Tag: Soccer

3 Arrested After Soccer Fans Invade Pitch, Clash in Cyprus

NICOSIA, Cyprus—Three individuals were arrested after opposing groups totaling about 30 people invaded the pitch during a top-flight soccer match in Cyprus and hurled rocks and flares at each other, police said Monday. Police said in a statement the individuals in custody, aged 17, 23, and 25, are being investigated on charges of unlawful entry…


Los Angeles FC Dominates Austin FC 3–0 to Secure MLS Cup Berth

Cristian Arango scored early, Kwadwo Opoku scored late and LAFC booked their first trip to MLS Cup with a dominant 3–0 victory over visiting Austin FC in Sunday’s Western Conference final. Between those goals, LAFC (21–9–4, 67 points) also scored from an own-goal on an early-second-half corner kick to make good on the promise they’ve…


MVP Sophia Smith Scores, Thorns Top KC 2–0 for NWSL Title

WASHINGTON—Sophia Smith and the Portland Thorns overcame challenges off the field this season with a championship on it. Smith, the season’s Most Valuable Player, scored early and the Thorns won their third National Women’s Soccer League title Saturday night with a 2–0 victory over the Kansas City Current. The Thorns also won NWSL championships in…


Messi inspires PSG to 4–3 win over Troyes

PARIS—Lionel Messi grabbed a goal and assist to inspire Paris St Germain to a 4-3 comeback victory over Troyes on Saturday as the Ligue 1 table-toppers extended their lead to five points. Troyes had stunned the crowd at the Parc des Princes when Mama Balde volleyed home in just the third minute but PSG midfielder…


Spanish Prosecutor Drops Fraud Charges Against Neymar, Others

BARCELONA—Spanish prosecutors on Friday dropped all fraud and corruption charges against Brazil forward Neymar and other defendants in a case over his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013. Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison term for Neymar and the payment of a 10 million euros ($9.95 million) fine in the case brought by Brazilian…


Serie A’s Mari Sidelined for Two Months After Supermarket Stabbing

MILAN—Serie A soccer player Pablo Mari faces at least two months out of the game after an operation on Friday for stab wounds from an attack in an Italian supermarket that left one man dead. Milan’s Niguarda hospital said its trauma team had reconstructed two muscles in the back of the 29-year-old Spanish centre-back on…


At World Cup, Portugal Is a Lot More Than Cristiano Ronaldo

For the last two decades or so, Portugal arrived at every major tournament with all eyes on Cristiano Ronaldo. The team’s hopes of doing well at World Cups and European Championships were mostly dependent on whether Ronaldo could successfully lead his team to victory. He will still be Portugal’s biggest star in Qatar, but this…


Merciless Bayern Beat a Sorry Barcelona 3–0

BARCELONA—Goals by Sadio Mane, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Benjamin Pavard earned Bayern Munich a 3–0 win at already-eliminated Barcelona on Wednesday as the German giants clinched a spot in the Champions League round of 16 as group winners. Bayern top Group C on 15 points, five ahead of Inter Milan who also reached the knockout…


Liverpool Ensure Champions League Progress With Win at Ajax

AMSTERDAM—Liverpool overcame a slow start to beat hosts Ajax Amsterdam 3–0 on Wednesday, ensuring a top-two finish in Group A and progress into the knockout stage of the Champions League. Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead against the run of play three minutes before halftime and they then took command after the break with two quick…


Giant New Mural Celebrates ‘Warrior’ Maradona in Buenos Aires

BUENOS AIRES—An Argentine artist has painted a giant mural of late soccer legend Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires to commemorate what would have been the World Cup winner’s 62nd birthday at the end of October. Muralist Martín Ron filled the 1,600-square-meter (17,000- square-ft) wall in the heart of the city with a depiction of Maradona,…