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Despite a disappointing 2-1 victory over Wolves on a day when both clubs paid tribute to Diogo Jota, Liverpool moved into the top four.

Jota, who died in a car accident in July, won four awards after moving to Liverpool from Wolves in 2020.

His wife Rute Cardoso watched on from the sidelines while two of his children led the teams out as mascots.

In the 18th and 20th minutes, Jota’s fans chanted his name, which were his shirt numbers while playing at Molineux and Anfield, respectively.

“I have witnessed so many special moments where the fans remembered him or our players behaved unbelievably in the circumstances,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot.

“Diogo and his brother were treated with the respect they deserved,” said not only our supporters but also those of other teams. Before the game and then in the 20th minute, it was special to see his children playing as the mascot.

Both teams have suffered this season, with Wolves facing relegation after only collecting two points in their first 18 league games.

Read more about Liverpool’s recent success with Isak Blow Following Ankle Injury.

Liverpool’s recent form has improved, and Wirtz is beginning to exhibit signs of the brilliance that drew the English champions to Bayer Leverkusen’s $ 100 million ($135 million) purchase.

The 22-year-old added his first Premier League assist last weekend when Alexander Isak broke his leg to open the scoring against Tottenham, giving Liverpool some pain.

There is even more pressure on Wirtz to fulfill his hefty price tag now that he is the most expensive player in English football history for the upcoming months.

He has played a significant role in our season so far. However, results are important in football, not goals and assists, Slot continued.

He was special to us in many ways throughout the game, according to the coach, “but today he showed much more than just the goal he scored.”

In his 23rd appearance for Liverpool, Wirtz prodded home Hugo Ekitike’s pass to double the home side’s lead before the final whistle.

Liverpool had made a breakthrough with the collision of Jeremie Frimpong’s cross 90 seconds prior.

However, Slot was unable to relax with a 2-0 half-time lead over a team that was on the verge of Premier League disaster.

Liverpool’s frailty was exposed by Santiago Bueno just six minutes into the second half when the game was pulled back from set pieces.

A perfectly timed tackle from Conor Bradley was required to give Jhon Arias a late equalizer because Slot’s men have a habit of late collapses at Leeds and Tottenham in recent weeks.

With a tense 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday, Arsenal overcame their defensive injury crisis to climb back to the top of the Premier League.

Before Riccardo Calafiori was injured just before kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side already had a number of defenders.

Martin Odegaard gave the Gunners a first half lead before Georginio Rutter’s own goal in the second half extended that lead.

Brighton’s Diego Gomez scored one goal, but Arsenal held on for a third successive league win.

Arsenal are two points clear of Manchester City, who had briefly risen to the top after beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 on Saturday.

On December 30th, the North Londoners take on title rivals Aston Villa in their next game.

Due to the injury bug, Arteta was forced to field a team without a recognized right-back, and Calafiori’s knock in the pre-game warm-up made things even worse.

READ MORE: Mane Redraws AFCON Draw for Senegal vs. DR Congo

Myles Lewis-Skelly started at left-back while England midfielder Declan Rice started at right-back due to Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Cristhian Mosquera being sidelined.

Arsenal should have taken an early lead at Brighton despite their defense issues when Viktor Gyokeres mishandled Lewis Dunk before striking straight at Bart Verbruggen.

After slaloming past Maxim De Cuyper, Bukayo Saka was next in line, but Verbruggen saved at his close range.

In the fourteenth minute, Verbruggen’s subpar goal-kick was saved by Saka, who teed up Odegaard for a fine low finish from the edge of the area.

It was the Arsenal captain’s first goal of the season, putting an end to a May personal goal drought.

Before Verbruggen made a brilliant save from Gyokeres, Rice almost doubled the lead, but Dunk cleared his shot off the line before he was saved.

The impressive record that Arsenal had won all 11 of their league games before this season’s opener was going to be preserved.

Rutter headed Rice’s corner into his own net in the 52nd minute, extending Arsenal’s remarkable run of set-piece goals this season and putting up four own goals in their last six goals.

It was a big surprise when Brighton, who had a better chance in the first half, scored one more than Brighton in the 64th minute.

Gomez responded quickly and fired home from close range after Yasin Ayari’s shot was cannoned back off the post.

For his return from a thigh injury suffered in early November, Arteta gave the game’s center-back a second chance.

However, Arsenal’s fans were beginning to jiggle, and Yankuba Minteh almost caused them to explode with a long-range blast that was headed in the top corner before Raya made a brilliant tip over.

Senegal, who is 2022 champions, and the Democratic Republic of Congo drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Saturday heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations match.

With only one game left to play, Senegal will continue to lead Group D thanks to Cedric Bakambu’s opening score of just after the hour mark in Tangiers.

Before their final group game against Benin on Tuesday, Senegal had a better goal difference despite the two teams having four points.

After winning 1-0 to Botswana on Saturday in Rabat, Benin now has three points. Neither team has scored in the bottom three.

After suffering a devastating defeat at the previous meeting of the nations, World Cup qualifying in September, Sebastien Desabre’s Congolese side sought retribution.

Senegal won the matchup 3-2 in Kinshasa, going on to win the match and leading their group to advance to the next year’s North American finals.

In order to avoid being eliminated from the World Cup in March, DR Congo must now enter a one-off play-off against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico.

Read more: Senegal, Nigeria, and Tunisia Contenders Start 2025 AFCON Campaigns With Wins

Senegal had more possession and chances on the day thanks to Botswana’s 3-0 victory, which is seen as perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco’s chances of capturing the title on its own soil.

Theo Bongonda, the Leopards’ top scorer, scored the only goal in their opening game win against Benin in the 61st minute after Edouard Mendy’s fine pass was parried by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who scored the winning goal.

Senegal, however, were only eight minutes into the game when Ibrahim Mbaye, a young substitute, made a superb run.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger Mbaye, who was born in France and has represented them until the Under-20s, recently committed to Senegal, for whom he has a parent who qualifies.

Just after Bakambu’s opener, he made the leveller from a perplexing run down the right. He took the place of Ismaila Sarr.

Mbaye slammed into Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to be hurting himself before being blocked by Lionel Mpasi, but Mane was on hand to score.

Former Liverpool legend Mane, who is playing in his sixth tournament, scored 10 goals in the AFCON.

In the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria and Tunisia have not previously played similar games. However, when the Super Eagles and the North Africans play in Group C on Saturday at the 2025 edition of the continental showpiece, their conflict, which dates back decades, will rekindle. &nbsp,

Following a 1-0 defeat to the Carthage Eagles in a last-16 showdown at the 2021 AFCON, the Super Eagles were forced to leave the sport. Nigeria had excellent form going in and out of their group.

The three-time champions, however, lost incredibly to a Tunisian side that was plagued by injuries and managed to make it to the knockouts against one of the best third-placed teams. &nbsp,

Also read: “Three Points Matter Most,” Ndidi Reacts Following Super Eagles’ AFCON Win vs. Tanzania

Although the two teams haven’t met since then, Nigeria will have another chance to reclaim their defeat in Cameroon when the two teams square off in Fez. The contest is top-of-the-table.

At the AFCON in 2025, Tunisia and the Super Eagles both won their first games. The North Africans, however, are gaining ground thanks to superior goal difference. &nbsp,

Nigeria: How they fared at AFCON 2025?

Coach Eric Chelle’s team defeated minnows Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game, and they needed a strike from Taifa Stars defender Semi Ajayi and forward Ademola Lookman to clinch all three points. &nbsp,

Tunisia in AFCON 2025

In the first round of matches, their foes were more brutal. To begin their campaign, they defeated the Cranes of Uganda 3-1.

A Head-to-Head Analysis of the AFCON Rivals: Nigeria vs. Tunisia

Sami Trabelsi’s men will want to keep fighting Nigeria and continue their excellent start there. Given the historical antecedents of both teams, they are aware of the dangers that the Super Eagles pose. &nbsp,

Nigeria leads the Carthage Eagles three times, beating Tunisia one, in the AFCON. Both of their games were decided on penalties. The North Africans won the 2021 AFCON thanks to a Youssef Msakni strike.

The 2004 champions of the conflict have won six victories, while their rivals have won five, and the rest have ended in draws. &nbsp,

What Chelle and Trabelsi Said Before the AFCON Game between Nigeria and Tunisia?

Coach Chelle acknowledged that Tunisia are a tough opponent with a colorful history ahead of the game and anticipates a difficult matchup. &nbsp,

“Tunisia are a big team with a strong playing identity and a strong World Cup qualifying record behind them.” He stated in his pre-game presser that they play good football and that this competition had started very well. &nbsp,

The Franco-Malian believes his team is capable of meeting the demands and that the Super Eagles are “improving with every match” despite the credentials of the Tunisians. &nbsp,

He stated, “This tournament is an opportunity to correct what previously went wrong and maintain our identity. There is no pressure on us.”

His counterpart acknowledged that “Nigeria are strong offensively and defensively.”

The 2004 AFCON hosts, according to Trabelsi, don’t want to miss out on Saturday’s flaws because they aren’t distracted by off-field events. &nbsp,

We have studied Nigeria’s football team, and there are no national teams without weak points. We must defeat large teams, he said, in order to advance. &nbsp,

Tunisian vs. Nigeria Team News

The Super Eagles will be hoping that a fully-fit team with their full roster of stars will eliminate the Tunisian threat while Trabelsi is plotting against Nigeria. &nbsp,

Prior to Saturday’s tie, the 2013 champions didn’t have any medical concerns. The starting eleven that faced Tanzania is most likely to be present. Nigeria’s fans want to see more of Victor Osimhen, a star striker, in the game, but they may have already won.

It is anticipated that Calvin Bassey’s defensive work rate, Alex Iwobi’s eagle eyes to pick out players, and Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman’s flair will help them win. &nbsp,

Tunisian Team News vs. Nigeria

Hazem Mastouri was a doubt for Tunisia’s match against Nigeria, but he has been declared fit to play. &nbsp,

The Tunisian coach stated on Friday that “Hazem is in good shape and is improving his training.” &nbsp,

Details of the 2025 AFCON match between Tunisia and Nigeria: Date and Kickoff Time

 This is the match information for Nigeria and Tunisia at the 2025 AFCON.

Tunisia vs. Nigeria game, p/c/o,

CAF Africa Cup of Nations Competition

Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco

Saturday, December 27 at 9 p.m. (WAT) or 8:00 pm (Nigerian time) as the kickoff time.

AFCON Knockouts on the Line: Tunisia vs. Nigeria

After Lassine Sinayoko’s second-half penalty earned Mali a 1-1 draw with the hosts on Friday, Morocco missed a chance to advance to the last 16 of the African Cup of Nations.

The first-half penalty early in the second-half gave Morocco the lead, but Sinayoko responded on 64 minutes with a spot kick.

READ ALSO: Musona Saves Zimbabwe In Angola-AFCON DRAW

Morocco’s record-breaking 19 matches were ended by a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament’s opening game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Morocco, who leads Group A with four points from two games, now has their place in the knockout phase, as a result.

Mali leads Zambia by two points after drawing 0-0 with the minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

Morocco will face Zambia on Mondayy, and a victory there will guarantee that the hosts will qualify as group winners.

“We’ll look back at the second half to find out what the issue was, but we didn’t play the way we did in the first half.” We had to leave because we didn’t impose our rules. Azzedine Ounahi, a Moroccan midfielder, told the broadcaster beIN Sports that the penalty had a slight impact on the game.

“We approach the third game with the same goal: to win it and finish first in the group.”

As Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi recovers from an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of November, Achraf Hakimi, the African player of the year, was once more an unused substitute.

Mbappe keeps watch on

In the crowd of 63, 844, his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, the current Real Madrid superstar and France captain, appeared to be sporting Hakimi’s number two on a shirt.

The Little Number 10 forced a good save from Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra on 17 minutes, and Diaz’s Real Madrid teammate was the main attraction on the pitch while Hakimi was on the sidelines. He then played a key role in the penalty that gave Mbappe the lead into the opening goal just before the break.

After a lengthy investigation into the pitchside VAR monitor, Mali defender Nathan Gassama eventually awarded a spot-kick following a lengthy look at the player. He attempted to stop Diaz from dribbling past him inside the box with his hand.

Soufiane Rahimi from Morocco saved a spot kick against Comoros, but Diaz deflected the ball in the wrong direction for his second goal of the tournament.

The best team in Africa, according to the FIFA rankings, couldn’t, however, as Mali won a penalty of their own shortly after the hour mark.

After being called over to check his screen, 29-year-old Cameroonian referee Abdoul Abdel Mefire awarded the penalty after a clumsy challenge by Jawad El Yami, q.

Auxerre striker Sinayoko kept his cool to savor the reward and restore parity after being accused of speaking to the referee in a public speech.

Egypt’s 10-man team defeated South Africa 1-0 on Friday in Agadir to become the first to advance to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

When Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box in the 45th minute, the Liverpool star converted a penalty and South Africa were denied a spot-kick in the final minute.

Salah skipped five Liverpool games to start in Morocco, which caused an outburst against manager Arne Slot.

When right-back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for stamping, followed by a red, in the first-half, Egypt were reduced to 10 men.

Egypt, the seven-time champions, are on pace for a top-two finish and a spot in the round of 16 after two rounds in Group B.

After drawing 1-1 in Marrakech earlier, South Africa now has three points, along with Angola and Zimbabwe one each.

After 11 minutes, Salah had 11 chances, but he was unable to advance quickly enough to cross Hany’s low cross.

Soon after Zizo’s request for a free kick was ignored, loud whistling surrounded the stadium, which made it clear that the majority of the crowd was in favor of the Pharaohs.

Three Egyptians darted forward after Salah fired a free kick into the South African area, but none could intercept the ball.

A pattern had emerged in the opening half: South Africa defended with calmness and effective tackling while Egypt were frequently pushing forward.

Salah is closely guarded ,

Omar Marmoush was yellow-carded when Teboho Mokoena fouled him just outside the D. The resultant free kick was fired wide by the Manchester City striker, though.

With many earlier group games staged in torrential rain, the sun burst out in the southern coastal city as the first half progressed, which was a welcome sight for both players and spectators.

Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that Mohamed El Shenawy, 37, comfortably saved in a rare South African attack that came to an unexpected end.

South Africa performed a complex, multi-pass move that ended tensely as El Shenawy clutched a cross as the team was awarded a free kick close to the touchline.

As half-time approached, Salah retreated into the Egyptian half while being closely watched by Aubrey Modiba.

The South African right-back raised his left arm and struck Salah’s left eye as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau.

The Burundian referee pointed the penalty spot on a VAR monitor as the Egyptians protested.

Salah comfortably converted the penalty after Ronwen Williams dived the wrong way despite a lengthy delay before the kick was taken.

When Hany stamped on Mokoena in extra time, adding drama, the defender received a second yellow card.

With a numerical advantage, South Africa attacked more as the second half progressed, but Williams foiled Emam Ashour, who had just a quick free-kick from Williams.

El Shenawy exhibited his agility with 15 minutes left, tipping a low Foster shot safely with his right hand. It was just one of several saves that kept Egypt ahead.