Sports

Croatia Beat Ghana 2-1 To Book Knockout Stage

Published

2 months ago

June 29, 2026

Nikola Vlasic scored a late header as Croatia booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with victory over already-qualified Ghana in Philadelphia.

Zlatko Dalic’s side needed to avoid defeat against the Black Stars to be sure of a place in the knockout stages, but Vlasic’s effort seven minutes from time ensured they qualified as runners-up to England – who beat Panama in Group L’s other game.

Nikola Vlasic scored a late header as Croatia booked their place in the World Cup last 32 with victory over already-qualified Ghana in Philadelphia.

Ghana defender Derrick Luckassen had cancelled out Petar Sucic’s stunning first-half opener in the 73rd minute, but the Black Stars were unable to hold on for a point and will now head into the last 32 as one of the best third-placed sides.

Croatia’s victory also ended Scotland’s faint hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists four years later, Croatia carried the greater threat in the first half and went close to taking the lead on 17 minutes, when Vlasic’s long-range drive grazed the outside of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s right-hand post.

But Dalic’s team took a richly deserved lead when Inter Milan midfielder Sucic collected Mateo Kovacic’s pass before arrowing a low, right-footed drive through Luckassen’s legs and into the bottom corner.

Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo dragged a low shot narrowly wide of the far post late in the first half, but it would have been a scarcely deserved equaliser for Carlos Quieroz’s side, who failed to muster a first-half shot on target for the third game in succession.

However, the Black Stars appeared revitalised by the half-time introduction of Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, who flashed a powerful shot narrowly over the bar early in the second half.

Ghana were rewarded for their improved second-half showing when Luckassen headed home Ernest Nuamah’s delivery – a goal which was awarded by the video assistant referee following a near four-minute check for offside.

Kwasi Sibo was in an offside position from Nuamah’s cross, but on-field official Drew Fischer eventually informed the crowd that the Ghana number eight was not interfering with play when the cross was struck and gave the goal.

The momentum appeared to be with Ghana as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but Vlasic nodded home Luka Modric’s delivery to earn Croatia their second Group L victory.

Caption: Nikola Vlasic scored the winner for Croatia in Philadelphia

WORLD CUP 2026 RESULTS

Panama 0 – 2 England

Croatia 2 – 1 Ghana

Colombia 0 – 0 Portugal

Congo DR 3 – 1 Uzbekistan

Sports

Man City’s Nico O’Reilly Wins PFA Young Player Of The Year

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season.

The 21-year-old was announced as the winner at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.

O’Reilly emerged ahead of five other nominees after players voted for their preferred candidate in the category.

The other nominees were Manchester City teammate Rayan Cherki, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.

The PFA Young Player of the Year award is determined by votes from professional footballers, with players recognising the outstanding young performers from the season.

O’Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with City, featuring in 53 matches across competitions and contributing directly to 15 goals. He impressed in both midfield and at left-back during the season.

His performances had already earned him the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, with the league describing the England international as one of the standout young players of the 2025/26 campaign.

O’Reilly was also instrumental in Manchester City’s domestic campaign, including scoring both goals in the club’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.

His latest recognition makes him one of the young players to have enjoyed the biggest breakthrough seasons in English football, having established himself as an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

O’Reilly’s victory also means Manchester City continue their strong record in the PFA Young Player of the Year category, with the club having produced previous winners including Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

Sports

Chukwueze Wins Man Of The Match In Milan’s Win At Torino

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze was named Man of the Match as AC Milan opened the 2026/27 Serie A season with a 2-1 away win over Torino at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday, completesports.com reports.

Chukwueze’s Five-Star Performance

Playing as a converted right wing-back, Chukwueze was a constant threat down the right flank and crowned his display with a brilliant assist for Milan’s second goal stabbed home by France international Adrien Rabiot.

Apart from his assist for the second goal, Chukwueze created four chances—the most of any player in the match and had high numbers in touches in the opposition box and possession won

The display provided an encouraging start to Chukwueze’s campaign under new head coach Ruben Amorim after spending last season on loan at Premier League club Fulham.

Also, it vindicated aspects of the new coach’s selection and tactical approach in a solid, if not fully fluent, opening-day away win.

Chukwueze would hope to replicate the same performance when Milan welcome Akor Adams’ Venezia in their next league campaign at San Siro.

It was not the best start to life in the Italian topflight for Adams as Venezia lost 2-0 at home to Lecce with Adams featuring for 90 minutes.

Adams joined Venezia from Sevilla during this summer transfer window.

Milan’s High Expectations For The New Season
Meanwhile, Milan enter the new Campaign under major change, with realistic hopes of a top-four finish and a push toward Champions League qualification, while a title challenge remains a stretch against dominant Inter.

After finishing outside the Champions League places last season, the club overhauled its hierarchy. Owner Gerry Cardinale drove a reset, appointing Amorim (fresh from a difficult spell at Manchester United) as head coach. The former Sporting Lisbon head coach favours a dynamic 3-4-2-1 system that should suit parts of the existing squad while demanding adaptation.

Sports

Terem Moffi Joins Hamburg In Permanent Move From OGC Nice

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has completed a permanent transfer to Bundesliga club Hamburg from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.

The Nigeria international joins Die Rothosen as their seventh signing of the summer transfer window as the German club continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

Moffi, 27, has been handed the number nine shirt and will look to hit the ground running in the Bundesliga after embarking on a new chapter in his career.

“The coach was really convincing in our discussions. The location, with its fantastic fans, and the club’s overall direction also played a role in my decision,” Moffi told Hamburg’s official website.

“Even though HSV played in the second division for a few years, the club is still a big name, all over the world. When I told my father about the interest, he immediately knew which club I meant and was thrilled. For me, it was positively crazy. I’m all the happier now to be a part of the club’s history.”

Moffi, who has played club football in six different countries, arrives at Hamburg with vast experience and an impressive scoring record of 88 goals and 13 assists in 228 competitive appearances.

The striker said he looks forward to contributing more than goals to his new team.

“As a striker, I naturally love scoring goals, but I also love working for the team and keeping the whole group together. I’m the new guy in the team right now, which is always a bit strange at first, but I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting started together soon,” he added.

Hamburg board member Kathleen Krüger believes the Nigerian forward will give the club greater depth and quality in attack.

“Terem is an excellent fit for our approach. His signing gives us even more depth and versatility in the center-forward position, thereby increasing our overall quality. His career path so far brings extensive experience at a high international level, which he can also pass on to our young talents. We are delighted to have Terem at HSV and extend a warm welcome to him,” Krüger said.