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Latest football news

Find here all the latest live football news: results from Ligue 1, La Liga, Premier League, and the biggest European and international competitions. Follow the latest transfers, match summaries, standings, and upcoming fixtures. Don’t miss any of today’s football news on Aballou, your site dedicated to football enthusiasts.

Getty Images Champions League play-off first leg action with Newcastle, Inter, Brugge and Olympiakos
Champions League Play-offs

Champions League Night of Surprises: Newcastle’s 6-1 Breakthrough, Inter Crumples in Norway, and Brugge-Atletico Deliver a 3-3 Thriller

The first legs of the Champions League play-offs delivered drama and surprises. Newcastle United hammered Qarabag 6-1 away, with four goals from Anthony Gordon. Inter Milan fell 1-3 at Bodø/Glimt, complicating the return. Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid played to a 3-3 draw in Brugge, while Olympiakos were held 0-2 by Bayer Leverkusen. The stage is set for an unpredictable second leg, where nothing is certain except more football chaos.

Arsenal stumble in a 2-2 Premier League draw at Molineux, keeping City in sight while Wolves battle relegation.
Premier League

Arsenal's Lead Melts in a 2-2 Miracle at Molineux: Wolves Rally to Stun the Gunners

Arsenal missed a chance to widen their Premier League lead after drawing 2-2 with Wolverhampton at Molineux. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring, and Piero Hincapié added a second for the visitors. Wolves fought back with Hugo Bueno López and a late own goal from Ricardo Calafiori to level. Arsenal remain five points ahead of City, who have a game in hand, while Wolves linger near the relegation zone.

Sadio Mane near Manchester United transfer before moving to Liverpool
transfers

Last-Minute Twist: How Sadio Mane Almost Joined Manchester United Before Liverpool's Legend Began

Sadio Mane, the Senegalese star now at Al Nassr, shares little-known moments from his career, revealing he was on the verge of signing with Manchester United before a late twist redirected him. ESPN outlined that United had a full agreement and the deal seemed set for an official announcement. A surprising intervention and Klopp’s input ultimately changed the course of his transfer. Mane's move to Liverpool in 2016/2017 sparked what would become his most successful era, highlighted by impressive stats and multiple trophies.

Alvaro Arbeloa and Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid in Lisbon
transfer

Mourinho's Madrid Comeback Hits a Turbulent Hurdle as Arbeloa Steals the Spotlight

Jose Mourinho's expected return to Real Madrid's bench hits turbulence after a stormy Lisbon night. A combination of missed opportunities, a red card, and new political drama complicates the comeback narrative. Arbeloa steals the show on the pitch, while Mourinho's public stance fuels a broader questions about his fit for Madrid's current plans. The piece highlights three core factors behind the setback and hints at a quieter, steadier future for the club.

Comprehensive guide to today’s football fixtures with channels, commentators, and live-stream options for February 19, 2026.
Fixtures

Today's Global Football Fixture Frenzy: TV Channels, Commentators, and Live Streams

A packed Thursday evening awaits football fans with European knockouts, Asian competition action, and regional league clashes. The piece lists who’s playing, when, and where to watch, plus the commentators slated to call the action. It highlights beIN SPORTS, TOD TV, Eight, Shahid, and other broadcasters, with VPN options for overseas viewing. It also notes domestic fixtures in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. If you’re looking for a one-stop preview, you’ve found it, with a dash of light humor to keep the mood bright.

Al Nassr Arkadag Rui Vitoria ACL 2
AFC Champions League 2

The Last Laugh on ACL 2: Al-Nassr’s Lucky Path to Reunite with Rui Vitoria

An odd twist links Al-Nassr with their former coach Rui Vitoria in AFC Champions League 2. Al-Nassr advance to the quarterfinals by beating Arkadag 2-0 on aggregate, setting up a tie with Al Wasl, Vitoria’s new club. The Portuguese coach previously led Al-Nassr to their last Saudi league title and has since coached Spartak Moscow, Egypt, and Panathinaikos. Narratives mix nostalgia with ambition as ACL 2 heats up, offering fans a subplot worth following.

Anthony Gordon four goals in first half for Newcastle against Qarabağ in the Champions League 2026
UEFA Champions League

Gordon’s Four-Goal First-Half Teardown Sends Newcastle into Champions League Dreamland

Newcastle United produced a historic Champions League qualifying performance, hammering Qarabağ 6-1 in Azerbaijan. Anthony Gordon scored four goals in the opening half, setting a knockout-stage record for an English player. Newcastle also racked up 11 clear-cut chances, the most in a knockout game since 2011-12. The result puts them on the cusp of the Round of 16 with the return leg to come at St James’ Park. A night of football theatre with a dash of humor, courtesy of Gordon’s estimate-breaking timing.

Vinícius Júnior Real Madrid Benfica 2025 celebration
Champions League

When a Referee’s Words Fire Up the Crowd: Clattenburg’s Apology After Vinícius Júnior Moment

Former referees chief Mark Clattenburg apologized after facing backlash over comments about Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid vs Benfica in the Champions League. The incident centered on Vinícius accusing Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist taunt as he covered his mouth with his shirt. The Brazilian’s goal and celebration intensified the controversy, prompting a swift response from the football community. Clattenburg said his remarks were inappropriate and stressed no one should suffer racism, signaling a learning moment for officials.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi narrowly avoiding a dangerous error in AFC Champions League 2 against Arkadag
Asian Champions League 2

Back in the Spotlight: Nawaf Al-Aqidi Scrapes By Yet Another Asian Blunder

Saudi goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi narrowly avoided a costly error during Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League 2 clash with Arkadag. He started and helped secure a 1-0 victory, but a late moment almost changed the complexion of the tie. The save came as he returned from over a month on the bench after a red card. The performance underlined the fine line between hero and near-miss in Asia's competitive landscape.

Vinícius Júnior lip-cover controversy FIFA crackdown
Football Regulation

When Lips Speak Louder Than Whistles: FIFA’s Bold Move to End Mouth-Silencing in Football

FIFA has signaled a crackdown on players who cover their mouths to hide insults during matches. Mikaël Silvestre, a member of FIFA’s players’ committee, said talks are underway to sanction this behavior. The move follows Vinícius Júnior’s accusation against a Benfica player for directing a racist remark while concealing his mouth, during a Champions League knockout leg. The discussion aims to create a legal framework that prevents abuse from slipping past cameras and lip-reading tech, with referees coordinating on enforceable actions. The football world watches closely as these developments unfold.

Luis Diaz outlines his Bayern move, praises Olise, and compares their partnership to the Robben-Ribéry era without overdoing the hype.
Bundesliga

Diaz hints Olise duo could reboot Bayern’s golden era, with a wink to Robben-Ribéry

Luis Diaz discusses his move to Bayern Munich, his language challenges, and his growing partnership with Michael Olise. He brushes off direct comparisons to Robben and Ribéry while praising the legends’ impact. Diaz highlights Olise’s one-on-one prowess and the calm, detail-oriented approach he brings to the pitch. He also reflects on playing with Kane and vows to repay Bayern’s trust with continued top-level performances.

Newcastle United four-goal hero Gordon argues with Trippier after Qarabag in UEFA playoff
ChampionsLeaguePlayoff

Quadruple Night Sparks On-Field Clash: Gordon vs Trippier After Newcastle's Big Win

Anthony Gordon scores four goals, including two penalties, as Newcastle United cruise in a UEFA Champions League playoff against Qarabag. Tension erupts at halftime when captain Kieran Trippier confronts Gordon in the tunnel. Gordon reaches ten European goals this season, still trailing Mbappe's 13. The win showcases Newcastle's attacking mood and hints at squad dynamics ahead of the campaign.

Luka Modrić Milan renewal talks
transfers

Milan's Secret to Keeping Modrić: A Magic Key to Renewal

Luka Modrić's renewal with Milan is gaining momentum as the 40-year-old veteran continues to be a midfield staple. Milan is pushing to extend his contract beyond 2027 after signing him on a free transfer from Real Madrid. Optimism is rising, anchored by a strong, respectful bond with coach Massimiliano Allegri. The deal could include an extension to 2027 with a salary near 4.5 million euros, contingent on Champions League qualification.

Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestiani incident in Benfica-Real Madrid clash
Champions League

Agent fires back: Prestiani’s defender stance as Vinicius controversy goes viral

Gaston Fernandez, an agent for Gianluca Prestiani of Benfica, commented on the Vinicius Junior incident after the Real Madrid-Benfica clash. He described the atmosphere as charged and suggested Prestiani acted professionally amid intense rivalry. Fernandez noted that tensions included players covering mouths to avoid misinterpretation, and urged fairness, asserting only Prestiani and Vinicius truly know what happened. The exchange has sparked debate about respect, pressure, and how the story is told in the media. The incident continues to fuel conversations about sportsmanship and treatment of top-tier players.

Saudi referee Majed Al Shamrani during an AFC Champions League 2 clash between Persib Bandung and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC
Asian Champions League 2

Referee in the Crossfire: A Turbulent Night in Asia's ACL 2

A Saudi referee, Majed Al Shamrani, faced a difficult moment during an AFC Champions League 2 match. Persib Bandung of Indonesia chased a dramatic comeback against Thailand's Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC after a 0-3 deficit. A decisive red card at 51 minutes halted the Indonesian revival, leaving the game at 1-0. After the final whistle, Indonesian fans flooded the pitch and confronted the referee, who hurried to safety.