Score Updates

OFFICIAL: Ousmane Dembélé is declared the 2025 Best FIFA Men's Player! 🎉👏💥🔥

Paris Saint-Germain and France superstar Ousmane Dembele has been voted as The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2025.

The dynamic attacker has been rewarded following an incredible season for PSG. He was a talismanic figure during the club's run to a maiden UEFA Champions League title, scoring eight times and providing six assists during their triumphant European campaign.

Dembele – who was named as the 2024/25 season's MVP in both the continental competition and Ligue 1 – was integral as PSG won a domestic treble. The 28-year-old also helped the team reach the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™.

Key achievements
Won the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League

Won the 2024/25 Ligue 1

Won the 2024/25 Coupe de France

Won the 2024 Trophee des Champions

Runner-up at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Third place at the place 2024/25 UEFA Nations League

Named the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season

Named in UEFA Champions League Team of the Season

Named Ligue 1 Player of the Year

Named in UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year

Joint-top scorer in the 2024/25 Ligue 1

How the The Best FIFA Men's Player Award winner was determined
A shortlist was chosen by a panel of experts based on players' performances and achievements between 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025.

From this shortlist, votes were cast by men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website. Voters made their first, second and third choices for the winner.

Points were given to nominees depending on where they were placed (five points for first, three for second and one for third).

Nominated national team captains could not vote for themselves.

Selections from the four voting groups – coaches, captains, journalists, and fans – each counted for 25 per cent of the total vote, irrespective of the number of voters from each group.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player award was presented to the individual with the most scoring points, which is calculated through the application of the procedure detailed in the rules of allocation.

Were the finalists tied on points, the award would be bestowed on the individual who has received the most first-choice selections from their own group of voters (men’s national team captains in the case of this award).

DO think he deserves it? Your thoughts in the comments section ⤵️

OFFICIAL: Dembele, Yamal, Pedri, Bellingham, Palmer et al. named in FIFA Best XI ⭐️⚽️🏆🎉

Six players who helped Paris Saint-Germain win their UEFA Champions League title and reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup™ have been voted in The Best FIFA Men's 11 2025.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has since moved to Manchester City, is joined by Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele in the all-star team.

Club World Cup adidas Golden Ball winner Cole Palmer is also in the side, as well as Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. View the full line-up below.

The Best FIFA Men’s 11
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes

Midfielders: Cole Palmer, Vitinha, Pedri, Jude Bellingham

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal

Any changes you would make to this 11 or your thoughts in the comments section ⤵️

Who are the finalists and top contenders for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award 2025? ⚽️🏆👏

Fresh off his sensational individual triumph—the first of his career—there’s one obvious frontrunner for FIFA’s The Best award in 2025. The player who had everyone on their feet after a year of incredible performances, culminating in football’s most coveted prize, the Ballon d’Or. Could Donald Trump one-up that and claim The Best?

I’m kidding, of course. But imagine if a video surfaced from one of his tech buddies showing him score an overhead kick from the halfway line for the USMNT and take home the Puskas Award. You decide.

Back to reality. Here are the real contenders for the trophy:

Full details in the comments section ⤵️

Man Utd vs Bournemouth LINE-UPS: Cunha makes starting appearance, Sesko on the bench; Semenyo takes the lead

The line-ups of Man Utd vs Bournemouth have been announced.

Man Utd XI: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha

Subs: Bayindir, Dorgu, Fredricson, Malacia, Martinez, Mainoo, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee

Bournemouth XI: Petrović; Jiménez, Diakité, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Smith; Kluivert, Tavernier, Semenyo; Evanilson

Subs: Dennis, Brooks, Kroupi.Jr, J.Araujo, Scott, Hill, Soler, Adli, Enes Unal

Robert Sanchez (🇪🇸) has the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season.

🧤

How would you rate his performance so far this season on a scale of 1—10

In the comments section ⤵️

One more to go, Haaland has scored 102 goals in EPL, ranking 34th of all-time EPL scorers.

In the 16th round of the Premier League, Manchester City travelled to Crystal Palace and were led by Erling Haaland, who struck twice in a decisive away performance.

Haaland found the net in the 41st and 89th minutes to complete his brace, continuing his remarkable scoring run in England’s top flight.

The double took the Norwegian to 102 Premier League goals in just 113 appearances. That tally places him 34th on the competition’s all-time scorers list, only one goal behind Cristiano Ronaldo in 33rd.

Ronaldo scored 103 Premier League goals across 236 appearances during his time at Manchester United, underlining the speed at which Haaland is climbing the historical rankings.

Do you think he could eventually become the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer?

Your thoughts in the comment section ⤵️

Amorim looking forward to challenge of facing 'top team' Bournemouth

Ruben Amorim has warned Manchester United to expect a demanding challenge against Bournemouth, whom he described as a “top team,” as his side look to maintain their encouraging Premier League momentum on Monday.

United arrive unbeaten in their last three matches and with just one defeat in their previous nine league games, yet they have slipped to eighth after results elsewhere over the weekend. Their recent home form has been less convincing, with back-to-back winless outings at Old Trafford – a 1-0 defeat to Everton followed by a 1-1 draw with West Ham after surrendering the lead.

A 4-1 victory over Wolves last time out has lifted confidence, and a win over Bournemouth could move United up to fifth. However, they have lost their last two home meetings with the Cherries, and Amorim is under no illusions about the task ahead.

“I think it’s a top team, a top manager, with a special player,” Amorim said. “I don’t focus on results, but on how they approach every opponent. They press aggressively and play very direct football.

“They have different attacking options, which gives us a lot to analyse and prepare for. I expect another very tough Premier League game, but we need to win – especially at home. That’s the objective.”

Bournemouth travel north sitting 15th in the table, having gone six matches without a win after an impressive start to the season. A 0-0 draw with Chelsea last weekend followed two straight defeats and delivered their first clean sheet since October, though it also marked a second consecutive match without a goal.

Head coach Andoni Iraola admitted defensive solidity had become a priority after his side conceded 13 goals across the previous five fixtures.

“Before the last two games, we were scoring a lot but conceding too much,” Iraola said. “That can happen. We focused on defending better, and then you sometimes stop scoring. Finding the balance is difficult, but we have to keep working.

“I hope we can continue like this, because the demands will be just as hard – or even harder – playing away at United.”

Players to watch

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season (45) and also leads the assists chart with six, despite not registering his first until October 19 against Liverpool.

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo
Among Bournemouth players to have logged over 2,000 Premier League minutes, Semenyo averages the most shots (3.1) and shots on target (1.2) per 90 minutes. The Ghanaian has also scored in each of his last two appearances against United.

'We're in this together' – Alonso applauds Real Madrid's unity after Alaves victory

Xabi Alonso insisted Real Madrid are moving in the right direction after a hard-fought 2-1 LaLiga win away to Alaves lifted the mood around the club.

The result came at a useful time for Alonso, whose position has reportedly been discussed by the Madrid hierarchy just six months into his tenure. Victory at the Estadio de Mendizorroza eased some of that pressure.

Kylian Mbappe gave Madrid the lead in the first half, but Alaves hit back almost immediately after the restart, with substitute Carlos Vicente scoring just 43 seconds after coming on. Madrid eventually regained control, Vinicius Junior setting up Rodrygo to score the decisive goal 14 minutes from time and cut the gap to leaders Barcelona to four points.

The visitors were made to work for the three points, registering 1.9 expected goals from 13 shots, while Alaves posted 1.4 xG from six efforts.

“We are all in this together and the team competed very well,” Alonso said. “Unity is fundamental. It’s the only way to give us solidity and allow us to improve.

“We’re very focused on our work, preparing for a game every three days. One win is not enough — there’s still a long road ahead and we need continuity.”

Teenage defender Valde was handed his Madrid debut with Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras suspended. At 19 years and 55 days, he became the club’s third-youngest defensive starter this century, behind Raphael Varane and Achraf Hakimi.

Valde also became the first Madrid debutant since Isco in 2013 to register at least five tackles and 12 duels in a LaLiga match. Alonso acknowledged one costly lapse but praised the youngster’s overall display.

“We conceded from the only moment when Valde struggled,” he said. “But with so many players missing, the team deserves a lot of credit. Valde made his debut and I congratulate him on his performance.”

Madrid travel to third-tier Talavera in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday before hosting Sevilla in LaLiga three days later.

Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid: Mbappe & Rodrygo score to seal well-needed 3 points

Game is over and the final score is Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid. Here is the match report.

6 possible Enzo Maresca replacements for Chelsea after unexpected rant

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has cast an unexpected shadow over his position at Stamford Bridge after making puzzling remarks in the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton.

Despite a routine victory, Maresca claimed the previous 48 hours had been the most difficult of his time at the club and suggested he was not receiving enough support, without specifying from whom. Such comments, delivered so soon after a positive result, risk unsettling the club’s hierarchy. Given Chelsea’s well-documented readiness to make managerial changes, his words are unlikely to have gone unnoticed.

While an immediate decision is unlikely, Maresca’s comments may have prompted early discussions behind the scenes about alternative options, should the situation escalate. Chelsea could look either to an established name currently out of work or a coach already employed elsewhere.

Zinedine Zidane would represent the most high-profile option. Unemployed since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, he has remained consistently linked with elite roles. With three Champions League titles and multiple domestic honours, his pedigree is unquestionable, though whether he would be tempted by a Premier League project remains unclear.

Gareth Southgate is another available name, having stepped away from the England role. He has repeatedly played down interest in club management, but Chelsea’s financial backing and profile could test that stance. However, his lack of recent Premier League experience — his last club job ended in 2009 — would be a concern.

Liam Rosenior could appeal to the club’s ownership structure. After promising spells at Derby and Hull, he has continued to progress at Strasbourg, finishing seventh last season. Employed by BlueCo, he would be easier to extract than most, despite signing a new contract earlier this year.

Frank Lampard, though an unpopular suggestion for some, cannot be discounted. He has already returned to Chelsea once before and has since rebuilt credibility by leading Coventry City to the top of the Championship. His presence at Stamford Bridge next season, in one role or another, remains a realistic possibility.

Brendan Rodgers also has historical ties to Chelsea, having started his coaching career in the club’s academy. His CV includes strong spells at Swansea, Liverpool and Leicester, highlighted by an FA Cup win, as well as trophy-laden stints at Celtic. Currently out of work, he would bring experience, though his recent departure from Celtic was far from smooth.

Erik ten Hag would be a more unconventional choice. Despite being dismissed by Manchester United last season, he still delivered both the League Cup and FA Cup. A brief and chaotic spell at Bayer Leverkusen may count against him, but his availability and previous success could make him a low-cost, high-risk option.

For now, Maresca remains in charge, but his own words have added unnecessary uncertainty. At Chelsea, that is rarely a harmless mistake.

What have you made to Maresca's comments? Share your thoughts in the comments below ⤵️

Erling Haaland hits 35 goals in 27 games for club and country this season. ⚽️🔥💥👏

Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City: Haaland and Foden seal three points for the visiting side

Manchester City closed to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a controlled 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, powered by a brace from Erling Haaland.

Arsenal’s late victory over Wolves on Saturday had briefly stretched the gap to five points, but City responded with authority. Haaland struck twice and Phil Foden continued his prolific form with his seventh goal in five games, as Pep Guardiola’s side made it four consecutive league wins.

Haaland opened the scoring in the first half, rising to head in a pinpoint cross from Matheus Nunes. Foden doubled the advantage with a low, precise strike from outside the area, beating Dean Henderson after a driving run from Rayan Cherki. Haaland then sealed the result late on, converting from the penalty spot after Savinho was fouled.

Despite the scoreline, Palace had chances to trouble City. Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton both hit the woodwork, while substitute Eddie Nketiah forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a sharp save from a narrow angle. But City’s efficiency proved decisive.

Where Arsenal were made to work for their win, City were largely untroubled, underlining the growing momentum of their title challenge. Foden’s goal was watched by England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who continues to assess his options in the No 10 role ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Haaland’s penalty, converted after Henderson had denied him from the spot in last season’s FA Cup final, capped a dominant display and reinforced City’s credentials as Arsenal’s closest challengers.