Romelu Lukaku has been included in Belgium s 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup, despite injury concerns.
Head coach Roberto Martinez warned that Lukaku had to prove his fitness for the group stage if he was to be named in the squad, which the striker appears to have done.
Belgium s record goalscorer Lukaku, on loan at Inter from Chelsea, made his comeback from a hamstring injury, coming off the bench to score against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League on October 26.
However, that is one of just two appearances the 29-year-old has managed since August, with his last game coming on October 29 against Sampdoria.
There is no place for another forward plying his trade in Serie A, with Milan s Divock Origi left out, though his club team-mate Charles De K…
Real Madrid will begin the defence of their Supercopa de Espana title against Athletic Bilbao, while Barcelona will face Real Sociedad.
Madrid beat Valencia before seeing off city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in last season s re-formatted tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020-21 tournament will be held in Andalusia, with Malaga, Cordoba and Seville confirmed as the host cities.
Madrid, who won LaLiga last season, will kick-off their campaign in Malaga against 2019-20 Copa del Rey finalists Athletic, the side Los Blancos beat 3-1 on Tuesday.
Barca, qualifying as LaLiga runners-up, were the first name out of the hat in Thursday s draw and will take on Athletic s Basque rivals and Copa del Rey final op…
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared himself 100 per cent responsible for this rubbish but is sure the club can get through their tough season in a classy manner .
After agonisingly missing out on a quadruple last season, the Reds have had a difficult 2022-23 campaign that has already seen them knocked out of every cup competition, while they sit eighth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday s Anfield clash with leaders Arsenal.
The Reds won the EFL Cup and FA Cup in 2021-22, as well as reaching the Champions League final and finishing just a point behind Premier League winners Manchester City.
With 10 matches left this term, Liverpool s points total of 43 is less than half what they amassed in 2021-22, and Klopp accepts it is unacceptable.
I m sorry f…
Jordan Pickford believes his England team-mate Harry Maguire deserves more respect.
Maguire has become a figure of some ridicule after a downturn in form for Manchester United in the last year, with some questioning whether he should be in England s team at the World Cup in Qatar.
However, the 29-year-old centre-back was a key figure as the Three Lions won their opening Group B match 6-2 against Iran on Monday.
I think [Maguire] needs to be respected a lot more, but part of the life of a footballer you are going to get criticised, everyone gets criticised in football, England goalkeeper Pickford told reporters.
But Harry is mentally strong, takes it really well but yeah I think it’s a bit unfair, but his performances on the pitch show how good of a pl…
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez conceded his team lacked joy in their play after succumbing to a miserable 2-0 defeat to Morocco on Sunday.
The Red Devils went down to goals from Romain Saiss – adjudged to have got the slightest touch on a dangerous Abdelhamid Sabiri free-kick after 73 minutes – and Zakaria Aboukhlal in stoppage time.
It left Belgium, third-place finishers in 2018, teetering on the brink of an early elimination and knowing they will likely have to get something against Croatia in their final Group F game on Thursday to stand any chance of going through.
Belgium have looked disjointed so far in Qatar and Martinez feels they are perhaps struggling with the thought of a final shot at glory for the nation s golden generation .
He said: I d…
Mauricio Pochettino revealed his greatest joy as a coach was helping Espanyol avoid relegation, not Tottenham s incredible win over Manchester City.
Pochettino guided Spurs into the Champions League semi-finals after a remarkable second leg against City on Wednesday.
While his side were beaten 4-3, they advanced on away goals after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
However, Pochettino said keeping Espanyol, the club he played for, in LaLiga in 2008-09 during his first job as a coach was a happier moment.
My greatest joy as a coach was in Almeria when we were saved [from relegation] because of what it meant to the whole Espanyol family, he told Spanish radio.
Simply, incredible.
04 1-0 Sterling (1-1)
07 1-1 Son (1-2)
10 1-2 Son (1-3)
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Philippe Clement told his Rangers players to enjoy their upcoming break after bouncing back from their Old Firm defeat to beat Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox
The Belgian had lost his first game as Gers boss since taking over in October in the narrow 2-1 loss at Celtic Park on Saturday but late first-half goals against Killie from wide-men Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima had the Light Blues in control at the break.
The visitors refused to buckle and Danny Armstrong reduced the deficit in the 58th minute with a penalty awarded after VAR intervention.
Philippe Clement spoke to the media after today’s victory at Ibrox.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)
It was the first penalty Rangers had conceded in 75 cinch Premiership matches since Lewis Fergu…
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde has signed a one-year contract extension that ties her to the Women’s Super League champions until the end of next season.
The Norway international joined the club from Avaldsnes in her home country in 2016 and has helped Emma Hayes’ side to five WSL titles in that time.
She scored a memorable last-ditch penalty with the final kick of extra-time to rescue Chelsea from elimination in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon in April.
Another year in Blue! has signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW)
The 33-year-old told the club website: “I feel really happy, Chelsea is my club and it has been for six-and-a-half years.
“I’m happy to stay here…
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Two sides who are looking to extend on their respective FA Cup adventures in midweek, Wolves will welcome Brentford to Molineux for a second leg showdown on Tuesday night.
Wolves
Starting with the hosts, mounting an FA Cup comeback away at Brentford last week as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate in west London, the mood in Wolves’ camp should be at a real high. Continuing to shine since they appointed Gary O’Neil over the summer, the former Bournemouth boss now has his sights set on securing a shock top-half finish come May. Signing off 2023 with a stellar performance at Molineux as they breezed their way to a 3-0 romp against Everton, Wolves have won all of their previous three Premier League appearances. Skyrocketing up the table and…
QPR have announced the departure of club captain Stefan Johansen after his contract was mutually terminated.
The 32-year-old joined the R’s on loan from Fulham in January 2021 before making a permanent move in the summer.
He made 88 appearances overall for the club.
Johansen told the club website: “There is no bad blood at all, I have had conversations with the club and I think it’s time to move on.
“It suits all parties that I am leaving now. I have had a great time but do wish that I could have achieved what I came here to do, which was promotion to the Premier League.
“From the moment (boss) Gareth (Ainsworth) walked through the door we got on really well. We respect each other and have a strong relationship.
“He is a great …