🌍 Four-goal thriller kicks off WAFCON, Oasis's Diogo Jota tribute, Messi makes a blunder | VAR

All the football headlines and viral moments you might have missed!

Jul 07, 2025

The 2024 Women’s AFCON (confusingly being played in 2025) kicked off in thrilling fashion!

Hosts Morocco and Zambia drew 2-2 in an opening game that swung back and forth and bodes well for the rest of the tournament. More on this incredible match below!

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Elsewhere, Oasis paid tribute to Diogo Jota, Lionel Messi made a very unusual blunder and Lamine Yamal went retro.

Let’s take a look at everything 👇

Something at WAFCON 🌍

Morocco and Zambia put on a show to open the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations over the weekend!

Barbra Banda set the tone with a goal in the first minute with Racheal Kundananji also finding the back of the net for the Copper Queens in a 2-2 draw.

Last week’s TSD in-depth newsletter looked at Zambia’s WAFCON chances - read here!

Something in memoriam

Football is still reeling from the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

There were countless tributes to the former Liverpool forward over the weekend including this one by Oasis during Live Forever on opening night of their comeback tour.

Something unusual 😳

Lionel Messi might be the GOAT, but he’s still capable of costing his team a goal with an absolute howler!

This slack backpass by the 38-year-old led to Inter Miami conceding a goal against CF Montreal. Messi then responded by scoring twice in a 4-1 win…

Something else at WAFCON 🌍

Botswana brought the vibes before their WAFCON opener against Algeria on Sunday!

The Mares are playing at only their second WAFCON, but made the quarter-finals in 2022. Can they make it to the final eight again this year?

Something in a hat 🤠

The USA lost to Mexico in the final of the Gold Cup on Sunday and it’s all because of Alexi Lalas.

Unfortunately he just couldn’t find a bigger hat.

Something home alone 🏠

Kevin Mac Allister signed a new contract with Union Saint-Gilloise and this is how the Belgian champions announced his three-year deal.

[Very Catherin O’Hara voice] - KEVIN! 😱

Something unexpected

Some double acts just make sense - Ant and Dec, Morecambe and Wise… Ebe Eze and Richard Branson?!

I don’t have any context for this video. Just a Crystal Palace winger and a billionaire hot air balloon enthusiast playing chess together. Naturally.

Something traditional

Wales’ women’s national team kept up a national tradition before their opening Euro 2025 fixture!

Unfortunately, their defence in the 3-0 loss to the Netherlands was just as disorganised as their team photo…

Something inspirational

Thiago Silva has had an excellent Club World Cup for a Fluminense team that has made a run to the semi-finals!

The 40-year-old produced an Any Given Sunday-esque speech before Flu’s quarter-final win over Al-Hilal.

Something in three figures 💯

Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th goal for the Netherlands in the win over Wales at Euro 2025.

The Manchester City striker is one of the best goalscorers of her generation and at 28 there’s still plenty time for her to add many more to her tally. Another 100?

Something in an advert

Roy Keane has never been one to put on a mask, so you’d be forgiven for thinking acting wouldn’t be his thing.

But football’s most famous hard man broke character in this advert for an Irish beer. Maybe he’s not so scary after all?

Something hired

Remember Francesco Farioli - the Ajax manager who resigned the day after his team bottled a seven-point lead to lose the Eredivisie title? Yeah, him!

Well, he’s resurfaced as the manager of Porto. And look who’s standing next to him - AVB! What a duo!

Something orange 🍊

Where the Dutch national team goes, a sea of Oranje follows!

These were the scenes in Luzern ahead of the Netherlands’ Euro 2025 opener against Wales.

Something retro

Lamine Yamal was pictured wearing a shirt that’s nearly twice the age he is!

Does this mean Manchester United have succeeded in their Marcus Rashford swap deal? Barcelona better hope not.

Something in Uruguay 🇺🇾

It was the Uruguayan Clasico between Nacional and Penarol on Sunday - check out the atmosphere before kick off!

Nacional won on penalties after a goalless draw to win the Intermedio Tournament!

Something in Turkey 🇹🇷

In all the CWC, Gold Cup and Women’s Euros excitement, you could be forgiven for taking your eye off the transfer market!

In which case, you might have missed Jhon Duran signing for Fenerbahce. MLS, the Premier League, the Saudi Pro League and now the Turkish SuperLig and he’s still only 21!