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Graham Potter's side won for the first time in three Group E games as Wesley Fofana's first Chelsea goal was followed by second-half strikes from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reece James at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea had kicked off their Champions League campaign with an embarrassing defeat at Dinamo Zagreb the day before Thomas Tuchel was sacked, while Potter's first match ended in a draw with Salzburg.

But second-placed Chelsea are now level with third-placed Milan on four points ahead of a crucial trip to the San Siro to face the Italian champions again on October 11. With three games left for each team, group leaders Salzburg are one point above Chelsea after beating Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 on Wednesday.

Progress in the Champions League is essential to Potter's bid to stamp his authority on a squad expensively assembled by Chelsea's new owners with immediate success in mind. While Chelsea still have work to do to reach the knockout stage, Potter will be encouraged by the most dynamic performance of his three games since replacing Tuchel.

The former Brighton boss has kept a low profile so far as he gets acclimatised to the first high-pressure job of his managerial career. Potter had never attended a Champions League game before taking charge at Chelsea, so his first victory in the competition was a memorable milestone for the modest coach.

779804 - 4.01
779805 - 14.48
779677 - 4.38
779813 - 4.37

Omonia Nicosia(15.38) vs Manchester United(1.24)

Draw: 7.18

Ov 2.5 @ 1.61
779806

No @ 1.60
779807

Goals both halves @ 1.52
779809

Away score both halves @ 1.79
779808

Arsenal(1.27) vs FK Bodo/Glimt(12.31)

Real Madrid earned the three points after defeating Shakhtar on matchday three of the Champions League. The La Liga outfit dominated the first half and were two up after 28 minutes thanks to goals from Rodrygo and Vinicius. The Shakhtar goalkeeper's brilliant saves meant their lead was only two goals and Zubkov's acrobatic volley before half-time reduced the deficit for Shakhtar. In the second half, Madrid were once again the better team, but were unable to net a third. However, it did not matter as Shakhtar hardly threatened Lunin and Madrid deservedly took the three points.

Carlo Ancelotti's reigning champions have a 100 percent record in the competition and made light work of their Ukrainian opponents, who had to travel 10 hours to get to Madrid because of the war in their homeland. The record 14-time winners were dominant and only profligate finishing -- and fine goalkeeping from Anatoliy Trubin -- stopped them from racking up a big lead. After three games Madrid have a five-point lead on second-placed Shakhtar, with RB Leipzig, third, beating Celtic 3-1 in the other Group F match.

Karim Benzema led the line again on his second match back after injury and although he was still rusty, it didn't matter on a mostly comfortable evening. Rodrygo broke the deadlock with a low effort from outside the area, curled home after 13 minutes. He was not punished for a loose first touch as the ball bounced back to him and stroked it past Trubin. Benzema, sniffing around for a goal to ignite his season, fired in a low effort which Trubin parried, as Madrid pinned the visitors back.

Vinicius, who left two Shakhtar defenders for dead by scooping the ball through the gap between them and darting through to delight the Santiago Bernabeu, soon added the second. The Brazilian put the finishing touches on an intricate team move, with Benzema feeding Rodrygo, to caress the ball into the bottom corner.

Striker Karim Benzema is in the eye of the storm after missing a penalty ten minutes from time against Sergio Herrera, who saved two last season. In addition, the French international looked lacking in rhythm on his return. This Tuesday he will be looking to regain his confidence against Shakhtar in the Champions League clash.

The Real Madrid board has 100% faith in the French striker and will therefore reward the player with a contract extension. According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid will renew the 34-year-old striker's contract until June 2024.

The famous Italian journalist said that the official announcement of the deal will be made once he is announced as the winner of the Ballon d'Or. Thus, Benzema will start the year with a new contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The level of the French international was excellent last season and although he is lacking pace due to injury, Ancelotti has blind faith in the '9' of the Spanish club.

It is an option that has been rumoured for some time and a reliable source has just taken it for granted. Veronica Brunati, a journalist from 'Telemundo' who follows the Argentina national team and even had access to an interview with Erling Haaland last month, indicated on her Twitter profile that Leo Messi will become a Barcelona player again on 1st July 2023.

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The journalist has not released any more details about the current Paris Saint-Germain player. He joined the Parc des Princes team after leaving the Camp Nou in a heartbreaking way. With the arrival of Joan Laporta, it seemed that a renewal would be possible but, in the end, it was ruled out because it greatly compromised the economic situation of the entity.

The Argentine, in order to land in Ligue 1, committed himself for two seasons; in other words, if he returns to La Liga on the date mentioned in the first paragraph, he will be able to do so for free.. Evidently, the operation would still be costly for the 'Cules', who would once again assume the salary of one of the best players of all time.

In recent transfer markets and, in general, financial years, Barcelona have achieved much more money than in the final period of Josep Maria Bartomeu or the initial period of the current president. This is where the hopes of the fans lie, for whom a return of Leo Messi is not a fantasy.

He would return at the age of 36 and... Would he be a key player again?
The flame of Leo Messi's talent does not seem to be extinguished. Although he had his ups and downs in the seasons prior to his departure from Barcelona, the Argentinian has become a key player for PSG, who are already considering how to renew his contract. The idea of the French board, according to the French press - 'L'Equipe' - is for him to stay with the club until 2024 or even 2025.

His problem is that, if the 'Cules' enter the race, the '30' will be very attracted to the idea of returning, because, as he himself has said in public on many occasions, Barcelona is his home and he was very happy there. In fact, his departure was hard for his family, who have had to adapt to a new way of life.

As public anger grew, police moved to punish those responsible for the crush in the city of Malang that witnesses say started when officers fired tear gas into packed stands to quell a pitch invasion.

"As the regional police chief, I am concerned, saddened and at the same time I am sorry for the shortcomings in the security process," East Java police chief Nico Afinta told a press conference Tuesday.

The terraces of the Kanjuruhan stadium were packed Saturday evening with 42,000 "Aremania", or Arema FC fans, for a match against fierce rivals Persebaya Surabaya.

But after a 3-2 defeat, the first at home for more than two decades to their adversaries, fans streamed down to the pitch to confront players and management.

Police described the incident as a riot and said two officers were killed, but survivors accused them of overreacting.

Officers responded to the pitch invasion with force, kicking and hitting fans with batons, according to witnesses and video footage, prompting more fans to enter the pitch.

"If there was a riot, it (the tear gas) should be fired to the pitch, not in the stand," Danny Agung Prasetyo, coordinator of supporter group Arema DC, told AFP.

The death toll jumped again on Tuesday with local health official Wiyanto Wijoyo telling AFP six more victims had succumbed to their injuries.

Indonesian officials said 4,000 more tickets had been allocated for the match than should have been, while some of the stadium's doors appeared to have been shut, according to witnesses.

That left physically stronger supporters to scale large fences to escape the mayhem, while the most vulnerable were at the mercy of the crush as tear gas rained down.

"The doors were closed, that's why people were pushing. Some lay down in the corner" by a closed gate to try to escape the crush, a 16-year-old survivor of the chaos told AFP.

"In the stand, there were some people who got hit (by tear gas canisters) directly. I saw it myself."

The Malang police chief was replaced Monday, nine officers were suspended and 19 others were put under investigation over the disaster in the stadium, which was filled with only hometown Arema FC fans, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said.

He said those suspended were members of the Mobile Brigade Corps, or Brimob, a unit that acts as the special-operations paramilitary unit for the Indonesian police force and is notorious for its aggressive crowd control tactics.

- 'Our friends died here' -

Arema FC fans set up an outdoor stall in Malang Monday to receive legal complaints.

They said they would file a lawsuit against officers for causing what they said were scores of deaths by indiscriminately targeting spectators in confined terraces.

The Indonesian government suspended the country's national football league and announced a task force to investigate the tragedy. It said the probe would take two to three weeks.

Calls for an independent investigation have grown since details of the stampede started to emerge over the weekend.

The tragedy on Saturday night in the city of Malang saw a total of 125 people killed and 323 others injured after officers fired tear gas in a packed stadium to quell a pitch invasion, triggering a stampede.

Dozens of children caught in the chaos lost their lives, an official at the women's empowerment and child protection ministry told AFP.

"From the latest data we received, out of 125 people who died in the accident, 32 of them were children, with the youngest being a toddler age three or four," said Nahar, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name.

As anger mounted against police, Indonesia's chief security minister Mahfud MD announced a task force had been formed to investigate and called for those responsible to be punished.

"We asked (police) to unveil who has perpetrated the crimes and take action against them and we also hope the national police will evaluate their security procedures," he said in a broadcast statement.

The police force sacked its local chief in Malang within hours of the minister's speech.

East Java police also suspended nine officers on the instruction of the national police force, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told a press conference, without providing details about their role in the tragedy.

With police and sports officials on their way to Malang to investigate, Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) levelled criticism at officers.

"If there was no tear gas, maybe there wouldn't have been chaos," commissioner Choirul Anam told a briefing

We want accountability' -

Saturday's incident unfolded when fans of home team Arema FC stormed the pitch at the Kanjuruhan stadium after their loss 3-2 to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya.

Police responded by launching tear gas into packed terraces, prompting spectators to rush en masse to small gates where many were trampled or suffocated, according to witnesses.

"It felt like people were packed into a small tube with a tiny hole, and then they were smoked," said 29-year-old spectator Ahmad Rizal Habibi, who escaped before the crush.

Police described the incident as a riot and said two officers were killed, but survivors accuse them of overreacting and causing the deaths of scores of spectators.

"One of our messages is for the authorities to investigate this thoroughly. And we want accountability. Who is to blame?" said 25-year-old Malang resident Andika, who declined to give his last name.

"We want justice for our fallen supporters."

One witness outside the stadium said police refused to help when the crush happened.

"The place looked like a mass cemetery. Women and children were piling on top of one another," Eko Prianto, 39, told AFP.

"I ran to the police or soldier to help. There were no medics in sight. The police did not help and the soldier threatened to beat me."

The fight for the top of the La Liga standings is on fire. Real Madrid missed the chance to move two points clear of Barcelona after a surprising draw against Osasuna at home.

The first half was hard fought. Real Madrid had possession of the ball but struggled to create chances due to Osasuna's good defence. The 'Merengues' went into the break with the lead thanks to Vinicius' goal.

In the 38th minute, the home side gave Osasuna a warning as Benzema had a great chance. Vinicius received with space and drove the ball until he got inside the box and crossed to the far post. The striker Benzema, unmarked, hit a superb volley that went wide grazing the post.

Four minutes later, the 'Merengues' took the lead. Vinicius crossed to the far post from the right flank, and Rudiger's move confused Sergio Herrera, who was unable to save the ball and gave Arrasate's side a hard blow.

However, Osasuna did not give up and managed to equalise. Unai crossed from the right flank and Kike Garcia's header into the top corner beat Lunin. Ancelotti reacted to the visitors' goal by replacing Tchouameni and Ceballos by Camavinga and Valverde.

Ancelotti's side had the chance to take the lead again after the VAR corrected the referee's decision and a penalty was awarded in Real Madrid's favour. David Garcia was sent off for a straight red card. However, Benzema's penalty kick hit the crossbar.

The 'Merengues' tried until the last minute but could not score the winning goal and now sit level on points with Barça.

After Manchester United's defeat to Everton in the second half of last season, Cristiano Ronaldo was so angry that he grabbed a 14-year-old boy's mobile phone and threw it to the ground. He apologised afterwards, but that did not stop both the police and the FA from cautioning him.

The FA, in fact, charged him with a breach of rule E3 of its code, which involves not carrying out inappropriate comments or acts. In this case, breaking a child's mobile phone is clearly inappropriate, and the Portuguese has until 10th October to respond to these charges.

The date came to light thanks to the British press. Specifically, it appears in media such as 'The Sun'. The footballer has to appear to explain what happened and, probably, to ask to be exonerated. In any case, if he has to pay a fine or face a ban, it is not expected to be very serious.

Curiously, 10th October is the day after Manchester United face Everton, the opponent against whom Cristiano committed that action. First, the Red Devils must face Manchester City in the Premier League and Omonia Nicosia in the Champions League, matches in which the Portuguese will try to gain prominence.

Five points behind unbeaten front-runners Napoli and Atalanta, Inter have a huge few days coming up with the visits of both Jose Mourinho's team and then Barcelona on Tuesday, hugely important for their chances of making the Champions League knockout stages.

Inter have already lost four times in nine games across Serie A and Europe and their last outing -- slumping to a 3-1 defeat at surprise package Udinese -- led to questions about coach Simone Inzaghi's future.

However both vice-president Javier Zanetti and CEO Giuseppe Marotta denied this week that Inzaghi's job was at risk.

"We've always had faith, when things aren't going right you need to keep that bond between everyone," Zanetti said on Sunday.

Making Inzaghi's job harder is the continued absence of injured Romelu Lukaku, who hasn't played since August and whose muscle problems have already caused him to miss six matches.

And last season's 140-million-euro ($133.9 million) loss announced on Wednesday has increased rumours that they will be forced to sell Milan Skriniar to Paris Saint-Germain, either in January or at the end of the season.

Roma meanwhile sit just above Inter in sixth and go into the weekend with a point to prove after unconvincing results in the lead-up to the international break.

A home defeat to Atalanta two weeks ago was Roma's second loss of the campaign and the latest match in which a team which has netted only eight times in seven matches failed to capitalise on chances created.

The form of striker Tammy Abraham in particular has been a worry, missed opportunities and bitty displays coming in stark contrast to the talismanic role he had at the end of last season.

Roma will also have to do without Mourinho, who won't be on the sidelines at the club where he won a historic league, cup and Champions League treble in 2010 after a pitchside rant at officials against Atalanta cost him a one-match ban.

Leaders Napoli kick the weekend off against Torino hoping to stay ahead on goal difference from Atalanta, the only other unbeaten team left in the league ahead of their home clash with Fiorentina.

Loitering one point back in third are Udinese, who are hunting a sixth straight win at struggling Verona on Monday night.

History will be made this weekend when a woman referee takes charge of a Serie A match for the first time.

Having refereed in the third-tier Serie C last season Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi will be in charge for Sassuolo's home clash with Salernitana, who after scraping to safety last season have got off to a positive start this time around.

The 31-year-old was praised on Thursday by Italian politician Giorgia Meloni, who is expected to become Italy's first far-right prime minister since Benito Mussolini after leading a right-wing block to electoral victory last weekend.

Player to watch: Paulo Dybala

Dybala should return to action at the San Siro, the stadium that looked set to be his new home after Juventus announced in March that they were letting him go in the close season.

Instead the Argentina forward was wooed by Mourinho and is likely to play a part in Roma's attempt to give long-time Lazio man Inzaghi another bloody nose.

779166 - 2.51

779167 - 4.53

779168 - 6.06

Hull City (3.19) vs Luton (2.47)

Draw: 3.55

@ 1.62
779160

Ov 2.5 @ 1.98
779159

Ov 3.5 Cards @ 1.84
779161
Bayern Munich (1.39) vs Bayern Lev

http:///36IpM50

European nations have won every World Cup since Brazil lifted the last of their five titles in Japan and South Korea in 2002.

Europe has supplied 13 of the 16 semi-finalists at the past four World Cups, with Italy, Spain, Germany and France coming out on top.

But reigning European champions Italy have failed even to qualify for Qatar, while there are doubts over the chances of England, France, Germany and Spain.

England's six-game winless run is their worst ever heading to a major tournament, with the Three Lions relegated from the top tier of UEFA's Nations League.

World champions France only avoided the same fate thanks to other results going their way as Les Bleus and Germany won just one of their six Nations League group games.

Spain have progressed to the semi-finals of that competition, but were beaten 2-1 at home by Switzerland last week.

Adding to the uncertainty is a first-ever mid-season World Cup for European teams, with no time for pre-tournament training camps and friendlies.

Between now and the break for the World Cup on November 13 -- a week before the tournament starts -- players at Europe's top teams could play up to 13 times for their clubs.

"Everybody has got the same challenge. It's a strange period because so many teams are a little bit up in the air," said England manager Gareth Southgate.

"There's very few teams that have been able to find form.

"We've all had the players for three or four days, two games in quick succession, and now this gap where you are sitting hoping you don't pick up big injuries, but we're going to pick up some".

Lionel Messi should be appreciated by fans of all countries at the World Cup as he will be missed like Roger Federer "and more" when he retires, says Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

Messi scored twice from the bench in Argentina's 3-0 win over Jamaica on Tuesday, their penultimate friendly before Qatar 2022.

The Albiceleste head to the finals as one of the favourites, having won the Copa America last year.

That was Messi's long-awaited first major international honour, and this could be the 35-year-old's last chance to win a World Cup, having lost in the 2014 final.

Although the Paris Saint-Germain superstar remains on top of his game, scoring six goals across his past four matches for club and country, Scaloni knows he cannot go on forever.

And the Argentina boss expects Messi's eventual retirement will be received with the same outpouring that met tennis legend Federer's decision to quit the sport last week.

"[Messi] is like Federer," Scaloni said after the Jamaica game.

"He retired and what happened when he retired? Everybody [was] excited, everybody is thinking, 'he won't be here anymore, he's not going to play anymore'.

"How many of us would like to see Federer play tennis? Because it was wonderful to watch him play. The same will happen with [Messi] and more, because football is a sport that moves much more.

"So, let's enjoy him. Everyone enjoys him regardless of the country, it's wonderful to see him.

"I have the possibility of training him, but I would be a fan, I would pay a ticket to see him and I would buy his shirt, regardless of the country.

"So, the only thing left is to enjoy him, because I don't know if something like this will ever be repeated. So, you have to enjoy him and nothing else."

A banana was thrown at Richarlison during Brazil's friendly against Tunisia in Paris, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said. Richarlison scored the 'Selecao's second goal in a 5-1 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

But the victory in Brazil's final match before the World Cup was soured by reports of a racist gesture aimed at the Tottenham forward. Video footage appeared to show a banana land near Richarlison as he celebrated his goal, and the CBF confirmed the incident on social media.

"Unfortunately, after the goal, a banana was thrown on the pitch towards Richarlison, scorer of the second Brazilian goal," a short statement read.

"The CBF reinforces its position to combat racism and repudiates any prejudiced manifestation."

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi took his international goals tally to 90 in 164 appearances after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Red Bull Arena.

Messi's goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019 just two shy of Italy world record unbeaten run of 37 set between 2018 and 2012.

Messi, who also scored twice during a friendly win over Honduras in Miami on Friday, delighted the crowd with an electrifying cameo after coming on in the 56th minute for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

He bagged his first of the night in the 86th minute, darting forward before caressing a shot into the bottom corner past Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake.

The 35-year-old seven-time Ballon D'Or winner then produced an impish second goal, craftily curling a low shot underneath the Jamaican wall into the bottom corner from a free-kick.

Messi's presence left the crowd in a frenzy. On three different occasions spectators sprinted onto the pitch in an effort to get close to the Argentinian icon.

One shirtless fan attempted to get Messi to autograph his back before he was bundled to the floor by security staff.

Messi's late double crowned another assured performance from Lionel Scaloni's Argentina, who are rapidly emerging as one of the favourites for the World Cup in Qatar in November.

The Argentinians had dominated throughout a one-sided first half, and took the lead on 13 minutes when Martinez jinked past Jamaica's Damion Lowe and cut back for Manchester City Julian Alvarez, who tucked away a low finish from close range.

Alvarez almost had a second soon afterwards but curled his shot just wide.

Midfielder Guido Rodriguez also went close, but was unable to direct his volley at the back post on target, instead shooting over the bar.

Giovani Lo Celso also threatened with a long-range effort that flew just wide of the top corner in the 33rd minute.

La Roja' needed to win to finish top of League A Group 2, but struggled on another difficult night for the Euro 2020 semi-finalists, until Morata's 88th minute breakthrough. Spain have not been able to hit top form in the internationals leading up to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, but this hard-fought victory provides a welcome morale boost.

Portugal had the better of the game but Spain brightened in the final stages, with the introduction of several substitutes, including Nico Williams, who headed across goal for Morata to gleefully turn in at the back post. Luis Enrique made wholesale changes to the side that suffered Spain's first home defeat since 2018 against Switzerland on Saturday, retaining only four starters.

Morata was brought in to lead the line, while the Asturian coach rotated his entire midfield trio. Spain still dominated possession, as their gameplan demands, but to little effect as Portugal created the more dangerous openings in the first half.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon made a solid save to deny Ruben Neves and then a brilliant one to keep Liverpool striker Diogo Jota at bay. Cristiano Ronaldo appealed for a penalty in a race for the ball with Simon but the referee spotted he went to ground without any contact and waved play on.

With Portuguese confidence increasing, Bruno Fernandes lashed an effort narrowly off-target, celebrated prematurely by swathes of the stadium as the ball appeared to settle in the net. Just as they did against Switzerland, Spain failed to get a single shot on target in the first half, and after Simon made another good save from Ronaldo early in the second half, Luis Enrique took action.

The coach sent on Pedri, Gavi and Yeremy Pino to try and give 'La Roja' more inspiration going forward, although it was the hosts who almost broke the deadlock when Dani Carvajal deflected a strike narrowly over his own crossbar. At the other end Morata replied with a tame effort which was easily collected by Diogo Costa, who also thwarted Spain substitute Williams.

The changes livened Luis Enrique's team up and Costa was required again to shovel away a far more emphatic strike from Atletico Madrid striker Morata, before the breakthrough ultimately arrived. Dani Carvajal launched a crossfield ball into the area, with Williams' header leaving Morata with the simple task of firing into the empty net to put the runners-up of the last edition of the Nations League back into the final four.

The Three Lions were denied a morale-boosting win in an enthralling 3-3 draw against the four-time world champions at Wembley on Monday.

At just 19, Bellingham stepped forward to help spark a fightback from 2-0 down to 3-2 in the space of 12 second-half minutes.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder started the move that resulted in Luke Shaw firing in England's first goal from open play in more than 520 minutes.

Bellingham then put his body on the line to win a penalty that Harry Kane converted to complete the comeback before Kai Havertz snatched a late equaliser for the visitors.

"I think the biggest thing is he's got a top-level mentality to compete," said Southgate.

"Yes, he's got technical ability and he's got athletic prowess, but the thing that makes the difference with the top players is that mentality that they are never beaten.

"They drive the game and they don't look like they are fazed by any occasion and that's what we are seeing."

Bellingham was in the England squad that reached a first major tournament final for 55 years at last year's delayed Euro 2020, but spent little time on the pitch.

Southgate's critics have pinpointed a stubbornness and loyalty to players who have performed for him in the past.

That faith proved misplaced in the selection of Harry Maguire, who was at fault for Germany's first two goals, even though the Manchester United captain has been dropped at club level.

Bellingham could also have suffered from Southgate's loyalty to the midfield pair of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, who combined to great effect at Euro 2020.

A magical night at Wembley. After a hard fought first half, the second half was breathless. Germany took a 2-0 lead, England came back in 12 minutes and Havertz scored again to level the match as the points were shared.

Kai Havertz's late equaliser denied England a stunning comeback victory as Germany concluded their Nations League campaign with an entertaining 3-3 draw at Wembley.

After a goalless first half, Ilkay Gundogan broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, before Havertz doubled the lead with a stunning 25-yard effort.

But the Three Lions turned the contest on its head with three goals in the space of 12 minutes. Luke Shaw and substitute Mason Mount dragged the hosts level, before Harry Kane's penalty completed the turnaround.

However, Germany ensured a share of the spoils with three minutes remaining when Havertz tucked home from close range following a goalkeeping error from Nick Pope.

Yesterday's Winnings

778802 - 2.00✅
778803 - 1.81✅
778807 - 1.78✅

Today's Bookings Codes

778869 - 7.80

778879 - 6.58

778871 - 5.02

778877 - 2.64

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The first 'Clasico' of the season in La Liga will take place on 16th October, Sunday, at 16:15 CEST. 'DAZN', the broadcasting platform for many of this season's matches in La Liga, confirmed this through their social networks.

It was already known that the clash would take place on the weekend of the 16th; what remained to be clarified was both the specific day and the time. It did not take long for complaints to appear on the internet, where fans were upset that the clash would not take place in the evening, as has been the case in the past.

In any case, there is less than a month to go until the big game, where there will be a lot at stake. Unless one of the two teams slips up, the top of the standings will be up for grabs. The Benzema-Lewandowski battle, the youth of Tchouameni and Co. versus Pedri and Gavi...

By then, moreover, four rounds of the Champions League group stage will have been played and the World Cup in Qatar will be just around the corner. In fact, one player who, barring a surprise, will miss the game and who is hoping to represent his national team in Qatar is Ronald Araujo, who is suffering from an avulsion of the adductor longus tendon in his right thigh.

The Netherlands booked their place in the Nations League Finals as Virgil van Dijk's second-half header sealed a 1-0 win over Belgium on Sunday.

Victory over Poland on Thursday meant the 'Oranje' only needed to avoid a heavy defeat to their neighbours at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam to seal top spot in Group A4.

Belgium never looked like they had the firepower to pull off such a result, with Liverpool defender Van Dijk securing three points for the hosts by scoring in the 73rd minute.

The result meant the Netherlands topped their group with 16 points, with Roberto Martinez's Red Devils six points behind in second.

Belgium looked bright in the early stages, with Eden Hazard blazing over from a promising position and Michy Batshuayi firing at Remko Pasveer after being played in by Kevin De Bruyne.

At the other end, Denzel Dumfries cracked wide from 12 yards after fine work down the left from Vincent Janssen, which was the closest the hosts came in a first half that saw them fail to have an attempt on target.

Dumfries again went close at the start of the second period, while Belgium's Amadou Onana was denied by a smart stop from Pasveer shortly after the hour mark.

Steven Bergwijn powered a shot straight at Thibaut Courtois as the Netherlands cranked up the pressure, before Van Dijk handed the hosts victory with a close-range header from Cody Gakpo's corner.

Courtois did well to deny Davy Klaassen and Bergwijn in the closing stages, while Belgium substitute Dodi Lukebakio struck the post with a sensational overhead kick with almost the last kick of the game.

778800 - 5.32

778801 - 8.33

778802 - 2.00

England (2.45) vs Germany (3.12)

Draw: 3.51

@ 1.81
778803

Ov 3.5 Cards @ 2.27
778804

Ov 8.5 Corners @ 1.75
778805

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Since Leo Messi left FC Barcelona in 2021, the club have missed him. He was an icon, a legend, and nobody liked the way his departure was handled.

At the same time that Messi was walking out of the Camp Nou, Barça were already thinking about his return... and they continue to do so. According to 'Mundo Deportivo', the club are already thinking about how to bring the '10' back.

The first thing, obviously, is to convince the player to put the FC Barcelona crest back on his chest. Once that has been achieved, the club would have to free up wage bill.

All this in the event that Barça would like to see Messi return as a footballer. This is not the only option Barça are considering, according to the Catalan newspaper.

The club are also considering giving him the tribute he deserves and which he did not get when he left in the summer of 2021 or making him an ambassador. In the Camp Nou offices they are considering it in detail.

In the event that Barça want him as a player, Messi would have to accept a salary that is not too high. Barça must take the utmost care of the 'Financial Fair Play' and will not break the bank for anyone. In addition, he would have to accept that he cannot be an undisputed starter: his role would be somewhat more secondary than in his long and superb first spell as a 'Cule'.

The club believe they can convince Messi. In fact, they believe he would be thrilled to return to what was his home for so many years. As for the possibility of bringing him back in 2023, when his contract with PSG expires, they understand that the Argentine could not have a problem in terms of a secondary role.

France dominated the whole first half. Deschamps' team kept possession of the ball and created several chances, but failed to score the first goal of the match. Austria defended at the back hoping to pull off a counter-attack but failed to create scoring chances.

Kylian Mbappe almost started the game in style. The PSG player received the ball inside the box after a rebound in the second minute and beat Pentz with a shot to the long post, but the goal was disallowed because he was offside. In the 27th minute he tried again, the winger shot from outside the box to beat Pentz but the ball went wide grazing the post.

Aurelien Tchouameni came very close to scoring one of the best goals of his career in the 35th minute. The Real Madrid defensive midfielder almost gave France the lead with a bicycle kick goal, but the crossbar prevented it.

In addition, there were several injuries during the match. Barcelona centre-back Kounde was injured in the first half and had to be replaced by Saliba. At half-time, Maignan also had to be substituted due to injury and France's goalkeeper for the second half was Areola. Austria's Weimann was the third injury of the match and was replaced by Ljubicic.

In the 55th minute Mbappe gave France the lead with a superb goal. The PSG player received the ball in the midfield, and after driving the ball and once on the edge of the box, he beat Pentz with a powerful shot.

Giroud extended the lead for 'Les Bleus'. Griezmann delivered a good cross from the right flank and found Giroud's head. The Milan striker beat Pent with a lovely header to the far post.

Although Endrick has not made his debut in the Brazilian league with Palmeiras, the striker is on the agendas of Europe's big clubs. Madrid and Barcelona were left with the desire to see him in action against Santos, as there was speculation about his possible debut in the top flight in this important match that ended with a 1-0 win for his team.

Barcelona's interest in Endrick is clear. The club no longer have any doubts that he can fit into the team and, according to 'Sport', they have taken a step closer to signing the player.

According to the newspaper, Barça have recently met with Endrick's agents. Several of the 16-year-old's agents have reportedly travelled to Barcelona to discuss the Barça project and how Endrick would fit in.

Sport' claims that Endrick has caught everyone's eye. Barcelona scouts have given him the go-ahead and the board are considering signing him. The first talks have already begun.

Barça's plan for the striker is to negotiate directly with Palmeiras next summer, with the 2022-23 season already finalised. The Catalan giants are in no hurry, as Endrick would not arrive at Camp Nou until 2024, when he reaches the age of majority.

Barcelona are aware of the international interest in Endrick. 'Sport' claims that PSG are also in the race, although the main competitor for the 'Cules' will be eternal rivals Real Madrid, who have also been targeting the talented player for some time.

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Pedri revealed Luis Enrique's Spain view themselves among the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

La Roja have endured two disappointing World Cup campaigns since winning the trophy in 2010, being dumped out in 2014's group stage before suffering a last-16 penalty shoot-out loss to hosts Russia four years later.

However, the emergence of several young talents – including Pedri and fellow Barcelona midfielder Gavi – has enabled Luis Enrique to reintroduce a possession-based style of play Spain became renowned for under Vicente del Bosque.

With Spain set to begin their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica in just over two months' time, Pedri sees no reason why the class of 2022 cannot deliver a second World Cup win.

"Perhaps people don't expect so much from us, they don't see us as favourites, but inside we do see ourselves as favourites," he told Sport.

"We will not wear the medal without doing anything. If we work as we should, the opportunity will come.

"There is always pressure at Barca and the national team. You have to try to escape, be calm and enjoy.

"Here and at Barca we have a team for everything. We work so that at the end of the season we can win everything we play."

5 - Top 5 players with the most through balls in Europe's top five leagues this season:

17 - Lionel Messi
16 - Neymar Jr
10 - Junya Ito
9 - PEDRI GONZÁLEZ
9 - Joshua Kimmich

England boss Gareth Southgate has summoned Jordan Henderson to bolster his midfield after losing shoulder injury victim Kalvin Phillips.

Manager Southgate is waiting to learn whether Phillips will be fit for World Cup duty after Manchester City decided their close-season recruit from Leeds United would need surgery.

It means Euro 2020 runners-up England may be without a key man for the Qatar 2022 finals, although they will be holding out hope Phillips can return and prove his fitness before the tournament.

He has become a Southgate favourite in a deep-lying midfield role, joining Declan Rice in shielding the defence.

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For now, a familiar figure in Henderson returns to the fray, with the 32-year-old Liverpool captain boasting 69 caps and considerable big-tournament experience, having been prominent in England's run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

England are on Nations League duty at present, battling to avoid relegation from the top tier of that competition. They travel to face Italy in Group A3 on Friday, followed by a clash with Germany at Wembley on Monday.

News of Phillips' prospects for the World Cup could soon become clear, with the outcome of his operation likely to offer pointers to whether he could be on the plane to Qatar in November.

City manager Pep Guardiola offered hope for Phillips and England at the weekend, saying that "in a good way he could arrive at the World Cup".

Holding the World Cup in the middle of the European season is having major consequences for clubs but also for coaches of national teams.

While domestic competitions bear the brunt of the upheaval to the calendar as they are forced to halt a week before the opening game in Qatar, that also means there will be next to no time for squads to work together before beginning their World Cup campaigns.

Extra importance is therefore placed on events over the next week, as European sides complete the UEFA Nations League group stage while other contenders play friendly matches, including back-to-back games for Brazil on French soil against Ghana and Tunisia.

- French concerns -

Reigning world champions France are preparing to defend the crown they won in Russia in 2018 while simultaneously trying to avoid being relegated from the top tier of the Nations League.

Les Bleus, who won the Nations League last year, host Austria on Thursday and visit Denmark on Sunday needing to win both games to be sure of remaining in League A.

But France coach Didier Deschamps has numerous issues, not least injuries to key players including Paul Pogba -- he is recovering from a knee operation which has left him facing a race against time to be fit for Qatar.

"He will do everything to try to be fit as quickly as possible, despite the lack of time," Deschamps told broadcaster TF1 on Sunday.

It is also too early to say if a dispute between Kylian Mbappé and the French Football Federation over image rights could impact squad morale, with the Paris Saint-Germain star refusing to take part in a photo shoot on Monday.

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Barcelona do not want to miss any opportunities in the market. Just two names appear at the moment, those of Jorginho and Marco Asensio.

The Italian offered himself to the Catalans but, according to 'Marca', he is not wanted by those inside the club. He has not contemplated at any moment the signing of the Chelsea midfielder, whose contract expires in 2023.

The truth is that Jorginho could occupy the post of Sergio Busquets. The Barca captain could leave and the Italian could arrive for free, in a deal similar to that of Franck Kessie.

Asensio, the man sought after
The name that Barcelona have on their agenda has surprised people. 'Mundo Deportivo' reports that the Catalans are monitoring Marco Asensio's situation.

The Spaniard is not having all the minutes he wants at Real Madrid and he has not ruled out a departure. In fact, he has a contract until the end of the season and he has not yet renewed.

Getting ahead of Fede Valverde, together with Rodrygo's good work, have left Asensio with many opportunities to shine at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona could take advantage of the fact his contract expires at the end of the current season by negotiating with Real Madrid in January. The other option is to wait until July to get him on a free.

The Catalans believe that Asensio has the quality, age and adaptability required to fit in well at Barca. And he is a very good option in the transfer market.

It was the fifth loss in seven matches for the two-time former European champions despite more than 20 close season signings, including Awoniyi from Union Berlin.

Here, we highlight African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND
TAIWO AWONIYI (Nottingham Forest)

Awoniyi scored his second goal since moving from Germany to England, as the Nigerian's close range finish from a corner put Forest in front against Fulham. But they failed to hold the lead and the defeat left Steve Cooper's men second last with only four points from seven matches.

SPAIN
YASSINE BOUNOU (Sevilla)

The Morocco goalkeeper made a couple of smart saves in the first half to help Julen Lopetegui's team keep Villarreal at bay and protect a one-goal La Liga lead. However, he needed treatment for a muscular issue near the end of the first half, and though he struggled on, had to be replaced at the break by Marko Dmitrovic in the 1-1 draw. Bounou will now be a doubt for Morocco in the upcoming international break.

ITALY
ASSAN CEESAY (Lecce)

The Gambian opened the scoring as Lecce won 2-1 at Salernitana to claim their first victory of the Serie A season after three draws and three losses. Ceesay starred when the Gambia exceeded expectations by reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Cameroon this year.

FRANCE
SOFIANE BOUFAL/ABDALLAH SIMA/NABIL BENTALEB (Angers)

Senegalese forward Sima played a role in Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo earning a red card after just nine seconds. Sima pushed the ball past Todibo, who stuck out a leg and tripped the striker. After a video review, the decision that Todibo was the last defender stood. Algerian Bentaleb scored the only goal in the 1-0 win for Angers, who also went a man down after Moroccan midfielder Boufal was sent off for a second yellow card.

MAMA BALDE (Troyes)

The Guinea-Bissau international striker scored twice in a 3-1 win at Clermont, the third of the season for his side. The 26-year-old equalised on 23 minutes after taking the ball from the feet of sluggish defender Mateusz Wieteska. He added a second nine minutes after the break to bring his tally to five goals in eight Ligue 1 games for the mid-table side.