Barcelona (AFP) – Lionel Messi returned to training with Barcelona on Wednesday following three weeks out with a groin injury. France international defender Samuel Umtiti also returned to training according to a statement on the Catalan giants' website. "Both Leo Messi and Samuel Umtiti, despite neither yet being declared fit for selection as they battle to recover from […]

Washington (AFP) – German-born Julian Green scored his second goal in as many matches for the United States in a 1-1 draw with New Zealand, showing critics of dual-citizen players on Jurgen Klinsmann's squad how much America means to him. The 21-year-old Bayern Munich forward, in only his third US career start and eighth appearance, […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Brazil powered to the top of the table in South America's 2018 World Cup qualifying race with a victory over Venezuela as Argentina suffered a shock defeat at home to Paraguay. Goals from Manchester City teenager Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea's Willian secured a 2-0 win over Venezuela in a match interrupted by […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Argentina crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay in South America's 2018 World Cup qualifiers as two goals from Arturo Vidal helped Chile reignite their campaign with a victory over rivals Peru. A superb counter-attacking goal from striker Derlis Gonzalez on 18 minutes was enough to give Paraguay all three points in […]

Washington (AFP) – New Zealand teen striker Monty Patterson scored in the 73rd minute to lift the All Whites into a 1-1 draw with the United States in an international football friendly. German-born US striker Julian Green on Tuesday scored his second goal in as many matches in the 27th minute to open the scoring, but the […]

Barranquilla (Colombia) (AFP) – Towering center-back Yerry Mina scored an 85th-minute equaliser as Colombia came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against South American qualifying leaders Uruguay on Tuesday. Mina, who plays for Brazilian side Palmeiras, soared high in the 84th minute to send a looping header beyond Fernando Muslera at a rain-lashed Estadio […]

Hanover (Germany) (AFP) – Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says a rampant Germany are almost impossible to stop after the world champions' dominant 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier. The Germans made it three wins from three qualifiers for the 2018 finals in Russia with first-half goals by Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira sealing […]

Ljubljana (AFP) – Joe Hart admitted that he felt battered and bruised after his heroic display in England's underwhelming 0-0 draw in Slovenia on Tuesday. Hart enjoyed his best day of a difficult season as the England goalkeeper made a series of fine saves in the World Cup qualifier, including a brilliant effort to keep […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Heavily indebted Portuguese giants Benfica unveiled Tuesday a collection of wedding dresses which it will sell alongside other club items such as nappies and dog beds. The club put on display 24 wedding dresses, including several in red — the team's colour — at a fashion show at their Stadium of Light […]

Paris (AFP) – England laboured to a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia on Tuesday in their 2018 World Cup qualifier with Wayne Rooney dropped to the bench, while title-holders Germany remained firmly on course for the finals. Manchester City reject Joe Hart produced three terrific saves to deny Roman Bezjak, Josip Ilicic and Jasmin Kurtic, […]

Bogota (AFP) – Prosecutors have opened an investigation into alleged online death threats against Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez, of Real Madrid, an official said Tuesday. "The Attorney General's office is launching a probe to determine responsibilities in a crime involving threats" that carries up to eight years in prison, Luis Alberto Perez of its investigating […]

Ljubljana (AFP) – England failed to shine without Wayne Rooney as they escaped with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia after a dire display in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier. With Rooney watching from the bench after being dropped by interim manager Gareth Southgate, England's turgid efforts could easily have led to an embarrassing defeat. By the […]

Hanover (Germany) (AFP) – Ruthless Germany made it three wins from three World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over spirited Northern Ireland on Tuesday to stay top of their group. First-half goals by Julian Draxler and Sami Khedira sealed the win in Hanover and the world champions have yet to concede a goal in […]

Doha (AFP) – China's bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup suffered a crushing blow on Tuesday while Iran sprang a shock to establish themselves as the frontrunners in Group A at the expense of South Korea. The Chinese were outclassed 2-0 by Uzbekistan in Tashkent with the Central Asians scoring twice in the […]

Doha (AFP) – Qatar salvaged some hope of reaching the 2018 World Cup finals with a narrow and desperately needed victory against Syria in a crucial Group A Asian qualifier on Tuesday. The 1-0 victory, secured by a first half Hasan Al-Haydos penalty, brought to an end a run of three consecutive group defeats. The […]