..::Football IV::..

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Man City IS Guardiola's biggest challenge - Puyol

Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol believes Pep Guardiola has taken on his greatest challenge in the Manchester City job.

Puyol enjoyed four successful seasons under Guardiola at Camp Nou, winning three LaLiga titles and the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.

Guardiola then went on to enjoy further success with Bayern Munich, lifting the Bundesliga trophy in each of his three seasons, although glory on the European stage eluded him.

Now at City, Guardiola has made a strong start to his tenure, winning his first 10 matches in all competitions before a 3-3 Champions League draw at Celtic preceded a 2-0 loss at title rivals Tottenham.

After dominating in Spain and Germany, Puyol says Guardiola has his work cut out to repeat the feat in the Premier League but backed his former coach to oversee a cultural change in English football."It's the biggest challenge for Guardiola but I think he will change football in England," he said.

"A lot of people say football is different in England to other countries but the way Guardiola works and puts pressure on his players will change football here a bit.

"His biggest challenge is to change the direct style of football. Now in England the football is more direct, with big centre-backs. I couldn't play there because I'm too small.

"Guardiola wants to start playing from the back with intelligent play from the goalkeeper. It doesn't mean he won't play long like against Manchester United when they scored a goal with three touches, but it's the whole style. He is based on ball possession and playing from the back.

"I have seen his influence on the team very quickly. He is doing very well, he has very clear ideas which he tries to transmit to the players. He is the best coach I ever worked with and I'm pleased to see him in England.

"There are a lot of coaches worse than him. He puts a lot of pressure on the players but the players feel free under Guardiola. It's tough but I understand football like that, I enjoy it.

"Guardiola thinks everyone can improve and play at a higher level - and every player improves with him. It also motivates the players to improve."

 

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Spain boss Lopetegui confirms Costa to start against Italy

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will start for Spain in Thursday's World Cup qualifying clash with Italy in Turin.

Costa was left out of Spain's Euro 2016 squad by former coach Vicente del Bosque but returned to the starting XI as Julen Lopetegui's first World Cup qualifying campaign at the helm kicked off with an 8-0 demolition of Liechtenstein.

The Brazil-born striker scored two goals in that match and has done enough to keep hold of his place for this week's clash between two giants of European football."Tomorrow Diego Costa will play," Lopetegui told a news conference. "We decided we must play our strongest team in a game like this.

"We have not paid much attention to what happened in the Italy-France match [in September] to make decisions. That was a friendly."Italy have spent many years with the same philosophy and some great players. It will be a difficult match."

Costa's inclusion means Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is likely to once again have to settle for a place on the bench, having replaced Costa for the final 20 minutes against Liechtenstein.

"Morata is a great player who is familiar with the high demands of playing at Madrid," added Lopetegui. "Alvaro gives us options."Italy were responsible for Spain's elimination from Euro 2016 at the last-16 stage, winning 2-0 at the Stade de France.

 

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Why Arsenal failed to sign Higuain - De Laurentiis

The reason Gonzalo Higuain didn't join Arsenal is because the Premier League club didn't offer enough money, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the striker during the transfer window, but manager Arsene Wenger was reportedly unwilling to meet the release clause of €94million.

De Laurentiis claimed in July that Atletico Madrid had made an offer of "€60m, plus two or three players", which was promptly rejected, but he has now suggested that Arsenal also made a bid that he deemed unacceptable."I think we received some requests from Arsenal. Personally, I also received a request from Atletico Madrid," he told Standard Sport.

"But they didn't put enough money on the table. We were not ready to sell him – for me Higuain was not for sale."

Higuain ultimately joined Juventus in a €90m deal, but De Laurentiis says Napoli offered him a better contract than the Serie A champions in order to tempt him to stay.

"One year earlier I offered another five-year contract to Higuain and his brother," he said. "I said 'I will offer to you X'. It was more money than what he is getting right now from Juventus."

Napoli signed Arkadiusz Milik from Ajax as Higuain's replacement and the Poland international has made a strong start to his career in Italy, scoring seven goals in nine appearances.

"Milik is a good player, he's fantastic," De Laurentiis said. "Everybody now is saying Higuain is from another planet, but I remember when Higuain came to Napoli they were not so convinced."Real Madrid were doing well, but he was not playing all the time. Also with Argentina he had made some mistakes – it can happen to everybody.

"Right now Higuain is from another planet. Probably in two years they will say the same for Milik. The soccer 'blah, blah, blah, blah' is always the same."

 

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Neuer: Germany do not have a striker problem

Manuel Neuer is adamant Germany do not have a striker problem following the withdrawal of Mario Gomez due to injury.

The reigning world champions are lacking a traditional striker for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Northern Ireland following Gomez's injury, with either Kevin Volland, Mario Gotze or Thomas Muller now expected to start up front.

Nevertheless, Neuer sees no reason for concern and is adamant Germany still have plenty of players who can score."It is obviously a shame that Mario Gomez is missing up front, but we have a lot of players who can score goals," Neuer said at a media conference.

"We are flexible and have a number of options in attack. And we have defenders who can score from set pieces as well. I hope we will see a bit of both. And it would obviously be a confidence boost for our attackers if they can score.

"We have two important games ahead of us and want six points from them. It is important to have a clear goal and our objective is to finish first in our group."

Neuer also had his say on Joachim Low's future as Germany coach following the latter's comments that he is not interested in coaching in the Bundesliga if he ever leaves his current position.

"It is the coach's decision what he will do in the future," Neuer added.
"But it is clear that we all like him as the national team coach. He has a lot of experience and keeps adapting his style depending on how the game changes.

"He has really taken the national team to another level. He is a successful and modern coach. A lot of coaches don't change, but he always has new ideas."

 

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Rojo: Mourinho has never told me he does not need me

Marcos Rojo has dismissed suggestions he has a difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho and is determined to fight for his place at Manchester United.

The Argentina international has yet to feature in the Premier League this term and reports in England suggest Mourinho is ready to offload the left-back in the January transfer window.Nevertheless, Rojo is adamant there are no problems between him and the Portuguese.

"There has been a lot of talk that Mourinho did not need me," Rojo is quoted as saying by AS."But he told me right from the first day he arrived at Manchester United that I was part of his plans and that he was counting on me.

"He is a very good coach. He is very demanding, but I like the way he thinks and deals with his players.

"I have to keep on working in order to get more playing time. That is all I want."
The 26-year-old has a contract with United until June 2019.

 

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Zidane: I will get sacked eventually

Zinedine Zidane says he is not afraid of being sacked by Real Madrid and knows he will suffer that fate at some point during his career.

The World Cup winner replaced Rafael Benitez in the Santiago Bernabeu hotseat in January, and led them to glory in the Champions League - the 11th time they have been crowned Europe's best club team.

He was unable to deliver the LaLiga title, though, as they finished a point behind Barcelona, and the new campaign has brought fresh challenges.

After an impressive start that almost saw Madrid equal Barcelona's record 16-game winning run in the top-flight with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol, they have not won since.Madrid have drawn four successive games - three in the league and one in the Champions League - and the pressure on Zidane has begun to build.

"I'm not afraid of being fired," he told RMC. "Anyway, it will happen. "I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I have an incredible opportunity, I am happy wth what I do. I enjoy my job, which is not always easy.

"But I want to learn and advance. Working with these great players I learn every day. I am dedicated to what I do on the field. What is interesting to me is the week [of training], more than the matches.

"I have an exceptional group, whether we win or we lose they are good people."
Zidane believes Madrid's current problems are more psychological than physical, and is confident he will be able to find a solution to get them back to winning ways.
He added: "What's important it's to find solutions and I'll find the solution. There is nothing catastrophic, but it's not trivial.

"I don't think it's a physical problem. It's the first minutes of the games that are penalising us. The content of these games in LaLiga were very bad, especially against Villarreal. "It's psychological. We are trying to find the problem."

 

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Italy 1-1 Spain: De Rossi penalty spares Buffon's blushes

The returning Daniele De Rossi spared the blushes of Gianluigi Buffon with a late equaliser from the penalty spot to earn Italy a 1-1 draw against Spain in their 2018 World Cup qualifying Group G encounter at Juventus Stadium.

Italy looked to be heading for their second defeat in three matches under Giampiero Ventura when Buffon rushed out of his area and failed to tackle Vitolo, who finally made the most of Spain's dominance by slotting into the empty net.

The hosts may have been aggrieved that they did not get to play over 20 minutes against 10 men with Diego Costa fortunate to escape a second yellow card when he kicked the ball away after referee Felix Brych's whistle - Julen Lopetegui immediately replacing him with Alvaro Morata.

However, Italy got the equaliser in the 82nd minute when De Rossi, who missed the opening qualifier against Israel through injury, calmly slotted home from the spot after Sergio Ramos fouled Eder, though the official only gave the penalty following advice from his assistant behind the goal.

Spain were therefore unable to avenge their last-16 defeat to Italy at Euro 2016, while a first-half injury to Jordi Alba will provide cause for concern ahead of Sunday's match against group leaders Albania.

Ventura could be without Riccardo Montolivo, who was also forced off before the interval, when he takes his side to Macedonia at the weekend.

The returning Andres Iniesta, back in the side after overcoming the knee injury that kept him out against Liechtenstein, got away the first effort on target in the 11th minute, but his tame left-footed effort was straight at Buffon.

Spain continued to smother Ventura's side and Gerard Pique had a pair of chances to break the deadlock, the latter headed comfortably into the arms of Buffon from six yards midway through the half.

Injuries saw Alba replaced by Nacho and Montolivo substituted for Giacomo Bonaventura, while Costa was shown a yellow card for putting a hand in Leonardo Bonucci's face before half-time.Lopetegui's team picked up where they left off following the restart and in the 55th minute they had a deserved lead.

A lapse in concentration from Mattia De Sciglio played Vitolo onside following an incisive pass form Sergio Busquets, forcing Buffon to race off his line to try to intercept.

However, the goalkeeper failed to connect with the ball in his attempted challenge, leaving the Sevilla forward to slot into an empty net.Costa was let off the hook by Brych, who opted not to show him a second yellow card, and the Chelsea man was hauled off for Morata seconds later.

Vitolo had a chance to double his and Spain's tally in the 68th minute but was unable to hit the target from 15 yards after a clever pass from Koke.It proved costly as Italy were awarded a penalty and De Rossi confidently sent Spain goalkeeper David de Gea the wrong way with eight minutes remaining.

Andrea Belotti was denied a first senior international goal by the assistant referee's flag in the closing stages as Spain held on to maintain their record of having not lost a World Cup qualifier since 1993.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aparade Match 1ka win karaganna bari una neh

Good luck for the next matches Spain!

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

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Austria 2-2 Wales: Dragons grab point in Vienna

A Marko Arnautovic double meant Wales ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Austria in World Cup qualifying in Vienna.

Gareth Bale was central to both Welsh goals in the Group D clash, with Joe Allen striking a glorious effort from a left-wing cross, before Kevin Wimmer unwittingly bundled a long throw-in into his own net.

However, Arnautovic equalised on both occasions - either side of the break - after Chris Coleman's men momentarily switched off at the back as Wales missed the chance to add another victory to their opening 4-0 win over Moldova.

Although Austria had flopped at Euro 2016 - where Wales made it to the semi-finals - and scraped by Georgia in their first qualifier, their strong home record and unrelenting pressure still made this a fine point for Coleman's side. The result leaves the pair tied at the top of the group on four points from two matches.
The first half set the tone with a frantic pace; a first chance mustered by Austria when they won a corner on the right and Wimmer nodded David Alaba's delivery straight at Wayne Hennessey.

A more dramatic stop was to quickly follow at the other end, though, with Robert Almer producing a stunning reaction save to turn Bale's header over from Ben Davies' wayward volley.

The subsequent corner was then directed wide by Bale, but the Real Madrid forward found space again after 22 minutes with devastating effect to create the opener.

Accelerating away down the left, Bale centred towards Sam Vokes, and, as Austria twice failed to clear sufficiently, the ball fell perfectly for Allen to smash a sumptuous strike inside the far post from the edge of the box.

However, the lead was short-lived, with the leveller arriving six minutes later.

Alaba was given time and space to pick a pass outside the area, and he duly found the run of Allen's Stoke City team-mate Arnautovic, who - having left marker Chris Gunter for dead - stooped to nudge the ball past Hennessey.

Austria immediately set out in pursuit of a second, and the Wales goalkeeper parried low from Zlatko Junuzovic, before diving high to block an inadvertent prod from Davies.

And the visitors' resilience paid off on the stroke of half-time as Bale again wreaked havoc.

The 27-year-old's long throw was flicked on by Vokes for James Chester to nod at goal. Almer saved, but the rebound struck the prone Wimmer and crept into the net.

Just three minutes after the restart, though, more lax Wales defending allowed Arnautovic to double his tally.

Allen's loose pass escaped Chester and allowed the Austrian forward in on goal again. He never looked like being caught and coolly dispatched a finish beyond Hennessey.

The hosts settled once more, dominating possession, but the noisy travelling fans provided vital encouragement as Coleman's men shut the door on Austria time and time again.

Chester had the game's next chance, looping a header onto the roof of the net from a corner, before Bale's incisive run and square ball was desperately diverted clear by substitute goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan.

There would be no further breakthrough at either end, though, with Wales now focusing on Georgia while Austria travel to Serbia.

 

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Ecuador 3-0 Chile: Valencia shines as hosts return to form

Antonio Valencia scored one and supplied another as Ecuador humbled Chile 3-0 in a 2018 World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in the altitude of Quito.

After an electric start to their campaign that saw them top the CONMEBOL section, a run of four matches without a win had them fifth and out of the automatic qualification spots.They returned to form in emphatic fashion, with Chile still searching for their first win since lifting the Copa America for the second successive year in June.

Juan Antonio Pizzi welcomed Claudio Bravo back into his side after he missed the previous two qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia due to personal reasons, but the Manchester City goalkeeper's performance was laden with errors.

Bravo was beaten by Antonio Valencia for the opening goal and failed to stop the winger supplying a cross which was eventually hammered home by Cristian Ramirez in the 23rd minute.

Felipe Caicedo stabbed home the third within one minute of the restart as Chile paid the price for their lacklustre defending, arguably contributed to by the absence of Gary Medel due to suspension, with the gap to the top five in danger of growing.

Ecuador piled the pressure on Chile in the opening stages and Bravo was shown a yellow card for lunging in on Enner Valencia after losing control of the ball outside his box.

The hosts' strong start soon brought about a goal, Antonio Valencia drilling the opener into the opposite corner after collecting Enner Valencia's cross on the right-hand side of the box.

Antonio Valencia played a role in the second four minutes later, his cross not dealt with adequately by Mauricio Isla, though Bravo could have stopped it, and a miskick from Fidel Martinez fell to Ramirez, who thumped home his first senior international goal.

Eduardo Vargas missed a great opportunity to halve the deficit six minutes before half-time when he bent high and wide from 12 yards after finding space to receive the ball from Isla.

Bravo palmed away a 25-yard free-kick from Christian Noboa before the interval and was forced into actions 15 seconds after the restart to deny Enner Valencia.

However, Ecuador scored from their next attack seconds later. Enner Valencia rolled a pass back to Antonio Valencia, whose attempted shot was steered into the back of the net by Caicedo.Chile began to see more of the ball but were unable to get Alexis Sanchez involved in the action until the 75th minute when he was released by Arturo Vidal.

Sanchez attempted to dink a shot over the onrushing Esteban Dreer, but the Ecuador goalkeeper got a hand up to keep the effort out.

Ecuador lost Enner Valencia to injury late on, the striker rushed from the pitch on a stretcher with an oxygen mask fitted, possibly making him a doubt for Tuesday's match against Bolivia.

It could have been worse for Chile had a 20-yard strike from Noboa in stoppage time not come back off the bar, and they will need to quickly pick themselves up ahead of a meeting with Peru.

 

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A.Valencia​

 

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Uruguay 3-0 Venezuela: Cavani nets twice in comfortable win

Uruguay retained top spot in the CONMEBOL section of 2018 World Cup qualifying with Edinson Cavani scoring twice in a 3-0 win over 10-man Venezuela on Thursday.

After being put under early pressure, Oscar Tabarez's men struck through Nicolas Lodeiro and a Cavani double at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.The victory only came after the hosts were fortunate not to fall behind as Adalberto Penaranda and Salomon Rondon missed excellent chances.

But Luis Suarez set up Lodeiro in the first half before Cavani scored seconds after the break and again in the 79th minute to see Uruguay stay top.Any chances of a Venezuela comeback were all but ended when Oswaldo Vizcarrondo saw red in the second half - before Cavani's second - as they remained bottom and winless after nine matches.

Venezuela were the livelier of the two teams early on, although Carlos Sanchez did flash an effort wide for the hosts in the ninth minute.

The visitors were unable to capitalise on a flurry of corners, with Penaranda particularly impressive. The teenage forward, however, would squander a glorious opportunity midway through the half.

A counter-attack led to Rondon heading a pass into Penaranda's path and Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera came out but missed his clearance, only for the Udinese man to miss an open goal from the edge of the area.

Rondon fired just wide soon after, and they would be punished for those misses prior to the half-hour mark.

Suarez retrieved a long pass down the left and weighted his cross superbly for Lodeiro, whose diving header was unable to be kept out by Dani Hernandez.Alejandro Guerra had a goal ruled out for offside for Venezuela, who were unable to create any other chances before the break.

Uruguay, who had been stunned by the same opposition at the Copa America in June, made the ideal start to the second half thanks to Cavani.A loose ball fell for the Paris Saint-Germain forward and he found the bottom corner within a minute of the restart.

In a blow to Venezuela's chances, Vizcarrondo was shown his second yellow card in the 65th minute after bringing down Suarez just outside the area.Hernandez made a fine stop from Sanchez before Uruguay sealed their win in the 79th minute.

Sanchez was released down the right and crossed for Suarez, whose brilliant flick was hammered in by Cavani.With his goal, Cavani joined Diego Forlan on 36 senior international strikes – with only Suarez having scored more for the nation.

Next up for Uruguay is a tricky trip to Colombia, while Venezuela face the daunting prospect of entertaining Brazil.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cavani dan pattama form 1kaka inne​

 

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De Rossi: I'd rather Buffon saved his blunders for Juventus!

Daniele De Rossi has defended Gianluigi Buffon following his mistake in Italy's 1-1 draw with Spain on Thursday.

The experienced goalkeeper completely missed an interception to allow Vitolo to give the visitors the lead early in the second half in Turin, though De Rossi equalised from the penalty spot after Sergio Ramos fouled Eder.

De Rossi insists that Buffon remains the best in history in his position, but he felt a tinge of regret that he has kept any such blunders for Juventus to a minimum.

"The best goalkeeper in history can make mistakes, too - otherwise, he'd be a machine," the Roma midfielder told Rai Sport."I would have preferred him to make a mistake for Juventus rather than Italy, but you can't have everything!"

De Rossi felt Italy deserved a point for the way in which they improved their performance after a tame opening hour in which they failed to register a shot.

"It was tough, especially in the first half," he said. "Spain always control the ball, but in the first half we were too deep and allowed them too much possession. We were too weak in the tackle and then we kept giving them back the ball.

"The first half was bad, but the second was much better - the comeback is in our DNA. The draw isn't the best result, but I think the group that did well in Euro 2016 is still going strong."When you concede, the attitude has to change. Before the goal we were too timid and we didn't push hard enough.

"Many teams in our position would have lost, but we drew, and we risked looking for a winner at the end. We got that intensity back."

 

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Paraguay 0-1 Colombia: Substitute Cardona secures last-gasp victory

Substitute Edwin Cardona's last-gasp winner earned Colombia a dramatic 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the CONMEBOL section of 2018 World Cup qualifying.
Cardona replaced Luis Muriel in the 77th minute and produced a deft finish in second-half stoppage time to bring Paraguay's unbeaten run at home in this campaign to an end.

Colombia, who were without the talismanic James Rodriguez due to a calf injury, had dominated the opening period but Muriel, and Carlos Bacca, were guilty of spurning a glorious chance to convert a cross from Juan Cuadrado in the 11th minute.

Cuadrado felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty before half-time following a rash challenge from Gustavo Gomez, but referee Julio Bascunan was unmoved.
It was Paraguay's turn to dominate in the second half, but Farid Diaz denied Dario Lezcano the opener with a goal-line block.

It proved to be a pivotal moment as Cardona produced a late moment of magic for Colombia to open up a four-point gap over sixth-placed Paraguay
The visitors had a glorious chance to take the lead early on when a cross from Cuadrado, back in the starting line-up with James absent, found Bacca inside the six-yard box.

The AC Milan striker was unable to make a clean connection and the ball fell kindly for Muriel at the back post, but he skied it under pressure from Victor Ayala.

It was a rare moment of excitement in a low-key first half that saw Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina mop up a half-chance for Lezcano off an Ayala free-kick midway through the opening period.

Cuadrado felt he should have been awarded a penalty when he appeared to be tripped in the box by Gomez in the 30th minute, but the referee allowed play to continue.

Colombia were the superior side in the first half and in a bid to turn the tide Paraguay coach Francisco Arce replaced Cristian Riveros with Derlis Gonzalez at half-time.

The hosts came agonisingly close to an opener 10 minutes after the restart.Gomez's header from a corner was saved by Ospina but pressure from Paulo Da Silva saw him spill the ball straight to Lezcano, whose follow-up shot was blocked on the line by Diaz.

Paraguay remained in the ascendancy and Oscar Romero almost found the back of the net from an acute angle on the left just after the hour-mark, but Ospina palmed it behind.

Jose Pekerman sent Cardona and debutant Orlando Berrio on in the closing stages and the former proved decisive, dinking a shot over the onrushing Paraguay keeper Diego Barreto after a one-two with Bacca in the 91st minute.

Colombia can further boost their hopes of automatic qualification with a positive result at home to leaders Uruguay on Tuesday, while things do not get any easier for Paraguay as they travel to Argentina next.

 

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Brazil 5-0 Bolivia: Selecao run riot after Neymar opens scoring

Neymar tore apart Bolivia as Brazil cruised to a 5-0 win in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.After opening the scoring in Rio Grande do Norte, the Barcelona star set up goals for Filipe Luis and Gabriel Jesus.

Philippe Coutinho, handed a start ahead of Willian, also struck in a four-goal first-half blitz as Brazil put on a show at the Arena das Dunas.With his 49th international goal, Neymar moved above Brazil great Zico and into outright fourth in the list of highest goalscorers for the national team.

Having dominated the opening period, Brazil cantered during the second half and Roberto Firmino came off the bench to complete the victory with a header in the 75th minute.

It was a third win in as many games in charge for Tite, with his side second in the CONMEBOL standings. For Bolivia, it continued their miserable record in away World Cup qualifiers, stretching their winless run on their travels to 51 games.

Jesus missed an early chance for Brazil but he would supply Neymar with the easiest of openers in the 11th minute. The Barcelona star pressed and robbed Ronald Raldes of possession before playing a one-two with Jesus and side-footing into an open goal.

Brazil doubled their lead just 15 minutes later. Neat interplay down the right led to Giuliano squaring a pass for Coutinho, who took a touch before finishing into the bottom corner.

Brazil's dominance continued and they struck twice more before the break.Neymar played Filipe Luis in on the left side of the area and the Atletico Madrid full-back beat Carlos Lampe at his near post.Jesus was the next on the scoresheet, finishing neatly in a one-on-one with Lampe after Neymar put him through following a swift counterattack.

Neymar and Jesus continued to threaten after the break before both came off, the former having been left bleeding following an elbow to the face.Brazil cruised through the second half and they added a fifth through Liverpool forward Firmino. Coutinho's corner was headed in by his club team-mate, who was barely under any pressure.

Brazil will take plenty of confidence into their trip to Venezuela on Tuesday, while Bolivia host Ecuador.

 

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Peru 2-2 Argentina: Cueva penalty pegs back Albiceleste

Argentina toiled in the absence of Lionel Messi as they limped to a 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw against Peru on Thursday.

Barcelona superstar Messi was absent for the contest in Lima having sustained a groin injury against Atletico Madrid last month.There were few initial signs of a struggle as Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori drilled home his first Argentina goal in the 15th minute.

But Peru were the better side after the break and record goalscorer Paolo Guerrero made a captain's contribution with a fine equaliser just shy of the hour.It appeared as though Edgardo Bauza's Argentina had stolen the win against the run of play through Gonzalo Higuain's cool finish.

There was time for late drama, though, as Funes Mori was punished for fouling Guerrero in the penalty area and Christian Cueva's emphatic penalty restored parity.

Argentina - who also drew 2-2 last time out against Venezuela - now have 16 points in the CONMEBOL section, three adrift of leaders Uruguay, while Peru - who will feel they deserved more than a point - still languish in eighth.

Sergio Aguero tested the waters early on with a superb 25-yard free-kick that drew a fine one-handed save from Pedro Gallese with the ball heading for the top-right corner.Argentina were in front by the 16th minute, though.Paulo Dybala's corner from the left was attacked by Aguero and fell kindly for Funes Mori, who had two swings at the ball before coolly slotting into the bottom corner.

Peru responded well to going behind and Guerrero tested Sergio Romero from a tight angle, before Cueva's free-kick brushed the roof of the goal.Angel Di Maria was, unsurprisingly, proving a lively outlet for the visitors and his clever, low free-kick around the wall brought the best out of Gallese.

Peru were the stronger team in the early stages of the second half and deservedly drew level in the 58th minute.Guerrero latched onto Miguel Trauco's sublime ball over the top and fended off Funes Mori to fire into the bottom right-hand corner.

Peru, now in the ascendancy, then had the chance to move in front but Cueva drilled wide from the edge of the area.Raul Ruidiaz was next to go close, shooting wide after racing onto Trauco's throughball when he should have at least hit the target.

The hosts' failure in front of goal proved costly with 13 minutes remaining.Pablo Zabaleta slipped in Higuain with a cute throughball to the right of the area and the Juventus striker clinically clipped his effort past Gallese.But Peru were level again with six minutes remaining.

Javier Mascherano's woeful back pass was pounced on by Guerrero, who was crudely fouled by Funes Mori in the area and Cueva smashed his penalty high into the left-hand corner to earn a deserved point for Peru.

 

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Juventus don’t want struggling Coman back if Bayern refuse €21m option

Juventus have no intention of taking Kingsley Coman back if Bayern Munich decline to make the winger’s loan deal permanent, Goal understands.

The 20-year-old joined Bayern from Juve on a two-year loan for €7 million in 2015, and an option was inserted in the transfer that enables the German giants to sign the Frenchman permanently for a further €21m by April 30, 2017.

However, after a promising first season in Bavaria during which he scored six goals in all competitions, Coman has endured a miserable start to the current campaign.

The Frenchman has failed to register a single goal or assist for Bayern and has fallen well down new coach Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order, behind the likes of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Douglas Costa.

This has led Bayern to begin to have second thoughts about completing a full transfer for Coman. However, even if the German outfit opt not to sign Coman permanently, Juventus have no intention of welcoming their former player back to Turin and will likely sell him on if Bayern return him.

The club’s chiefs, including CEO Giuseppe Marotta, are understood to be unhappy about a number of statements from Coman in the media where he appeared to criticise his parent club, and see no way back for the Euro 2016 star now.

But with the season only six weeks old, there is still plenty of time for Coman to win back his doubters at Bayern. He was originally regarded as a long-term investment and the Bavarians plan to take the future into account when deciding what to do with a player considered as one of the best youngsters in Europe.

Not yet 21, Coman has already won four league titles in three different countries with Paris Saint-Germain (2), Juventus and Bayern - while he also has Champions League and Euro 2016 runners-up medals.

 

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Spain gave Italy 'an extra life', says Lopetegui


Spain coach Julen Lopetegui lamented his side's failure to put Italy away in their 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifying.

A second-half goal from Vitolo put the visitors on track in Turin on Thursday but they conceded a late Daniele De Rossi penalty.Lopetegui felt that it was a characteristic comeback by Italy, particularly after his team were unable to find a second goal.

"I think we've had our chance to get the game," he told reporters, "but they are Italy. If you don't knock them down, it's like in the movies - at the end, they get up and they are able to have an extra life. They have a great team, great players."

Vitolo's goal after Gianluigi Buffon's error gave Spain their lead but Sergio Ramos's foul on Eder in the area in the second half provided De Rossi with the opportunity to level from 12 yards.Ramos was one of five Spain players to pick up a yellow card and Lopetegui suggested that discipline played a part in the result.

"We have been conditioned by our yellow cards; for this reason, maybe, we couldn't move a step forward," he remarked, "and, for that reason, they got more energy in the game and we lost possession, which we could have avoided.

"But overall, our team has played a great game and we got a point. Now we need to recover well and to think about the match against Albania."Albania top Group G on six points, two clear of Spain and Italy.

 

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Man Utd target Isco 'doing his talking on the pitch'

Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has praised Isco for attempting to prove a point on the pitch, as speculation over his future continues to rage.

Isco was heavily linked with a potential move away from the Spanish giants in the summer, with Tottenham and his old side, Malaga, reportedly taking an interest in acquiring his signature, while Manchester United have been linked more recently.

The 24-year-old has admitted that it is not up to him if he will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu but Morientes sympathises with the midfielder's plight, praising his maturity.

"All the players are selfish, we want to play as much as possible," he told Goal."Last matchday, Isco played and, ultimately, when you play for a team like Real Madrid with so much games and competitions, you always find your moment to talk on the pitch.

"That's what Isco is doing, talking on the pitch and not in the media. That;s interesting."We have the Isco case, the James case... Real Madrid always have these kinds of cases. They're great players. Usually one player has to be ruled out and it's the manager who has to take this decision."

Morientes, who won the Champions League three times as a player, is also intrigued by the friendly rivalry between Alvaro Morata and Karim Benzema for a starting spot under Zinedine Zidane.

"They are great players that are fighting for a single position, as Zidane has proved he loves 4-3-3 formation," he added. "They are in charge of materialising all the chances created by Real Madrid. At the end, Zidane has to decide as he sees how players are every day."

Real have failed to win their last three league games but Morientes maintains that Los Blancos are on track, as they sit joint-top alongside Atletico Madrid.

"It has been like this in the past, it's like this in the present and it will be like this in the future," he replied when asked about the pressure that the club are under."It's part of Real Madrid and the responsibility of managing this club. Those who have played [for Real Madrid] know what happens when you lose or draw a game.

"Being leaders alongside Atletico Madrid, it's difficult to say it has been a bad start. It's true that feelings during the last three games have not been the best but, if Real Madrid had won all the points, then they would have too much advantage."I think that means more interest for La Liga and for the competition. We'll see what happens."