Football

Alex Kirkland, ESPN FCDec 13, 2023, 08:33 AM ET Open Extended Reactions Say the name Bebé to a football fan, and there’s a good chance they’ll know exactly who you’re talking about. He’s the forward manager Sir Alex Ferguson signed for Manchester United in 2010 without ever having seen him play, not even on video.

Rob Dawson, CorrespondentDec 12, 2023, 06:51 PM ET Open Extended Reactions MANCHESTER, England — It’s been a slow death for Manchester United in the Champions League, but that doesn’t make Tuesday’s exit any less embarrassing. What started with defeat to Bayern Munich in September ended with another defeat to the Bundesliga champions, this time 1-0,

Dec 12, 2023, 12:00 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Champions League soccer is back for the final match day! Europe’s premier club competition has provided plenty of exciting matchups, top talent and drama in the 2023-24 season. With eight matches on Tuesday across the continent, we’ll know who advances to the round of 16, who

Open Extended Reactions Two leagues will be rewarded with extra places in next season’s Champions League as part of the revamp to expand it to a 36-team competition — but who is likely to benefit? Four additional clubs will qualify compared to the current format. And two of those places will go to the leagues

Gabriele Marcotti, Senior Writer, ESPN FCDec 11, 2023, 01:10 PM ET Open Extended Reactions What a weekend! European soccer delivered a lot to discuss around the top leagues. In Spain, Girona smacked Barcelona away from home to take charge — seriously — of LaLiga’s title race. In England, Liverpool were “lucky” (Jurgen Klopp’s words) to

Open Extended Reactions Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct? After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game. – How VAR

Chris Wright, Toe Poke writerDec 11, 2023, 05:00 AM ET Open Extended Reactions With the group stages of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League coming to a conclusion this week, it’s a good chance to acknowledge all of the fans who help make those big European nights so special. Home supporters at

Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Dec 10, 2023, 07:47 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Girona coach Míchel lauded his team’s “soul” and said they are capable of beating anyone after stunning Barcelona 4-2 to move two points clear at the top of LaLiga. Artem Dovbyk, Miguel Gutiérrez, Valery and Cristhian Stuani were all on target as

Sam Marsden Moises Llorens Dec 10, 2023, 12:15 PM ET The LaLiga fixture between Granada and Athletic Club was suspended on Sunday after the death of a fan inside the stadium. The game had kicked off as planned but was halted after 17 minutes, with Granada explaining there was a “medical emergency” in the stands.

Dec 9, 2023, 06:25 PM ET Open Extended Reactions As the final weeks of 2023 come to a close and as we hope to see some more drama and excitement occur into the new year, there is still have some business to get sorted as we wrap up another weekend of the best action across

Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentDec 9, 2023, 09:15 PM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Open Extended Reactions COLUMBUS, Ohio — The final whistle had blown. The Columbus Crew had claimed a tense, but unforgettable triumph in Saturday’s MLS Cup final, defeating LAFC 2-1. And it was

John McGinn‘s early goal led surging Aston Villa to a club-record 15th consecutive home Premier League victory on Saturday, a breathless 1-0 win over Arsenal that prevented Mikel Arteta’s Gunners from reclaiming top spot in the table. Unai Emery’s Villa, who shocked champions Manchester City in a dominant 1-0 win on Wednesday, are now third

Dec 8, 2023, 12:46 PM ET Open Extended Reactions The United States and Mexico submitted a joint bid Friday to co-host the 2027 Women’s World Cup that, if successful, would see the North American neighbours stage global soccer’s two showcase events in back-to-back years. Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands earlier Friday put in a joint

Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondentDec 8, 2023, 11:03 AM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Open Extended Reactions COLUMBUS, Ohio — Frankie Hejduk is in his element. The skies are cloudy, with a late fall chill in the air. But on the corner of North High and

Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondentDec 8, 2023, 04:30 AM ET Open Extended Reactions GIRONA, Spain — Something special is cooking in Girona, and that’s doesn’t just mean the giant paella served to supporters outside their Montilivi stadium before matches. Last weekend, they came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 to remain top of LaLiga, level with

Cesar Hernandez Dec 7, 2023, 08:57 PM ET Open Extended Reactions The draw for next summer’s Copa America has placed the tournament host United States in a group with the competition’s joint all-time champions Uruguay, while fellow Concacaf invitees Mexico will face Ecuador. Current title-holders and defending champions Argentina — tied with Uruguay for the

Dec 7, 2023, 09:58 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Lionel Scaloni, head coach of Argentina who are current holders of the Copa America and World Cup, presents the Copa America trophy during the official group stage draw on Dec. 7. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) The stage is now officially set for the 2024

Sid Lowe, Spain writerDec 7, 2023, 10:34 AM ET CAGLIARI, Italy — Jakub Jankto just wants to play football, like he always did. The Czech midfielder sits by his locker in the dressing room at Unipol Domus, Cagliari Calcio’s temporary home while the Stadio Sant’Elia silently awaits reconstruction next door. A small red-and-blue shirt cut