Sports

Barcelona remain the best team in the world on their day despite unconvincing displays this season, coach Luis Enrique said on Friday ahead of their clash with La Liga leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The global football chief had been due in Sydney on Monday after attending the under-20 Women's World Cup final in Papua New Guinea, but called it off.

The vice-president of Brazilian top flight side Chapecoense has vowed to get the club back on its feet and playing again next year after a plane crash in Colombia wiped out almost the entire squad.

Argentinean football star, Diego Maradona, on Saturday mourned the death of Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, saying he "was like a second father".

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid were thankful to a late missed penalty from Duje Cop to open up a seven-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Sporting Gijon.

In Gerrard's home city, the Liverpool Echo newspaper said on Thursday night that Klopp had dropped a huge hint that Gerrard will return to Anfield as part of his future career.

The 36-year-old captained home-town club Liverpool for 12 years famously lifting the Champions League trophy in 2005 after an unforgettable comeback against AC Milan.

Maxwell sloppily conceded possession and Mesut Ozil's clever blind pass sent Alexis Sanchez free. The Chilean forward's footwork proved too quick for the sliding Grzegorz Krychowiak who brought him down for a clear penalty.

FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid need to find their identity and their form when they play their respective Champions League football games on Wednesday night.

Football legend Pele is using a metal-framed walker to get around these days, which his agent compares to having a new piece of "sporting equipment."

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho feels England did not do enough to protect captain Wayne Rooney after he was pictured socialising in the early hours of the morning while on international duty last week.

Spanish daily Marca reported this week that the Argentine is in no hurry to pen a new deal, and will instead delay negotiations until right before his current contract expires in June 2018.

Recent weeks have seen speculation mount that the 36-year-old former England skipper could be mulling a possible coaching role at former club Liverpool

Cristiano Ronaldo converted one penalty, missed another and also scored from open play as Portugal beat Latvia 4-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Sreejesh has been named as one of the candidates for 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year award of the FIH while Harmanpreet Singh made the grade as one of the 2016 Rising Women Star of the Year nominees.

FC Goa have just seven points from nine matches. But the team is seeking inspiration from their first season when they qualified for the semifinals despite all odds.