* Spain took a step closer to qualification for Euro 2020 on Thursday (Sep 5) after surviving a scare in Romania to win 2-1 and continue their 100 per cent record, while Italy also kept their perfect start with a 3-1 win in Armenia.
* David McGoldrick's first international goal grabbed Ireland a potentially crucial 1-1 draw in their Euro 2020 qualifier with Switzerland on Thursday as an easy victory for rivals Denmark in Gibraltar kept things incredibly tight at the top of Group D.
* The Premier League have the most number of players on the 2019 FIFA FIFPro men's World XI shortlist for the first time in 10 years, the global players' union said on Thursday (Sep 5). Twenty one of the 55 nominees play in the English top-flight, as the Premier League ended La Liga's reign at the top.
* Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert earned the 10th Grand Tour stage victory of his career by winning stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday (Sep 5), whilst Primoz Roglic held on to the red jersey as there was no change in the general classification.
* Ramadan Agab notched a hat-trick as Sudan beat Chad 3-1 away in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday but it was lowly-ranked Somalia who stole the spotlight by defeating Zimbabwe 1-0 to record their first ever World Cup win.
* Almoez Ali grabbed a hat-trick as Qatar started their build-up to the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup in emphatic fashion, routing minnows Afghanistan 6-0 in a joint qualifying Group E clash in Doha on Thursday (Sep 5).
* Brazil coach Tite said Neymar will make a long-awaited return from injury when the South American champions take on Colombia in a friendly in Miami on Friday.
* World Cup winner Diego Maradona has signed a deal with Argentine side Gimnasia y Esgrima, returning to coach in his homeland for the first time since 2010.
