Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Odion Ighalo has linked up with Saudi Arabia Professional League side, Al Wehda. The former Super Eagles forward put pen to paper on a two-year contract. The Mecca -based outfit announced Ighalo’s arrival on Tuesday. The 34-year-old left former Saudi Arabia Professional League champions, Al Hilal in June following the expiration of his contract. The former Watford and Manchester United striker previously played for another Saudi club, Al Shabab. Ighalo was the top scorer in the Saudi League with 20 goals two seasons ago. He won the league title and Kings Cup during his time at Al Hilal.

Former Spain captain, Sergio Ramos, congratulated the Spanish women’s national team on reaching their first World Cup final. The 2010 World Cup winner and Real Madrid legend, Ramos, put a congratulatory message on his Instagram stories for the nation’s women’s side after their successful run to the World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand. Spain, in their first-ever Women’s World Cup semi-final, beat Sweden to reach their maiden World Cup final. Second-half substitute, Salma Paralluelo, once again proved to be the difference maker and then captain Olga Carmona put Spain ahead after Sweden equalized late in the game. La…

Kepa Arrizabalaga said he wants to stay at Real Madrid for the long term as he was unveiled as the club’s latest signing on Tuesday, after arriving on loan to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois. Madrid moved quickly to sign goalkeeper Kepa — who had been on the brink of joining Bayern Munich from Chelsea — when No.1 Courtois suffered an ACL tear in training last week. The Spain international, 28 joins Madrid just one game into the new LaLiga season, which saw Andriy Lunin start in goal in a 2-0 win away at Athletic Club. “Let’s hope so,” Kepa said in a news conference, when asked if he’d like to see…

Kevin de Bruyne could miss the next four months of the season as Manchester City decide whether he needs surgery on a hamstring injury, manager Pep Guardiola says. The 32-year-old limped off after 23 minutes in City’s opening win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Friday. De Bruyne also went off injured during the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in June. “It’s a serious injury,” said Guardiola. The Belgium international missed all of City’s pre-season matches and returned as a second-half substitute in the Community Shield defeat by Arsenal. “We have to decide if he needs surgery or…

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make the move permanent. Raya, 27, will provide competition for England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and has taken the number 22 shirt. He has also signed a new two-year contract with Brentford to ensure the deal could be completed quickly. “I’m over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up,” Raya said. Brentford director of football Phil Giles explained Raya’s contract extension was a “fall-back position” in the event that the transfer did not become…

Bayern Munich are reportedly in talks to sign David de Gea on a free transfer but could face a problem with his wage demands. The Spaniard left Manchester United this summer after a 12-year stint at Old Trafford, in which he made 545 appearances and broke the club’s all-time clean sheet record. De Gea was United’s top earner with a £375,000-a-week salary with the Red Devils decided not to renew his contract, opting to bring in a more modern goalkeeper in the shape of Andre Onana instead. De Gea, a free agent, is heavily linked to Saudi Arabia but according…

Spain beat Sweden in a thrilling finish to reach their first Women’s World Cup final. Captain Olga Carmona scored an 89th-minute winner to spark wild scenes of jubilation among their supporters at Eden Park, Auckland. Sweden – who have now lost back-to-back World Cup semi-finals – had equalised through Rebecka Blomqvist just 93 seconds earlier and it looked like the match would be going to extra time. A game of few chances had sparked into life when substitute Salma Paralluelo, 19, gave Spain the lead with just 10 minutes remaining. They will face England or co-hosts Australia in the final…

Atletico Madrid wrapped up the opening round of the Spanish Liga season by jumping to the top of the table with a 3-1 home victory over promoted Granada. Alvaro Morata gave the hosts the lead seven minutes into first-half injury time. Cesar Azpilicueta, on his Atletico debut, crossed and Granada centre-back Jesus Vallejo mis-timed his clearing header nodding the ball straight to the unmarked Morata, who fired home. Granada levelled on 63 minutes after Yannick Carrasco lost the ball trying to dribble out of defence. Gonzalo Villar drilled a cross into the goalmouth where Samu Omorodion lifted a first-time shot…

England have finally arrived in Australia and New Zealand. Their 6-1 mauling of China in their final group game was arguably the best performance of the competition to date by any team. It sealed top spot in Group D for Sarina Weigman’s side who now take on Nigeria – runners-up in Group B – in the last 16 on Monday. Alessia Russo’s early strike seemed to settle any England agitation and they were able to cut loose, now unburdened after toiling for back-to-back 1-0 victories in their first two games. The six goals England eventually plundered was just the second…

Arsenal gave their hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League title a psychological boost as they defeated Pep Guardiola’s side on penalties to win the Community Shield. After a largely forgettable 70 minutes in the season curtain-raiser, Cole Palmer looked to have won it for City when the substitute curled home a stunning strike. But Leandro Trossard equalised in the 101st minute when his shot deflected into the back of the net. That took the game to spot-kicks, where substitute Kevin de Bruyne struck the crossbar before Rodri saw his effort saved and then Fabio Vieira converted to…

Jill Roord scored her fourth goal of the tournament as the Netherlands marched into the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday. Roord’s header gave her side an early lead and Lineth Beerensteyn added the second goal courtesy of a goalkeeper error in the second half to secure the Dutch a date with Spain in Wellington on Friday. The 54th-ranked African champions never gave up the fight in their first appearance in the World Cup knockout stage and were always a threat on the break through their lone striker Thembi Kgatlana. Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar was equal to everything Banyana…

Reigning champions the USA are out of the Women’s World Cup after being stunned by Sweden on penalties on a night of incredible drama in Melbourne. USA dominated the 120 minutes but were denied by an inspired goalkeeping performance from Zecira Musovic as the match finished goalless. The drama only ratcheted up further in the shootout. Three USA players missed, including their footballing icon Megan Rapinoe on her last appearance on the world stage, before Sweden won in remarkable circumstances. USA keeper Alyssa Naeher appeared to have saved Lina Hurtig’s effort at the second attempt, having pushed the initial effort…