Sergio Ramos became Europe’s most capped male outfield player as Spain edged closer to Euro 2020 qualification with a 1-1 draw in Norway. Ramos’ 168th cap also makes him Spain’s record appearance maker, surpassing goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Djokovic & Federer knocked out in Shanghai Masters….
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have been knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the quarter-finals. World number one and defending champion Djokovic was beaten by sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who came from a set down to win 3-6 7-5 6-3. Alexander Zverev beat second seed Federer 6-3 6-7 (7-9) 6-3.
Andorra win European qualifying game after 21 years….
Andorra’s 21-year wait for a first European Championship qualifying win is over after they defeated Moldova to move off the bottom of Group H. Andorra had lost all 56 of their previous European qualifying matches since contesting their first against Armenia on 5 September 1998.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one strike away from 700th career goal….
Cristiano Ronaldo moved one strike away from his 700th career goal as Portugal edged closer to Euro 2020 with a 3-0 win against Luxembourg. Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva opened the scoring before Ronaldo chipped over Anthony Moris.
Claudio Ranieri is new Sampdoria manager….
Former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as Italian side Sampdoria’s manager. Ranieri replaces Eusebio di Francesco, who was sacked on Monday with the club bottom of Serie A after six defeats in seven matches.
America’s Simone Biles equals World Championships record with 23rd medal….
Simone Biles equalled the record held by Vitaly Scherbo as she claimed her 23rd World Gymnastics Championships medal with gold on the vault.
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge breaks two-hour marathon barrier….
Eliud Kipchoge has become the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours, beating the mark by 20 seconds. The Kenyan, 34, covered the 26.2 miles (42.2km) in one hour 59 minutes 40 seconds in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria on Saturday.
Washington Mystics win first WNBA title….
The Washington Mystics beat Connecticut Sun in a winner-takes-all game five to clinch their first Women’s National Basketball Association Finals title. The Mystics, who held the league’s best record, defeated Connecticut 89-78 to take the series 3-2 in front of a home crowd on Thursday.
Iraq play first competitive fixture on home soil in years….
Iraq played their first competitive fixture on home soil in eight years on Thursday as they beat Hong Kong 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Basra.
Belgium is the first team to qualify for Euro 2020….
Belgium became the first team to qualify for Euro 2020 as Romelu Lukaku scored twice in a 9-0 thrashing of San Marino. Roberto Martinez’ side have an unassailable 11-point lead over third-place Cyprus in Group I.
Boxer Errol Spence Jr in intensive care after car crash….
Boxing world champion Errol Spence Jr has been involved in a serious car crash in Dallas, Texas. A 29-year-old man was ejected from a Ferrari he was driving at high speed, when it veered over the centre of the road and flipped multiple times, Dallas Police said.
Petr Cech switches career to Ice Hockey….
Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has swapped grass for ice by signing for National Ice Hockey League team Guildford Phoenix as a goaltender. The Czech, a big fan of the sport, has got his skates on after working on his game since retiring from football.
Iran win Cambodia 14-0 as women attend first game in decades….
Iranian women have attended a World Cup qualifier in Tehran after being freely allowed to enter a stadium for a men’s match for the first time in decades. They were elated to see Iran win Cambodia 14-0.
Messi says he considered leaving Barca in 2013….
Lionel Messi has said that in 2013 he wanted to leave Barcelona but now plans to end his career at the Nou Camp. The 32-year-old forward told Barcelona-based radio station RAC1 he felt “very badly treated” by Spain at that time as he and his father were investigated for filing fraudulent tax returns. “Sincerely, at that time, I thought about leaving,” he said.
Ibrahimovic statue unveiled in Sweden….
A statue of former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been built in his hometown in Sweden. The bronze structure, commissioned by the Swedish FA, was unveiled in front of hundreds of fans outside Malmo’s stadium on Tuesday.
UEFA charges Celtic over fireworks….
Celtic have been charged by UEFA for fans setting off fireworks just over two weeks after being fined for the use of flares and throwing objects. The offence relates to pyrotechnics at Celtic Park during Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Cluj.
AC Milan sack coach Marco Giampaolo….
AC Milan have sacked manager Marco Giampaolo after only three and a half months in charge because of a poor start to the season. Milan are 13th in Serie A, three points above the relegation zone, after three wins in their first seven games. Giampaolo, 52, succeeded Gennaro Gattuso in June after the former Italy midfielder quit because Milan missed out on Champions League qualification.
Bastian Schweinsteiger calls time on football career….
Former Germany, Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has retired. The 35-year-old announced his decision two days after the end of the Major League Soccer season. His club, Chicago Fire, finished 17th. “The time has now come,” he said. “To the fans, you made this unbelievable time possible for me.”
Hugo Lloris to miss rest of 2019….
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set to miss the rest of 2019 with a dislocated elbow but does not need surgery, the club said. Lloris, injured during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, is not expected to train again until next year.
Tim Howard calls time on football career….
Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has hung up his gloves after playing his final game for Colorado Rapids.
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