..::Football IV::..

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Monaco ace Bakayoko closing in on £35 million Chelsea move

Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to complete a £35 million switch to Chelsea from Monaco as protracted negotiations made serious headway over the past few days.

Antonio Conte made Bakayoko his preferred option to strengthen his midfield and the deal has been described as "close" by people involved in the deal. Chelsea grew impatient with the slow negotiations in recent weeks, but all three parties are thought to have recently agreed the financial details of the move.

Monaco used the negotiations for Bakayoko to state their interest in Michy Batshuayi, but he will not be included in Chelsea's move for the 22-year-old.

Chelsea are also working on bringing in Romelu Lukaku after Diego Costa announced that Conte had told him he was no longer needed at Stamford Bridge via text message.

Bakayoko, 22, played a key role in helping Monaco enjoy a remarkable 2016-17 campaign under Leonardo Jardim's tutelage.

The Paris-born midfield general scored three goals in all competitions as Monaco claimed the Ligue 1 title - their first top-flight championship in 17 years - and reached the Champions League semi-finals.


Bakayoko is on course to become the latest star to depart Stade Louis II following Bernardo Silva's mega switch to Manchester City.

 

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Manchester United agree transfer for Benfica defender Lindelof

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Benfica for the transfer of defender Victor Lindelof, the Premier League club have confirmed.

The move for the Swedish centre-back, 22, is subject to him completing a medical and agreeing personal terms.If the transfer is completed it will represent United's first foray into the transfer market during the close-season, with fee reported to be €35 million.

A United statement read: "Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms."A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete."

Lindelof moved to Benfica in December 2011 and has won three Primeira Liga titles, two Taca de Portugal trophies and the Taca da Liga during his time at Estadio da Luz. He was also part of the side that won the European Under-21 Championship with Sweden in 2015.

Manager Jose Mourinho was reportedly keen on bringing Lindelof to Old Trafford during the January transfer window, but the move is said to have been scuppered by Benfica's valuation of the player.

The Portuguese is again closing in on the Sweden international, though, with Lindelof set to add to United's defensive options next term.

Defence is an area that United have been keen to strengthen, with Marcos Rojo suffering a major knee injury in April, while the futures of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been unclear with Mourinho criticising the duo and fellow injury-hit defender Luke Shaw during the previous campaign.

United have also been linked with a swoop for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane, who worked with Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu, although reports suggest a transfer could depend on goalkeeper David de Gea moving in the opposite direction.

 

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Germany 7 San Marino 0: Wagner hits hat-trick for world champions

Sandro Wagner hit a hat-trick as Germany cruised to a 7-0 win over San Marino to retain their five-point lead at the top of Group C in World Cup qualifying.

Northern Ireland's late win at Azerbaijan earlier in the day had cut the world champions' advantage briefly, but a rampant result was never in doubt in Nuremberg.After Julian Draxler netted the first goal, Wagner struck for the first time for his country - and then added another - before Amin Younes followed suit.

Shkodran Mustafi got in on the act, but Germany slowed the pace of the game considerably in the second period, taking their time to grab a sixth through Julian Brandt, another maiden scorer.Wagner's third goal arrived five minutes from the end as Joshua Kimmich laid on his third assist.

This young group will now head to the Confederations Cup to face much sterner tests in preparation for a defence of their World Cup crown next year, with their place in Russia another step closer.

Germany were predictably dominant from the off and Draxler broke the deadlock after 11 minutes.

The visitors failed to deal with a routine delivery from the right, the ball eventually breaking to the Paris Saint-Germain winger, who coolly curled across goal into the bottom-right corner.

And another right-wing cross, from the boot of Kimmich, soon led to the second as Wagner met the ball with a fine looping header over the desperate Elia Benedettini.

Wagner's second international goal quickly followed his first, with the forward bundling a low effort into the net after Younes had brought down Kimmich's crafty quick free-kick.

Younes then got his own Germany tally up and running seven minutes before half-time when Benedettini flapped at a corner and the Ajax man was left with a simple finish.

There was time for Wagner to strike the right-hand post before the break and, within two minutes of the restart, Mustafi's scrambled strike from a corner squirmed past the goalkeeper for number five.

The next goal did not arrive for another 25 minutes, but again relied on poor defending and poor goalkeeping, Brandt left completely unmarked to nod past Benedettini.

Timo Werner headed against the upright shortly afterwards and his RB Leipzig team-mate Diego Demme was then handed a debut, while Wagner missed a glaring opportunity for his hat-trick.

He made amends in the closing stages, though, directing Kimmich's cross in off the left-hand post to complete the scoring.

 

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Buffon wants great final year and welcomes Szczesny and Donnarumma challenge

Gianluigi Buffon has vowed to be a "protagonist" in his final year as he welcomes the challenge of Wojciech Szczesny and Gianluigi Donnarumma at Juventus and Italy.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper has a year left on his contract and said he wants "one more chance" to win the Champions League after ending the season with a defeat to Real Madrid in the final.Although he has already established himself as an icon throughout his 23-year career, he wants to go out on a high.

"This could be the last year and I would like to be a protagonist, as I have always dreamed of being," he told reporters. "A year in which we see the Buffon that pays attention to detail and is eager to make his mark. To do that, I have to be important. I will work for this next year. "The team goals are a consequence of what you have given and taken throughout the year."

Juventus are said to be close to signing Szczesny from Arsenal, while Donnarumma is pushing for the No.1 spot in the Italy national team, and Buffon welcomes the competition to keep him at the top of his game."I've always been a rational person and I've always looked for the meaning of things. It's right that Juve want Szczesny and that there is a good player like Donnarumma at the national team.

"For me it will be a great motivation twice because, although I am 39-40 years, I have to maintain my place. If I no longer want to play, I'll stay at home because Donnarumma and Szczesny are good goalkeepers by merit, not because someone gave them something."

 

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Buffon backs Juve's chase of Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma

Gianluigi Buffon has endorsed Juventus' bid to sign AC Milan star Gianluigi Buffon as the Italy great nears retirement.Buffon is out of contract at the end of 2018 and the 39-year-old veteran is tipped to hang up his gloves following next year's World Cup in Russia.

The iconic keeper, though, wants to go out on a high after suffering a third Champions League final loss, this time against Real Madrid in Cardiff.However, Buffon has welcomed the challenge of teenage sensation Donnarumma and Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny – who have been linked with moves to the Serie A champions."To me, they seem to be the right choices," the Italy goalkeeper told reporters ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

"Well, I've always been, I believe, a reasonable person who tries to understand the meaning of things. And it is right that Juve try to sign a goalkeeper like him, it is right that our national team has goalkeepers like these, in this case one like Gigio Donnarumma.

"Because in the end you make progress because of your merits, and as I always say a coach has to choose his formation to win the game, and should only think about that. It's right that it works this way," Buffon continued. "This means that for me it's a great incentive, because I know that even if I'm 39 or 40 years old if want to keep a certain prestige, a certain role, I have to work hard.

"The day I don't want to work hard anymore I'll just stay at home, because – inevitably – goalkeepers like Szczesny, like Donnarumma or like [Alex] Meret are regulars. They're number ones, and they are because of their merits, and not because of somebody else's favour.

"I am not eternal and I never thought that I was," Buffon added. "I think of the group, so Juventus and the Nazionale quite rightly have to plan beyond the individual.

"I said in the past that I might not want to be a coach, but perhaps a CT at international level would be less stressful on a daily basis. When I do retire, I'd like to rest a little bit, as it has been a long and intense career."

 

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Has Cristiano Ronaldo just become the father of twins?

Cristiano Ronaldo may have added newborn twins to his family, if rumblings in his homeland are to be believed, though the Real Madrid star himself has yet to make any announcements.

The reports, which at the moment have not been confirmed, claim Ronaldo's new little boy and little girl, named Mateo and Eva, respectively, came into the world on Thursday.

There had been speculation over whether the 32-year-old's current girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez had fallen pregnant after Ronaldo shared a curious Instagram post, but she showed little signs of a baby bump – never mind two – as she joined in the celebrations for Madrid's recent Champions League victory.

With Rodriguez seemingly ruled out, it is being claimed by Portuguese outlet SIC that Ronaldo used a surrogate mother to carry his children.

It would not be the first time the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has been linked with a surrogate either, with very little other than speculation being known about the origins of Ronaldo's son, Cristiano Jr., who is now six.Will the youngster soon have two little siblings to grow up with? We'll wait for Ronaldo himself to tell us for sure.

 

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Marquinhos hails 'genius' Cavani

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has hailed Edinson Cavani following the Uruguay international's stellar performances in 2016-17.The attacker was often played out wide before this season due to the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the Swede's departure to Manchester United saw Cavani moved into a central role and he did not disappoint.Cavani netted an impressive 49 goals in 50 appearances in all competitions and Marquinhos has nothing but praise for his team-mate.

"Edi was already one of our strongest players, but the number of goals he has scored this season is just unbelievable," Marquinhos told the club's official website."He works hard for the team, is always very positive and gives everything for his team-mates, which is very important.

"He has scored some fantastic goals like the one against Bordeaux that was like [Rabah] Madjer or the lob versus Nancy."And there is his own special, where he gets to the near post for a finish.

"He is a genius as a goalscorer."

 

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Bayern complete signing of Gnabry from Bremen

Bayern Munich have completed the signing of Serge Gnabry from Werder Bremen for a fee believed to be in the region of €8 million.The 21-year-old recently already announced that he would leave Werder after just one year at the club and he has now inked a contract with Bayern until June 2020.

Gnabry had also attracted the interest of Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig with his fine performances in 2016-17, but the reigning Bundesliga champions have won the race for his signature."It is a big honour to become a part of Bayern," Gnabry commented on his transfer."I have an exciting challenge ahead and I am really looking forward to it."

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, meanwhile, was pleased to welcome another Germany international to the Allianz Arena."We are very happy to have secured the services of another young Germany international in Serge," he stated. "Serge has developed really well at Bremen."

Gnabry came through the ranks of the Stuttgart youth academy, but left the club for Arsenal before breaking into the first team.He never really managed to secure regular first-team football at Arsenal, though, and eventually left the Emirates side for Bremen ahead of the 2016-17 campaign, where he scored 11 goals in 27 Bundesliga outings.

The winger becomes Bayern’s third signing ahead of next season after the previous captures of Hoffenheim duo Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy, while they also made Kingsley Coman’s stay at the club permanent after a two-year loan spell.

 

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Man Utd boss Mourinho claims to always pick teams in 'big trouble'

Jose Mourinho claims to be “terrible at picking teams”, with Manchester United, Inter and Real Madrid taken on in “big trouble”.The Portuguese tactician has enjoyed success wherever he has been, with a productive spell at Porto putting him on the path to greatness.He is, however, of the opinion that he inherited testing situations in Italy, Spain and England before turning fortunes around.

Mourinho was quick to bill himself as “a special one” upon taking the reins at Chelsea, and it appears that he continues to revel in that role.He told Portuguese newspaper Expresso: "I'm terrible at picking teams.

"I always choose teams, as they say in England, in big trouble."Inter was in big trouble, Real Madrid was in big trouble, Manchester United in big trouble, that is, always in big trouble."

Mourinho guided Inter to a historic treble during his time at the San Siro, with Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League crowns secured.He then went on to return the La Liga title to Madrid during his time in Spain, before heading back to the Premier League.

More title success followed at Chelsea, before succeeding Louis van Gaal at Manchester United and leading them to Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League glory in his first season at the helm.

 

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Mahrez has 'nothing on the table' amid Arsenal and Barcelona transfer talk

Riyad Mahrez wants out of Leicester but has “nothing on the table” as he waits for the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona to make a move.The Algeria international won the PFA Player of the Year award in 2015-16 as he helped to inspire a remarkable Premier League title triumph with the Foxes.

His standards dipped slightly in the defence of that crown, but several big clubs have retained an interest in his services and Mahrez has informed Leicester of his desire to move on.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted to liking the 26-year-old winger, while Barca have been linked with an approach for some time, but no official offers have been made as yet.

Mahrez told reporters after winning the Algerian Golden Ball: “It’s an honour to receive compliments like this from such a big manager [Wenger] in world football.“But there’s a big difference between an offer and speculation, so there is nothing on the table at the moment.”

Mahrez went on to reiterate his desire to take on a new challenge, having agreed with Leicester that he would be allowed to leave if he stayed for a 2016-17 campaign which included a run through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

He said: “The chairman and I agreed that I would stay another year at the club and that he would let me leave at the end of the season.“I think it would be the right time for me to leave, I have experienced everything at this football club.

“I went from the Championship to the Premier League, I stayed up with the team the next season, we won the Premier League, I won the PFA player of the year award, I played the Champions League, so we did something quite exceptional.”
Mahrez netted 18 times in the 2015-16 campaign, but managed only 10 this season.

Four of those efforts did, however, come in Champions League competition, proving that he remains a man for the big occasion.

 

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Mourinho urged to bring 'flair players' to Man Utd after Lindelof signing by Robson

Manchester United need to bring in “flair players” during the summer transfer window, says former captain Bryan Robson.

The Red Devils have already put one deal in place, with Sweden international defender Victor Lindelof set to complete a move from Benfica.While he will reinforce Jose Mourinho’s ranks at the back, United are aware of the need to add at the opposite end of the field as well.

They did land three trophies in 2016-17, but have released top goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Robson believes added creativity and firepower will be required to push the club on.

He told United’s official website, after seeing Mourinho end his first season at the helm with a Europa League victory over Ajax: "It certainly was a great ending in Stockholm.

"It finished off an okay season and made it into a very good season. To win the Community Shield, EFL Cup and then the Europa League, to go into the Champions League, has set everyone up great for next season.

"When you look at the way Jose has turned club around, I know we won the FA Cup the year before, but he came in and brought in four new players who I think improved the team and improved the squad.“So that went very well and then we got into a way of playing. Okay, we drew a lot of games at home but we weren't getting beaten.

"We are a difficult team to beat now and what you can do, if you set your stall out that way to be difficult to beat, is to then add a few flair players to that squad.“All of a sudden, you're winning a lot more games than you're drawing. So I can see us up there challenging for the title next season."

United have already been linked with several attacking targets, with a deal reported to be close for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.

 

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Roma star Dzeko planning Wolfsburg return

Roma striker Edin Dzeko has expressed his desire to return to former club Wolfsburg, though he has no plans to leave the Serie A giants in this transfer window.

Dzeko netted 29 goals in Italy's top flight last term, edging out Napoli forward Dries Mertens as the league's top-scorer to help Roma secure a second-placed finish.

Ex-Manchester City man Dzeko scored 66 goals in 111 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg before leaving in 2011, and the Bosnia-Herzegovina striker has claimed he would be delighted to return.

"I'm only 31 and feel better than ever," Dzeko said at an event to celebrate Wolfsburg's 20-year Bundesliga status, which the club only maintained with a relegation play-off victory over Eintracht Braunschweig.

"I have three years of my contract left in Rome and I feel good there. But I hope I'll come back to Wolfsburg as a player again."And I owe Wolfsburg everything. Without them, I would not have had the chance to play for Manchester City or Roma."

 

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Manchester United target Morata 'likes' post linking him with Old Trafford move

Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has sparked speculation that a move to Manchester United could well be nearing a conclusion.

The Blancos striker's future has looked uncertain over the last couple of months and his time in the Spanish capital looks set to end, with United the overwhelming favourites to secure his signature.

Jose Mourinho is on the hunt for a number nine ahead of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign having released last season's top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and has been linked with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Andrea Belotti.

Any potential deal to bring Griezmann to Old Trafford now looks extremely difficult, however, following the confirmation of Atletico Madrid's transfer ban.
A move for Werder Bremen's Max Kruse has also been mooted, while Everton's Romelu Lukaku remains a top target for Mourinho.

However, it looks as though Morata is now in line to fill the void left by Ibrahimovic, and he has fuelled those rumours by taking to social media and 'liking' an Instagram post reporting the links.

Morata was forced to play second-fiddle to Karim Benzema at Real Madrid last season but managed to scored 15 goals in 14 starts and 12 substitute appearances.

It is thought that the battle for the 24-year-old is between United and Serie A outfit AC Milan, who Morata played against during his time at Italian champions Juventus.

Following his breakthrough from Real Madrid Castilla and four seasons with the Blancos first team, Morata went on to claim five major trophies with the Turin side - including consecutive Scudettos - and helped Max Allegri's side to the 2015 Champions League final.

 

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Arsenal and Madrid target Mbappe prioritising Champions League title over Ballon d'Or

Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe says winning the Champions League is an "obsession" and more important to him than receiving the Ballon d'Or award.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout season as Monaco won Ligue 1, scoring 26 goals in all competitions - including six in a dazzling run to the semi-finals of Europe's premier competition - form that has seen him linked with a lucrative move to several of Europe's big spenders.

Mbappe has lofty ambitions and wants to improve on that Champions League last-four finish, while speaking of his desire to prioritise team success over individual glory.

"[The Champions League] is a dream, a competition that everyone wants to win and that only a minority can win - the most important are the titles," he told Telefoot.

"That would be much more of an obsession for me than the Ballon d'Or, for example. I want to touch the stars and, when you dream, you do not dream of playing the middle of the table or maintaining it."

Mbappe's stellar performances also him earned international recognition with France and he is desperate to represent Les Bleus at next year's World Cup in Russia.

"[The 2018 World Cup] is the number one goal at international level," he added. "As I always say, dreams are good but it's up to me to work for them."

 

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Venezuela 0-1 England: Dominic Calvert-Lewin goal wins U20 World Cup

England have won the U20 World Cup after Dominic Calvert-Lewin's goal gave them a tense 1-0 win over Venezuela in Suwon.Everton forward Calvert-Lewin scored the only goal, following up on a rebound to slot home from close range on 35 minutes, after Venezuela's Ronaldo Lucena had hit the post with a sublime 45-yard free-kick.

Both sides went close as the game opened up after the break, with Josh Onomah hitting the crossbar with a superb effort after Freddie Woodman had twice kept England ahead with good saves.After consulting the video referee, Netherlands official Bjorn Kuipers awarded Venezuela a late penalty after Jake Clarke-Salter's foul on Adalberto Penaranda, but Woodman saved brilliantly.

Competing in their first FIFA-affiliated world final since 1966, England held on to claim an historic victory.England manager Paul Simpson named an unchanged side against Venezuela, who had got past the likes of Germany and Uruguay to reach the final in South Korea.

Dominic Solanke, the soon-to-be Liverpool forward whose two goals in the semi-final against Italy sent England through, came close early on, but could only find the feet of goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez from an angle.

Everton's Ademola Lookman forced a fine stop from Farinez later in the half, before Lucena hit the post from the edge of the centre-circle in England's half with a free-kick that swerved horribly for goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

England were ahead 10 minutes before the break as Calvert-Lewin rose high to keep a diagonal free-kick alive, and after his right-footed effort was saved well, the 20-year-old followed up to finish with his left from six yards.Calvert-Lewin nearly made it 2-0 moments later, but Farinez raced out to block him after the impressive Lookman had played him through on goal.

Woodman then did superbly to save from Cordova after the break having been played through one-on-one, before Spurs' Onomah came within a whisker of putting England two ahead, hitting the bar from 30 yards before the ball bounced off the line and clear.

There was big controversy with 15 minutes remaining as referee Kuipers handed Venezuela a penalty after Penaranda was brought down by the trailing leg of Spurs defender Walker-Peters.

England appealed, but the VAR (video assistant referee) proved its worth by correctly showing the referee's decision to be correct. Penaranda himself stepped up, but Woodman's strong hand beat the spot-kick away, and England snuffed out the rebound.Despite some heavy pressure late on from the Venezuelans, England held on with a battling show.

 

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Congratulations England U20!

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Macedonia 1 Spain 2: Silva and Costa keep visitors on top

David Silva and Diego Costa struck as Spain held on to win 2-1 away at Macedonia and remain top of World Cup qualifying Group G.In-form Silva scored for the fourth consecutive Spain match as Julen Lopetegui's men made a fast start in Skopje.

Chelsea striker Costa, who has been heavily linked with moves to AC Milan or the Chinese Super League, then netted his fifth goal of the campaign before the break.

Stefan Ristovski scored his first international goal in spectacular style as Macedonia threatened a second-half fightback, but Spain held on to stay ahead of Italy, who beat Liechtenstein, on goal difference.

Spain, who are still unbeaten under Lopetegui, now turn their attention to September's potentially decisive match against Italy in Madrid, with only one automatic place for next year's tournament in Russia available.La Roja moved in front after 15 minutes, Silva striking with a goal that was made in Barcelona.

Andres Iniesta chipped impressively into the path of onrushing Barca team-mate Jordi Alba and his cutback found Silva, whose neat turn allowed him to produce a right-footed finish that had just enough pace to beat goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski from eight yards.

Real Madrid star Isco had a curling effort saved by Dimitrievski, before he turned creator for Spain's second after 27 minutes.Isco showed dazzling footwork to beat defender Kire Ristevski down the right and his square pass laid it on a plate for Costa to score from three yards.

Ristovski arrowed an effort wide as Macedonia threatened for the first time, but Isco was a constant threat at the other end as he sought a goal for himself.
The attacking midfielder was denied by Dimitrievski twice more and also fired another effort inches wide as the visitors went into half-time with a two-goal advantage.

Spain should have made it three after the break, but Gerard Pique headed over Iniesta's cross from six yards after beating the Macedonia offside trap.The hosts found a way back into the game with 66 minutes gone, striking with their first shot on target.

Ristovski raced on to a clever flick from Goran Pandev on the halfway line, before completely outpacing Sergio Ramos and unleashing a superb strike past David de Gea into the roof of the net before Dani Carvajal could get across.


But Macedonia were not able to trouble De Gea again, Pique heading wide and Costa forcing a save from Dimitrievski as Spain had to settle for a narrow victory that keeps them in pole position.

 

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Italy 5 Liechtenstein 0: Insigne and Belotti shine in easy win

Lorenzo Insigne and Andrea Belotti caught the eye as Italy kept pace with Group G leaders Spain courtesy of a 5-0 battering of Liechtenstein in Sunday's World Cup qualifier.

Giampiero Ventura's men rarely had to get out of first gear against Liechtenstein, who lost their 10th consecutive World Cup qualifying match despite holding firm for 35 minutes in Udine.

Insigne broke the deadlock for the hosts with his third international goal, smashing a superb volley in off the post after creating a chance for himself out of nothing.The Napoli forward then set up the second goal for Italy shortly after half-time as reported Manchester United and AC Milan target Belotti timed his run on to the throughball to bend a clinical finish past Peter Jehle.

Eder came off the bench to add the third with 16 minutes remaining, neatly finishing off a flowing one-two with Belotti, and two more substitutes completed a comfortable victory for the Azzurri, Federico Bernardeschi beating Jehle with a powerful drive and Manolo Gabbiadini turning home Leonardo Spinazzola's low cross.The win means Italy and Spain remain locked together at the top of the group with 16 points from six games and they meet in a crucial contest in the next round of fixtures in Madrid in September.

Antonio Candreva crashed home a sweet volley in just the second minute, but the assistant referee incorrectly ruled that the Inter winger was offside.Ciro Immobile was then denied by Liechtenstein goalkeeper Jehle with his first sight of goal from just inside the box.Italy's front four were struggling for cohesion, although Candreva's low cross flashed just in front of Immobile before Insigne wasted a clear view of goal by firing at Jehle.

Liechtenstein grew in confidence and Andrea Barzagli had to make a fine block to stop Yanik Frick's strike - Michele Polverino lashing the loose ball narrowly wide from 25 yards.

That warning shot appeared to wake the Azzurri up as the opener arrived in stunning fashion 10 minutes before the break.

The impressive Spinazzola crossed for Insigne, who controlled the ball, chested it down and volleyed a sensational strike across Jehle and into the top-right corner via the post.

Insigne then turned provider for Italy's second goal five minutes into the second half. The Napoli forward sent Belotti through on goal and the in-demand forward made no mistake with a simple finish to beat Jehle.

Immobile had scored in his last three qualifiers but he continued to be frustrated as he saw a shot rebound off Jehle's left-hand post.Belotti set up substitute Eder for a tap-in after 71 minutes but again the offside flag was raised - this time correctly - although the same combination then provided the third.

Eder sent Belotti spinning into the right channel and timed his sprint into the box perfectly to toe in a volleyed finish from the Torino striker's cross.

Bernardeschi lashed in a fine long-range drive to add a fourth with eight minutes to go and Ventura's third change also ended the evening on the scoresheet, Southampton striker Gabbiadini tucking away Spinazzola's centre.

 

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Diego Costa still waiting for Chelsea's decision

Diego Costa says he is still waiting for Chelsea to make their decision over his future after he scored in Spain's victory in Macedonia.

Spain stayed on top of World Cup qualifying Group G with a 2-1 win in Skopje, the striker scoring the visitors' second goal to move on to five for the campaign.

Costa revealed this week he has been told via text message from manager Antonio Conte that he does not have a future at Stamford Bridge, an SMS he then forwarded to the club's hierarchy.The 28-year-old was keen on a move to former club Atletico Madrid, but their failed appeal against a transfer ban has complicated that option.

AC Milan have been heavily linked with a swoop, while rumours connecting him with the Chinese Super League also persist, despite Costa saying last month he would not make such a switch as it would jeopardise his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

"I don't know," Costa said when asked about his future by TVE. "I have two years left on my contract with Chelsea, they have to realise what they want to do with me. I have to wait to see what decision the club makes."

Costa insisted Spain knew they were in for a difficult match against Macedonia on Sunday, with David Silva also on target as the visitors moved into a two-goal lead before Stefan Ristovski's second-half strike for the hosts threatened a comeback.

"It was very important to win, we knew it would not be easy — look at the second half," he said."In the first half we could have scored more, but the second was complicated. We learned to be together and suffer.

"These are very important games but the match against Italy [in September] is more so. Those of us [nearing a suspension] were very focused and knew how important it was not to see a yellow card."Costa scored 20 Premier League goals last season as Chelsea won the title in their first campaign under Conte.

 

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Isco: I have finished the season very well

Real Madrid star Isco is full of confidence after ending his 2016-17 season with another impressive display for Spain against Macedonia.Isco, who has one year left on his contract at Santiago Bernabeu, produced an impressive assist in Spain's 2-1 victory in Skopje on Sunday.

The attacking midfielder showed dazzling footwork to beat defender Kire Ristevski down the right and his square pass laid it on a plate for Diego Costa to score from three yards.

It capped a fine campaign for Isco, who cemented himself as a first-team regular under Zinedine Zidane as Madrid won LaLiga and the Champions League."I have finished the season very well," Isco told Teledeporte. "Confidence is key for anyone. From the beginning of the season I have felt very comfortable.

"It may be [my best season] because Madrid have made history. When the team results turn out well, they boost an individual. I'm happy about the work I have done and for these three points."I have already said we are close [to a renewal]. I am very happy in Madrid and hope to be there for many years."Now it is time to rest as the season has been very long."

As well as picking up his first assist in Spain colours, the 25-year-old was heavily involved with five shots, three of which tested goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Isco feels any of Spain's players are capable of stealing the show as he turned his attention to September's crucial Madrid qualifier against Italy, who only trail Julen Lopetegui's men on goal difference in Group G.

"I think the game against Italy is going to be the most important match in the group," he said. "But we play at home, so I hope the Bernabeu is a stronghold. Finishing first is dependent on us.

"I'm happy to have the confidence of the coach. I think any of us who play can write the headlines."We are content with the three points because that is what we were looking for."