Paris Saint-Germain ran out Ligue 1 winners for the second successive season, but there were impressive performers elsewhere
Getty ImagesMike Maignan | Lille
Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan has enjoyed a standout season, which has been recognised by France coach Didier Deschamps, who has called him up for the June international fixtures.
The former PSG youth has proven to be highly reliable for Christophe Galtier’s side, showing the type of consistency that has him tipped to be Les Bleus’ No.1 on a long-term basis.
LOSC finished the season with the best defence in the league, conceding only 30 times, and they owe much to their shot-stopper, who has a particular speciality in saving penalties.
AdvertisementLFPKenny Lala | Strasbourg
One of the revelations of the season in Ligue 1 this term, the Strasbourg full-back can count himself unlucky not to have been awarded a call up to the France side.
He was used primarily as a left-sided wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, which played to his offensive strengths. Over the course of the season, he scored five times and created nine more, finishing outright fourth for assists for all players in Ligue 1.
GettyMarquinhos | PSG
Paris Saint-Germain signed Marquinhos from Roma in 2013 with the expectation that he would grow into one of Europe’s best defensive players, and that has proven to be the case as he turned in another redoubtable season.
Not only did the Brazilian enjoy another solid campaign in the heart of the rearguard at Parc des Princes, he was used by Thomas Tuchel as a defensive midfielder and grew impressively into that role, too.
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GettyThiago Silva | PSG
Will turn 35 in September, but the former AC Milan man is just as classy as ever.
A rock-steady performer in the heart of the PSG defence, it is unusual to see him make an error, particularly at Ligue 1 level. No-one in the league who made at least 1000 passes had a higher completion rate.
He is currently fighting a race against time to be fit for Brazil’s Copa America campaign, which might be the last chance he has to participate in a major tournament.
The 21-year-old was discarded by the Serie A giants – but he has now completed a life-changing Premier League move
Standing at six foot three inches tall and sporting a striking top knot-goatee combination, it's hard to miss Radu Dragusin when he takes to the field. And Premier League attackers are about to get far better acquainted with the 21-year-old.
According to various outlets, including , Tottenham won the race to sign the centre-back from Genoa for a fee that could reach the €30 million (£25.8m/$32.8m) mark. The deal has seen outcast Djed Spence head in the other direction on loan, a sweetener that no doubt helped the club beat off Bayern Munich's late attempts to hijack the transfer. Spurs officially announced Dragusin's signing on Thursday.
It's another early sign of intent – after the arrival of Timo Werner – from the north London club, who despite losing key defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero to injury, have managed to stay in touch with the Premier League top four during the first half of the season.
Dragusin's imminent move also caps off an impressive personal recovery after being discarded by Juventus without ever receiving a proper chance in the first team. Here is what Spurs fans can expect from the Ange Postecoglou footballing revolution's newest convert…
Getty ImagesWhere it all began
It's little surprise that Dragusin ended up being a professional sportsperson. Both of his parents represented Romania in their chosen field, with his father playing volleyball while his mother earned international honours in basketball.
Dragusin was not tempted by either of these pursuits, though. After his cousin introduced him to football, he joined local side Sportul Studentesc before moving on to Regal Sport Bucharest, a talent centre with close links to Atletico Madrid.
Los Rojiblancos failed to use this connection to their advantage, though. Instead it would be Juventus who snapped Dragusin up in 2018. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were interested too, but the Bianconeri acted quickly after he impressed during the second of two trials in Turin, paying €250,000 for Romania's Under-16 captain.
"My brother called me and told me there's a good young player [in Romania] and I sent him to see with his own eyes," Florin Manea, the agent who brokered Dragusin's move to Italy, told "He confirmed that initial impression by telling me he is a star, so I quickly reported to Juventus.
"After about an hour, Matteo Tognozzi, Juventus' chief scout, called me to say that Radu impressed everyone. Other teams were interested too, but the Bianconeri really wanted him. He asked me, 'Where can I become a great central defender?' Chelsea wanted him too, but that's why he chose Juventus."
In Turin, Dragusin gradually moved through the age groups, starting with the Under-17s and eventually being called up to the first-team in November 2020 for a clash against Lazio. He did not make it off the bench on that occasion, but did not have to wait too much longer for his senior debut, coming on in the second half of a comfortable Champions League victory over Dynamo Kyiv the following month.
As the 2020-21 season progressed, Dragusin continued to impress for the Under-23s and was rewarded with a maiden start in the Coppa Italia, eventually earning a new, four-year contract in the summer. GOAL understands that RB Leipzig tabled a lucrative offer too, but he instead opted to remain at Juventus and fight for his place.
After this, his career stagnated somewhat. He failed to impress during loan spells at Sampdoria and Salernitana, finding himself at a bit of a crossroads ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe big break
Dragusin would end up stepping down to Serie B with Genoa and the loan deal – which included an obligation to buy, with Andrea Cambiasso moving in the other direction – turned out to be exactly what he needed at that stage of his development.
Impressively, he would miss just 45 minutes of his new side's promotion-winning season, helping them record the second-best defensive record in the division and also chipping in with four goals.
His stunning club form also led to him nailing down a place in Romania's starting XI. Dragusin played each of his nation's 10 Euro 2024 qualifiers as they surprisingly topped Group I over top seeds Switzerland. Edward Iordanescu's team did so while conceding just five times – with Dragusin absolutely pivotal to this impressive record.
Getty ImagesHow it's going
Since securing promotion back to the top-flight, Dragusin has helped his team settle back in Serie A. Heading into the winter break, Alberto Gilardino's charges sit 12th, albeit only six points clear of the relegation spots in what is a highly-congested bottom half of the table.
Dragusin's star has continued to rise in Genoa this season, with the Romanian one of just six Serie A outfield players to not miss a single second of action thus far. He's continued to offer a goal threat too, scoring twice. This included an important equaliser against leaders Inter in his side's final match of 2023.
Key to his improvement has been his strong relationship with manager Gilardino, who enjoyed a prolific scoring career at the likes of Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina during his playing days. Speaking before Genoa's narrow Coppa Italia defeat to Roma in 2023, Dragusin said: "Gilardino has given us a lot confidence in our abilities, he told us to play with heart and give everything on the pitch."
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Getty ImagesBiggest strengths
Dragusin's best attribute is his ability in the air. At the time of writing, only one player has won more aerial duels than him in Serie A this season, and considering that man is six foot, six inch Hellas Verona striker Milan Duric, it's understandable why the 21-year-old doesn't have the top spot.
Dragusin's heading ability makes him a potent weapon from set-pieces, while his strength would seem to suit him well to the highly-physical Premier League. His love for nitty-gritty defending is also reflected in his clearance numbers, with only two Serie A players completing more thus far during the current campaign.
Dragusin is a highly adept tackler too. Although he is not a particularly active defender – the fact that he plays in the middle of Genoa's back three means he sits deeper than his two flanking team-mates – when he does have to make a challenge, he almost invariably comes out on top. Of the 232 Serie A players who attempted 15-plus tackles in the first half of the season, none had a better success rate (93.8 percent) than him.
The Manchester United defender was at fault for Wahbi Khazri's winning goal on Wednesday as the defending champions were given a wake-up call
The most bittersweet of victories for Tunisia and relief for France. The Africans pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by defeating the reigning champions at a raucous Education City Stadium thanks to Wahbi Khazri's second-half strike.
But their famous victory proved in vain, as Australia progressed to the last 16 instead of them thanks to a 1-0 defeat of Denmark.
France are also through, of course, and as winners of Group D, but Didier Deschamps' lack of strength in reserve was exposed on a night where he had to bring on his big guns to try salvage the game.
GOAL runs through all of the winners from a wild evening in Doha…
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Wahbi Khazri:
Instant immortality for Wahbi Khazri. For all their dominance, Tunisia were toiling in front of goal until the skipper stepped forward and wrote himself into World Cup folklore. It was a hell of a goal, too, with Ellyes Skhiri's tenacity getting the better of Aurelian Tchouameni in the middle of the park before Aissa Laidouni released Khazri. The Tunisia No.10 took care of the rest, surging forward, wrong-footing Raphael Varane before finding the bottom corner with a swing of his left foot. It certainly wasn't the cleanest strike in the world but it was greeted like a World Cup winner…
Tunisia fans:
The noise, my God, the noise. The Tunisia fans had been making quite the racket throughout the game anyway, having turned out in huge numbers to support their side through what looked like a thankless task against the reigning world champions. But when Khazri's goal went in, things just up a notch. The Education City Stadium pretty much exploded in joy. After the frustration of the Australia defeat, this felt like a collective roar of relief. It was their first goal of the tournament but boy was it worth the wait! The shame, of course, is that all proved in vain. Tunisia ultimately paid the price for a poor performance against the Socceroos, but these players were rightly cheered to the rafters at full-time by an immensely proud – and loud – set of supporters.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Deschamps' hopes of resting Mbappe:
We knew beforehand that Kylian Mbappe wouldn't start, given he was nursing a minor knock. However, the hope was among French fans that he would be able to remain on the bench for the duration of the game. Best-laid plans and all that… Mbappe had to be summoned into action after Tunisia sensationally took the lead. He will still likely benefit from having an hour's rest, but the sight of France's best player having to be thrown into the fray did not reflect well on the squad's strength in depth.
France's left-back options:
The tournament-ending injury suffered by Lucas Hernandez in the first half of France's opener against Australia really was a disaster for Deschamps. His decision to bring only one specialist left-back – Lucas' brother, Theo – was queried as soon as the squad was announced. And it could yet prove incredibly costly. Theo Hernandez has been exceptional so far, at least from an offensive perspective (no player has created more chances), but as this game so emphatically underlined, Les Bleus are now one injury away from having to once again play Eduardo Camavinga at left-back. Valiantly as he played here, making umpteen tackles and clearances, the Real Madrid youngster was clearly targeted by the Tunisians. A makeshift left-back is a weakness that would be brutally exposed by even stronger sides later in the competition.
Raphael Varane:
There was no talk before the game of William Saliba carrying an injury, which made his exclusion all the more puzzling. However, the feeling was that Deschamps wanted to give Varane more game time after his recent return to full fitness, and he certainly looked like he needed it given the cumbersome way in which he tried to deal with Khazri. His withdrawal midway through the second half felt like an act of mercy and it would now be a massive surprise if Saliba, who came on his place, has not moved ahead of him in France's central defensive pecking order.
Getty ImagesFrance Ratings: Defence
Steve Mandanda (5/10):
Bizarrely elected to punch the ball clear early on, rather than just claim it with both hands, and just never looked convincing. Questions will be asked about how he was so easily beaten by such a weak strike.
Axel Disasi (5/10):
Unlike Camavinga, he was actually able to get forward down the right flank, but to little effect.
Raphael Varane (4/10):
Made a good clearance during early Tunisian pressure but followed it up with a poor one to Khazri, who stung the palms of Mandanda. On the plus side, more minutes under his belt, but his lack of pace was exposed on the goal.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10):
Given far more to do than he would have expected, making six tackles during the first half alone. One of the few French players to acquit himself reasonably well.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
Selected to start at left-back and made his presence felt early on with a thunderous challenge on Khazri. He had plenty of struggles but he never stopped battling. Deserved to see out the game.
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Getty ImagesMidfield
Youssouf Fofana (4/10):
Struggled horribly to get into the game, so it was no surprise to see him hauled off in the second half.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
One of the few French players capable of holding onto the ball during the first half but he was at fault for the goal.
Jordan Veretout (3/10):
Amazing that he's in the squad, let alone in the starting line up. Lucky to last more than an hour.
Pedri shined to lead Barcelona to an ugly win, and establish a double-digit lead atop La Liga, with Manchester United looming in the Europa League.
It wasn't pretty, but who cares? Pedri grabbed the only goal and starred throughout. While Barcelona missed a few chances, their defensive efforts were enough to secure an ugly 1-0 victory over Villarreal that extends their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to 11 points.
Barcelona avoided any early jitters, with Pedri breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute. The 20-year-old latched onto Robert Lewandowski's flick, before wrong-footing Pepe Reina from close range to finish off a beautiful flowing move from the visitors. Villarreal had a chance to equalise on the brink of half-time, but Jose Luis Morales fired into the side-netting after running through on goal.
The Blaugrana pushed for a second after half-time, with Pedri and Raphinha exchanging good chances. But they failed to double their lead, instead relying on a string of Ronald Araujo clearances to hang on to a precarious 1-0 advantage.
At full-time, Xavi's side celebrated with the passion of a team that knows it could be on the brink of something special. And with Madrid now so far behind, albeit with a game in hand, those joyous scenes seem well-founded.
A new challenge awaits, though. Manchester United are looming in the Europa League knockout play-offs, and for all of Barca's success, they might need a better performance to establish a first-leg lead over a fit and firing side, especially with defensive midfield stalwart Casemiro back in the fold…
GettyThe Winners
Pedri:
Manager Xavi told Pedri to get forward more this season, and the young Spaniard seems to have taken on that advice. Pedri scored the winner on Sunday, giving him six La Liga goals for the season, double his total from last year. And it was a confident finish, too, with Pedri showing no hesitation in slotting the ball into the bottom corner after bursting through on goal. Whether the centre midfielder ever becomes a prolific threat remains to be seen, but his attacking output is already much improved this year. And for a Barca side that needed goals to supplement Robert Lewandowski's total, Pedri's contributions have been vital. If he can maintain the same level against United, it will be very difficult for Erik ten Hag's side to stop him and Barca will have a great chance of progressing to the Europa League's round of 16.
Frenkie de Jong:
Busquets who? With Barca's captain recovering from an ankle injury, De Jong slotted into the Spaniard's defensive-midfield role. And although De Jong is a different type of no.6 from Busquets, he played the position with aplomb. He did all of the physical stuff: flying into tackles, winning headers, cutting passing lanes. But he also offered some quality going forward. De Jong is a more direct passer than Busquets, with a natural creative streak. It was his penchant for progressing the ball that gave Barca some of their best attacking moments, a quality that their usual holding midfielder doesn't always bring.
Xavi:
Could he have expected to be in this position? Barcelona are 11 points clear after 21 games, and haven't lost since October. They have scored the most goals in the league and conceded the fewest. Their young stars, Gavi and Pedri, have only improved. And, crucially, they have managed to navigate a series of injuries to major players. And Xavi surely has to take some of the credit. His tactical adaptability has been vital, and he seems to have the backing of the whole squad. A league title is looking increasingly likely.
AdvertisementGettyThe Losers
Ansu Fati:
Fati has been linked with a Barca exit in recent weeks, and Xavi's handling of the player isn't doing much to quell the rumours. The winger was made to sit on the bench and watch as the out-of-form Ferran Torres came on for the first-choice Raphinha instead of him. Fati has now only played 22 minutes across his last two La Liga games and hasn't scored a goal in the league since October. And with Xavi opting for a more permanent switch to a four-midfielder formation, there's even less room in the squad. Those transfer rumours could turn into reality in a few months.
Raphinha:
Ironically for Fati, the player picked in front of him hasn't exactly set the world alight. Raphinha's Barca career has been marred by inconsistency, with the winger struggling to provide goals and assists with regularity. And Sunday was another forgettable day for the former-Leeds man. Raphinha was impactful for passages, making all the right runs and putting in a shift defensively. But he lacked quality on the ball, highlighted by a poor cross to an open Gavi and a skewed shot that should have put his side 2-0 up. The good news is Xavi seems to have faith in the Brazilian. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts.
Real Madrid:
One day after their biggest win of the season in the Cup World Cup final, Madrid are now forced to confront a harsh reality. Barcelona are now 11 points clear in La Liga, and with Ousmane Dembele due to return soon, they don't have many injury issues to worry about. This game might have been a particularly disheartening one for Los Blancos. Barca weren't very good. They missed chances, made some defensive errors, and should have killed the game in the first half. But they managed to squeak out a win on the road against a very good team. It was the kind of gutsy, drab, league-winning performance that Madrid used to put in. Now they have to watch their fiercest rivals repeating the trick.
Getty ImagesBarcelona Ratings: Defence
Marc Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Didn't have much to do. Very secure on the ball.
Jules Kounde (7/10):
Not his best attacking performance, but very solid defensively.
Ronaldo Araujo (8/10):
Immense at the back. Made three crucial clearances and won all but one of his headers. He's been magnificent in recent weeks.
Andreas Christensen (6/10):
Forming a really impressive partnership with Araujo — a shaky pass or two aside.
Alejandro Balde (7/10):
Balde is absolutely rapid, which is lots of fun to watch. His defensive work was improved, too, as he limited Villarreal's wide threat.
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Getty ImagesMidfield
Franck Kessie (7/10):
Grabbed himself the start and did all of the dirty work very well. A more-than-agreeable stopgap.
Frenkie de Jong (8/10):
Barcelona don't need a new no.6. They already have one.
Pedri (8/10):
Finished off a flowing move with a lovely finish — his sixth goal of the season. Created two further chances in the second half, and was typically classy on the ball.
The NXGN Awards are back for another year, but in 2023, we're doing things a little differently!
In previous years, GOAL has ranked the top teenage talents in world football, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jude Bellingham finishing as the eventual winners.
This year, though, the top 50 men's players will NOT be ranked. Instead, we've selected an elite group that we believe are the very top of the class, who will be known as the inaugural NXGN Nine.
Check out our 50 finalists for NXGN 2023 below:
Getty/GOALArda Guler (Fenerbahce)
Dubbed ‘The Turkish Messi’ in his homeland, Arda has been touted for the top of the game for a number of years, and has shown exactly why since breaking into the Fenerbahce first team in the summer of 2021.
The youngest goalscorer in the club’s history, Arda possesses a dribbling ability and close control that few can match, while his eye for the spectacular has always marked him out as a special talent.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is already a full Turkey international after making his debut in November, and the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all shown an interest in signing him over the past 12 months.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALAndrey Santos (Chelsea – loan at Vasco da Gama)
Chelsea’s policy of spending big to secure some of the world’s most exciting talents has made headlines over the past few months, but their decision to bring Andrey to Stamford Bridge is likely to age very well indeed.
The Blues beat off interest from Barcelona to sign the 18-year-old in January, paying an initial £13 million to Vasco da Gama after the midfielder’s breakout season in the Brazilian second division.
Nicknamed ‘The Brazilian Busquets’, Andrey showed he is more than just your average defensive midfielder when he captained Brazil to their recent U20 South American Championship title, finishing the tournament as the joint-top scorer with six goals, and is currently back on loan in his homeland as he awaits a work permit.
Getty/GOALAngelo Gabriel (Santos)
Not many players can claim to have made their Santos debut at a younger age than the great Pele, but when Angelo stepped off the bench to make his professional bow as a 15-year-old in October 2020, he did just that.
Now 18 and a veteran of over 100 first-team matches, the winger has developed into one of Brazil’s finest young players, leading to the likes of Barcelona and Newcastle showing an interest in signing him.
The youngest goalscorer in the history of the Copa Libertadores, Angelo is most comfortable cutting inside from the right-hand side, and his talents are expected to land him a European move over the next 12 months.
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Getty/GOALStefan Bajcetic (Liverpool)
With Liverpool’s midfield crying out for an injection of energy and quality this season, Bajcetic stepped up in a big way to become almost an automatic selection for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The 18-year-old, whom the Reds beat Manchester United to sign from Celta Vigo in December 2020, has shown an ability to combine excellent defensive instincts with a confidence in possession that belies his lack of experience.
Mohamed Salah recently labelled Bajcetic as Liverpool’s “best player” during their difficult run around the turn of the year, and despite having suffered a season-ending injury, it would now be a surprise were he to lose his place in the team next season, even once the planned summer overhaul of the squad is complete.
It is clear that the Blues' new American owner could learn a thing or two from Madrid's infamous president about how to run a successful football club
Todd Boehly and Florentino Perez might be good friends. Prior to Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash, Blues owner Boehly and Madrid president Florentino Perez met for lunch.
It wasn't their first public hangout, either. The duo attended an LA Dodgers game back in July 2022, with a picture of them smiling gleefully together doing rounds on social media.
It is a strange meeting of minds: the brash, outgoing American capitalist and the stoic, reserved Spanish businessman.
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But Chelsea's new owner might have a thing or two to learn from one of the best in the business. Perez isn't particularly well-liked, but he has overseen immense success at Santiago Bernabeu in his 19 years as president. Although he can be deservedly criticised for some of his moves, notably the support for the European Super League and Madrid's recent ill-advised social media response to Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Perez is the very model of how to run a big club.
And as his side travels to Boehly's Chelsea for the second leg of their Champions League tie — a game Madrid are heavily favoured to win — the clash could well come to be defined by one owner looking to emulate the other.
GOAL takes a look at some of the lessons Boehly can take on from his counterpart, as well as some he should probably ignore…
Real MadridDO: Figure out the best manager for the situation
Outside of Jose Mourinho, Perez has shied away from appointing fine tactical minds at the Bernabeu. Instead, the owner has thrived off employing stern man-managers, the kind of coaches that command respect and opt to foster the right environment for their players to shine rather than utilise intricate setups.
Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane are the epitome of such appointments, the two managers blessed with such talented squads that keeping their stars happy alone was enough to bring immense amounts of success.
These are big-money, big-ego players. And although they are not averse to coaching — the vast improvement of Eduardo Camavinga at left-back stands as an example — Madrid's players thrive when trusted to show their best.
Boehly, on the other hand, doesn't seem to know what kind of manager his side needs. So far, he's fired a fine tactician, before appointing two relatively nice humans to oversee an expensively-assembled squad.
And it is clear that good vibes and smiles alone are not enough to manage a bloated squad full of false nines. Whether Boehly needs an Ancelotti or someone more technical like Julian Nagelsmann remains to be seen.
As Perez has proven, finding the right mould of manager is vital.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDON'T: Abandon the academy
When was the last academy talent that made it big for Real Madrid? La Fabrica, as it is known, has yielded some immense players over the years, but very few have cracked the Madrid line up and stayed there — especially in the last decade.
In fact, Los Blancos, despite their multitude of promising youngsters, hasn't seen an academy player become a first-team stalwart since Iker Casillas came through.
There have been some brief successes in between — Nacho, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, for example, come to mind. But Madrid have largely abandoned an immensely talented academy system and instead looked to sign their young players from elsewhere.
The likes of Achraf Hakimi and Juan Mata were part of the youth system before enjoying success elsewhere. Those two, at various stages, could have been immense additions to the first team.
Chelsea often find themselves doing the same thing, despite arguably having a more complete youth setup. Jamal Musiala was lost to Bayern Munich before he could break into the first team, while Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham were sent away after enjoying some success in the senior side. Mason Mount has subsequently seen himself phased out of the side, and now looks likely to leave this summer.
It is, of course, difficult to predict how good a young player will be, especially when the names ahead of them are world class. But Boehly needs to ignore Perez's disregard for youth talent and try to hold onto the big guns, even if that means letting them initially go on loan.
Getty ImagesDO: Sell at the right time
Real Madrid are ruthless in the transfer market. Although their fans are fiercely loyal to their players while they're in the spotlight, Perez has shown little sentiment in selling his biggest stars, especially when they're no longer essential to his side.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain were all let go when they either wanted to leave or were deemed surplus to requirements. The club have also been intelligent in handing out contracts. Sergio Ramos, for example, was shown the door when it became clear that his best days were gone.
Chelsea, on the other hand, don't really sell. At least, not at the right time. While they enjoyed healthy returns for Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea have a mixed record of getting rid of players.
And it's a crucial period for the Blues to start slashing the squad. Boehly has dragged the club into deep financial trouble with his spending and will need to offload a number of first-team regulars to get anywhere near balancing his side's books.
Boehly has been cool and welcoming. It's now time for him to be ruthless.
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Getty ImagesDON'T: Fall out with pretty much every other owner
Perez isn't exactly the most popular guy, and he seems to like it that way.
The Madrid owner happily plays the role of supervillain, throwing his club's weight around with little caution. It's a pattern that stretches all the way back to the beginning of his Madrid tenure, when he pinched Luis Figo from Barcelona in his first big move as club president.
That was the start of the Galactico era, when Madrid went about signing some of the biggest names in European football without abandon, luring the likes of Ronaldo, David Beckham and Michael Owen to the Bernabeu.
His policy of bringing in one massive name every summer drew the ire of other owners around Europe, with Perez's perceived arrogance making him an immensely unpopular figure outside of Madrid.
Boehly is veering dangerously down that road already. Some of his ideas, such as holding a Premier League All-Star game, have already been met with great skepticism. He'd be best advised to avoid them.
Karim Benzema concluded his Real Madrid career in style, scoring the equaliser in a home draw against Athletic Club.
The legendary striker converted from the spot to salvage an otherwise underwhelming Madrid performance, helping Los Blancos snatch a 1-1 draw against a lively Athletic Club side.
The visitors could've taken the lead inside 10 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a Toni Kroos handball, but Thibaut Courtois made a full stretch to keep things level early on. The home side threatened sparingly for the remainder of the first half, although Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo both came close.
Oihan Sancet changed things, though, lifting the ball over Courtois after a scrappy sequence to give Athletic Club a 1-0 lead just after the break. But Benzema grabbed his obligatory goal to level things, smashing home from the spot after a dubious decision gave Madrid a penalty. He was substituted shortly after to the adulation of 61,000 Madridistas.
It was a season to forget for Madrid, who will finish at least 10 points behind league winners Barcelona, but they did at least finish ahead of arch-rivals Atletico, who drew 2-2 with Villarreal in their final game.
Still, Sunday was about celebrating a club legend, one that will make a rumoured move to Saudi Arabia having bagged 354 goals and won every possible trophy in the Spanish capital. Madrid won't be the same without him.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Santiago Bernabeu…
GettyGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Made an excellent save from a spot-kick early on. Made another vital one-on-one stop in the second half. Could perhaps have done better on the goal.
Dani Carvajal (5/10):
Did a lot of running, but was lacking in his final ball and could've seen red for a very poor challenge.
Eder Militao (6/10):
Won the penalty that Benzema eventually scored. A bit shaky at the back again. He will benefit from a summer break.
Nacho (7/10):
A solid performance at centre-back from a player who could yet leave this summer. A good servant of the club over the years.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Another left-back run out. More natural in the middle.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesMidfield
Toni Kroos (7/10):
Pinged it around, completed the most passes on the pitch and created two chances. Blasted one over at the death.
Dani Ceballos (5/10):
Dispossessed in the run-up to the Athletic opener. A few nice moments but short of ideas creatively. Unsure if he will be handed a new contract.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
Will have been glad to start in centre-midfield. Won the ball a lot, but also made a few mistakes in possession.
Getty ImagesAttack
Rodrygo (7/10):
A real mixed bag on the day. Created well for Benzema, but missed a late chance that would've won it.
Karim Benzema (8/10):
Scored in his final game in a Madrid shirt. Everything else is sort of irrelevant.
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
Electric on the left, combined well with Benzema in his last game. Baffling that he didn't win a penalty after being shoved over in the box in the second half.
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GettySubs & Manager
Marco Asensio (6/10):
Given half an hour to impress in his final Madrid appearance. Standing ovation when subbed.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Anchored the midfield, but didn't get involved in play too much.
Luka Modric (N/A):
A lively cameo.
Lucas Vazquez (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):
Put out a near-full-strength lineup despite the relative unimportance of the game. And it was a familiar showing. Madrid lacked ideas in the final third and conceded a preventable goal early in the second half. He was bailed out by Benzema one last time.
Vlatko Andonovski unleashed some surprises in his team's World Cup opener, so expect changes for the group-stage encounter
The United States women's national team's 2023 World Cup introduction was something of a soft launch. They were welcomed to New Zealand by an overmatched, but game, Vietnam team. What resulted was a dominant USWNT win, a 3-0 victory that could, and should, have been a lot heavier.
Their next outing, though, will look different. Their second game isn't against a minnow Vietnam, but rather the team they beat in the World Cup final four years ago in France. Game two comes against the Netherlands, and the U.S. will have to show what this team is and can be at this tournament.
There's no room for error against the Netherlands, a team that will certainly know what they're in for here. This is a new Netherlands team, but also a very new USWNT squad. We got a glimpse of that U.S. team against Vietnam, although the group's true best XI is still a bit of a mystery due to Vlatko Andonovski's rotations.
So how does he line up the USWNT in this one? Were his opening game surprises a sign of things to come or a pre-planned rotation? GOAL takes a look at how the USWNT should line up on Wednesday against the Netherlands…
Please enable Javascript to view this contentGetty ImagesGK: Alyssa Naeher
No need to go too deep for this one as Naeher is the starter. She did next to nothing in the opener, but could be key here against a Netherlands team that should be able to create against the U.S.
AdvertisementGettyLB: Crystal Dunn
At times, it feels like she's being held back at left-back due to her ability to get forward, but you do have to acknowledge how important Dunn is to this USWNT.
Against Vietnam, she wasn't quite as effective as she could have been, although this Netherlands match will be a different type of game. Her defensive capabilities will surely be tested in this one after having very little to do in that area of the game last time out.
GettyCB: Naomi Girma
The World Cup debut is out of the way, and it was a good one. This, though, will be Girma's first real test. She did what she needed to do against Vietnam, which was almost exclusively clean-up duty. In this game, she'll certainly be tested early and often as the Netherlands will no doubt look to go at the young center-back.
She hasn't seemed overawed yet since arriving on the international stage. On Wednesday, she'll really get the chance to show what she's made of.
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CB: Alana Cook
It was something of a shock to see Cook benched against Vietnam but, in hindsight, it's understandable. With just two primary center-backs in the squad, it makes sense to get rest where you can, even if it's the opening game.
Cook, then, will be fit and ready for this one. She'll be eager for her first World Cup start after seeing Julie Ertz given the chance to partner Girma last time out.
Could Ertz start in this spot again? Definitely. She did well against Vietnam and, given her experience, it may be useful to have a veteran back there. Still, we'll go with Cook, a natural center-back, given the opponent.
Alisha Lehmann was spotted partying with boyfriend Douglas Luiz & Aston Villa team-mate Noelle Maritz on a rare weekend off.
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Article continues below
Article continues below
Lehmann partying with partner LuizHad a gala time at a posh pubVilla team-mate Maritz joined the duoWHAT HAPPENED?
The Swiss superstar let her hair down during a fun evening at a nightclub along with a few of her close buddies and beau Luiz. She was celebrating the birth anniversary of Gustavo Santos and posted an image with the birthday boy and Luiz.
@alishalehmann7 Instagram
Maritz was also one of the party-goers and she posted a separate picture of the group.
Lehmann and Luiz seemingly rekindled their romance in 2024 after they parted ways in November 2022 due to a rumoured disagreement over a calendar issue. Both Lehmann and Luiz shared a photo embracing each other on their Instagram Stories, accompanied by affectionate emojis, indicating that the pair have rediscovered the spark.
DID YOU KNOW?
Luiz initially posted the picture with a love heart emoji, which Lehmann later reposted with additional love heart and red rose emojis. And the recent party pictures only reaffirm that the two Villa players have indeed mended their relationship.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Lehmann is enjoying a rare weekend off from the pitch. After beating Brighton in the FA WSL Cup quarter-final, they are set for a mini-break of 10 days and the player seems to be making the most of it. She will return to action on February 18 in a league fixture against Tottenham.
GOAL's guide to watch every Xtreme Football League game live and on-demand this season
Editors choice
ESPN+
ESPN+ hold the exclusive rights to live stream all XFL games across 2024.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous stream: 3
DVR capabilities: No
Monthly from
$9.99
Get ESPN+Best value
Hulu
You can access ESPN+ via Hulu with their Trio Bundle that also gives access to Disney+
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$12.99
Get HuluBest TV provider
DirecTV
Built-in installation or stream via the internet via DirecTV stream.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVCheapest choice
Sling TV
ESPN is available via the Sling Orange plan with a host of other news and entertainment channels.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
DVR capabilities: 50 hrs
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TVEditors choice
ESPN+
ESPN+ hold the exclusive rights to live stream all XFL games across 2024.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous stream: 3
DVR capabilities: No
Monthly from
$9.99
Get ESPN+Best value
Hulu
You can access ESPN+ via Hulu with their Trio Bundle that also gives access to Disney+
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$12.99
Get HuluBest TV provider
DirecTV
Built-in installation or stream via the internet via DirecTV stream.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVCheapest choice
Sling TV
ESPN is available via the Sling Orange plan with a host of other news and entertainment channels.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
DVR capabilities: 50 hrs
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TVEditors choice
ESPN+
ESPN+ hold the exclusive rights to live stream all XFL games across 2024.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous stream: 3
DVR capabilities: No
Monthly from
$9.99
Get ESPN+Best value
Hulu
You can access ESPN+ via Hulu with their Trio Bundle that also gives access to Disney+
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$12.99
Get HuluBest TV provider
DirecTV
Built-in installation or stream via the internet via DirecTV stream.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 20
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVCheapest choice
Sling TV
ESPN is available via the Sling Orange plan with a host of other news and entertainment channels.
Installation required: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
DVR capabilities: 50 hrs
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TV
The XFL has been a bit of a phantom football league over the years, with a rocky history following its first inception in 2001. 2023 has seen the first successful season of the XFL, and we can’t wait to see what the 2024 season will bring.
A minor football league with allot of promise, Arlington Renegades cinched the first championship from DC defenders during the 2023 XFL season final. Meanwhile, a stunning performance by Quarter back Jordan Ta’amu last season saw him cinch XFL’s Offensive player of the year.
We’re cautiously optimistic that the XFL will continue to be an anticipated regular in our calendar, with plenty more games to come if you're a football fan. So, keep reading for our guide to watch and live streaming the XFL and re-watching all the best touchdowns from the 2023 season.
What TV channels have the rights to the XFL?
Coverage of the XFL in the United States is split across ESPN, ABC and FX. The easiest way to catch the action will be through ESPN+ who will simulcast all matches from the moment the season gets underway on February 18 2024.
Monthly subscription only $9.99/mo
Comprehensive coverage of the XFL season.ESPN+Watch the XFL with ESPN+ today!
Why ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a must have for anyone wanting every XFL game, as each match will air on ESPN+ live and on-demand. Fans will also get to enjoy it's other great features, such as extensive sports archives, is bringing out a new tennis documentary called “Player 54: Chasing the XFL dream”, a nine-part docuseries following the XFL through the ups and downs of the 2023 season.
Subscriptions and pricingMonthly – $9.99/moAnnual – $99.99/yrDisney Bundle (comes with Hulu and Disney+) – $12.99/mo
The Disney bundle is the best value for money, as you get ESPN+ content with Disney and Hulu on top for only $3 extra, which gives you plenty of additional entertainment.However, if you're wanting to keep your subscriptions lean and sports focussed, you can have all your XFL content for only $9.99/mo.
Start an ESPN+ subscription todayFind the best dealsIncludes ESPN+ with subscription
Best all in one streaming serviceHulu +Live TVGetty Images / GOALSign up to Hulu + Live TV today.
Why Hulu?
Hulu+Live TV is a streaming service that includes your must have XFL channels and services, that's ESPN and ESPN2, ESPN+, FX, as well as ABC. That’s all your nationally broadcast XFL games and an impressive amount of additional live sports coverage on top. With ESPN+ included in subscription, you have full access to the ESPN+ archives, hundreds of hours of historic sports content and playbacks if you want to watch game highlights.
Base packageHulu (With Ads) + Live TV, Disney+ (With Ads) and ESPN+ (With Ads) for $69.99/month.
The service has unlimited cloud storage, so you never have to miss the action. It also allows you to stream on up to 2 screens simultaneously and is compatible with plenty of TV systems, including iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV & Fire Stick, Apple TV (4th gen), Chromecast, Xbox One & Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Samsung (select TV models), LG (select TV models), and Nintendo Switch.
RELATED: How to watch live sports on Hulu
Watch ESPN+ with Hulu + Live TVFind the best dealsGet your first month of subscription half price
Best value subscription packagesSling TVGetty Images / GOALWatch the XFL through Sling TV
Why Sling TV
Sling is one of the best value internet streaming providers on the market. So, if you’re on a wanting XFL channels as part of a budget friendly TV subscription, it’s worth considering.
Sling Orange ($40/mo) – ½ price on the first month for new users
Sling Blue($45/mo) – ½ price on the first month for new users
Sling Orange + Blue($55/mo)
Orange is Sling TV’s sports package. It provides a slimmed down channel line-up; however, it features ESPN and ESPN2 which gives you a good amount of XFL coverage. For access to FX and ABC as well, you’ll need a combined orange and blue subscription for $55/mo. Combined subscription gets you all the must have broadcast networks for live XFL coverage.
RELATED:How to watch live sports on Sling TV: soccer live stream and more
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Includes regional sports networks and discounted Peacock Premium subscription
Best streaming service for all in one sports coverageDirecTVWatch the XFL on DirecTV
Why DirecTV?
DirectTV is a premium service provider, that offers both a satellite and DirecTV stream service for anyone wanting to cable cut. All four DirecTV subscriptions feature the must have broadcast networks for XFL coverage, that’s ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and FX.
You will have all the live XFL content you need to watch your favorite teams with the Entertainment package, however if you want maximum sports and entertainment channels in your line-up, it’s worth browsing DirectTV’s higher subscriptions.
The variety of regional sports networks available through the DirecTV stream or satellite service is also extensive which makes it a great option if you’re a fan of local teams across sports. To find what regional networks will be available in your area, just type in your ZIP code to receive your Local Regional Sports Network Information.
Extras
Peacock premium
However, Peacock Premium is available at a discounted price ($3.99/Month) through DirecTV, which is great for those wanting even more entertainment through the satellite service.
Start a DirecTV subscription today
RELATED:How to watch live sports on DirectTV
Start a DirecTV subscription todayFind the best deals