Late Odegaard Penalty Gives Arsenal 3-2 Win Over Newcastle

In a pre-season friendly in Singapore on Sunday, Martin Odegaard scored the winner from the spot in the 84th minute as Arsenal defeated Newcastle 3-2.

Before kickoff, the crowd of more than 38,700 gathered to introduce Swedish international striker Viktor Gyokeres, who was signed from Sporting Lisbon on Saturday.

In the Singapore heat, he watched from the bench as his new club won a thrilling match.

At the National Stadium in Singapore on July 23, 2025, AC Milan’s goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano (bottom) prevents Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from getting the ball in the penalty area during the Singapore Festival of Football pre-season friendly game. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN/AFP)

The 27-year-old could make his debut next Thursday when Arsenal take on Tottenham in another friendly in Hong Kong.

Read more about the Super Falcons’ incredible comeback against Morocco to win the 10th WAFCON title.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at having Viktor with us because “we are constantly improving the quality of the squad.”

“He needs to be here for a long time,” he said.

In the sixth minute, Newcastle scored with their first attack, which was without striker Alexander Isak as he considers his future.

After receiving a cross from Sandro Tonali, Anthony Elanga, a new signing, blasted the ball into the bottom corner.

On July 27, 2025, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka controls the ball during the Singapore Festival of Football’s pre-season friendly game between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the National Stadium in Singapore. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN/AFP)

However, after a shaky beginning, Arsenal regained control and rhythm.

In the 33rd minute, Kai Havertz’s film brought in Mikel Merino.

When Arsenal’s defenseman fumbled the ball into his own net two minutes later, Arsenal was ahead.

After the restart, the Magpies almost had a third lead, but keeper Nick Pope thanked him for stopping Bukayo Saka’s bicycle kick.

Unopposed to the start of play, substitute Jacob Murphy scored for Newcastle when his outside-of-box shot smacked past David Raya.

The game-changer came from 15-year-old Max Dowman’s deep run into the box, where he was clipped by Joelinton, with the match seemingly going to be a draw.

Following a 1-0 defeat at AC Milan, Odegaard made no mistakes from the spot to give Arsenal their second Singapore victory.

“Today was a friendly game against Newcastle,” the statement read. It was a real test, Arteta claimed.

It increased our physical and competitiveness levels. We still need to improve, such as how well we compete, comprehend our positions, and demonstrate our resolve to win.

VIDEO: Emotional Ajibade Sings After Leading Falcons To 10th Title

Rasheedat Ajibade, the super Falcons captain, has reacted to Rabat’s historic victory in the 10th continental championship.

In the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the Falcons came back strong to defeat Morocco 3-2.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament was Ajibade, the country’s captain and standout performer.

Before the final, the Super Falcons were unbeaten and the tournament’s best team.

READ ALSO: Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper award at the 2024 World Cup, Ajibade wins MVP.

The charismatic winger praised God for winning in a press conference following the crucial game in Morocco.

Watch the video below:

WAFCON 2024: ‘You Will Be Celebrated,’ Tinubu Assures Super Falcons

On their return from Morocco, where the team won the WAFCON title for the 10th consecutive year, President Bola Tinubu has assured them of a fitting celebration.

The Super Falcons defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 on Saturday to win the 2024 title at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, making a stunning comeback from two goals down.

Nigeria responded with a strong second-half display despite Morocco’s early lead thanks to Ghizlane Chebbak, the tournament’s top scorer, in the 12th minute and doubled their lead when Sana Mssoudy found the back of the net in the 24th.

President Tinubu sat down with them and their officials to record a video call after being impressed by their performance.

“As a team, we are very proud of you, and the entire country is proud of you.” We are all very happy because of you.

You will be celebrated, and I congratulate all the team’s coaches, officials, and ministers.

Read more about the Super Falcons’ incredible comeback against Morocco to win the 10-team World Cup title.

For the country and the continent as a whole, it is not a small feat to set the record for victories for the tenth time. Enjoy yourself and avoid injuries on your way home, according to Tinubu.

Rasheedat Ajibade, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, was honored by the President and won the Woman of the Tournament award.

He also praised Esther Okoronkwo’s composure at a crucial moment in the final, describing her 64th-minute penalty kick as “very courageous.”

Jennifer Echegini converted the decisive free-kick to seal Nigeria’s 3-2 victory.

The President recited the words “Safe journey home, enjoy yourselves, avoid injuries, God bless you” to the cheery players and officials, who repeatedly recited “Thank you, Mr. President”!

Ajibade thanked the President for approving the full payment of the players’ allowances while speaking on behalf of the team. She assured him that the Abuja team was ready to give the WAFCON trophy.

FULL LIST: Ajibade Wins MVP, Nnadozie, Crowned Best Goalkeeper At 2024 WAFCON

The recently concluded 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which they won with a stunning comeback victory over Morocco, was dominated by Nigeria.

In a game that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in football, the Super Falcons, who were two goals down at half-time, rallied to defeat Morocco 3-2 in Rabat.

READ MORE: “They Understood The Assignment,” “Tinubu Congratulates Super Falcons On WAFCON Victory.”

Of course, that victory led some of the competitors to individual accolades as a result. The Player of the Tournament was named as Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who also received three Woman of the Match honors. She only scored once, but her success was decisive for Nigeria’s bid for the 10-year WAFCON title.

As the Super Falcons won another title, the winger set an example by demonstrating resilience, hunger, and drive.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, Ajibade’s teammate, was chosen as the tournament’s goalkeeper. Nigeria won the title thanks to the Brighton FC’s quick reflexes and saves. She only conceded once in the semi-final against South Africa, which she only did once. For the first time in open play, she was denied two goals by the Moroccan Atlas Lionesses.

Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco, who scored the most goals overall, won the tournament’s Golden Boot. She had five strikes to her name, including the first for her team in the Saturday final.

South Africa, who lost to Nigeria in the semi-final, received the Fair Play Award for their tact and teamwork throughout the tournament.

Justin Madugu, who was appointed interim coach for Nigeria, was also given the award for guiding the 2018 WAFCON winners to the trophy.

With Saturday’s victory, Nigeria’s quest for a 10th title, known as “Mission X,” came to an end. The Super Falcons rose to the challenge and wrote their names in the WAFCON history books, despite some initial championship fans’ disproportions at the beginning.

Next year’s WAFCON will be held in Morocco.

Winners of the WAFCON 2024 Awards

‘They Understood The Assignment,’ Tinubu Congratulates Super Falcons On WAFCON Victory

The Super Falcons of Nigeria won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with the highest honors on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu congratulated them on their record 10th continental title.

Morocco was the host nation’s opponent, but the Falcons came back strong to defeat them 3-2.

They chose to accept this mission, the president declared on his official X account. They comprehended the task.

“Our Superior Super Falcons delivered in true Nigerian fashion,” said the seller. Never, ever, ever. They left . They observed.

They “have won once more” 10-time African champions. #MissionX: Complete!

The Super Falcons were praised for their significant accomplishments by Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, who also attributed it to their upbeat spirit.

She signed a statement, reading, “I celebrate you, our beautiful and lovely Super Falcons, for the historic victory of your 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations championship.”

Your overwhelmingly positive 3-2 victory is indeed remarkable and commendable.
You put forth a lot of effort, perseverance, and an unwavering Nigerian spirit, and it is not just another trophy. For this sweet victory, we express our gratitude to God.

You have once more made Nigeria our beloved country’s proud and established your status as the African football queens.

Super Falcons Make Phenomenal Comeback Against Morocco To Lift 10th WAFCON Title

In the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final on Saturday, the Super Falcons came back to defeat Morocco 3-2.

The Falcons have now won their tenth African Women’s trophy.

Justin Madugu’s team was hoping to redress their 2024 semifinal defeat to the North Africans.

Morocco’s No. 18 Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigeria’s No. 13 Midfielder Deborah Abiodun and No. 18 Sanaa Mssoudy cross the line in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final football game at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 26, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)

RELATED: “They Understood The Assignment,” “Tinubu Congratulates Super Falcons On WAFCON Victory,”


The Moroccans would start to show first blood in the 13th minute when Ghizlane Chebbak, the tournament’s top scorer, was fortunate to have a loose ball play before the team broke away to Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Ijamilusi Folashade tried to resolve issues, but she was unable to do so by giving Khadija Er-Rmichi a weak shot.

The hosts scored two goals in the 28th minute when Mssoudy received the ball on the left edge of the box and fired a low, left-footed shot into the back of the net.

Women’s CAF Football on X

With the score at 2-0, both teams would head for the tunnel, Morocco in the ascendancy.

The Super Falcons’ pressing and passing were much more deliberate, and they brought the second half to a new high.

When the Moroccan keeper collided with Rabbah, her own defender, before the defense intervened, they were almost given the lead, and Rabbah came to her rescue.

Before Morocco and Nigeria’s 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final football game at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on July 26, 2025, Nigerian supporters cheer their team. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT/AFP)

The Super Falcons would benefit from the relentless pressure, however, in the 63rd minute when Ijamilusi hooked the ball back and hit Benzina.

Nigerians had a glimmer of hope when Okoronkwo quietly found the back of the net.

In the 71st minute, Okoronkwo ran down the right and cut into the area before squaring up in peace with Ijamilusi to bring him home.