Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Allyson Swaby scored the winner for Jamaica as they secured an historic win against Panama at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Perth. Swaby rose highest to head home from a Trudi Carter cross in the 56th minute. Jamaica were denied a penalty in stoppage time after video assistant referee (VAR) ruled Wendy Natis did not handball to block Drew Spence’s shot. The Reggae Girlz were without captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw after she was sent off in the dying seconds of their goalless draw against France but made history in her absence by securing their first win at the…

Captain Wendie Renard headed a late winner as France beat Brazil in a thrilling game in Brisbane at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Eugenie le Sommer put the French ahead after 17 minutes, before Debinha pulled Brazil level in the second half. But Renard – who had been an injury doubt – headed in the decisive goal with seven minutes to go. There was end to end action as two of the pre-tournament favourites delivered a game which lived up to expectations. Brazil would have qualified for the last 16 with victory but instead must wait until the final…

Sweden turned on the style to demolish Group G rivals Italy and secure a place in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with one game to spare. The 2019 semi-finalists showed showed why they remain heavyweights of the women’s game as Amanda Ilestedt, Fridolina Rolfo and Stina Blackstenius scored in the space of seven minutes at the end of the first half. New Arsenal signing Ilestedt opened the scoring with a glancing header from Jonna Andersson’s corner before Rolfo, a Champions League winner with Barcelona, used her knee to double the lead after another corner. Italy, who had recorded clean…

Paris Saint Germain are set to complete a stunning deal to sign Ousmane Dembélé from Barcelona, according to sources. The French champions have been interested in the 26-year-old for a long time, and, according to sources, the forward has already agreed a five-year contract at PSG. Dembélé has a €50 million ($55m) release clause in his Barca contract that is valid until July 31, when it goes up to €100m. The France international also has an extension offer from Barca on the table, but PSG are confident that the player is more attracted by their project. According to sources, there are still details…

Australia captain Sam Kerr says she is “definitely” going to be available to face Canada in Monday’s crucial group match at the Women’s World Cup. The Chelsea striker missed the co-hosts’ opening two games with a calf injury she suffered on the eve of the tournament. “I’m feeling good,” said Kerr. “I was out on the pitch today.” The Matildas suffered a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria on Thursday to leave them facing a battle to reach the last 16. “It’s going to go down to the wire – I’m definitely going to be available,” said Kerr, Australia’s all-time top scorer. “The…

Manchester United have rejected a £20m bid from West Ham for England defender Harry Maguire. Hammers boss David Moyes is keen on Maguire and has funds to spend following the £100m sale of England midfielder Declan Rice. Maguire’s Old Trafford future is uncertain after he was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag earlier this month. The Dutchman has said the move could help the 30-year-old regain his form. United would be prepared to listen to offers that matched their valuation – if Maguire indicated a willingness to leave. However, the centre-back is believed to currently be earning £200,000-a-week at Old…

Fulham have signed Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey from Ajax after the two clubs agreed a 22.5m euros (£19.3m) deal. The 23-year-old has agreed a contract until the summer of 2027, with a club option to extend by a further year. “I know how big of a club Fulham is, I didn’t have to think much about it,” said Bassey. The move is subject to international clearance, which the club said it expects to receive next week. Bassey, an Italy-born Londoner, came through the ranks at Leicester before joining Rangers in 2020. Following a successful two-year spell, in which he won…

Juventus have been kicked out of this season’s Europa Conference League by Uefa and fined for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. European football’s governing body has also fined Chelsea for breaching FFP rules as a result of “submitting incomplete financial information”. Uefa says the matter relates to transactions which took place between 2012 and 2019. Juventus have been fined £17.14m, while Chelsea have been fined £8.57m. The Italian club will only have to pay half of their fine if their financial records for the next three years comply with regulations, while Chelsea have already agreed to pay the settlement…

Arsenal have unveiled a bronze statue of legendary former manager Arsene Wenger outside Emirates Stadium. He helped the Gunners to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups during his reign from 1996 to 2018. The Frenchman is lifting the Premier League trophy in the 3.5-metre statue outside the North Bank Stand. The 73-year-old will be a guest of honour for Arsenal’s home friendly against Monaco, another of his former clubs, on Wednesday. Wenger, who now works for Fifa, is so synonymous with Arsenal’s recent history that last season’s title battle and second-placed finish under Mikel Arteta is their best…

Riyad Mahrez has completed his transfer from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. The 32-year-old, who had two years left on his contract, is the latest big-name recruit by the SPL in a deal worth up to £30m. City paid £60m for Algeria winger Mahrez in 2018, and he scored 15 goals in 47 games in the Blues’ Treble-winning campaign last season. “To play for Manchester City has been an honour and privilege,” said Mahrez. “I came to City to win trophies and enjoy my football. I achieved all that and so much more. “I’ve made a lifetime of wonderful…

China earned their first victory at the 2023 Women’s World Cup by beating Haiti in Group D, despite playing for more than an hour with only 10 players. The win for China means England, who beat Denmark 1-0 earlier on Friday, have not qualified for the last 16 yet. Midfielder Zhang Rui was sent off after 29 minutes for a dangerous knee-high challenge on Haiti’s Sherly Jeudy. But Wang Shuang scored the only goal, converting a 74th-minute penalty after Ruthny Mathurin fouled Zhang Linyan. England would have advanced to the knockout stages with a match to spare if China had drawn…

England are on the brink of last-16 qualification in the Women’s World Cup after a much-improved performance saw off Denmark – though they lost key midfielder Keira Walsh to a worrying injury. Lauren James announced herself on the global stage with a superb strike from the edge of the box just six minutes into her first World Cup start and it proved to be the decider in Sydney. However, a serious-looking injury to Barcelona midfielder Walsh dampened what was a positive, attacking performance from the Lionesses after a scrappy 1-0 win over Haiti in their opening group match. Walsh went down under little contact…