Billed as an indication of the country's gradual return to normality after decades of war and violence, the 6,000-seater stadium was sold out and the jubilant crowd cheered at every pass, erupting into a frenzy when game ended 3-0 to Afghanistan.
Benzema was Al-Ittihad's first signing since winning the league title for the first time since 2009 with compatriot Kante expected to join him
Retired English soccer star David Beckham and his teenage son Brooklyn were involved in a car crash outside Arsenal's training ground in Hertfordshire, north of London, but did not suffer any injuries but were shaken.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said the Women's World Cup had generated more than $570 million in revenue
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Ronaldo admitted that both of them changed the history of football and urged his fans to not hate on Messi.
Paris Saint Germain confirmed on Saturday that Lionel Messi's PSG adventure will come to an end at the end of this season.
IMAGES from the soccer matches played in Spain and Italy on Saturday
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
As the World Cup approaches, South Africa's soccer grannies are working to fulfill their own dream - competing for glory in America.
The draw interrupted a run of four straight league wins for Zinedine Zidane's side and left them second on 67 points after 31 games, three behind leaders Atletico who thrashed Eibar 5-0 earlier in the day.
The top 10 most-capped players in men's soccer:
Bismillah Khan was the chief patron of the Banaras Sporting Club for the last 10 years.
Organisers reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and other personnel, down from 15 on Saturday.
Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, former Argentina skipper Juan Pablo Sorin and Frenchman Robert Pires are set to feature in an Indian soccer competition that hopes to replicate the success of cricket's Indian Premier League.
Such is Argentina's passion for soccer, that the World Cup remains a priority for some, despite a sluggish economy, painful inflation estimated to hit 100% this year and currency controls that push up the price of travelling overseas.
Stores are also coming up with novel methods to get Brazilians to pull the trigger on new TV sets, with many offering major discounts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the first player to score 50 Serie A goals for both Milan clubs: Inter Milan (57 goals) and AC Milan (51 goals).
The 35-year-old also paid tribute to Messi, who played for Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.
The well-designed campaign in this game is so completely undone by broken gameplay this one isn't even worthy of a bargain bin purchase.
Bulgaria's flamboyant Prime Minister Boiko Borisov is in the running to be named the country's soccer player of the year after Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov got bored of winning.
UEFA charges Arsenal and Cologne over crowd problems
United States international Robbie Rogers has said it is 'impossible' to remain in soccer after publicly declaring your homosexuality.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The man, who declined to be named, said he charges "the most dedicated supporters" a 1,000% markup for tickets to sought-after matches featuring stars like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
David Beckham will be thrust into a political campaign to win backing for his Major League Soccer team in Miami with a referendum in November on a new stadium proposal.
