Sports
Nunez upstages Haaland as Liverpool beat Manchester City to win Community Shield
Liverpool new boy Darwin Nunez drew the first blood in the battle of the super-signings with an encouraging 30-minute cameo on Saturday.
He capped it with the final goal in a 3-1 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield match played at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, UK.
Manchester City, last season’s English Premier League (EPL) champions, and Liverpool, the English FA and League Cup winners, both paraded their big-money acquisitions in this match.
But it was the Uruguay international who upstaged Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, after he came off the bench in the 59th minute with the score at 1-1.
His aerial presence won the late penalty kick from which Mohamed Salah put Liverpool in front for a second time.
But the former Benfica striker, having earlier been denied a goal by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, was not finished there.
He stooped to head home his first goal for the Reds in domestic competition in added time.
“I liked the game a lot, but most of the time Manchester City games against us are cool to watch,” Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp said later.
“We played the smart passes. We saw Nunez in dangerous situations. He used the spaces and finished well too.”
One new Manchester City signing did make his mark —- former River Plate forward Julian Alvarez —- climbing off the bench to cancel out Trent Alexander-Arnold’s opener.
But the focus was really on the big men upfront.
The traditional season curtain-raiser played out as expected with the country’s top two sides going at it once again.
But it was the nuance of what the new signings might bring which attracted the intrigue.
Haaland scored 86 goals in 89 matches for Borussia Dortmund before his move to the Manchester.
He is likely to add many more for Manchester City once he and they have adjusted to each other.
The Norway international had the fewest touches of any player in the first half —- eight —- and the service he received throughout was scant.
But that did not mean he was not a threat.
When Andy Robertson initially dispossessed him from Bernardo Silva’s cross, the 22-year-old reacted quickest to fire in a shot which third-choice goalkeeper Adrian batted away.
His next attempt moments later from another Silva cross did not go so well.
It came to him at an awkward height and he could not decide what to do with it and completely mis-kicked.
But he saved his worst for last when he blasted against the crossbar when faced with an open goal six yards out in added time.
Nunez, however, justified Klopp’s decision to continue his integration from the bench.
READ ALSO: Manchester United smile again, defeat Liverpool
The 23-year-old scored four second-half goals in a pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig but that was not enough to persuade his manager to start him from the off.
But when he was introduced he was a bundle of energy and, unlike Manchester City with Haaland, Liverpool seemed to be better equipped to supplement his talents.
With virtually his first touch he was brought down by Ederson, who was spared by an offside flag.
Then the Manchester City goalkeeper had to race out to block Nunez’s shot with his chest after Jordan Henderson played him through.
Nunez is more a traditional number nine and less the multi-functional player Klopp usually prefers, but that can work to his advantage.
When he climbed highest to head down, the ball struck the arm of Ruben Dias.
Referee Craig Pawson waved away handball claims but having been advised to consult the pitchside monitor he awarded a penalty kick and Salah swept past Ederson.
But Nunez was not finished there and his poacher’s instinct saw him stoop to head home Robertson’s knockdown in added time.
It was a pulsating finish to a game which had ebbed and flowed, with Alexander-Arnold putting Liverpool ahead in the 21st minute.
Thiago Alcantara’s cross was killed instantly under the foot of Salah, whose pass rolled invitingly into the path of the full-back.
He whipped a shot which just flicked off the head of Nathan Ake on its way in via the far post.
Manchester City improved in the second half and Alvarez, introduced at the same time as Nunez, equalised in the 70th minute.
That was after Adrian saved Phil Foden’s initial effort but fumbled the rebound.
VAR checked offside and, although the goalkeeper appeared to have two hands on the ball, after a lengthy delay the goal was ruled legitimate.
It meant the new signing followed in the exalted footsteps of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez as only the third Argentinian to score in the Community Shield.
He will, however, still play second fiddle to Haaland while Nunez has begun the process of establishing himself as Liverpool’s long-term option upfront.
Nunez will also help in ensuring the sale of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich quickly becomes an afterthought.(dpa/NAN)
Tunisia have sent shockwaves through the football world after dismissing head coach Sabri Lamouchi following just one game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Tunisian Football Federation announced the decision on Monday after the North African nation suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F clash.
SEE ALSO: Super Eagles Thrash Tunisia 3-2, Advance To AFCON Round Of 16
The loss prompted swift action from football authorities, making Lamouchi the first coach in World Cup history to be sacked after managing only one match at the tournament.
In a bid to rescue their campaign, Tunisia have appointed experienced French coach Herve Renard to take charge of the team until the end of the World Cup.
Confirming the appointment, the Tunisian public broadcaster quoted federation president Moez Nassari as saying:
“The president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Nassari, announced that an official agreement had been reached with French coach Herve Renard for him to take charge of the national football team until the end of the 2026 World Cup.”
Renard brings a wealth of international experience to the role.
He is best remembered for leading Saudi Arabia to a stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also previously coached the France women’s national team.
Lamouchi, 54, was only appointed Tunisia coach in January but endured a difficult spell in charge. During his short tenure, he managed just one victory in five matches, a narrow 1-0 win against Haiti.
The crushing defeat to Sweden has left Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread.
The Carthage Eagles now face crucial Group F fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands, with Renard tasked with reviving their World Cup ambitions.
Tunisia will take on Japan on Saturday before concluding their group-stage campaign against the Netherlands in what could determine their fate at the tournament.
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a determined 0–0 draw against Bayelsa Queens in the final matchday of the Super Six playoffs at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday.
Bayelsa Queens entered the decisive fixture needing an outright victory to secure the title, while Edo Queens required only a draw. The Benin-based side executed their game plan with discipline in a tightly contested encounter that saw both teams create chances but ultimately cancel each other out.
The result sealed a second NWFL Premiership crown for Edo Queens, reaffirming their status as one of the dominant forces in Nigerian women’s football. It also places them alongside Bayelsa Queens as the only clubs to have won the league twice within the last six seasons.
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Head coach Moses Aduku further etched his name in the competition’s history, becoming the first manager to win three NWFL Premiership titles in six seasons. He previously guided Bayelsa Queens to the title in 2022 before leading Edo Queens to triumphs in 2024 and 2026.
Elsewhere on Matchday 5, Nasarawa Amazons and hosts Rivers Angels played out a goalless draw, while FC Robo Queens came from behind to secure a 1–1 draw against Abia Angels.
Final standings saw Edo Queens top the Super Six table with 10 points, finishing two points ahead of Bayelsa Queens in second place, with Nasarawa Amazons completing the top three. Abia Angels ended their debut campaign with six points, while FC Robo Queens and Rivers Angels finished on four points apiece.
The individual accolades saw FC Robo Queens’ Oluwakemi Adegbuyi named Player of the Season, while Abia Angels’ Fatima Oloko picked up Goalkeeper of the Season. Abasiofon Uwah (Rivers Angels) and Atume Doosuur (Edo Queens) shared the Golden Boot with 13 goals each, and Rivers Angels were awarded the Fair Play Prize.
As champions, Edo Queens will represent Nigeria at the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Burkina Faso from August 13 to September 5, where they will aim to secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League and a potential pathway to the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
The grand finale was attended by key dignitaries including NFF board member Aisha Falode, former board member Barr. Chris Green, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Peter Akpe, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Daniel Igali, Edo State Sports Commission Chairman Desmond Enabulele, NFF Director of Competitions Ruth David, and Bendel Insurance Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe.
The United States government has issued a stern warning to foreign social media influencers and content creators planning to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that they could face deportation if they earn money while in the country on tourist visas.
The warning, issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, comes as millions of football fans and thousands of independent content creators converge on North America for the month-long tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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According to US authorities, foreign nationals entering the country on a B-2 tourist visa are not permitted to engage in paid work or receive income from activities carried out while in the United States.
“Having the sole purpose of the visit be content creation (as an influencer), thereby generating income from U.S. sources while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa,” the agencies said.
The government stressed that tourist visas are intended for leisure, vacations, family visits, and medical treatment, and do not authorize employment or income-generating activities.
Officials warned that anyone found violating the terms of their visa could face immediate visa cancellation, deportation, and possible restrictions on future travel to the United States.
The directive applies to influencers and content creators who monetize content on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook while attending the World Cup.
Authorities also clarified that working for a media outlet while in the country on a tourist visa is prohibited under the same regulations.
Immigration lawyer Alex Galvez noted that foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their entry could lose their tourist visa privileges.
However, he suggested that some influencers might have legal grounds to challenge enforcement actions if their social media accounts are registered in their home countries and payments are received outside the United States.
The warning comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19, is expected to attract a record number of digital creators documenting the tournament for global audiences.
The issue has also fueled broader concerns over immigration restrictions surrounding the tournament.
The International Sports Press Association recently criticized what it described as unfair visa limitations affecting some journalists seeking entry into the United States.
In a separate incident, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry into the country ahead of the competition.
The US government’s tough stance follows previous immigration enforcement actions involving high-profile influencers.
Recall that in 2025, TikTok sensation Khaby Lame was detained by immigration authorities at Las Vegas airport and later self-deported after allegedly overstaying his visa.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also confirmed it will assist with security operations at World Cup venues, underscoring the administration’s broader immigration enforcement measures during the tournament.
As the world’s biggest football event gets underway, foreign influencers hoping to cash in on World Cup content are being reminded that violating US visa rules could come at a heavy cost.
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