Cole Palmer returned with a much-needed goal as Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League on Saturday to end a run of four games without a win in all competitions.
Victory at Stamford Bridge lifted Chelsea back into the top four.
Injury-plagued attacking midfielder Cole missed Chelsea’s loss away to Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday as part of his recovery from a two-month spell on the sidelines.
Palmer was initially troubled by a groin problem and then fractured his toe after stubbing it on a door at home.
The 23-year-old made his first start for the Blues since September in last weekend’s goalless draw at Bournemouth.
The England international broke the deadlock against Everton in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.
READ ALSO: Champions League: De Ketelaere Inspires Atalanta Fightback To Beat Chelsea
Malo Gusto played in Palmer with a fine pass, and he beat fellow England international Jordan Pickford at the goalkeeper’s near post.
Everton dominated possession, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saving well from Jack Grealish.
All of Everton’s pressure failed to yield an equaliser, and Chelsea, against the run of play, doubled their lead in first-half stoppage-time when a counter-attack ended with Gusto turning in a cut-back from Pedro Neto.
Everton had a chance to make it 2-1 when Carlos Alcaraz curled in a cross to the back post, only for the unmarked Grealish to divert the ball well wide.
Chelsea almost added a third when Reece James’s quick free-kick was only just tipped over the bar by Pickford.
The highlight of Group D at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco promises to be the showdown between two former champions, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They met just two months ago in a World Cup qualifier, with the Senegalese coming from two goals behind to snatch a 3-2 victory through a Pape Matar Sarr goal.
Victory led to Senegal qualifying for a third straight World Cup, while DR Congo will face Jamaica or New Caledonia in March with a ticket to the global showcase on the line.
READ ALSO: Algeria Include Son Of Zinedine Zidane In AFCON Squad
While DR Congo hope to atone for the Kinshasa loss, the stage is set for a cameo to relish on December 27 in Tangier between Senegal striker Sadio Mane and DR Congo centre-back Chancel Mbemba.
Mane may be less in the media limelight since leaving Liverpool and Bayern Munich for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr two years ago.
But last month in Turkey he issued a reminder that his predatory instincts remain, scoring a hat-trick as Senegal crushed Kenya 8-0 in a warm-up for the AFCON.
Mane has already scaled the African football summit, converting the decisive penalty to give the Teranga Lions a shootout victory over Egypt in the 2022 final in Yaounde.
Three years earlier, Mane featured in another AFCON final. However, he had to settle for a silver medal as an early goal from Algeria proved the only one of the title decider in Cairo.
Senegal disappointed at the most recent AFCON, early last year in the Ivory Coast. After winning all three group matches, they lost on penalties to the host nation in a last-16 clash.
Long-serving coach Aliou Cisse did not have his contract renewed and another former national team star, Pape Thiaw, has proved a successful replacement.
– Crucial contributions –
A friendly loss to record five-time World Cup champions Brazil last month was his first setback after 10 victories and two draws. Trouncing Kenya three days later upped the win count.
Mbemba recently celebrated representing his country 100 times with two crucial contributions as DR Congo seek a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
In African play-offs among the best four group runners-up, Mbemba snatched the late goal that sank Cameroon 1-0 in a semi-final in Morocco.
When the final against Nigeria finished 1-1 after extra time in Rabat, a shootout ensued and the penalty that separated the teams was calmly converted by Mbemba.
The professional career of the 31-year-old began in Belgium with Anderlecht. He then had spells with Newcastle United, Porto and Marseille before joining Lille.
While 33-year-old Mane hopes to add to his 51 goals for Senegal, Mbemba will be determined to shackle the two-time African player of the year.
Much of the credit for the resurgence of DR Congo goes to French coach Sebastien Desabre, a 49-year-old whose first African assignment was with Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas.
He then coached clubs in Cameroon, Tunisia, Angola, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt, and spent two years in charge of Uganda, taking them to an AFCON for the first time in 41 years.
“Our first objective is to get out of Group D. Benin, Botswana and Senegal are strong teams. It will not be easy,” Desabre told the Congolese media.
“Qualifying for the World Cup intercontinental play-offs by eliminating Cameroon and Nigeria proved we are progressing.
“I predict a bright future for the Leopards, provided we continue learning. Eliminating Nigeria was fantastic, but that result is history now.”
Benin have shown consistent improvement under German Gernot Rohr, who previously coached Gabon, Niger and Nigeria at AFCONs. They will be captained by veteran striker Steve Mounie.
Nigerian sports fans experienced a year of sharp contrasts in 2025. There were sweet victories, and several bitter losses overshadowed the moments of triumph, making it a bittersweet year for the sports industry.
The women’s national team, the Super Falcons, arguably gave Nigerian sports fans the greatest joy in 2025, winning a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. Just as Nigerians were relishing the Super Falcons’ historic feat, the women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, had an astonishing run at the Women’s AfroBasket 2025, winning an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in the Ivory Coast and seventh in total.
But if Nigerian sports fans had thought it was going to be an all-blissful year, they were mistaken. They were hit by the heavy blow of missing out on the biggest sporting event in the world — the FIFA World Cup — for the second consecutive time, having also missed out in 2022.
READ ALSO: Super Falcons Make Phenomenal Comeback Against Morocco To Lift 10th WAFCON Title
What followed were the failures of the national male and female football U-20 and U-17 teams in the competitions they participated in, as well as the failure of the men’s senior basketball team in the AfroBasket 2025, and the poor performance of Nigerian athletes at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Let’s dive in and look at the 2025 sports moments that shook the country, captivated the world, and guaranteed their place in the history books.
1. Fantastic Falcons
Nigeria’s players celebrate with the trophy on the podium after winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final football match against Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 26, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
The Super Falcons went to Morocco with one thing in mind: Mission X, a campaign to win Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title. It was a mission accomplished in grand style, bringing joy to millions of Nigerian sports fans.
Nigeria kick-started their campaign by defeating Tunisia 3–0 in a Group B encounter, courtesy of goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
After that emphatic win over the Carthage Eagles, the Falcons faced Botswana, needing three points to reach the knockout stage.
An 89th-minute close-range strike from Ihezuo broke the Southern Africans and earned victory for Nigeria. Algeria put up a defensive masterclass to hold the Nigerians to a scoreless draw at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Nigeria dispatched Zambia 5–0 in the quarter-final and edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 2–1 in the semi-final to set up a mouth-watering final with host Morocco.
After going behind 2–0 in the first half, the Falcons turned things around in the second half with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini. The win made it a perfect 10-in-10 in finals for Nigeria, reinforcing their stranglehold on women’s football across the continent.
2. Historic D’Tigress
D’Tigress celebrate victory over Mali. X/MakingOfChamp
The D’Tigress seemed inspired by the historic feat of the Super Falcons and went ahead to make their own history, making Nigerians even happier.
The D’Tigress started their campaign with a commanding 92–45 victory over Rwanda, followed by a 60–55 win against Mozambique. Nigeria then dispatched Cameroon 83–47 in a dominant quarter-final performance.
The D’Tigress fought hard to beat Senegal 75–68 to earn a final berth against Mali. Nigeria edged out Mali 78–64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title.
3. Super Eagles’ World Cup Disaster
The most heartbreaking event in Nigerian sports in 2025 was the disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign by the Super Eagles, which ended in a 2–1 play-off defeat to DR Congo in November.
Nigeria had lost the sole automatic ticket in Group C to South Africa but managed to reach the African play-off after beating Benin 4–0 in the final group game in Uyo.
The Super Eagles beat Gabon 4–1 in the semi-final of the play-off to book a spot in the final against DR Congo. The game ended 1–1 after normal and extra time, but during penalties, the Leopards of DR Congo overpowered the Super Eagles 4–3 to claim Africa’s sole ticket to the intercontinental play-offs billed for March next year.
4. D’Tigers AfroBasket Fail
D’Tigers won their first title in 2015. Photo: X@NigeriaBasket
Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, only managed to secure fifth place at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket, held in Angola from August 12 to 24.
They exited the competition in the quarter-finals following a 91–75 defeat to Senegal, who later claimed the bronze medal. Host nation Angola emerged champions after a commanding 70–43 victory over Mali in the final, securing their 12th AfroBasket crown.
5. Flying Eagles World Cup Fiasco
The Flying Eagles. Photo: X@AdemolaVictorTv
Six-time champions Argentina ended Nigeria’s campaign at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, posting a 4–0 win in the Round of 16. The loss brought an end to Nigeria’s tournament run, eliminating the two-time silver medallists.
6. Tokyo 2025 Poor Outing
Tobi Amusan at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston. X/@AthleticsAfrica
Nigeria had a poor showing at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, securing only one silver and one bronze medal. Tobi Amusan won Nigeria’s only silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with a strong time of 12.29 seconds, while Ezekiel Nathaniel earned bronze in the men’s 400m hurdles, setting a new Nigerian record of 47.11 seconds.
Although Kanyisola Ajayi fell short of winning a medal, he became the first Nigerian man in years to reach the 100m final, clocking 9.93 seconds. Nigeria finished 27th on the medal table with two medals.
While not particularly impressive, it was an improvement from the previous World Championships, where Nigeria had won no medals.
7. Flamingos Crash Out Of World Cup
The Flamingos crash out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. X/@1topham
The Nigerian U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, failed once again in their quest to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They reached the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, but Italy scored early to take a 1–0 first-half lead and added three second-half goals, aided by goalkeeping errors, resulting in a 4–0 defeat and elimination.
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, a son of France football icon Zinedine Zidane, was named on Saturday in the Algeria squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21 in Morocco.
The 27-year-old plays for Spanish second-tier club Granada and represented France at the youth level before switching his international allegiance to Algeria.
He debuted for Algeria in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda two months ago and is one of three goalkeepers chosen. The others are Oussama Benbot from USM Alger and Anthony Mandrea of Caen.
Speaking after his debut, Zidane said: “It is an honour for me, and I will give 100% to make the Algerian people proud.”
“I’m sure the players will arrive highly motivated and ready to play in this AFCON,” said Algeria coach and former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic after announcing the squad.
“The main objective is to get past the first round… with the ambition to go as far as possible in the tournament.”
Algeria start their Group E campaign against Sudan on December 24, then face Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Group winners and runners-up automatically qualify for the round of 16. The best four of the six third-placed nations also advance to the knockout stage.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw selected six Premier League players in his squad for the AFCON, where they face Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin in Group D.
They are defender El Hadji Diouf (West Ham), midfielders Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Habib Diarra (Sunderland) and forwards Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace).
“We are among the favourites, and we accept that. I want a dominant team,” said Thiaw, who was in the Senegal squad that reached the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.
Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.
As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.
Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.
A fan takes a selfie with Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Thousands of fans packed into a stadium in eastern India on December 13 to cheer on Lionel Messi as the football legend unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself.
Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.
Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.
Security personnel shield themselves with chairs whilst the crowd reacts as Inter Miami’s Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi departs from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Thousands of fans packed into a stadium in eastern India on December 13 to cheer on Lionel Messi as the football legend unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself.
He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.
Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.
“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” Ajay Shah, told PTI.
State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” at the mismanagement.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.
Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.
His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals.
Mohamed Salah has been included in Liverpool’s squad for their Premier League match at home to Brighton on Saturday following talks with manager Arne Slot, according to several British media reports.
READ ALSO: Salah Opens Door To Liverpool Exit With ‘Thrown Under The Bus’ Rant
Both the BBC and Sky said the decision was made with Slot, who had made it clear he would have the final say on whether to recall Salah, wanting to act in the best interests of the club.
The Dutchman had previously said he would speak to Salah on Friday morning following the Egypt striker’s outburst last weekend that raised doubts about his Anfield future and saw him omitted from the squad that travelled to Italy for a Champions League win over Inter Milan in midweek.
Under The Bus
Salah accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after he was left on the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw at Leeds — the third match in a row that he did not start.
He also said he had no relationship with Slot when he spoke to reporters after the match at Elland Road.
On Tuesday, Liverpool won 1-0 at Inter Milan, while the 33-year-old Salah posted a picture on social media of himself alone in a gym at the club’s training ground.
“I will have a conversation with Mo this morning — the outcome of that conversation determines how things will look tomorrow,” Slot told his pre-match press conference.
“I think the next time I speak about Mo should be with him and not in here. You can keep on trying but there is not much more to say about it.
“After the Sunderland game (a 1-1 draw on December 3 in which Salah came on as a second-half substitute) there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, between him and me,” he said.
Slot batted away further questions from reporters about the forward, but said, “I have no reasons not wanting him to stay, and that is a little bit of an answer to your question.”
Salah, who signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool in April, which made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League, is due to join the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after Saturday’s Brighton game at Anfield.
The length of his absence depends on how far Egypt goes in the competition in Morocco, with the final taking place on January 18.
Salah, third in Liverpool’s all-time scoring charts with 250 goals in 420 appearances, has won two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his spell on Merseyside.
He scored 29 Premier League goals last season as Liverpool romped to a 20th English league title, but has managed just four league goals in 13 appearances this season.
Liverpool are 10th in the table after a shocking run, with two wins in their past 10 Premier League games.
Salah has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Pro League.
