Van Dijk’s extra-time header wins English League Cup for Liverpool over Chelsea

Van Dijk’s extra-time header wins English League Cup for Liverpool over Chelsea

LONDON — Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool to a record-extending 10th English League Cup trophy by securing a 1-0 win against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday. The center back’s goal in the 28th minute of extra time settled a tense clash that had ended 0-0 in regulation. It clinched an eighth piece of major silverware … Read more

Jim Ratcliffe on prioritizing success over returns

Jim Ratcliffe on prioritizing success over returns

Jim Ratcliffe of INEOS meets members of the press ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on January 14, 2024 in Manchester, England. Ash Donelon | Manchester United | Getty Images New Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said on Friday that return on investment had nothing to … Read more

Andreas Brehme, scorer of West Germany’s winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final, dies at 63

Andreas Brehme, scorer of West Germany’s winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final, dies at 63

BERLIN — Andreas Brehme, who fired West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title with the only goal in the final against Diego Maradona’s Argentina, has died. He was 63. Brehme’s partner Susanne Schaefer confirmed his death in a statement to Germany’s dpa news agency on Tuesday. Schaefer said Brehme died “suddenly and unexpectedly” in … Read more

Why children are still playing tackle football, despite brain risks

Why children are still playing tackle football, despite brain risks

Tackle offers children as young as 5 the chance to make friends, learn teamwork, maybe attract a college scholarship. Growing research shows it also can cause injuries that damage developing brains. That leaves families to balance the risks against the opportunities. Many are opting out. Participation in youth tackle has been declining for years. But … Read more

Africa Cup title beckons for Ivory Coast’s Sébastien Haller after successful cancer treatment

Africa Cup title beckons for Ivory Coast’s Sébastien Haller after successful cancer treatment

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — One year after returning from cancer treatment, Sébastien Haller could lead Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title. Haller fired the host nation into Sunday’s final against three-time champion Nigeria with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Congo in the semifinals. “It’s kind of a great moment … Read more

After public anger over Messi’s absence in Hong Kong game, organizer withdraws application for funds

After public anger over Messi’s absence in Hong Kong game, organizer withdraws application for funds

HONG KONG — The organizer of a soccer match featuring Inter Miami in Hong Kong was dealing with backlash from both angry fans and the government after widespread disappointment that Lionel Messi didn’t play in the game. The much-hyped exhibition match on Sunday ended with fans booing Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and demanding refunds … Read more

Lionel Messi’s global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

Lionel Messi’s global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

TOKYO — It’s all been very messy. We’re talking about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s global tour of exhibition games where the main show has been Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning captain The matches are about promotion and marketing, hoping to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the … Read more

Messi sits out Hong Kong friendly; government may cut support funding

Messi sits out Hong Kong friendly; government may cut support funding

HONG KONG, CHINA – FEBRUARY 04: Fans react after not seeing Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi play during the friendly match between Hong Kong Team and Inter Miami CF at Hong Kong Stadium on February 4, 2024 in Hong Kong, China.  China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images The Hong Kong … Read more

Canada to stage 13 games at 2026 FIFA World Cup between Toronto and Vancouver

Canada to stage 13 games at 2026 FIFA World Cup between Toronto and Vancouver

Canada will host 13 of the 104 games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. As expected, the U.S. will stage the lion’s share of the action — with 78 games — at the expanded 48-team soccer showcase. Like Canada, Mexico will host 13 games. The 2026 tournament will … Read more

SoFi Stadium to install retractable corner seats this spring, increasing field size for soccer

SoFi Stadium to install retractable corner seats this spring, increasing field size for soccer

LOS ANGELES — SoFi Stadium will begin work Monday on renovations to increase the size of its playing field area in preparation for hosting eight matches during the 2026 World Cup. Los Angeles Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff says the construction involves replacing concrete in the corners of the lower bowl with bleacher risers … Read more