Italy battled past Northern Ireland but didn't shine against a team which was largely made up of lower league players.

Brazil have won a record five World Cups, but none since 2002. In the span since, Brazil have not finished better than fourth in 2014 and finished a disappointing fifth during 2026 qualifying.

Jamaica, who are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in history following a lone appearance at the 1998 finals in France, defeated New Caledonia 1-0 in Thursday's other game in Guadalajara.

England manager Thomas Tuchel says he has been "a degree unfair" on Trent Alexander-Arnold after excluding the Real Madrid right-back despite naming a 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Jurgen Klopp believes Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool as one of the "all-time greats", with his "unmatched numbers" likely to prove tough to top for future generations at Anfield.

July 5, 1982. The stands were a sea of yellow spring, thousands of souls swaying to the wild rhythm of samba. Onto the pitch walked a team for whom football was not merely a leather ball -- it was an elusive, intangible art. Tele Santana’s Brazil, widely regarded as the most beautiful, most romantic, and yet most heartbreaking chapter in football history. They did not come to the field to win wars; they came to write poetry with their feet on a canvas of green.

Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France's all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil as two of the leading World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on Thursday.

Viktor Gyokeres scored a hattrick as Sweden brushed Ukraine aside 3-1 on Thursday to set up a showdown with Poland for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Italy's bid to end a 12-year World Cup absence will continue after beating Northern Ireland 2-0 on Thursday to reach the play-off final.

Bangladesh Under-20 football team have qualified for the semifinal of the ongoing SAFF U-20 Championship from Group B after Pakistan’s second successive defeat in the group-stage on Thursday.

Senegal football boss Abdoulaye Fall on Thursday labelled the decision to strip the country of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title the "most blatant administrative scam in the history of our sport".

All three goals came in the first half.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended an exhibition football match between former national players -- divided into Red and Green teams -- at the National Stadium in Dhaka today, organised to mark the 56th Independence Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister urged those involved in the sports arena to build a vibrant sports culture regardless of political differences. "I believe that sports can bring honor to the country and is capable of creating a beautiful bond of friendship and brotherhood among us," he said.

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain's visit to second-placed Lens, set for April 11, has been postponed to May 13 to allow them more time to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said on Thursday.

European soccer’s governing body UEFA said it has fined Benfica 40,000 euros ($46,250) for "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour" by supporters during their Champions League match against Real Madrid last month.

The draw for January's Asian Cup finals, which was due to be held in Riyadh on April 11, has been postponed, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire said former manager Ruben Amorim had strong ideas, but they ultimately “didn’t work” at Old Trafford, further praising interim manager Michael Carrick for overseeing a smooth transition.

The fourth and final ticket sales phase for the 2026 World Cup will open on April 1, FIFA announced on Wednesday, without specifying how many tickets will be made available.

"I feel more at ease, I'm happier, and when I'm happier, everyone around me is happier and more confident too," Vinicius told reporters ahead of Thursday's friendly match against France

The Azzurri host the Northern Irish in Bergamo on Thursday trying to end a 12-year absence from the World Cup finals after failing to qualify for the last two editions in Russia and Qatar.