Karim Benzema will miss the World Cup after the France striker suffered an injury blow on the eve of the tournament.
The Real Madrid captain, who missed Les Bleus triumph at Russia 2018 while out of favour amid an ongoing blackmail investigation, was set to play a big part this time for Didier Deschamps team.
Benzema won the Ballon d Or last month after a spectacular 2021-22 season that saw him score 44 goals in 46 games for Madrid, helping the Spanish giants win LaLiga and the Champions League.
However, he has been troubled by physical setbacks this term and the most untimely and crushing of all blows for the 34-year-old came on the day before Qatar 2022 was set to get under way.
Benzema only resumed full training with France on Saturday, after recent mu…
Marti Cifuentes says there were three big moments that decided Queens Park Rangers 2-1 win over Luton Town in the Championship on Friday.
The Hatters took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to Jimmy Dunne s own goal, but a quickfire turnaround in the second half secured the three points for Cifuentes side.
Michael Frey was the standout as he set Nicolas Madsen up for the equaliser in the 59th minute before scoring the winner himself just three minutes later with a wonderful first-time volley.
It is QPR s first win of the season, following back-to-back draws against Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle, while Luton are still without a victory since dropping back into the second division.
Cifuentes was pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his side, poi…
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister insists everyone will be welcome at the 2034 World Cup despite the country’s criminalisation of same-sex activity.
The Middle East kingdom is all-but certain to host the finals in 11 years’ time after emerging as the sole bidder.
Concerns have been raised at what conditions will be like in Saudi Arabia for individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, but sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal has told the BBC: “Everyone’s welcome in the kingdom.
“Like any other nation we have rules and regulations that everyone should abide by and respect.
“When we come to the UK we respect the rules and regulations, whether we believe in them or not. Through the 85 events that we have had so far, we haven’t had any i…
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward lauded the progress made by the side under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.
Speaking as the club s latest quarterly financial results were announced, Woodward said United have made progress, both on-field and commercially over the past 12 months amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Woodward highlighted the work of Solskjaer, whose side are second in the Premier League, 14 points adrift of runaway leaders and neighbours Manchester United.
United registered their sixth goalless Premier League draw of the season – the club s joint-most ever in a campaign, along with 2004-05 and 2016-17 following Wednesday s disappointing 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace.
The Premier League giants have also drawn three…
Criticism of veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon irritates Juventus, the club s sporting director Fabio Paratici has admitted.
Buffon was at fault for the concession of Francesco Caputo s goal in Juve s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo on Sunday.
The 41-year-old, who was making his fifth Serie A start of the season, let a tame shot squirm through his grasp following Matthijs de Ligt s panicked clearance.
Maurizio Sarri later absolved Buffon of blame and Paratici felt the Italy legend was deserving of more respect than he has received in some quarters.
The criticism of Buffon bothers us a lot, Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.
I always say that Buffon, [Leonardo] Bonucci, [Andrea] Barzagli and [Giorgio] Chiellini are the heroes we have had over the years. Th…
Manchester City came from behind to claim back-to-back Premier League titles with a 4-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Knowing only a final day victory could guarantee glory at the expense of Jurgen Klopp s relentless Liverpool, Pep Guardiola s men were stunned by a 27th-minute Glenn Murray opener.
Final-day specialist Sergio Aguero found a response within 83 seconds and Aymeric Laporte converted Riyad Mahrez s 38th-minute corner to put City back in control of their destiny.
Mahrez, a surprise selection after an underwhelming debut season at the Etihad Stadium, made good on his record-signing status and Ilkay Gundogan added further gloss for the raucous travelling supporters who have now seen their team prevail in four of the past eight Premier League seasons.…
Lionel Messi is already set to make history in Sunday s World Cup final. It is up to France to ensure he does not also take home the trophy.
Messi, in likely his last World Cup match, will set the outright record for finals appearances (26) as he gets his second shot at glory.
The Argentina captain was part of the team defeated 1-0 by Germany in the final eight years ago. Their title tilt at Russia 2018 then ended at the last-16 stage, beaten by France.
But Messi has guided his side through to the Lusail Stadium showpiece this time, where France are again their opponents.
France have won only three of 12 meetings with Argentina in all competitions and lost two of three World Cup clashes, but that epic 4-3 victory at the previous World Cup set Didier Desch…
AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has emerged as a transfer target for the newly-crowned Copa Libertadores champions River Plate.
The 32-year-old Colombian international made his professional breakthrough at the Argentine powerhouse where he spent four years from 2005 to 2009. Falcao made 90 league appearances and scored 34 goals before moving to FC Porto.
River Plate are said to be extremely keen on bringing their former forward back to Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and boost their attacking options after winning the highly-coveted trophy in the historic Superclasico final against Boca Juniors.
Spanish sports media outlet AS claims Argentine outfit are keen to exploit the current situation at AS Monaco and reunite with their former star in the Janu…
Skipper James Tavernier scored a late penalty double as Rangers romped to the top of the cinch Premiership with a 3-0 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Celtic had been leading the table on goals scored but their 1-1 draw at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday left the door open for the Light Blues to take command at the top for the first time since February, 2022.
Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande lit up a dull first half in the 37th minute when he fired in from 25 yards for his first Gers goal since arriving in the winter transfer window.
Tavernier then dispatched penalties after 79 minutes and 87 minutes, both following VAR intervention, taking his tally for the season to 19.
FULL-TIME: St Johnstone 0-3 Rangers
Three Points at McDiarmid Par…
Manchester City will have had an incredible season irrespective of their trophy haul according to Pep Guardiola, who described his players as my heroes after they booked a place in the FA Cup final.
Gabriel Jesus early diving header proved to be the only goal in Saturday s Wembley encounter against Brighton and Hove Albion, where City flew out of the blocks but were forced to slog their way across the finish line.
There is no let-up in the battle for honours on all fronts as they prepare to face Tottenham in the first leg of a keenly anticipated Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, set against the backdrop of a titanic Premier League title tussle with Liverpool.
Guardiola reiterated his belief that an unprecedented quadruple is almost impossible and insiste…