Sports
Sanchez hits top form before incredible 26-penalty shoot-out in California
Manchester United registered the first of their US pre-season tour in the US after a penalty shoot-out win over AC Milan.
Jose Mourinho’s side drew with the Serie A side but eventually came out on top in a mammoth shoot-out which saw 26 penalties taken before United emerged triumphant.
Alexis Sanchez gave United the lead in the 12 minute, but that was cancelled out by Milan’s Suso three minutes later.
Sanchez was United’s stand-out performer and continued to look sharp on his second tour appearance, but was unable to inspire United to victory.
United were without striker Anthony Martial, who left the tour party to be with his partner, who is due to give birth to their son at any time.
Sanchez took Martial’s place up front for United and was full of energy and enterprise, marking him out as his side’s best player.
Here are five talking points from the game…
1. Sanchez fills the void
With Anthony Martial having left the US tour to be with his partner, who is about to give birth, and Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford on extended post-World Cup breaks, there was a void up front for United.
It was filled by Alexis Sanchez, who opened the scoring in the 12 minute with a composed finish after being put through by Juan Mata.
Sanchez was United’s stand-out player, causing Milan problems with his pace, movement and guile, and the Chilean looks hungry and fresh after a first full summer off for nine years.
2. United’s three-man defence caught out
Mourinho experimented with a back three, but the system fell apart for Milan’s equaliser in the 15 minute. Axel Tuanzebe lost Suso, while Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling proceeded to play the Milan striker onside.
So ponderous was United’s defending that Suso was even afforded the luxury of allowing the ball to bounce once before hitting it flush and sending an angled shot beyond the reach of Lee Grant.
Mourinho was rightly furious, gesturing as much to his coaching staff, his actions confirming His belief that his defence were guilty of switching off at a critical moment.
3. Darmian could earn reprieve
With United skipper and first-choice right-back Antonio Valcencia having flown home after suffering a torn calf muscle in the second game of the tour, Matteo Darmian – who was set to be offloaded this summer – fulfilled both roles against Milan.
Darmain may yet be sold abroad after the Premier League’s transfer deadline on August 9, but with Valencia and new right-back Diogo Dalot both sidelined through injury, the Italian is in line to start United’s opening game of the season at home to Leicester on August 10.
Darmian got into plenty of forward positions in his wing-back role here, but is likely to play in a traditional full-back role if he gets the nod, with Mourinho more than likely to start the season with a flat back-four.
4. Shaw struggles to impress Mourinho
Like Darmian, Luke Shaw is set to start the new season, as United’s first-choice left-back, with Ashley Young on an extended break following his World Cup heroics, Marcos Rojo also absent and with Daley Blind having returned to Ajax.
Shaw is entering a make-or-break season, the biggest of his turbulent four-year United career, with only one year left on his current contract.
Mourinho has kept faith in Shaw, despite publicly berating and shaming him during his two years in charge, in a bid to get the best out of the 23-year-old. Shaw lasted 74 minutes here, but did little of note, and lost the ball right under Mourinho’s nose, moments before he was hooked, and walked straight to the dressing-room with a member of United’s backroom team.
Shaw, who continually cut back inside on his forays down the left and who frequently lost possession, must do better than this if he is to totally convince Mourinho of his worth, and there is still much work to do be done before he can reach that stage.
5. Bonucci shows his enduring class
Mourinho wants to sign a centre-back before the transfer deadline in a fortnight’s time and has targeted Leicester and England World Cup star Harry Maguire.
But the United boss could do worse than make a bid for Milan skipper Leonardo Bonucci, who oozed class in the middle of defence for the Serie A side, and played an exquisite ball over the top to Suso for his side’s equaliser to cancel out Sanchez’s opener.
While United’s three-man defence struggled at times, Bonucci showed great awareness and anticipation of danger, and is the commanding centre-half figure Mourinho craves.
Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.
Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.
“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.
“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].
“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
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