… But it shows they did the right thing in abandoning the old superstar project, even if plenty of their current squad — Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi — should really be considered as superstars. …
… That ultimately took the sting out of the occasion, and the visitors came into the contest without key players including Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, captain Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery in their starting line-up. …
… Only PSG’s was forced, with Fabian Ruiz in for the injured Achraf Hakimi. The high-octane first leg, won 5-4 by PSG, was widely lauded as among the best matches in the competition’s history and Wednesday’s game offered more of the same early. …
… Achraf Hakimi’s assist was swept in by Kvaratskhelia for 4-2 on 56 minutes, the Georgian getting his seventh goal in seven games in the knockout phase. …
… He pulled one back and then helped set up Achraf Hakimi for the equaliser just before the break, and Monaco then had Aleksandr Golovin sent off right at the start of the second half. …
… The AFCON final on January 18 took a series of dramatic turns from late in regular time when an Ismaila Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African player of the year Achraf Hakimi. …
… The Villarreal midfielder held off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi as he advanced towards the box before beating goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a superb strike into the top corner, leaving the hosts distraught. …
Paris Saint-Germain, after winning their maiden Champions League title last year by defeating Inter Milan 5-0, face Arsenal in Budapest aiming to retain the trophy. Manager Luis Enrique's side are favourites and have proven difficult to stop, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia describing the team as capable of beating any opponent when they play their way.
Paris Saint-Germain, after winning their maiden Champions League title last year by defeating Inter Milan 5-0, face Arsenal in Budapest aiming to retain the trophy. Manager Luis Enrique's side are favourites and have proven difficult to stop, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia describing the team as capable of beating any opponent when they play their way.
Brazil, hunting their first World Cup title in 24 years, face Morocco—semi-finalists in 2022—and Scotland in Group C, with new coach Carlo Ancelotti tasked with optimizing an unbalanced squad featuring strong defensive options but clear gaps at full-back, midfield, and centre-forward.
El Hadji Diouf and CAF president Patrick Motsepe believe an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, citing Morocco's run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 as evidence of growing capability. Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha remains unconvinced about African chances.
Paris Saint-Germain clinched their fifth straight French Ligue 1 title with a 2-0 win over Lens, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring before the half-hour mark and Ibrahim Mbaye adding a late goal. PSG have now won 14 French titles overall, with 12 coming in the last 14 years under Qatari ownership.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate with a 1-1 second-leg draw to advance to the Champions League final, where they will face Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, the highest-scoring match ever at this stage of the competition. Kvaratskhelia and Dembele each scored twice as PSG took a narrow advantage into next week's return leg at the Allianz Arena, with the final in Budapest on May 30 at stake.
Morocco's new coach Mohamed Ouahbi began his tenure with a 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador in Madrid on Friday. The result came as Morocco continues preparation for the 2026 World Cup following the controversial Confederation of African Football decision last week that awarded them the Africa Cup of Nations title over Senegal.
Paris Saint-Germain came from two goals down to defeat Monaco 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff, with Desire Doue scoring twice after replacing injured Ousmane Dembele to spark the turnaround that leaves PSG strong favourites heading into next week's return leg in Paris.
Morocco's football federation said it will appeal sanctions and fines totalling $315,000 imposed by CAF after the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal in January, which was marked by disputed penalty decisions, pitch invasions, and projectile-throwing by supporters. Senegal, which was fined $615,000 and whose head coach was banned for five games, also said it would appeal its sanctions.
Senegal defeated host Morocco 1-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations final, with Pape Gueye scoring in extra time after Senegal protested and walked off the pitch following a controversial late penalty award that their goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved. The match was marred by ugly scenes in the crowd when the penalty was given, and Senegal supporters threw objects and attempted to get onto the field.