Europe

Aug. 16 (Reuters) - It took Ajax 34 penalties to beat Panathinaikos 13-12 in a marathon shootout on Thursday, setting a UEFA competition record after their Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time.

Ajax, who won 1-0 at Panathinaikos last week, conceded in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, leading to the shootout that broke the previous record of 32 attempts at the European U-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 where Netherlands beat England 13-12.

Ajax vs. Panathinaikos full 34-penalty shootout

Mauricio Pochettino is details away from becoming the new U.S. men’s national team coach, with almost every reputable transfer source in the world confirming that Pochettino has agreed to take over the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino becomes the new USMNT manager, leading the US to World Cup 2026.

MADRID, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr. is open to an offer of more than one billion euros from Saudi Arabia, sources close to the player told Reuters on Monday.

Saudi Arabia to offer Vinicius Jr. $200 million salary

Vinicius, 24, was approached by Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) officials to inquire about his interest of moving to the Saudi Pro League (SPL) on a five-year contract worth around 200 million euros per season fixed, plus bonuses.

United States men’s national team and Leeds United forward Brenden Aaronson had himself a day in the EFL Championship opening weekend on Saturday. The American scored a 95th minute equalizer to draw Leeds level at 3-3 with Portsmouth.

Unfortunately for Aaronson he’ll likely remember the game more for the wasted opportunity to win the game that came moments later.

Aaronson was brought on as a substitute in the 72nd minute with the score tied at 2-2. It looked like the opening game would end in disaster for Leeds when Portsmouth scored in the 92nd minute to take the lead.

LONDON — Champions Manchester City beat FA Cup winners Manchester United 7-6 on penalties to win the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday after the traditional season curtain-raiser finished level at 1-1.

United created a host of chances to take the lead and were rewarded when 20-year-old substitute Alejandro Garnacho ran through the City defence to slide the ball into the bottom corner of the net in the 82nd minute.

PARIS — Spain secured the gold medal in the Olympic men's soccer tournament after Sergio Camello scored twice in extra time to earn a dramatic 5-3 win over hosts France in a nail-biting final at Parc des Princes on Friday.

The teams were locked at 3-3 at the end of normal time but Camello scored 10 minutes into the extra period and scored another at the end to earn Spain their first Olympic title since 1992.

PARIS — Germany secured the bronze medal in the women's Olympic soccer tournament with a 1-0 win over Spain thanks to a Giulia Gwinn penalty after the world champions missed a penalty deep in added time at the Lyon Stadium on Friday.

Germany, who lost to the United States in the semis, grabbed the lead in the 65th minute when Gwinn earned the penalty and converted after a foul by Spanish keeper Cata Coll.

¡GOL DE ALEMANIA! ¡YA LO GANAN!

Portugal defender Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old said on Thursday.

Pepe's last game came at Euro 2024, where Portugal were defeated by France on penalties in the quarter-finals, and he became the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals tournament.

Pepe retires

OFFICIAL: Pepe announces his retirement at 41 years old.

878 games, 34 trophies and one of the best defenders around for years…