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Emmanuel Alguacil blasts referee after Al Ahli vs Al Shabab clash
Saudi Pro League

Blaze of Controversy and a Late Equalizer: Saudi Pro League Clash Ends in 1-1 Draw

Spanish coach Emmanuel Alguacil blasted the referee after Al Shabab’s clash with Al Ahli, claiming a penalty was gifted at the start. The game finished 1-1, with a late own goal by Mattéo Dams canceling an early lead by Ivan Toni. Alguacil spoke of resilience despite going down to ten men, while Jaissle defended his lineup in a tense matchup. The result leaves Al Ahli in 12th place with five points after five rounds.

Saudi Arabia secures a place in World Cup 2026, driven by shadow clubs and key players rising from mid-tier teams.
World Cup Qualifiers, Asia

Shadow Clubs steer Saudi to 2026 World Cup: the quiet engines behind a historic qualification

Saudi Arabia secured a historic World Cup 2026 berth after a goalless draw with Iraq, topping the Asian play-off group ahead of Iraq and Indonesia. Beyond the stars of the Roshan Pro League, shadow clubs played a vital supporting role in this milestone. The piece highlights players who rose from mid-tier sides, showing how development pipelines and leadership from these clubs fed the national team. It also traces the journeys of key figures and how their paths intersected with a national project under coach Hervé Renard.

Al Ahli vs Al Shabab Getty Images Saudi Pro League
Saudi Pro League

Saudi Pro League shocker: Jaissle under fire as Al Ahli stumble to a draw with Al Shabab

Al Ahli Jeddah drew with Al Shabab, squandering a first-half lead. The late equalizer and a red card intensified scrutiny on coach Matthias Jaissle. Former players and pundits criticized his substitutions and tactical changes, leaving Al Ahli fifth with nine points after five games. The episode raises questions about Al Ahli’s consistency and Jaissle’s plans going forward. The match also highlighted the league’s competitive edge and the pressure on managers to deliver results.

PSG vs Strasbourg dramatic 3-3 Ligue 1 clash 2025
Ligue 1

PSG Escape Strasbourg Drama in a 3-3 Ligue 1 Thriller

Paris Saint-Germain were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Strasbourg in a Ligue 1 clash. Strasbourg surged ahead with three goals in the first half, prompting a tense PSG comeback. A late penalty and a goal by Sini Mayo salvaged a precious point for PSG, who remain leaders on 17 points. The match featured tactical tweaks from Luis Enrique and relentless pressure from PSG in the final minutes, delivering a rollercoaster evening for fans.

Zamalek players prepare for CAF Confederation Cup with several injuries
CAF Confederation Cup

Injury Avalanche Strikes Zamalek Ahead of CAF Cup Showdown

Zamalek's coach Janic Ferreira announced a 23-man squad for the CAF Confederation Cup first leg against Dikidaha FC, set at Cairo International Stadium. The club faces a wave of injuries and fatigue that threaten key pillars of defense and midfield. Seven players are sidelined, including core midfielders Abdullah El-Saeed, Donya, and Mahmoud Bentayk, testing Ferreira's squad management. The piece also recalls Zamalek's continental pedigree and the psychological lift a successful run could bring to fans amid a difficult start to the season.

Full breakdown of Oct 18, 2025 football fixtures, broadcasters, and commentators across major leagues.
fixtures

This Saturday’s Global Football Marathon: Kickoff Times, Channels, and Commentators for Oct 18, 2025

A busy Saturday awaits football fans as leagues resume after the international break. The day spans La Liga, the Premier League, Ligue 1, Serie A, and the Bundesliga, plus African and Middle Eastern competitions. Kooora breaks down kickoff times, broadcasters, and commentators for every match. Expect cross-continental action and a few pleasant surprises while you juggle snacks and match timing. Humour optional, hydration recommended.

Inter Milan Boni Esposito spark new attacking era in Serie A
Serie A

Youth Takes Center Stage: Boni and Esposito Give Inter a Fresh Attack

Inter Milan gear up for a big Serie A test in Rome as Boni and Esposito ignite a youthful revival. With Thuram sidelined, the pair seize a golden chance to prove Inter’s attack can evolve beyond last season’s struggles. Boni’s instant impact and Esposito’s growth offer a glimpse of a brighter, faster future for the Nerazzurri. If they sustain this momentum, Inter could chart a new course alongside Lautaro Martinez.

Barcelona Spotify sponsorship renewal Camp Nou 2034
sponsorship

Spotify to the Rescue: Barcelona's Renaissance Through a Long-Lasting Sponsorship

Barcelona renews its sponsorship deal with Spotify, extending the partnership across the men's and women's teams and preserving the Spotify Camp Nou branding until 2034. The deal deepens Spotify’s footprint at the club while delivering significant revenue projections through shirt logos and naming rights. This renewal follows a successful spell that helped Barça navigate financial hurdles and fund competitive ambitions. The partnership is pitched as a cornerstone of Barça’s fiscal recovery and strategic branding. A touch of humor to keep the fans smiling as the balance sheets improve.

Al-Ahli vs Al-Shabab Saudi Pro League 1-1 late own-goal thriller
Saudi Pro League

Ten-Man Drama Ends in a 1-1 Thriller as Al-Shabab Snatches an Own-Goal Tie Against Al-Ahli

Al-Ahli hosted Al-Shabab in the Roshn Saudi Pro League and witnessed a tense 1-1 draw. Al-Ahli struck first through a 15th-minute penalty by Ivan Tony after a foul in the box. Al-Shabab fought back and equalized in the 87th minute when a cross deflected off Mateo Dams into his own net, despite playing with ten men from the 77th minute. The result leaves both teams with important points as they chase their targets this season.

Ahmed Al-Ghamdi comeback with Al-Ittihad vs Al-Fayha in Saudi Pro League
Saudi Pro League

Ahmed Al-Ghamdi's Tough Year, A Heartfelt Comeback: He Proves He Still Belongs at Al-Ittihad

Ahmed Al-Ghamdi returns to Al-Ittihad after a year away, expressing disappointment with a 1-1 draw vs Al-Fayha. He scores the equalizer in stoppage, earns Man of the Match, and signals his readiness under new coach Sergio Conceição. The result keeps the club in a strong position, while outlining a challenging run of fixtures ahead. The story highlights his resilience, a stint with Neom, and Conceição’s trust in ready players. A promising chapter begins as Al-Ittihad eyes quick wins to reclaim momentum.

Al-Masry vs Al-Ittihad Tripoli CAF Confederation Cup first leg in Tripoli
CAF Confederation Cup

Stalemate in Tripoli: Al-Masry Grinds to a 0-0 Draw, Set for a Decisive Return Leg

Al-Masry and Al-Ittihad Tripoli fought to a goalless draw in Tripoli in the CAF Confederation Cup first leg. The Tunisian coach Nabil Kouki organized a compact Masry to blunt Libyan threats. The return leg on October 25 at the New Suez Stadium will decide which side advances. The piece also places Masry within the wider context of Egyptian clubs’ CAF history and ongoing continental ambitions.

La Liga players protest 10 seconds over Miami plan to host Barcelona vs Villarreal in Miami
La Liga

The Quiet Clash: Ten Silent Seconds That Shook La Liga’s Miami Plan

Spanish football faces a rare public rift as clubs and players challenge La Liga’s Miami Plan to stage a Barcelona–Villarreal match in Miami. A 10-second protest erupted at the ninth round, signaling discontent over consultation and players’ rights. Barcelona and Villarreal were exempt to avoid misinterpretation, while the players’ union calls for transparency and genuine dialogue. The future of the project remains uncertain as tensions threaten to redefine decision-making in Spanish football.

Ghazl El Mahalla vs Kahrabaa Ismailia Egyptian Premier League 2025 highlights image
egyptian-premier-league

Ghazl El Mahalla Edges Past Ismailia in a Thriller as New League Format Looms

Ghazl El Mahalla beat Kahrabaa Ismailia 1-0 at home with a late winner from Ahmed Shousha, while Essam Al-Fayoumi saw red early. Mokawloon Al Arab and Enppi drew 1-1 amid late controversy, and Wadi Degla fell 2-1 to Modern Sport. The round also highlighted the league’s evolving format, as 21 teams will compete in two phases next season, intensifying the title race among top clubs. Off the pitch, a FIFA dispute over delayed payments to a Tunisian player adds another layer of drama to Egyptian football.

Sailiya crushes Al-Gharafa 3-0 in Qatar Cup Round 5
Qatar Cup

Sailiya Sends a Message with a 3-0 Result as Qatar Cup Round 5 Heats Up

Sailiya demolished Al-Gharafa 3-0 at Hamad Bin Khalifa Stadium in Round 5 of the Qatar Cup. The win lifts Sailiya to 9 points while Gharafa stays on 1. Al-Wakrah and Al-Kharaitiyat shared a 1-1 draw, with Al-Kharaitiyat toping the table temporarily. Al-Bidda and Mesaimeer drew 2-2, keeping the race wide open. The round features several key fixtures, promising fiery clashes and a few surprises as teams chase qualification spots.

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Fayha in Saudi Pro League – Conceição’s debut
Saudi Pro League

Conceição’s Ittihad: Championship DNA, Yet Growing Pains in a 1-1 Standoff

Sérgio Conceição’s first match in charge of Al-Ittihad ends in a 1-1 draw with Al-Fayha at the Majma’ah City Stadium. Al-Fayha takes the lead just before halftime through Sakala, capitalizing on space behind the defense. Ittihad awakens after the break and equalizes via Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, but misses a late penalty that could have won it. The result underlines the work ahead for the new coach as the team plots a steady rebuild and faces two high-profile fixtures soon.

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Fayha Benzema debut Saudi Pro League 2025 Getty Images
Saudi Pro League

Benzema’s Rough Welcome: Conceicao’s Ittihad Starts with a Penalty Miss and a 1-1 Draw

Al-Ittihad’s new coach Sergio Conceicao begins with a 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League. Sakala put Al-Fayha ahead before Ahmed Al-Ghamdi equalised for Ittihad. A late Benzema penalty miss adds to the mounting pressure on Conceicao, who has a storied coaching journey. The article tracks Benzema’s and Conceicao’s beginnings and notes a strong post-international break run for Ittihad, while outlining upcoming tough fixtures.

Egyptian wrestler Kishou naturalization crackdown and sports ministry action
naturalization

Egypt’s Bold Move: The Ministry’s Stand Against Illicit Athlete Naturalization After Kishou’s Escape

Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports publicly addresses the Kishou case, pledging to shield athletes from illegal recruitment and unlawful naturalization. The move is backed by the president and coordinated with national and international bodies. The affair highlights broader concerns about protecting national allegiance in sport. The administration vows swift, punitive action against any entity attempting to divert Egyptian talent.

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Fayha 1-1 in Saudi Pro League, Benzema night
Saudi Pro League

Benzema’s Quiet Night, Yet Al-Ittihad Keeps It Together: A Saudi Pro League Draw

Al-Ittihad and Al-Fayha played to a 1-1 draw in a gripping Saudi Pro League clash. Sakala gave Al-Fayha the lead before Ahmed Al-Ghamdi levelled for Al-Ittihad in the second half. The game marked Sergio Conceição’s managerial debut for Al-Ittihad, who remain in second with 10 points while Al-Fayha sit eighth. Benzema had late chances but the night belonged more to the drama than to the French star. A point apiece, and a few snipers’ quips later, the plot thickens.