A round-up of Saturday's action in the Nations League.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will again be duelling for the title of world's best footballer after their names once again headed the shortlist on Thursday for The Best FIFA Men's Player.
It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasised more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Brazil inflicted France's first defeat since the World Cup when a perfectly executed second-half performance earned them a 3-1 win in a friendly game at the Stade de France on Thursday.
Albin Ekdal does not care about criticism that they are too defensive and dependent on long balls.
While the venue for the senior national team is fixed, a lot also depends on the state governments as far as organising the camps for the U-16 outfit and U-17 women's side are are concerned.
India jumped six places to 141 in the latest world football rankings issued by the game's governing body, FIFA, on Thursday.
James Milner, set to win his 50th England cap against San Marino on Thursday, believes his international captain Wayne Rooney has a good chance of reaching another significant landmark in the coming days.
Juventus announced the signing of Matthijs de Ligt, landing one of the most sought-after young players in world soccer from Ajax Amsterdam for 75 million euros ($84.39 million).
Neuer sidelined for 'coming weeks' after knee surgery - Bayern
Roberto Martinez's Belgium collected two wins, including their first in the UEFA Nations League over Iceland earlier this month, to bring them level with France on 1729 points.
A group of leading clubs from counties including Denmark, Scotland and the Netherlands are in talks to create a new trans-European soccer league in response to recent proposals to change the format of the Champions League.
The new format will be made up of 16 groups of three teams.
Anything less than a win in Saturday's third-place match against Netherlands would deepen the gloom hanging over Brazil. To cheer their team the Brazilian beauties are leaving no stone unturned.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a colossal figure in club football having completed a hat-trick of Champions League (1 Manchester United, 2 Real Madrid) victories. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner, Ronaldo has won several league titles. But the Portuguese magician tasted success for the first time with the national team as Portugal defeated hosts France to lift the 2016 Euro title.
Manchester United's pre-season performances have been encouraging but rehabilitation under new manager Louis van Gaal begins in earnest on Saturday when they kick-off the new Premier League season at home to Swansea City.
Wayne Rooney of England and the Netherlands' Ruud van Nistelrooy continue to lead the goal scorers' list with four goals each.
"I can't find words to explain five goals," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said after the holders crashed to a shocking 5-1 reverse to Netherlands in their World Cup Group B opener on Friday.
The animal's predictions for the FIFA World Cup have begun. And guess what, the host nation Brazil gets Big Head turtle's vote of confidence.
Costa Rica achieved "wonderful things" at this World Cup and are proud to bow out having conceded only two goals and without losing a game, coach Jorge Luis Pinto said on Saturday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Brazil's poster-boy striker Neymar fulfilled a nation's expectations to score twice in a 4-1 destruction of Cameroon on Monday while the Netherlands again showed their potential to win the World Cup with a third straight win.
Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata gave deposed champions Spain a comfortable consolation win over Australia in Curitiba.
Experienced Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup finals through injury, the Dutch football federation said on Wednesday.
The youngest at Euro 2020 will be Poland's Kacper Kozowski - one of two 17-year-olds in the tournament, which has never happened before.
Rediff.com presents a factbox Antonio Conte who will take over from Guus Hiddink after Euro 2016.
Goals are flying in by the bucketload at World Cup 2014. Fans, having waited four years to watch and drool over their favourite football players, have already been rewarded. Who scored the best goal of 2014 World Cup? Vote and Tell Us!
In 2019, World Champion Magnus Carlsen was asked to guess the nationality of the reigning world champion in 2050. He responded: 'India will have had many by then!'
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will take a group of home-based players to a training camp next month at the start of his World Cup preparations, the Dutch football association said on Friday.
In a game like football, where passion runs deep, love is a binding factor that is obvious everywhere. From the stadiums, to the beaches of Copacaban and even the streets of Mexico, fans were spotted kissing in revelry! Rediff.com brings you a glimpse of some intimate moments.
Chile will pose a real challenge for the Netherlands in their final World Cup Group B match on Monday and the Dutch will have to work hard for the draw they need to finish top, striker Robin van Persie said on Friday.
Defending champions Spain will face the 'suicidal' attacking style of Chile at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday aiming to get their World Cup bid back on track and avoid an embarrassingly early exit.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli is taking nothing for granted looking ahead to his team's clash with holders Spain whose World Cup defence began with a nightmare 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands on Friday.
Netherlands international Daley Blind believes sacked Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal deserved more respect, better treatment.
Following is reaction to the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw, which was held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Qatar on Friday.
Rediff.com brings you the best quotes of the day from Brazil!
"I just said to them they were unbelievable. Congratulations. They made history. Enjoy it. This is unbelievable."
Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning hockey legend Keshav Datt died on Wednesday due to age-related ailments, marking the end of a glorious era in the sport.
A delicate stoppage time winner from Wang Lisi lifted China to a 1-0 victory.
