Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

FourFourTwo's Dating Game takes a page out of the Wordle playbook: all you have to do is enter your four-digit number guess, and the system will instantly give you feedback by lighting up the digits. Correct numbers in the correct position will shine bright in green, letting you know you're one step closer to victory: those that are in the wrong position will light up orange, while the rest will stay greyed out.

A train ride south from the Amsterdam base that has become a home for an Irish footballer, they have the French Paradox, where, despite having a diet laden with fatty foods and fine wine, the population of France are generally healthy. There was something close to the Dutch paradox here in Alkmaar, not far from Amsterdam.

The qualities that made Karen Carney an unstoppable winger on the football pitch her speed and attack, and the sheer relentlessness of both are more of a hindrance in the ballroom, for some of the dances at least. As the emerging star of this year's Strictly Come Dancing, she has had to learn to slow down, stand up straighter, to be softer, and it's taken a lot of hard work.

Xabi Alonso said Real Madrid's 4-3 Champions League win at Olympiacos on Wednesday was "important to change the dynamic" after three games without a victory left the team, and the coach, under pressure. Kylian Mbappé scored four goals -- including a seven-minute hat trick -- and Vinícius Júnior provided two assists, to put Madrid on 12 points and consolidate their place in the top eight.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia twice fizzed shots inches past the post in the opening minutes before Richarlison gave Spurs the lead five minutes past the half-hour mark, tapping home from close range off Randal Kolo Muani's nod back. PSG drew level on the stroke of half-time as Vitinha powered a spectacular effort from 20 yards out into the top-right corner off the crossbar.

It is a long shot with Scotland able to be drawn into the same group as any of the sides from Pot 1, which includes fellow co-hosts USA and Canada as well as the nine top seeded countries, and Mexico able to draw every Pot 3 side bar Panama. This is due to the ruling that ensures no more than one team from any federation CONCACAF in Mexico and Panama's case will go into the same group.

It feels cruel in part to use Thursday's meeting of Feyenoord and Celtic to reflect upon illustrious times. The Dutch side are 29th in the 36-team Europa League table, with Celtic's position in 27th only more slightly more palatable to supporters because Rangers are bottom of the pile. Those fans disrupted an annual general meeting to the point of abandonment last week, demonstrating the disharmony that has engulfed Celtic for months.

Former captain and interim manager Barry Ferguson has not ruled out a return to Rangers as sporting director. (Go Radio Football Show Record, external) Rangers will explore the feasibility of expanding Ibrox Stadium. (Glasgow Times), external Feyenoord head coach Robin van Persie is battling to save his job as the Dutch side prepare to face Celtic in the Europa League, says Pierre van Hooijdonk, who turned out for both clubs. (Herald - subscription required), external

FourFourTwo's Dating Game takes a page out of the Wordle playbook: all you have to do is enter your four-digit number guess, and the system will instantly give you feedback by lighting up the digits. Correct numbers in the correct position will shine bright in green, letting you know you're one step closer to victory: those that are in the wrong position will light up orange, while the rest will stay greyed out.

When one single goal can be the difference between glory and failure, taking risks isn't for everyone in soccer. Across the globe, some teams are specifically built to avoid any hints of hazard. Knowing that on-the-field pragmatism can pay off with conservative bets, it's tempting for many tactical architects to play with caution. In a sport that's demonstrated time and time again to be fickle, clubs often suppress uncertainty by putting their front office and coaching trust on tried-and-true names.

Sean and his staff have come in and done an amazing job, You can tell the energy around the group has changed and everybody's just working as hard as we can to get the best possible results. The bond and strength that we have had before will come back, and you can tell we are wanting to fight for every game we play in.

Nico Paz says yes to Real Madrid transfer return See below as the Italian journalist lays out Real Madrid's plans to re-sign Paz ?? Real Madrid are planning to bring back Nico Paz as their first signing for 2026 as revealed months ago. Understand the buy back clause is NOT valid in January and Como want to keep him until summer. The plan is to make the deal happen in June 2026. Nico already said YES.

Chelsea are hopeful that Cole Palmer can give them a major boost by declaring himself fit to face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The forward has been out with a groin injury since September and his return to action was delayed when he fractured a toe in a freak domestic accident last week. That forced Palmer to sit out Chelsea's 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday but there is optimism that his fitness issues are close to an end. The 23-year-old has trained with the squad this week and may be ready to play some part against Arsenal.

Chairman Calvin Ford stated on the Livingston website how "frustrated" he was by the decision. "It was a huge moment in the match, particularly having just levelled things moments before, and we firmly believe we should have been awarded a penalty and, with it, a very good chance to take the lead," he said. "We held lengthy conversations with the SFA this week, and the incident has officially been recognised as a mistake. We should have received a penalty.

Arrive for dinner, stay for seconds: to the surprise of absolutely no one, Cristiano Ronaldo has been cleared to start in Portugal's opening match of the World Cup after Fifa's disciplinary committee ruled to suspend the final two games of his three-game ban.

Spurs head to the Parc des Princes tonight with an element of trepidation following their woeful display at Arsenal on Sunday. Thomas Frank's side were beaten 4-1 at the Emirates by their North London rivals and must now try to bounce back at the home of the European champions.