
Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez sink Brazil and Argentina on night of South American shocks
Luis Diaz scored twice as Colombia stunned Brazil 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, days after his father was released by kidnappers. The Liverpool striker netted twice in four minutes late in the second half, watched by his father Luiz Manuel Diaz who was held for 12 days before his release last week. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had put Brazil in front after just four minutes. Colombia’s first win over Brazil for eight years lifts them into third in the South American qualifying table with Brazil, who suffered a second successive defeat in the competition, down to fifth. On a night of surprises, goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez saw Uruguay beat Argentina 2-0. Lionel Messi struggled to impose himself, hitting the crossbar in the second half as Argentina’s 100 per cent record since lifting the World Cup was ended. Uruguay’s win lifts them to second in the table, two points behind Argentina. Venezuela are in fourth after a goalless draw with Ecuador, Chile and Paraguay also drawing a blank while Bolivia won the battle of the bottom two with a 2-0 win over Peru. PA Read More Moment Liverpool star Luis Diaz reunites with father after 12-day hostage ordeal Luis Diaz reunited with kidnapped parents after returning to Colombia Father of Luis Diaz reveals details of kidnapping ordeal
1970-01-01 08:00

Will Ferrell expected Barbie to make 'real cultural statement'
Will Ferrell wasn't surprised 'Barbie' did so well at the global box office.
1970-01-01 08:00

Gareth Southgate privileged as he closes in on 100 games in charge of England
Gareth Southgate feels privileged to be anywhere near a century of matches at the England helm as he prepares for a repeat of the fixture where it all began for him seven years ago. Having rebuffed the Football Association’s initial approach after Euro 2016, the then Under-21s boss was parachuted into the hotseat after Sam Allardyce’s swift, ignominious exit. Southgate’s first game in temporary charge was a World Cup qualifier against Malta, with Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli securing a 2-0 win in October 2016. Friday sees the Mediterranean minnows return to Wembley for the first time since then – a night when the England boss will take charge of his 90th senior international. “I know the numbers and I am aware that Bobby Robson was 95 games,” Southgate said. “If you had said to me the first time we played Malta that would be the case, I don’t know how I would have thought about that. “It has been a privilege to take as many games as we have and we have had some wonderful experiences and incredible nights along that journey. “I am very happy to be in with the sort of names that have managed that many games.” I am very happy to be in with the sort of names that have managed that many games Gareth Southgate Southgate is on track to become the first England manager to oversee a century of matches since Sir Alf Ramsey – a feat that could be achieved in the Euro 2024 knockout phase. But silverware in Germany rather than individual milestones is the only focus ahead of potentially his final tournament in charge. England sealed progress to next year’s Euros with two games to spare, yet a packed Wembley crowd will still be in attendance on Friday for the home game of an unbeaten year. Southgate wants to bring the curtain down in style against Malta after a disruptive build-up in which five of his players withdrew through injury, two were absent for personal reasons and three uncapped players were called up. “We want to play well,” Southgate said. “We’ve got close to 90,000 people coming – this is the last time we play at home in this calendar year. “Our performances across the calendar year have been very good and we want to finish the year well. “There are some individual things we would like to see and like to learn a little bit more about. “But clearly that is tempered by the sort of test that is going to be. “There are specifics for this game where you are going to have to break down a packed defence and we have to make sure we have the players in the starting team that can unlock those doors as well. “So, you are always trying to achieve a number of different objectives. “It has been a complicated week in that the five days leading into the camp, we lost a lot of players. “Each day, somebody else seemed to go so there has been a lot of change within the squad and it has not been easy to get all of the players on the pitch every day. “Tuesday, we hardly did anything training-wise so it has been a much shorter week and we are pleased with where the team is for the game and we are looking forward to seeing them play.” England complete this year’s schedule away to North Macedonia on Monday, before attention turns to the Euro 2024 draw in Hamburg on December 2. Preparations are well under way and Southgate says winning is “implicit in everything” he does as he looks to turn seven years of learnings into silverware. “I guess the biggest thing I have experienced is that you take charge of one of the most high-pressured jobs in world football and had to manage some of the biggest matches in world football,” he said. “There is only a World Cup final that we haven’t done. “You understand what that means in the longer term, in terms of what you have learned, what you have taken from those experiences. “And the fact we have dealt with those challenges and that pressure, which can sometimes really inhibit people and, frankly, a lot of people could not cope with that pressure, so I feel pleased we have shown that we can do that. “I am sure there will have been a lot of doubts some years ago whether I was capable of doing that and, of course, there will be other doubts people will have and that will always be the same. “You will always have questions asked of you but as a person, and as a coach, you will always learn through every experience you have and every day will throw a different challenge and you are learning all the time.” Read More Gareth Southgate highlights Sir Bobby Charlton legacy ahead of Wembley tribute How Gareth Southgate can make England vs Malta exciting If England were playing Malta in my front garden, I’d close the curtains Jude Bellingham and Levi Colwill injuries add to England absences Sir Alex Ferguson and Prince William among mourners at Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral Alexander-Arnold studying Gerrard and Pirlo to master midfield role
1970-01-01 08:00

Football rumours: Ivan Toney wants escape clause in any new Brentford contract
What the papers say Striker Ivan Toney will demand a transfer release clause if he is to sign a new contract with Brentford, according to The Sun. Kylian Mbappe has agreed on a deal with Paris St Germain to forgo significant bonuses, according to the Daily Mail. But the France striker, 24, is still to sign a new contract. Manchester City will compete with Liverpool to re-sign Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane, 27, reports The Sun. Social media round-up Players to watch Finley Gorman: Manchester City have agreed on a £1.2million deal to sign the 15-year-old Leeds attacking midfielder, says Football Insider. Jakub Kiwior: Arsenal are open to letting the Polish 23-year-old leave the club on loan as he is keen on more first-team football, according to 90min. Read More On This Day in 2013: David Haye has to rethink his plans Cincinnati Bengals lose Joe Burrow as they go down to Baltimore Ravens Gareth Southgate privileged as he closes in on 100 games in charge of England
1970-01-01 08:00

Beijing touts 'historic' Xi-Biden meeting
Chinese state media describes it as a "new starting point" for improving bilateral ties.
1970-01-01 08:00

Thailand to Miss Growth Targets Without Stimulus, PM’s Aide Says
Thailand risks missing its growth targets without the injection of a large dose of cash into the economy,
1970-01-01 08:00

Apollo Agrees to Acquire Stake in Panasonic Automotive Systems
Panasonic Corp. has agreed to sell part of its automotive systems unit to Apollo Global Management Inc. and
1970-01-01 08:00

Tesla Has Not Yet Registered Investment in Mexico, Minister Says
Billionaire Elon Musk’s electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc. hasn’t yet formally registered its plans for investment in a
1970-01-01 08:00

Environmental groups urge funding halt for TotalEnergies' Mozambique project
By Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN Banks and other financiers should withdraw their support of TotalEnergies' $20 billion liquefied
1970-01-01 08:00

Xpeng’s Gu Sees Margin Recovery After Bigger-Than-Expected Loss
Xpeng Inc. Co-President Brian Gu said he expects margins to turn positive this quarter, after the Chinese electric-vehicle
1970-01-01 08:00

India’s Central Bank Tightens Curbs on Some Consumer Loans
The Reserve Bank of India asked banks to increase buffers for some consumer loans as it seeks to
1970-01-01 08:00

Gas-Supply Cliff Is South Africa’s Next Crisis, Energy Body Says
South Africa’s supply of natural gas is set to plunge within the next three to four years and
1970-01-01 08:00