Sports

Gerrard converted a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time to earn Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League.

"The first match of any tournament is of immense importance. It invariably sets the tone for the rest of the competition," said coach.

The Ghana Football Association says it "agreed to mutually part ways" with Appiah at a meeting on Friday.

The club signed the Colombian striker, who has spent most of 2014 out injured, on a year's loan from Monaco just before the transfer market closed last week.

Messi has told at least one football official in Argentina that he's "a little tired of" the criticism he's received since the World Cup.

The 35-year-old Anelka has already been sent a contract and he is expected to decide on it very soon.

Sturridge's thigh strain "could have been prevented" and the FA must do more to protect international players from injury, said Brendan Rodgers.

Wales narrowly avoided a similar stumble at tiny Andorra, while Italy had a comfortable victory in Antonio Conte's first competitive game in charge.

Germany open their 2016 European Championship qualification campaign against Scotland in Dortmund on Sunday, hopeful of taking the first step towards back-to-back titles.

Sturridge is in doubt for the team's opening European Championship qualifier against Switzerland after getting hurt in training.

Europe's top club coaches have been contemplating whether the away goals rule should remain in force in the Champions League and Europa League.

Robben has an ankle injury which keeps him out of the Italy clash but the Dutch hope it might heal in time for the tricky qualifier.

Mumbai City FC named eminent English football manager Peter Reid as Team Manager and experienced coach Steve Darby as the assistant coach for their campaign at the ISL.

Angel Di Maria spurred Argentina to a crushing 4-2 friendly win over world champions Germany in an entertaining rematch of July's World Cup final.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been named Germany captain to replace the retired Philipp Lahm.

Messi has been ruled out of international friendly against World Cup winners Germany with a right-leg injury.