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EPL Hails Iwobi After Super Eagles’ Win Vs Tanzania
The English Premier League has praised Alex Iwobi for his impressive performance in Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ win against Tanzania, in their AFCON 2025 Group C opening match on Tuesday.
Iwobi was in superb form as his side’s two goals scored by Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman.
The Fulham man floated in a delightful cross which was headed in by Ajayi to give the Super Eagles a first half lead.
After Kokola M’mombwa equalised for Tanzania, the Super Eagles went back in front few minutes later as Iwobi laid the ball for Lookman, who hit a left foot shot which flew past the keeper.
Commenting on his performance, the Premier League wrote on their X handle:”Alex Iwobi shines for Nigeria 🇳🇬
“The @FulhamFC star assisted both goals as the Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 in their first match of AFCON 2025! ✨.”
Also Read: ‘I Was Really Pleased’ — Ajayi Reflects On Super Eagles’ Win Over Tanzania
Up next for Iwobi and his Super Eagles teammates is a clash with Tunisia on Saturday, December 27 in Fes.
When the Eagles faced Tunisia in the AFCON 2021 round of 16, the North Africans won 1-0, with Iwobi shown a straight red card.
The Tunisians got their campaign off to a very good start after overcoming Uganda 3-1 in Rabat, on Tuesday.
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
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Martha Stewart becomes latest global celebrity to become co-owner of Swansea City – joining Snoop Dogg and Luca Modric
Martha Stewart is the latest major celebrity to become co-owner of Swansea City – joining Snoop Dogg and Croatian football legend Luca Modric.
The American billionaire, who is understood to be close friends with superstar Snoop, is now a minority owner of the South Wales football club.
The 84-year-old attended the Swans’ 2-1 triumph over Wrexham last Friday, having been invited to the game as a club guest.
Stewart, who became the US’s first self-made female billionaire by building a home, cooking and entertaining empire, was pictured grinning as she watched the match last week.
The owners of Swansea City previously discussed wanting to raise the club’s profile in a bid to increase revenue and invest more money in the team.
The Swans appear to be following in the footsteps of Wrexham after its huge success since being taken over by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Despite Stewart joining as another investor and minority owner, the club said it was ‘likely’ to have a quiet January transfer window, the BBC first reported.
A club statement said: ‘Given the high turnover of players in our squad over the 2025 summer window, and Vitor’s track record of developing and improving young players, we do not expect the January window to be a particularly busy one for Swansea City.
Martha Stewart is pictured watching Swansea City’s 2-1 triumph over Wrexham on Friday
Wrexham’s James McClean and Swansea City’s Zeidane Inoussa (right) battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Swansea stadium on December 19
Snoop Dogg (right) and Stewart (left) are understood to be very close friends
‘We will, of course, always be looking for ways to strengthen the squad and if we believe those opportunities are available and would represent good deals for the club then we will look to capitalise, but given the size of the squad we have already it’s likely January will be relatively quiet.’
Modric became an investor and co-owner of the club in April, while Snoop joined a few months later.
Last year, Stewart and Snoop were pictured together at the dressage team Grand Prix Special, where the rapper was fully kitted out to take to the saddle if needed.
Snoop was dressed in breeches, a dressage tailcoat and hard hat as he took a trip around the Chateau de Versailles venue.
‘Snoop The Stallion,’ a fan reacted on X, while another said that ‘Snoop Stallion is really getting on his high horse’.
Snoop famously commentated on dressage at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when he referred to German rider Isabell Werth’s mount as a ‘crip-walking horse’.
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Martha Stewart becomes latest global celebrity to become co-owner of Swansea City – joining Snoop Dogg and Luca Modric
Tanzania head coach Manuel Gomandi has praised his players after their spirited showing against Nigeria, even though the Taifa Stars opened their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday night.
Naija News reports that the Group C clash, played in Fès, saw Tanzania go toe to toe with one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights and earn plaudits for a performance that defied pre-match expectations. Nigeria claimed their first win of the tournament through goals in each half from Semi Ajayi and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman.
Speaking to journalists after the match, Gomandi said his team’s approach and attitude would have surprised many observers.
“But when you see the gap, the quality and value of one team compared to the other team…everything was great,” he said.
“I think we surprised so many people because they thought we would come here to pack the bus, which is not my philosophy…”
Tanzania conceded first in the 36th minute when Ajayi nodded home a cross from Alex Iwobi. The East Africans responded positively after the break and were rewarded in the 50th minute when Kokola M’mombwa hauled them back into contention.
However, their hopes of a famous result were dashed just two minutes later as Lookman produced a sublime finish to restore Nigeria’s lead.
Gomandi was quick to commend his players for their resilience and discipline, particularly against a Super Eagles side coached by Eric Chelle.
“The performance of my players was great even though we committed the mistake from the corner where we conceded the first goal,” Gomandi said during his interaction with the media after the game.
Tanzania also caused Nigeria problems at the back on several occasions, defending stoutly and showing a willingness to play on the front foot rather than sit deep.
Attention now turns to a crucial next fixture against regional rivals Uganda, where Tanzania must secure a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Uganda head into Saturday’s encounter on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Tunisia in the other Group C match.
Moses Simon has said the Super Eagles will fight to secure maximum points from their next game against Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria will face the Carthage Eagles at the Complexe de Fès on Saturday.
The two former champions started their campaign in Morocco on winning notes.
The Super Eagles defeated the Taifa Stars of Tanzania 2-1, while Tunisia overpowered Uganda 3-1.
A win against Tunisia will see the Super Eagles earn a place in the Round of 16.
Simon said that is their immediate target.
“We want the three points against Tunisia, everybody wants to win and we want to be there,” the Paris FC star told reporters.
Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo has disclosed that he’s not under any form of pressure ahead of the Indomitable Lions’ opening game against Gabon in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a chat with Cafonline, the Manchester United star stated that he’s prepared to make a big difference and help the team achieve a positive result.
“It’s a source of pride for all Africans. In my family, we’ve always watched the AFCON, and for them to now see me play in it will be a great honour. It’s a very special competition to take part in.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: Why We Lost To Super Eagles –Tanzania Star, Allarakhia
“For me, there is no pressure. Wherever I have played, I have always wanted to win. Cameroon has a great history at the AFCON with many successes, and we will try to represent the country well.
“Like everyone else, he expects me to make a difference through my voice, my dribbling, and everything I can bring to help the team achieve results. That’s what we are working towards.”
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Michael van Gerwen reignites row with ‘c**p’ Peter Wright as he tells rival to RETIRE in brutal interview after two-time champion’s shock World Darts Championship defeat
Michael van Gerwen has reignited his long-running feud with Peter Wright by suggesting the Scotsman should retire after crashing out of the PDC World Darts Championship on Tuesday.
Wright, the 2020 and 2022 world champion, was thrashed 3-0 by 33-year-old qualifier Arno Merk in the second round.
On Tuesday, he turned in his worst-ever performance at Alexandra Palace, averaging just 79.20, hitting only two 180s and managing a 13.33 per cent success rate on the doubles.
Since losing his opening match at the World Championship at the end of 2023, ‘Snakebite’ has endured a largely downward spiral, tumbling down the rankings and almost certainly set to drop outside the top 32 following this year’s tournament.
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen, who progressed to the third round after defeating William O’Connor, showed little sympathy for his old rival’s struggles.
When asked whether he was surprised by Wright’s display, the 36-year-old Dutchman laughed and said: ‘You want me to answer this? I can answer this really easily.’
Peter Wright, the 2020 and 2022 world champion, was thrashed 3-0 by qualifier Arno Merk
Michael van Gerwen, 36, rubbed salt in the 55-year-old’s wounds: ‘I’m not really surprised by his performance because he’s been playing c*** lately. I think it’s time for him to retire’.
He then added: ‘I’m not really surprised by his performance because he’s been playing c*** lately. I think it’s time for him to retire anyway.’
Van Gerwen and Wright have faced each other in two World Championship finals – the 2014 showdown won by the Dutchman and the 2020 final in which Wright gained revenge to claim his maiden world title.
The pair had been on course for a tantalising post-Christmas third-round clash this year, but Wright’s early defeat means Van Gerwen will now face Merk instead.
Van Gerwen’s remarks come just a week after Wright, 55, suggested Van Gerwen’s eyesight may be deteriorating.
Following his first-round win over Noan-Lynn van Leuven, Wright said: ‘I think their (younger players’) eyesight is better than ours. I think that’s about it.
‘Obviously Gary (Anderson) is on the glasses or contacts. I don’t know if Michael is wearing contacts at the moment, but I think MVG’s vision is probably going – but he won’t admit it at the moment.’
When informed of those comments, Van Gerwen responded: ‘There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. Don’t worry. I keep getting compliments.’
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson has urged patience with his compatriot, insisting Wright should be given ‘a bit of time’.
‘We can’t play well all the time,’ Anderson said. ‘People think we’re robots and you’ve just got to play well all the time or a bad couple of games it’s “he’s finished, he’s retiring”.
Van Gerwen and Wright have faced each other in two World Championship finals – the 2014 showdown won by the Dutchman and the 2020 final in which Wright gained revenge
‘Just give folk a break, you know. We can’t keep doing that day in and day out. We’ve seen Michael van Gerwen do that for probably the last decade. He has a blip and it’s “that’s it, he’s finished”.’
Meanwhile, former World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle believes Wright should avoid making any rash decisions about his future.
‘It was an awful watch – watching a champion, a legend of our sport, someone who has helped the sport grow, I didn’t enjoy it one bit,’ Mardle told Sky Sports.
‘I don’t know what questions Peter will ask himself – whether it’s like “it’s fine, I will carry on. I love the game”. And I hope that happens. He’s always said “I don’t want to retire, I love it” so I don’t want him to have a knee-jerk reaction because it’s happened at the World Championship.
‘If you play like that elsewhere, it’s OK. You don’t really think about it but when you do it at the World Championship, and I know this because I’ve done it, you end up questioning whether you are good enough to compete ever again.
‘And it’s about competing, about winning. He’s a winner. I hope he’s OK because you will think about that. That sleepless night stuff, I hope he doesn’t make one of these knee-jerk reactions like we have seen from other players.
‘He’s been a classy ambassador for darts – brings that fun but also brings that amazing ability and a touch of class.’
Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has singled out Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze for special praise following the Super Eagles’ 2-1 win over Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.
Aiyegbeni said the pair stood head and shoulders above the rest, pointing to their energy and influence as Nigeria edged the visitors in a keenly contested encounter.
Iwobi caught the eye with an all-round display, capping his performance with the assist for Ajayi’s opening goal. The Fulham midfielder dictated the tempo, linked play neatly and stayed involved from first whistle to last, one of his most assured outings in national colours.
Chukwueze also impressed, stretching the Tanzanian defence and coming close to scoring just before the interval. The winger’s night ended in the 59th minute when he made way for Moses Simon, but not before he had left his mark.
Reflecting on the midfield showing, Aiyegbeni highlighted the duo’s creativity and willingness to take responsibility in possession.
“You have in Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi, and so far so good, you know. Better than they try to create chances and they create some chances for Osimhen, and he is just unlucky today, you know, but we still need creativity in midfield,” Aiyegbeni told News Central TV.
Iwobi’s display further proved his importance to the team. The Fulham star, 29, is now Nigeria’s most capped player with 92 appearances and has scored 10 goals for the Super Eagles.
Chukwueze, meanwhile, continues to grow into his role with the national side. The winger has featured 52 times for Nigeria and has found the net on seven occasions.
Following Nigeria’s 2–1 win against Tanzania in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi insisted that Eric Chelle’s squad does not rely solely on attackers for goals.
Two goals from Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, secured all three points for the Super Eagles against the Taifa Stars.
Reflecting on the encounter, Ajayi stated in his post-match interview, “We [Super Eagles] had an amazing tournament in Ivory Coast.
“We are using that experience [in Ivory Coast] as our standard [in this 2025 AFCON in Morocco].
“We’re a team that we don’t need to get goals only from the attackers, it is pleasing [for me] to contribute to the success of the team.”
Tanzania winger Tarryn Allarakhia has said Nigeria’s Super Eagles quality was the difference in Tuesday’s AFCON 2025 Group C opener.
It was not the best of starts for Tanzania as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to the Super Eagles.
Semi Ajayi, who was named Player of the Match, opened the scoring in the 36th minute as he headed home Alex Iwobi’s cross.
But just five minutes into the second half Kokola M’mombwa made it 1-1 as he slotted home a well lofted cross into the box.
But two minutes after the equaliser Ademola Lookman made it 2-1 with a well taken left foot shot.
The win means the Super Eagles have now won their two AFCON meetings with Tanzania (first meeting in 1980 ended 3-1).
Also Read: 2025 AFCON: Premier League Celebrates Iwobi’s Performance In Super Eagles’ Win Vs Tanzania
Also, they have now recorded six wins and have three draws in their nine meetings with the Taifa Stars.
“I think we should take the positives from what we did against Nigeria and like I said previously they are one of the favourites and for us to go out there and give it a good go I think we can take positives from it,” Allarakhia told journalists aftet the match.
“We know that we need to be more organized, Nigeria have got qualities everywhere and that’s what done us with two quality goals. But again we were solid and organized and I feel we did that and we had chances to equalise and also go ahead.”
By James Agberebi in Fes, Morocco
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has warned that Nigeria must quickly find another level at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), even after opening their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Tanzania in Fez.
Naija News reports that the Super Eagles marked the start of their Group C journey with victory at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, but it was far from comfortable.
Forty-five years after defeating the Taifa Stars 3-1 in the opening game of the 1980 tournament, the Super Eagles again emerged on top, though only after being stretched for long spells, especially in the second half.
Semi Ajayi set Nigeria on their way in the 36th minute, powering a header into the far corner from an Alex Iwobi cross. It was the defender’s second international goal and the reward for sustained Nigerian pressure before the break.
Tanzania responded shortly after the restart when Charles M’Mombwa punished a lapse in concentration to draw his side level. The setback did not last long, however, as Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead almost immediately with a fine strike from distance.
From there, Chelle’s men were forced to dig deep. Tanzania pushed forward in search of another equaliser, and Nigeria had to rely on defensive discipline and calm game management to see out the contest and secure all three points.
Despite the win, Chelle made it clear he was not entirely satisfied.
“We have to analyse this win because we did a lot of good things in the first half to create chances to score,” the Franco-Malian coach said. “We had many opportunities, but in the second half, we gave Tanzania the chance to come back into the game. We made two mistakes.”
He added, “Of course, we are happy with the three points, but at the AFCON, the most important thing is to improve with every game. After our analysis, we have to continue to improve.”
Ajayi’s influence went far beyond his goal. The 31-year-old produced a commanding all-round display that earned him the official Man of the Match award from CAF. He dominated his duels, won all of his aerial battles and ground contests, and played a key role in keeping Nigeria organised during late pressure from the Tanzanians.
Speaking after the match, Ajayi said, “It is an amazing feeling. It is always special to score for your country, especially in a game like this where it helped us get off to a really good start. I was very pleased.”
He was also quick to stress that the team were already looking ahead to improvements.
“We are aware of the areas where we need to do better, particularly in seeing out games and killing teams off. We will be working very hard on the training pitch to put that right,” he said.
Ajayi described the performance as a reflection of the squad’s collective mindset. He noted, “It shows that we are one team. We cannot rely only on the attackers to score goals. We need contributions from all over the pitch. Defenders and midfielders also have to chip in if we want to do well in the tournament.”
Nigeria, runners-up at the last tournament after losing the final to hosts Ivory Coast, are chasing a fourth continental title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994 and 2013. Attention now turns to Saturday’s clash with Tunisia, a test Chelle believes will demand a clear step up.
“Tunisia are a big team,” he said. “We have to improve defensively, and we need more movement both when we have the ball and when we don’t. I congratulate my players for the win, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
Mohamed Salah became the first Egyptian player to score in five consecutive editions of the African Cup of Nations with his late strike in a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe on Monday.
Egypt’s captain, starting his first game after four successive matches on the bench at Liverpool, fired home a left-footed effort in the 91st minute to give the seven-time champions a late victory and Hossam Hassan’s side a comfortable start in Morocco, setting a new record for Egypt.
“Our national team captain Mohamed Salah becomes the first Egyptian player to score in five consecutive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations” the Egyptian FA posted on X.
Liverpool’s talisman has scored in the 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and now 2025 editions, matching Ivorian trio of Didier Drogba, Abdoulaye Traore and Yaya Toure as well as Tunisian winger Youssef Msakni.
Salah now has the chance to increase his tally with two AFCON tournaments scheduled within the next three years in 2027 and 2028. A goal in each edition would allow the Egypt international to break the record held by Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya and the Ghanaian duo Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan.
The 33-year-old has scored eight goals in 20 AFCON games – four fewer than Hassan El-Shazly, Egypt’s all-time top scorer in the tournament and three fewer than his current coach Hassan.
Egypt will face South Africa on Friday, then take on Angola on December 29, as Salah aims to finally lift the Africa Cup after losing the final in 2017 and 2021.
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Nancy is not out of the woods just yet … these three festive games are still make-or-break, writes CALUM CROWE
THERE was a palpable sense of relief coursing around Celtic Park last Sunday afternoon as Wilfried Nancy finally claimed his first victory at the fifth time of asking.
After four straight defeats saw the Frenchman make the worst start of any manager in the club’s history, he finally stopped the rot with a 3-1 win over Aberdeen.
He then swiftly set his sights on chasing down Hearts after their victory over Rangers maintained a six-point lead at the top of the Premiership table.
It would be extremely naive and premature, however, to believe that all is suddenly rosy at Celtic. Nancy is not out of the woods yet. Far from it, actually.
The damage suffered over those first four games was too significant to be erased purely on the basis of one win over a Dons side reduced to ten men. An Aberdeen team who were clearly jaded off the back of a Europa League match in Prague the previous Thursday night.
Beating Aberdeen has bought Nancy time but his position will be under scrutiny if Celtic falter over the Christmas period
Nancy gets his message across as Celtic substitutes prepare to come on against Aberdeen
Celtic so nearly made a mess of it, allowing the visitors to come back and equalise at 1-1, before two late goals dragged Nancy’s team over the line.
The Parkhead side’s performance was okay. Nothing more than that. They created a decent amount of chances, but squandered the vast majority of them.
There was a recurrence of certain themes which are becoming all too common under the new manager. Even against ten men, there was still a frailty to Celtic, especially the way they were exposed on the counter-attack.
As was the case in previous matches since his arrival a couple of weeks ago, Nancy’s team still looked desperately vulnerable at times.
For all that the former Columbus Crew boss could be pleased with his first win, the result did little to dispel the notion that he is a man who is still living on a game-by-game basis.
He is now entering a run of three games over the festive period that could well decide whether or not he has a long-term future at Celtic.
It starts with a trip to Livingston on Saturday. For all that David Martindale’s side are bottom of the league, it’s a venue that has caused the champions plenty of problems over the years.
For a boss who is seeking to introduce a new playing style and formation, the tight confines of Livi’s stadium and plastic pitch could easily become a graveyard.
Celtic then face another away game next Tuesday, against a Motherwell team who have been an absolute revelation this season under Jens Berthel Askou.
Motherwell will pose a stiff test to Celtic when Nancy takes his team to Fir Park on December 30
On their day, the Steelmen are a brilliant watch and play the most attractive football in the league. Flying high in third place, they could cause Celtic all manner of problems.
Then comes the litmus test for Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic just after New Year when they face Danny Rohl’s Rangers at Parkhead.
Rohl had his first taste of the Old Firm derby in last month’s League Cup semi-finals. He had only been in the door just over a week at that point when caretaker Martin O’Neill’s men won 3-1 in extra time.
This will be Nancy’s first crack at the fixture. It is not difficult to envisage a scenario where a couple of sticky results over these next three games could send him right back to square one.
Given the volume of chances that Celtic are missing under his stewardship, you do wonder what difference a quality, proven goalscorer might make to them.
Nancy addressed this in his media conference yesterday, stressing that Daizen Maeda should be retained at all costs in the January window.
However, Maeda alone is not enough. Last season now looks like an anomaly, when he scored 33 goals in all competitions and was named Player of the Year.
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is keen to keep hold of star striker Daizen Maeda
The Japanese international has scored seven goals in 26 games so far this season. He scored a good goal against Dundee United last week, but also missed a sitter as Celtic lost 2-1.
He is back to the same erratic player who first arrived at Parkhead in 2022. Having expressed a desire to leave the club last summer, there are still questions about his commitment.
Nancy insisted yesterday that Maeda is happy and will be a key part of the club’s plans moving forward into the second half of the season.
Give the player’s unreliability, though, and the injuries suffered by Kelechi Iheanacho, Celtic need a new striker. If they can get one, Nancy might just have half a chance.
These next three games will be pivotal in determining whether or not Celtic should actually sanction a January rebuild to suit his new system.
If he were to suffer another couple of shaky results, there would be a plausible argument that the club should not throw money at a manager who patently is not up to the job.
There might be some who feel that is slightly harsh given he’s only five minutes in the door. But that’s the reality of the situation he’s been thrown into by Celtic.
He will naturally want time to build something, but the manner in which the club botched the timing of his appointment means that he is unlikely to be afforded much patience.
Fans were chanting for Nancy to be sacked after his fourth consecutive defeat at Tannadice
In the defeat at Tannadice the previous week, fans were already calling for him to be sacked, while chanting O’Neill’s name.
It was mortifying. All the more so when Nancy then spoke afterwards and claimed he knew everything about Scottish football … because he almost signed for Carlisle once upon a time as a player.
The win over Aberdeen was only a momentary lifting of the gloom. A brief interlude in this brutal baptism of fire he is experiencing in Glasgow. There is still a long road ahead if the 48-year-old is to turn this around and prove that he can cut it as a Celtic manager.
The Frenchman spoke on Tuesday about how he is not accustomed to playing football over the festive period. It’s all new to him. If things don’t go well over these next three games, it won’t just be turkey on the menu. Nancy’s goose could well be cooked.
SPORT
Arsenal Set Up Carabao Cup Semi-Final Clash With Chelsea After Penalty Drama Against Crystal Palace
Arsenal booked a Carabao Cup semi-final meeting with Chelsea after edging past Crystal Palace on penalties in a tense quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, December 23.
The tie finished 1-1 after normal time before the Gunners prevailed 9-8 in a dramatic shoot-out, with Maxence Lacroix enduring a night to forget. The Palace defender had earlier diverted the ball into his own net and then saw his decisive penalty saved to send the hosts through.
Arsenal looked in control for long spells and thought they had done enough to win it late on when Jurrien Timber’s effort sparked a frantic goalmouth scramble. The ball eventually went in off Lacroix after 80 minutes, with Palace defenders desperately attempting to clear it off the line.
However, Palace refused to fold. Deep into stoppage time, Marc Guehi rose to meet Jefferson Lerma’s header and stabbed home from close range, forcing penalties and silencing the home crowd.
The shoot-out was of the highest quality. Fourteen spot-kicks were converted without a blemish before Lacroix stepped up. He aimed low to the goalkeeper’s left, but Kepa Arrizabalaga guessed correctly and smothered the effort, sparking wild celebrations.
Earlier in the evening, Arsenal had been the sharper side, especially before the break. Stand-in Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez produced a string of impressive saves, notably denying Noni Madueke three times and getting down smartly to keep out Gabriel Jesus.
Palace grew into the contest after half-time and went close through Adam Wharton’s long-range strike, while Jesus squandered two presentable chances at the other end as the tension mounted.
Despite being taken all the way, the numbers told a clear story. Arsenal outshot Palace 25 to eight and dominated the expected goals count.
The win continues an encouraging run in the competition. Having already seen off Brighton in the previous round, Arsenal have now beaten successive Premier League opponents in the Carabao Cup for the first time since the 2010-2011 season, a campaign that ended in final defeat to Birmingham City.
Attention now turns to a two-legged semi-final against Chelsea, with the first leg scheduled for January 14 and the return leg at the Emirates on February 3. The winner will face either Manchester City or holders Newcastle United in the final.
Carabao Cup Semi-final Fixtures and Kick-off Times
First Leg
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
13 January
9 p.m.
Chelsea vs Arsenal
14 January
9 p.m.
Second Leg
Arsenal vs Chelsea
3 February
9 p.m.
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
4 February
9 p.m.
Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has predicted a “tough” game when Nigeria face Tunisia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, tie.
The Super Eagles will face off against the North Africans in their second AFCON match on Saturday.
Eric Chelle’s side enters the contest following a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their opening game on Tuesday, while the Carthage Eagles secured a 3-1 win against Uganda.
As a result, Tunisia currently leads Group C, closely followed by Nigeria, with both teams earning three points each.
After Nigeria’s win over Tanzania, Aiyegbeni told reporters in Morocco, “We were lucky today [against Tanzania].”
“When you look at Tanzania, they have chances to kill the game and we are lucky to get away with it, and hopefully against Tunisia is not going to be easy. It’s going to be a tough one.”
The match between Nigeria and Tunisia is set to kick off at 9 pm, Nigerian time.
Lionel Messi’s sister has reportedly postponed her wedding after she was involved in a serious car crash in Miami.
According to reports from Argentina, the 32-year-old sustained multiple injuries, including spinal fractures, burns and broken bones in her heel and wrist.
Argentine TV journalist Angel de Brito said on the America TV show LAM that Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, confirmed Maria Sol is now “out of danger” but faces a long recovery.
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According to local reports, Maria Sol Messi lost control of her vehicle and collided with a wall.
Maria Sol Messi was set to marry Julian ‘Tully’ Arellano, who currently works as a coach for Inter Miami’s U-19 team.
The wedding was planned to take place in her hometown of Rosario on January 3rd, with the entire Messi family, including Lionel Messi, expected to attend. Messi himself married his wife, Antonella Roccuso, in the same city of Rosario.