Germany led through a first-half strike from Felix Nmecha but Gakpo fired home a superb volley in the closing moments from a Ruben van Bommel cross.

Portugal have won two of the four finals since the competition was launched in 2018 but lost in the round of 16 to Spain at the World Cup in July.

FIFA's president since February of 2016, Infantino caught the ire of member nations with a now-abandoned plan to sell 20% of FIFA's commercial rights in the World Cup to private investors. The deal, which could have been worth a reported $4.2 billion, led to UEFA and CONCACAF, among others, to call for Infantino's replacement.

The coach, who led Argentina to a third World Cup title in 2022, said he had played his part in ensuring the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward would have one final appearance in front of Argentina's fans.

"As a team, they can do better. They have to work it out a little bit. I'm suffering right now watching the games because you never know what's going to happen. I would say a little bit more intensity (is needed)."

The three-week international window kicks off tonight, with a packed schedule in store for football fans in Bangladesh. And among the many big-name fixtures, few will command more attention than those involving South American giants Brazil and Argentina.

Bangladesh head coach Thomas Dooley has firmly played down expectations on the eve of their FIFA ASEAN Cup opener against Malaysia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, labeling the prestigious tournament strictly as a preparatory platform for November's SAFF Championship on home soil.

Xavi, who as a player won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships, debuts as coach on Thursday when the Dutch host Germany in Amsterdam and will have three more Nations League matches in the three-week international window.

Winger Anthony Gordon believes England should abandon attempts to copy Spain's possession-based style of football and instead embrace their natural game by leaning more into physical strengths.

On the eve of his nation’s opening match at the FIFA ASEAN Cup, Jamal Bhuyan recalled that terrifying moment two decades ago when his life flashed before his eyes.

In a left-field move, Manchester United are offering supporters the chance to own a piece of the Old Trafford pitch, with preserved sections of turf going on sale for £125 ($165.49).

The League A Group 2 opener marks the highly anticipated international managerial debuts of Jurgen Klopp and Xavi.

Expectations were high for the 29-year-old at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but he failed to deliver and was sidelined after just two games due to injury, with Brazil getting knocked out by Norway in the Round of 16.

A total of 21 new coaches will be in charge this week as 48 countries begin the group phase of the qualifiers.

Had England held out for the final five minutes plus stoppage time against Argentina two months ago, they would have met Spain in the World Cup final.

In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her. The plaintiff said she met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram and went to his home in a taxi ordered by the player, a police source said at the time.

Ronaldo, now on 979 career goals — 833 for clubs and 146 for Portugal — is 21 short of the 1,000-goal landmark he has openly targeted. Asked whether winning the Nations League or reaching four figures mattered more, he grinned and chose both.

Bukayo Saka believes the England squad still have a "scar in us" following their agonising World Cup semi-final defeat.

UK-based midfielder Hamza Choudhury said Bangladesh are not afraid of any opponent as the men in red and green prepare to begin their campaign in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup against Malaysia in Jakarta on Friday.

One of the first players to arrive at camp was goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez. Asked about Scaloni’s future, Martinez said he did not know what decision the coach would make but emphasised that the players would support him.