The familiar big names were all successful on Tuesday as the likes of Algeria, Ivory Coast and Nigeria all advanced in the African section of World Cup qualification.

Algeria, who reached the last 16 in Brazil last year before being beaten by eventual champions Germany, were the most emphatic winners of the day as they trounced Tanzania 7-0.

After a 2-2 draw in the second-round first leg, Christian Gourcuff s side brushed aside their opponents in Blida Faouzi Ghoulam and Islam Slimani netting braces while there were further goals from Yacine Brahimi, Riyad Mahrez and Carl Medjani.

Ivory Coast were also comfortable winners, adding to their 1-0 first-leg lead over Liberia with a 3-0 success thanks to Giovanni Sio s brace and one from Jean Seri.

Egypt ove…

Highly-rated Swedish striker Emil Forsberg could be on his way out of RB Leipzig this summer.

Forsberg has been going from strength to strength over the past couple of years, announcing himself as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

He came a long way since 2015 when he joined a then lowly German outfit RB Leipzig. The Swedish striker had a big hand in helping his club win promotion in 2. Bundesliga when he was voted the Player of the Season, whereas his career really took off last season when RB Leipzig put in an unlikely challenge on a Bundesliga title against Bayern Munich.

Known as a technically gifted player who works hard for his team, Forsberg has managed to established as a recognizable name in European football, alarming the host of contine…

Keylor Navas, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell have all been named in Costa Rica s final squad for the World Cup.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas played a key role in 2014 as his side surprisingly reached the quarter-final stage, where they were beaten on penalties by Netherlands.

Sporting CP s Ruiz, who is two caps short of a century for his country, and Real Betis forward Campbell are the other most familiar names in Oscar Ramirez s 23-man party.

There are six players from MLS, including Rodney Wallace of New York City and Marco Urena of Los Angeles FC, while Espanyol s Oscar Duarte and Deportivo La Coruna s Celso Borges are included.

Costa Rica face Serbia, Brazil and Switzerland in Group E of the tournament in Russia.

¡Listos para escribir una nueva…

Naby Keita hopes his patience pays off as he prepares to officially become a Liverpool player on Sunday.

While his transfer from RB Leipzig was confirmed last August, the Guinea midfielder will finally join the Premier League side on July 1 ahead of the start of pre-season training.

Keita was a transfer target for Liverpool a year ago and had to watch on from afar as Jurgen Klopp s squad not only secure a second successive top-four finish in the Premier League, but also reached the Champions League final.

The 23-year-old admitted he became  motivated to make the move to Anfield after discussions with Klopp and Sadio Mane, who will miss his new team-mate s first day due to Senegal s presence at the World Cup.

When you see how they performed las…

First Romelu Lukaku. Now Alexis Sanchez?

Lukaku left Manchester United for Inter and former team-mate Sanchez could join the powerhouse Belgian in Milan.

Antonio Conte s Inter are set to be active before the transfer window closes.

TOP STORY – SANCHEZ SET FOR INTER

Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez has agreed terms with Inter, according to Sky Italia.

Sanchez has endured a nightmare spell since joining United from Premier League rivals Arsenal in 2018, managing just five goals in all competitions.

Inter Milan s representatives are in the UK to hold talks with Manchester United over the transfer of Alexis Sanchez, according to Sky in Italy.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews)

While United manager Ole …

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah have all been nominated for the 2021 The Best FIFA Men s Player award.

Chelsea midfielders Jorginho and N Golo Kante, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are also on the shortlist.

Borussia Dortmund s Erling Haaland, Manchester City s Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid s Karim Benzema complete the 11-man list.

There are seven nominees for the Best FIFA Men s Coach prize, including City boss Pep Guardiola and Italy coach Roberto Mancini, who led his side to Euro 2020 glory.

Hansi Flick is nominated after significant success with Bayern before taking the Germany job, along with Chelsea s Thomas Tuchel, Atletico Madrid s Diego Simeone and new Tottenham …

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Mason Greenwood is reaping the rewards of his hard work on the training ground after helping Manchester United to a 3-1 win over Burnley.

The England international scored twice in Sunday s clash at Old Trafford, either side of a James Tarkowski equaliser, as United made it five Premier League victories in a row.

It is the third league game running Greenwood has scored in and takes his tally in the competition to 15, making him United s joint-top scoring teenager alongside Wayne Rooney.

Greenwood s opener was a well-taken first-time finish and the second saw the academy product cut in from the right and fire in a deflected shot six minutes from time.

15 Mason Greenwood is now the joint-top scoring teenager in Premier League histor…

Carlos Gurpegi has extended his contract with Athletic Bilbao by a further 12 months the club have announced.

The 33-year-old has been a member of Bilbao s first-team squad since 2002, and was handed his debut by Jupp Heynckes in a 5-2 defeat at Villarreal in March of the same year.

Gurpegi was banned for two-years in November 2003 after testing positive for nandrolone, the ban was initially suspended but his appeal was ultimately unsuccessful and the sentence was served from July 2006.

But he returned in April 2008 and has re-established himself as a regular member of Bilbao s starting XI.

Gurpegi has started every game for Ernesto Valverde s outfit this term, making 13 appearances in total to help the club to fifth place.

A statement on the club s website…

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Colorado Rapids defender Auston Trusty.

The United States Under-20 international, who has made 41 appearances for the Rapids, will remain on loan with the MLS club until July 17.

Arsenal then intend to loan the 23-year-old out to a European team for the 2022-23 campaign to further his development.

The transfer, which remains subject to the completion of regulatory processes, was confirmed by Arsenal and Colorado – both owned by Stan Kroenke – on Monday.

Trusty made 33 appearances for the Rapids during the 2021 regular season and led the team for minutes played with 2,970.

The tall centre-back chipped in with one goal and three assists, while also ranking joint-fifth for interceptions in MLS last season with …

Nuremberg have completed the signing of Makoto Hasebe from Bundesliga rivals Wolfsburg.

The Japan international moves to the Grundig Stadion on a three-year contract, having been at Wolfsburg for five years following his switch from Urawa Red Diamonds.

Hasebe made 134 appearances during his time at Wolfsburg, scoring five goals as well as helping his side to the Bundesliga title in 2009.

According to Nuremberg s director of sports and public relations Martin Bader, the 29-year-old will help to fill the void left by the departure of Timmy Simons, who returned to Club Brugge during the close-season.

He told the club s official site: We had Makoto Hasebe identified early as a suitable solution. That it ultimately took a bit longer, is due to the high standing he …