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The Athletic | Football
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Every football story that matters. Breaking news. In-depth analysis.

🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic
We have the last four of the Carabao Cup.

Who do you think will be lifting the trophy this season?
December 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Arsenal: ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅
Crystal Palace: ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅❌

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 8-7 on penalties and progress to the Carabao Cup semi-finals ➡️
December 23, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Arsenal looked set for the Carabao Cup semi-finals after Maxence Lacroix's own goal gave Mikel Arteta's side the lead.

But Marc Guehi's equaliser in added time for Crystal Palace means the tie will be decided on penalties.
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Spotted during Senegal's win over Botswana.

We couldn't tell you who they're supporting.
December 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Robert Lewandowski’s contract with Barcelona expires in the summer, and the expectation is that he will leave on a free.

@conor-oneill.bsky.social looks at who could replace him:

🇦🇷 Julian Alvarez
🇧🇷 Evanilson
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Harry Kane
🇪🇸 Samu Aghehowa

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
December 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Chelsea have made an initial enquiry about signing Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo in January.

Full story from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
December 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all playing with 'wide players' — or are they?

The leading Premier League teams are getting narrower — as @zonal-marking.bsky.social explains...

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
December 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Arne Slot is confident that Alexander Isak will be able to play again this season after the Sweden international underwent surgery on a fractured fibula.

More from @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social ⤵️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
December 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Dominic Calvert-Lewis has scored six goals from a tiny part of the pitch — the smallest goalscoring area of any player in Europe this season.

@thom-harris.bsky.social breaks down why he is so effective at creating chances there.

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
December 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🟣 Can Aston Villa defy the data?
⚪️ Leeds' strong summer research pays off
🐝 Kelleher's phenomenal penalty record

@markcarey93.bsky.social & @conor-oneill.bsky.social bring you five tactical trends to look out for over Christmas

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Mohamed Salah scores the winner in added time for Egypt against Zimbabwe.

The seven-time African champions went down 1-0 in the first half after Prince Dube opened the scoring.

But goals from Omar Marmoush, and then Liverpool's Salah, won the game for Egypt.
December 22, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Egypt finally get the better of Washington Arubi.

Zimbabwe had managed to keep the Egyptians at bay, but Manchester City's Omar Marmoush finds an equaliser.
December 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
A frustrating half for Egypt.

Not only have they failed to score from their 17 shots, but they are 1-0 down after conceding to Zimbabwe's Prince Dube.
December 22, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Zimbabwe take the lead against Egypt.

The seven-time African champions have had a few half-chances, but it's Prince Dube who gives Zimbabwe the advantage.
December 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
For the first time in 21 years, South Africa win their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Burnley's Lyle Foster scored the winner for Bafana Bafana against Angola.
December 22, 2025 at 6:59 PM
For every neutral fan criticising Cristian Romero, there will be countless Tottenham fans defending him.

But even his most ardent advocates would find it hard to defend his latest moment of petulance.

📝 @eliasburke.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
December 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Patson Daka equalised in the second minute of added time to give Zambia a point against Mali.

The celebration for the Leicester City striker did not go to plan though...
December 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Despite being 2-0 down at half-time to Newcastle United, Enzo Maresca stuck to his game plan — because he knew the hosts would eventually tire out...

🎙️ @jonmackenzie.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Hosts Morocco get off to a winning start at AFCON, beating Comoros 2-0 in Rabat.

Ayoub El Kaabi scored a magnificent overhead kick for Morocco's second, a very early contender for goal of the tournament.
December 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
AFCON is underway in Morocco and the hosts had a golden opportunity to take an early lead against Comoros from the penalty spot.

Soufiane Rahimi stepped up, but his effort was saved by Yannick Pandor.
December 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Two outstanding goals from Morgan Rogers secure all three points for Aston Villa against Manchester United.

Unai Emery's side record 10 consecutive wins in all competitions and are three points off Premier League leaders Arsenal.
December 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑣𝑠. 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑... 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔."

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers is having quite a game vs. Manchester United and quite the season so far.
December 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Morgan Rogers has been involved in nine goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances.

His latest strike was an absolute peach — giving Aston Villa the lead against Manchester United.

Unfortunately for Unai Emery's side, Matheus Cunha equalised for the visitors minutes later.
December 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Relief.

After losing his first four games in charge of Celtic, Wilfried Nancy has his first victory.

Benjamin Nygren, Kieran Tierney & James Forrest scored the goals in a 3-1 win over Aberdeen.
December 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Chelsea put nine past Liverpool in the Women's League Cup.

Sonia Bompastor's side were 4-0 up at half-time, with Sam Kerr getting a brace, and added another five in the second half, including a hat-trick from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

They will face Manchester City in the semi-finals.
December 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM