Twelve months ago Liverpool were ripping up the record books on the way to their first English top-flight title for 30 years but defeat by Everton on Saturday left them mulling a host of far less flattering statistics.
Hosts Russia were drawn on Saturday in Group A at next year's Confederations Cup along with Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand.
Liverpool are champions and Norwich City, the side whom they beat on Aug. 9 to launch their title charge, are down and Manchester City are distant runners-up. After that everything is up for grabs.
It was arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history and one that very few people saw coming, as punters shied away from backing Barcelona to complete an extraordinary comeback against Paris St Germain on Wednesday.
Luton pulled one back on the half-hour mark when Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga failed to keep out Jordan Clark's low effort which squeezed between his hand and leg into the net.
There's always been a degree of friendly tension between the two, with France regarding Belgium, and its French-speaking Wallonia region, as something of a poor cousin, while the Belgians often dismiss France as patronising and faux-superior.
Belgium struck early and held off a late Brazil fightback to send the five-time champions tumbling out of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory in an end-to-end thriller on Friday that earned them a semi-final against France.
Liverpool raised the bar so high and enjoyed such a huge winning margin in claiming the English Premier League title last season it would be churlish to doubt their credentials for a repeat showing.
The English Premier League resumed on Wednesday, after the forced break due to COVID-19. Here are IMAGES from the EPL matches played on Wednesday.
Karius's manager Juergen Klopp said the keeper will be backed by the club.
Rediff.com encapsulates all the sporting action from the past week in this eye-catching photo feature.
Each Round of 16 game was entertaining. Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com picks the games to remember.
'So, clearly, getting out of the group and winning a knockout game would be a real sign of progress. And if you win one, you win more'
This time we're ready for Barca, says Man City's Nasri.
Bruno Fernandes struck from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give Manchester United victory at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday after an incredible finale.
Benjamin Pavard's swerving strike from the edge of the area in France's round of 16 win over Argentina in Kazan has been voted the best goal of the World Cup finals.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
IMAGES from the English Premier League match played between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday
Wimbledon finalists Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are on a semi-final collision course at the US Open after they were placed in the same half of the draw.
Less than a day after being knocked out the World Cup by Belgium, Brazilian striker Neymar said he will find it hard to return to club football.
Real Madrid will welcome back the added firepower of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema when they entertain promoted Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
Third-placed Manchester City's home Premier League game with third from bottom Sunderland on Wednesday has been called off because of strong winds at the Etihad Stadium.
Seven more Pakistan players tested positive for COVID-19 throwing into doubt their tour of England starting next month. Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasnain, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan are the players from the England-bound squad who tested positive, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.
The funeral incorporated hymns and readings chosen by the late royal himself and focussed on the "unwavering loyalty" of the longest-serving consort in British history to his wife, the monarch, and service to Britain and the Commonwealth.
On Monday, the 31-year-old proved he is in fighting form for his 200 metres butterfly rematch with Chad le Clos, the South African who four years ago denied him a third consecutive gold medal in the event.
Pep Guardiola became the latest high-profile Premier League manager to defend Wayne Rooney on Friday after the England captain apologised following the release of pictures of him socialising in the early hours while on international duty.
Barcelona have hired Argentine Gerardo Martino to replace Tito Vilanova as coach, the Spanish champions said on Tuesday.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday.
Manchester City are top on goal difference, with Chelsea second and Liverpool dropping to third, two points ahead of Arsenal, who routed Fulham 5-1.
Manchester United captain Rooney deserved the sending-off that jeopardised his side's nervy 2-1 Premier League win over West Ham United on Saturday, his manager Louis van Gaal said.
Manchester City continued their imperious stranglehold over the League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa with goals from Sergio Aguero and Rodri in the final at Wembley on Sunday to win the trophy for a third straight season. City became the first side to win the competition three seasons in a row since Liverpool claimed four straight titles from 1981 to 1984.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
An unassailable lead in their pocket, India would look to clinch the one-day series against England by putting up another dominating display when the two sides square off in the fourth one-dayer in Birmingham on Tuesday.
It was a day of role reversal as Jose Mourinho's often cautious Chelsea thumped Everton 6-3 in a thriller on Saturday while champions Manchester City's attacking talents were blunted in a shock 1-0 home defeat by Stoke City.
Photos from the English Premier League match played between Manchester United and Arsenal on Saturday
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has joined other managers in lashing out at the packed European football calendar after deciding to rest Lionel Messi for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Dynamo Kyiv.
'It's simple -- if Pakistan want to stay in the tournament, they have to bring an 'A plus' performance and win that game '
United's leading goal-scorer suffered knee ligament damage during the 2-1 Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht last month and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Champions Leicester will be relegated from the Premier League if they don't improve quickly, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said after their 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.
The United States on Thursday appointed veteran diplomat Laurence Pope as the new charge d'affaires to Libya, following the murder of its envoy in September. "Mr Pope's selection as charge d' Affairs emphasises the commitment of the US to the relationship between our two countries and to the people of Libya as they move forward in their transition to a democratic government," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.
