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Tunisia’s AFCON 2025 campaign ends in a penalty defeat to Mali in the Round of 16. They miss the quarterfinals for the second consecutive edition, a first since 1994. Mali reinforces its reputation for penalty excellence, lifting their shootout win rate to 75% in AFCON history. Mali will face Senegal in the quarterfinals after Senegal beat Sudan 3-1.
Ahmed Sharahili, Al-Ittihad’s defender, apologizes publicly to coach Sergio Conceicao after pushing him as he left the pitch. The incident occurred during the 1-0 win over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League. Sharahili explains there was no personal feud, only a momentary lapse after a lengthy injury absence. The team remains in the title race as they chase leaders Al-Nasr.
Real Madrid kick off 2026 with a La Liga clash against Real Betis at the Bernabéu, a must-win to stay atop the table. Mbappé misses the game due to a knee issue, forcing a reshuffle. Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo lead the attack with Jude Bellingham pushed into a playmaker role. Gonzalo García provides depth on the bench as Alonso tinkers with his XI. This piece also previews the expected Madrid lineup and the stakes in the title race.
German coach Matthias Jaissle stunned a Manchester United icon with a candid remark after Al-Ahli’s 3-2 victory over Al-Nassr in round 13. The win kept Al-Ahli hot on the heels of the league’s leaders and extended a streak against Jorge Jesus. A clip posted by Thamaniya on X shows a brief, revealing exchange between Jaissle and Rio Ferdinand on the pitch. Ferdinand’s questions and Jaissle’s answers highlighted the league’s growing strength and the coach’s confidence. Al-Ahli sit fourth with 25 points, three behind third-placed Al-Taawoun, while Al-Nassr remain top with 31.
AFCON 2025 in Morocco reveals a quirky historical parallel to 2019: teams advance from the group stage to the knockouts after three draws, with no wins on the board. Mali repeats the pattern by ousting Tunisia on penalties in the Round of 16 to set up a quarterfinal against Senegal. This echoes Benin’s 2019 run, when three draws propelled them forward before a penalty upset of Morocco. Mali finished second in a group that included Morocco, Zambia, and the Comoros, earning three points in total.
Real Madrid fears a tense welcome for Vinicius Junior at the Bernabéu in the first 2026 home game against Real Betis, as renewal talks loom. Cadena SER reports the last home match against Sevilla offered plenty of chances and a murky atmosphere. Whistles directed at Vinicius—from the public address system and sometimes the stands—drew considerable attention. The club hopes the reception remains constructive while negotiations continue, with caution about how the moment could shape the season.
After Tunisia’s dramatic Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 exit to Mali on penalties, Hannibal Majberi delivered a fiery critique of Tunisian football. He argues the sport in Tunisia is about a decade behind and calls for a total rebuild from the smallest unit to the top. Mali moved on to face Senegal in the quarterfinals following a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 penalty win. The remarks ignite a national debate on development, training, and leadership in Tunisian football. A light touch of humor is added at the end to balance the heat.
Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao praised Al-Ittihad’s performance in a 1-0 win over Al-Taawon, emphasising the importance of creating chances and the need for an elite attacking player. He highlighted the team’s progress across defense and attack and stressed the collective mindset over individual glory. The coach also touched on absences and the club’s improvements amid a busy fixture list, ending with gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Al-Ittihad. A light note of humor closes the piece to keep fans smiling.
Tunisia scored seven goals in AFCON 2025, a record for the team in a single edition since 2008. They reached the knockout stage but were eliminated by Mali on penalties after a 1-1 draw. A Tunisian substitute forward made history by scoring in the knockout rounds. Mali advance to face Senegal in the quarterfinals after defeating Sudan 3-1.
Morocco’s coach Walid Rekraki faces public scrutiny, but Khalid Fohami publicly defends him, insisting the criticisms were too harsh. Morocco finished atop Group A and advances to the knockout stage to face Tanzania. Ibrahim Diaz has been a standout, scoring in every group game and driving the attack. The angle from the staff emphasizes tactical management and the value of Hakimi’s return as Morocco eyes a second continental title.
Mali edged Tunisia on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals. Lassine Sinayoko converted a late penalty to force extra time, flipping the script. Coach Tom Saintfiet had been vocal before the match, and his words seemed to cast the spell. Mali now faces Senegal in a high-stakes AFCON clash, with drama right up to the final whistle.
Karim Benzema discusses the title race and his future with Al-Ittihad after a 1-0 win over Al-Taawoun. He stresses a family-like team culture and the fans' support, while downplaying departure rumors and reaffirming his commitment to trophies.
Barcelona beat Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby, but coach Hansi Flick says the win wasn’t fully deserved. Espanyol dominated much of the match and produced a strong display. Barça struck twice in the final minutes, with substitutes making the difference. The result keeps Barça at the top of La Liga, seven points ahead of Real Madrid.
Al-Ittihad secures veteran defender Hassan Kadsh for two more years, strengthening the team’s backline in the Saudi Pro League. Kadsh is described as a defensive pillar under coach Sergio Conceição and his French predecessor Laurent Bladen. The renewal follows Kadsh’s 77 appearances for Al-Ittihad after moving from Al-Ettifaq, including goals and assists that highlight his experience. The club’s move is seen as a stability boost for a squad chasing titles.
Portuguese coach Jose Gomes hints at a strong title contender in the Saudi Pro League as Al Fateh continue their winning run. He acknowledges Al Ittihad's surge toward the trophy while Fateh heads the pack with three straight wins, including a 2-0 victory over Al Shabab. Al Ittihad's 1-0 win over Al Taawoun tightens the race, cutting the gap to eight points behind leaders Al Nasr. Gomes also stresses the league remains long and open, with every team capable of climbing higher in the coming rounds.
Neom aims to sign Moroccan Amir Richardson from Fiorentina during the ongoing winter window. Richardson joined Fiorentina in 2024 and is under contract until 2029. Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports Fiorentina facing pressure from Nice to sell, while Neom has already inquired about the player. Richardson reportedly prefers a move to Nice, and his limited playing time fuels the rumors. The saga adds another twist to the winter mercato.
Barcelona edged Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby, but Fermin Lopez tempered the celebrations by urging focus on performance. He praised teammates and goalkeeper Garcia while signaling that the title race remains long and open. The remarks underscore a team hungry for points yet wary of overconfidence. A light, post-match critique rounds out a win with a realistic mindset.
Dani Olmo praised his goalkeeper teammate Joan Garcia after Barça’s tight 2-0 derby win over Espanyol. Garcia’s shutout and two goals, including one by Olmo, sealed the victory. Barça’s win underscores the squad’s depth, especially with substitutes making a difference. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the Super Cup, with Olmo highlighting the team’s unity and resilience.
Essam El Shouli criticizes Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan after Tunisia is eliminated by Mali in AFCON. The match ends 1-1, Mali advances 3-2 on penalties at Mohammed V Stadium. Ben Ramadan came on late and missed the decisive spot kick, triggering sharper commentary. The incident sparks debate over substitutions and performance, with a touch of humor sure to surface in post-match discussions.
Barcelona secured a 2-0 derby win over Espanyol, guided by goalkeeper Juan Garcia. Opta notes he completed six saves, a first for a Barca keeper in La Liga since 2023. He earned Man of the Match despite taunts from Espanyol fans. Barca now sit seven points clear at the top with Real Madrid chasing. Espanyol remain in fifth with 33 points.
