Spain fell victim to the curse of the favourites at the 2018 World Cup when they were knocked out by hosts Russia, who produced one of the biggest shocks in the tournament s history.

Following the elimination of reigning champions Germany in the group stages and defeats for Argentina and Portugal in Saturday s round of 16 matches, Spain were held to a 1-1 draw at Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday and lost 4-3 on penalties to Russia – the lowest ranked team in the World Cup – who had managed just one shot on target in 120 minutes of football.

The 2010 world champions were frustrated by Stanislav Cherchesov s resilient defence, and while the hosts progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1970, the team famed for tiki-taka football and featuring players as il…

Manchester City completed the formality of qualification for the Champions League group stage with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest as Joe Hart bid a probable farewell to his adoring Etihad Stadium public.

Hart was restored to the City starting XI for the first and most likely last time under Pep Guardiola, who has preferred Willy Caballero in goal during the opening weeks of the season and sanctioned a move for Claudio Bravo, with the Chile international expected to complete the formalities of his move from Barcelona before the end of this week.

City s 5-0 romp in the first leg killed both Steaua s ambition in Manchester and the game as a spectacle, with Fabian Delph s 56th-minute header one of the few notable pieces of on-field play.

It meant much of the focus c…

Marcus Rashford is determined to get Manchester United challenging for the biggest prizes again after signing a new four-year contract with the club.

The 21-year-old has extended his deal at Old Trafford until 2023, with the option for a further year, in a major boost for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s new era.

Rashford has been directly involved in more goals than any other United player in all competitions since his debut in February 2016, underlining his importance to the side, but his rise to prominence has been something of a rare positive for fans in the years since Alex Ferguson s retirement.

The Red Devils have won the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup since 2013 but failed to mount a realistic Premier League title challenge, and their sixth-place finish …

Ivan Rakitic scored a wonderful volley and Lionel Messi struck twice to inspire Barcelona to a thrilling 4-2 win at Tottenham in the Champions League.

Philippe Coutinho took only 92 seconds to give Barca the lead at Wembley on Wednesday, with Rakitic s unstoppable 25-yarder doubling the Catalan side s first-half advantage.

Harry Kane s 10th Champions League goal gave Spurs hope and, although Messi soon put Barca 3-1 up, Erik Lamela struck to set up a grandstand finish.

Ernesto Valverde s men had failed to win their last three games and looked nervy in the closing stages, but Messi capitalised on poor defending in the last minute to ensure his team join Inter on maximum points after two games in Group B.

Hugo Lloris was playing for the first time since A…

Jamal Musiala admits being compared to Lionel Messi is a big honour as the Germany midfielder prepares for his World Cup bow.

The Bayern Munich star, who played just nine minutes at Euro 2020, has enjoyed an impressive start to the Bundesliga season, scoring nine goals and providing six assists.

The 19-year-old s 15 goal involvements are the most registered by any teenager across Europe s top five leagues and just two shy of Messi s tally for Paris Saint-Germain (seven goals, 10 assists).

I think it s a big honour to be compared to Messi, said Musiala, who will hope to feature in Germany s Group E opener against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.

He has been playing at the top level for his entire career. It s always hard to compar…

Scott Parker enjoyed a fine start to his reign as Burnley head coach as the Clarets opened their Championship campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Luton Town.

Josh Brownhill’s low finish opened the scoring inside six minutes before Wilson Odobert added a second before the break.

Tahith Chong halved the deficit early in the second half and the hosts pushed for an equaliser against one of the sides they joined in being relegated from the Premier League last term.

However, Dara O Shea headed in a third to kill off any hopes of a comeback, then Vitinho s late strike added a further flourish to the scoreline.

The win takes Burnley up to second – behind Sheffield Wednesday – in the table at the conclusion of matchday one, while Luton sit 23rd, on…

Jurgen Klopp has hailed Sadio Mane as one of Liverpool s greatest ever players following confirmation of his exit to join Bayern Munich.

The Senegal international hinted at his desire to leave Liverpool following the club s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid and his €41million (£35.2m) move to the Bundesliga champions was confirmed on Wednesday.

Liverpool have already made moves in the transfer market to prepare for Mane s exit, landing Darwin Nunez from Benfica, but Klopp admitted it was a significant moment for the club in a passionate tribute to the 30-year-old.

It’s a big moment. There is no point in anyone trying to pretend otherwise, he told the club s website.  One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge h…

Sadio Mane s illustrious spell at Liverpool has come to a close after the forward completed a move to Bayern Munich.

The Senegal international had just one year remaining on his contract at Anfield and was yet to agree terms on an extension, leading Liverpool to accept a €41million (£35.2m) bid from the Bundesliga champions for his services.

Mane s departure will leave a void within Jurgen Klopp s attacking ranks, although work had already been done to prepare for the changing of the guard with the signing of Luis Diaz from Porto in January and the capture of Darwin Nunez from Benfica in June.

While Diaz has hit the ground running on Merseyside and expectations are high for Nunez, replacing Mane is certainly no easy feat – as displayed by his record over the…

Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have mutually agreed for the forward to recommence his career away from the club.

The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club since January 30, 2022, over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.

Greenwood was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced six and a half months ago that the case had been discontinued.

The forward has remained suspended by United throughout this period and the club have now confirmed the forward will be not be returning to the Old Trafford set-up.

The PA news agency understands the club are working with Greenwood’s family to find the right environment for him to continue his career, with di…

Memphis Depay was given permission by Barcelona to train with Atletico Madrid on Thursday as the teams negotiate a transfer.

Netherlands international Depay has struggled for playing time at Barca under Xavi and his contract ends at the end of the season.

Widespread reports this week suggested Atleti are prepared to pay an initial €3million for Depay, potentially rising to €4m with add-ons.

While a deal has yet to be struck between the clubs, Atleti have confirmed talks are at an advanced stage, with Depay now training alongside his soon-to-be team-mates.

Memphis, with permission from Barcelona, trained for the first time in Majadahonda while both clubs close their transfer, Atleti posted on their official Twitter page.

, with permission fro…