Southgate backs under-fire Maguire with England star set to return

Gareth Southgate insists Harry Maguire can still thrive at the highest level as the beleaguered England defender prepares to return in Tuesday’s friendly against Ivory Coast.

Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic seek World Cup place as Poland, Sweden clash

Either Robert Lewandowski or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss out on the chance to play at the 2022 World Cup when Poland and Sweden clash in Tuesday’s playoff.

England’s Stones pulls out of Ivory Coast friendly

England defender John Stones will miss Tuesday’s friendly against Ivory Coast after leaving the squad due to injury.

Southgate’s penalty plan part of World Cup dream

Gareth Southgate has told his England stars to place extra focus on penalty practice as he sets his sights on winning the World Cup.

There will be a different team – Broos to make changes for Bafana’s clash with France

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed that he will make several changes to his team that will face world champions France on Tuesday, adding he wants to give players the opportunity to show their qualities.

North Macedonia have ’90 minutes to fulfil’ World Cup dream

The North Macedonia players have “90 minutes to fulfil” the “dream of a whole country” said key midfielder Elif Elmas ahead of Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup play-off against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Haaland rejects “massive” offer from Man City as bidding war begins

Manchester City remain confident of signing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer despite the Norwegian rejecting a “massive” opening offer from the Premier League champions.

From Euro glory to World Cup disaster — What happened to Italy?

Italy is once again reeling after failing to reach a second straight World Cup, throwing away automatic qualification before falling to a devastating defeat in the play-offs to North Macedonia.

Portugal’s path to World Cup blocked by surprise package North Macedonia

Portugal have been well and truly warned not to take the threat of North Macedonia lightly as they face Italy’s conquerors in a decisive World Cup qualifying play-off on Tuesday.

Eriksen relishing return to Copenhagen stadium where he collapsed

Christian Eriksen said his goal on his return to the Denmark national side was “just a warmup” for the game at the same Copenhagen stadium where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year.