FC Minsk and Slavia Mozyr drew 1-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 3 stage in the 2013 season. The full-time result capped a FC Minsk vs Slavia Mozyr meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for FC Minsk and Slavia Mozyr. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
FC MinskFC Minsk and Slavia Mozyr drew 1-1 in Premier League. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 3 stage in the 2013 season. The full-time result capped a FC Minsk vs Slavia Mozyr meeting in Premier League with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for FC Minsk and Slavia Mozyr. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Premier LeagueRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
FC Minsk
Chelsea have been hit with a suspended two-transfer window ban and a fine by the FA for breaches made under former owner Roman Abramovich and it has now been confirmed that they were initially facing a points deduction
Club escape suspended six-point deduction on appealOwners admitted secret payments by previous regimeChelsea have been fined £10m by the FA and served with a suspended transfer ban for multiple violations of transfer rules during the Roman Abramovich era.The sanction reflects a similar punishment handed to the Blues by the Premier League earlier this year after the club were found to have used unlicensed agents and sought to obscure the nature of their transfer dealings between 2009 and 2022. Deals involving Chelsea legends Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard and Willian were among those found to have breached the rules. The commission originally handed down a stronger sanction that would have given Chelsea a suspended six-point deduction, but it was overturned after an appeal by the club. Continue reading...
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are already looking to strengthen the squad to compete for every title. However, Karim Benzema could lose a teammate, as Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. After failing to win the Saudi Pro League title last season, Al Hilal have already decided to strengthen their roster, signing Crysencio Summerville for the wing. However, they remain open to bringing in more players, looking to reinforce Karim Benzema in attack. To do so, the Saudi side is preparing key departures, opening up foreign-player slots. With this in mind, Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key. With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim. Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career. Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation. Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.
Ipswich Town have verbally agreed a deal worth around £20 million to sign Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, according to Ben Jacobs.The newly promoted Premier League club hopes to complete the tran...
Set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, Johan Manzambi will be one of the main absences for Switzerland national team. Switzerland faces Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 12th, with a semifinal spot on the line. However, heading into one of the toughest challenges of their 2026 World Cup run, La Nati will be without one of their standout performers. Manzambi has been ruled out of the quarterfinal against Argentina due to a knee injury. The Swiss midfielder picked up the problem during a training session that kept him out of the Colombia match, and he has been unable to recover in time to face the Albiceleste, with head coach Murat Yakin leaving him off the substitution bench entirely. Yakin addressed the situation at Friday’s press conference, acknowledging the efforts made to get him ready: “We tried everything that we could to get him back, unfortunately, he’s unable to perform tomorrow.” He issued an update on the player’s status, and how the team is affected over his absence. “Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays football,” Yakin concluded. Manzambi Johan #9 of Switzerland stretches during a training session. In his absence, Switzerland will line up with Dan Ndoye and Fabian Rieder on the flanks, while Djibril Sow steps into the attacking midfield role Manzambi would have occupied behind striker Breel Embolo. Manzambi, Switzerland’s breakout star of the 2026 World Cup Manzambi began the World Cup on the bench but quickly forced his way into Yakin’s plans with a series of eye-catching performances. He scored a brace in the 4-1 group stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, then added a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over Canada, contributing to both goals. He carried that form into the Round of 32, providing the assist for Breel Embolo’s opener in a 2-0 win over Algeria. The knee injury brought his remarkable run to a halt, ruling him out of both the Colombia quarterfinal qualifier and now the match against Argentina. His performances have already had a tangible impact on his career, however. According to The Athletic, Newcastle United and Freiburg have reached an agreement for the midfielder to join the Premier League side in a deal worth in the region of £50 million ($67 million).
Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. Kai Havertz’s name now sits alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic after another memorable night on European soccer’s biggest stage. Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. The final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena ended in disappointment for Arsenal as PSG successfully defended its European crown after prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Yet despite the defeat, Havertz emerged with a personal achievement that underlined his reputation as one of soccer’s most reliable performers in high-pressure matches. Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when the German international opened the scoring after just six minutes, silencing the defending champion’s supporters and giving the Premier League winner an early advantage. The 26-year-old forward capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished confidently from a tight angle. It was another example of his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are at their highest. For much of the match, Arsenal executed Mikel Arteta’s game plan impressively. However, the game shifted midway through the second half. EEEEEEES INCREIBLE como Havertz hizo ese gol… pic.twitter.com/puqZDLVQu2— 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 ²¹ (@jwma242) May 30, 2026 A challenge from Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia resulted in a penalty, allowing Ousmane Dembele to level the score from the spot and bring the French side back into the contest. Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or throughout extra time. As a result, Europe’s biggest trophy would be decided by penalties. PSG holds its nerve in shootout drama The tension was immense as both teams stepped up from 12 yards. PSG gained an early psychological advantage when the shootout was held in front of its own supporters after winning the coin toss. The contest remained finely balanced before Lucas Beraldo converted an important penalty for the Parisians. Moments later, Gabriel blasted his effort over the crossbar, handing the French champion the decisive advantage. PSG eventually secured a 4-3 shootout victory, retaining the Champions League title and becoming one of the few clubs ever to win back-to-back European crowns. For Arsenal, the defeat was crushing. The club had hoped to complete a historic season after winning the Premier League title, but the dream of lifting a first Champions League trophy slipped away most cruelly. The exclusive club Havertz has joined Despite the disappointment, Havertz’s goal carried historic significance. By scoring for Arsenal in the final, Havertz joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic in an exclusive Champions League club. The achievement places the German among some of the competition’s most distinguished performers. The record is remarkable because it highlights a player’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage while representing different clubs across separate eras of their career. Havertz has now scored in Champions League finals for both Chelsea and Arsenal. His first came in 2021 when he netted the winning goal against Manchester City to secure Chelsea’s European triumph. His latest strike against PSG means he has become only the third player ever to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs. The complete list now reads: RankPlayerClubs Scored for in UEFA Champions League Finals1.Kai HavertzChelsea (2021), Arsenal (2026)2.Cristiano RonaldoManchester United (2008), Real Madrid (2014, 2017)3.Mario MandzukicBayern Munich (2013), Juventus (2017)
With the final roster released on Thursday, Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi are two of the biggest omissions from Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad. Lionel Scaloni has officially submitted his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, locking in the squad that will travel to North America to defend Argentina’s global crown. While a few surprise names managed to punch their tickets, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi emerged as two of the most glaring omissions from La Albiceleste. With the definitive Argentina roster drop on Thursday evening, several high-profile players found themselves on the outside looking in, but none sparked more debate than Buendia and Senesi given their standout campaigns in the English Premier League. Emiliano Buendia concluded a spectacular 2025-26 season on the highest possible note, netting a crucial goal in the UEFA Europa League final to lift Aston Villa to a 3-0 triumph over SC Freiburg. Racking up 11 goals and nine assists across 54 appearances, the playmaker was an indispensable starter for a Villa side that secured a fourth-place Premier League finish alongside international teammate Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, though only the star goalkeeper ultimately made Scaloni’s cut. Concurrently, Marcos Senesi regularly wore the captain’s armband for a historic Bournemouth squad that surged to a sixth-place Premier League finish, securing European qualification for the first time in club history. Named the Cherries’ Player of the Season, the rock-solid central defender anchored the backline while chipping in five assists over 39 appearances, making his exclusion from the World Cup roster a bitter pill to swallow. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Potential reasons for Buendia and Senesi ommissions With rising stars Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni reportedly set to be excluded, Emiliano Buendia was widely projected to be the one to provide creative depth from the right flank. However, despite his trophy-laden campaign with Aston Villa, a chronic lack of playing time under Scaloni for the national team ultimately doomed his chances of booking a ticket to North America. Since logging a brief 10-minute cameo in his international debut against Colombia in 2022, Buendia has only registered 20 additional minutes for his country, coming in a friendly against Angola. Due to that lack of integration, Scaloni elected to rely on options with more tactical familiarity; furthermore, Como’s breakout star Nico Paz secured a spot on the plane as a primary creative understudy to Lionel Messi, effectively closing the door on Buendia. In Senesi’s case, the competition for the central defensive position proved too formidable to crack. With veteran Nicolas Otamendi and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero locked in as the starting center-back pairing, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez was a guarantee as the primary left-footed cover, while Facundo Medina’s ability to slide outside and deputize at left-back gave him a tactical versatility that ultimately pushed him ahead of Senesi in the pecking order. Full list of 29 players excluded From the initial 55-player provisional player pool, head coach Lionel Scaloni chopped down the roster by 29 names to solidify his final squad for the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The full list of players who failed to make the definitive tournament cut includes the following: Walter BenitezFacundo CambesesSantiago BeltranAgustin GiayNicolas CapaldoKevin Mac AllisterLucas Martinez QuartaMarcos SenesiGerman PezzellaLautaro Di LolloZaid RomeroMarcos AcuñaGabriel RojasMaximo PerroneGuido RodriguezAníbal MorenoMilton DelgadoAlan VarelaEzequiel FernandezNicolas DominguezEmiliano BuendiaFranco MastantuonoTomas ArandaAlejandro GarnachoMatias SouleClaudio EcheverriGianluca PrestianniSantiago CastroMateo Pellegrino
Led by the legendary Lionel Messi, Argentina have officially unveiled their star-studded 2026 World Cup roster, including Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez Lionel Messi is officially locked in to anchor his historic, career-defining final World Cup campaign. In a highly anticipated announcement, manager Lionel Scaloni finalized Argentina’s 26-man roster for the tournament in North America, with established global superstars Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez headlining a loaded squad. While international media outlets widely expected Scaloni to withhold the roster drop until Friday, May 29, the Argentine master tactician caught the soccer world by surprise, by releasing the official list a day early on Thursday published across the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) social media channels. The tournament marks a monumental milestone for the Inter Miami captain. By stepping onto the pitch in North America, Messi will officially establish an unprecedented all-time record by competing in his sixth career World Cup—a legendary longevity milestone he is slated to share with his longtime eternal rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. In a bold move to refresh the squad, Scaloni made the difficult decision to leave out several key figures who helped lift the trophy in Qatar four years ago. Aside from the mandatory absences of legendary winger Angel Di Maria and veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani—both of whom retired from international soccer—and the injured fullback Juan Foyth, the coaching staff opted to cut six active world champions from the traveling roster. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Due to tactical decisions and recent form, Marcos Acuña, German Pezzella, Alejandro Gomez, Guido Rodriguez, Angel Correa, and Paulo Dybala have all been left off the flight to North America, missing out on the chance to defend their global crown. Perhaps the most shocking omissions from Scaloni’s final squad list came from the English Premier League. Both Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi were left out of the final roster, as they were widely projected to lock in their spots on the plane to North America following stellar individual campaigns. Official 2026 Argentina World Cup roster Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid) Defenders Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid)Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille)Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon) Midfielders Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)Valentín Barco (Racing Club de Strasbourg) Forwards Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)Nico Paz (Como 1907)Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid)Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid)Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)José Manuel López (Palmeiras)Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid) Roster newcomers The tournament will mark a massive milestone for a hungry group of tournament debutants. Scaloni has integrated fresh blood into the squad, giving eight players their very first career World Cup call-ups: Juan Musso, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz and Jose Lopez.
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Chelsea have been hit with a suspended two-transfer window ban and a fine by the FA for breaches made under former owner Roman Abramovich and it has now been confirmed that they were initially facing a points deduction
Club escape suspended six-point deduction on appealOwners admitted secret payments by previous regimeChelsea have been fined £10m by the FA and served with a suspended transfer ban for multiple violations of transfer rules during the Roman Abramovich era.The sanction reflects a similar punishment handed to the Blues by the Premier League earlier this year after the club were found to have used unlicensed agents and sought to obscure the nature of their transfer dealings between 2009 and 2022. Deals involving Chelsea legends Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard and Willian were among those found to have breached the rules. The commission originally handed down a stronger sanction that would have given Chelsea a suspended six-point deduction, but it was overturned after an appeal by the club. Continue reading...
Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are already looking to strengthen the squad to compete for every title. However, Karim Benzema could lose a teammate, as Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. After failing to win the Saudi Pro League title last season, Al Hilal have already decided to strengthen their roster, signing Crysencio Summerville for the wing. However, they remain open to bringing in more players, looking to reinforce Karim Benzema in attack. To do so, the Saudi side is preparing key departures, opening up foreign-player slots. With this in mind, Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key. With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim. Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career. Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation. Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.
Ipswich Town have verbally agreed a deal worth around £20 million to sign Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, according to Ben Jacobs.The newly promoted Premier League club hopes to complete the tran...
Set to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals, Johan Manzambi will be one of the main absences for Switzerland national team. Switzerland faces Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 12th, with a semifinal spot on the line. However, heading into one of the toughest challenges of their 2026 World Cup run, La Nati will be without one of their standout performers. Manzambi has been ruled out of the quarterfinal against Argentina due to a knee injury. The Swiss midfielder picked up the problem during a training session that kept him out of the Colombia match, and he has been unable to recover in time to face the Albiceleste, with head coach Murat Yakin leaving him off the substitution bench entirely. Yakin addressed the situation at Friday’s press conference, acknowledging the efforts made to get him ready: “We tried everything that we could to get him back, unfortunately, he’s unable to perform tomorrow.” He issued an update on the player’s status, and how the team is affected over his absence. “Johan Manzambi is in a lot of pain. It was a shock to all of us. This momentum was on his side, and there is so much joy when he plays football,” Yakin concluded. Manzambi Johan #9 of Switzerland stretches during a training session. In his absence, Switzerland will line up with Dan Ndoye and Fabian Rieder on the flanks, while Djibril Sow steps into the attacking midfield role Manzambi would have occupied behind striker Breel Embolo. Manzambi, Switzerland’s breakout star of the 2026 World Cup Manzambi began the World Cup on the bench but quickly forced his way into Yakin’s plans with a series of eye-catching performances. He scored a brace in the 4-1 group stage win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, then added a goal and an assist in the 2-1 victory over Canada, contributing to both goals. He carried that form into the Round of 32, providing the assist for Breel Embolo’s opener in a 2-0 win over Algeria. The knee injury brought his remarkable run to a halt, ruling him out of both the Colombia quarterfinal qualifier and now the match against Argentina. His performances have already had a tangible impact on his career, however. According to The Athletic, Newcastle United and Freiburg have reached an agreement for the midfielder to join the Premier League side in a deal worth in the region of £50 million ($67 million).
Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. Kai Havertz’s name now sits alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic after another memorable night on European soccer’s biggest stage. Although Arsenal ultimately suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, the German forward achieved a remarkable milestone that places him among a select group of players in the competition’s history. The final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena ended in disappointment for Arsenal as PSG successfully defended its European crown after prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout. Yet despite the defeat, Havertz emerged with a personal achievement that underlined his reputation as one of soccer’s most reliable performers in high-pressure matches. Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when the German international opened the scoring after just six minutes, silencing the defending champion’s supporters and giving the Premier League winner an early advantage. The 26-year-old forward capitalized on a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished confidently from a tight angle. It was another example of his ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are at their highest. For much of the match, Arsenal executed Mikel Arteta’s game plan impressively. However, the game shifted midway through the second half. EEEEEEES INCREIBLE como Havertz hizo ese gol… pic.twitter.com/puqZDLVQu2— 𝓙𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓷 ²¹ (@jwma242) May 30, 2026 A challenge from Cristhian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia resulted in a penalty, allowing Ousmane Dembele to level the score from the spot and bring the French side back into the contest. Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or throughout extra time. As a result, Europe’s biggest trophy would be decided by penalties. PSG holds its nerve in shootout drama The tension was immense as both teams stepped up from 12 yards. PSG gained an early psychological advantage when the shootout was held in front of its own supporters after winning the coin toss. The contest remained finely balanced before Lucas Beraldo converted an important penalty for the Parisians. Moments later, Gabriel blasted his effort over the crossbar, handing the French champion the decisive advantage. PSG eventually secured a 4-3 shootout victory, retaining the Champions League title and becoming one of the few clubs ever to win back-to-back European crowns. For Arsenal, the defeat was crushing. The club had hoped to complete a historic season after winning the Premier League title, but the dream of lifting a first Champions League trophy slipped away most cruelly. The exclusive club Havertz has joined Despite the disappointment, Havertz’s goal carried historic significance. By scoring for Arsenal in the final, Havertz joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic in an exclusive Champions League club. The achievement places the German among some of the competition’s most distinguished performers. The record is remarkable because it highlights a player’s ability to deliver on the biggest stage while representing different clubs across separate eras of their career. Havertz has now scored in Champions League finals for both Chelsea and Arsenal. His first came in 2021 when he netted the winning goal against Manchester City to secure Chelsea’s European triumph. His latest strike against PSG means he has become only the third player ever to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs. The complete list now reads: RankPlayerClubs Scored for in UEFA Champions League Finals1.Kai HavertzChelsea (2021), Arsenal (2026)2.Cristiano RonaldoManchester United (2008), Real Madrid (2014, 2017)3.Mario MandzukicBayern Munich (2013), Juventus (2017)
With the final roster released on Thursday, Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi are two of the biggest omissions from Argentina’s 2026 World Cup squad. Lionel Scaloni has officially submitted his final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, locking in the squad that will travel to North America to defend Argentina’s global crown. While a few surprise names managed to punch their tickets, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi emerged as two of the most glaring omissions from La Albiceleste. With the definitive Argentina roster drop on Thursday evening, several high-profile players found themselves on the outside looking in, but none sparked more debate than Buendia and Senesi given their standout campaigns in the English Premier League. Emiliano Buendia concluded a spectacular 2025-26 season on the highest possible note, netting a crucial goal in the UEFA Europa League final to lift Aston Villa to a 3-0 triumph over SC Freiburg. Racking up 11 goals and nine assists across 54 appearances, the playmaker was an indispensable starter for a Villa side that secured a fourth-place Premier League finish alongside international teammate Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez, though only the star goalkeeper ultimately made Scaloni’s cut. Concurrently, Marcos Senesi regularly wore the captain’s armband for a historic Bournemouth squad that surged to a sixth-place Premier League finish, securing European qualification for the first time in club history. Named the Cherries’ Player of the Season, the rock-solid central defender anchored the backline while chipping in five assists over 39 appearances, making his exclusion from the World Cup roster a bitter pill to swallow. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Potential reasons for Buendia and Senesi ommissions With rising stars Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni reportedly set to be excluded, Emiliano Buendia was widely projected to be the one to provide creative depth from the right flank. However, despite his trophy-laden campaign with Aston Villa, a chronic lack of playing time under Scaloni for the national team ultimately doomed his chances of booking a ticket to North America. Since logging a brief 10-minute cameo in his international debut against Colombia in 2022, Buendia has only registered 20 additional minutes for his country, coming in a friendly against Angola. Due to that lack of integration, Scaloni elected to rely on options with more tactical familiarity; furthermore, Como’s breakout star Nico Paz secured a spot on the plane as a primary creative understudy to Lionel Messi, effectively closing the door on Buendia. In Senesi’s case, the competition for the central defensive position proved too formidable to crack. With veteran Nicolas Otamendi and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero locked in as the starting center-back pairing, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez was a guarantee as the primary left-footed cover, while Facundo Medina’s ability to slide outside and deputize at left-back gave him a tactical versatility that ultimately pushed him ahead of Senesi in the pecking order. Full list of 29 players excluded From the initial 55-player provisional player pool, head coach Lionel Scaloni chopped down the roster by 29 names to solidify his final squad for the upcoming World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The full list of players who failed to make the definitive tournament cut includes the following: Walter BenitezFacundo CambesesSantiago BeltranAgustin GiayNicolas CapaldoKevin Mac AllisterLucas Martinez QuartaMarcos SenesiGerman PezzellaLautaro Di LolloZaid RomeroMarcos AcuñaGabriel RojasMaximo PerroneGuido RodriguezAníbal MorenoMilton DelgadoAlan VarelaEzequiel FernandezNicolas DominguezEmiliano BuendiaFranco MastantuonoTomas ArandaAlejandro GarnachoMatias SouleClaudio EcheverriGianluca PrestianniSantiago CastroMateo Pellegrino
Led by the legendary Lionel Messi, Argentina have officially unveiled their star-studded 2026 World Cup roster, including Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez Lionel Messi is officially locked in to anchor his historic, career-defining final World Cup campaign. In a highly anticipated announcement, manager Lionel Scaloni finalized Argentina’s 26-man roster for the tournament in North America, with established global superstars Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez headlining a loaded squad. While international media outlets widely expected Scaloni to withhold the roster drop until Friday, May 29, the Argentine master tactician caught the soccer world by surprise, by releasing the official list a day early on Thursday published across the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) social media channels. The tournament marks a monumental milestone for the Inter Miami captain. By stepping onto the pitch in North America, Messi will officially establish an unprecedented all-time record by competing in his sixth career World Cup—a legendary longevity milestone he is slated to share with his longtime eternal rival, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. In a bold move to refresh the squad, Scaloni made the difficult decision to leave out several key figures who helped lift the trophy in Qatar four years ago. Aside from the mandatory absences of legendary winger Angel Di Maria and veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani—both of whom retired from international soccer—and the injured fullback Juan Foyth, the coaching staff opted to cut six active world champions from the traveling roster. #SelecciónMayor Con toda la fuerza de los argentinos 💪🏻🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/84Lh03BgxH— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 28, 2026 Due to tactical decisions and recent form, Marcos Acuña, German Pezzella, Alejandro Gomez, Guido Rodriguez, Angel Correa, and Paulo Dybala have all been left off the flight to North America, missing out on the chance to defend their global crown. Perhaps the most shocking omissions from Scaloni’s final squad list came from the English Premier League. Both Emiliano Buendia and Marcos Senesi were left out of the final roster, as they were widely projected to lock in their spots on the plane to North America following stellar individual campaigns. Official 2026 Argentina World Cup roster Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille)Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid) Defenders Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate)Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid)Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United)Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille)Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille)Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique de Lyon) Midfielders Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami)Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen)Enzo Fernández (Chelsea)Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis)Valentín Barco (Racing Club de Strasbourg) Forwards Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)Nico Paz (Como 1907)Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid)Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid)Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid)Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)José Manuel López (Palmeiras)Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid) Roster newcomers The tournament will mark a massive milestone for a hungry group of tournament debutants. Scaloni has integrated fresh blood into the squad, giving eight players their very first career World Cup call-ups: Juan Musso, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Nico Paz and Jose Lopez.
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