3-5-2 FOOTBALL

Lionel Messi produced a masterclass in creativity as Inter Miami lifted the MLS Cup for the first time, beating Vancouver Whitecaps in front of a jubilant crowd at Chase Stadium . The home side struck early when Tadeo Allende ’s dangerous run forced Edier Ocampo into an own goal after just eight minutes, setting the tone for a lively night. Vancouver responded well, growing stronger late in the first half. Emmanuel Sabbi came close in the 38th minute, only to be denied by goalkeeper Rocco Ríos at point-blank range, before Thomas Müller ’s header landed on the roof of the net. The Whitecaps finally equalised on the hour when Ali Ahmed ’s mishit shot rolled under Ríos’ arm. Sabbi almost turned the match around moments later, rattling both posts before his rebound was deflected onto the woodwork. But Miami found their hero again. Messi delivered a perfectly weighted pass for Rodrigo de Paul , who calmly finished to restore the lead. As Vancouver pushed forward, Miami struck on the ...

After his breathtaking goal against South Korea in January 2024, Faisal Halim , known to all as Miki stood at the peak of his career. Malaysia had found a rare gem, a player whose talent inspired pride across the nation. But not long after that shining moment, darkness struck. Miki became the victim of one of the cruelest attacks in Malaysian sporting history, doused with acid by heartless men until he suffered fourth-degree burns. It was a life-threatening ordeal that left his face and body scarred forever. The incident broke the hearts of millions and changed the course of his life. The pain of that day will never fade. The scars will stay with him as long as he lives. And yet, the most painful truth remains, the culprits still walk free, unseen and unpunished. There was a time when everyone, including Miki himself, believed his story had ended. His career, his legacy, his dream, were all shattered in an instant. The thought that his football journey might end so young was almost ...

Diogo Jota ’s journey was one of brilliance, heart, and humility. Born in Porto, Portugal, in 1996, he rose from modest beginnings to shine on football’s grandest stages. From his early steps at Paços de Ferreira to a pivotal role in Wolves ’ Premier League promotion, Jota’s sharp instincts and relentless energy earned him a move to Liverpool in 2020. At Anfield , he quickly became a fan favorite. Scoring on his debut, pressing with passion, and helping the Reds lift the FA Cup , two League Cups , and finally, the long-awaited 2024–25 Premier League title. On the international stage, he proudly represented Portugal, earning 49 caps and winning the UEFA Nations League twice, in 2019 and again in 2025, just weeks before tragedy struck. On July 3, 2025, Diogo and his brother lost their lives in a car accident in Spain. He was just 28. The football world mourned deeply not just for the player, but the man: humble, kind, and dedicated. Jota’s legacy is more than goals and tr...

Portugal captured the 2025 UEFA Nations League title in breathtaking fashion, defeating Spain 5-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich. The final exploded into life when Spain took a 2-1 lead before halftime through goals by Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal . But Portugal roared back— Nuno Mendes equalized, and Cristiano Ronaldo , ever the talisman, netted his 138th international goal to level the tie. Extra time couldn't separate the sides, setting up a nerve-shredding shootout. Álvaro Morata ’s miss proved costly for Spain, as Portugal converted all five of their penalties. Rúben Neves slotted the decisive kick, sparking wild celebrations from the Portuguese squad and fans. For Ronaldo, this triumph adds yet another glittering jewel to his legendary career. For Portugal, it’s a powerful statement: they remain a force in European football, with a new generation stepping up under the fire of pressure and glory. ASIA S...

Liverpool clinched their 20th English league title and second in the Premier League era. Under new manager Arne Slot , the Reds secured the championship with a commanding 5–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27, 2025, at Anfield. This triumph marked Slot as only the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his debut season. A cornerstone of Liverpool's success was Mohamed Salah , who set a new record for goal contributions in a 38-game Premier League season, amassing 45 combined goals and assists. The team demonstrated remarkable consistency, leading the league table for 234 days, 193 more than any other club. The title celebration was particularly poignant as club legend Alan Hansen, recovering from a serious illness, presented the trophy to captain Virgil van Dijk . This moment resonated deeply with fans, contrasting the behind-closed-doors celebration of their 2020 triumph. With this victory, Liverpool not only matched Manchester United ...

Spain are crowned Euro 2024 winners after a pulsating 2-1 victory over England at Olympiastadion in Berlin. This marks an unprecedented fourth European championship for La Roja , and they were undoubtedly the best team in the tournament. Spain displayed beautiful­passing, outstanding wing play and ruthless finishing to clinch the biggest footbal prize in Europe. Spain broke the deadlock in the 47th minute through Nico Williams first time finishing. Cole Palmer equalised for the Three Lions in the 73rd minute. Mikel Oyarzabal 's goal four minutes from time sealed the victory for La Roja. England who will now have to reflect on back-to-back European championship final defeats as they continue their search for an elusive international trophy. TIGERS UNITED

Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Lautaro Martinez . La Albiceleste 's latest title comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America. The victory gives eight-times Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament. The win, which saw Argentina move ahead of Uruguay after the pair had been tied on 15 Copa titles, marked Angel di Maria 's final international match. Martinez, who came off the bench in extra time, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute to spark wild celebrations at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. The defeat ended a Colombian record 28-match unbeaten streak for Nestor Lorenzo 's side, whose last loss also came against 'La Albiceleste' in February 2022. Colombia captain James...

Some say Mohamad Salah is the greatest player of the Premier League. Some say Cristiano Ronaldo , some may say Thierry Henry . When we are talking about the Premier League 's greatest, we should focus into the Premier League actual records. Who had the most Premier League appearances? Who had won the most titles? Who had won most matches? It doesn't matter whether the player is best in the world or in Europe. It doesn't matter what the player had achieved outside the Premier League. The most important is to focus on the Premier League records. The top three most appearances in the Preamier League are held by Gareth Barry , James Milner and Ryan Giggs . Gareth Barry is on top with 653 appearances. While Milner is second with 634, followed by Giggs with 632. But does playing most matches determines a player as the greatest ever in the Premier League? From the 632 matches played, Ryan Giggs had achieved 407 wins. Frank Lampard won 349 matches and James Milner had 326 wins...

Manchester City bagged their third consecutive Premier League title after Nottingham Forest defeated Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday evening.  Under Pep Guardiola, City has won the title five times in the last six seasons. The Premier League is the first of a potential treble this season. They will play against Manchester United in the FA Cup final, and the Inter Milan in the Champions League final next month. Arsenal had an eight-point lead over City in January, but Guardiola’s side have overhauled them with three games to spare. Erling Haaland’s 36 goals in the league have been crucial to City’s success. The Football Writers’ Association player of the season’s tally is a Premier League record, the Norwegian scoring more than a third of City’s 92 league goals in 35 matches. TIGERS SUPER SPORTS

In probably the wildest final in the tournament’s 92-year history, Argentina won its third World Cup title. They beat France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw featuring two goals from Lionel Messi and a hat trick by Kylian Mbappé. Messi was in scintillating form from the start of the final, putting Argentina ahead from the penalty spot after Angel Di Maria was tripped. Just 11 minutes later, he played a part in a flowing team move that resulted in Di Maria making it 2-0 after 36 minutes. Argentina dominated the first half and took a 2-0 lead into the break. Mbappé, on the other hand, was anonymous until bursting into life by scoring two goals in a 97-second span. The first came from the penalty spot in the 80th minute, and the other was a volley to take the game to extra time at 2-2. The 35-year-old Messi still had plenty of energy, and he was in the right position to tap in his second goal in the 108th minute. Argentina was on the brink of the title once again. However, Franc...

Senegal clinched its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title after missing out on two previous occasions. The final was a match billed as a battle between Liverpool forwards Sadio Mane , of Senegal, and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah . Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time. The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski . Chelsea's Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde's Olembe Stadium. After two frustrating finals, Senegal ended their wait to be the Africa Cup of Nations Champions. Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah. THE MATCH

Defending champions Brazil defeated Spain 2-1 to win their second consecutive gold medal in men’s football after their Gold in Rio. Spain bagged the Silver, while Mexico clinched the Bronze after defeating host Japan in the third placing match. Substitute Malcom delivered the winner in the 108th minute. Here are some interesting facts about the Olympics  football final. 1. It took Brazil 64 years to win their first Olympic gold medal in football. Just five years later, they won their second. 2. Brazil became the fifth team in history to win back-to-back men’s titles at the Olympics. Argentina was the last to accomplish the feat in 2004 and 2008 3. The Rio Olympic final had been played out in front of 63,000 people at the Maracanã. In Yokohama, the teams were confronted with the familiar spectacle of empty plastic seats. The International Stadium is a huge open concrete bowl, agreeably tatty in places, with the sprawling vista that comes from a six-lane old-school running trac...

Ballon d’Or is the greatest footballing individual achievement anybody can get on a global stage. The winner will be handed a gold trophy and this has been handed out to the best player on the planet since 1956. Ballon d'Or was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID19 is now back. The world cannot wait to see the biggest individual honour the game has to offer to the winner in 2021. Although the award will only be handed out in December, performances over these last few weeks will go a long way to deciding who will and won't be in contention to be the next winner of the Golden Ball. With the European season now well behind us and both Euro 2020 and the Copa America also in the books, the world's best players are beginning to come to the fore. Although world football has dozens of talents and potentials to win this coveted award, but the last decade showed a total duopoly between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi securing 11 of the total awards between themselves in the last 1...

Euphoria erupts in the streets of Rome immediately after the victory.  Roberto Mancini  boys became men as they came back from the shock concede and claim a 3-2 victory over  England  at Wembley. Luke Shaw 's goal inside the opening two minutes gave England a lead, which looked like it would hold onto all night. But a goalmouth scramble midway through the second half allowed  Leonardo Bonucci  to poke home an equalizer for  Italy . It was a similar story in the first additional 15 minutes, though England did briefly force their way back into the game in the second period, albeit without either side creating anything to reward the crowd for their waves of noise. So it went to penalties, where England’s young guns failed and Italy took the championship. It is the  Azzurri 's first major title in 15 years since they won the World Cup over France. Gianlucci Donnarumma  saved from  Jadon Sancho  and  Bukayo Saka  after  Ma...

Lionel Messi  finally able to secure his first international medal with Argentina to his collection of  La Liga ,  Champions League ,  World Club Cup ,  Ballon d’Or  and more. Clearly he is in tears, succumbed to the atmosphere finally realizing the dreams have come true at last. Argentina  have also won their first major title in 28 years on Saturday when an  Angel Di Maria  goal gave them a 1-0 win over  Brazil  and a record-equalling 15th  Copa America . The victory also means they draw level with  Uruguay  as the all-time leading winners. Di Maria, starting for just the second time in the Copa, justified his selection by scoring the opener in the 22nd minute in the first half. Argentina managed to defend even when Brazil piled on the pressure in an exciting second half but even with five strikers on the field they could not get an equaliser against an Argentine defence protected by the outstanding  Rodrigo De...

England reached their first major tournament final since 1966 after defeating Denmark 2-1 in Euro quarterfinals. Captain Harry Kane fired his side into European Championship final by tapping in the rebound to his saved penalty in extra-time. Despite being tired of traveling, Denmark showed a lot of determination from the kick-off. Mikkel Damsgaard ended England's run of clean sheets with a superb freekick to beat Jordan Pickford in the 30th minute. The Three Lions responded with increasing the pressure on Denmark. Nine minutes later, Bukayo Saka delivered a fine pass into the danger area for Raheem Sterling , but was intercepted by Simon Kjaer and the ball ended into his own net. ASIA SPORTS CHANNEL The 1-1 score remained until the full time whistle. As the match got into the extra-time, England pegged back a tiring Denmark side. In the 103rd minute, Sterling was brought down in the penalty area by Joakim Maehle . Kane took the spotkick, Kasper Schmeichel saved it but the...

Italy beat Spain 4-2 in penalty shootouts to booked a spot in the Euro 2020 final. The semifinal clash at Wembley Stadium ended with a 1-1 draw and the winner have to be decided through penalties. Alvaro Morata failed to score his spot kick, and Jorginho delivered the winner for the Azzurri . After having impressive runs in this tournament, the match between the two sides was expected to be a very tight contest. In the 60th minute, Federico Chiesa looked as if he had sent Italy through with a wonderful shot from a counter attack. However, Morata came on to slot the equaliser with just 10 minutes left on the clock. Roberto Mancini had lead Italy to be one the best team in this tournament. They had won all their previous 13 games and deserve the place in the final. The Azzurri will play against England or Denmark in the final this Sunday. Photo:  UEFA EURO 2020 THE MATCH

England displayed extraordinary performance when they thrashed Ukraine 4-0 in Rome on Saturday. Skipper Harry Kane found the net twice as they reached the Euro semifinals for the first time in 25 years. England were ahead after just four minutes at the Stadio Olimpico when Kane converted Raheem Sterling through ball. Both teams went into the break with just one goal separating them. Then Harry Maguire headed home for England's second in less than a minute into the second half. SUFI SUPER YACHTS In the 50th minute, Kane scored England's third as Ukraine's losing their focus. Gareth Southgate sent in Jordan Henderson and scored his first international goal in the 63rd minute to ensure England comfortably cruise into the last four. The Three Lions will face Denmark at Wembley in the semifinals. In another quarterfinals match, Denmark edged Czech Republic 2-1 to join the last four. Thomas Delaney opened the scoring in the 5th minute, before Kasper Dolberg doubled t...

Italy ended Belgium's good run in Euro 2020 with a narrow 2-1 win at Allianz Arena. The clash between the two favourites can be regarded as an anti-climax because both sides have been showing entertaining performance throughout this campaign. It was very unfortunate as they had to meet in the quarterfinals. As expected, the match started with a lot of qualities. However, Nicolo Barella managed to get the breakthrough for Italy with a goal in the 31st minute. Lorenzo Insigne doubled the lead for the Azzurri  in the 44th minute. Romelu Lukaku brought Belgium back into the match with a goal right before the break. THE MATCH Belgium went all out in the second half in search for an equaliser. However, Italy were rock solid and hard to break. The score remained until the final whistle and Italy are through into the semifinals. In another Euro quarterfinals, Spain beat Switzerland in penalty shootouts to reach the next stage. Denis Zakaria own goal in the 8th minute gave Spain th...