Match story
- Portugal fired more attempts (12 vs 5 shots).
- Portugal held more of the ball (54% possession).
Portugal defeated Poland 2-3 in the UEFA Nations League. The fixture is part of the League A - 3 stage in the 2018 season. The match was played at Slaski in Chorzow. Carlos Del Cerro Grande, Spain officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Poland vs Portugal meeting in UEFA Nations 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 Poland and Portugal. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
PortugalPortugal defeated Poland 2-3 in the UEFA Nations League. The fixture is part of the League A - 3 stage in the 2018 season. The match was played at Slaski in Chorzow. Carlos Del Cerro Grande, Spain officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Poland vs Portugal meeting in UEFA Nations 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 Poland and Portugal. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Nations LeagueRecorded meetings: 1 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Portugal
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise […] Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise as a raw 19-year-old winger at Manchester United. It’s a stark departure from the version of Ronaldo that dominated the series for the better part of two decades. Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, he sat at a career-high 94 overall, a level matched by only a handful of players in the game’s history. Even as his output tailed off in his mid-to-late 30s, EA Sports kept him in elite territory well into his time at Al Nassr, refusing to nerf him below 84 until this year’s edition. The decline has been gradual but steady. His rating dropped a single point across FC 25 and FC 26 (85 in both), then fell again this year to 84, continuing a slide that began in earnest once he left Europe for the Saudi Pro League in early 2023. The Saudi Pro League’s best. But who deserves the top spot?The Top 27 rated @SPL players in #FC27 are here. Now, let the debate begin.Pre-order today: https://t.co/HCrRKgAJWR pic.twitter.com/ZXy3Tlp8iM— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) August 19, 2026 FIFA 23 marked the first real inflection point, when EA slashed his card from an initial 90 down to 87 mid-cycle following the Al Nassr transfer, a rating cut that set the tone for everything since. Despite the drop, Ronaldo’s 84 overall still ranks as the highest base cards ever assigned to a 41-year-old in the franchise’s history. Whether EA Sports FC 27 ends up being his final appearance in the series remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers tell the story of a decline two decades in the making. Cristiano no longer the Saudi Pro League’s top-rated player For the first time since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the highest-rated player at the Saudi Pro League. According to the latest EA Sports FC 27 ratings, Ruben Neves now tops the league pecking order with an 85 overall, edging out Ronaldo’s 84. Even so, Ronaldo remains comfortably the highest-rated player at Al Nassr. His 84 overall sits well clear of the club’s next-best cards, João Felix (83), Iñigo Martinez (83), and Kingsley Coman (83), all a full point behind their captain. Ronaldo’s overall rating through every FIFA/EA Sports FC edition EditionOverall RatingFIFA 0480FIFA 0588FIFA 0691FIFA 0787FIFA 0891FIFA 0991FIFA 1089FIFA 1189FIFA 1292FIFA 1392FIFA 1492FIFA 1592FIFA 1693FIFA 1794FIFA 1894FIFA 1994FIFA 2093FIFA 2192FIFA 2291FIFA 2387EA Sports FC 2486EA Sports FC 2585EA Sports FC 2685EA Sports FC 2784
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman's future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman’s future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. With Benzema’s position at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, a surprising Turkish destination has now emerged, potentially setting up a blockbuster reunion with another global superstar. Benzema’s future has become increasingly complicated after Al-Hilal began considering a major overhaul of its attacking options. The former Real Madrid captain remains productive, but his place in Simone Inzaghi’s plans is reportedly under serious scrutiny, creating uncertainty over where the 38-year-old will play next. Benzema joined Al-Hilal in January after ending his spell with Al-Ittihad, but his time in Riyadh could already be approaching an unexpected conclusion. The Frenchman has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances for the Blue Waves, showing that his individual numbers remain impressive despite the doubts surrounding his future. The club is reportedly considering terminating his contract as it looks to reshape its squad and accommodate another high-profile striker. Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen have all emerged as possible targets, with Inzaghi understood to want another center-forward for the new campaign. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal celebrates with his coach Simone Inzaghi The situation is complicated by Benzema’s contract, as the striker reportedly wants the full amount owed for the final year of his deal before agreeing to leave. That demand has made negotiations more difficult and could determine whether Al-Hilal can move ahead with its preferred attacking changes. Turkish Super Lig suddenly enters the Benzema race That uncertainty has now opened the door to the surprise development involving Trabzonspor, which has reportedly made contact regarding Benzema. According to Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, the club has inquired about the conditions required to sign the veteran striker while its discussions with Al-Hilal continue. “Trabzonspor inquired about the conditions for Karim Benzema, who wears the Al-Hilal shirt!” Sabuncuoglu reported on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Trabzonspor has not yet reached an agreement in their discussions with Al-Hilal. As the process continues, Karim Benzema was offered to Trabzonspor, and simultaneous talks with the French star have begun!” Trabzonspor, Al-Hilal ile yaptığı görüşmelerde henüz anlaşmaya varamadı. Süreç devam ederken Karim Benzema, Trabzonspor'a önerildi ve Fransız yıldızla eşzamanlı görüşmeler başladı! https://t.co/1ssqyHDXON— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 18, 2026 The move represents a major change in Trabzonspor’s transfer strategy, particularly because the club had failed to close a deal for Darwin Nunez. With those negotiations yet to produce an agreement, Benzema has emerged as an experienced alternative for the attack. Mohamed Salah could make the move even bigger The biggest twist is the possibility that Benzema could join Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor, creating a remarkable attacking partnership if the negotiations progress. Salah reportedly joined the Turkish club on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool, signing a two-year contract on August 6. Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor That would give the Claret-Blues two of the most recognizable forwards of their generation in the same attack. Salah’s arrival has already transformed the profile of the Turkish club, while Benzema would add Champions League experience, elite finishing and the pedigree of a former Ballon d’Or winner. However, the talks remain at an early stage, and there is currently no
The league has introduced a series of changes designed to make matches faster and reduce the amount of time lost to stoppages, with the new approach potentially changing how players manage substitutions, injuries and restarts. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are entering another important Serie A campaign with Milan and Juventus respectively, but the American stars will have something new to deal with once they step onto the pitch. The league has introduced a series of changes designed to make matches faster and reduce the amount of time lost to stoppages, with the new approach potentially changing how players manage substitutions, injuries and restarts. The changes arrive after a summer in which similar measures were trialed elsewhere in soccer, including at the 2026 World Cup. Serie A wants more soccer actually being played, while referees have also been given clearer instructions on player behavior and communication with officials. For Pulisic, who is looking to rediscover his best form with Milan after a difficult second half of last season, the changes could create a faster and more demanding environment. The American winger scored 10 Serie A goals before the turn of the year last season but then went through a prolonged scoring drought, making a strong response particularly important. McKennie enters the season after producing the best numbers of his Juventus career, having recorded nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances last campaign. His versatility means he could be particularly exposed to the substitution and injury-management changes, especially given how frequently he operates across different positions. Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate a goal. The two Americans are also among the leading USMNT figures preparing for another major period with the national team. The new Serie A regulations could therefore have an impact beyond their club careers, particularly as players adjust to a quicker tempo and fewer opportunities to slow matches down. Serie A introduces stricter rules on time-wasting The biggest change concerns the amount of time players will have to restart play or leave the field. A substituted player must leave the pitch within 10 seconds after the substitution board is shown, while the countdown begins when the final board is displayed if several substitutions are made simultaneously. Throw-ins and goal kicks are also coming under greater scrutiny. Players will have five seconds to restart play, with a corner awarded to the opposition if a goalkeeper takes longer than five seconds to take a goal kick. The new rules also target situations involving injuries. A player who receives treatment on the field must remain off the pitch for one minute after play resumes, although goalkeepers are exempt from the provision. Former Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri embrace his player Rafael Leao Serie A’s leadership believes these changes can make a significant difference to the spectacle. “Many of the changes introduced will concern situations where play is stopped, with the aim of increasing the effective playing time of matches, making games even more dynamic and spectacular,” Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo said, according to ANSA via CalcioMercato. Only captains can approach the referee Another major change concerns communication with officials. Only the designated captain will be allowed to approach the referee to complain or request explanations, meaning other players will have to stay away from confrontations. Daniele Orsato explained the reasoning behind the measure during the briefing attended by representatives from all 20 Serie A clubs. “The captain will be the figure representing the club on the pitch, and the referee will only refer to them,” Orsato said, according to CalcioMercato. Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano speaks with the match officials The refereeing authorities have also addressed the controversial gesture of covering the mouth d
Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Al Hilal are facing a tough time signing Pedro Neto from Chelsea, which could well spell bad news for Tottenham Hotspur. The post Tottenham At Risk Of Being Rivalled For Key Target Due To ‘Would Like To Keep’ Factor appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Bernardo Silva, 32, has been presented as a new Real Madrid player. Thirty-three days after the official announcement confirming his signing, the Portuguese midfielder took part in an institutional ce...
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
FC Porto has had an improved bid for Santos central defender Jair Filho turned down, with the Brazilian club insisting it wants to keep him until its season ends in December, according to Flashscore Portugal. Porto’s second offer, worth €12 million plus the permanent transfer of forward Wendel Silva back to Santos, followed an initial […] The post Porto’s improved bid for Santos defender Jair Filho rejected appeared first on SoccerNews.
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
With Cristiano Ronaldo set to compete in his third edition, Al Nassr's 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite roadmap, with their respective rivals and dates, has been unveiled. Cristiano Ronaldo has made the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite one of his defining targets in what could potentially be his final season as a professional soccer player. With the Portuguese icon still awaiting his official season debut, the continental roadmap has officially been set after Al Nassr learned their group stage opponents and fixture schedule. After missing out on the tournament last season due to a third-place finish in 2024-25, Al Nassr are back in Asia’s flagship club competition. While they competed in the AFC Champions League Two last term, where they finished as runners-up, capturing the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title punched their ticket straight to the top tier. The draw for the expanded 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite took place on Tuesday, August 18, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Al Nassr’s path was detailed alongside three other Saudi Arabian representatives in the competition: Al Hilal, Al Qadsiah, and reigning back-to-back champions Al Ahli. This campaign marks the first edition featuring 32 clubs across the Asian continent. The AFC adopted a single-league format similar to the UEFA Champions League for the opening phase, with every participating club playing eight matches against eight different opponents while competing in a unified standings table. A moment where paths are mapped with the essence of hope and desire! #ACLElite League Stage is set in stone! pic.twitter.com/0ZvNcgOp9o— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) August 18, 2026 Once the eight-match league phase concludes, the top eight teams in the overall standings will advance to a two-legged round of 16 set for March 1 to 17, 2027. From the quarterfinals onward, the tournament transitions to a centralized knockout stage hosted in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027. Following Tuesday’s King’s Cup victory against Al Diriyah, Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the continental draw: “I watched the AFC Champions League draw, but we had a difficult match. If we hadn’t done what was required, we would have been knocked out of the King’s Cup. From tomorrow, we’ll start planning for the AFC Champions League, but my priority right now is the match against Al Riyadh (on Friday).” When is Al Nassr’s debut in the AFC Champions League? Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has competed in two AFC Champions League campaigns, suffering a quarterfinal exit against Al Ain in 2022-23 and a semifinal heartbreak against Kawasaki Frontale in 2024-25. The 2026-27 tournament marks his third run leading the Saudi club, with attention now focused on their opener. Al Nassr will kick off Matchday 1 of the AFC Champions League Elite against UAE side Al Ain FC on Tuesday, September 15, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The Saudi club hold a 2-3 all-time record against Al Ain, giving Ronaldo and company an early chance to level the head-to-head series. Al Nassr’s complete AFC Champions League Elite schedule With four home fixtures at Al Awwal Park and four away trips, Ronaldo’s full schedule for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage breaks down as follows: Matchday 1: Al Ain FC (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, September 15, 2026.Matchday 2: Al Nassr vs. PFC Neftchi (UZB) — Monday, October 12, 2026.Matchday 3: Al Nassr vs. Al Wasl FC (UAE) — Monday, October 26, 2026.Matchday 4: Pakhtakor (UZB) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, November 2, 2026.Matchday 5:Al Nassr vs. Al Sadd SC (QAT) — Tuesday, November 24, 2026.Matchday 6: Al Gharafa SC (QAT) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, December 8, 2026.Matchday 7: Al Nassr vs. Al Shamal SC (QAT) — Monday, February 8, 2027.Matchday 8: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, February 15, 2027.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise […] Cristiano Ronaldo has never had it this low. The Al Nassr forward, now 41 and reportedly closing in on the final stretch of his professional career, has been handed an overall rating of 84 in EA Sports FC 27, his weakest base card since FIFA 04, the very game that introduced him to the franchise as a raw 19-year-old winger at Manchester United. It’s a stark departure from the version of Ronaldo that dominated the series for the better part of two decades. Between FIFA 17 and FIFA 19, he sat at a career-high 94 overall, a level matched by only a handful of players in the game’s history. Even as his output tailed off in his mid-to-late 30s, EA Sports kept him in elite territory well into his time at Al Nassr, refusing to nerf him below 84 until this year’s edition. The decline has been gradual but steady. His rating dropped a single point across FC 25 and FC 26 (85 in both), then fell again this year to 84, continuing a slide that began in earnest once he left Europe for the Saudi Pro League in early 2023. The Saudi Pro League’s best. But who deserves the top spot?The Top 27 rated @SPL players in #FC27 are here. Now, let the debate begin.Pre-order today: https://t.co/HCrRKgAJWR pic.twitter.com/ZXy3Tlp8iM— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) August 19, 2026 FIFA 23 marked the first real inflection point, when EA slashed his card from an initial 90 down to 87 mid-cycle following the Al Nassr transfer, a rating cut that set the tone for everything since. Despite the drop, Ronaldo’s 84 overall still ranks as the highest base cards ever assigned to a 41-year-old in the franchise’s history. Whether EA Sports FC 27 ends up being his final appearance in the series remains to be seen, but for now, the numbers tell the story of a decline two decades in the making. Cristiano no longer the Saudi Pro League’s top-rated player For the first time since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t the highest-rated player at the Saudi Pro League. According to the latest EA Sports FC 27 ratings, Ruben Neves now tops the league pecking order with an 85 overall, edging out Ronaldo’s 84. Even so, Ronaldo remains comfortably the highest-rated player at Al Nassr. His 84 overall sits well clear of the club’s next-best cards, João Felix (83), Iñigo Martinez (83), and Kingsley Coman (83), all a full point behind their captain. Ronaldo’s overall rating through every FIFA/EA Sports FC edition EditionOverall RatingFIFA 0480FIFA 0588FIFA 0691FIFA 0787FIFA 0891FIFA 0991FIFA 1089FIFA 1189FIFA 1292FIFA 1392FIFA 1492FIFA 1592FIFA 1693FIFA 1794FIFA 1894FIFA 1994FIFA 2093FIFA 2192FIFA 2291FIFA 2387EA Sports FC 2486EA Sports FC 2585EA Sports FC 2685EA Sports FC 2784
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman's future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have shared the Saudi Pro League spotlight since their moves to the Middle East, but the latest development surrounding the Frenchman’s future could take their rivalry in a completely unexpected direction. With Benzema’s position at Al-Hilal increasingly uncertain, a surprising Turkish destination has now emerged, potentially setting up a blockbuster reunion with another global superstar. Benzema’s future has become increasingly complicated after Al-Hilal began considering a major overhaul of its attacking options. The former Real Madrid captain remains productive, but his place in Simone Inzaghi’s plans is reportedly under serious scrutiny, creating uncertainty over where the 38-year-old will play next. Benzema joined Al-Hilal in January after ending his spell with Al-Ittihad, but his time in Riyadh could already be approaching an unexpected conclusion. The Frenchman has scored nine goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances for the Blue Waves, showing that his individual numbers remain impressive despite the doubts surrounding his future. The club is reportedly considering terminating his contract as it looks to reshape its squad and accommodate another high-profile striker. Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins and Victor Osimhen have all emerged as possible targets, with Inzaghi understood to want another center-forward for the new campaign. Karim Benzema of Al Hilal celebrates with his coach Simone Inzaghi The situation is complicated by Benzema’s contract, as the striker reportedly wants the full amount owed for the final year of his deal before agreeing to leave. That demand has made negotiations more difficult and could determine whether Al-Hilal can move ahead with its preferred attacking changes. Turkish Super Lig suddenly enters the Benzema race That uncertainty has now opened the door to the surprise development involving Trabzonspor, which has reportedly made contact regarding Benzema. According to Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, the club has inquired about the conditions required to sign the veteran striker while its discussions with Al-Hilal continue. “Trabzonspor inquired about the conditions for Karim Benzema, who wears the Al-Hilal shirt!” Sabuncuoglu reported on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Trabzonspor has not yet reached an agreement in their discussions with Al-Hilal. As the process continues, Karim Benzema was offered to Trabzonspor, and simultaneous talks with the French star have begun!” Trabzonspor, Al-Hilal ile yaptığı görüşmelerde henüz anlaşmaya varamadı. Süreç devam ederken Karim Benzema, Trabzonspor'a önerildi ve Fransız yıldızla eşzamanlı görüşmeler başladı! https://t.co/1ssqyHDXON— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) August 18, 2026 The move represents a major change in Trabzonspor’s transfer strategy, particularly because the club had failed to close a deal for Darwin Nunez. With those negotiations yet to produce an agreement, Benzema has emerged as an experienced alternative for the attack. Mohamed Salah could make the move even bigger The biggest twist is the possibility that Benzema could join Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor, creating a remarkable attacking partnership if the negotiations progress. Salah reportedly joined the Turkish club on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool, signing a two-year contract on August 6. Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor That would give the Claret-Blues two of the most recognizable forwards of their generation in the same attack. Salah’s arrival has already transformed the profile of the Turkish club, while Benzema would add Champions League experience, elite finishing and the pedigree of a former Ballon d’Or winner. However, the talks remain at an early stage, and there is currently no
The league has introduced a series of changes designed to make matches faster and reduce the amount of time lost to stoppages, with the new approach potentially changing how players manage substitutions, injuries and restarts. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are entering another important Serie A campaign with Milan and Juventus respectively, but the American stars will have something new to deal with once they step onto the pitch. The league has introduced a series of changes designed to make matches faster and reduce the amount of time lost to stoppages, with the new approach potentially changing how players manage substitutions, injuries and restarts. The changes arrive after a summer in which similar measures were trialed elsewhere in soccer, including at the 2026 World Cup. Serie A wants more soccer actually being played, while referees have also been given clearer instructions on player behavior and communication with officials. For Pulisic, who is looking to rediscover his best form with Milan after a difficult second half of last season, the changes could create a faster and more demanding environment. The American winger scored 10 Serie A goals before the turn of the year last season but then went through a prolonged scoring drought, making a strong response particularly important. McKennie enters the season after producing the best numbers of his Juventus career, having recorded nine goals and six assists in 52 appearances last campaign. His versatility means he could be particularly exposed to the substitution and injury-management changes, especially given how frequently he operates across different positions. Christian Pulisic #10 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States celebrate a goal. The two Americans are also among the leading USMNT figures preparing for another major period with the national team. The new Serie A regulations could therefore have an impact beyond their club careers, particularly as players adjust to a quicker tempo and fewer opportunities to slow matches down. Serie A introduces stricter rules on time-wasting The biggest change concerns the amount of time players will have to restart play or leave the field. A substituted player must leave the pitch within 10 seconds after the substitution board is shown, while the countdown begins when the final board is displayed if several substitutions are made simultaneously. Throw-ins and goal kicks are also coming under greater scrutiny. Players will have five seconds to restart play, with a corner awarded to the opposition if a goalkeeper takes longer than five seconds to take a goal kick. The new rules also target situations involving injuries. A player who receives treatment on the field must remain off the pitch for one minute after play resumes, although goalkeepers are exempt from the provision. Former Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri embrace his player Rafael Leao Serie A’s leadership believes these changes can make a significant difference to the spectacle. “Many of the changes introduced will concern situations where play is stopped, with the aim of increasing the effective playing time of matches, making games even more dynamic and spectacular,” Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo said, according to ANSA via CalcioMercato. Only captains can approach the referee Another major change concerns communication with officials. Only the designated captain will be allowed to approach the referee to complain or request explanations, meaning other players will have to stay away from confrontations. Daniele Orsato explained the reasoning behind the measure during the briefing attended by representatives from all 20 Serie A clubs. “The captain will be the figure representing the club on the pitch, and the referee will only refer to them,” Orsato said, according to CalcioMercato. Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano speaks with the match officials The refereeing authorities have also addressed the controversial gesture of covering the mouth d
Chelsea are bound to be the busiest Premier League club in what remains of the summer transfer window - at least when it comes to getting players out of the door.
Al Hilal are facing a tough time signing Pedro Neto from Chelsea, which could well spell bad news for Tottenham Hotspur. The post Tottenham At Risk Of Being Rivalled For Key Target Due To ‘Would Like To Keep’ Factor appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Bernardo Silva, 32, has been presented as a new Real Madrid player. Thirty-three days after the official announcement confirming his signing, the Portuguese midfielder took part in an institutional ce...
Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans will be key to Michael Carrick’s chances of success over a full season and of healing the rift between club and fansGuardian writers’ predicted position: 5th (NB: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)Last season’s position: 3rd Continue reading...
FC Porto has had an improved bid for Santos central defender Jair Filho turned down, with the Brazilian club insisting it wants to keep him until its season ends in December, according to Flashscore Portugal. Porto’s second offer, worth €12 million plus the permanent transfer of forward Wendel Silva back to Santos, followed an initial […] The post Porto’s improved bid for Santos defender Jair Filho rejected appeared first on SoccerNews.
Mohamed Salah’s arrival made a splash, but the Turkish Super Lig will probably become the latest league to end up as a bailout fund for Europe’s powerhousesMohamed Salah plays in Turkey now. So do Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard and Leroy Sané and Nathan Aké. Mason Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté and Dusan Vlahovic, too.Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Martinelli may yet follow them there, depending on negotiations and moods and whatever else compels a footballer to leave one club for another. Continue reading...
Manchester United are facing another serious attempt to prise Bruno Fernandes away from Old Trafford, with Galatasaray preparing an ambitious package for the club captain. The Turkish champions are ready to offer around €50 million for the 31-year-old and are prepared to dramatically increase his salary. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a preferred […] The post Club ready to offer double salary contract to Man United star to leave Old Trafford appeared first on CaughtOffside.
With Cristiano Ronaldo set to compete in his third edition, Al Nassr's 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite roadmap, with their respective rivals and dates, has been unveiled. Cristiano Ronaldo has made the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite one of his defining targets in what could potentially be his final season as a professional soccer player. With the Portuguese icon still awaiting his official season debut, the continental roadmap has officially been set after Al Nassr learned their group stage opponents and fixture schedule. After missing out on the tournament last season due to a third-place finish in 2024-25, Al Nassr are back in Asia’s flagship club competition. While they competed in the AFC Champions League Two last term, where they finished as runners-up, capturing the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title punched their ticket straight to the top tier. The draw for the expanded 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite took place on Tuesday, August 18, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Al Nassr’s path was detailed alongside three other Saudi Arabian representatives in the competition: Al Hilal, Al Qadsiah, and reigning back-to-back champions Al Ahli. This campaign marks the first edition featuring 32 clubs across the Asian continent. The AFC adopted a single-league format similar to the UEFA Champions League for the opening phase, with every participating club playing eight matches against eight different opponents while competing in a unified standings table. A moment where paths are mapped with the essence of hope and desire! #ACLElite League Stage is set in stone! pic.twitter.com/0ZvNcgOp9o— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) August 18, 2026 Once the eight-match league phase concludes, the top eight teams in the overall standings will advance to a two-legged round of 16 set for March 1 to 17, 2027. From the quarterfinals onward, the tournament transitions to a centralized knockout stage hosted in Saudi Arabia between April 23 and May 1, 2027. Following Tuesday’s King’s Cup victory against Al Diriyah, Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou addressed the continental draw: “I watched the AFC Champions League draw, but we had a difficult match. If we hadn’t done what was required, we would have been knocked out of the King’s Cup. From tomorrow, we’ll start planning for the AFC Champions League, but my priority right now is the match against Al Riyadh (on Friday).” When is Al Nassr’s debut in the AFC Champions League? Since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo has competed in two AFC Champions League campaigns, suffering a quarterfinal exit against Al Ain in 2022-23 and a semifinal heartbreak against Kawasaki Frontale in 2024-25. The 2026-27 tournament marks his third run leading the Saudi club, with attention now focused on their opener. Al Nassr will kick off Matchday 1 of the AFC Champions League Elite against UAE side Al Ain FC on Tuesday, September 15, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The Saudi club hold a 2-3 all-time record against Al Ain, giving Ronaldo and company an early chance to level the head-to-head series. Al Nassr’s complete AFC Champions League Elite schedule With four home fixtures at Al Awwal Park and four away trips, Ronaldo’s full schedule for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage breaks down as follows: Matchday 1: Al Ain FC (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, September 15, 2026.Matchday 2: Al Nassr vs. PFC Neftchi (UZB) — Monday, October 12, 2026.Matchday 3: Al Nassr vs. Al Wasl FC (UAE) — Monday, October 26, 2026.Matchday 4: Pakhtakor (UZB) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, November 2, 2026.Matchday 5:Al Nassr vs. Al Sadd SC (QAT) — Tuesday, November 24, 2026.Matchday 6: Al Gharafa SC (QAT) vs. Al Nassr — Tuesday, December 8, 2026.Matchday 7: Al Nassr vs. Al Shamal SC (QAT) — Monday, February 8, 2027.Matchday 8: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) vs. Al Nassr — Monday, February 15, 2027.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
