Football

5:20 PM ET LEEDS, England — Erling Haaland became the first player to score 20 Premier League goals in a season before January by hitting two against his hometown team Leeds on Wednesday as Manchester City won 3-1 at Elland Road. With league leaders Arsenal beating West Ham on Monday, it was crucial that City

11:03 AM ET As Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty that made Argentina World Cup champions over France, Emiliano Martínez fell to his knees. Part of it was exhaustion. Part of it was disbelief. All of it was existential joy. Martínez’s emotions swam in a sea of self-reflection. He couldn’t quite believe it. Their goalkeeper,

4:42 AM ET Alex Kirkland Sam Marsden With the World Cup over, all of Europe’s major leagues are gearing up to restart the 2022-23 season. In Spain, LaLiga will be back on Thursday (matches, replays, highlights on ESPN/ESPN+) and, as often is the case, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be battling for the top spot.

5:31 PM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday in their first Premier League fixture following the World Cup break. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both scored inside three minutes during the first half to put United in control before Fred came off

9:15 AM ET Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier denied suggestions of a rift between Lionel Messi and teammate Kylian Mbappe after they faced off in the World Cup final. Messi won his maiden World Cup title with Argentina after they beat France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga,

5:00 AM ET Robert Lewandowski has been superb since arriving at Barcelona, but it’s also fair to say he changes the way they play. Seeing what they do while he’s suspended will be fascinating. Eric Alonso/Getty Images Given that he has scored 18 times in 19 matches throughout his debut season, it would be nonsensical to

3:09 PM ET Adam Brown In their Premier League return from the World Cup break, Liverpool closed the gap for Champions League qualification to five points after they secured a 3-1 victory against Aston Villa on Monday. The Reds got off to the perfect start after five minutes as defender Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s exquisite pass with

6:51 AM ET Brazil legend Pele’s family members gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where the 82-year-old, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been since late November. Doctors said this week that Pele’s cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and

4:29 AM ET Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha on loan from LaLiga side Atletico Madrid, both clubs said on Sunday. Cunha will join Wolves from Jan. 1 on a deal which could become a permanent move until 2027 if certain clauses are triggered, Wolves said. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more

7:56 PM ET Nick JuddTransfer writer West Ham star Declan Rice could finally make a long-linked move to Chelsea. Stephen Pond/Getty Images With the opening of the January transfer window coming closer, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course,

7:04 PM ET Nick JuddTransfer writer Chelsea are looking to strengthen their defence, and Benoit Badiashile of Monaco could be on his way to west London. CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images With the opening of the January transfer window coming closer, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the

9:33 AM ET The World Cup final ended nearly a week ago but the drama around it continued as the match referee showed a photo on his phone during a news conference to respond to claims that Lionel Messi‘s extra-time goal should not have stood. Argentina won the final in Lusail, Qatar, 4-2 on penalties

6:28 AM ET Patrick Vieira has criticised Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his celebrations after their World Cup final win over France. Martinez saved Kingsley Coman‘s penalty in the shootout and threw the ball away before Aurelien Tchouameni dragged his spot-kick wide. – Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Following the epic final, Martinez

7:00 AM ET After a wretched 2021-22 season, Marcus Rashford has been back to his best for Manchester United this term and continued that form for England at the World Cup. Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images The problem takes hold when you start to think instead of feel. What was once instinctive now feels laboured. Doubt

5:31 PM ET Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips missed the Carabao Cup fourth round win against Liverpool after returning to the Etihad “overweight” from World Cup duty with England. Phillips, 27, was not named among the substitutes for the 3-2 win against Jurgen Klopp’s team and is unlikely to be considered

8:30 AM ET Rob DawsonCorrespondent Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told Lisandro Martinez to be ready for the restart of the Premier League despite his World Cup celebrations. Martinez returned to Argentina with the rest of the squad following victory over France in Qatar but Ten Hag has reminded the centre-back that he

6:50 AM ET The Premier League title race is about to get real for Arsenal. For the first time since Arsene Wenger’s “Invincibles” won the club’s last title in 2003-04, Arsenal feel like a team that can go all the way and take the trophy to the Emirates. But manager Mikel Arteta’s side have only

1:20 PM ET Some fans still might be trying to get home from Doha, Qatar, and there are people still celebrating in the streets of Buenos Aires. The blood alcohol content of some of Argentina’s players has not probably yet returned to normal levels (and good for them). The exhausting World Cup — which was