Three countries have already secured their tickets to the Round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with Algeria becoming the latest side to confirm qualification following another gripping day of action on Sunday.

Algeria sealed their spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Group E. Captain Riyad Mahrez kept his composure from the penalty spot to score the only goal of the match, steering the Desert Foxes to a second successive win.

That outcome lifted Algeria to six points from two games, placing them out of reach of the chasing pack. Burkina Faso and Sudan both remain on three points, while Equatorial Guinea are still searching for their first point of the campaign. Algeria have once again shown they know how to navigate the group stages. Recall they won the AFCON title in 1990 and 2019.

Their qualification means they join Nigeria and Egypt as the only teams so far to have mathematically confirmed a place in the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Away from the Algeria match, Sunday also produced a surprise in Group E as Sudan edged Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in Casablanca. The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when Coco inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Sudan a crucial victory that keeps their qualification hopes firmly alive.

In Group F, Mozambique breathed new life into their campaign with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Gabon in Agadir. Gabon had taken the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang just before the break. Still, goals from Bangal, Geny Catamo and Calila swung the contest in Mozambique’s favour despite a late Gabon response.

Attention later shifted to Marrakesh, where the Ivory Coast and Cameroon recorded a 1-1 draw in a high-profile Group F clash. This means that both sides currently have four points each in two games.

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The results of Sunday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, matches are out.

DAILY POST reports that AFCON holder Ivory Coast played a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in Group F on Sunday night, thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Ghislain Konan (own goal).

Also in Group F, Mozambique defeated Gabon 3-2 to occupy the third position on the log with three points.

Similarly, in Group E, Algeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0, thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s first-half penalty goal, while Sudan defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0.

Meanwhile, more AFCON Match-day three fixtures will be played today, Monday, as South Africa will face Zimbabwe in the evening.

Also in the evening, Angola will clash with Egypt, while Zambia will tackle host nation Morocco in the night.

On Monday night, Comoros will clash with Mali at the Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca.

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has described Florian Wirtz as an intelligent player after his impressive display against Wolves.

Virgil van Dijk, speaking as captain, offered praise while outlining exactly what still needs improvement.

“I was very happy for him. He played a very good game. Everyone was outstanding in the first half. It’s great to see and hopefully many more to come from him.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Clash Won’t Be Easy — Uganda Coach Put

“He’s getting used to playing for Liverpool and what we want to do as a team. He’s getting used to the intensity. After about 70 minutes I think he had some cramp. It’s part of the game. He just has to keep going. It was an important goal for us and now on to New Year’s Day.

“I think he runs almost everywhere. At times on the left, at times in the middle. He’s a very intelligent player who is so comfortable on the ball. He finds space between the lines and can be very important.

“He wants to be important in terms of goals and assists. The work rate he puts in and the chances he creates is what I think is even more important. I am really pleased for him, like the rest of the team. You saw the celebrations. Everyone is so happy for him.”

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Coach Eric Sekou Chelle believes the Super Eagles can only get better at the on-gong  Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, after Saturday’s nervy 3-2 win over Tunisia in Fes.

The Super Eagles  put on an impressive display of attacking prowess with Victor Osimhen opening  the scoring a minute before halftime and captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman added two more after the break. But Tunisia staged a late comeback with goals from defenders Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi that set up a nervy finish.

Victory on Saturday sealed Super Eagles’ qualification  to the 16th  Round even with one first-round fixture still to play against Uganda  tomorrow.

Smarting from that  hard-fought  win against Tunisia on Saturday, Chelle has the Super Eagles to  learn  how to manage games better while also praising the team’s intensity in the encounter.

 “These are the situations that help a team grow; we must learn how to manage games better until the final whistle,” The Franco Malian coach said . “Our identity is based on intensity, aggression without the ball and speed when we regain possession. For most of the game, the players executed that very well.

 “It is never easy to respond when momentum shifts, but the players stayed united and disciplined. That mentality is very important in tournament football.”

He added:  “We have quality going forward but at this level, small details matter. We must remain focused from the first minute to the last.”

Speaking in the same vein,  Ademola Lookman, who  won the Man-of-the-Match award  following his excellent display  with a goal and  two assists, was proud of the team’s resilience.

He said: “We showed character when the game became difficult. These are the moments that define teams in tournaments like this. We are building strong connections on the pitch. Everyone understands their role, and that makes our play more fluid and dangerous.”

 “The coach gives us belief and clear instructions. When you know exactly what is expected, it becomes easier to express yourself.”

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By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 02:33 GMT, 29 December 2025 | Updated: 03:01 GMT, 29 December 2025

A wild brawl erupted in Sunday night’s NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders, sparked by Mason Marchment tripping 2025 first-round draft pick Matthew Schaefer.

Young Islanders’ star Schaefer went flying through the air before sliding across the ice as the play unfolded, before his teammate Mat Barzal took it upon himself to take revenge.

Barzal slowly skated towards Marchment before brutally slashing him across the leg with his stick, sending the Blue Jays man crumpling down onto the ice.

As Barzal turned away, Marchment’s teammates swarmed Barzal and unleashed a barrage of punches before the fellow Islanders piled in to make it a massive brawl.

The referees were helpless, trying to intervene and stop the punches being thrown but the players took little notice. Eventually, a ruck of players pulled themselves apart after sliding into the wall.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the second period, Barzal was then ejected from the game for taking matters into his own hands and will potentially be fined and suspended for hitting out at Marchment.

A massive brawl erupted in Sunday’s New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets game

The fight was started by Blue Jackets’ Mason Marchment tripped Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer

And when Mat Barzal hit Marchand with his stick, players from both teams fought back

Patrick Roy, the Islanders head coach, refused to criticize Barzal when he spoke to reporters after the game.

‘We’re never going to blame a teammate for going to try and defend a teammate,’ he said. ‘We thoought it was a knee on Schaefer.’ 

For his involvement, Marchment received a two-minute tripping penalty. He had tripped Schaeder earlier in the game, during the first quarter, and got the same punishment.

And the 30-year-old was punished again for the same thing later in the game, this time tripping Islanders winger Simon Holmstrom. 

But Marchment, playing only his third game since his acquisition from the Seattle Kraken, had the last laugh, with his team fighting their way to a surprise 4-2 win over the Islanders. 

Despite their win on Sunday, the Blue Jackets are last in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division, with a 15-15 record.

The Islanders, meanwhile, are second on 21-14 and three points behind leaders Carolina Hurricanes.

The Islanders meet Chicago Blackhawks next, on Tuesday, while the Blue Jackets play Monday against Ottawa Senators.

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Hockey star attacks rival with his STICK and sparks huge brawl in wild midgame meltdown

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Amad Diallo scored his second goal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as holders Ivory Coast drew with Cameroon in an enthralling clash between the tournament heavyweights in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a much-anticipated early showdown between two potential challengers for the title, Junior Tchamadeu struck a deflected equaliser less than six minutes after Amad had exquisitely curled the Elephants in front as part of a result which ensures both sides remain a point clear of Mozambique at the top of Group F and also eliminates Gabon.

Manchester United forward Amad, who scored the only goal in his country’s opening win over Mozambique, collected Ghislain Konan’s crossfield pass on a counter-attack and produced an effort worthy of watching France striker Kylian Mbappe from the edge of the box, finding the far corner of Devis Epassy’s net to break the deadlock in the 51st minute.

His strike was part of an extraordinary flurry of action at the start of the second half, arriving shortly after Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessie had a deft finish ruled out for offside and Danny Namaso hit the crossbar via two deflections at the other end.

A relatively quiet first period offered uncompromising intensity and glimpses of the entertainment to come, including a shot against the woodwork by Cameroon debutant Christian Kofane.

All four Group Fteams play their third and final matches of the initial stage on Wednesday (19:00 GMT), when Ivory Coast face Gabon in Marrakech and Cameroon meet Mozambique in Agadir.

RESULTS 

Gabon 2-3 Mozambique 

E’Guinea 0-1 Sudan

Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon

TODAY

Angola v Egypt 

Zimbabwe v S’Africa

Comoros v Mali

Zambia v Morocco 

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Wayne Carey still lives with the stigma of his infamous affair with a married teammate over two decades ago, and now he has offered up his opinion on the latest marriage scandal rocking the AFL. 

The former North Melbourne captain recently spoke on the You Can’t Be Serious podcast, hosted by AFL controversy magnet Sam Newman. 

Newman could not resist bringing up the allegations of marriage infidelity that Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is currently wrestling with.  

Carey rocked the AFL world with his 2002 affair with Kelli Stevens, the wife of his North Melbourne teammate and best friend, Anthony Stevens, while Carey was married to his then-wife, Sally McMahon. 

The scandal triggered Carey’s exit from the team, public condemnation, the collapse of his marriage to Sally, and a lasting rift with Stevens that resurfaced in a heated confrontation years later, despite Carey saying he had apologised. 

That explosive – and very public – marriage breakdown has drawn parallels with Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, who is experiencing his own relationship crisis in a very public forum.  

Former AFL star Wayne Carey (right) gave his take on the biggest marriage drama in Aussie footy when he appeared on Sam Newman’s You Can’t Be Serious podcast

Carey spoke about the current allegations of marriage infidelity facing Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale (pictured with his wife Jules)

Carey was at the centre of footy’s greatest marriage scandal after his affair with teammate Anthony Stevens’s wife Kelli (Carey and Stevens are pictured)

Neale and his wife Jules reportedly spent the festive period in separate states as their marriage breakdown continues to play out publicly.

The situation escalated in December after Jules said she had been ‘betrayed in the most unimaginable way’ in a social media post, later calling out a third party, Tess Crosley, who became entangled in the fallout, though there has been no suggestion of wrongdoing on her part.

Jules has since returned to Western Australia to be with family, while Neale is understood to be spending time in South Australia, with neither party issuing a formal public statement.

Newman brought up the allegations made against Neale, and accused the Australian media of treating him differently to Carey.

‘You would be front and square, or I would be, but it seems to just drift on with no real controversy,’ Newman claimed.

‘They treat people with kid gloves if they want to, don’t they?’

‘I look at people’s comments about someone’s personal life, I will say this and I’ve said this a million times, generally people that have the strongest opinion about what someone else does in their personal, private life are doing way worse in their own,’ Carey replied.

‘So for all those people that sit on their ivory tower, Sam, they are generally doing a lot, lot worse than those they are judging.

Carey was married to his first wife Sally McMahon at the time of the affair that tore North Melbourne apart

Stevens, pictured with then-wife Kelli, was best friends with Carey but now there is a deep divide between the pair

‘You know what, what Lachie Neale does in his life with his family, with whoever else, friends, whatever, whose business is that but theirs?’

Newman pressed Carey further, saying, ‘You know very well that if you are in the public eye, it’s everyone’s business.’

‘It shouldn’t be, but it is,’ Carey replied. 

‘The sad part about anything that has been in the news – and this is what I have empathy for – I feel for children that get dragged into it. 

‘You would prefer those things, like everyone else’s life [when] they go through issues, that they don’t have to be dragged through the media circus that we live in. 

‘Unfortunately, Lachie’s kids have to be dragged through this, which is terribly sad. 

‘That is something that he will wrestle with over the coming months. 

‘It’s their business. Not mine. And I would be a hypocrite if I was to sit here and be judgmental, wouldn’t I?’

Sam Newman suggested that Neale’s marriage issues are not receiving the same attention that Carey got back in 2002 (Neale is pictured with Tess Crosley, left, and wife Jules, right)

Carey attacked those criticising Lachie and Jules (pictured together), saying their private lives must be a lot worse than what the footy star and his wife are going through

Carey has moved on from his past dramas and is now a father of four, after welcoming his second child with girlfriend Jessica Paulke in January.

He also has two daughters from previous relationships: Ella with ex-wife Sally McMahon, and Charlotte with former fiancée Stephanie Edwards.

Jules Neale has unfollowed her husband on Instagram and removed images of the couple together. 

She made their marriage issues public recently when she posted a message reading: ‘I want to make it very clear that I am not “working through” anything.’ 

‘I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way. All I can do now is try to heal and do what’s best for my children. Thank you for the love and support.’ 

Neale still follows his wife and has retained their images on social media, including a picture of the two of them celebrating the Brisbane Lions back-to-back premiership win earlier this year. 

When Neale won the Brownlow Medal for the first time in 2020, he revealed the sacrifices that Jules had made to accommodate his highly-publicised move from Fremantle to the Lions. 

‘My wife Jules, she’s an amazing human being,’ Neale said at the time.

‘Not many people probably know but she owned a salon in Perth before we decided to move to Brisbane. She had to sell that to come over here and follow my dreams.

‘She was doing very well for herself over there but she always puts me ahead of herself when she shouldn’t have to.

‘She’s the most selfless person I know and my biggest support, so thank you very much Jules, I love you.’

When he won the medal again in 2023, he again paid tribute to his wife, calling Jules his ‘rock’.

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Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo continued his fine goal-scoring form as he scored a goal in the Elephants’ 1-1 draw against Cameroon in Sunday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Manchester United star, who had netted in the team’s first game against Mozambique, broke the deadlock in the 51st minute with a beautiful left-footed shot that beat the Cameroon goalkeeper.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: We Want To Have Good Game Against Nigeria —Uganda Striker, Ahimbisibwe

Ivory Coast’s lead only lasted for five minutes, with Ghislain Konan deflecting Junior Tchamadeu’s shot into his own net to draw level for Cameroon.

Kessie came close to restoring Ivory Coast’s lead, rising highest to meet Guela Doue’s cross, only to be denied by Devis Epassy.

The draw means the two teams both have four points from their first two matches and are well placed to advance from Group F.

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Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have reportedly spent the festive period in separate states, as their marriage breakdown continues to make headlines.

Rumours broke in December that the couple’s relationship had been on the rocks, with Jules taking to social media to write that she had been ‘betrayed’.

The mother-of-two wrote on Instagram: ‘I want to make it very clear that I am not “working through” anything.

‘I have been betrayed in the most unimaginable way. All I can do now is try to heal and do what’s best for my children. Thank you for the love and support.’

Jules appears to have travelled back to Western Australia to be with her family, and is yet to clarify what has happened. 

Last week, she shared a picture of the Busselton Jetty in Perth on Instagram, adding a ‘mending heart’ emoji.

Lachie Neale and his wife Jules have reportedly spent the festive holiday period in separate states, as their marriage breakdown continues to make headlines.

Rumours broke online in December that the couple’s relationship had been on the rocks, with Jules taking to social media to write that she had been ‘betrayed’ 

Lachie and Jules met when they were teenagers, but they did not start dating until around six years later.

The South Australian footy player was drafted to Fremantle in 2011 and his relationship with Jules blossomed. 

The couple were married in 2018, the same year Neale was signed to the Brisbane Lions, with the couple moving to the Queensland city together. 

They they would later welcome their first child, Piper Rose in September 2021, before celebrating the birth of their son Freddie in December 2024. 

Jules has regularly been seen supporting her husband at matches and was notably seen on the pitch at the MCG celebrating the Lions’ 2025 grand final victory with her husband and daughter Piper. 

Over the years, Jules has also turned heads at the Brownlow Medal ceremonies, thanks to her show-stopping and glamorous sense style.

Neale has claimed two Brownlow Medals during his career, but after he cruised to victory in 2020, cameras turned to Jules in the crowd who cut an emotional figure.

It was then that the 32-year-old paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife, thanking her for all of her support, a speech that may now come back to haunt Neale. 

‘My wife Jules, she’s an amazing human being,’ Neale said.

‘Not many people probably know but she owned a salon in Perth before we decided to move to Brisbane. She had to sell that to come over here and follow my dreams.

Jules was seen wiping tears from her eyes as Neale gave his Brownlow Medal speech in 2020

Lachie and Jules met when they were teenagers, but they did not start dating until around six years later

‘I want to make it very clear that I am not “working through” anything. I have been… in the most unimaginable way,’ she wrote

‘She was doing very well for herself over there but she always puts me ahead of herself when she shouldn’t have to.

‘She’s the most selfless person I know and my biggest support, so thank you very much Jules, I love you.’

After winning again in 2023, he went on to describe Jules as ‘his rock’.

The hair stylist is now no longer following the Brisbane Lions captain on Instagram and last week, removed TGI Sport – the company that manages both her and Lachie – from her bio.

It came as Jules launched a public attack on her former friend Tess Crosley, who had found herself in the middle of the couple’s marriage breakdown.

Jules had demanded that Tess remove photos on Instagram of the Brisbane Lions’ recent Grand Final celebrations.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Tess. 

Neither party has made a public comment on the situation.

Neale, who guided the Lions to back-to-back premierships this year, is understood to have returned to South Australia and has, according to The Advertiser, been spending time with his family in the coastal town of Robe, 300km from Adelaide.

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Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has dropped a strong hint that he could make a shock return to Europe.

Ronaldo remains in fine form for the Saudi Pro League outfit.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice in the 3–0 win over Al Akhdoud, taking his career tally to 956 as he continues to chase an unprecedented century.

Ronaldo had two spells at Manchester United while playing in Europe and also featured for Juventus, Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid.

“It doesn’t matter if I play in the Middle East or Europe; I want to keep winning titles and reach the milestone everyone knows,” the 40-year-old said at a Dubai awards ceremony on Sunday.

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Former sports editor and administrator, Arabinrin Aderonke, has lauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria following their impressive victory over Tunisia, a result that secured Nigeria’s place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Reacting to the hard-fought encounter, Aderonke commended the team’s resilience, discipline, and attacking approach against a strong Tunisian side buoyed by confidence from their opening-match victory.

“I would like to extend my warmest felicitations to the Super Eagles for their well-deserved and courageous victory over a highly competitive Tunisian team. Qualifying with a game to spare speaks volumes about the character, strength, and ambition of this team,” she said.

Aderonke, who recently received the Role Model of the Year award from the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, also praised the goal-scoring duo and the collective performance of the team, noting that Nigeria’s early dominance set the tone for the match and ultimately shaped the outcome.

“The goals scored by Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman must not only be attributed to individual genius, but also the strength and power of team philosophy that is founded on discipline, confidence, and team belief. Despite the fightback by Tunisia, the Super Eagles were mature and focused enough to see out the game,” said Arabinrin Aderonke.

She also pointed out the importance of getting six points from the two matches, saying it was ‘a very strong statement of intent’ by Nigeria at the championship.

“To have qualified for the Round of 16 with six points after two group games is a strength for Nigeria. It is a clear indication of the fact that Super Eagles are not just participants, but are serious title contenders,” said the female soccer fan.

The Super Eagles are currently top of Group C and, if they remain at the summit, they might be poised to face the runner-up of Group D, which includes West African arch-rivals Senegal, Benin, Congo, and Botswana.

Arabinrin Aderonke urged the team to stay focused as the tournament unfolds, rallying Nigerians everywhere to support the side.

“I appeal to the players and technical personnel to remain focused and leverage on this spirit. Nigerians pride themselves in you, and the country is behind the Super Eagles as they proceed on their journey to AFCON 2025,” she added.

Aderonke has been a strong advocate for gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion, earning her a place among Africa’s leading voices in sports-for-development.

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Cranes of Uganda strike Ivan Ahimbisibwe has backed his team to have a good game Nigeria’s Super Eagles in their final Group C match at this year’s AFCON in Morocco.

While the Super Eagles have already booked their place in the round of 16, Uganda must secure a win to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout round.

But he is confident they can get the needed win against the three-time AFCON champions.

“We are going back to the drawing back. We expect to have a good game against Nigeria,” he said. “We believe in ourselves and come with a good mentality and try to win.”

Ahimbisibwe is one of the players yet to feature for the Cranes at this year’s tournament.

He, however, stated that he is ready to wait for his opportunity.

“We have to always wait for our time. It is always a game and we have so many good and quality players and everyone who gets a chance surely deserves to play so we shall wait for our time.”

By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco

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By LIAM MORGAN, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 19:11 GMT, 28 December 2025 | Updated: 21:01 GMT, 28 December 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at a possible return to Europe as he reiterated his ambition to reach 1,000 goals.

Ronaldo, 40, brought his career tally to 956 with a brace in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al Akhdoud on Saturday afternoon.

The Portuguese superstar has previously suggested he will carry on playing for one or two more years and admitted earlier this year that the 2026 World Cup would be his last.

Speaking at an awards ceremony in Dubai on Sunday, former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he wanted to ‘keep going’ as he offered a new insight into his future.

‘My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe,’ said Ronaldo.

‘I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

Cristiano Ronaldo attended the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai with fiancée Georgina Rodriguez

Ronaldo is targeting 1,000 goals and hinted he could return to Europe to achieve his goal

‘I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.’ 

Ronaldo’s double for Al-Nassr on Saturday also brought the number of goals he has scored this year to 40.

He he has now scored more than 40 times in 14 different calendar years across his career.

Ronaldo’s most successful campaign in terms of hitting the back of the net was in 2013 when he scored 63 times in all competitions for club and country.

The Portugal star is still in remarkable condition and recently shared a shirtless photo showcasing his incredible physique.

In an interview with Piers Morgan last month, he said he believes he is one or two years away from retirement.

He swears by Pilates, regular swims and five trips to the gym a week.

These include 25-30 minutes of cardio, high-intensity sprinting and targeted weights to increase muscle strength. In total, he works out for three to four hours a day.

Ronaldo, 40, said he was still enjoying playing and vowed to ‘keep going’ as long as he is injury-free

Rather than sticking to the traditional three-meal structure of breakfast-lunch-dinner, Ronaldo prefers to refuel with six smaller ‘mini-meals’ throughout the day: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack, supper, dinner.

Ronaldo attended the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai along with fiancee Georgina Rodriguez. The couple, who have been together for nine years, announced their engagement in August.

He proposed to the Argentine-Spanish model, 31, with a ring worth £2.2million. 

Ronaldo picked up the Best Middle East Player award at the ceremony, attended by stars including Novak Djokovic, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal.

It was the second year in a row the Al-Nassr forward had scooped the prize. 

At the 2024 edition, Ronaldo claimed the Top Goalscorer of all time award as well as the Best Middle East Player.

Diogo Jota’s parents were given a special award at the ceremony following the death of their son at the age of 28 in July.

An emotional Isabel and Joaquin Silva received the recognition in a heartwarming tribute to the Liverpool star at the event.

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Cristiano Ronaldo hints at return to Europe: Footballer, 40, provides new update on his future as he insists he WILL reach 1,000 career goals after picking up another award

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Algeria became the latest country to qualify for the last 16 of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Desert Foxes defeated Burkina Faso 1–0 in a tight contest on Sunday to secure their spot in the next round.

Captain Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot.

The result means Algeria, who won the AFCON in 1990 and 2019, have the maximum six points after two games in Group E.

The North Africans are ahead of Burkina Faso and Sudan, who both have three points each.

Algeria will now join Nigeria and Egypt as the only teams to have confirmed their place in the Round of 16.

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A Riyad Mahrez first-half penalty was enough to give Algeria a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso and a place in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria was awarded a penalty just past the 20-minute mark when Rayan Ait Nouri was felled in the box by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez made no mistake as he sent Herve Koffi in the Burkina Faso goal the wrong way.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Observe Rest Today After Hard-fought Win Against Tunisia

The Burkinabe came close to an equaliser just before halftime when Pierre Kabore’s close-range header came back off the post and Algeria were able to scramble the ball to safety.

Luca Zidane, son of France great Zinedine, showed good reactions to keep out a Lassina Traore header late on as Burkina Faso came close to an equaliser.

The group leaders will finish up against Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday. Burkina Faso will battle for second place in their Group E finale against Sudan, with both teams level on three points.

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