European champions Italy could face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in a winner-takes-all World Cup playoff final in March. Portugal and Italy, winners of the last two editions of the European Championship, failed to top their World Cup qualifying group, missing out to Serbia and Switzerland respectively. It means both must enter the new playoff system, featuring 12 teams battling for three place...Full Story »

Robbie Stockdale praised his younger players after Rochdale left it late to win 2-1 in an FA Cup replay at non-league Notts County.Jake Beesley headed a last-gasp winner for Dale, who had been pegged back by Aidy White’s own goal following Josh Andrews’ early opener.“I was delighted with the first half, but we knew Notts would come on to us after half-time and they did put us u...Full Story »

Aaron Ramsey stressed the importance of home advantage as Wales booked a World Cup play-off semi-final date in Cardiff.Wales went into their final qualifier against Belgium needing a point to secure a home tie unless Turkey won their last game by four clear goals.But Turkey could only win 2-1 in Montenegro and Wales’ 1-1 draw with Belgium, the world’s top-ranked side, clinched a home...Full Story »

Wales drew 1-1 with Belgium to secure home advantage in their World Cup play-off semi-final. Kevin De Bruyne silenced a noisy Cardiff crowd inside 12 minutes, but Kieffer Moore equalised before half-time to give Wales the point they craved. Already guaranteed a play-off spot through their Nations League results, Wales were determined to secure a home tie in March by finishing second in Group...Full Story »

Macauley Langstaff scored a dramatic late winner as Gateshead beat Altrincham 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup first-round replay.National League North side Gateshead twice had their lead cut back but Langstaff’s stoppage-time goal sealed a second round televised home tie against League One Charlton.The nerveless visitors dominated early possession but the National League hosts created the first ...Full Story »

Patrice Evra has described a 'face' of Cristiano Ronaldo that most people don't get to see while reminiscing over a "boring" lunch they shared during their time together at Manchester United Patrice Evra has described a side of Cristiano Ronaldo that Manchester United supporters might not get to see, while joking that they once shared one of the most boring lunches of his life. Ronaldo, 36, is...Full Story »

Motivating message towards the fans by the Brazilian Dani Alves during his Barcelona medical.FC Barcelona Dani Alves passed his medical examination this Monday, November 15, so his official presentation as a new Barcelona player will take place on Wednesday at the Camp Nou at 13:00 GMT in an event that will be open to the public. Ahead of the presentation, the Brazilian right-back urged the f...Full Story »

Ian Baraclough revealed Gianluca Vialli compared Northern Ireland’s defensive performance to a “typical Italian masterclass” after they frustrated the European champions in a 0-0 draw that leaves Italy facing the World Cup qualifying play-offs.Roberto Mancini’s side arrived at Windsor Park needing a victory to top Group C and secure a ticket to Qatar but could not find a ...Full Story »

Scotland concluded their 2022 World Cup qualifying Group F campaign with a magnificent 2-0 win over runaway section winners Denmark to clinch their place as play-off seeds.Defender John Souttar, a late call-up and playing for the first time since he was sent off against Israel three years ago, raised the roof at Hampden Park with a headed opener in the 35th minute for his first international goa...Full Story »

Glenn Whelan will miss Bristol Rovers’ FA Cup first-round replay with Oxford through suspension.The midfielder was sent off against Northampton at the weekend after being shown a second yellow card for a foul on Mitch Pinnock.Rovers boss Joey Barton has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash.The Gas are still without key attackers Harvey Saunders (ankle), Leon Clarke (hamstring) and B...Full Story »

Emily Atack is believed to be Jack Grealish's schoolboy crush from when she played Charlotte Hinchcliffe in Inbetweeners. The actress has reportedly been getting close to the £100m Manchester City star in recent weeks. After moving north, Grealish, 26 was introduced to Atack, 31, and since then they are said to have met at her home and a Manchester hotel. It's claimed the pair have excha...Full Story »

Xavi Hernandez is back at Barcelona as head coach and is looking to overhaul his playing squad in an attempt to turn the club's fortunes around on the pitch. The January transfer window is set to be a busy one for the Azulgrana and Xavi is reportedly looking at a potential raid of Premier League side Chelsea. The Barcelona legend is looking to secure some loan deals and has identified three ...Full Story »

Former Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits they've never tried to hire Jose Mourinho in the past. Rummenigge revealed the details to RAI Sport. “A few years ago, Mourinho wanted to come to Germany to work at Bayern, but we felt he wasn't the right man for the club. “Personally, he always made a good impression on me. I hope that he can find success at Roma, because ...Full Story »

Chelsea have reportedly bid £34million for Real Madrid centre back Eder Militao as Thomas Tuchel plans to build a new-look defence. The Blues currently have the best defence in the Premier League, having conceded just four times in 11 matches so far this season, but manager Tuchel is planning a change. The German is understood to be planning on permanently moving to a three-man defence in...Full Story »

Spain qualified for next year's World Cup finals in Qatar by beating visitors Sweden 1-0 thanks to a late winner by substitute Alvaro Morata on Sunday. Spain, who won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finished top of Group B with 19 points, four ahead of the second-placed Swedes, who could still qualify through the playoffs in March. "I felt more pressure now then in the Euros," said Spain m...Full Story »

Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes for the 2022 World Cup took a big setback as Serbia clinched an automatic berth to the tournament in a comeback 2-1 win over Portugal in their Group A qualifier on Sunday. A 90th-minute header by half-time substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic lifted Serbia into the group's top spot on 20 points, three more than second-placed Portugal, which only needed a draw to finish on to...Full Story »

Stephen Kenny’s hopes of earning a contract extension were handed a major boost as the Republic of Ireland romped to a 3-0 win over Luxembourg in their final World Cup qualifier.Goals from Shane Duffy, Chiedozie Ogbene and Callum Robinson inside the final 22 minutes clinched victory – just Ireland’s second in a competitive fixture in 15 attempts – and third place in Group...Full Story »

Patrice Evra once went to Cristiano Ronaldo's house for lunch and ended up regretting the decision. Evra was teammates with Ronaldo for three years during the Portuguese superstar's first spell at Manchester United and the two struck up a close relationship. But when Ronaldo invited the Frenchman round to his house for a spot of lunch, it didn't quite pan out as Evra expected. It did, howev...Full Story »

Roma great Francesco Totti has rejected criticism of coach Jose Mourinho. Roma have hit a form slump after a bright start under Mourinho. "I think that if we are talking about Mourinho as the problem, then we've got it all wrong. He is not the problem here," said Totti. "If you put together all the other coaches currently in Serie A, they still won't have won as much as Mourinho. You can on...Full Story »

Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly considering leaving Paris-Saint Germain once his contract expires at the end of the 2022-23 season. That's according to a recent report from the Telegraph, who claims the Argentine tactician is open to returning to the Premier League. Prior to taking the reins at Paris-Saint Germain earlier this year, Pochettino, 49, was out of work for two years following his...Full Story »