Day: September 2, 2025

Mohamed Salah made history on Tuesday by becoming the first player to win the Professional Footballers’ Association men’s Player of the Year award three times, after spearheading Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph.

The Egyptian forward struck 29 goals and registered 18 assists as Liverpool wrapped up their record-equalling 20th English crown with four games to spare. Salah had previously lifted the award in 2017/18 and 2021/22.

The 33-year-old’s latest recognition follows his Football Writers’ Association and Premier League Player of the Year honours earlier this year.

Salah was also named in the 2024/25 PFA Premier League Team of the Year, alongside Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Summer signing Milos Kerkez was included as well.

Arsenal provided three representatives namely, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice,  while Nottingham Forest duo Matz Sels and Chris Wood were rewarded for standout campaigns. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, runner-up to Salah in the Golden Boot race, also earned a spot.

On the women’s side, Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey claimed Player of the Year after helping the Gunners capture the Champions League title.

Dušan Vlahović’s second goal in as many Serie A games proved decisive as Juventus clinched a narrow 1-0 win over Genoa  at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The Bianconeri head into the international break with maximum points, while their unbeaten record in league matches when the Serbian scores (W25, D11) remains intact.

A goalless first half reflected both sides’ defensive solidity. Juventus started brighter, but Genoa came closest to breaking the deadlock when Mikael Egill Ellertsson wasted a golden chance from inside the box, firing weakly into Michele Di Gregorio’s gloves. At the other end, Federico Gatti forced a strong save from Nicola Leali, before Jonathan David missed badly from close range just before the interval.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ellertsson again denied and Khéphren Thuram spurning a big opportunity on the counter. Genoa pushed forward, but it was Juventus who showed their cutting edge when Vlahović rose highest in the 73rd minute to nod in Filip Kostić’s corner at the near post.

The striker should have doubled his tally five minutes from time but delayed his shot too long, allowing Genoa’s defence to recover. The hosts nearly punished that wastefulness, with Caleb Ekuban drawing a fine last-gasp save from Di Gregorio, but Juve held firm.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side now sit among the early pacesetters with a perfect record, while Genoa will be left ruing missed chances that could have changed the game’s outcome.

Udinese produced a remarkable comeback to beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro, ending a run of six straight defeats against the Nerazzurri and earning their first positive result in the fixture since 2017.

Inter started brightly, with Marcus Thuram causing problems in the box before laying off for Denzel Dumfries, who slotted home in the 17th minute to give the hosts the lead.

But the momentum shifted when Dumfries was penalised for handball after Nicolò Bertola’s header struck his arm. Keinan Davis calmly dispatched the resulting penalty, sending Yann Sommer the wrong way to level the contest.

Le Zebrette’s confidence grew, and they struck again just before half-time. Davis turned provider, feeding Arthur Atta , who coolly drilled into the bottom corner for his first Serie A goal to silence the San Siro.

Inter pressed relentlessly after the break, with Nicolò Barella, Thuram, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu all going close, while Federico Dimarco had a thunderous strike ruled out for offside in the buildup. Udinese held firm, however, surviving a late barrage as Sommer’s opposite number Răzvan Sava stood tall.

Despite wave after wave of Inter pressure, Gabriele Cioffi’s side clung on to record a famous victory – one that sends an early warning to Serie A rivals that Udinese will not be easy opponents this season.

A new wave of Australian footballers is beginning to make headlines overseas, raising hopes for the Socceroos’ prospects at the 2026 World Cup.

Among the standout names is 19-year-old Nestory Irankunda , who has quickly settled into life in England. The winger made an instant impact on his Championship debut, assisting Luca Kjerrumgaard in a 2-1 win over QPR, before showcasing his trademark free-kick ability in back-to-back games that earned crucial points for Watford.

His eye-catching strikes have not only boosted his team’s early-season momentum but also rekindled memories of the stunning set-piece goals he produced as a 15-year-old at Adelaide United. Fans in England have already grown familiar with his trademark cartwheel celebration, regularly seen in the A-League and now making its way into Championship stadiums.

Irankunda enters the international break full of confidence as the Socceroos prepare for their two-legged “Soccer Ashes” series against New Zealand. His rapid rise is fuelling growing belief that Australia’s next golden generation is ready to shine on the global stage.