Last-Gasp Salah Penalty Earns Below-Par Liverpool Dramatic Victory at Burnley

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Liverpool, in Burnley, Britain, 14 September 2025. (EPA)
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Liverpool, in Burnley, Britain, 14 September 2025. (EPA)
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Last-Gasp Salah Penalty Earns Below-Par Liverpool Dramatic Victory at Burnley

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Liverpool, in Burnley, Britain, 14 September 2025. (EPA)
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Burnley and Liverpool, in Burnley, Britain, 14 September 2025. (EPA)

Mohamed Salah's dramatic stoppage-time penalty ensured Liverpool maintained their winning start to the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at promoted side Burnley on Sunday.

With British record signing Alexander Isak forced to wait for his Liverpool debut having been left out the squad for the trip to Lancashire, the champions struggled to break down a dogged home side in the first half.

After a regroup at the break, the visitors upped the ante in the second half, with Dominik Szoboszlai finally forcing a fine save from Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal.

Burnley were holding on for a well-earned point with ease, before the ball agonisingly struck substitute Hannibal Mejbri's arm in the penalty area and Salah slotted the spot kick into the net in the 95th minute to break home hearts.

Liverpool are still to really get going this season, requiring a winner in the last 10 minutes of all four of their league victories so far. The goal that clinched an undeserved success at Turf Moor was certainly the most fortunate.

After one of the longest transfer sagas in Premier League history finally reached its expected conclusion, Liverpool supporters were forced to wait two weeks for their first glimpse of their 125-million-pound ($169.45-million) goal machine due to the international break.

While coach Arne Slot said this week that Isak would have to be utilised carefully due to his previous injuries and lack of action so far this season, the Swede was still expected to at least be on the bench at Turf Moor.

The wait goes on as, without their expensive new forward, Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in the first half, from left-back Andrew Robertson.

Burnley, who conceded the fewest goals in English football league history last term to earn them promotion, otherwise frustrated the champions with ease. Even Lesley Ugochukwu's red card for two bookings in the 84th minute did not seem to fluster them.

Even without Isak, Liverpool still had much attacking talent on the Turf Moor pitch but they just could not find that killer pass.

Salah was especially below par but he made no mistake in the most pressurised moment after Hannibal had stuck up an arm to block Jeremie Frimpong's cross.

The champions' impressive Premier League goalscoring streak stretches to 38 games nonetheless, their longest such run in the competition.



Cadillac Test at Imola with Perez Driving a 2023 Ferrari

13 November 2025, Italy, Imola: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez, test drives Ferrari SF-23, the new Cadillac F1 car at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola. Photo: Federico Basile/LiveMedia-IPA/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
13 November 2025, Italy, Imola: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez, test drives Ferrari SF-23, the new Cadillac F1 car at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola. Photo: Federico Basile/LiveMedia-IPA/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Cadillac Test at Imola with Perez Driving a 2023 Ferrari

13 November 2025, Italy, Imola: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez, test drives Ferrari SF-23, the new Cadillac F1 car at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola. Photo: Federico Basile/LiveMedia-IPA/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
13 November 2025, Italy, Imola: Mexican Formula One driver Sergio Perez, test drives Ferrari SF-23, the new Cadillac F1 car at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola. Photo: Federico Basile/LiveMedia-IPA/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Sergio Perez drove a Formula One car for the first time in almost a year on Thursday with the Mexican testing for Cadillac at Italy's Imola circuit in a 2023 Ferrari.

Cadillac do not have a previous car of their own but will be using Ferrari engines when they debut next season as Formula One's 11th team, with a lineup of Perez and Finland's Valtteri Bottas.

Photos published online showed an all-black car running unbranded at the circuit.

Perez wore black overalls and helmet.

The Mexican told Reuters earlier in the week that the session, his first since his last race for Red Bull in December 2024, was important for the team to practice procedures, refine the simulator and prepare for future race weekends.

"It's basically just a time for us to be able to get together with the engineers, mechanics, start working all together, you know, start talking the same language," said the experienced Mexican.

"I'm curious, you know, to find out how many laps my neck will do before it gets destroyed," he added with a smile. "But it's great, you know. It's a great test and a great way to finish the year before getting back in the car next year."

Bottas, also 35 and a multiple race winner, has also had a year away from racing after leaving Sauber but is currently Mercedes reserve and attending grands prix.


Turkish Soccer Imposes Temporary Bans on 102 Players over Betting Scandal

Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Turkish Soccer Imposes Temporary Bans on 102 Players over Betting Scandal

Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Turkish soccer temporarily banned 102 top-tier club players on Thursday over a widening betting scandal.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended 25 players from the Super Lig and 77 from the second-tier first division for terms ranging from 45 days to one year.

Galatasaray and Türkiye defender Eren Elmali was suspended for 45 days. Club teammate and Türkiye Under-21 center back Metehan Baltaci was suspended for nine months. Konyaspor and Senegal winger Alassane Ndao received a 12-month suspension.

Elmali posted on Instagram this week that he bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team. He joined Galatasaray this year, The AP news reported.

Baltacı also admitted past bets but insisted they were not games he played in.

“Years ago I placed a bet at a time when I couldn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the matter," he said. “I want to make it clear that this action had nothing to do with matches played by the teams I represented.”

The bans apply to matches but the players can continue training, Haberturk television reported.

More than 1,000 players have been referred to the federation’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board in the ongoing investigation.

The federation has shut down the third- and fourth-tier divisions for two weeks but allowed the Super Lig — led by defending champion Galatasaray — and second tier to continue.

Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu vowed this week to cleanse Turkish soccer from corruption, scandal and unethical practices.

“We took office 16 months ago with a promise to elevate Turkish football to the level it deserves," he said. “We will not compromise in our fight to protect Turkish football from scandal, decay, and corrupt relationships.”

Turkish soccer has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees, and now players, on games which is prohibited by FIFA.

More than 150 referees are alleged to have bet on games, including seven who are approved to handle top-level games and 15 top-level assistants.

The scandal is a setback to Turkish soccer's revival in recent years.

The country will co-host the men’s 2032 European Championship with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been picked by UEFA to stage several finals in European club competitions.


Qatar's Al Sadd Name Ex-Inter Boss Mancini as New Manager

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain - King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 15, 2024 Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini looks on REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain - King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 15, 2024 Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini looks on REUTERS/Stringer
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Qatar's Al Sadd Name Ex-Inter Boss Mancini as New Manager

Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain - King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 15, 2024 Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini looks on REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - World Cup - Asian Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v Bahrain - King Abdullah Sport City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - October 15, 2024 Saudi Arabia coach Roberto Mancini looks on REUTERS/Stringer

Al Sadd have appointed former Inter Milan and Italy boss Roberto Mancini as their new manager on a two-and-a-half-season deal, the Qatari club announced on Thursday.

Mancini takes the reins at Al Sadd, who sit sixth in the Qatari top-flight with 14 points from nine matches, eight adrift of table-toppers Al-Gharafa, according to Reuters.

His most successful spell as a manager came during his time with Inter. He led Inter to three Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia crowns and two Supercoppa Italiana triumphs during his first spell at the club between 2004-2008.

He also guided Italy to the 2020 European Championship title and led Manchester City to their first Premier League crown in the 2011-12 campaign.

Mancini was linked with the Nottingham Forest job before the Premier League club appointed Sean Dyche in October.