Didier Deschamps felt his side’s growing maturity was evident in their 1-0 Champions League win over Inter Milan last night. Although the home side left it late at the Stade …

Fernando Torres hasn’t scored this year, David Villa is out with a long-term knee problem and midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez have seen their seasons limited by injuries. World …

Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are on the US national team squad for next week’s friendly at Italy and could play together for the first time since Jurgen Klinsmann was …

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes getting away from the relentless pressure of the Barclays Premier League has benefited his squad. The Latics took advantage of last weekend’s FA Cup fixtures, …

Rubin Kazan will have to wait until June before hoping to sign Swedish international midfielder Kim Kallstrom, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said on Thursday. Aulas said in a telephone interview …

Karim Benzema, injured when playing for Real Madrid on Tuesday, was the notable absentee from coach Laurent Blanc’s France squad announced on Thursday for next week’s international friendly in Germany. …

A League Cup final and the club’s first appearance at the rebuilt Wembley aren’t going to distract Liverpool from its real focus this season. Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy said that …

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha was today handed his first call-up to the England Under-21s squad for next week’s European Championship qualifier against Belgium. The 19-year-old, former under-19 international, has …

Brazil’s Carnival was not just about wild partying, heavy drinking and samba dancing. The country’s huge Carnival celebrations this week also provided key lessons for World Cup organisers trying to …

A Junior Fernandes hat trick led Universidad de Chile to a 5-1 home victory over Argentina’s Godoy Cruz in a Group 8 match in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday. Velez …

Former England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has cast doubt on a new soccer tournament in India, dealing a further blow to the postponed event. Fowler, one of the semi-retired …

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish said he was keen for Carlos Cuellar to stay at the club after confirming contract negotiations were under way with the Spanish defender. Cuellar, 30, …

Zenit Saint Petersburg have entered loan negotiations with Arsenal for the London club’s troubled midfielder Andrei Arshavin, according to the Russian champion’s general director. Arshavin, whose contract expires in June …

In what appears to be another raspberry blown at Football Federation Australia (FFA), Gold Coast United boss Clive Palmer has challenged the Olyroos to take on his under-23 outfit in …

Adelaide defender Osama Malik says the Reds haven’t given up hope of making the A-League finals but admits they must be more ruthless in their remaining five games to be …

Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer could open his considerable chequebook after several exciting youngsters made statements against the high-flying Central Coast at Skilled Park on Wednesday night. Teenagers Golgol Mebrahtu, …

Sydney FC are set to field one of their most exciting A-League line-ups in a long time with midfield whiz kid Terry Antonis on track to make his return against …

A physically demanding schedule has Central Coast coach Graham Arnold trapped between juggling players for the club’s A-League and Asian Champions League missions. Speaking after salvaging a come-from-behind 3-3 draw …