Author: David Great

Kevin De Bruyne came to Belgium’s rescue with a winner two minutes from time as they scraped a 4-3 home victory over Wales in their World Cup qualifier on Monday after seeing their early lead evaporate as the visitors launched an unlikely fightback. Belgium had been 3-0 up inside the first half hour, but Wales battled back to level the game before the Belgian talisman handed his side a potentially precious win in the Group J qualifiers for the 2026 finals in North America. It was a controversy-filled encounter with two penalties and several lengthy interventions by VAR. Belgium’s record…

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, stating they largely benefits the elite while worsening the economic conditions of the average Nigerian. Falana made these remarks on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where he expressed concern over the growing disparity between the rich and the poor under Tinubu’s administration, which just marked its second year in office. “For members of the government—and I’m talking of top officials—it’s been very rosy. One of them was singing a week ago that things are getting better,” Falana…

Real Madrid are to make one last attempt to sign Real Sociedad’s 26-year-old Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who is close to joining Arsenal. (AS – in Spanish) Arsenal are yet to agree a deal with RB Leipzig for their 22-year-old Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko, but the next round of talks have been scheduled. (Sky Germany) England midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, is set to sign a new Arsenal deal despite interest from Real Madrid (Football Insider) Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has rejected a deal worth 30m euros (£25.3m) per season from Al-Hilal, who had agreed to pay Napoli the 26-year-old’s 75m…

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to even the series learning a valuable lesson along the way. “You can’t just throw the first punch,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the visiting Indiana Pacers on Sunday night. “You’ve got to throw all the punches all night.” Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder threw plenty of haymakers, helping Oklahoma City to a 123-107 victory to even the best-of-seven series 1-1 going into Wednesday’s Game 3 in Indianapolis. That was a departure from Game 1 last Thursday,…

Napoli’s Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, 26, has accepted a contract offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. (Sky Italy) Osimhen spent last season on loan at Turkish club, Galatasary, and has been linked to Premier League clubs, Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. (MSN) Fenerbahce have joined fellow Turkish club Galatasaray in wanting to sign 29-year-old Germany winger Leroy Sane, who has yet to accept the offer of a new deal with Bayern Munich. (Sky Sports Germany) Bayern Munich have reached a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign Germany defender Jonathan Tah, 29, before his contract ends on 30 June so…

The federal government of Nigeria has responded to comments by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state who claimed that Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and his allies have been silent in the face of growing insecurity in the state. During a recent appearance on Channels Television, Alia criticized what he described as the inaction of Akume and certain Abuja-based interests concerning killings and violence, especially in the troubled Sankera axis. He alleged that a panel of inquiry established by the administration had linked unnamed Abuja figures to the sponsorship of violence in the state. In response,…

Manchester United have made an offer worth £60m for Brentford and Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo, 25, after they had a first bid totalling £55m rejected. (ESPN) Mbeumo has reportedly agreed personal terms with United and is waiting for the two clubs to agree a fee. (FourFourTwo) Arsenal have formally approached RB Leipzig to sign 22-year-old Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, although no bid has yet been lodged. (Sky Sports) Newcastle United have made a move to try to sign 23-year-old Sweden winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. (Mail) Inter Milan have made informal inquiries about signing £40m-rated Manchester United and Denmark…

Former Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini has been appointed AS Roma’s new manager, the Serie A club said on Friday, with the 67-year-old signing a three-year contract. He left Atalanta on Saturday after nine years in charge, and will replace the retired Claudio Ranieri at Roma who finished fifth in the standings last season to qualify for the Europa League, a trophy Gasperini won with his previous club. Ranieri became Roma’s third managerial appointment last season when the 73-year-old came out of retirement to return for his third spell in charge at the club where he began his playing career…

Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful Raphinha will help sharpen Brazil’s attack when they face Paraguay at home, after blaming poor pitch conditions for Thursday’s goalless draw with Ecuador. Ancelotti’s much-anticipated debut as Brazil manager ended in frustration, as his side laboured to a goalless draw against Sebastian Beccacece’s Ecuador in Guayaquil, where they were second best for large stretches, despite their wealth of talent. “I think the pitch conditions here made it a bit tricky to play a more intricate game from the back. It was harder to control the ball,” Ancelotti told reporters after the match. “That said, we had…

When Donald Trump met privately with White House officials on Wednesday, there was little to suggest that the US president was close to a public break with Elon Musk, the billionaire businessman who helped him win a second term in office. Two White House officials familiar with the matter said Trump expressed confusion and frustration in the meeting about Musk’s attacks on his sweeping tax and spending bill. But he held back, the officials said, because he wanted to preserve Musk’s political and financial support ahead of the midterm elections. By Thursday afternoon, Trump’s mood had shifted. He had not…