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Al-Ittihad edged Nasaf Qarshi 1-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite. Fabinho Tavares stressed the win was necessary to improve the team’s standing and boost morale. The side created several chances but could not add a second goal, leaving the late minutes tense. They move to sixth place with nine points and remain focused on qualification.
Al Ahly gears up for January transfers, tasking Osama Hilal with marketing Gradychar and Dari for overseas moves. The club aims to leverage Gradychar's ties to explore loan or permanent offers. Dari's market could open room for two foreign players to bolster attack and left-back roles. A recent Egypt Cup loss has pushed the club to rely on youth prospects for the first team.
Karim Benzema voiced frustration over wasted chances as Al-Ittihad edged Nasaf Qarshi 1-0 in the Elite AFC Champions League. Benzema himself scored the decisive goal, but the team squandered several opportunities. He urged sharper finishing and highlighted the importance of points gathered at home with loyal fans behind them. The victory lifts Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the West Asia Elite standings with nine points. The night underscored resilience, while also calling for more clinical finishing in upcoming knockout clashes.
On December 24, 2025, fans across Africa and Asia are served a dense slate of matches. The Africa Cup of Nations continues with high-stakes group games, while AFC Champions League 2 serves up marquee clashes. BeIN SPORTS remains the go-to broadcaster, with streaming and VPN options for global viewers. This piece breaks down who’s playing, when, and where to watch, with a dash of light humor to keep the vibes high.
Former Saudi star Hamad Al-Montashri places a personal wager on Sergio Conceicao as Al-Ittihad clinches a 1-0 win over Nasaf Karshi. The result keeps pressure on the coach ahead of a critical five-match run and key cup ambitions. Montashri pledges to cover Conceicao’s contract if they finish third in the Roshn Saudi Pro League. The club’s performances domestically and in Asia remain under close scrutiny, with a King’s Cup trophy as a possible spearhead for the campaign.
Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 as Isak suffered a leg fracture after a clash with Micky van de Ven. The incident ignited a war of words between managers Arne Slot and Thomas Frank, who defended their players in contrasting tones. The referee’s take offered a calmer view amid the rising talking points about injuries and intent. With Isak out long-term, transfer chatter begins to surface around the season’s mid-point.
Tunisia opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an early lead against Uganda in Morocco. Elias Sakhiri struck in the 10th minute, giving the North Africans a fast start. Opta stats show that only Egypt and Nigeria have more early goals in AFCON history, while Tunisia sits on 12 in the opening minutes. The goal also marks Tunisia’s 100th AFCON goal, placing them as the sixth nation to reach the milestone.
Arsenal's Kai Havertz is back in training after a 128-day layoff due to injury. He last played in the opening fixture against Manchester United and underwent knee surgery a week later. 2025 brought further injuries, including a February muscle tear in Dubai. With Arsenal leading the Premier League, Havertz faces renewed competition from Viktor Gyokeres and the return of Gabriel Jesus as the title race heats up.
Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo is weighing his next destination as the January transfer window approaches. Manchester City are the leading option, but several big Premier League clubs are in the race, including United, Liverpool, and Chelsea. A 65 million-pound release clause complicates the decision, while Semenyo’s form this season keeps him in high demand. United are pressing hard, while City’s liking for the forward remains clear, making January a pivotal moment for Bournemouth’s star.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarterfinal at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta names a lineup built around Gabriel Jesus, who is making his 100th appearance for the Gunners. This game marks Jesus’s first start since sustaining an ACL injury last year. Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal as Arteta shows faith in depth, with Saka, Odegaard, Rice, and Trossard among the bench options. The winner advances to a semifinal showdown with Chelsea.
Riyad Mahrez, Algeria’s captain, faced a probing question about his Moroccan-born mother during a press conference ahead of the AFCON match with Sudan. He handled it with humor and pride, emphasizing warmth from Moroccans and his happiness to compete in Morocco. He reminded fans that family heritage won’t derail their focus on achieving something great for Algeria. The piece highlights the tournament’s backdrop in Morocco and the unity within the Algerian squad.
Botswana’s goalkeeper delivered a historic performance in AFCON despite a 3-0 defeat to Senegal. He faced a flurry of shots, making 14 saves with nine coming from inside the box. SofaScore rated him a perfect 10/10 for the match, a rare feat in the tournament’s data era. The context highlights both the record and the harsh scoreboard, setting up a curious narrative for the group stage.
Eduardo Camavinga addressed social media rumors about anger toward Vinícius Júnior after Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Sevilla. A widely circulated video intensified speculation about Vinícius's standing in the squad. Vinícius left the pitch to boos and later updated his Instagram profile picture to Brazil. Camavinga posted that he wasn’t talking about Vinícius, underscoring Real Madrid’s unity as they won 2-0 with goals from Bellingham and Mbappé.
Nigeria opens AFCON 2025 with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in Group C. Simi Ajayi heads home from Ademola Lookman’s cross in the first half. A vibrant second half sees Tanzania equalize through Charles Momombwa before Lookman nets again for the winner. The result sets the tone for a tight Group C as Tunisia and Uganda loom in the schedule.
In round 8 of the Iraqi Premier League, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya were held to a goalless draw by Naft. Duhok secured a 1-0 win over Najaf, lifting them out of the relegation zone while Erbil maintained a slim lead after a previous day slip. Naft climbed to 13th as the top clubs shuffled positions. Najaf’s difficult run continued at the bottom of the table.
The Premier League has unveiled the nominees for the Player of the Matchweek 17 award. Eight players are shortlisted, with one representative from Manchester City and none from Liverpool. Arsenal, City, and several others posted results this week, reshaping the table race. Arsenal still lead, followed by City, Everton, and Chelsea. Expect a mix of established stars and rising talents to contend for the honor.
During a Christmas break in Brazil, Rafinha used his platform to help his hometown. ESPN shared footage of him distributing meals and gifts to those in need. The act followed a charity project launched by Rafinha and his wife in a local neighborhood. The Barcelona star is enjoying a solid season, contributing to the team's momentum with goals and assists.
Barcelona is reportedly planning to extend Hans Flick's tenure beyond 2027. The club has shown willingness to renew for an additional season, targeting 2028. Flick remains open to renewal but has not finalized his decision. The talks follow a treble-winning first season and strong backing from Barcelona's leadership.
Al-Ittihad is in ongoing talks with Lazio over Nuno Tavares, eyeing a January move. Lazio could gain liquidity after lifting a transfer ban, while Arsenal stands to benefit from a 40% resale clause. The deal is not sealed yet, but it is described as being on a hot path. The transfer saga underscores the financial side of mid-season negotiations.
Real Madrid's president Florentino Pérez and coach Xabi Alonso feature in a Christmas video with captains Carvajal and Valverde. They praise hard work, sacrifice, and solidarity while wishing fans a joyful season and a hopeful 2026. Amid a season that hasn’t started as hoped, the club emphasizes unity and tradition. The piece also touches on ongoing transfer rumors surrounding Alonso.
