Argentina talisman Lionel Messi has, on Saturday night, spoken publicly on the recent speculation that he has been struggling with an ankle injury. For those not aware, chatter surrounding Messi's wellbeing took its place front and centre in the headlines across Argentina in the week leading up to the Albiceleste's World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia. This came amid widespread ...Full Story »

  Bayern Munich have now joined Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. Rice is one of the most sought-after youngsters in European football at the moment. The West Ham midfielder is already captain of his club and a regular for his country at the age of just 23 so it’s no surprise to see some of the biggest clubs sniffing around him. ...Full Story »

Gillingham manager Neil Harris admitted his side were fortunate to still be in the FA Cup after a last-gasp equaliser against non-league Dagenham and Redbridge.The League Two strugglers, who are one place off the bottom of the Football League, appeared to be crashing out until substitute Scott Kashket saved their embarrassment with a goal in the second minute of added time.Dagenham, who are just...Full Story »

Scott Kashket’s injury-time goal salvaged Gillingham an FA Cup second-round replay against non-league Dagenham and Redbridge.Josh Walker put Dagenham in front on 80 minutes when he seized on a pass from substitute George Saunders before slipping the ball into the bottom right corner.But their joy turned to heartbreak when Kashket turned a cross from fellow substitute Jordan Green into the ...Full Story »

Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill praised his players for withstanding a second-half onslaught from Peterborough as the club reached the FA Cup third round for a sixth successive season following a 3-1 victory.Tom Bayliss opened the scoring for the Shrews before Kwane Poku levelled for Posh.Further home efforts from Matt Pennington and Luke Leahy then put Cotterill’s men in the ascendancy...Full Story »

Charlton manager Ben Garner accused the assistant referee of “guessing” for the Stockport corner which helped them draw 2-2 and set up an FA Cup replay at Edgeley Park.The League Two visitors were heading out until the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time but then substitute Myles Hippolyte guided a deft header past Ashley Maynard-Brewer from Macauley Southam-Hales’ corn...Full Story »

Hartlepool boss Keith Curle paid tribute to his players for delivering a place in the FA Cup third round despite having to cope with injury troubles in the build up to the tie.The League Two strugglers lost goalkeeper Ben Killip to injury and had to sign Fleetwood’s Alex Cairns as an emergency loan before facing Harrogate.That was one of five changes, a mixture of injury problems and tacti...Full Story »

Michael Flynn was relieved that Douglas James-Taylor did not have time to think as he struck a dramatic injury-time winner to guide Walsall into the third round of the FA Cup.It was the Stoke loanee’s first professional goal and boss Flynn admitted it was a good thing he did not have too long to weigh things up before firing past Carlisle keeper Tomas Holy.Flynn said: “He is a big th...Full Story »

Dean Hankshaw’s second-half equaliser ensured Stranraer and Annan picked up a point apiece in a 1-1 draw at Stair Park.The visitors hit the front in the seventh minute courtesy of Aidan Smith’s effort.Stranraer found their equaliser just before the hour mark when a header landed at the feet of Hawkshaw, who could not miss the target.The Blues went in search of a winner and missed a c...Full Story »

Billy Bodin scored twice late on as Oxford beat League One rivals Exeter 4-1 to cruise into the FA Cup third round.Matty Taylor put Oxford ahead in the ninth minute when he capitalised on a lapse of concentration by defender Cheick Diabate to fire first-time past Jamal Blackman from 20 yards.That is the way the score remained until 11 minutes from time, when Oxford netted the first of three quic...Full Story »

Maidstone extended their unbeaten National League run to three matches as they ran out 3-2 winners over Maidenhead.The hosts were quickly into their stride and opened the scoring in the third minute through Dom Odusanya’s low strike into the bottom corner.Maidstone doubled their lead when Regan Booty dispatched a penalty after Jerome Binnom-Williams was adjudged to have handled the ball in...Full Story »

Manager John Coleman breathed a sigh of relief after League One Accrington secured a 1-0 win over battling National League side Barnet in the second round of the FA Cup.There wasn’t a lot in the clash at the Wham Stadium and it looked to be heading for a replay when, on 84 minutes, Rosaire Longelo’s cross was parried out by keeper Laurie Walker and Ethan Hamilton pounced to fire home...Full Story »

Otis Khan scored both goals, including a late winner, as League Two side Grimsby beat Cambridge 2-1 in the FA Cup.The hosts were nearly gifted an opener 12 minutes before half-time when Kieran Green headed Lewis Simper’s corner onto his own crossbar.Five minutes after that Will Mannion was called on to keep Cambridge level, coming out well to smother Harry Clifton’s effort.Khan nette...Full Story »

Two late goals from substitute Michael Smith gave Sheffield Wednesday a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the second round of the FA Cup.The Stags started much the better of the two sides, with early chances falling to Lucas Akins and Hiram Boateng.Mansfield took a deserved lead on 34 minutes when George Lapslie calmly converted Kellan Gordon’s cross from the right.Stephen Quinn had a great c...Full Story »

Substitutes Andy Williams and Douglas James-Taylor struck late on to earn Walsall a dramatic 2-1 FA Cup victory over Carlisle and a potential money-spinning third round tie.A first-half Ryan Edmondson goal looked to have steered the Cumbrians through but Williams equalised on 88 minutes and James-Taylor bagged the winner deep in added time.There was little to choose between the League Two rivals...Full Story »

Devante Cole, Adam Phillips and Josh Benson scored to give Barnsley a 3-0 victory over Crewe as they progressed to the third round of the FA Cup.The first opportunity of the game fell to Barnsley skipper Mads Juel Andersen. He was left free inside the box but could not direct Luca Connell’s corner home.The visitors’ first chance came after a loose Liam Kitching pass allowed the Railw...Full Story »

Stockport substitute Myles Hippolyte headed an equaliser in the seventh minute of stoppage time to set up an FA Cup replay against Charlton following a 2-2 draw at The Valley.The League Two side took a third-minute lead, with defender Chris Hussey playing a short corner and then whipping in a wicked left-footed delivery that nestled into the net.Charlton levelled the second-round clash after 22 ...Full Story »

Robert Lewandowski finally scored at the World Cup on Saturday, helping Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 and boosting his team’s chances of reaching the knockout stages. Lewandowski shed tears after scoring in the 82nd minute. He raced toward the corner with his arms outstretched, then stayed slumped on the field as teammates rushed to congratulate him. He got up, rubbed his face, and blew ...Full Story »

ENGLAND fans have claimed they were stripped naked and humiliated by stadium security staff after dressing as crusaders at a World Cup game. The expat pair - who have asked not to be named fearing reprisals from Qatar’s hardline Islamic regime - said they were turned away five times for wearing the "offensive" fancy dress. England fans have claimed they were forced to strip naked by Qata...Full Story »

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has said goodbye to Manchester — hiring movers to pack up his cars and belongings. The Portuguese legend, 37, is currently at the World Cup in Qatar after leaving Man United. Cristiano Ronaldo has hired movers to pack up his cars and belongings Ronaldo's Cadillac Escalade and Bentley Flying Spur were seen being loaded on to a transporter on Tuesday But his £150,0...Full Story »