Saka Sparks Arsenal Attack into Life Ahead of Atletico Showdown

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Saka Sparks Arsenal Attack into Life Ahead of Atletico Showdown

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Fulham - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 2, 2026 Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their second goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

Bukayo Saka's return from injury has jolted Arsenal's attack back into life just in time for the Gunners to dream of a Premier League and Champions League double.

Saka scored and provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres as Mikel Arteta's men bagged three goals for the first time in 16 games in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham.

All three goals arrived before Saka was withdrawn by Arteta at half-time to protect the England winger, who has been nursing an achilles injury in recent months.

Arteta had one eye on Tuesday's visit by Atletico Madrid, with Arsenal hoping to reach just the second Champions League final in their history.

The clash is evenly poised at 1-1 after a first leg dominated by penalty decisions in the Spanish capital.

Both sides netted from the spot, but Arsenal thought they should have had a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was clipped inside the box.

Saka was involved in that move and his introduction as a substitute helped Arsenal turn the tide to finish the first leg on the front foot.

The 24-year-old was recently handed a new four-year contract, reportedly making him the highest earner at the club.

Saka has struggled to find his best form since a serious hamstring injury ruled him out for three months last season.

Arteta, though, is hoping the attacker is both physically and mentally fresh to end Arsenal's long wait for silverware.

- Difference maker -

Saka's quick feet and deadly delivery left Gyokeres with the simple task of tapping into an empty net to settle the Premier League leaders' nerves early on against Fulham.

The roles were reversed for the second as Saka latched onto the Swede's pass and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner for his 10th goal of an injury-disrupted campaign.

"He certainly made a difference. He made two actions that decided the game and we know what he's capable of," said Arteta.

"He's come back in the most important period of the season and now he's fresh.

"His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible height and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that's a big platform for Tuesday."

Robert Pires was part of the only previous Arsenal side to reach the Champions League final, a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in 2006.

The Frenchman's wing play made him a legendary figure in north London for his part in two Premier League titles under Arsene Wenger and he believes Saka can have an inspirational impact on his team-mates.

"He's found his sharpness again, he's brought back his dribbling, his drive," Pires told AFP.

"When you have players like him, capable of making the difference, it already does everyone a lot of good.

"Above all, he pulls the others along, getting them to do, or at least try to do, what he does."

Arsenal's miserly defense, which has conceded just six goals in 13 Champions League games, has carried them to the brink of the final.

Now the onus is on Saka, nicknamed "star-boy" by the club's supporters, to provide the creative spark to take Arsenal to Budapest next month.



African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
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African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)

Mohamed Salah struggled to hold back the tears during his final appearance for Liverpool on Sunday after a trophy-filled career with the Anfield outfit.

The 33-year-old winger, who will captain Egypt at the 2026 World Cup next month, leaves as the Reds' third-highest goalscorer of all-time on 257.

Popularly known as the Egyptian King, Salah played 74 minutes before being substituted for Jeremie Frimpong in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Salah waved an emotional farewell to Liverpool after nine glittering years at Anfield in a draw against Brentford. There was no goodbye goal for Salah, but he did provide the assist for Curtis Jones as a point secured Liverpool's place in the Champions League next season.

ANTOINE SEMENYO (Manchester City)

Semenyo finished third in the Premier League goalscoring charts this season after netting his 17th for runners-up Manchester City in a 2-1 home defeat by fourth-placed Aston Villa. The Ghanaian international was one of the few City stars not rested by Pep Guardiola in his final game in charge and flicked in from a corner to open the scoring at the Etihad.

BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester Utd)

Cameroon international Mbeumo finished off a brilliant team move for his 12th goal of the season as third-placed United ended the season on a high with a 3-0 win at Brighton.

SPAIN

EZ ABDE (Real Betis)

Moroccan winger Abde ended an excellent campaign with a goal in Real Betis's 2-1 win over Levante on the final day of La Liga. The 24-year-old scored his 10th league goal of the season to put his team in front as they celebrated their Champions League qualification with a home victory.

BRAHIM DIAZ (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid playmaker Diaz netted the fourth in Los Blancos' emphatic 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. The Morocco international was able to score his first top-flight goal of a season in which he was often reduced to a bit-part role, from close range at the end of a neat team move.

RANDY NTEKA (Rayo Vallecano)

Vallecano are focused on the Conference League final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but were able to sign off from La Liga with a 2-1 win over Alaves thanks to Randy Nteka's late goal. The Angola attacker showed poise in the box to receive a low pass and drill home his third goal of the league season.

FRANCE

ABDALLAH SIMA (Lens)

The Senegalese striker struck on 78 minutes to seal a 3-1 victory for Lens over Nice in the French Cup final. Sima got on the end of a header back towards his own goal by veteran Brazilian defender Dante, and stabbed the ball into the net.


Hamilton Unlocks Ferrari Magic with Montreal Breakthrough

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
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Hamilton Unlocks Ferrari Magic with Montreal Breakthrough

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)

Lewis Hamilton celebrated ‌his strongest performance yet in Ferrari red after finishing second at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, crediting behind-the-scenes changes and a fresh approach to car setup for finally unlocking his potential with the Italian team.

The seven-times Formula One world champion passed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the closing laps at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to secure his second podium finish this season, after the Chinese Grand Prix in March.

"The prep before, I chose a different set-up this weekend through just ciphering ‌through the data, ‌working really well with my engineer," Hamilton ‌said. "I ⁠was able to ⁠attack all the corners finally."

Hamilton praised Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's support in implementing changes to make him more comfortable in the car.

"There's a lot of changes that I've had to ask for, and Fred's been super supportive and again also moving mountains in order to make me comfortable. And it's finally ⁠starting to show in my performance."

The 41-year-old driver ‌was also grateful for the ‌work of his engineers, including Cedric Santi, who replaced veteran Riccardo Adami ‌at the start of the year on an interim ‌basis.

"I'm really grateful to the team for continuing to hold me up high and support me weekend in, weekend out. And it's a really lovely feeling to see them so happy, because they truly ‌deserve it with all the hard work they put in."

The result proved particularly encouraging given Montreal's ⁠emphasis on ⁠straight-line speed, an area where Ferrari have traditionally struggled.

While Ferrari brought their major upgrade package to Miami earlier this season, several rivals including Mercedes introduced updates in Canada.

"Considering this is a real straight-line-speed circuit and we just managed to hold on and get this result, that definitely gives me high hopes for what's ahead," Hamilton said.

He admitted the journey to this breakthrough had been grueling.

"This is my first second place with the team. It's something I've been working so hard, I can't even begin to explain how deep I've had to dig to be able to get to this point."


Stifling Heat, Storm Delays: Weather Extremes Could Impact World Cup

The MetLife Stadium outside New York hosting the World Cup final has a one in eight chance of seeing risky temperatures for fans and players, according to scientists. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
The MetLife Stadium outside New York hosting the World Cup final has a one in eight chance of seeing risky temperatures for fans and players, according to scientists. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
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Stifling Heat, Storm Delays: Weather Extremes Could Impact World Cup

The MetLife Stadium outside New York hosting the World Cup final has a one in eight chance of seeing risky temperatures for fans and players, according to scientists. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
The MetLife Stadium outside New York hosting the World Cup final has a one in eight chance of seeing risky temperatures for fans and players, according to scientists. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File

Heat, humidity and thunderstorms are synonymous with summer in many North American regions -- and in a few weeks they could also threaten the 2026 World Cup.

This year's edition of the tournament is being played across the US, Canada and Mexico at 16 host cities, including places accustomed to soaring summer temperatures exacerbated by stifling humidity.

Frequent wildfires in places like Canada and California meanwhile pose air quality risks, AFP said.

Then there's thunder and lightning: in the US, summer storms often mean outdoor sporting interruptions.

Generally, a 30-minute mandatory delay follows a lightning strike within an approximately eight to 10-mile (13 to 16-kilometer) radius. Every subsequent flash sets off a new half-hour pause.

Last year's FIFA Club World Cup, which served as a dress rehearsal for this year's tournament, saw six matches significantly delayed by severe weather, which scientists expect could become increasingly common as greenhouse gases continue to warm the planet.

The repeated club tournament game delays left some critics and coaches wondering if the US should even host.

Enzo Maresca, who at the time coached Chelsea, called delays a "joke" that upset focus, asking whether some American cities were right to host major tournament games.

- When thunder roars, go indoors -

Lightning carries serious risks. Deaths from direct strikes are rare, but do happen.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 444 lightning strike deaths in the US between 2006 and 2021, and most occurred during outdoor leisure activities.

Regions east of the Rocky Mountains are at highest risk. Those areas tend to be quite humid due to warm Gulf waters, which creates moisture that can rise and form thunderstorms.

Scientists are voicing concern that climate change might inject uncertainties into storm patterns, and perhaps create conditions that would make lightning strikes even more prevalent.

Kelsey Malloy of the University of Delaware said "we haven't really detected strong trends yet" but overall "it is expected that lightning is going to increase" in parts of the US.

A warming climate "has been linked to heavier rainfall rates as well as stronger rising air" which "equals greater electrification of clouds, and therefore greater lightning flash rates."

Malloy, a climate scientist, said forecasting has improved at predicting severe weather and urged fans to heed risk warnings and protocol surrounding impacted matches.

"A lot of people maybe imagine if they can't see the storm, they can't see the lightning, they haven't heard the thunder yet, that they're not in an active threat," Malloy told AFP.

"But lightning can strike miles away from an actual storm location."

Ziqin Ding, a University of Florida lightning researcher, said stadiums are generally well-protected with precautions like lightning rods, metal devices meant to prevent structural damage or fires by intercepting strikes and providing a path for harmful electrical discharge to disperse.

But strikes nearby still could "cause interruption for stadium events," he told AFP.

- Heat danger -

FIFA will use a few stadiums with roofs, air conditioning or both -- in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Vancouver -- to ease concerns over storm delays or extreme heat.

But many are open-air.

This could spell storm delays and subject players and fans to debilitating temperatures.

During 2025's club tournament, many matches were played in weather over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), with humidity making it feel even hotter.

A team of climate scientists recently released a report that said "grueling heat" could impact a quarter of slated games, including New Jersey's final.

FIFA has mandated cooling breaks during each half of the matches.

Doctor Chris Mullington of Imperial College London said it's possible some footballers "just won't be able to play at the intensity that they're used to."

Fans -- many of whom might be consuming alcohol in direct sun under heavy heat and humidity -- may face even more health risks.

By and large, those people "will not be elite athletes and may come with many co-morbidities that could be exacerbated by the heat," Mullington said.

A group of current and former professional players led by Norway's Morten Thorsby delivered a recent petition to FIFA describing the impacts of heat, saying "it can make you feel light-headed, dizzy, experience fatigue, muscle cramps and worse."

They urged FIFA to update its World Cup heat-stress framework, a measure they insisted be coupled with "consistent climate action."

"It would be a missed opportunity if a sport so impacted by the climate crisis doesn't take its responsibility in addressing it," read the open letter.