Zidane, 53, reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Federation Francaise de Football to replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the role since 2012.

In that fleeting second, he became the Icarus of myth -- the man who dared to touch the sun with wings of wax.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has called for composure ahead of Italy’s World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday, urging his players to block out the trauma of past failures.

Tottenham on Monday offered their "thoughts and condolences" to interim boss Igor Tudor following the death of his father.

Federico Chiesa has been dropped by Italy after being found not fit to play in the Azzurri's 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off with Northern Ireland, the country's football federation (FIGC) said on Monday.

Coach Nils Nielsen warned Monday that Japan need "different tools" to win next year's Women's World Cup after sweeping to the Asian title with a series of barnstorming performances.

Was the London sky a little grayer that day? Or did the grass at Wembley bend in mourning beneath the weight of a superhuman tragedy?

On Sunday he repeated the trick at Wembley to remind everyone that despite suggestions his powers are on the wane, he remains the master at delivering silverware.

Argentine superstar Messi netted the equalizer off a free kick in the 61st minute and Brazilian defender Micael headed home the game winner in the 74th.

After the Catalan giants edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 earlier on, Madrid ensured the gap to the champions stayed at four points by beating Diego Simeone's side at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Manchester City punished Kepa Arrizabalaga's howler to lift the League Cup as Nico O'Reilly's double sealed a 2-0 win against Arsenal in Sunday's final at Wembley.

Tottenham slipped ever closer to relegation from the Premier League with a 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Sunday as Sunderland stretched their hex over local rivals Newcastle.

Ronald Araujo's first-half header gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at home against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia delivering a standout performance to preserve the Catalan side's lead at the top of LaLiga.

Midfielder Idrissa Gueye said that his Senegal side deserved to be Africa Cup of Nations champions, but he was ready to "hand back the medals" to Morocco if it eases tension between the two countries.

Bangladesh wasted little time getting into rhythm in Vietnam, completing an intense training session on Sunday as they stepped up preparations for their upcoming FIFA international friendly against the hosts.

Only Brazil stand ahead of Germany in terms of FIFA World Cup titles but few nations can match the depth and drama of Germany’s journey to their four crowns.

Pep Guardiola believes Sunday's League Cup final against Arsenal is the acid test of his side's "level" as Manchester City aim to get their season back on track.

Liam Rosenior said Chelsea must "forget the noise" as he battles to save the club's season following Saturday's 3-0 reverse against Everton -- a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot feels no added pressure after his side slipped to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, the first time the Anfield club have lost 10 league games in a season since the 2015-16 campaign.

Serge Gnabry bagged a brace and Harry Kane inched closer to the Bundesliga single-season goals record as Bayern Munich beat Union Berlin 4-0 at home on Saturday.