Making only his second international appearance since recovering from an injury sustained at the Copa America in July, Messi capitalised on a mistake by defender Marcelo Suarez to open the scoring in the 19th minute.

Spain, who are also the reigning Nations League champions, became the second team to clinch a quarter-final spot as they followed in the footsteps of Germany by moving to 10 points from a possible 12 in Group A4.

Kylian Mbappe is hoping his recent move to Real Madrid will take his already glittering career on the pitch to new heights, but the French superstar has become embroiled in off-field difficulties in recent months.

With president candidate Tabith Awal expected to face little challenge from two rather unheralded candidates, all focus in Bangladesh Football Federation elections has shifted to the senior vice-president post, where Imrul Hasan and Tarafder Ruhul Amin will vie.

Thomas Tuchel is in talks with the Football Association about becoming England's next manager, according to reports on Tuesday.

Reigning world champions Argentina remain top with 19 points, holding a three-point lead over Colombia, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela in their previous match, where Lionel Messi returned from injury.

Italy great Paolo Maldini's son Daniel made his debut for the Azzurri in Monday's 4-1 win over Israel, marking the first time three generations of a family have played for the country's national team.

Mbappe is being investigated for rape by Swedish police, according to a newspaper report in Sweden following a visit by the Real Madrid star to Stockholm, which Mbappe denounced as "fake news"

Bangladesh will start their campaign by taking on Pakistan in a Group A encounter on October 20 before facing five-time champions India in the group’s second and final match on October 23, after the seven-team tournament gets underway on October 17 in Kathmandu.

Martinez assured his fans that Ronaldo will be involved against Scotland.

A brace from captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Davide Frattesi's 72nd-minute strike were enough for Italy to move up to 10 points from four unbeaten matches.

France were able to hold on for the victory despite losing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to a second yellow card with 14 minutes remaining.

The Stuttgart forward was called off the bench after an injury to club teammate Deniz Undav in the warm-up.

The Times reported on Monday that the FA made an informal approach to Guardiola at the beginning of the season over his availability to succeed Gareth Southgate.

FIFA will open "a global dialogue" aimed at adapting the transfer system in football following the recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in a case brought by Lassana Diarra, the sport's world governing body said on Monday.

Bangladesh coach Peter Butler today announced a 23-member final squad for SAFF Women’s Championship with a mixture of youth and experience to defend the title of the regional football extravaganza, which will get underway in Kathmandu on October 17.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it will fly the country's team back to the country Monday after alleged "inhumane treatment" in Libya ahead of a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

England eased to a 3-1 victory away to Finland in the Nations League on Sunday, while Austria put five past Erling Haaland's Norway.

With the much-hyped Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) elections set to take place on October 26, a total of 57 individuals have bought 62 nomination papers to vie for the 21-member executive committee.

Lee Carsley admitted England deserve a "world class coach" with a winning habit after Sunday's 3-1 victory against Finland left the interim manager's future unresolved.