Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi to Champions League top scorer award

Juventus stayed in contention for a fourth consecutive domestic double as Miralem Pjanic s second-half penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Atalanta, closing out a 2-0 aggregate triumph in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

It was far from plain sailing for Massimiliano Allegri s men, with Atalanta the better side early on before Alejandro Gomez struck the post, almost capitalising upon an uncharacteristic lapse from Gianluigi Buffon.

Gomez failed to convert a spot-kick in the initial encounter and saw an impressive display go unrewarded on this occasion.

Pjanic was booked in first-half stoppage time for diving in the area but, when a more clear foul was committed by Gianluca Mancini on Blaise Matuidi, he made no mistake.

Allegri will acknowledge this was not a displa…

The January transfer window set several records in the Premier League, with Chelsea s eye-watering spending spree sending shock waves across the football world.

Todd Boehly s takeover last year resulted in major acquisitions ahead of the start of this season, including Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly, but it is the mid-season business that has really thrust the club under the spotlight.

Chelsea s spending has split the footballing world down the middle, with some concerned by the outlay and what it means for Financial Fair Play (FFP), while others praised the club s hierarchy for their determination and ambition.

Here, Stats Perform has broken down the Blues activity, the controversies and FFP impact, as well as the vast differences to Europe…

Stuttgart defender Holger Badstuber scored his first Bundesliga goal for 2,822 days against Mainz on Saturday.

The 28-year-old netted in the 53rd minute of his side s home match, heading in Dennis Aogo s corner with what proved to be the winner.

It was only Badstuber s second Bundesliga goal, his first having coming in December 2009 for Bayern Munich against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Badstuber signed a one-year deal with Bundesliga newcomers Stuttgart earlier this month after calling time on his long association with Bayern.

2822 ( ) scored his 2nd goal after 2822 days his 1st one was on December 4th 2009. Cheers.

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz)

The move saw him re-join the club of his youth after 15 years away with Bayern, where he won fi…

Barcelona hope to have new signing Dani Olmo available against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday after facing issues with registering the midfielder, coach Hansi Flick said on Friday.

Barcelona host Bilbao in their second match of the season in LaLiga, having beaten Valencia 2-1 on matchday one.

Olmo, who arrived in a €60million deal from RB Leipzig after helping Spain win Euro 2024, did not feature in that match and is yet to be registered with LaLiga.

Barcelona have faced well-documented financial issues in recent years and sanctioned Ilkay Gundogan s return to Manchester City on Friday, hoping that move will allow them to comply with the league s strict salary cap rules.

Flick hopes to receive positive news regarding Olmo s availability ahead of Saturday s…

Newcastle United are interested in signing Kalvin Phillips from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that former Leeds United midfielder Phillips is likely to leave City in the middle of the season, and that Newcastle are keen on bringing him to St. James’ Park.

Phillips joined City from Leeds in the summer of 2022. The 27-year-old has failed to make a huge impact at the Etihad Stadium so far and has been a peripheral figure in manager Pep Guardiola’s side. The England international has made three substitute appearances in the Premier League, has made one appearance in the EFL Cup, and has played only seven minutes in the UEFA Champions League for the Citizens this campaign.

Newcastle United are e…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted the decision to start Paul Pogba on the bench in Manchester United s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was made way before the game.

Pogba starred in a 3-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, but was left out of the team for the meeting with Bundesliga side Leipzig on Tuesday after his agent, Mino Raiola, claimed he is unhappy at United and should be sold in the next transfer window.

The outspoken Raiola told Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport that Pogba could return to Juventus as he needs a change of air .

His comments come at a crucial juncture for United, who need to take at least a point from their game against Leipzig to qualify for the last 16, with Manchester City up next in the Premier League.

Benin head coach Michel Dussuyer believes his players are equipped to chase a maiden win in the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau.

A brace from Mickael Franck Pote helped the Squirrels to a 2-2 draw when faced with a much-fancied Ghana side in their opening Group F match.

However, versus opponents ranked 118th in the world by FIFA, Dussuyer and his players must now deal with a weight of expectation.

All my players are ready physically and mentally to win the next match,  the 60-year-old, who is in his second spell as Benin boss having led Ivory Coast s unsuccessful defence of their title at the 2017 AFCON, told a pre-match news conference.

I respect Guinea-Bissau and it won t be an easy game.

Benin are boosted by having veteran at…

Chile international superstar Alexis Sanchez completed his Manchester United switch in the January transfer window when he was handed the number seven shirt at Old Trafford.

Since the time of French legend Eric Cantona, the number 7 has held an iconic – and even magical – status at Manchester United. The No.7 shirt also brought a curse with it, seemingly casting a spell on a number of players who failed to live up to the expectations wearing the heavy burden on their back.

Will Alexis Sanchez become its latest victim at the Theatre of Dreams?
Number 7 Through Man United History

John Berry was the first Manchester United player to be linked with a No.7 shirt at Old Trafford. One of the Busby Babes won three league titles during his eight years with the Red Devils a…

Jorginho scored from the penalty spot as Chelsea came from behind to draw 1-1 with Krasnodar in their final match of the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard s side had already qualified for the knockout phase as winners of Group E and marginally had the better of a low-key fixture at Stamford Bridge.

Remy Cabella put Krasnodar ahead with a crisp low finish before Jorginho equalised from the penalty spot a few minutes later.

Tammy Abraham twice went close for Chelsea in open play but despite his tireless efforts up front the Blues could not find a winner.

Krasnodar began brightly with Tonny Vilhena s swerving half-volley whistling just over the crossbar and Viktor Claesson striking a shot just past the post from a good position.

…

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said Eden Hazard was still some way short of being match fit after a low-key debut in Saturday s victory over Levante.

Hazard made a subdued start to his Madrid career with an appearance as a second-half substitute in a 3-2 win against Levante at the Bernabeu.

The Belgium international, who joined Madrid from Chelsea in June, has only recently returned to training following a thigh injury.

Hazard showed a few nice touches after he came off the bench in the 60th minute, although the 28-year-old forward was far from his sparkling best.

When he touches the ball he has a lot of versatility, Zidane said.

But what he needs now is to train more. He has only done four workouts with the team.

The second half wa…