Treble beckons for Barcelona – Xavi

A brutally honest Arjen Robben admits Netherlands have no chance of securing the miracle seven-goal victory over Sweden required to book a World Cup play-off berth.

The Oranje narrowly avoided elimination with a late 3-1 win in Belarus on Saturday, but the result means they remain little more than a mathematical chance of finishing second in Group A.

Sweden earlier romped to an 8-0 rout of Luxembourg to effectively kill off those chances, with Janne Andersson s side boasting a three-point buffer and vastly superior goal difference ahead of their trip to Amsterdam on Tuesday.

And Robben, who scored an 84th-minute penalty to restore his side s lead in Belarus, concedes the 2010 World Cup finalists are set to miss Russia 2018.

This hurts. It is unfortun…

QPR have handed a new one-year deal to Alejandro Faurlin.

The Argentine midfielder moved to Loftus Road in July 2009, but has been restricted to just nine league appearances over the past two seasons, having suffered three anterior cruciate knee ligament injuries.

Faurlin managed just two Premier League outings last season as QPR were relegated, but, having regained fitness towards the end of the campaign, the London club have opted to hand him a new deal that includes the option of a further 12 months.

I m extremely happy,  Faurlin told the club s official website.

I have to say thank you to everyone at the club for keeping me here and giving me the chance to prove a lot of people wrong. I just want to play football.

I contemplated giving u…

Javier Mascherano s Barcelona future will be sorted out soon according to director Guillermo Amor.

The Argentina international s contract at Camp Nou still has 18 months to run but he has suggested he could leave the Catalan giants after falling down the pecking order under Ernesto Valverde.

Mascherano, who has been struggling with injuries, has seen his playing time significantly reduced in 2017-18, making just 10 appearances in all competitions.

He has suggested a move back to Argentina could be on the cards at the end of the current campaign, while Valverde has stressed his desire to keep the 33-year-old.

Exactly what will happen with Mascherano remains uncertain as the transfer window prepares to open in January, but Amor says it will soon become clea…

Harry Kane revelled in the special feeling after England clinched their Euro 2024 final place in dramatic fashion, acknowledging the Three Lions now have one more game to make history .

Ollie Watkins came off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner as Gareth Southgate s side edged out the Netherlands 2-1 to set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday s showpiece.

The match had appeared set to head for extra time with Kane s penalty drawing England level after Xavi Simons had fired the Oranje in front.

But there was to be a dramatic late twist with Watkins, on as a substitute for the skipper, sending the Three Lions through to their first final at a major tournament on foreign soil, and move them within one victory of their first silverware since 1966.

History…

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni insisted he has already passed a major test of leadership ahead of his team s Copa America third-place play-off against Chile.

After several years of chopping and changing managers, Argentina were hopeful Scaloni would lead them to trophy glory in Brazil to prove without any doubt he is the right man for the job.

He was appointed last year in the wake of Argentina s World Cup failure, when Jorge Sampaoli was in charge.

At the Copa, however, Argentina missed out after losing 2-0 to hosts Brazil in the semi-finals and inevitably that led to questions being asked of Scaloni s leadership.

He addressed that issue on Friday, saying: I do not feel as though I am on trial. I think my test has already passed. Bringing these players an…

Petr Cech has warned Czech Republic that Turkey will be desperate to prove their doubters wrong in Tuesday s pivotal Euro 2016 Group D clash.

Fatih Terim s side suffered back-to-back defeats to Croatia and Spain and must take all three points in Lens to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Czech Republic, meanwhile, snatched a 2-2 draw against Croatia on matchday two, a result that means they could still go through in second place should leaders Spain beat Ante Cacic s side.

Reports of unrest within the squad and some heavy criticism of star midfielder Arda Turan has cast a shadow over Turkey s preparations, but Cech expects them to provide a stern test in what he considers to be their biggest game so far.

…

Market: Cincinnati win

Odds: 2/3 @

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways in the early hours of Thursday, Cincinnati will welcome Chicago to the TQL Stadium.

Starting with the hosts, missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they fell to a shock 3-1 loss at the hands of Charlotte, Cincinnati are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, still leading the chase at the top of the Eastern Conference standings and pencilled in as a standout contender to defend their crown this season, Pat Noonan’s men have won 12 of their previous 15 appearances. With that run stemming all the way back to April 14th, the Ohio-based outfit will certainly be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Springing a major …

Frenchman Saliba – who had loan spells at former club Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille – enjoyed a superb debut season in the Premier League before a back injury curtailed his progress in mid-March and in turn perhaps also derailed Arsenal’s title drive. The Gunners won almost 80 per cent of the 27 league matches in which Saliba played, conceding an average of just under a goal per game, which showed how much of a key part of the defence he was.

Lewis Dunk (Brighton)

Long-serving club captain Dunk played an integral role in the progress under new Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi, which resulted in his recall to the England squad for the first time in five years. Revelling in a quarter-back role at the centre of defence, Dunk has proved a key link in Brighton’s fast trans…

Alexis Sanchez grabbed a 2-2 draw for 10-man Arsenal in the North London derby at White Hart Lane as Tottenham passed up the chance to seize the initiative in the Premier League title race.

Aiming to bounce back from a midweek reverse at West Ham, Tottenham pressed their opponents relentlessly during the opening period but fell behind in the 39th minute when Aaron Ramsey netted a superlative backheel.

But the prospect of Arsenal securing a derby triumph to relieve the pressure on Arsene Wenger following consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Swansea City unravelled at pace early in the second half.

Francis Coquelin was rightly red-carded for two bookings and, following Toby Alderweireld s 60th-minute equaliser, Harry Kane put Tottenham in front with a spec…

Watford s Walter Mazzarri claims he has no problem with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho despite a series of disagreements in Italy.

The two men had a complicated relationship during their time together in Serie A, with Mourinho, who served as Inter coach from 2008 to 2010, verbally assaulting the ex-Sampdoria and Napoli boss on more than one occasion.

Nevertheless, Mazzarri is adamant he gets on with the Portuguese and is ready to have a post-match drink with his rival.

I have a very good relationship with Mourinho, Mazzarri stated at a news conference.

Sometimes the press look at what happened in Italy; the same with [Chelsea boss Antonio] Conte and Mourinho. 

It is normal when you fight for top positions that it happens but I have a …