Dan Ashworth eyeing Tyler Dibling for Manchester United

Portugal reclaimed top spot in Group A as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan in Tuesday s World Cup qualifier.

In the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the all-time international top men s goalscorer against the Republic of Ireland, the goals were shared around by Fernando Santos men.

Bruno Fernandes played a part in the first two, teeing up Bernardo Silva for the opener before crossing for Diogo Jota to set up Andre Silva for the second.

Without Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev, matters could have been far worse for Azerbaijan, but the goalkeeper was powerless to stopping Jota add a third in the second half.

The visitors dominated the opening stages, registering 66.7 per cent possession in the first 15 minutes but Fernandes lashed…

EA Sports has used FIFA 23 to predict the outcome of the 2022 World Cup, with Argentina backed to beat Brazil in an all-South American final.

The tournament gets underway on November 20 and Brazil and reigning Copa America champions Argentina will have high hopes, as they look to end a 20-year dominant streak by European nations.

Argentina, defeated by Germany in the 2014 final, are predicted by FIFA 23 to end that streak.

Lionel Messi is also forecasted to win the Golden Boot with a return of seven goals in eight matches.

Interestingly, EA Sports has correctly picked the winners from each of the last three World Cup finals and are looking to make it four on the spin – while they also predicted the outcome for the team of the tournament.

Victors…

Barcelona have confirmed that Arda Turan has joined Istanbul Basaksehir on a loan deal through to the end of the 2019-20 season.

This week, the Turkish Super Lig leaders stated that a move for Arda was close to being finalised.

And Barca announced that the 30-year-old will make the move on loan for the remainder of his contract.

LaLiga s leaders also stated that they retain the right to sell Arda during this period, with Basaksehir holding an option to buy – although a price was not confirmed for this clause.

Arda opted to join Barca from LaLiga rivals Atletico Madrid in July 2015, but a transfer ban imposed on the club meant he did not debut until the following January.

During his time at Camp Nou, Arda won medals in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey …

Harry Kane moved within two goals of tying Jimmie Greaves all-time record for Tottenham as his second-half doubled inspired them to a 4-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Spurs had resumed their Premier League campaign in disappointing fashion, coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Brentford before losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa.

It looked like being another underwhelming game for Tottenham in a lacklustre first half, but Kane lifted them back to winning ways in style.

His brace on his 300th top-flight appearance took him to 264 goals for the club and within striking distance of Greaves (266) before Matt Doherty and Son Heung-min made it a rout as Tottenham moved two points adrift of the top four.

300 – Harry Kane is just the second Premier League player to score …

Spain Under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente is ready to welcome Sergio Ramos into his plans for next year s Olympic Games.

Real Madrid captain Ramos admitted this month he would find it hard to turn down the chance to represent his country in Tokyo, even though Euro 2020 will finish less than two weeks before the Games begins.

The centre-back would be eligible to be selected as one of Spain s over-age stars, with each nation permitted to select a maximum of three players born before January 1, 1997, in their Olympics squad.

De la Fuente, who will coach the team in Japan, says he would find it hard to turn down Ramos, who will be 34 when the tournament gets under way on July 23.

I m proud. I m proud that he, like other players who have a great international a…

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Real Sociedad over the signing of Robin Le Normand.

The Spain defender, who was part of the side that won Euro 2024, will finalise his move to Atleti in the coming days for a fee believed to be in the region of €34.5million.

French-born Le Normand started his career with Brest before spending eight years with Txuri-Urdin, for whom he made 221 senior appearances across all competitions, while winning the 2019-20 Copa del Rey.

The 27-year-old is fresh from international success in Germany, where he played in six of Spain s seven matches, while he also helped La Roja win the Nations League last year.

A statement on Atletico s official website read: Atletico and Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transf…

Newcastle United are interested in signing Conor Gallagher from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that Gallagher and Chelsea are in talks over a new contract, and Newcastle are ready to take advantage if the two parties are unable to come to an agreement.

Gallagher has been on the books of Chelsea since 2008 and is a product of the London club’s youth academy. The midfielder is now a regular in the first team and is one of the best and most important players in head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s team. Gallagher has scored two goals and given four assists in 24 Premier League matches for the Blues this season.

The England international midfielder is out of contract at Chelsea in the summer of 2025. Accord…

Pep Guardiola s advice helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA Finals, so says Joe Mazzulla.

The Celtics clinched the NBA title with a 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 on Monday.

That sealed a 4-1 series win for Boston, who won their 18th Championship, and first since 2008.

And head coach Mazzulla revealed that Manchester City manager Guardiola, who was in attendance for Game 1 of the Finals, played a part in his team s success.

Dallas has one of the smartest defenses, Mazzulla said.

We had to be creative to counter them.

Pep helped me in transitions and how to move guys.

Perhaps when he does eventually leave City, Guardiola might just try his hand in the NBA?

2024 WORLD CHAMPIONS

— Boston Ce…

James Rodriguez wants to be the Copa America s standout player, and is going some way to being just that.

Colombia reached the semi-finals with a thumping 5-0 defeat of Panama on Saturday, with James taking a starring role as Los Cafeteros claimed their biggest Copa Ameria win.

James scored a penalty and supplied two assists, including a delicious ball for Luis Diaz to make it 3-0 just before half-time.

The former Real Madrid playmaker, who hardly featured for club side Sao Paulo last season, has now created five goals at this edition of the tournament, equalling the record haul for assists (since Opta began collecting such data) at the Copa America, alongside Lionel Messi s five in 2021.

Colombia 5-0 Panama

Colombia have scored 11 goals from 7.34…

Best player of the tournament so far? / Image via theworldgame.sbs.com.au

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann scored twice as France national team set up a Euro 2016 final showpiece against Portugal on Sunday.

France put in a memorable display to deny the 2014 World Champions who go home empty-handed and disappointed over what will be considered a Euro 2016 failure for the German nation.

Following an exciting match in Marseille here are the five things we learned:

Better team won

France were pressed hard in the opening stages of the match as Germany exerted heavy pressure to Euro 2016 hosts, but Didier Deschamps’ men responded in adequate manner by scoring a late first-half goal to put a serious dent in Germany’s ambitions.

Fran…