A lethargic-looking Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Racing Santander in their opening match of the season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed confidence on Friday that his youthful squad had the ability to surprise their critics and challenge for the English premier league title despite losing captain Thierry Henry.
A signed pair of Lionel Messi's boots have been sold for 4,000 euros (2,700 pounds) at an auction in Beijing on Barcelona's tour of Asia, Spanish media reported on Sunday.
He owes his place in the team in Qatar to Karim Benzema's absence and will start again when the defending champions take on England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Barcelona reached the last 16 of the Champions League despite being held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Basel at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.
Arsenal face an uncertain future after David Dein suddenly quit as vice-chairman on Wednesday after 24 years with the club, media reports said.
Premier League leaders Manchester United outclassed bottom side Watford 4-0 on Wednesday to maintain their six point lead over Chelsea, who beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0.
French striker Jeremie Aliadiere fired Arsenal to a 3-1 extra-time victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and a place in next month's League Cup final against Chelsea.
Netherlands qualified for the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 with a 4-1 win over France which left the hopes of the World Cup runners-up hanging by a thread on Friday.
France did their chances of advancing from a tough Group C no favours when they drew 0-0 with Romania in a tight, tactical affair in their opening match at Euro 2008 on Monday.
The 33-year-old defender won the vote by 52 journalists organised by France Football magazine.
A hat-trick from Giovani dos Santos helped Barcelona to a 5-3 victory away to relegated Real Murcia.
Target man Giroud is level with Thierry Henry on 51 goals after scoring twice in their 4-1 win against Australia on Tuesday.
Barcelona struck early through teenager Bojan Krkic and survived a series of late scares to claim a 1-0 win over Schalke 04 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.
Valencia stunned Barcelona 3-2 at the Mestalla to reach the King's Cup final 4-3 on aggregate on Thursday. Barca, who had scrambled an injury-time equaliser to draw 1-1 in the first leg, were hit by a Ruben Baraja piledriver and a breakaway goal from Juan Mata before the break in an intense encounter they dominated throughout.
Arsenal equalled Nottingham Forest's 42-match unbeaten league record beating Middlesbrough 5-3 at Highbury.
Barcelona reached the semi-finals of the King's Cup after a Thierry Henry earned them a 1-0 victory over 10-man Villarreal.
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Barcelona earned a 1-1 draw with holders Sevilla in the first leg of the King's Cup last-16.
Santini always made it clear that Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka would not be on the list.
Written off before the start of the season, the Gunners can clock up a 10th consecutive victory in all competitions when they welcome Roy Keane's Sunderland to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal thrashed Middlesbrough 7-0, while Manchester United lost 3-1 at Manchester City in the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger has agreed a new three-year deal to remain as Arsenal manager.
The defeat was especially costly for Claudio Ranieri's expensively assembled team who began the day in joint second place with title rivals Arsenal.
Mexican teenager Giovani dos Santos struck again to give a fatigued Barcelona a 1-0 win over Japan's Yokohama F-Marinos in the second game of their Asian tour on Tuesday.
Ronaldinho scored twice as Barcelona wrapped up their Scottish pre-season tour with a convincing 3-1 win over Hearts before a record 57,857 home crowd on Saturday.
Title holders France survivved a scare from Colombia before winning their opening match in the Confederations Cup.
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