European football

RC Lens have made history by winning the Trophée des Champions for the first time, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis despite playing with ten men for almost an hour. A Historic Night for RC Lens RC Lens lifted the Trophée des Champions on Sunday evening after defeating reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain in a tense opening match of the 2026/27 season. The home side secured a narrow 1–0 victory, with Florian Thauvin scoring the decisive goal in the first half.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for the European champions in the 20th minute before 17-year-old Brian Madjo equalised shortly before half-time. Désiré Doué restored PSG’s lead in the 61st minute, with the goal awarded following a VAR review after an initial offside flag. Villa, appearing in the fixture as UEFA Europa League holders, pushed the Champions League winners throughout an energetic contest at Stadion Salzburg. Unai Emery’s side continued to threaten late in the match, but PSG protected their advantage to secure the

Italy will not be at a third consecutive World Cup after crashing in Tuesday’s (March 31, 2026) frenzied qualification play-off final to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Azzurri fumbling their opportunity of moving on to this summer’s tournament in North America with a miserable 4-1 penalty shoot-out loss. The Bosnians secured a place in Group B, and matches against co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, by winning the shootout when Esmir Bajraktarevic delivered the decisive spot-kick in Zenica that sent Italy withering toward yet another

LAUSANNE: European football's governing body UEFA on Thursday (Apr 29) announced it was joining a sporting boycott of social media this weekend to protest against online abuse. A number of high-profile footballers have suffered racial abuse in recent months, prompting calls for tougher action from internet giants. A coalition of football organisations including the English Football Association and Premier League revealed they would not post on their channels this weekend and the boycott has grown, with other sports bodies, sponsors and broadcasters joining

An own goal by Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno gave Everton a 1-0 win in their Premier League clash at The Emirates on Friday (Apr 23), gifting the Toffees three valuable points in their quest for European football next season and damaging their own hopes. Leno bundled Richarlison's low cross into the net in the 76th minute for the only goal to move eighth-placed Everton to 52 points, one behind Liverpool and three behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while the Gunners stay ninth on 46. As