Sports
Just in: Liverpool vs Man City ends in controvery as Dominic Szoboszlai sent off by VAR
Manchester City came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race, but the finale was dominated by some controversial decisions.
Manchester City beat Liverpool at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race – but only after a dramatic finale provided by VAR.
City came from behind to win 2-1 and complete a league double over their rivals in chaotic and confusing fashion.
Dominik Szoboszlai smashed Liverpool ahead with a stunning long-range free-kick yet ended the game with a red card in astonishing fashion.
Bernardo Silva fired City level from Erling Haaland’s knock-down before Alisson clattered Matheus Nunes to hand City a penalty late on. Haaland converted the spot-kick to put City 2-1 up in the 93rd minute.
But more was to come, with Alisson heading up to the other end of the pitch as Liverpool desperately chased an equaliser. That left the goal open on the counter-attack and City thought they had gone 3-1 up in the closing stages as Rayan Cherki’s effort dribbled over the line.
Szoboszlai and Haaland raced back after the ball and pulled each others’ shirts, only for the ball to roll over the goaline untouched. However, VAR cancelled the goal, awarding City a free-kick outside the area while sending off Szoboszlai for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Szoboszlai trudged off and City managed to see out the remaining minutes to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to six points. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City.
Official Craig Pawson said: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
It was a chaotic and confusing end to the match, which had Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville fuming at referee Craig Pawson.
“You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy,” Neville said. “The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that.”
Mikel Arteta has slammed Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s claim that Arsenal “make their own rules” after the Premier League leaders moved a step closer to the title with a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.
Bukayo Saka’s deflected strike early in the first half sealed Arsenal’s third successive victory.
The Gunners are seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who were held to a surprise 2-2 draw by lowly Nottingham Forest.
Arteta have complete control of the title race as they chase a first English crown since 2004 after three consecutive runners-up finishes.
But if Arsenal do go on to claim the title, it is highly unlikely they will be held in the same regard as Arsene Wenger’s squad 22 years ago.
In contrast to the eye-catching style of the ‘Invincibles’, there is little to love about Arteta’s prosaic team, who have thrived thanks to their set-piece excellence and a supremely well-drilled defence.
Criticism of Arsenal’s ‘ugly’ tactics is growing, and Hurzeler was the latest to join the chorus as he accused the Gunners of time-wasting and faking injuries.
Hurzeler was frustrated by Arsenal’s habit of delaying the restart of the game at free-kicks.
Gunners’ keeper David Raya also went down injured on three separate occasions and required treatment, sparking suggestions he was faking to allow time for tactical discussions between Arteta and his players.
“I think there was only one team that tried to play football today. Did you see in a Premier League game a goalkeeper going down that many times? No?” Hurzeler said.
“They (Arsenal) make their own rules. At the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules.
“I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way.
“If I ask everyone in the room, did he really enjoy this game? I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he’s a big Arsenal fan.
“Where will this go in the future? Is this what the supporters are paying for?”
Yet Arteta was unrepentant about Arsenal’s game plan, insisting his players deserved praise for grinding out another vital victory.
“What a surprise,” he said when informed of Hurzeler’s claims. “If you go back through previous games, you will find a lot of comments like this, always.
“I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players, and I love the way we compete.
“When you’re in the position we are in, obviously, the opposition want to take that away from you. That’s normal; that is sport.”
Arsenal aren’t earning many style points, but Arteta doesn’t care as they remain in contention for the quadruple.
As well as leading the Premier League, the Gunners face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, meet Manchester City in the League Cup final, and visit Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round.
Asked whether he cared what other managers thought of him, Arteta replied: “No comment.”
Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament.
In an official accreditation notice circulated to media covering the event, FIFA outlined the competition format and confirmed the six nations set to compete for the final two spots at the expanded global tournament.
The announcement excludes Nigeria, whose football authorities had lodged a formal protest following their defeat by DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenged the result, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Leopards prevailed on penalties.
The NFF sought to overturn the outcome and secure reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication makes no reference to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the original result stands.
In its statement, FIFA said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™️ Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™️, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities.”
The governing body confirmed the participating nations as Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
● Tournament format and fixtures
The play-off tournament will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.
According to FIFA, the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest bracket semi-finals.
The two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — will advance directly to the final stage.
This format places DR Congo one match away from qualification, with the African side set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 finals.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.
For Nigeria, FIFA’s confirmation brings months of uncertainty to a close. Although no separate public ruling was issued specifically addressing the NFF’s petition, the unchanged list of qualified teams suggests the appeal was unsuccessful.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen may quit Galatasaray at the end of the season, but his suitors would have to cough up a huge sum to prise him away from Galatasaray.
According to reports in Turkey, European champions Paris Saint-Germain are keen on the Nigeria international and are ready to spend big to take him to France.
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray from Napoli for €75 million last summer, has impressed with his performances in the UEFA Champions League, scoring seven goals in eight appearances this term as the Turkish Super Lig champions reached the round of 16.
With Osimhen’s performances attracting Europe’s biggest spenders, Galatasaray have reportedly set a valuation of €150m for their prized asset.
PSG are believed to be in front of the queue for Osimhen, and they are reportedly prepared to go as high as €120m.
That leaves a €30 million gap between the Turkish club’s expectations and the French side’s offer, a difference that could define the summer transfer window.
Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are also reported to be monitoring the situation closely.
In 25 appearances across the Super Lig and Champions Leagu this season, in 1,984 minutes of action, Osimhen has scored 17 goals and made six assists, making him one of Europe’s most productive stars
The 27-year-old is under contract with Galatasaray until the summer of 2029, giving the club strong leverage in negotiations.
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