With all eyes falling on Wembley on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal got their hands on the first piece of silverware of the season as they lifted the Community Shield following a dramatic penalties victory against Manchester City.

In what was a showpiece event from the capital, Pep Guardiola’s record-breakers came seconds away from making an early domestic statement as Cole Palmer produced a wonderful whipped effort in the final 15 minutes.

However, despite suffering Premier League title heartbreak back in May as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first domestic crown since 2004, Arsenal produced an electric late comeback here.

With Leandro Trossards’s last-gasp strike taking a huge deflection off of Manuel Akanji, Arsenal cruised their way to a…

Pedro has expressed his frustration at being restricted largely to a watching brief for Spain at Euro 2016.

The Chelsea forward came off the bench late on in the European champions 1-0 opening-match win over Czech Republic, but was unused in Friday s 3-0 thrashing of Turkey.

And that lack of game time in France has prompted an extraordinary outburst from the 28-year-old, which is unlikely to please boss Vicente del Bosque.

I had other expectations when I arrived here. It is not what I wanted, the former Barcelona player told Zero. To assume this role is difficult. If you don t see continuity, coming here to stay with the group is no longer worth it.

I think situations get to that point where you have to make a decision. That happens to everyone…

Diego Simeone s passion and defence-first tactics make him an ideal fit at Atletico Madrid, according to Hector Herrera.

Herrera played under Simeone at Atleti for three years between 2019 and 2022, winning the 2020-21 LaLiga title with the club before heading to MLS with Houston Dynamo.

Simeone has enjoyed great success since he was appointed at Atleti in 2011, leading them to a pair of league titles, two Europa League trophies as well as two Champions League finals, albeit losing both to city rivals Real Madrid.

The 53-year-old took charge of his 100th Champions League game with Atleti as they won 3-1 away at Feyenoord on Tuesday to clinch a last-16 place. Simeone is one of just three coaches to manage 100 or more Champions League games with the same team, join…

Alexandre Lacazette is confident France can secure a second-ever gold medal ahead of the start of their Paris Olympics campaign next week.

France last triumphed in the competition at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, failing to reach the knockout stages at the Tokyo Olympics back in 2020.

But under the guidance of Thierry Henry, who scored 51 goals for Les Bleus during his international career, the French are among the favourites to scoop the top honour.

Henry s side have won two of their three pre-tournament friendlies this month, the latest result ending in a 1-1 draw with Japan, who won bronze at the 1968 games.

Lacazette was named by Henry as the nation s captain ahead of the competition, and will lead Les Bleus star-studded line-up out for their open…

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The latest edition of the Madrid derby is set to unfold at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday evening, as Atletico Madrid host city rivals Real Madrid in a high-stakes La Liga clash.

Atletico currently occupy third place in the standings, with 15 points from their opening seven fixtures, while Real find themselves in second, having accumulated 17 points, four adrift of current leaders Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be eager to make a significant statement in this season s La Liga title race when they face Los Blancos on Sunday. Their last league title triumph happened in the 2020/21 season, and while they are not widely tipped to finish above Real Madrid and Barcelona, a win this weekend could certainly change …

Roberto Mancini is the mastermind behind Italy s transformation and Christian Vieri believes the Azzurri will be in the mix to win Euro 2020.

Italy are among the contenders at the rescheduled European Championship – delayed a year due to the coronavirus pandemic – as the 1968 winners prepare to face Turkey in the tournament s curtain-raiser in Rome on Friday.

A proud football country but a national team on its knees after failing to qualify for Russia 2018, their first World Cup absence since 1958, Mancini has overseen a drastic recovery following his appointment more than three years ago.

Banishing the nightmares of Gian Piero Ventura s dismal tenure, Italy are in the midst of a 27-game unbeaten streak – a run dating back to September 10, 2018. Heading int…

James Forrest is determined to continue chipping in with goals for Celtic after scoring in the Scottish top flight for a 15th consecutive season.

The 32-year-old winger first netted on his Hoops debut against Motherwell near the end of the 2009/10 campaign, shortly after Neil Lennon had taken over from Tony Mowbray.

Having kept up his run of scoring through each campaign under Lennon, Ronny Deila, the first spell of Brendan Rodgers, the second stint of Lennon and Ange Postecoglou, Forrest headed in his first goal of Rodgers’ second spell in charge to seal Saturday’s 3-0 win over 10-man Ross County in Dingwall.

“I think it’s only my fourth header but maybe one of the easier ones,” he said. “I’ve had a few chances lately and not managed to take them, …

Unions representing workers at South Africa s World Cup stadiums will resume wage talks on Monday to avert a strike that could delay construction deadlines, SAPA news agency said on Friday.

Workers at five 2010 World Cup stadiums still under construction in Cape Town, Durban, Polokwane, Nelspruit and Johannesburg have threatened to down tools on Wednesday over wage disputes.

The parties were looking for common ground and committed to meet again, said Joe Campanella, spokesman for the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.

Basically, we are back on negotiating terms, we have resumed talking to each other, Campanella told SAPA.

The talks between the unions and the contractors body will be facilitated by the country s labour relations …

Pep Guardiola s decision to sign a two-year contract extension at Manchester City, tying him to the club until 2020-21, was interpreted by many as a statement of dynasty-building intent from the previously itinerant Catalan coach.

After four years in charge of Barcelona s first team and in contrast to an efficient three-year stay at Bayern Munich, Guardiola will have been at the helm at the Etihad Stadium for five campaigns if he sees out the duration of the new deal announced on Thursday, which could yet be extended further. 

Some suggested his unprecedented display of long-term commitment sounded the death knell for competitiveness in England s top flight, such was the champions inevitable, infallible dominance in marching to the title this season.

But by thro…

Croatia face a crucial Euro 2012 clash with European and world champions Spain this evening.

The Croats are level with their opponents on points in Group C and know that only a victory will guarantee them passage into the quarter-finals of the competition.

Draw

A draw could be enough for both sides to progress depending on the result of Italy’s clash with the Republic of Ireland.

However the Spanish are unlikely to settle for a draw in Gdansk and will be looking to secure a quarter-final place with a victory.

Difficult

It will be difficult for Slaven Bilic’s men to get the victory that they so desperately want. It won’t be impossible for Bilic’s men though. His side has made a really good impression in their first two games of the…