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AFCON 2025: How Referee Controversies Shaped The Quarter-Final Results

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 was never short on drama — and perhaps it will be remembered just as much for its refereeing controversies as for the football on the pitch. The quarter-finals, in particular, became a flashpoint for questions about officiating standards, VAR usage, referee appointments and the very credibility of continental football governance. From Nigeria vs Algeria to Cameroon vs Morocco, and controversies in Mali vs Senegal, the referees were thrust into the spotlight — often for all the wrong reasons. The debates that followed didn’t just revolve around isolated decisions; they struck at the heart of how fairness, transparency and even respect are perceived in African football. Quarter-Final Showdowns and the Sparks of Dispute Nigeria vs Algeria (2–0): A Penalty That Never Came Match result: Nigeria defeated Algeria 2–0 to reach the AFCON semi-finals. Yet, the focus after this match wasn’t only on the football. It was on the refereeing narrative that domina...

Cole Palmer's historic scoring feat 🥶� solidifies his legendary reputation in the Premier League.

Chelsea will once more be thrilled to have the legendary Cole Palmer on their team.

Additionally, Manchester City will be miffed at themselves for letting him go after their Saturday draw with Newcastle.

The Englishman is pulling strings at Stamford Bridge against Brighton to help spark a comeback, just as he has done the entire season.

3 - Cole Palmer now has three Premier League hat-tricks, which ties him with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba, and Frank Lampard for the most of any Chelsea player in the competition's history. hare.  

Palmer eventually found his touch with a magnificent hat-trick within ten minutes of hitting the post early in the first half and having a goal disallowed for offside.

After making a last-ditch dash into the area and smashing the ball into an empty net, the 22-year-old earned a penalty and completed a first-half hat-trick with a stunning left-footed free shot from 25 yards out.

He now has the joint most hat-tricks in the Premier League of any Chelsea player with three. Then he made one better move.

4. In a single match, Cole Palmer became the first player in Premier League history to score four goals before halftime. chilly.  

Palmer scored an incredible fourth goal in the first half, finishing at the near post after starting inside the penalty box. He is the first Premier League player to accomplish this goal in history.

Palmer has contributed to more goals than he has made appearances for the Blues in the English premier league, which only helps matters more.

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