714/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2203979066.jpg?ts=1741723002 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> JOSEP LAGO / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Raphinha and Lamine Yamal assisted each other's goals in the 3-1 win over Benfica on Tuesday, once again proving their connection is as smooth as any in European competition. It's not that they simply look for one another but that their sweeping style of play - which leans heavily on dribbling and finding pockets of space - culminates in a cross or pass through the penalty area that lands in their path. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Barcelona could just as easily thump the ball at Robert Lewandowski and hope he converts from range, but head coach Hansi Flick instead asks his talented wingers to make inverted runs into dangerous areas, and they end profiting off each other's trickery. - Anthony Lopopolo<h3>Steady Inter a serious threat</h3>Inter Milan beat Feyenoord 4-1 on aggregateSimone Inzaghi's team is arguably the least glamorous of the title contenders remaining in the Champions League. But Inter might just be the most dangerous. They lack the mystique of Real Madrid, the youthful exuberance of Barcelona, or the slick interconnected passing of PSG. But what they have, in abundance, is veteran experience, solidity, and robustness.The Serie A leaders never looked under any threat in their businesslike last-16 dismissal of Feyenoord. They've conceded only two goals in the entire tournament - the best defensive record thus far - and, with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, have genuine game-breakers up front. A very similar recipe got them within touching distance of the trophy two years ago. It could carry them all the way this time. - Gianluca Nesci<h3>PSG finally put all the pieces together</h3>PSG beat Liverpool 4-1 on penalties (1-1 on aggregate)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/cropped_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774752/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204011929.jpg?ts=1741734209 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Ousmane Dembele and PSG's forwards - along with a dazzling midfield - get most of the attention, but the French club doesn't reach the quarterfinals without shutting down Liverpool's potent attack over two legs. Liverpool besieged PSG's defense for large portions of Tuesday's second leg after Dembele's early goal brought the visitors level on aggregate. But Liverpool's breakthrough moment never came, and PSG went on to prevail after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a pair of penalties.PSG's defensive heroics at Anfield got them to the shootout in the first place. Willian Pacho was a standout performer Tuesday, producing key interceptions, blocks, and clearances. Nuno Mendes also produced critical interventions that were vital in keeping PSG alive in the tournament they're so desperate to win. - Gordon Brunt<h3>Leverkusen crumble against Bayern</h3>Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregateLeverkusen hadn't lost any of their previous six matches against Bayern Munich. But that was in domestic competition. "The Champions League is a bit more emotional," Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3232457" href="https://thescore.com/news/3232457">pointed out</a> before the teams' last-16 tie. "Emotional control is most important. Five bad minutes, and you're gone."Gone they are after losing handily to their German rivals for exactly those reasons. Leverkusen conceded 9 minutes into the first leg and finished the game down to 10 men. Armed with a 3-0 aggregate lead, Bayern struck another two goals while restricting space for Leverkusen to attack. Alonso's side didn't have a shot on target until the 65th minute, by which point the tie was long gone. - Lopopolo<h3>Guirassy keeps swinging for Dortmund</h3>Borussia Dortmund beat Lille 3-2 on aggregate<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/cropped_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/w220xh124_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/w320xh180_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/w640xh360_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/w768xh432_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773198/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2198430636.jpg?ts=1741012416 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>Serhou Guirassy has been the only constant in Borussia Dortmund's seesaw of a season, and his skillful efforts in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Lille ensured his side's continued progress in the Champions League.Just as everything seemed to go wrong - a pair of goal-line clearances and a couple of unbelievable point-blank saves unnerved Dortmund in the first half - Guirassy won the penalty that leveled the tie and assisted the goal that won it. He now has 14 goal involvements in the Champions League, the joint-most by an African player in a single season. Guirassy hasn't gone more than two games without having some material impact on the score line, showing the kind of consistency Dortmund have lacked in a year in which they've reached the Champions League quarterfinals while toiling in 10th place in the Bundesliga. - Lopopolo<h3>Asensio adds extra element for Villa</h3>Aston Villa beat Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregateWhen January transfers work as intended, they provide a critical midseason boost that can ignite a team and push it over the top. Marco Asensio's move to Aston Villa is a prime example. The Spaniard, who arrived in Birmingham on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day of the January window, was largely a non-factor in the French capital for the first half of the campaign, scoring two league goals in limited minutes.But his quality has never been in doubt, and he's reminding anyone who might have forgotten about that. The 29-year-old scored twice in Wednesday's second-leg win over Club Brugge, bringing his tally to seven goals in eight games since joining Aston Villa. Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, can bring crucial big-game experience to a club that will now feature in its first European Cup quarterfinal in 42 years. Together with manager Unai Emery, another continental expert, Villa have every chance to continue their unlikely run. To do so, they'll need to defeat none other than PSG, the squad that jettisoned Asensio, in the next round. - Nesci<h3>Arsenal capitalize on rare breather</h3>Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/cropped_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/w220xh124_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/w320xh180_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/w640xh360_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/w768xh432_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773419/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2202729922.jpg?ts=1741124756 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> NurPhoto / NurPhoto / Getty</figcaption></figure>Arsenal's last-16 affair with PSV Eindhoven played out perfectly for Mikel Arteta. With a quarterfinal berth virtually sealed after a ruthless 7-1 first-leg win last week, the Gunners coach jumped at a rare opportunity to rotate his bruised and battered squad Wednesday. Seldom-used loanee Raheem Sterling delivered a solid first-half display in a makeshift attack that also saw left-back Kieran Tierney start on the wing and midfielder Mikel Merino line up as the No. 9 through the middle.Arsenal padded their lead to progress with a 9-3 win on aggregate before a difficult quarterfinal test against holders and 15-time winners Real Madrid. But Arsenal's Champions League adventure could get a huge boost by April with Gabriel Martinelli at full strength and Bukayo Saka's expected return. Their Premier League title push is all but over, but don't discount an Arsenal side that could put all their eggs in the Champions League basket. - Brunt<h3>Real Madrid always find a way</h3>Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties (2-2 on aggregate)As Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid approached penalties, only one team seemed like the clear winner. Not because they dominated or deserved to go through, but because they have always come out on top. Madrid, of course, obliged, beating Atletico in a shootout for the sixth time in six attempts. An unlucky double touch annulled Julian Alvarez's penalty, opening up the win for Madrid and serving up an excruciating reminder of their historical supremacy over Atletico.It really felt different when Conor Gallagher leveled the tie on aggregate just a minute into the second leg. Atletico often defended with six at the back but still produced the lion's share of chances, forcing Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois into seven saves. Even Vinicius Junior missed a penalty, which he had done only twice before in his pro career and never before for Madrid. There wasn't much more Atletico could do. But the Champions League is a funny tournament. Sometimes only the tiniest margins count. And Madrid live in those margins. - Lopopolo

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Key thoughts and analysis from Champions League round of 16

Paris Saint-Germain knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League on Tuesday, keeping their cool ...

Paris Saint-Germain knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League on Tuesday, keeping their cool in a penalty shootout at Anfield to advance to the quarterfinals.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/43614" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/43614">Gianluigi Donnarumma</a>, criticized after his team's first-leg loss last week, stepped up for the Ligue 1 leaders when it counted most, saving back-to-back spot-kicks from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/162705" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/162705">Darwin Nunez</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/99998" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/99998">Curtis Jones</a> in the shootout.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/187930" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/187930">Desire Doue</a> confidently dispatched the decisive effort, giving Luis Enrique's team a 4-1 victory from the penalty spot.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The tie finished level at one goal apiece after normal time and 30 goalless minutes of extra time.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/61590" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/61590">Ousmane Dembele</a>'s early tally Tuesday nullified <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/103076" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/103076">Harvey Elliott</a>'s late strike from the first leg, sending the enthralling encounter to extra time tied 1-1 on aggregate. The red-hot French winger also converted in the shootout.Enrique proclaimed ahead of Tuesday's game that the winner of the last-16 matchup will go all the way to this year's final.PSG, still seeking their first Champions League title, will now be confident of making good on that statement. They'll play either Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the next round of the tournament.Despite the nail-biting finish, PSG were deserving of advancing after dominating Arne Slot's men in a way few have managed this season. Were it not for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/55092" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/55092">Alisson Becker</a>'s superhuman performance in the first leg in Paris, the tie likely would've been decided last week; the Brazilian netminder made 16 saves over the two fixtures, with PSG outshooting Liverpool 48-21 overall."It was a great performance. We really deserved to go through over the two legs, hands down," PSG captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/19670" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/19670">Marquinhos</a> told Canal Plus, as translated by <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/marquinhos-says-psg-have-no-limits-after-ousting-liverpool-from-champions-league-3f199e86">Agence France-Presse</a>. "To come here and win with a very young team, one of the youngest in the Champions League, I think the coach, the staff, everyone has done a great job and I am really happy."For Liverpool, meanwhile, Tuesday's elimination brought a premature end to what looked like it could be a special Champions League run after the Merseyside outfit cruised to first place overall in the revamped opening phase.Slot's team must now shift attention back to domestic matters.The Reds, who have a massive 15-point lead atop the Premier League table, will look to claim a trophy Sunday when they take on Newcastle United in the League Cup final.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Players of PSG celebrate winning the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

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PSG take down Liverpool in shootout to advance in Champions League

Manchester United unveiled plans to leave Old Trafford, their historic home ground, and build a n...

Manchester United unveiled plans to leave Old Trafford, their historic home ground, and build a new 100,000-seat venue that co-owner Jim Ratcliffe says will be the "world's greatest football stadium."The proposed arena, officially <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/Statement-Man-Utd-confirms-ambition-to-build-a-new-stadium-at-Old-Trafford?t=y&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=link_post&amp;utm_campaign=muwebsite">announced</a> Tuesday, would surpass Wembley Stadium as the largest in the United Kingdom. The club is hopeful the new stadium, which could reportedly cost £2 billion, can be finished in five years, though a start date for construction hasn't been announced.Man United have spent the past year examining if they should redevelop Old Trafford, their deteriorating venue that was opened in 1910 and has had a capacity of 76,000 since its latest expansion in 2006. Instead, the 20-time English champions have opted to build a new venue as part of a widespread "regeneration of the Old Trafford area."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport," Ratcliffe said. "By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home."Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment, not just during the construction phase, but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete."Conceptual images for the new venue and surrounding area were released by Foster + Partners, the British architectural firm appointed on the project. Lead architect Norman Foster said the stadium will be sheltered by an umbrella design that's "twice the size of Trafalgar Square" in London.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg" srcset="https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 220w, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 320w, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 640w, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 768w, https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462467_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg" srcset="https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 220w, https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 320w, https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 640w, https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 768w, https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462468_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg" srcset="https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 220w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 320w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 640w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 768w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462473_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg" srcset="https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 220w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 320w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 640w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 768w, https://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F0311%2Fr1462469_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&amp;w=1140&amp;cquality=40&amp;format=jpg 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>(Images courtesy: <a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news">Manchester United, Foster + Partners</a>)The club won't need to play matches away from Old Trafford while work on the new stadium is underway, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44203117/man-united-leave-old-trafford-100000-seater-stadium">Rob Dawson of ESPN</a>.Manchester United said the regeneration project, which has government support, would be worth £7.3 billion to the U.K. economy. Funding specifics aren't yet known.Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary former manager who oversaw the greatest period of sustained success in club history, lauded the decision to leave Old Trafford and move into a new home."Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in," Ferguson said. "Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made."

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Man United to replace Old Trafford with new 100,000-seat stadium

Barcelona's match against Osasuna was postponed Saturday after the club announced the sudden deat...

Barcelona's match against Osasuna was postponed Saturday after the club announced the sudden death of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia shortly before the scheduled kickoff time.The La Liga fixture was slated to begin at 3 p.m. ET, with fans already inside the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium before the game was called off and supporters were informed of the situation.Minarro Garcia, 53, joined Barcelona's staff in 2017. He began working with the first-team squad last summer after a spell with the club's futsal team.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The FC Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time," Barcelona said in a statement.Saturday's contest will be rescheduled for a "later date," the club added.Osasuna president Luis Sabalza said his team had no objection to the decision to postpone the game."We understand that life is the most important thing and you can't play a game thinking that the person with whom you've lived with for so long is not there any more," he told DAZN, as translated by <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/barca-liga-match-postponed-after-club-doctor-dies-42ac2718">Agence France-Presse</a>.Barcelona went into the weekend sitting atop of La Liga after 26 games, one point up on Atletico Madrid and three clear of Real Madrid.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 28: A detailed view of the corner flag prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 28, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.

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Barca's match vs. Osasuna postponed after death of team doctor

Referees will award corner kicks beginning next season, instead of indirect free-kicks, to punish...

Referees will award corner kicks beginning next season, instead of indirect free-kicks, to punish goalkeepers who try to waste time by holding onto the ball for more than eight seconds.The International Football Association Board (IFAB), responsible for the laws of the sport, unanimously approved the rule change at its 139th annual general meeting in Belfast.Law 12.2 currently states that goalkeepers can only hold the ball in their hands for six seconds during open play, with the opposition being awarded an indirect free-kick if they exceed that allotted time. However, the rule is rarely enforced, which has given netminders an easy avenue to waste time.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The amendment means that if a goalkeeper holds the ball for longer than eight seconds (with the referee using a visual five-second countdown), the referee will award a corner kick to the opposing team (rather than the current indirect free kick for more than six seconds)," IFAB <a href="https://theifab.com/news/the-ifab-tackles-goalkeeper-time-wasting">said</a> in a statement.The new rule has been trialed in various youth leagues this season, including in England and Italy, with referees raising their arm and then incrementally bringing it down to their side like a hand on a clock to indicate the countdown.The IFAB said four corner kicks were awarded in the 400-plus matches that were part of the trial. FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom called the test "very successful."The change will be implemented for the upcoming Club World Cup, which begins June 14 in the United States. It will then come into effect worldwide in July.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 26: David Raya of Arsenal FC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 26, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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New rule will see corner kick awarded if goalkeepers waste time in 2025-26

Major League Soccer fined Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez undisclosed amounts for separate altercati...

Major League Soccer fined <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> undisclosed amounts for separate altercations during and after Inter Miami's season-opening 2-2 draw Saturday with New York City FC.The league <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inter-miami-s-messi-suarez-fined-by-mls-disciplinary-committee">said</a> in a statement Tuesday that both stars were disciplined for violating its "hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent" policy.Messi grabbed New York City assistant coach Medhi Ballouchy by the back of the neck after the final whistle of a heated affair in which Miami played most of the game with 10 men.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Messi was also seen remonstrating with the match referee after the contest."I don't have too many things to say. It's difficult when you are on the pitch," Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said of his captain's exchange with Ballouchy, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44013464/lionel-messi-fined-grabbing-neck-nycfc-coach">Lizzy Becherano of ESPN</a>. "And sometimes you think that things are not going the right way because sometimes you can see some mistakes from the referee. But at the end, in football, to understand the players and the emotions of the player, you have to be inside on the pitch and try to see from afar, it's difficult."It's difficult sometimes to control the emotions. I think the press sometimes want to create a circus about it," Mascherano, Messi's compatriot and former teammate, added. "And that happens in every game that you can discuss with the referee, with some opposing players. It's like this. It's important, what we say in Argentina, what we say, the things that happen in the pitch stay in the pitch. And we forget, we are looking forward to the next game."MLS punished Suarez for making contact with NYCFC defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/92461" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/92461">Birk Risa</a>'s neck seconds after the whistle to end the first half of the tetchy game at Chase Stadium.Despite their fines, Messi and Suarez will be available for Inter Miami's next MLS match against the Houston Dynamo on March 2.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during the first half of the game against the New York City FC at Chase Stadium on February 22, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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MLS fines Messi for grabbing neck of NYCFC assistant coach

The Casey Stoney era is off to an encouraging start.  Canada's women's national soccer team won t...

The Casey Stoney era is off to an encouraging start.Canada's women's national soccer team won the Pinatar Cup for the first time Tuesday, blowing away Taiwan 7-0 in the last match of the four-team invitational tournament in Murcia, Spain.Midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/199344" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/199344">Marie-Yasmine Alidou</a> scored a first-half hat-trick, leading the sixth-ranked Canadians to a comprehensive victory over the No. 42 team in the FIFA rankings.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 29-year-old Alidou, who plays for Portuguese club Benfica, scored three goals within the opening 33 minutes of the one-sided contest. She now has five tallies in eight appearances for the national team.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122110" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122110">Jordyn Huitema</a>, Megan Reid, and Clarissa Larisey also got on the scoresheet for Canada, which had 74% of the ball in a dominant first half.Stoney, making her debut as Canada's new coach at the Pinatar Cup, oversaw a 1-1 draw with China in the tournament opener last week, followed by a 2-0 triumph over Mexico. Other results in the competition meant that a victory by any scoreline Tuesday would be enough for Stoney's side to win the event.Canada wasted no time putting the match beyond doubt, with Alidou finding the net twice within the first 15 minutes.Stoney made good on her stated goal of using her entire squad as she tries to familiarize herself with the players at her disposal. She made six changes from the lineup that started against Mexico and, in total, gave minutes to all but two players who were part of the roster for the three-match tournament. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/199343" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/199343">Simi Awujo</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159908" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159908">Jade Rose</a>, both nursing injuries, were the only players called up who didn't see the pitch in Spain.Stoney is hopeful Canada can schedule matches at home during the next international window, which runs from March 31 to April 8.

BADAJOZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Marie Yasmine Alidou of Canada celebrates a goal during the International Friendly match played between Spain and Canada at Francisco de la Hera stadium on October 25, 2024, in Badajoz, Spain.

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Alidou scores hat-trick as CanWNT beats Taiwan 7-0 to win Pinatar Cup

It feels as though every time Mohamed Salah finds the net, another record falls.  Liverpool's tal...

It feels as though every time <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> finds the net, another record falls.Liverpool's talisman broke new ground by opening the scoring in Sunday's 2-0 win over Manchester City, as his deflected effort from a clever corner kick routine brought him up to 40 goal involvements in the Premier League this season. The Egyptian is the only player in the history of the competition to reach that benchmark in two different campaigns. He also accomplished the feat in 2017-18 when he was involved in 42 league goals for the Reds.Salah added an assist on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/93042" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/93042">Dominik Szoboszlai</a>'s goal later in the first half against Pep Guardiola's team, bringing his tally to 41 and counting (25 goals, 16 assists).<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Most goal involvements in single Premier League season:<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Goal Involvements</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Alan Shearer (1994-95)</td>
<td>47*</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Cole (1993-94)</td>
<td>47*</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thierry Henry (2002-03)</td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Erling Haaland (2022-23)</td>
<td>44</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Luis Suarez (2013-14)</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mohamed Salah (2017-18)</td>
<td>42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mohamed Salah (2024-25)</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Robin van Persie (2011-12)</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Didier Drogba (2009-10)</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thierry Henry (2004-05)</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>*Indicates 42-game seasonHe's the first player in Europe's top leagues to be directly involved in 50 goals across all competitions in 2024-25. It took him only 38 matches.Salah's strike also moved him into a tie for third on Liverpool's all-time scoring chart with Gordon Hodgson. The two sit level on 241 goals. Only Roger Hunt (285) and Ian Rush (346) have scored more for the Merseyside outfit.With Sunday's win over Manchester City, Liverpool extended their lead atop the Premier League table to 11 points. The Reds have 11 games remaining as they look to secure a record-tying 20th English top-flight title."It is incredible. It is a very hard place to come and play here," Salah <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/we-need-another-title-says-salah-after-special-man-city-win-867be78f">said</a> after the impressive victory. "They are a tough team and they have an incredible manager I am glad in the end we won the game. It is special. Especially when you are in the title race, it is incredible."He added: "We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title."Captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/22556" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/22556">Virgil van Dijk</a>, goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/55092" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/55092">Alisson Becker</a>, and defenders <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/69665" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/69665">Trent Alexander-Arnold</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/30847" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/30847">Andy Robertson</a> were also part of the squad with Salah when Liverpool ended their title drought by winning the league in 2020.Salah's contract with Liverpool is set to expire this summer, and the two sides have thus far been unable to make any progress toward an extension.Salah's season by the numbers:1: Salah is the first player in Premier League history to record at least one goal and one assist in each of the two games against the reigning champions in a single season.9: Salah is now up to nine league goals against Manchester City since Guardiola took the reigns at the Etihad. No player has more in that time against the Spaniard's decorated team.16: Salah has scored 16 away goals in England's top flight this season. That's level with Kevin Phillips (1999-2000) and Harry Kane (2022-23) for most in a single campaign.

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 23, 2025.

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Vanessa Gilles and Adriana Leon scored to lift Canada's women's national soccer team to a 2-0 vic...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/159751" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/159751">Vanessa Gilles</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/47686" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/47686">Adriana Leon</a> scored to lift Canada's women's national soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Mexico at the Pinatar Cup on Saturday, giving Casey Stoney her first win as head coach.Stoney began her tenure on the Canadian bench with a 1-1 draw against China in the opening match of the invitational tournament in Murcia, Spain, earlier this week. She made seven changes to the lineup that started that stalemate, with only Gilles, defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122107" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122107">Gabrielle Carle</a>, midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122105" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122105">Julia Grosso</a>, and forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122115" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122115">Janine Sonis</a> (formerly Beckie) retaining their places in the XI.Gilles, celebrating her 50th cap, delivered what proved to be the eventual match-winning goal, heading the ball home from a corner kick in the 51st minute. The imposing center-back, one of the vocal leaders of the national team, has found the net four times in her last eight games for her country.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Leon sealed the result in the 89th minute with an open-net tap-in to record her 42nd international goal in 123 appearances.Stoney's team struggled initially to break down a physical Mexican side but found more space to operate and create chances after Mexico defender Annia Mejia was shown a second yellow card in the 40th minute.Mejia picked up her first booking for an early studs-up tackle on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/199855" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/199855">Olivia Smith</a>. She was lucky to avoid a second yellow in the 35th minute after a heavy collision with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsw/players/122110" href="https://thescore.com/olymsw/players/122110">Jordyn Huitema</a> but was ultimately sent off shortly after when she chopped Leon down with a tackle from behind.Canada is now 24-2-3 all time against Mexico, which sits 31st in the FIFA rankings, good enough for third-best among CONCACAF nations.Canada, ranked No. 6 in the world, will close out its three-match run at the Pinatar Cup on Tuesday against Taiwan.

NICE, FRANCE - JULY 31: Vanessa Gilles #14 of Team Canada celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Women's group A match between Colombia and Canada during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Nice on July 31, 2024 in Nice, France.

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

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.<h3>What's behind rise in goalkeeper assists?</h3>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.Brentford's Mark Flekken, Fulham's Bernd Leno, and Everton's Jordan Pickford have also supplied assists this season.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>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.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.<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"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>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.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.The rise of goalkeeper assists is a modern take on an English classic. Somewhere, Sam Allardyce is patting himself on the back.<h3>Quick free-kicks 📝</h3>Arsenal holding it togetherThe "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.... but Liverpool pulled off the same trickWolverhampton 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.'Light at the end of the tunnel'<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"> Yui Mok - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>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 already 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.Traore revives Fulham's European bidFulham 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.Spurs must kick on from hereAnge 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.<h3>Star performer 🌟</h3>Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)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.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.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.<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"> </figcaption></figure>(Source: <a href="https://www.fotmob.com/">FotMob</a>)<h3>Stat of the weekend 🔢</h3>Ay, caramba! Brighton goalkeeper Verbruggen's assist strengthened Barts' creativity superiority over footballing Simpsons like Danny, Fitzroy, and Paul.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
players with Bart in their name now have four times as many PL assists as those with Simpson in theirs— 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>No matter where they are, Evertonians continue to savor the thrilling midweek result in the Merseyside derby.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Went the ice cream museum in New York earlier… couldn’t resist 🤣🤣 <a href="https://t.co/EEdCtKJXo3">pic.twitter.com/EEdCtKJXo3</a>— 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>View more stats <a href="thescore:///epl/leaders">here</a>.

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

Pep Guardiola is optimistic that star striker Erling Haaland avoided a knee injury during Saturda...

Pep Guardiola is optimistic that star striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a> avoided a knee injury during Saturday's 4-0 win over Newcastle United and is hopeful the Norwegian will be available for Wednesday's big Champions League match against Real Madrid.Haaland was favoring his right knee in the closing stages of the victory after going down on the pitch and grimacing in discomfort following an apparent non-contact injury.The 24-year-old walked off the pitch under his own power and watched the rest of the match from the bench, where he didn't receive any immediate medical attention. He didn't seem to be in any obvious pain while shaking hands after the final whistle, either.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"When he went down, everyone was scared," Guardiola told reporters after the match, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43859711/erling-haaland-pep-guardiola-hopeful-man-city-striker-face-real-madrid">Mark Ogden of ESPN</a>. "But he walked off smiling and the doctor didn't tell me bad news so hopefully he is fine."I have not spoken to the doctor. Maybe it's not bad as it could be."Manchester City meet Real Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff tie. Guardiola's men will be looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit in the Spanish capital after losing the first leg at home, a contest in which Haaland scored both of his team's goals.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Erling Haaland of Manchester City reacts after an injury during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Newcastle United FC at Etihad Stadium on February 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstrin...

Arsenal forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/86595" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/86595">Kai Havertz</a> is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring during the team's training camp in Dubai, report <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6129812/2025/02/12/kai-havertz-hamstring-injury-arsenal/">David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic</a>.It's unclear if the German international will require surgery, but his focus has already switched to getting fully fit for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, according to Ornstein and McNicholas.The injury is the latest in a series of significant blows to Arsenal's title bid.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Gunners sit second in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Liverpool while being tormented by ailments to various players, particularly up front. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/106844" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/106844">Bukayo Saka</a> is expected to be out until March after having hamstring surgery in December. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/161088" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/161088">Gabriel Martinelli</a> is likely to miss a month while nursing a hamstring issue of his own, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/68695" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/68695">Gabriel Jesus</a> is out long term after damaging his left ACL last month.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85895" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85895">Leandro Trossard</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/13749" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/13749">Raheem Sterling</a>, and teenager <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/190386" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/190386">Ethan Nwaneri</a> are the only recognized forwards currently available for Mikel Arteta. Trossard, who's played in a central role before, is the most likely option to take up that position if Arteta opts to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation.Havertz, though himself not a natural No. 9, was fulfilling that role admirably for Arteta this season, scoring 15 goals and registering five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.The 25-year-old has played more minutes than any Arsenal forward since the start of the 2023-24 season."Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built," Arteta told reporters earlier this month when asked if Havertz could potentially start every remaining game this season. "He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run in zone six, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything. And then he really looks after himself."Arsenal attempted to sign another forward during the January transfer window but ultimately came up empty. They <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3204200" href="https://thescore.com/news/3204200">reportedly</a> submitted a £60-million bid for Aston Villa's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/35483" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/35483">Ollie Watkins</a> but didn't make any progress beyond that point.Arsenal, after a rare weekend off, return to Premier League action Saturday against Leicester City.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Kai Havertz of Arsenal reacts to missing his penalty in the shoot-out during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 12, 2025 in London, England.

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Vinicius Junior got the last laugh.  The Real Madrid superstar said a banner unfurled by Manchest...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a> got the last laugh.The Real Madrid superstar said a banner unfurled by Manchester City fans ahead of Tuesday's anticipated Champions League playoff match served as extra motivation for him to deliver a standout performance in the Spanish club's thrilling 3-2 comeback victory.Fans at the Etihad Stadium unveiled a tifo prior to the first-leg encounter featuring <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/67114">Rodri</a>, who beat Vinicius to last year's Ballon d'Or award, with the Oasis song title "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" on it.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/cropped_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w220xh124_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w320xh180_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w640xh360_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w768xh432_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/770077/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2198959764.jpg?ts=1739316579 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Regan / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Vinicius and the entire Real Madrid delegation boycotted the Ballon d'Or ceremony in October after learning that Rodri would take home the coveted individual trophy over the Brazilian winger."I saw (the banner)," Vinicius told Movistar, as translated by <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43800152/vinicius-junior-man-city-ballon-dor-banner-gave-more-strength">ESPN</a>. "But when opposition fans do things, it always gives me more strength to play a great game, and here I did that. ... (Manchester City) know our history and everything we've done in this competition."Vinicius was named UEFA's Man of the Match on Tuesday after causing consistent havoc for Manchester City's defense and setting up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a>'s 92nd-minute winning goal."I don't know if Vini saw it," Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti told reporters during his post-match news conference. "But having seen the game, if he saw it, it was a big motivation for him."Real Madrid, the reigning champions and record 15-time tournament winners, will try to finish the job next week and advance to the round of 16 when they welcome Manchester City to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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Cristiano Ronaldo is staying in Saudi Arabia.  The Portuguese megastar reached an agreement with ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguefnl/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguefnl/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> is staying in Saudi Arabia.The Portuguese megastar reached an agreement with Al-Nassr to extend his contract until 2026, a source within the club told <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/ronaldo-reaches-deal-with-saudi-club-al-nassr-to-extend-contract-source-9d2b6d52">Agence France-Presse</a>. His current deal is set to expire in June. The one-year extension reportedly hasn't been signed yet but will be confirmed in the coming days.Ronaldo, who turned 40 last week, said last year that he'll "most likely" finish his career with Al-Nassr, the team he joined in January 2023 after ending his second spell with Manchester United.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 82 goals in 90 matches with the Riyadh-based side, where he's reportedly earning around €200 million per season, including commercial deals.Ronaldo's move to the Middle East opened the floodgates for a cavalcade of notable players, many also in the twilight of their respective careers, to follow him to the Saudi Pro League, which continues to spend freely in an attempt to establish itself as a growing force in global soccer.Saudi Arabia was awarded the 2034 World Cup in December, strengthening its ties with FIFA and president Gianni Infantino.Though a World Cup title has likely eluded him, Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in men's international soccer, continues to chase records. He's been open about his desire to reach the 1,000-goal mark before retiring; he currently has 924 career goals in official matches for club and country.Ronaldo is still seeking his first major trophy with Al-Nassr. The club has yet to win a Saudi or continental title since his arrival, lifting only the Arab Club Champions Cup in that time.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 7: Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr FC celebrates scoring their third goal during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al-Fayha at Al Awwal Park on February 7, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Report: Ronaldo to extend Al-Nassr contract until 2026

Canada's Denis Shapovalov captured the biggest title of his career Sunday, defeating World No. 5 ...

Canada's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9350" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9350">Denis Shapovalov</a> captured the biggest title of his career Sunday, defeating World No. 5 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9373" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9373">Casper Ruud</a> to win the Dallas Open.Shapovalov, who fired 13 aces en route to a 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory at the ATP 500 event, now has three tour-level titles, all on indoor hard courts."There's a lot to be happy about," the 25-year-old <a href="https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ruud-shapovalov-dallas-2025-final">said</a>. "Of course it's the biggest title of my career. I had a good chance against (Daniil) Medvedev a couple years ago (in Vienna in 2022), but he played a terrific match after losing the first. I'm really happy to stay strong this time and get the win."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sunday's victory caps an outstanding week for Shapovalov, who also defeated top-10 players <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9298" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9298">Taylor Fritz</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///atp/players/9285" href="https://thescore.com/atp/players/9285">Tommy Paul</a> in Dallas. Fritz, Ruud, and Paul were the top three seeds in the tournament. Entering the event, Shapovalov had a career record of 11-33 against opponents inside the top 10.Shapovalov will now rise to No. 32 in the ATP rankings, his highest position since 2023. A three-time major quarterfinalist who broke into the top 10 early in his career, Shapovalov's ascent was derailed by a 2023 knee injury. His subsequent struggles saw him fall all the way to No. 140 last year.Prior to his opening match of the tournament in Dallas, the hard-serving left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3207029" href="https://thescore.com/news/3207029">told theScore</a> that he's focusing on his "own journey" as he tries to work his way back to the upper echelons of the sport."There were a lot of tough days and a lot of moments where I doubted that I'll ever be able to return to the court pain-free," the Canadian said during a virtual media availability with reporters.After an "emotional" triumph at the Belgrade Open in November, Shapovalov continued to turn the corner in Dallas, culminating in his first-ever win over Ruud in Sunday's final.

FRISCO, TX - FEBRUARY 09: Denis Shapovalov (CAN) kisses the trophy after winning the Dallas Open on February 9, 2025 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX.

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Canada's Shapovalov wins Dallas Open to claim biggest title of career

With the January transfer window officially shut, theScore ranks the 10 best moves made across th...

With the January transfer window officially shut, theScore ranks the 10 best moves made across the game's top leagues.<h3>10. Neymar ➡️ Santos</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/cropped_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w220xh124_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w320xh180_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w640xh360_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w768xh432_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768912/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2196376675.jpg?ts=1738694765 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sports Press Photo / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Signed as free agent following release from Al-HilalNeymar was one-third of arguably the greatest strike force in club football history at Barcelona, remains the most expensive player of all time, and is the leading scorer of Brazil's men's team. But you probably knew that stuff already. So let's look at this from Santos' perspective: The once proud club isn't the power it once was, suffering a relegation in 2023 that added to the city's gloom following Pele's death the previous year. But now the club has recovered from the misery of its only spell outside the top flight, and Neymar has miraculously returned to provide hope of better times ahead.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>9. Cesare Casadei ➡️ Torino</h3>Details: Signed from Chelsea for reported €15M feeOne of the most intriguing deals of the window. Casadei, 22, was a genuine phenom at various youth levels, but his career totally stalled out after moving to Chelsea - not an uncommon sentiment in recent years. For just €15 million, Torino are getting a midfielder who still has enormous potential, and a familiar environment might just be the key to unlocking it. It also represents shrewd planning by sporting director Davide Vagnati, who now has an in-house replacement should budding star Samuele Ricci depart in the summer.<h3>8. Enzo Le Fee ➡️ Sunderland</h3>Details: Loan from Roma until end of seasonLe Fee's virtuoso performance in Monday's 3-2 Championship win at Middlesbrough shouldn't be too surprising. He created two goals, glided past players, and conducted play from the left flank in a manner you should expect from a playmaker who cost €23 million only last summer. His connection with Wilson Isidor, a former teammate in France's youth ranks, promises to be extremely fruitful. Well, perhaps there was one surprise about Le Fee's Teesside outing: Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris' ominous claim that the loanee is only 70% fit.<h3>7. Randal Kolo Muani ➡️ Juventus</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/cropped_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768911/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197069441.jpg?ts=1738694691 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marco Canoniero / LightRocket / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Loan from Paris Saint-Germain until end of seasonJanuary isn't the time for total squad overhauls. The winter window is all about being wise to market opportunities. Juventus' business in recent years has been patchy overall, but plucking Kolo Muani off PSG's bench was a savvy move for a team that struggles to score goals and relies too heavily on streaky striker Dusan Vlahovic. Kolo Muani, who already has three goals in his first two Juve appearances, is an established French international with a proven track record of production when given the opportunity to play.<h3>6. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ➡️ Paris Saint-Germain</h3>Details: Signed from Napoli for reported €70M feeParis Saint-Germain landed the biggest fish available in the pond, and they did it for a very reasonable fee, especially considering Kvaratskhelia was widely viewed as a €100-million player just six months ago. In a vacuum, this was an excellent deal. The reason it's not higher on the list is simple: PSG are already well-stocked with wide forwards. They didn't really need him. He was a luxury signing, which is what the club seemed to be veering away from.<h3>5. Romain Esse ➡️ Crystal Palace</h3>Details: Signed from Millwall for reported £12M feeEberechi Eze, Adam Wharton, and Michael Olise proved Crystal Palace are a good next step for players starring in the Championship. Esse, a rare success story for Millwall's academy, is next in line. The 19-year-old is immense in one-on-one situations but needs to work on his decision-making to truly make the Premier League grade. A goal with the first touch on his debut - and just 25 seconds after being introduced off the bench - ensured a strong start to his Palace career.<h3>4. Santiago Gimenez ➡️ AC Milan</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/cropped_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768910/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195985841.jpg?ts=1738694602 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Signed from Feyenoord for reported €30M initial feeA prolific Eredivisie striker doesn't necessarily work out in one of Europe's top leagues. For every Luis Suarez or Ruud van Nistelrooy there's a Vincent Janssen or Afonso Alves. But there's a lot to like about Gimenez's move to Italy, especially the affordable fee and how the Mexican's qualities seem to be a neat fit for Milan's lone striker role. "He's as strong as Ibra, on another level," said club adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic, predictably referring to himself in the third person.<h3>3. Marcus Rashford ➡️ Aston Villa</h3>Details: Loan from Manchester United with reported £40M optionAston Villa are taking a calculated gamble that Unai Emery can help Rashford rediscover the form that once made him look like a future Manchester United legend. The talent is still there - he scored 17 Premier League goals in 2022-23 - but it needs to be reawakened. Rashford will be supremely motivated to silence his doubters and should fit in well playing together with Ollie Watkins. If it doesn't work out for any reason, Villa can simply send him back to Old Trafford. Low risk, big reward.<h3>2. Stefanos Tzimas ➡️ Brighton &amp; Hove Albion</h3>Details: Signed from Nurnberg for reported €25M feeBrighton have protected themselves from the potential disappointment of Evan Ferguson never realizing his huge potential with the signing of Tzimas. Like Ferguson, the 19-year-old striker is blessed with strength, deceptive pace, and composure in front of goal. He crammed in 10 goals for a distinctly average Nurnberg before his transfer was confirmed and will stay with the German side, learning under head coach and iconic marksman Miroslav Klose, for the rest of the season.<h3>1. Mathys Tel ➡️ Tottenham Hotspur</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/cropped_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w220xh124_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w320xh180_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w640xh360_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w768xh432_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/768909/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2165706083.jpg?ts=1738694506 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bradley Collyer - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Details: Loan from Bayern Munich with reported €55M optionThis was an exercise in persistence. Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou persevered, working hard to convince Tel that he should join the club after the teenager rejected their initial advances amid interest from other suitors. The Frenchman, 19, can play multiple positions across the front line, a trait that's particularly valuable for a Spurs side ravaged by injuries all year. The option to make the move permanent puts this signing over the top. Tel, Bayern's youngest-ever scorer, was widely coveted, but Spurs won a fierce race.

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Ranking the 10 best transfers of the January window

Atlanta United signed Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough on Tuesday, completing what is repor...

Atlanta United signed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engch/players/85601" href="https://thescore.com/engch/players/85601">Emmanuel Latte Lath</a> from Middlesbrough on Tuesday, completing what is reportedly the most expensive transfer in Major League Soccer history.The MLS side paid an initial $22 million for the Ivorian striker, sources told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/43690374/atlanta-united-break-mls-record-sign-emmanuel-latte-lath">ESPN</a>, surpassing the reported $16.2-million fee that FC Cincinnati paid to land <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/160973" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/160973">Kevin Denkey</a> in November.The 26-year-old signed a Designated Player contract until 2028 with Atlanta.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Latte Lath scored 29 goals in 67 appearances for English Championship club Middlesbrough over the past two seasons. His arrival is the second big splash made by Atlanta in quick succession after the club brought fan favorite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/59535" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/59535">Miguel Almiron</a> back from Newcastle earlier in the winter window."We're excited to sign Latte Lath and look forward to welcoming him to the club and the city of Atlanta," sporting director Chris Henderson <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/atlanta-united-acquire-emmanuel-latte-lath-in-mls-record-deal">said</a>. "He's a forward with excellent pace and good goal-scoring instincts. His ability to stretch the field will add another dimension to our attack."At 26 years old, he's entering the prime years of his career and has already shown his goal-scoring ability in multiple leagues in Europe."Latte Lath immediately fills the void up front that was created when striker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fmf_cl/players/95969" href="https://thescore.com/fmf_cl/players/95969">Giorgos Giakoumakis</a> left for Mexican outfit Cruz Azul, giving new head coach Ronny Deila a recognized No. 9 going into the 2025 season.

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Emmanuel Latte Lath of Middlesbrough celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Cardiff City FC at Riverside Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Middlesbrough, England.

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Atlanta signs Latte Lath for reported MLS-record $22M fee

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