SPORTS

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Barcelona may want to make up for the biggest collapse in Europe by signing the most expensive player in the world but a team that was by far the best in Spain is already significantly better. After finishing 11 points clear of Atletico Madrid last season, …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was on Monday ruled out for “the next few weeks” by coach Jurgen Klopp after suffering a calf injury in their 4-1 win over Norwich. Brazil international Alisson limped off in the first half of Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday. “Not too …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The use of VAR for the first time in the Premier League bewildered fans and experts alike at the weekend, prompting demands for change. The Video Assistant Referee system, previously used in England in the FA and League Cups, is supposed to eradicate any doubt …

Ghanaian Antwi stars for Pyramids Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP |  Ghanaian John Antwi scored twice for Sebastien Desabre’s Egyptian outfit Pyramids as they lived up to a billing of being a club to watch in the CAF Confederation Cup this season. The debutants thumped Etoile of Congo Brazzaville 4-1 …

Newcastle, United Kingdom | AFP | Unai Emery saluted Arsenal’s gritty 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday as the Gunners erased the painful memories of last season’s away-day woes. Emery’s side did not record their first Premier League clean sheet on their travels until April last term and managed only …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United made the perfect start to their Premier League season by inflicting a 4-0 defeat on Frank Lampard in his first match in charge of Chelsea on Sunday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were in need of a fast …

London, United Kingdom | AFP |  The Premier League returned with a bang as title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool enjoyed goal sprees, while VAR controversies hogged the headlines. Here, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the opening weekend of the English top-fight season: Man City, Liverpool …

Toronto, Canada | AFP | Serena Williams withstood the determined challenge of Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova Saturday, rallying for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the WTA Toronto final. Williams, seeded eighth in a tournament she has won three times, will take on home hope Bianca Andreescu in the championship …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Harry Kane scored his first goals at Tottenham’s new stadium as last season’s Champions League finalists came from behind to beat newly-promoted Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday. Spurs were on course for a Premier League opening day shock for 73 minutes as they trailed to …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Manchester City made a flying start to their Premier League title defence as Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick inspired a 5-0 demolition of West Ham on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side are bidding to become just the second club in the Premier League era to win three successive …