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Harry Kane and Bayern Head to Lazio Needing to Bounce Back After Leverkusen Loss 

Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
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Harry Kane and Bayern Head to Lazio Needing to Bounce Back After Leverkusen Loss 

Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)

This was meant to be the year that Harry Kane finally won a trophy. The Champions League might be his best chance now.

Bayern Munich heads to Lazio in the round of 16 on Wednesday needing to bounce back after a 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen left it five points off the Bundesliga lead. Kane is on track to be a member of the first Bayern team since the 2011-12 season not to win the league.

Injuries are weighing Bayern down, coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics are in question and forward Thomas Müller questioned his teammates' mentality in the “nightmare” Leverkusen loss.

Kane has 24 Bundesliga goals already but never came close to a 25th on Saturday. He was shut out of the game as Bayern fell further behind the league leader. Bayern's attack was neutralized by Leverkusen and the entire team had just one shot on goal.

There are 13 games left and much can still happen, but Bayern's title hopes now rest on Leverkusen slipping up. Not so easy when Leverkusen is unbeaten in 31 games.

That makes Wednesday's game at Lazio all the more important.

The Italian team, eighth in Serie A, may not be the hardest opponent Bayern could have faced in the round of 16, but the pressure is on the players and coach to improve.

Left back Alphonso Davies, midfielder Konrad Laimer and forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all remain injured, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and right back Noussair Mazraoui were rested Monday before returning to training Tuesday ahead of traveling to Italy.

Tuchel defended his tactics after the decision to switch from a back four to a back three for the first time this season backfired. Leverkusen exploited space on Bayern's left flank, where Tuchel had deployed Sacha Boey, usually a right back.

Bayern's transfer strategy is also in question after Josip Stanišić, a Bayern right back on loan at Leverkusen, scored the first goal. The way Leverkusen overwhelmed the central midfield pairing of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka was a reminder that Bayern's season might look different had the club's plans to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in September not collapsed at the last minute.

Kane reeled off a list of Bayern's attacking faults after the Leverkusen loss.

“In the final third we weren’t good in one-on-one battles, we weren’t good in duels. The final delivery wasn’t there today. So a really disappointing day with the ball,” Kane said.

Against Lazio, Kane and his teammates are under pressure to do better.

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Sports

Ronaldo Double Drives Al Nassr to Record 10th Straight Win

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
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Ronaldo Double Drives Al Nassr to Record 10th Straight Win

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Okhdood - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - December 27, 2025 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo with teammates celebrate after the match. (Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr beat struggling Al Okhdood 3-0 on Saturday to become the first team in Saudi Pro League history to win their opening 10 matches, setting a new record and extending their perfect start to the season.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 31st ‌minute with a ‌close-range finish after ‌a ⁠corner and ‌added a spectacular backheel in first-half stoppage time to take his tally to 12 goals this season.

The Portuguese forward now sits joint-top of the scoring chart alongside teammate João Félix, who ⁠sealed the victory with a late strike in ‌second-half stoppage time.

The win ‍keeps Al Nassr ‍top of the table with 30 ‍points from 10 matches, four clear of nearest rivals Al Hilal.

By achieving 10 consecutive wins, Al Nassr surpassed the previous best start in the league’s history — nine straight victories by Al ⁠Hilal in the 2018-2019 season under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who now leads Al Nassr.

Ronaldo, who also had a third goal ruled out for offside in the 65th minute, continues to dominate in a campaign with Al Nassr.

The match came after the resumption of the league following the Arab ‌Cup in Qatar earlier this month, won by Morocco.

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Mane Rescues AFCON Draw for Senegal Against DR Congo

Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
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Mane Rescues AFCON Draw for Senegal Against DR Congo

Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)
Senegal's Sadio Mane reacts after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Senegal and DR Congo in Tangier, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP)

Sadio Mane's equalizer earned 2022 champions Senegal a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday.

Cedric Bakambu had given the Leopards the lead just after the hour mark in Tangiers but Al Nassr forward Mane replied soon after and the result ensures Senegal stay on top of Group D with one round of matches still to play.

Both teams have four points but Senegal have a superior goal difference before their final group match against Benin on Tuesday.

Benin have three points after a 1-0 victory earlier Saturday in Rabat against Botswana, who are bottom without a point or a goal scored.

Sebastien Desabre's Congolese side were seeking revenge after a dramatic defeat in the last meeting of the nations, in World Cup qualifying in September.

Senegal came from 2-0 down to win that encounter 3-2 in Kinshasa, a result which allowed them to go on and top their group to secure a place at next year's finals in North America.

DR Congo were therefore forced to settle for second place but can still make the World Cup if they win a one-off play-off against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March.

Senegal, fresh from beating Botswana 3-0 and seen as perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco's chances of winning the title on home soil, had more of the possession and more chances on the day.

However, the Leopards took the lead in the 61st minute when Theo Bongonda -- scorer of the only goal in their opening win against Benin -- had a shot at the end of a fine move parried by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Real Betis striker Bakambu pounced to convert the loose ball.

But Senegal were only behind for eight minutes, their equalizer coming after a superb run by teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye.

The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger Mbaye, who was born in France and represented them up to Under-20 level, recently committed his international future to Senegal, for whom he qualifies through one of his parents.

He replaced Ismaila Sarr just after Bakambu's opener, and made the leveler from a penetrating run down the right.

Mbaye burst away from Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to injure himself going to tackle, and then saw his shot blocked by Lionel Mpasi, but Mane was on hand to score.

It was a 10th AFCON goal for former Liverpool superstar Mane, who is appearing at his sixth tournament.

Sports

Man City Go Top With 2-1 Win at Forest After Cherki Heroics

27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
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Man City Go Top With 2-1 Win at Forest After Cherki Heroics

27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_
27 December 2025, United Kingdom, Nottingham: Manchester City's Rayan Cherki (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground. (Barrington Coombs/PA Wire/dpa_

Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to move provisionally to the top of the Premier League table after Rayan Cherki grabbed a goal and assist away at The City Ground on Saturday.

The French midfielder first threaded the pass for City's opener before striking an 83rd-minute winner from a set-piece to secure their eighth straight victory across all competitions.

The result moved City to 40 points, one ahead of Arsenal who face Brighton & Hove Albion later on Saturday. Forest remain in 17th place, nervously looking over their shoulder at a five-point gap between them and the relegation zone.

"When the games come we need just one thing: to win. We take the points because the championship is so long and so hard, so today is a big win," Cherki told TNT Sports.

"It's good for the team because the game was not simple."

City dominated ‌possession in a ‌goalless first half but struggled to break down Forest's compact defensive ‌shape, ⁠with striker Erling ‌Haaland largely isolated up front.

Forest's best chance fell to Morgan Gibbs-White, who failed to convert Callum Hudson-Odoi's cross in behind the defense early in the game.

CHERKI AND REIJNDERS FIND CITY BREAKTHROUGH

The breakthrough came within three minutes of the restart when Cherki slipped the ball through for Tijjani Reijnders and the Dutchman fired home from an angle to make it 1-0.

"Cherki knows how to find those passes and I could finish that one. He is very good, he finds spaces and when he gets the ball ⁠you have to be ready and in position," Reijnders said.

But City's lead lasted only six minutes as Forest launched a swift counter-attack ‌that ended with Igor Jesus crossing for Omari Hutchinson, who ‍took his shot first-time and beat Gianluigi ‍Donnarumma to score his first goal for the club.

Forest sensed victory but squandered chances when Jesus ‍and Nicolo Savona both shot over, while at the other end Phil Foden's effort was well saved by goalkeeper John Victor.

City's sustained pressure finally paid off when Josko Gvardiol headed down a corner kick for Cherki, who took it on the half-volley and sent a low drive from the edge of the box into the back of the net to restore their lead.

"All the kilos I won (gained) over Christmas time in weight, today I lost it. I am fit again. ⁠What a team Sean Dyche has made again. That's a really, really big three points," Guardiola said.

Forest's loss also extended Sean Dyche's winless record against Pep Guardiola to 17 Premier League games, the longest winless streak for a manager against another in the league.

DYCHE UNHAPPY WITH MATCH OFFICIALS

But Dyche blamed the match officials for the defeat, describing their performance as "unacceptable" after he felt decisions did not go their way.

Dyche complained that Gibbs-White was pushed to the ground for the second goal and could not get back up in time to block Cherki's shot.

"Unfortunately, the officials had a huge part of the game today and that's very unfortunate," Dyche said.

"We don't want that, but scratching my head now, I can't believe it. Just look back at some of the incidents, I just can't believe what I'm watching.

"There's ‌plenty of people here, there's TV cameras here, but everyone can see the performance today. But it's unacceptable, in my opinion, because it affects the game massively."