Nice falls to Benfica (0-2) in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
4 hours ago
- France 24
Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
After storming to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, Liverpool have looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy. Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning. Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with "Forever 20" -- his shirt number, which the club have now retired -- printed on Liverpool's jerseys. The Reds have already spent £260 million ($350 million) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. However, after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they are not yet done in strengthening their forward line and are expected to launch a fresh bid for Alexander Isak, with Newcastle demanding a British transfer record fee for the Swedish striker. Liverpool's rivals will hope Wirtz and Ekitike take time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League after shining in Germany's Bundesliga, while there are defensive doubts for Slot's men to answer. The Dutch coach said his side need to defend better after leaky performances in pre-season were followed by defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Sunday after twice blowing the lead. Can Gyokeres fire? After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal are longing for their first title in 22 years and have backed Mikel Arteta with another near £200 million investment in the transfer market. Spanish international Martin Zubimendi will be the new anchor of the midfield, while the signings of Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga add depth to the squad. But Arsenal's season is likely to be defined by whether Viktor Gyokeres proves to be the answer to their need for a prolific striker. The Swede struck 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting Lisbon, but the 27-year-old failed to make a breakthrough in the Premier League during his previous experience in England. After coming up short at Brighton, Gyokeres scored 41 goals in 121 games in England's second tier with Coventry and Swansea. "He's a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he's going to destroy you," said Arteta of his new striker. City were dethroned last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles as the wheels came off for Pep Guardiola's men without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. The Spaniard has been ruled out till September due to a setback in his return from a serious knee injury, but City have refreshed their squad with the additions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. After a first trophyless season since 2016/17, City expect to be back in the fight for the title. World champions Chelsea Chelsea were the last side other than City and Liverpool to lift the title back in 2017 and showed they are a coming force once more by winning the Club World Cup in the US last month. The Blues finished fourth, 15 points behind Liverpool last season, but their transfer policy of investing heavily in scores of young prospects is beginning to bear fruit. Joao Pedro made an instant impact with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup after a £55 million move from Brighton and could solve Chelsea's need for a world class goalscorer. Manchester United have transformed their forward line with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after finishing 15th last season. Beating United in the Europa League final was not enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job as Tottenham manager and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank has taken over in north London. Promoted trio Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley are aiming to avoid a worrying trend for the competitive balance. For the past two seasons all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down as the gap between the riches of the Premier League and the second tier continues to grow.
France 24
14 hours ago
- France 24
Swiatek advances by walkover into Cincinnati fourth round
Iga Swiatek of Poland reached the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open by walkover when Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk withdrew due to a wrist injury The 27th-ranked Ukrainian cited a right wrist injury for the pullout, which came a day after six-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek, seeded third, advanced to the third round with the loss of just five games. Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, also benefited from a walkover as Camila Osorio withdrew with an abdominal injury. © 2025 AFP
France 24
16 hours ago
- France 24
New-look Liverpool humbled by Crystal Palace in Community Shield
New signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong scored for the Premier League champions, but Palace responded through Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before winning an error-strewn shootout 3-2. Mohamed Salah blazed over from the spot, while Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott were denied by an inspired Dean Henderson as Palace built on winning their first ever major trophy by beating Manchester City in May's FA Cup final. The traditional curtain-raiser to the English football season was given extra significance after a summer marked by tragedy for Liverpool. Forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva. #photo1 Reds legend Ian Rush and Palace chairman Steve Parish laid wreaths on the side of the pitch before kick-off, while the Liverpool end was awash with banners and flags paying tribute to the Portuguese international. A minute's silence, however, had to be cut short due to disturbances in the crowd. Jota's death has dampened the excitement over Liverpool's transfer spending spree to build on a squad that romped to a record-equalling 20th league title last season. All four of their new signings at a cost of £260 million ($350 million) -- Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez -- started. Ekitike's role this season could depend on whether Liverpool are successful in their pursuit of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. But the Frenchman -- signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last month for an initial £69 million -- did his case to be Slot's preferred number nine no harm at all. Wirtz also bagged his first assist for the Reds when Ekitike spun onto the German's pass and fired into the far corner just four minutes. Palace were making their first ever appearance in the fixture but the Eagles again showed their ability to match one of the Premier League's giants over 90 minutes. Mateta missed a glorious chance to level when he failed to beat Alisson Becker when one-on-one. Liverpool unbalanced #photo2 But from the rebound Sarr charged into the box and was tripped by an out-of-sorts Virgil van Dijk. Mateta coolly sent Alisson the wrong way from the penalty spot to equalise. Liverpool's players were sporting a "Forever 20" emblem, referencing Jota's now-retired shirt number, that they will wear all season. The Liverpool fans had risen to chant Jota's name as the game entered the 20th minute when their side retook the lead Frimpong's chipped cross caught out Henderson and flew into the far corner. Ekitike wasted a great chance for his second early in the second half from another Wirtz pass as this time he fired over. However, Slot's new-look side are still to find the right balance between attack and defence as has been evidenced during pre-season. Palace were a constant threat with balls in behind the Reds defence and levelled again 13 minutes from time. Sarr sped onto Adam Wharton's through ball and calmly slotted past Alisson for his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool. Liverpool also survived a VAR review for a penalty against Mac Allister for handball before the match went to a shootout without extra-time. Youngster Justin Devenny was the unlikely hero as he blasted the winning spot-kick high past Alisson, showing Salah, Mac Allister and Elliott how it is done.
