Edin Dzeko took his goal tally against Viktoria Plzen to eight in five games with a second consecutive hat-trick against the Czech champions as Roma got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 5-0 win.

After slipping to a 3-0 reverse against Real Madrid in their Group G opener, Eusebio Di Francesco s side took charge against Plzen who gave Dzeko the kind of space he has been craving all season as he netted two first-half goals.

The Bosnian striker scored a hat-trick against Plzen in the Europa League in 2016-17 and history repeated itself, but not before he provided a key contribution towards Roma s third, which was scored by Cengiz Under.

Justin Kluivert scored his first goal for the club, stroking the ball home after Under s effort was saved, …

Liverpool boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the WSL with a 4-1 win at Aston Villa.

Goals from Grace Fisk and Sophie Roman Haug put the Reds in control before Sarah Mayling pulled one back from the penalty spot.

But defender Emma Koivisto struck twice in the second half to secure three points for Matt Beard’s side.

What a Finnish

— Liverpool FC Women (@LiverpoolFCW)

Liverpool took the lead after Noelle Maritz gave away a free-kick near the penalty box.

Fuka Nagano played the ball across the face of goal and Fisk’s deflected strike fooled Villa keeper Daphne van Domselaar and found the back of the net.

Villa almost hit straight back but Kenza Dali’s shot was held by Rachael Laws.

Liverpool doubled their le…

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is staying relaxed over the issue of his future following his superb display in Mexico s 0-0 draw with Brazil.

Ochoa pulled off a string of excellent saves as Mexico earned a battling stalemate against the FIFA World Cup hosts in their second game of the tournament.

The 28-year-old is set to be a free agent when his contract with Ajaccio, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, expires at the end of the month.

Liverpool and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Ochoa in the wake of Tuesday s showing, although the shot-stopper has already expressed a desire to remain in the French top flight.

While Ochoa accepts that his performance will have put him firmly in the shop window, he is in no rush to find a new club.

I m…

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has credited coach Diego Simeone with changing the standing of the club.

Simeone s Atletico travel to Barcelona for the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, while they lie six points behind the defending champions in La Liga.

The tie evokes memories of Atleti overcoming Barcelona at the same stage in 2013-14 – the season when they famously secured the Spanish title with a final-day draw at Camp Nou.

Speaking to Al Primer Toque Onda Cero, Cerezo reflected on the shrewd move of bringing Simeone back to a team the Argentina international represented during his playing days.

Cholo [Simeone] has changed the life of Atletico, Cerezo said. It was right to bring him here.

I believe Simeone …

Denmark s Euro 2020 opener against Finland was suspended on Saturday after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during the first half.

The Inter midfielder fell to the ground with no other player around him shortly before half-time in the goalless Group B clash in Copenhagen.

Eriksen s team-mates and referee Anthony Taylor called for immediate help from medical officials, who raced onto the pitch to treat the 29-year-old.

The players formed a protective barrier around Eriksen while efforts were made to resuscitate him.

Players from both teams were in notable distress on the field, as were supporters watching from the stands.

Taylor was seen consulting with both coaches, before the players were led from the pitch at the Parken Stadium in Copenh…

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refuses to speculate on how long he will remain at the Camp Nou after signing a one-year contract extension.

A product of the club s youth academy and a European Cup winner as a player, Guardiola has enjoyed extraordinary success since his promotion from youth coach to first-team manager in 2008.

The 40-year-old won the treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey in his first season in charge and followed it up with a second league title in 2009/10.

Club officials are desperate to tie their prized asset to a long-term deal, but Guardiola insists he will not accept a significantly extended contract while he is still unsure of his own long-term ambitions.

I haven t thought about it, Guardiola said.

If I cou…

Atletico to bid for Vela

Spanish daily newspaper that Atletico Madrid are showing interest in Real Sociedad star Carlos Vela.

Los Colchoneros have seen both Diego Costa and David Villa leave the club, meaning they are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.

And Marca has now suggested that Atletico officials have made Real Sociedad s Carlos Vela their number one target.

The same source has learned that the Mexican has informed the club chiefs that it would be very difficult for him to reject an offer from Vicente Calderon.

Reaching an agreement over the transfer fee could prove to be difficult, with Atletico set to start the bidding at €10 million.

Carlos Vela has largely impressed in Spanish La Liga having joined from Arsenal, …

Kenny Lowe will remain coach of Perth Glory for the next three seasons, the A-League club announced on Tuesday. 

Tuesday s two-year extension means Lowe who was appointed on a full-time basis at the start of the 2014-15 campaign is set to be become Glory s longest-serving coach.

Lowe s new deal will see him through until the end of the 2018-19 season.

I am humbled, honoured and excited that [owner] Tony [Sage] and [chief executive] Peter [Filopoulos] have shown trust and faith in me to be here for two more seasons after the current campaign, the 54-year-old Lowe said.

I am looking forward to the challenge of developing a long-term strategy of continued growth throughout the club from grassroots all the way up to the first team.

Lowe guided…

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has withdrawn from the France squad for their opening European Championship qualifiers because of a knee problem.

Martial felt severe pain in his right knee after United s FA Cup defeat to Wolves on Saturday and conversations between the Premier League club and France s team doctor Franck Le Gall have led to his omission.

Atletico Madrid s Thomas Lemar replaces him in the squad for the games with Moldova and Iceland.

The world champions begin their Group H campaign in Chisinau on Friday before hosting Iceland at the Stade de France in a repeat of the Euro 2016 quarter-final the following Monday.

. doit déclarer forfait pour le rassemblement qui débute demain.
Didier Deschamps a décidé d’appeler Thomas Lem…

Declan Rice saluted another incredible night for our academy after a much-changed West Ham stormed to a 3-0 victory over FCSB in the Europa Conference League.
The Hammers became the first side to progress from the group stage with a 100 per cent record, thanks to Pablo Fornal s double and a Joyskim Dawa own goal.
With qualification already secured, David Moyes handed starting debuts to youth graduates Oliver Scarles and Divin Mubama, who played a crucial role before the own goal, while Kaelan Casey and Kamarai Swyer also made their senior bows from the bench.
Club captain Rice, who himself came through the Hammers renowned youth system, was left out of the matchday squad, but posted on social media: Another incredible night for our Academy.

Another incredible night for our Academy.…