Europe

BERLIN — Organizers of Euro 2024 on Wednesday unveiled the official ball for the continental tournament next year, with its colorful pattern designed to reflect the energy of the event and with built-in technology to assist in VAR decisions.

Tournament director Philipp Lahm, along with others including Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, led the reveal of the Adidas-made "Fussballliebe" (love of football) on the Maifeld, next to Berlin's Olympic stadium, where the final will be played on July 14.

Spain and Gotham FC striker Esther González had an amazing 2023 calendar year as she won the World Cup with Spain and scored the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship on Saturday.

A bullet header from World Cup winner Esther González and Gotham FC lead the NWSL final once more

(via @NWSL)

pic.twitter.com/cdeNV7EP5T

Long-time Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has been named as head coach of the United States women's national soccer team, tasked with righting the ship after the country's most disappointing Women's World Cup campaign.

The 47-year-old from London is one of the game's most successful professional coaches, guiding Chelsea to 13 major trophies in her 11 seasons with the Women's Super League club.

Hayes' deal with the U.S., which will reportedly run through at least 2027, will make her the highest paid women's soccer coach in the world, U.S. Soccer said on Tuesday.

LONDON — Manchester City moved a point clear at the top of the Premier League on Sunday after a pulsating 4-4 draw at Chelsea with Erling Haaland scoring twice only for former City man Cole Palmer to level the match from the penalty spot in added time.

City scored first when Spanish defender Marc Cucurella pulled Haaland's shirt to concede a VAR-checked penalty which the Norwegian coolly converted in the 24th minute.

Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick as Paris St Germain moved top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 victory at fourth-placed Reims on Saturday.

Champions PSG top the standings with 27 points, one ahead of Nice who played out a goalless draw at Montpellier on Friday.

Kylian Mbappé hat trick vs Reims

Mbappe scored after three minutes, receiving a cross unmarked at the back post and calmly slotting a low volley into the bottom corner of the net.

WHAAAAAAAT! Mbappé, what did you do?! WHAT A GOLAZO!

WOLVERHAMPTON — Wolverhampton Wanderers stunned Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 with stoppage-time goals from Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina on Saturday, thwarting the visitors in their bid to reclaim top spot in the Premier League table.

Gary O'Neil's decision to bring on Sarabia as a late substitute paid off handsomely as the Spaniard scored the equalizer in the 91st minute and provided the pass for the 97th-minute winner.

The result left Spurs second in the standings behind Manchester City, while Wolves climbed to 12th ahead of the weekend's other fixtures.

BOGOTA — Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on Thursday freed the father of Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, after taking him hostage in the country's north nearly two weeks ago, the government said.

Luis Díaz father freed

Luis Manuel Díaz, Lucho’s father, has been released today after spending the last 12 days kidnapped in Colombia.

He’s with the police now after being released, as @VickyDavilaH reports.

COPENHAGEN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Manchester United gave up a two-goal lead in a breathless 4-3 Champions League loss to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday that turned after Marcus Rashford was shown a red card following a brace by young United striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The loss was a calamitous setback in United's hopes for last-16 qualification with Erik ten Hag's side fourth in Group A on three points with two group games still to play.