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Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates after scoring during a Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Man Utd blow lead three times in 4-4 Bournemouth thriller

Manchester United have blown a golden chance to move up the Premier League ranks, throwing away the lead three times to a defiant Bournemouth side in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

AFP

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 07: Tameka Yallop of Brisbane Roar suffers an injury during the round six A-League Women match between Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium, on December 07, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/Getty Images)

Yallop to miss Asian Cup as Canberra go top

Tameka Yallop’s cruel injury curse continues as the Matildas midfielder suffers another hamstring setback just weeks after her comeback.

George Al-Akiki

Manchester City's Erling Haaland applauds supporters after the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City in London, Sunday, Dec.14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

City, Villa keep heat on Arsenal as Spurs fall to Ange’s old side

Arsenal are still the leaders in the EPL title race, but the chasers in Manchester City and Aston Villa aren’t far behind as Tottenham received a sobering reality check against Nottingham Forest.

AFP

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 13: Juan Mata of the Victory in action during the round eight A-League Men match between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United at AAMI Park on December 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

The Tackle: Mata has last laugh over ‘embarrassing’ Wanderers

Former EPL star Juan Mata was the spark Melbourne Victory needed against Adelaide, just hours after his former club WSW played one of the A-League’s most dour ever games.

Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde

TOPSHOT - Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 13, 2025. Liverpool won the match 2-0. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Slot laughs off farewell game whispers for Salah after tirade

Arne Slot has declared there is “no issue to resolve” with Mohamed Salah after the forward helped Liverpool beat Brighton following his explosive criticism of the club.

AFP

Will Ferdinand Cvek is in Barcelona's junior system

The Melbourne-born teen who has world football giants circling

Melbourne-born teenager Will Ferdinand Cvek has emerged as one of world football’s brightest talents, with the Socceroos to battle giants including England for his international allegiance.

Erin Smith and TalkSport

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 13: Nikos Vergos of the Victory celebrates scoring a goal during the round eight A-League Men match between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United at AAMI Park on December 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Vergos ends drought with brace in original derby win

Melbourne Victory striker Nikos Vergos has ended his marathon scoring drought in emphatic fashion by helping himself to a brace in his team’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United at AAMI Park.

Ronny Lerner

Football angerFootball

Stuart Ritchie and his son Jack at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Photo: supplied Stuart Ritchie

FIFA slammed as Aussie fan’s bill hits $35k to attend World Cup

Socceroos fan Stuart Ritchie has attended every FIFA World Cup since ‘06, but he says he’s forking out ‘triple’ the price to attend in 2026, dropping $35,000 to attend with his son.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Alana Jancevski of Melbourne Victory in action during the round six A-League Women match between Melbourne Victory and Canberra United at Home of the Matildas, on December 05, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Victory ‘bleeds success’: This star knows that better than most

She’s been a fan, an opponent and is now a star for her beloved Melbourne Victory. So when it comes to facing the club’s traditional rival, Alana Jancevski knows just how much it means.

Chloe Logarzo-Berryhill returns for the Wanderers

From Italy to Sydney: Logarzo makes last-ditch Matildas bid

Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo-Berryhill has made the move from Italy to the A-League’s in a bid to earn selection in the Asian Cup squad.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 07: Tameka Yallop of Brisbane Roar suffers an injury during the round six A-League Women match between Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium, on December 07, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/Getty Images)

Yallop headed for surgery, Asian Cup dream all but over

Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop’s Asian Cup hopes are all but dashed with the veteran headed to surgery on her injured hamstring.

Stuart Ritchie and his son Jack at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Photo: supplied Stuart Ritchie

FIFA slammed as Aussie fan’s bill hits $35k to attend World Cup

Socceroos fan Stuart Ritchie has attended every FIFA World Cup since ‘06, but the Aussie says he’s forking out ‘triple’ the price to attend in 2026, dropping $35,000 to attend with his son.

Italian Fifa President Gianni Infantino shows the card reading FIFA during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Jia Haocheng / POOL / AFP)

‘Extortionate’, ‘astronomical’: Fans call out World Cup ticket prices

Football fans has demanded FIFA halt World Cup ticket sales after prices soared to five times Qatar 2022 levels, with supporters facing eye-watering prices for tickets.

AFP

Kusini Yengi of the Socceroos warms up prior to the Round 3 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park on November 14, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Mariners’ audacious, ‘unrealistic’, Socceroo bid falls flat

Central Coast Mariners have failed in an audacious bid to bring a Socceroo back to the A-League, as rivals Sydney FC wrap their own star striker in cotton wool.

Robbie Slater and Marco Monteverde

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 08: Melissa Taranto of Adelaide United and Mackenzie Hawkesby of Sydney FC during the round two A-League Women match between Adelaide United and Sydney FC at ServiceFM Stadium, on November 08, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Jobs quit, no place to live: Impact of ‘scary’ Western United collapse

It took a heavy toll on not only herself, but her family and friends as well, now Melissa Taranto has found a silver lining to the ‘scary’ Western United collapse.

FIFA WORLD CUPFootball

Participants in swimsuit wave a rainbow flag as they ride on a float during the LGBT Pride parade in Barcelona on July 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PAU BARRENA

A World Cup Pride match was planned then Iran, Egypt were drawn

Two Islamic nations face a showdown with FIFA over plans to turn their World Cup fixture into an LGBTQ+ celebration.

FootballThe Times Sport

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino react during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

FIFA indulged Messi, Ronaldo and Trump. Is it any wonder there’s no trust?

It may not be fair that the USA’s ‘easy’ World Cup draw has invited suspicion, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino and co have brought this all on themselves with previous self-serving acts

Martin Samuel

Premier LeagueFootball

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Rayan Cherki during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sunderland at Etihad Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Kate McShane/Getty Images)

Was this the best piece of skill this season? – Ignore Pep and keep on breaking legs, Mr Cherki

VIDEO | Watch this Rabona from the Manchester City midfielder in their win against Sunderland and try to tell me that was not the most magical moment of the Premier League season (so far).

Josh Whittington

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks on as Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, is seen during a Liverpool Training Session at AXA Training Centre on December 08, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

‘No right’: Prickly Slot confirms Reds retaliation after Salah rant

A defensive Arne Slot admits he was “surprised” by Mo Salah’s explosive rant but has refused to say whether the star has played his final game for Liverpool.

The Sun

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 07: Yuan Cong of the Wanderers is challenged by (L-R) Caley Tallon-Henniker, Kirsty Fenton and Abbey Lemon of Sydney FC during the round six A-League Women match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium, on December 07, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Six years and counting… but not all doom and gloom for Wanderers

The Western Sydney Wanderers remain cursed in Sydney derbies, but they weren’t far away against their rivals. Catch up on the weekend of action here.

George Al-Akiki

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10:Socceroo supporters during the third round FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and China PR at Adelaide Oval on October 10, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Every game: Download your 2026 World Cup draw poster

We now have the full draw for the 2026 World Cup across North America, with Australia’s three group stage games locked in. See their path ahead by downloading your poster here.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 07: Chris Long of Brisbane Roar celebrates his game winning goal during the round seven A-League Men match between Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium, on December 07, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)

Roar stunner shocks Adelaide in first A-League season loss

Brisbane Roar has handed Adelaide United its first loss of the A-League season, with a Chris Long strike in added time proving to be the difference in a heated Sunday clash.

Valentino Migliaccio and Steven Russo

‘Twisted’ factsThe Times

Police officers secure a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on November 6, 2025 ahead of the UEFA Europa League league-stage football match between Aston Villa and Maccabi Tel Aviv. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Police apologise over claim Jews supported Israeli football fan ban

A senior police officer wrongly told parliament local Jews were consulted on barring Israeli football fans from a Birmingham game.

GABRIEL POGRUND

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield on December 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Extraordinary tirade could end Salah’s legendary Liverpool run

An astonishing rant from Liverpool star Mohamed Salah could spell the end of his legendary career with the Premier League champions, as he prepares to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

AFP

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (R) reacts as Aston Villa's Argentinian goalkeeper #23 Emiliano MartÃnez (L) celebrates his teams second goal during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on December 6, 2025. Aston Villa won the match 2-0. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

City closes gap on Arsenal as 18-match unbeaten run comes to end

A last-gasp winner from Aston Villa could prove costly for Arsenal as Manchester City closed the gap on the league leaders, while Liverpool dropped points again in a draw to Leeds.

AFP

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round Three AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Japan at Optus Stadium on June 05, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Revealed: Venues, dates for Socceroos World Cup fixtures

The Socceroos already knew who they’ll be facing in next year’s World Cup — and now the dates and venues have been officially revealed by FIFA. See the full fixture list.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Kaitlyn Torpey of the Matildas during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and New Zealand Football Ferns at Coopers Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Insider reveals where clubless Matilda could land

One of three Matildas who remain without a club just months out from the Asia Cup has a decision to make after fielding offers from across Europe. ERIN SMITH with the details.

Winners and losers of FIFA World Cup Draw

FIFA World Cup: Winners and losers of the draw

Despite all the rules and regulations around the draw process for the FIFA World Cup, there is still a lot of luck involved when it comes to the group stage. Look at the winners and losers of the draw.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 05: Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round Three AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Ja

‘A rude shock’: Popovic’s warning for World Cup as draw is revealed

The Socceroos have been drawn into a very favourable group for the 2026 World Cup, opening the door to make history, and coach Tony Popovic says no one should underestimate them. Full draw and group analysis.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Hana Lowry of Sydney FC kicks during the round two A-League Women's match between Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC at Perry Park on November 09, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Matilda who helped Lowry back from ACL heartbreak

A torn ACL destroyed Hana Lowry’s Matildas dream just one day before her debut, but the Sydney FC star is now eyeing the ultimate redemption story.

George Al-Akiki

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football