Mexico to kick off 2026 World Cup against South Africa

The Republic of Ireland will face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea if they qualify via the play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England have been drawn against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L for next summer’s World Cup finals in North America. Scotland have been drawn against five-times world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, as well as Haiti, in Group C. Wales or Northern Ireland will head to Group B if they emerge victorious in the play-offs, alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

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Arsenal power past Bayern to stay top of Champions League

Noni Madueke scored his first goal for Arsenal as the Gunners put three past Bayern Munich to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League. Arsenal were dominant from the beginning of the game and took the lead in the 22nd minute when Jurrien Timber headed home, Bayern levelled through Lennart Karl but a second goals from Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli secured a statement win.

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Chelsea cruise to victory over 10 man Barca

Chelsea winger Estevao Willian outshone fellow teenage superstar Lamine Yamal in a sensational 3-0 home win over 10-man Barcelona in the Champions League. Estevao, 18, scored a stunning second goal after Barcelona went down to 10 men – skipper Ronald Araujo sent off for a second booking just before the break. A Jules Kounde own goal had given Chelsea the lead and the Blues controlled proceedings with Liam Delap adding a third.

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10-man Everton beat Man United despite bizarre sending off

Ten-man Everton held on for a rare and quite amazing Old Trafford victory after Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking team-mate Michael Keane after just 13 minutes against Manchester United. Staggeringly, against a United side who knew victory would take them fifth in the table and on a ground where they have won once since August 1992, Everton then went in front when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall surged to the edge of the area, then sent a curling effort past goalkeeper Senne Lammens into the top corner.

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Eze hat-trick fires Arsenal to resounding derby win over Spurs

Eberechi Eze scored his first senior hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Leandro Trossard opened the scoring for an utterly dominant Arsenal in the 36th minute then Eze doubled the hosts’ advantage before the break before adding a brace in the second half at the Emirates.

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