Declan Rice has admitted that David Beckham was the inspiration behind his long-range goal that started Arsenal's comeback against Chelsea on Satuday.
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The Spanish shot-stopper is an upgrade on the England international, who would be wise to start looking for a way out of Emirates Stadium
Arsenal returned to the Champions League stage after a six-year absence in spectacular fashion, thrashing Eredivisie giants PSV 4-0 in front of a packed out home crowd. Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard all got on the scoresheet to wrap up a comprehensive victory, but the Gunners did not have everything their own way.
PSV managed 12 shots at goal in the match, including four on target – but David Raya kept them all out. He also plucked a number of dangerous crosses out of the air as he commanded his box impressively, and launched many of Arsenal's attacks with his superb distribution.
Raya had to wait for his chance after joining the Gunners on loan from Brentford in the summer, but he has now started ahead of Aaron Ramsdale in two successive matches, recording back-to-back clean sheets. If Mikel Arteta opts for the 28-year-old ahead of Ramsdale again when Arsenal host Tottenham in the north London derby, it will confirm a permanent changing of the guard.
Ramsdale played a key role in the Gunners' return to the top four last season, and would have every right to feel frustrated if he does indeed lose his spot to Raya. But it would be the right decision from Arteta, who must be ruthless to take his team to the next level and deliver some long-awaited silverware.
Liverpool have made an enquiry about Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe but the ‘sense is’ it isn’t a deal they can do this summer.
That’s according to Chris Winterburn, a journalist for Marca, who revealed the Reds would have to sell one of their current stars to make a move possible.
As Winterburn’s report notes, Mbappe is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Parc des Princes, meaning he has the right to a leave on a free transfer next summer.
The Frenchman’s statistics at PSG are breathtaking, with 132 goals and 61 assists in 171 appearances.
Last season, he scored 42 in all competitions and finished as top scorer in Ligue 1 with 27, seven clear of nearest challenger Memphis Depay.
Even though his deal is winding down, he’s valued at a whopping £144million by Transfermarkt.
According to Marca, Liverpool have sounded out the possibility of a transfer, albeit ‘more out of hope than expectation’.
The Reds would probably need to sell Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane to raise sufficient funds for the move.
PSG, the report adds, won’t countenance a sale this summer simply to ‘avoid the financial loss’ of the 22-year-old departing on a free transfer.
While there would be no transfer fee per se in 2022, if indeed Mbappe chooses not to extend his stay in the French capital, the move would still involve a signing on-fee, payments to agents and potentially the highest salary in world football.
Liverpool ‘can’t afford’ to meet Mbappe’s demands, ‘nor would they want to’.
Mbappe to Liverpool seems likely to remain in the realm of fantasy. Even if Salah or Mane were to be sold, which feels unlikely in itself, the Reds know that making the move would probably obliterate their wage structure.
The Reds might find themselves anxiously watching on, praying Mbappe doesn’t end up in the hands of one of their rivals, with perhaps the best case scenario a move to Real Madrid – rather than the likes of Manchester City or Chelsea.
He’s so good that, with the right team assembled around him, he could be at the dominant figure over the next decade of football, much in the same way Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been.
For now, Reds fans will have to take links with the superstar with a bucketload of salt.
In other news, fans react as an exciting image emerges.
Neymar has delivered a sarcastic response to questions of the standard that he will be playing at after leaving PSG for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
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GOAL takes a look at how the U.S. could line up, including a difficult decision up top.
It's not often that you see a team on four points, fresh off a six-goal win, facing a must-win game. And yet here the U.S. men's national team is, knowing that their path to another Gold Cup trophy may just need another three points, and a few more goals, on Sunday evening.
The U.S. heads into the match with Trinidad and Tobago with a chance to win their group. Win without Jamaica making up three goals in their all-but-assured clash with St. Kitts and Nevis and the U.S. is good. A draw, though, leaves the U.S. second in the group, most likely. A loss? Well, that would be another dark, dark day at the hands of the Soca Warriors as the USMNT would almost certainly crash out.
Winning the group is vital. Whoever finishes top will be placed on the opposite side of the bracket from Mexico, a team that very much looks like the favorites. The second-place team, though, would get El Tri in the semis in what will almost certainly be a marquee match.
Because of that, B.J. Callaghan can't quite mess around in this game. He can rotate, sure, and he can play some younger players against a T&T team that should be pretty overmatched. But the U.S. can't get complacent, especially knowing that goal difference could easily come into play.
So, how does Callaghan handle it? How hard does he push for a top-of-the-group finish? And which players, ultimately, give the U.S. the best chance of achieving exactly that? GOAL takes a look…
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has made a dream start to life in Florida with the help of a guiding hand from a Manchester United legend
Lionel Messi is the new face of MLS. That was always going to be the case when he confirmed Inter Miami as his next destination after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but he showed the move is not just a marketing stunt in his first two competitive outings for his new club.
Messi marked his debut in a Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul by scoring a trademark 94th-minute free-kick to snap Miami's 11-match winless streak, and followed that memorable introduction up with a stunning brace in a 4-0 rout against Atlanta United. Messi fever has taken hold in America, and no one is enjoying it more than Miami co-owner David Beckham.
When Miami were awarded a MLS expansion spot in 2018, Beckham pledged to build the best team in the competition, before adding: "I think Miami needs a star. You have to realise the audience we have and Miami would expect us to bring in a star. That’s what we plan on doing."
At the time, Messi was still very much a one-club man lighting up European football at Barcelona. But Miami stepped up an ambitious bid to make him their 'star' man when his happy marriage with the Blaugrana began to turn sour in 2020.
"I spent three years. A year and a half, very intensely," Miami's managing owner Jorge Mas recently told when quizzed on negotiations with Messi. "I saw it done at the end of May. Beckham talked with Leo, only about football issues, because he was playing. I didn't want him to feel pressured. We've talked in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, Doha… I spent the entire World Cup in Qatar, watching Argentina."
MLS commissioner Don Garber has added on Beckham's role in the deal: "It’s just not often that things align, and you deliver on the things you say you’re going to deliver. I think that’s cool. David is a special guy. People don’t understand how smart David Beckham is, how thoughtful he is and how hard-working he is."
It's safe to say that Messi would not be in MLS right now if it wasn't for Beckham. And his blossoming friendship with the Argentine great is also bringing joy to supporters across the United States and beyond.
Leeds United are reportedly among a number of clubs interested in signing Liverpool youngster Neco Williams in the summer transfer window.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold the Reds’ undisputed first-choice right-back, the Welshman’s first team chances on Merseyside appear slim moving forward.
For that reason, Liverpool are reportedly willing to sell Williams this summer, with £10m enough for prospective suitors to prise him away from Anfield.
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According to Goal’s Neil Jones, Leeds are eyeing up a move for the 20-year-old, with Southampton and Wolves also showing an interest.
Williams has won 13 caps for Wales and is currently playing at Euro 2020, starting in his country’s 1-0 defeat against Italy on Sunday.
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Eventually Leeds will have to start thinking about replacing Luke Ayling, with the Whites hero turning 30 in August.
Williams could be someone who fills that void, possessing top-level experience at Liverpool and looking like a player who should mature over time. One particular performance for Wales in March led to him being described as “majestic” by Wales Online reporter Paul Abbandonato, hinting at the promise the 20-year-old boasts.
His energy levels should suit Marcelo Bielsa’s style down to the ground and he averaged one tackle and interception apiece per game in the Premier League last season, showing that he can defend when required. All things considered, he could be a worthy addition at Elland Road.
In other news, Leeds have suffered a setback in their quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.
Raphinha scored and assisted, while Robert Lewandowski was among the goals for the second straight game to lift Barcelona past 10-man Real Betis
After a week in which his name continuously popped up in transfer talks, Raphinha looked a player who wanted to fight for his place at the club. The Brazilian had a hand in two goals as Barcelona returned to form with a 4-0 win over Real Betis.
Andreas Christensen opened the scoring for the Blaugrana, meeting Raphinha's cross with a well-taken header. Lewandowski added a second, turning in Jules Kounde's delivery for his 19th league goal of the season.
The decisive third came before half-time, with Raphinha bagging his first goal since early March.
A Guido Rodriguez own goal made it four in a second half of relatively few chances. Still, Xavi's side dominated possession and were able to introduce youngster Lamine Yamal for his first-team debut.
It was a welcome win for a team that has struggled of late. Barcelona have wrapped up La Liga at this point and will want to close out the season in style. This was a performance that suggested they can do just that.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Camp Nou…
An ineffective Paris Saint-Germain created little and were made to pay by a clinical Lyon in their fifth Ligue 1 loss of 2023.
The boos rang around Parc des Princes at full-time as Lionel Messi strolled off the pitch. And PSG's notoriously passionate ultras had reason aplenty to be upset. They had put up with a miserable Paris showing, watching their World Cup winner unceremoniously exit after turning in a drab showing in a 1-0 loss to a mid-table Lyon side.
There is unlikely to be much jeopardy in the rest of PSG's season. They have a healthy lead atop Ligue 1, and after being bounced from both the cup and Champions League, are only expected to see out the campaign.
But that doesn't mean it's not without drama. Messi has been linked with a sensational return to Barcelona, and parts of the Paris crowd made their feelings known about their superstar with constant jeers. And his team didn't do much to help him, either.
Lyon took the lead in the second half, with substitute Bradley Barcola sneaking in at the back post to finish a sweeping counter-attack — a deserved opener from a well-drilled opponent.
The last time PSG went behind at home, they were ineffective in their search for an equaliser. And it was the same case here. Manager Christophe Galtier made a few attacking changes, while Messi picked up pockets of space. But the Parisians rarely tested Anthony Lopes, with a deflected strike that required a diving stop the closest PSG came to a real threat.
PSG will likely still see out the league, and were done a favour by Montpellier, who scraped a point against Marseille on Friday. But it's not going to be pretty, especially if these performances continue.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Parc des Princes…
How to watch Croatia vs Wales in the Euro 2024 qualification stage from the US, as well as kick-off time and team news.
Croatiawill take on Walesin their EURO 2024 qualificationopener at Stadion Poljud in Split on Saturday.
After guiding Croatia to a third-place finish in the World Cup, Luka Modric will be back in action for the Checkered Ones along with another veteran Ivan Perisic. They have never lost a match against the Dragons and have won three successive games since a 1-1 draw in 2002.
Meanwhile, Wales are set to embark on a new journey without Gareth Bale in the squad, leaving coach Robert Page with some rebuilding to do. Both teams are the prime contenders to finish the group on top, which also comprises Turkey, Armenia and Latvia.
GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier fixture plus team news, recent form and more.