Soccer – Winnipeg Free Press

Cameroon's Che Malone, center, is in action during the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Cameroon and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

Young Indomitable Lions bring hope back to Cameroon after turmoil of Africa Cup buildup

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 1:59 PM CST

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — In the end, even Samuel Eto’o was happy.

Disappointment quickly turned to pride for Cameroon after its Africa Cup of Nations exit to Morocco in the quarterfinals.

Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), remonstrated angrily during Friday’s match in Rabat, but afterward he spoke to the players in the locker room and commended them for the honor they restored to the team after its pre-tournament turmoil.

That was partly Eto’o’s fault as his federation fired coach Marc Brys less than three weeks before the Africa Cup, citing grievances including the Belgian’s alleged “disrespectful, biased and insubordinate acts” toward Eto’o and the federation, and “various professional failings” including the failure to qualify for the World Cup.

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Moleiro leads Villarreal’s win over Alaves to strengthen hold on third in La Liga

Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:05 PM CST

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Alberto Moleiro delivered a goal and an assist to help Villarreal beat Alaves 3-1 and stay in touch with the La Liga front-runners on Saturday.

Moleiro is one of the sensations of La Liga with his creativity and scoring ability. He is a major reason why Villarreal is in third place at the season's midway mark even after winger Yeremy Pino left last summer for Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old from the Canary Islands tallied his eighth goal of the season to open the scoring just after halftime. Moleiro curled a shot from outside the area in off the far post.

Veteran striker Gerard Moreno volleyed in a loose ball to double the hosts’ advantage in the 55th.

Salah scores and Egypt eliminates Ivory Coast to join Nigeria in Africa Cup semifinals

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Salah scores and Egypt eliminates Ivory Coast to join Nigeria in Africa Cup semifinals

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 3:58 PM CST

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Mohamed Salah scored and Egypt eliminated defending champion Ivory Coast to move into the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals after a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Salah nabbed his fourth goal of the tournament — Egypt’s third of the game — in the 52nd minute and the Pharaohs needed it as Ivory Coast threatened to come back twice from two goals down.

But Egypt held on in Agadir despite relentless Ivorian pressure and booked a semifinal date with 2021 champion Senegal in Tangier on Wednesday.

“We just fight for our country and hopefully we go through the next game as well," Salah said. "It’s (a) tough opponent, of course, and we give our best.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 3:58 PM CST

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen controls the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Nigeria and Algeria, in Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Stuttgart sweeps aside Leverkusen as snow hampers the Bundesliga

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Stuttgart sweeps aside Leverkusen as snow hampers the Bundesliga

James Ellingworth, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:53 PM CST

Stuttgart surged into contention for the Bundesliga's Champions League places after Jamie Leweling scored twice in a 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

On a day when snow cut the Bundesliga schedule from six games to four, Stuttgart made light of below-freezing temperatures.

Stuttgart led 4-0 by halftime against a Leverkusen team missing injured striker Patrik Schick and key players at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Both of Leweling's goals came as Stuttgart turned over the ball and surged through the Leverkusen half, either side of a Maximilian Mittelstädt penalty awarded when Leverkusen's Jeanuel Belocian brought down Josha Vagnoman. Deniz Undav made it 4-0 just before halftime.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:53 PM CST

Mainz's Benedict Hollerbach, center, celebrates scoring with teammates Nadiem Amiri, left, and Kaishu Sano during the Bundesliga soccer match between FC Union Berlin and FSV Mainz 05 in Berlin, Saturday Jan. 10, 2026. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)

Morocco coach says claims of Africa Cup refereeing bias are from foes ‘who want to see us fall’

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Morocco coach says claims of Africa Cup refereeing bias are from foes ‘who want to see us fall’

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 8:47 AM CST

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Morocco coach Walid Regragui has angrily rejected suggestions his team is benefiting from favorable refereeing decisions as the Africa Cup of Nations host.

“We’re the team to beat. As the team to beat, people will try to find all sorts of reasons to say Morocco has an advantage,” Regragui said after his team’s 2-0 win over Cameroon in the quarterfinals Friday. “The only advantage that Morocco has at this Africa Cup is playing in front of 65,000 spectators. The rest is on the field, we speak on the field.”

On the field, however, Cameroon might have had two penalties if experienced referee Dahane Beida hadn’t decided in favor of the home team.

Morocco defender Adam Masina was involved in both, appearing to catch Bryan Mbuemo’s right boot after missing the ball when Cameroon was trying to level the match, then in the final minutes appearing to strike Etta Eyong’s head with his elbow in the penalty area.

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Yesterday at 8:47 AM CST

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui talks to Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz during the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal soccer match between Cameroon and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)

6th-tier Macclesfield upsets FA Cup holder Crystal Palace in huge shock. Man City scores 10

Jerome Pugmire And Steve Douglas, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

6th-tier Macclesfield upsets FA Cup holder Crystal Palace in huge shock. Man City scores 10

Jerome Pugmire And Steve Douglas, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 3:13 AM CST

The FA Cup delivered another fairytale result on Saturday when sixth-tier Macclesfield — managed by Wayne Rooney's brother — knocked out titleholder Crystal Palace in one of the competition's greatest upsets.

The teams were separated by 117 places in the English soccer pyramid but Macclesfield won 2-1 which, given the difference in league positions, goes down as the most unlikely result in the FA Cup's 155-year history.

At the other extreme, Manchester City overwhelmed third-tier Exeter 10-1 in a match featuring a goal on debut by $87 million signing Antoine Semenyo.

City tying the record for its biggest ever win wasn't the story of the day in the third round, though.

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Updated: 3:13 AM CST

Macclesfield Town's Josh Kay celebrates with fans following the FA Cup third round soccer match between Macclesfield Town and Crystal Palace, at the Leasing.com Stadium, Macclesfield, England, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

FA Cup defending champion Crystal Palace ousted 2-1 by sixth-tier club Macclesfield

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 8:14 AM CST

LONDON (AP) — FA Cup defending champion Crystal Palace ousted 2-1 by sixth-tier club Macclesfield.

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Bayern coach Kompany praises young star Karl after Real Madrid comments

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 7:23 AM CST

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich's 17-year-old breakout star Lennart Karl has been teased by his teammates for his comments about wanting to join Real Madrid some day, coach Vincent Kompany revealed as he praised the young attacking midfielder.

Karl called Madrid his “dream club” at a Bayern fan event last week, prompting laughs from the audience and criticism from some Bayern supporters online questioning his loyalty to the club.

“He's made, maybe, a little communication mistake,” Kompany said Saturday. “For him at 17, he still focuses on the right things, in my opinion. He’s had a very, very good week in training and I’ve been really observing that side of it more. He’s done so much to achieve his playing minutes.”

Playing for the first time since the comments, Karl scored twice in a 5-0 friendly win over Salzburg on Tuesday.

England midfielder Georgia Stanway says she will leave Bayern Munich at end of season

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

England midfielder Georgia Stanway says she will leave Bayern Munich at end of season

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 6:14 AM CST

MUNICH (AP) — England midfielder Georgia Stanway has announced she will leave German club Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Stanway is in her fourth season with Bayern and has scored 26 goals in 106 games overall so far, winning three straight Frauen-Bundesliga titles.

“The decision to leave Munich and my team was incredibly difficult,” Stanway posted on Instagram on Saturday. “I want to say goodbye to the club and the fans at the end of the season with as many titles as possible.”

Stanway has been a midfield standout for several years, helping the England women's team win back-to-back European Championships, in 2022 and 2025, and scoring two goals in both editions of the tournament.

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Yesterday at 6:14 AM CST

Bayern's Georgia Stanway, right, and Valerenga's Linn Vickius battle for the ball during the women's Champions League soccer match between Bayern Munich and Valerenga IF in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Jens Niering/dpa via AP)

Forwards Donavan Phillip of North Carolina State and Jasmine Aikey of Stanford win Hermann Trophies

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Forwards Donavan Phillip of North Carolina State and Jasmine Aikey of Stanford win Hermann Trophies

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Forwards Donavan Phillip of North Carolina State and Jasmine Aikey of Stanford were voted Hermann Trophy winners on Friday as the top college soccer players in the United States.

Phillip, a junior from Saint Lucia who turned 21 last Sunday, scored 19 goals as the Wolfpack reached the NCAA championship game, which it lost to Washington in extra time.

Aikey, a 20-year-old senior from Palo Alto, California, scored 21 goals for Stanford, which lost the NCAA final to Florida. She signed Thursday with Denver of the NWSL.

Voting by coaches is conducted annually by the Missouri Athletic Club.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

FILE - Washington's Connor Lofy (26) and North Carolina State's Donavan Phillip, left, fight for the ball during the first half of the NCAA College Cup National Championship soccer final in Cary, N.C., Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)

Mexican star Hirving `Chucky’ Lozano isn’t returning to San Diego FC after a rocky debut MLS season

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Mexican star Hirving `Chucky’ Lozano isn’t returning to San Diego FC after a rocky debut MLS season

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Hirving “Chucky” Lozano will not return to San Diego FC for a second season.

San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps told reporters Friday that he is working on a departure for Lozano, the 30-year-old Mexican national team mainstay who joined the Major League Soccer expansion club for its inaugural season in 2025 as its first designated player.

Lozano scored nine goals in 27 appearances during the regular season and added two goals in the MLS postseason, but he also was benched late in the season after an altercation in San Diego's locker room.

San Diego finished atop the Western Conference during the regular season, setting MLS records for wins and points by an expansion team, before losing 3-1 to Vancouver in the conference final, with Lozano scoring San Diego's only goal.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Wrexham knocks out Nottingham Forest on penalties to move into FA Cup fourth round

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Wrexham knocks out Nottingham Forest on penalties to move into FA Cup fourth round

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — The big guns entered the FA Cup on Friday and one of them was shot down immediately.

Championship club Wrexham knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling match ended 3-3 after 90 minutes and extra time.

Wrexham keeper Arthur Okonkwo was the hero, saving twice to take his side into the fourth round.

The Welsh side co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney was 2-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Liberato Cacace and Ollie Rathbone.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Wrexham's goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, left, celebrates with teammates after a penalty shootout at the end of the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest in Wrexham, Wales, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

American coach Matarazzo gets first win as Real Sociedad sneak late win at Getafe

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

MADRID (AP) — Brais Mendez scored a goal-of-the-season contender as Real Sociedad won at Getafe 2-1 and gave American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo his first win in charge of the Basque club on Friday.

The ball fell kindly for the big midfielder right on the 18-yard line and he struck the sweetest of volleys past a despairing goalkeeper late in the first half.

Juanmi equalized for Getafe in the 90th minute but defender Jon Aramburu gave Sociedad the win when he headed home a corner kick six minutes into stoppage time

The result was a welcome victory for new boss Matarazzo. He replaced Sergio Francisco just before Christmas following Sociedad’s poorest start to a La Liga in a decade.

Frankfurt share new year spoils with Dortmund in thrilling Bundesliga draw

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Frankfurt share new year spoils with Dortmund in thrilling Bundesliga draw

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Second-placed Borussia Dortmund twice surrendered a lead and looked like losing to a stoppage-time winner but it came back to score in the last minute and draw at Eintracht Frankfurt 3-3 in a thrilling Bundesliga clash on Friday.

The first league match of 2026 was a riveting advert for German football but both sides will rue their ability to hold a lead.

The draw left Dortmund in second place, eight points behind leader Bayern Munich and four above Bayer Leverkusen and Leipzig. All three have a game in hand.

Frankfurt missed a chance to move into fifth and remained in seventh spot, equal on points with Stuttgart.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Dortmund's Fabio Silva kicks the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Africa Cup of Nations trophy to be earned, not handed over

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Preview

Africa Cup of Nations trophy to be earned, not handed over

Jerrad Peters 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

On Friday morning, in a video message shared by the Nigerian men’s national team’s social media channels, former captain Segun Odegbami exhorted his compatriots to win the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“They should play without fear; they should play like champions,” he said.

Of course, they’re not champions — not yet — and to lift the trophy for the first time in 13 years they’ll have to win three times between now and next Sunday’s final, starting with Saturday’s match against 2019 champion Algeria (10 a.m., beIN Sports).

For the most part, Odegbami’s rallying cry was hardly exceptional. He encouraged the players to perform with confidence and to entertain their fans. Then he added a line that could also be heard as unremarkable, but was one that surely irritated Algeria and every other team on the continent, whether at the Cup of Nations or not.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

THEMBA HADEBE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nigeria’s Akor Adams (left) — who just made his national team debut in October — keeps finding the scoresheet at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The Super Eagles clash with Algeria in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Díaz scores in fifth straight game as Morocco joins Senegal in Africa Cup semifinals

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Díaz scores in fifth straight game as Morocco joins Senegal in Africa Cup semifinals

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Brahim Díaz scored again and host Morocco joined Senegal in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Cameroon on Friday.

Díaz extended his Moroccan record by scoring in a fifth straight game at the tournament when he ushered in with his groin Ayoub El Kaabi’s header from a corner in the 27th minute. Díaz ran to the corner and shrugged as if to say he didn’t know how he scored again.

Ismael Saibari sealed the win in the 74th with a low shot inside the far post after a corner, just minutes after Cameroon substitute Georges-Kévin Nkoudou went close at the other end.

That proved to be five-time champion Cameroon’s only real chance as the Indomitable Lions succumbed to the Atlas Lions for the first time in five meetings at an Africa Cup.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

January 11, 2026

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