UEFA Death group and all groups impacts

Manchester City will meet Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League following the draw in Monaco.

City were the only English club not among the top seeds for the draw, as Roberto Mancini's side still have a relatively low UEFA co-efficient, and they will face Jose Mourinho's nine-times European champions Real, German champions Borussia Dortmund and Dutch league winners Ajax Amsterdam.
"I think it is the hardest group of them all with the champions of Spain, the Netherlands and Germany," Manchester City club ambassador Patrick Vieira said.
"But this is what the Champions League is all about. You have to play these teams and beat them if you want to win it. And we want to win it."
Chelsea, the defending European champions, also have a tough-looking task in Group E along with former winners Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine and Danish newcomers FC Nordsjaelland
Manchester United and Arsenal have more straightforward groups. The Gunners are in Group B with Schalke, Olympiacos and Montpellier, while Sir Alex Ferguson's United will take on Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj in Group H.
There are a couple of glamour ties in prospect for Celtic in Group G - Barcelona are in the group along with Benfica and Spartak Moscow.
Bayern Munich, who lost to Chelsea in last season's Champions League final and were runners-up to Dortmund in the Bundesliga, will face Valencia, Lille and BATE Borisov of Belarus in Group F.
The competition gets underway on September 18/19.
The draw in full:
Group A: Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris Saint-Germain, Dinamo Zagreb
Group B: ARSENAL, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier
Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga
Group D: Real Madrid, MANCHESTER CITY, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund
Group E: CHELSEA, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Nordsjaelland
Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov
Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic
Group H: MANCHESTER UNITED, Braga, Galatasaray, Cluj

Clint Dempsey agrees Tottenahm deal

Tottenham sealed a shock deadline-day move for Fulham forward Clint Dempsey as they also signed France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and sold Rafael van der Vaart.

 

On Saturday morning Tottenham also confirmed that winger Aaron Lennon has signed a new contract which commits him to the club until 2016.
"We are delighted to announce we have reached agreement with Fulham for the transfer of Clint Dempsey," Spurs said on their website.
The 29-year-old had been strongly linked by the media with a move to Liverpool following his 17-goal haul in the Premier League last season but the Anfield club failed to meet Fulham's transfer evaluation.
Dempsey joined Fulham in 2007 from New England Revolution, scoring 60 goals in 224 appearances for the Craven Cottage team.
Earlier in the evening, Spurs agreed to pay Lyon a fee of £10 million for France number one Lloris, plus possible add-ons worth £5m.
"Lloris has signed a four-year contract," Lloris's former club Lyon said on their official website.
Lloris, 25, who has won 38 caps and featured at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, joined Lyon in 2008 from Nice.
He won Ligue 1's best keeper award in 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Midfielder Van der Vaart, 29, previously played at Hamburg from 2005 to 2008 before leaving to spend two seasons each at Real Madrid and Tottenham.
"I'm enthusiastic that Rafael van der Vaart is playing for HSV again," said Thorsten Fink, favourite to be the first coach to lose his job in the Bundesliga this season. "He will be an important reinforcement for our team."
Van der Vaart, a regular with the Dutch national team for a decade, said on the club's website: "This is a dream for me and my family. I'm looking forward to three great years."
Having finished third, seventh and fourth in the three years Van der Vaart played for them, Hamburg, the only ever-present side in the Bundesliga's 50-season history, narrowly avoided relegation last season as they finished 15th.
They have also made a poor start this term, losing at home to Nuremberg in their Bundesliga opener on Saturday and getting knocked out of the German Cup by third tier Karlsruher the week before.
The news came hours after Van der Vaart was dropped from the Dutch squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Hungary, with coach Louis van Gaal saying he had not played enough club football recently.
Also moving on is defender Danny Rose who has joined Sunderland on a season-long loan while Real Mallorca have agreed to sign Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos on a four-year deal.
Lennon, 25, has played more than 230 matches in all competitions for Spurs since joining from Leeds in 2005.
He has started both Premier League matches for Andre Villas-Boas's side this season.

Man city defeats uninspired QPR

Manchester City went third in the table after beating Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in a match they made far harder than it needed to be.

The meeting between the two sides brought back memories of last season's final day 3-2 classic but City were hoping to avoid the need for such dramatics this time out.
Yaya Toure gave them an early lead and the champions proceeded to completely dominate the first half without being able to double their advantage.
Bobby Zamora then scored a scarcely deserved equaliser in the 59th minute for the visitors from West London but Edin Dzeko, making his first start since March, headed City back in front two minutes later.
City would have been expected to push on from there and kill off the game but instead they tired badly giving a previously laboured QPR side a chance of an unlikely point.
However, despite playing seven summer signings, QPR were similarly uninspired, and Carlos Tevez redirected a mis-hit Edin Dzeko shot into the net in stoppage time to wrap up the victory.
An indication of City's early domination was the fact that their opening goal came from what was already their seventh corner of the match in just the 16th minute.
Samir Nasri curled the corner to the back post where Tevez shot against Zamora – the ball then bounced out to Yaya Toure near the penalty spot and the Ivorian fired home the opener.
QPR were completely devoid of ambition in the first half and just sat back in numbers hoping that City wouldn't break them down.
Roberto Mancini's men had a number of chances but it was somehow only 1-0 at the break. The closest QPR actually came was a bizarre clearance from halfway back towards his own goal by Jack Rodwell that sailed just over.
The second-half followed a similar patter and Pablo Zabaleta was desperately unlucky not to score in the 52th minute when, after been slipped in by a cute David Silva pass, he curled a great effort off the underside of the crossbar.
Then QPR scored completely against the run of play in the 59th minute. Andy Johnson nicked David Silva in possession and ran into the box; he fired a shot on goal that took a deflection and Joe Hart did superbly well to save it, however, he could only put it into the path of Johnson's former Fulham team-mate Zamora who nodded home a header from two yards.
That seemed to wake up City though who had the lead again just two minutes later.
Tevez was again involved as he reacted quickly to a fizzed ball by Aleksandar Kolarov into the box to push the ball forward with his right foot before pulling back a cross with his left from the end-line that landed perfectly on Dzeko's head, allowing the big striker to nod home from close range.
However, after that City got sloppy again and seemed to tire badly. New signing Esteban Granero was having a decent game for QPR in midfield and the booked Kolarov was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after barging into Anton Ferdinand and then his replacement Nedum Onuoha.
QPR did create a couple of changes as City looked gassed but they were perhaps unlucky that their two best openings fell to centre back Ryan Nelsen who mis-hit one effort and couldn't get onto the end of another cross that Jolean Lescott had failed to deal with.
Instead it was City who would get the game's fourth goal, as Tevez scored his 50th Premier League goal when he redirected a poor effort from Dzeko past Rob Green.
It was fully deserved, as the Argentine had allowed Yaya Toure to feed the Bosnian by harassing the QPR defenders in possession.
It was again a stoppage time goal from an Argentine against QPR, but while it may not have had the drama of last season's meeting between the sides, and Sergio Aguero's heroics, three points are three points, and once again it was City who took the spoils.

Pazzini hits with hat-trick in the first win for Milan

Pazzini netted only five times for Inter last term, but cut an inspired figure as Milan collected their first league win of the season having lost 1-0 to Sampdoria a week ago at the San Siro in their Serie A opener.
The front man seemed to dive to win his side a penalty on 16 minutes after having his shirt tugged by Nicolo Cherubin, but picked himself up off the deck to slam the penalty low and hard to the right that left Bologna keeper Federico Agliardi with no chance.
Bologna - inspired by the outstanding Alessandro Diamanti throughout the evening - were rewarded for a period of sustained exuberance when they deservedly equalised on 41 minutes.
Antonio Nocerino inexplicably decked Diamanti as he bounded away from goal on the edge of the box. The referee correctly pointed to the spot as Diamanti - who scored the clinching penalty that sent England tumbling out of Euro 2012 - swept the ball home in the Bologna rain.
The game swung from end to end in the second period, but MIlan plunged a dagger into the heart of the home side when Agliardi dropped Luca Antonini's deflected cross on 77 minutes enabling Pazzini to sweep the ball into the net from close range.
Pazzini finished matters off on 85 minutes with a delightful backheel finish inside the Bologna box from a Nocerino strike that was clearly heading wide of goal to thrill the band of travelling fans.
Nigel De Jong made his debut for Milan as a second-half substitute and was booked for a late challenge while Bojan Krkic was also wheeled on for the closing moments of a win that will probably be of some relief to head coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The 3-1 scoreline probably flattered Milan, but all that matters are the three points.
There was an easier win for Torino, who brushed aside 10-man Pescara 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico with Alessandro Sgrigna (34), Matteo Brighi (59) and Rolando Bianchi (62) on target for the home side.
The floodgates appeared to open after Christian Terlizzi was sent off on the 27th minute after fouling Bianchi to concede a penalty. Mattia Perin dived to his right to save Bianchi's penalty, but it was not to make a difference to the one-sided nature of the contest.

All Transfers 2012 in all leagues

We round up every transfer made on a hectic deadline day in England and Scotland, with Tottenham and Manchester City among the most active clubs.

Charlie Adam - Liverpool to Stoke (£5m)
Patrick Agyemang - QPR to Stevenage (free)
Efe Ambrose – Ashdod to Celtic (undisclosed)
Joey Barton - QPR to Marseille (loan)
Yossi Benayoun - Chelsea to West Ham (loan)
Nicklas Bendtner - Arsenal to Juventus (loan)
Dale Bennett – Watford to AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Christian Benteke - Genk to Aston Villa (undisclosed)
Dimitar Berbatov - Manchester United to Fulham (undisclosed)
Federico Bessone - Swansea to Swindon (free)
Andre Blackman – Celtic to Inverness (loan)
Romauld Boco – Sligo to Accrington (undisclosed)
Carlos Bocanegra - Rangers to Racing Santander (loan)
Cian Bolger - Leicester to Bristol Rovers (loan)
Jay Bothroyd - QPR to Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Jordan Bowery - Chesterfield to Aston Villa (£500,000)
Benjamin Buchel - USV Eschen to Bournemouth (free)
Paul Caddis - Swindon to Birmingham (loan)
Nathaniel Chalobah - Chelsea to Watford (loan)
Scott Christie (Borrowstounness to Hamilton (undisclosed)
Giles Coke -(Sheffield Wednesday to Swindon (loan)
James Coppinger - Doncaster to Nottingham Forest (loan)
Cody Cropper – Southampton (free agent)
Lorenzo Davids - Augsburg to Bournemouth (free)
Nigel de Jong - Manchester City to AC Milan (undisclosed)
Damien Delaney - Ipswich to Crystal Palace (free)
Nathan Delfouneso - Aston Villa to Blackpool (loan)
Clint Dempsey - Fulham to Tottenham (£6m)
Ashkan Dejagah - Wolfsburg to Fulham (undisclosed)
Stephen Dobbie - Swansea to Brighton (undisclosed)
Giovani dos Santos - Tottenham to Real Mallorca (undisclosed)
Paul Dummett - Newcastle to St Mirren (loan)
Nathan Eccleston - Liverpool to Blackpool (undisclosed)
Maurice Edu - Rangers to Stoke (undisclosed)
Johnny Ertl - Sheffield United to Portsmouth (free)
Michael Essien - Chelsea to Real Madrid (loan)
Kane Ferdinand - Southend to Peterborough (£200,000)
George Francomb - Norwich to AFC Wimbledon (loan)
Javi Garcia - Benfica to Manchester City (£16m)
Roman Golobart - Wigan to Tranmere (loan)
Bobby Grant - Scunthorpe to Rochdale (undisclosed)
Nuno Henrique - AD Fafe to Blackburn (undisclosed)
Pablo Hernandez - Valencia to Swansea (£5.55m)
Iain Hume - Preston to Doncaster (loan)
Mike Jones - Sheffield Wednesday to Crawley (undisclosed)
Gael Kakuta - Chelsea to Vitesse Arnhem (loan)
Matthew Kennedy - Kilmarnock to Everton (nominal fee)
Hugo Lloris - Lyon to Tottenham (£12m)
Dani Lopez – Stevenage (free agent)
David Lopez - Athletic Bilbao to Brighton (free)
Alex MacDonald - Burnley to Plymouth (loan)
Sam Magri - Portsmouth to QPR (free)
Maicon - Internazionale to Manchester City (undisclosed)
Stephane Mbia - Marseille to QPR (undisclosed)
Miku - Getafe to Celtic (loan)
David McGoldrick - Nottingham Forest to Coventry (loan)
Daryl Murphy - Celtic to Ipswich (loan)
Matija Nastasic - Fiorentina to Manchester City (£10m)
Steven Nzonzi - Blackburn to Stoke (undisclosed)
Michael O'Halloran - Bolton to Carlisle (loan)
Andrea Orlandi - Swansea to Brighton (undisclosed)
Bryan Oviedo - Copenhagen to Everton (£5m)
Park Chu-Young - Arsenal to Celta Vigo (loan)
Matt Parsons - Crystal Palace to Wycombe (loan)
Goran Popov - Dynamo Kiev to West Brom (loan)
Stephen Quinn - Sheffield United to Hull (undisclosed)
Gaston Ramirez - Bologna to Southampton (undisclosed)
Kieran Richardson - Sunderland to Fulham (£2m)
Oliver Risser - Swindon to Stevenage (loan)
Adam Rooney - Birmingham to Swindon (loan)
Diogo Rosado - Sporting Lisbon to Blackburn (undisclosed)
Danny Rose - Tottenham to Sunderland (loan)
Darel Russell - Preston to Portsmouth (free)
Grzegorz Sandomierski - Genk to Blackburn (loan)
Stefan Savic - Manchester City to Fiorentina (exchange)
Billy Sharp - Southampton to Nottingham Forest – (loan)
Scott Sinclair - Swansea to Manchester City (£6.2m)
Jay Spearing - Liverpool to Bolton (loan)
David Stephens - Hibernian to Barnet (free)
Ryan Stevenson - Ipswich to Hearts (free)
Cameron Stewart - Hull to Burnley (loan)
Paul Taylor - Peterborough to Ipswich (undisclosed)
Josh Thompson - Celtic to Portsmouth (free)
Rafael van der Vaart - Tottenham to Hamburg (£10m)
Ashley Westwood - Crewe to Aston Villa (undisclosed)

Injuried Andy Carroll to miss world cup qualifiers

Striker Andy Carroll withdrew from England's squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after injuring his hamstring on his West Ham United debut.

Carroll fell awkwardly after colliding with Fulham centre back Brede Hangeland midway through the second half of West Ham's 3-0 Premier League win at Upton Park.
The pony-tailed front man, who joined the London club on a season-long loan from Liverpool on Thursday, immediately clutched his right hamstring and was substituted.
The Football Association said on its website that Carroll was ruled out of the England matches, adding that any decision to replace him would "not be made until after the three league fixtures on Sunday have been completed".
England, already without injured striker Wayne Rooney, open their Group H campaign in Moldova on Friday before hosting Ukraine four days later.
Carroll made an instant impact for West Ham, flicking on a long ball inside the first minute which led to Kevin Nolan's opening goal.
"He will probably be on our treatment bench for a while. He was injured in a jump with their centre half and he over-extended himself," West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told the BBC.
The 23-year-old Carroll moved to London in search of the form that led Liverpool to pay a club record fee of 35 million pounds ($55.59 million) to Newcastle United for him in January 2011.
Carroll failed to live up to that price tag at Anfield, scoring 11 times, and West Ham have the option of signing him on a permanent deal at the end of the season for an undisclosed fee.

Hugo lloris to English Spurs

Tottenham have completed the signing of Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for a fee of €10million (£7.9million).

The fee could rise to €15million (£11.9million), and the Ligue 1 side also say they are entitled to 20% of profit should he leave White Hart Lane.

The 25-year-old, who is the France captain and has 38 caps to his name, has signed a four-year contract with the Spurs.

Spurs offers Lennon new deal

Tottenham have confirmed winger Aaron Lennon has signed a new contract which commits him to the club until 2016.

The 25-year-old has played more than 230 matches in all competitions for Spurs since joining from Leeds in 2005.

He has started both Barclays Premier League matches for Andre Villas-Boas' side this season.

Javi Garcia officially to Man city

Spain international Javi Garcia has signed for reigning Premier League champions Manchester City for a fee of €20.1million (£16m) from Portuguese giants Benfica.

Garcia brings extensive experience of the Champions League with him to Manchester, having made his competition debut for Real Madrid back in 2005.

A defensive midfielder by trade, the 25-year-old has been capped by the Spanish national team once, in a friendly against Serbia earlier this year.

Garcia began his career with Madrid, representing the Primera Division side's B team 86 times before graduating to the first team.

He won the European U19 Championships with his country, playing alongside Juan Mata and Gerard Pique as they defeated Scotland in the final in Poland.

Falcao defeated Chelsea in Super Cup

Falcao netted a first-half hat-trick as Atletico Madrid defeated Chelsea 4-1 to win the European Super Cup in Monaco.

 The Colombian striker punished a defence missing the suspended John Terry and on three occasions struck with his left foot to put the game beyond doubt by the break after a sizzling series of counter-attacks by his side.

Brazilian defender Miranda headed in a fourth in a second half which featured a more assured Chelsea performance. Gary Cahill’s consolation strike with 15 minutes remaining was all that Roberto di Matteo’s side could muster.

Atletico’s success added to their Super Cup triumph of two years ago, the Spanish side beating Internazionale on that occasion.

Chelsea were on the ropes within minutes of the whistle; the incisiveness of Atletico midfielder Gabi’s passing matched by the clever movement of Adrian and Arda Turan.

All three were involved in Falcao’s opener, which came after seven minutes. As Arda and Adrian drew away Chelsea’s full-backs, Gabi threaded a neat through-ball into the area with Falcao clipping a left-footed shot over Petr Cech’s body and watching his effort glance off the post and into the back of the net.

The Colombian, who had already hit the bar before opening the scoring, was at it again 12 minutes later with his most impressive goal of the night as he beat Cech with a deft chip from the edge of the box, hitting the ball with his left toe as Cahill and the wayward David Luiz backed away.

Chelsea looked shell-shocked for much of the half, and could not muster a serious goal-bound effort despite the presence of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres and maintaining 58 per cent of the first-half possession.

Hazard succeeded only in winning a few free-kicks, but in his efforts to win one with a minute of the opening half remaining, he inadvertently let Atletico away with a break that led to Falcao’s third.

In a move indicative of Atletico’s sensational counter-attacking, Arda was left on the edge of Chelsea’s box with a multitude of passing options and nobody closing him down. He chose Falcao, who beat Branislav Ivanovic to the ball and poked in his third of the night and 42nd in just 53 games for Atletico.

Falcao, who received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Emre with four minutes remaining, was simply unplayable and added to his hat-trick of just five days earlier against Athletic Bilbao.

A combination of a dressing room dressing-down from  di Matteo at half-time and Atletico’s willingness to sit on their advantage and break when necessary allowed Chelsea back into the game after the break.

The introduction of Oscar in place of Ramires was instrumental in their renaissance; the young Brazilian did not look at all over-awed by the occasion.

Afforded more time and space than before, the dynamic Hazard surged into the box on numerous occasions, although his efforts rarely did more than win his side corners.

His strike partner Torres – still revered by Atletico fans following a six-year stint at the Stadio Vicente Calderon earlier in his career – went close with a scuffed shot from the edge of the box that drew a save out of the Spanish side’s on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

But it was defender Cahill who eventually did register a strike for the Champions League winners when the Englishman poked home a loose ball from inside the box after he and two Atletico defenders had failed to attack Frank Lampard’s corner.

By that time, however, Miranda had already added a fourth for Atletico; the Brazilian tapping in from close range after the excellent Mario Suarez had mis-hit his shot from eight yards out.

Di Matteo’s men, who have a 100 per cent record in the Premier League this season, would do well to wipe this one from memory. Their next opponents - Queens Park Rangers – certainly won’t pose quite such a stiff test of their resolve.

Essien on loan from Chelsea to Madrid

Real Madrid have agreed to take Ghana midfielder Michael Essien on loan from Chelsea for the rest of the season,

 The 29-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyon in 2005, links up again with former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho.

The combative midfielder has won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League at the London club.

Essien did not feature when Champions League winners Chelsea were thumped 4-1 by Atletico Madrid in the European Super Cup in Monaco on Friday.

Chelsea also sent out two fringe players on loan on deadline day, with Gael Kakuta and Nathaniel Chalobah joining Vitesse Arnhem and Watford respectively.

The 21-year-old Kakuta has been unable to establish himself at Stamford Bridge despite high expectations when he arrived as a teenager from Lens in 2007.

Kakuta, whose Chelsea deal runs until 2015, has subsequently been farmed out on loan to Fulham and Bolton before returning to France with Dijon during the latter part of last season.

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola has raided his former club to sign versatile youngster Chalobah on loan until January.

The defender-come-midfielder, 17, captained the Blues to FA Youth Cup success last term and has also skippered the Premier League club's reserve side on a regular basis.

Chalobah, an England Under-19 international, is yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea but has been an unused substitute.

Andy Caroll to West ham as loan

 

 England forward signs for Hammers on season-long loan from Liverpool

England forward Andy Carroll has joined West Ham United on a season-long loan deal from Liverpool.

The 23-year-old, who on Thursday was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine, agreed a move to Upton Park after holding talks with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

Carroll said: "It's great to be here at West Ham and all signed up - I just can't wait to get started now.

"I want to be playing games and obviously hoping to score some goals.

“I know the manager well and some of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know people.

"I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and create a few chances. I know Sam from Newcastle and he was a massive reason for me coming.

“When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great so it was a no-brainer really."

Allardyce added: "I think for all parties this is a great signing. Andy is an all-round footballer, but because he is 6ft 3in and one of his strengths is his aerial power, everybody dismisses the ability he possesses on the floor.

"Hopefully he can score goals for us and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the Premier League."

Carroll joined Liverpool in a club record £35million deadline day deal in January 2011. He scored nine goals for the Reds last season but did not command a regular starting place.

However, he began to impress towards the end of the campaign and shone at Euro 2012 with the Three Lions, scoring a header in the 3-2 win over Sweden.

Tickets are still on sale for England's match against Ukraine at Wembley on 11 September, so make sure you're here for the first competitive home match of Hodgson's era.

Iniesta The Best player in Europe for 2011-2012

Iniesta wins the best player award in Europe in the season 2011/2012 and beaten Cristiano Ronaldo who came the second after iniesta

USA bites Mexico at the last minutes

Michael Orozco scored a late winner as the United States upset Mexico 1-0 in a stirring friendly to register their first win away to their arch-rivals.

Orozco's 80th-minute goal was complemented by a pair of fine saves by US goalkeeper Tim Howard in the last 10 minutes to secure victory at Mexico City's intimidating Azteca stadium.

US coaches hugged on the sideline on the final whistle while American players dropped to their knees in celebration.

"It was a fantastic team performance," US manager Jurgen Klinsmann said.

"Getting that win here, it's quite enjoyable. I think it's huge for all American fans and for the team. We were well aware we'd never won at Azteca stadium."

Facing a dangerous attack led by striker Javier Hernandez, the US surrendered possession for most of the match and appeared content to escape with a draw.

But the game turned when Brek Shea made a surprise run on the left wing and played a ball that was back-heeled by Terrance Boyd and knocked in goal by Orozco.

Mexico entered the match with a 23-0-1 home record against the Americans whose previous best result on Mexican soil was 0-0 in 1998.

The US's triumph was built on a watertight defence that nullified the hosts' relentless attacking.

Mexico finished with 19 shots on goal to the visitors' seven, and enjoyed the lion's share of possession.

Hernandez came close to breaking US hearts in the 88th minute with a spectacular header, but Howard saved it to bring the Mexicans back to earth after their Olympic team's gold medal triumph at the London Games last week.

Brazil beat Sweden

Two goals from substitute Alexandre Pato helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Sweden in the final international game at Stockholm's Rasunda stadium on Wednesday.

After losing the Olympic final to Mexico last Saturday, Brazil returned to the stadium where a 17-year-old Pele had inspired them to their first World Cup in 1958 and were dominant against the Swedes.

"We needed to give a strong answer and I think we did that," Brazil coach Mano Menezes told a news conference. "We created a lot of chances and scored three goals. It was a fair result."

Pele, watching from the stands, was welcomed back to Stockholm with open arms but Santos forward Neymar was given a harder time of it as the Swedes sought to get to grips with his incisive dribbling and passing.

The 20-year-old had already had a goal disallowed for offside by the time he drifted in and launched a deft cross for fellow forward Leandro Damiao to head home to open the scoring.

He continued to torment the Swedish defenders until he was substituted late in the second half but there was to be no respite as Pato netted two goals in three minutes.

Pato doubled the lead in the 85th minute when he headed home from close range after good work by Dani Alves.

The AC Milan striker then converted a penalty two minutes later after being brought down in the area.

Without injured captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden gave away possession too easily and wasted the few chances they did manage to create.

Sweden coach Erik Hamren was left to rue his side's rush to clear their lines, saying "it (the ball) was a little hot out there today."

Deschamps lead France draw with Uruguay

 France drew 0-0 with Uruguay in their first international under new coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday.

Deschamps, captain of the team that won the 1998 World Cup, took over from Laurent Blanc after France lost to eventual champions Spain in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

None of the four France players - Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yann M'vila - accused of misbehaviour at Euro 2012 were included in Deschamps' squad for the friendly in Le Havre.

But Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who will have to face a judge to answer claims that they paid for sex with a minor, played and Benzema had an encouraging game before being substituted after an hour.

France began fluently with Benzema playing with Olivier Giroud up front.

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, making his debut in central defence, had a fine effort following a corner saved by Fernando Muslera, and the Uruguay goalkeeper was soon in action again to turn away a Benzema header.

Uruguay, without Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, struggled to get out of their half for long periods with France enjoying the lion's share of possession, but the defence of the Copa America champions kept its shape.

France were more incisive after half-time and Muslera kept out a shot from Mathieu Valbuena before Benzema crashed a volley against Uruguay's left-hand post with the keeper beaten.

A rare Uruguay attack sparked by Diego Forlan forced Hugo Lloris, France's captain, to save from Sebastian Abreu with his feet before Muslera denied Bafetimbi Gomis with a flying save after the French substitute shot from outside the area.

Van Gaal takes painful start with Belgium

 Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal started his second spell in charge with a painful 4-2 defeat by neighbours Belgium in a friendly international on Wednesday.

Van Gaal chose Klaas Jan Huntelaar as his first-choice striker and kept Robin van Persie on the bench, while right back Ricardo van Rhijn was the only new name from the team that lost all three group stage matches at Euro 2012.

"Despite a poor first half performance in ball possession we created six chances," Van Gaal told SBS6-TV.

"Second half we started well with a well-executed building game.

"The personal foul (of Nigel de Jong) was crucial as we were in control and not only conceded the equaliser but also allowed Belgium back in the match."

With a 4-3-3 starting formation and one holding midfielder in Nigel de Jong, the Dutch made a stuttering start and fell behind after 20 minutes when Kevin Mirallas set up Belgium striker Christian Benteke to open the scoring.

Despite creating several chances before the break, the Dutch had to wait till nine minutes into the second half for the equaliser when 20-year-old left back Bruno Martins Indi launched Arjen Robben who set up Luciano Narsingh to score.

A minute later Martin Indi connected with Robben again and the winger found Huntelaar who put the Dutch ahead.

But between the 75th and 80th minutes the young Dutch defence collapsed under the pressure of the passionate Belgian attack.

First De Jong failed to control the ball and lost it to Dries Mertens who equalised and he set up Romelu Lukaku a minute later.

Central defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the Dutch side's fourth straight defeat, their first four-match losing streak since 1954, from a pass by Mertens.

The Netherlands start their World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign on September 7 at home against Turkey, while Belgium travel Wales.

Messi punished 10-man Germany

Lionel Messi made up for missing a first-half penalty by inspiring Argentina to a comfortable 3-1 victory over 10-man Germany in Frankfurt.

Messi scored, hit the post and terrorised Germany’s defence in a way that only he can as his side made full use of their numerical advantage during the final hour to end up winners of a match that threatened to go the other way early on.

Angel Di Maria, whose cross had led to Sami Khedira’s own goal in first-half stoppage time, added the third, while Benedikt Hoewedes pulled one pack for Germany late on.

It was only once former Manchester United goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler saw red for a foul on Jose Sosa after half an hour that the game began to develop a pattern.

Zieler’s dismissal meant a second cap for Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and the unenviable task of facing a Messi penalty within seconds of coming on for Thomas Mueller.

Ter Stegen did the unthinkable by falling low to his left and smothering the ball after what had been a very weak strike by Messi’s standards, the World Player of the Year even managing to stutter during his run-up.

It was just the confidence-booster that the youngster needed as he saw far more of the ball within five minutes than Zieler had in his half-hour on the pitch. The tide was turning in Argentina’s favour though, with Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano dictating most of the play from midfield as his side’s extra man began to count.

Germany still looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with veteran striker Miroslav Klose failing to get his right boot to a beautifully-weighted cross from Marcel Schmelzer with goalkeeper Sergio Romero easily beaten. The German captain had earlier set-up Mesut Ozil with a near-post chance after some fabulous interplay with Marco Reus on the left wing.

Despite having the greater amount of possession in the final 15 minutes of the first half, there was more than a touch of good fortune about Argentina’s opener as Di Maria’s near-post cross cruelly deflected past Ter Stegen off the knee of Khedira.

Had Gonzalo Higuain, who ended the game with a bandaged head and strapped knee, volleyed in an early far-post chance, then the scoreline might have looked more impressive by the break. As it was, Argentina saved their best until the second half.

First Messi doubled his side’s advantage, calmly slotting home from the edge of the box after receiving Higuain’s low cross, and then he set about pestering the German defence relentlessly, with a series of jinking runs forcing Ter Stegen to stay alert for the rest of the match.

A wonderful back-heeled pass to Higuain should have resulted in a third goal, but the latter’s chipped shot beat not only Ter Stegen, but the far post as well. There was to be another goal from the feet of a Real Madrid player though when Di Maria’s first-time shot from 30 yards rocketed into the net.

Germany’s consolation came in the shape of a lively performance from substitute Andre Schuerrle, and the Chelsea target supplied the cross for Hoewedes to head home his first international goal.

It could have been even closer though had Khedira not strayed offside three minutes after the break before setting-up Ozil for a near-post finish. Had Ozil’s finish, which came shortly after Reus’s shot had cannoned off the post, evened up the scoreline, the outcome could have been different.

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella will have learnt little from the victory, but the result itself will have instilled a confidence in his side, that did not appear evident at kick-off, ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay.

There should be no panic from Joachim Loew either: the performances of Schuerrle, Reus and Schmelzer, in particular, giving him reason to have high expectations for his young squad.

Defoe takes England away of Italy

 Jermain Defoe's sumptuous late winner handed England a 2-1 international friendly victory over Italy in Berne on Wednesday and a modicum of revenge for their Euro 2012 quarter-final penalty shootout loss to the Azzurri.

Substitute Defoe, netting for the 16th time in 49 internationals, capped a rapid counter-attack 11 minutes from time when he curled in from just outside the penalty area.

It was England's first victory over Italy since 1997 and came little over seven weeks since Cesare Prandelli's side beat England 4-2 on spot kicks in Kiev after a goalless 120 minutes.

Both sides were unrecognisable from that June 24 meeting, fielding young and experimental sides before the serious business of 2014 World Cup qualifying starts next month.

Captain Daniele De Rossi headed Italy in front after 15 minutes when he met an inswinging corner from Alessandro Diamanti and powerfully headed past debutant goalkeeper Jack Butland into the roof of the net.

Butland, 19, became the youngest keeper to play for England despite never having played in the country's top two divisions.

England hit back 12 minutes later from another set piece, defender Phil Jagielka ignoring the attentions of Federico Balzaretti to stoop to head in Frank Lampard's corner for his first international goal.

"It was great to be able to give some of the senior players a rest and to be able to blood some new players, some fresh talent and they answered the challenge in the best possible way with a great victory," England manager Roy Hodgson told ITV.

"I don't think there was a great difference between what we did in the Euros and what we did tonight. Perhaps we just played with that little bit more composure."

As well as Butland, Hodgson blooded midfielder Tom Cleverley and handed debuts after the break to keeper John Ruddy, defender Ryan Bertrand and midfielder Jake Livermore. Midfielder Michael Carrick also made his first international start since 2010.

Italy, beaten by Spain in the final of Euro 2012, handed debuts to strikers Stephan El Shaarawy and Mattia Destro, the latter wasting his own good control from a long ball midway through the first half when he blasted wastefully wide from a good position.

Ruddy, who replaced Butland at halftime, saved well at his near post from Destro and then substitute and fellow debutant Federico Peluso spurned a good chance by shooting wide.

Peluso was almost left red-faced at the other end from James Milner's dangerous cross but flailing keeper Salvatore Sirigu prevented an own goal.

Bertrand had an immediate impact when he was in the right place on the goalline to clear and from the breakaway England struck.

James Milner led the counter-attack and his swift pass found Defoe on the edge of the box. With his back to Ignazio Abate, the striker swivelled and rifled in a fierce shot that thundered past Sirigu.

Messi got Germany in his pocket

 Lionel Messi made light of a first-half penalty miss as he began the season with a typically exuberant display to help Argentina outclass Germany 3-1 in a friendly where everything went wrong for the hosts.

Messi, out of the limelight during Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games, clearly relished being back on centre stage against as Argentina came close to avenging their 4-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat two years ago.

He scored Argentina's second and was twice within centimetres of adding more goals, causing mayhem in the German defence every time he was given the ball.

Messi, until recently accused by some Argentine critics of saving his best for Barcelona, has scored in his last five internationals, including hat-tricks against Switzerland and Brazil.

Argentina themselves have lost only once in 12 outings since Alejandro Sabella replaced Sergio Batista as coach one year ago.

Germany, on the other hand, will face more questions as the defeat came less than two months after their shock semi-final loss to Italy in Euro 2012.

Germany had begun brightly and could have taken the lead before the game turned in the 31st minute when goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler upended Jose Sand, conceded a penalty and was sent off.

His replacement Marc-Andre ter Stegen, playing his second international, saved Messi's weakly struck spot-kick, but it was only the beginning of Germany's troubles.

The Germans, who had already lost Mats Hummels in a clash of heads with Gonzalo Higuain, then conceded an own goal in first-half injury time when Sami Khedira turned Angel Di Maria's corner into his own goal.

Playing with a man down against an attack feature Di Maria, Messi and Higuain was clearly a hopeless task and Argentina compounded their misery by bringing on Sergio Aguero at halftime.

To prove it was not their evening, Germany forward Marco Reus shot against the post early in the second half and, although Khedira had the ball in the net from the rebound, his effort was disallowed for offside.

MAJESTIC STRIKE

After Messi swept home Higuain's cutback with a majestic left-foot strike in the 51st minute, it became a case of how many Argentina would score.

Sabella recognised that the penalty was the turning point.

"Germany had played better than us up to that point and that completely turned the match in our favour," he said.

"In the second half, Messi combined well with Aguero and that gave us more options against a team in a numerical disadvantage."

Germany coach Joachim Loew added: "When you're down to 10 men for an hour and give away an own goal against some technically very good players, it's very, very difficult to get back into the game again."

The last half hour was purgatory for Germany as Argentina's diminutive forwards pulled them inside out and Germany's only salvation was that Messi missed two chances he would normally have put away.

Messi failed to take advantage of his favourite situation when he was sent clean through on goal but sent his characteristic dink wide of the goal, then slipped between two defenders but poked the ball wide again.

In between, Di Maria added the third with a 35-metre drive which left Ter Stegen wrong-footed before Benedikt Hoewedes headed a consolation to make the score more respectable

Spain hits Puerto Rico with Two and wins

World and European champions Spain missed a glut of scoring chances but still completed a 2-1 victory over lowly Puerto Rico in an international friendly at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.

Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas both struck in the opening half as Spain applied continual pressure on the home team's defence and the visitors could have been up by at least five goals instead of just two at half-time.

Cazorla opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, blasting home from long range, and Fabregas followed suit in the 45th minute after a pinpoint cross from the right by Jesus Navas.

However, Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette kept his team in the game with a string of fine saves and they eventually scored their only goal, against the run of play, in the 65th minute.

Marc Cintron latched on to a long goal kick by Gaudette and, on the break, buried his shot into the net.

Spain, despite playing a team 137 places below them in the FIFA rankings and whose only four previous matches this year have all been against Nicaragua, failed to come really close to adding to the score.

A notable absentee for Spain was Barcelona playmaker Xavi, who suffered from a niggling calf injury last season and was not selected by coach Vicente del Bosque to allow him more time to prepare for the La Liga season.

Juanfran also limped off with an injury.

Spain begin their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil away to Georgia on September 11 and are in a Group I which also features France, Belarus and Finland.

PSG compelled to beat Ajaccio

A scrappy draw in their home opener has left massive French title favourites Paris St Germain already feeling the pressure and a trip to AC Ajaccio on Sunday is hardly the match they would have picked to ease the tension.

The Qatari-backed club have spent millions for a second successive close season but this time have brought in truly top names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva as they try to run away with Ligue 1.

Their resources dwarf even their biggest rivals Marseille and Lyon but their supremacy was not apparent last weekend when they went 2-0 behind at home to modest Lorient only for an Ibrahimovic brace to spare their blushes.

In contrast Ajaccio, backed by their fervent Corsican fans, are on a high after winning 1-0 at Nice in their season opener having clambered to safety last term when relegation seemed almost a certainty.

PSG playmaker Javier Pastore, suspended against Lorient, is likely to return to the line-up on Sunday and is fully aware of what the huge investment at the club means in an otherwise lower profile European league.

"Nowadays we are obliged to win all our matches," the Argentine told the official club website.

"We didn't manage that in our first match but the start of a season is always the most difficult. We need to be calmer, play our game and go to Ajaccio to fight for the title from the start."

Centre--back Thiago Silva, bought from AC Milan along with Ibrahimovic, is set for his debut having turned out for Brazil's Olympic side last weekend.

Other standout games include 2009 champions Bordeaux, who won 3-2 at Evian in their first game, entertaining perennial European hopefuls Rennes on Sunday when Marseille take on Sochaux in Elie Baup's first home game in charge.

The 2010 champions, who endured a dreadful season last term which led to Didier Deschamps quitting for the France job, beat promoted Reims 1-0 on the first weekend.

Lyon are also at home to new boys Troyes on Saturday while champions Montpellier, who stunned PSG and most of European football by taking the title last term, visit Lorient.

Lille, champions two seasons ago and still getting used to life without new Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, welcome Nancy on Friday.

Bayern Munich will support Ribery in under-age sex case

Bayern Munich will support Franck Ribery after he and fellow French international Karim Benzema were sent for trial for allegedly soliciting an under-age prostitute.

Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer apparently told German sports news agency SID that "we will tell him that we stand by him and that he will get our best support".

Ribery, Benzema and seven others have been informed by an investigating magistrate that they will need to stand trial over the allegations which surfaced before the 2010 World Cup finals.

It is alleged that Ribery and Benzema paid a 16-year-old girl for sex after meeting in a Paris bar. The girl said the players were unaware that she was not 18.

Soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute is punishable by up to three years in prison in France with a maximum fine of £35,000.

Ribery's lawyer is astonished by the magistrate's decision after another judge said that the two players had no case to answer.

"This decision is as surprising as it is unfair with regard to the contents of the dossier and the requests of the prosecutor's office. But I remain confident about the outcome of the process," said his lawyer Sophie Botta.

Luka Modric ready to fly to Madrid

Luka Modric is set to fly to Spain on Thursday to finalise his move from Tottenham to Real Madrid, according to media reports.

The Croatia international was linked with a move to Chelsea last summer, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy kept him at the club despite the player's apparent discontent. After four years at White Hart Lane, Modric now looks to be on his way to the Spanish champions, who have pursued the deal with some vigour this summer.

"Daniel Levy promised a year ago that if an offer from Madrid arrived he would let him go," said the Croatian coach Igor Stimac to Spanish newspaper AS.

"And when the offer arrived he changed his opinion. I think that this guy tries to make himself famous in the world of football, but this isn't the way to do it.

"When you promise something you always need to fulfil it. It was the same with (Dimitar) Berbatov before he signed for Manchester United. He went there on August 31."

A figure of £23.6 million has been touted with add ons bringing the total transfer up to around £27.5m.

Modric has never hidden his desire to join Jose Mourinho's side with various media outlets now claiming a deal could be completed before the La Liga season begins this weekend.

New Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas criticised Modric after he did not travel to the United States for the club's pre-season summer tour. The 26-year-old has continued to train away from the rest of the squad, He could now be involved when Real Madrid open their Spanish league campaign against Valencia at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Villas-Boas has strengthened his midfield with the signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson since replacing Harry Redknapp as Tottenham coach. He will have money to spend on new faces before the end of August if Modric moves on with attacking midfielder Joao Moutinho touted with a move to rejoin his former Porto manager in London.

Ajaccio keen to pull off Adrian Mutu deals

French Ligue 1 club Ajaccio are hoping to conclude a deal to sign former Chelsea, Inter and Juventus forward Adrian Mutu.

The Romanian forward is seeking a new club after Cesena were relegated from Serie A last term.

"We have an agreement with Mutu and with his agents,” said Ajaccio president Alain Orsoni.

"Now the player needs to agree terms with Cesena. Mutu, 33, is an excellent attacker and I hope he can wear our colours as soon as possible."

Mutu signed a two-year deal with Cesena last summer after being released by Fiorentina, but must hope his old club agree to a similar agreement as he bids to relaunch his career in France.

Jean Makoun ready for Rennes loan move

Aston Villa have confirmed they are in "advanced talks" with Rennes about midfielder Jean Makoun joining the Ligue 1 side on a season-long loan.

The Cameroon international joined Villa from Lyon during the January 2011 transfer window in a £6 million deal.

However, the 29-year-old struggled to make an impact in the Premier League under then Villa manager Gerard Houllier.

He was loaned out to Greek side Olympiacos last season and now looks set for another temporary switch away from Villa Park.

Villa said in a statement: "Talks are at an advanced stage between Villa and Rennes with a view to Jean Makoun returning to France on a season-long loan."

Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea

Frank Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea but is still waiting for talks to open over his future as he enters the final year of his current contract.

 Midfielder Lampard is delighted to be back in the England set-up after missing the Euro 2012 finals through injury and will skipper the side in Wednesday's friendly international with Italy in Berne.

But at club level the 34-year-old is uncertain of what lies ahead, and said: "We spoke once last season and it was a case of coming back - and it hasn't come back from their end. I don't know (what will happen). At the minute I'm just playing. I'd like to sit down and speak with them. But at the minute I'm playing and it's up to the club to do that."

He went on: "I would like to end my career there. I feel I can play at the top level for a good few more years, but it's whether the club feels the same.

"I know there are a lot of changes at Chelsea. I'd love to be involved, and the youth coming into the squad this year has really freshened up our team.

"I'd love to carry on but it's a club decision to come and sit down with me.

"They used to sit down with me three years before the end of my contract! Now I'm waiting."

Lampard admitted: "People do look at you differently when you get the other side of 30. That's natural. I don't mind that at all.

"I want to keep myself as fit as possible, to live right, and keep my edge so I know I can keep competing at the top.

"That's what drives me on. If I don't feel I can do it, I wouldn't be happy playing football anyway."

Capello starts with Russia draw

Fabio Capello was denied a victory in his first game as Russia coach when a second-half equaliser by midfielder Max Gradel earned Ivory Coast a 1-1 draw in a friendly on Wednesday.

Russia playmaker Alan Dzagoyev put the hosts ahead with a nicely-taken freekick from the edge of the box 10 minutes into the second half.

Italian Capello, who replaced Dutchman Dick Advocaat as Russia boss last month, gave defender Georgy Shchennikov and midfielder Viktor Faizulin their national team debuts while leaving under-fire captain Andrei Arshavin on the sidelines in the first half.

Capello's strategy paid off as the home team dominated before Dzagoyev, Euro 2012 joint top scorer with three goals, gave the Russians a deserved lead on 55 minutes.

The Ivorians, missing six players through injury, were content to play safe in the first half.

They also missed Arsenal striker Gervinho and West Ham United defender Guy Demel because they did not get permission from their English clubs to travel to Russia.

The visitors increased the tempo after falling behind and midfielder Abdul Razack wasted a good chance midway through the second half when he struck the post from close range after a nice feed by Didier Drogba.

Soon after, Gradel headed against the crossbar but followed his own rebound to fire into an empty goal 13 minutes from time with keeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev unable to get off the ground after reacting to the initial shot.

Capello, who was seen grimacing on the bench as the ball trickled into Russia's goal, was nevertheless satisfied with the final outcome.

"It was a tough game but I'm pleased the way we played," the former England manager told reporters. "It was a good test for several young players, making their national team debuts."

Capello brought Arshavin into the game midway through the second half but the forward, who was greeted by a chorus of whistles and boos from the home crowd, looked out of pace.

"I was unpleasantly surprised to see fans whistling Arshavin. I just don't understand that," Capello said. "We lost concentration because of that and soon conceded a goal."

Arshavin, seen by fans and local media as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop, added: "Of course I was disappointed by the fans' reaction but I tried to ignore it the best I could."

The Russians also lost Alexander Anyukov to injury in the first half, the right back suffering a concussion after colliding with two opponents in mid-air.

The game was Capello's only test before Russia host Northern Ireland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on Sept. 7, while Ivory Coast resume their World Cup qualifying campaign against Gambia next March.

Fabrice Muamba retires from Football

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba has announced his retirement from professional football, five months after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.

Muamba, 24, collapsed on the pitch during a televised encounter between Bolton and Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March and the game was abandoned as medics fought to save his life.

The midfielder's heart stopped for 78 minutes before finally starting up again after prolonged resuscitation and following his arrival at the London Chest Hospital.

His plight shocked football but Muamba was discharged from hospital on April 16 after what was described as an "incredible" recovery.

He said he hoped to return to professional football, but following further surgery in Belgium last week doctors have informed the former England Under-21 international that he should not play again.

Muamba said: “Since suffering my heart attack and being discharged from hospital, I have remained utterly positive in the belief I could one day resume my playing career and play for Bolton Wanderers once again.

“As part of my on-going recovery, last week I travelled to Belgium to seek further medical advice from a leading cardiologist. But the news I received was obviously not what I had hoped it would be and it means I am now announcing my retirement from professional football.

“Football has been my life since I was a teenage boy and it has given me so many opportunities. Above all else, I love the game and count myself very lucky to have been able to play at the highest level.

“While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for. I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, and the Bolton fans who have been incredible. I am blessed to have the support of my family and friends at this time.”

Muamba arrived in England as a refugee from DR Congo at the age of 11 and joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002. He made two appearances for the Gunners before joining Birmingham, initially on loan, in the summer of 2006.

A permanent move followed the next year when Muamba joined the Blues for £4 million but Bolton moved in the summer of 2008 and brought him to the Reebok Stadium for a fee of £5m.

Muamba made 148 appearances for Bolton, scoring four times.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “We have spoken with Fab and he knows we will always support him in whatever he wants to do and that we will always be here for him.

“He is obviously massively disappointed that he won’t be able to carry on his career, but everyone has seen what a fighter and strong person he is in mind and body.

“We know that he will go on to achieve great things and within all this disappointment, the most important thing is that he is here, alive, today.”

Muamba represented England at several different youth levels, and earned 33 caps for the under-21 side.

FA chairman David Bermstein said: "On behalf of everybody at The FA I'd like to say how sorry we are to learn that Fabrice Muamba has had to end his professional football career.

"His recovery has been miraculous and a great tribute to all who have been involved.

"I would like to wish him the very best for the future and I know that the thoughts of the entire football family will be with him."

Finally Van Persie to Manchester United

Arsenal have agreed terms to sell their captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United, the two Premier League rivals have announced.

The Dutch striker, voted the league's player of the year last season, will travel to Manchester on Thursday to discuss personal terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed move to Old Trafford.

No financial details were immediately available from the clubs. Media reports said United would pay £24 million for Van Persie, who is poised to sign a four-year contract with them.

The 29-year-old, who had also attracted interest from the Premier League champions Manchester City and Juventus, said last month he would not extend his contract at Arsenal. He had one year left on his deal after eight years with the club.

Van Persie scored 37 goals last season as Arsenal finished third in the league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. But the club have not won a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup final defeat of United.

At Old Trafford Van Persie would link up with England striker Wayne Rooney as Alex Ferguson's team try to take the title back from their city rivals. United have made only one major signing since the end of last season, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa joining from German champions Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was keen to avoid a repeat of the tumultuous start to last season when protracted transfer speculation swirled around their then captain Cesc Fabregas and his fellow midfielder Samir Nasri.

Fabregas moved to Barcelona in mid-August and Nasri was sold to Manchester City nine days later. Before the end of the month Arsenal had suffered an 8-2 hammering by United at Old Trafford.

IBRAHIMOVIC 1st IN SCORERS CHART

After Week 1 and his two goals against Lorient (2-2), PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimović is top of the Ligue 1 scorers' chart.

Finally La Liga to start in time

The 2012-13 La Liga season will begin on schedule this weekend following an emergency meeting between disgruntled clubs and the professional soccer league (LFP) to discuss a TV rights dispute.

Officials from a group of 13 clubs said on Tuesday the issues had not been resolved at the LFP assembly in Madrid. But progress was made and the presence of secretary of state for sport Miguel Cardenal had helped calm the situation.

"We discussed issues to do with the league, with governance and with television broadcasts," LFP president Jose Luis Astiazaran told reporters. "There will be games this weekend that will start at the scheduled time."

The 13 first division sides are angry that broadcasters Canal+ and Mediapro have failed to settle a dispute over TV rights ownership.

The clubs say this has created "a situation of serious legal insecurity" and had threatened to postpone the season's start.

"There will have to be a solution but it won't be ready tomorrow," Miguel Guillen, president of Real Betis, told the club's radio station after the LFP meeting.

"It was an extremely important step forward that the secretary of state is perfectly aware of the issues to be addressed."

The 13 - Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Betis, Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Getafe, Granada, Real Mallorca, Osasuna, Rayo Vallecano, Real Sociedad, Sevilla and Real Zaragoza - have urged the broadcasters to settle outstanding debts to the clubs and to drop any legal action against them.

They also want the LFP to institute a "transparent and regulated" system for fixing kickoff times. They have accused officials of offering some clubs favourable kickoff times that disadvantage others.

"We are 13 united teams and we have to carry on until we achieve our goals and try to win the battle for the good of our own interests and those of La Liga," Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told reporters.

Many La Liga clubs are also unhappy that Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate revenue from audiovisual rights due to the lack of a system of collective bargaining and income-sharing like those in rival European leagues.

Betis's Guillen said the German model was one La Liga would do well to learn from.

"We fully agree that the way football is organised in Germany would be an ideal formula to apply in Spain, both in the equitable distribution of (cash from) audiovisual rights and treating the fans with maximum respect," he said.

The aim was to "try to make the event last much more than the 90 minutes of the match and provide a range of services to fans that we cannot today because we don't have the basic requirements to get it going." (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Robert Woodward)

Valdez to Valencia as Loan transfer

Valencia have reached an agreement with Russian side Rubin Kazan to take 28-year-old Paraguay international Nelson Valdez on loan with an option to buy the striker, the La Liga club said on Tuesday.

"The deal is subject to the footballer passing the relevant medical tests," Valencia said in a statement on their website (www.valenciacf.com).

"It was a tough job sealing the accord because Nelson is a highly valued player at Rubin," sporting director Braulio Vazquez added.

"He is a very important player for us because he is a forward who fits very well with the players we have," he said.

"Nelson Valdez has strength, commitment, speed and gets forward very well. He will also give us goals. We have a lot of confidence in him."

Valencia finished third in La Liga last season, earning a place in the Champions League.

They begin the 2012-13 La Liga campaign on Sunday at champions Real Madrid. (Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Matt Barker)

Lampard hopes to end his career in Chelsea

Frank Lampard wants to end his career at Chelsea but is still waiting for talks to open over his future as he enters the final year of his current contract.

Midfielder Lampard is delighted to be back in the England set-up after missing the Euro 2012 finals through injury and will skipper the side in Wednesday's friendly international with Italy in Berne.

But at club level the 34-year-old is uncertain of what lies ahead, and said: "We spoke once last season and it was a case of coming back - and it hasn't come back from their end. I don't know (what will happen). At the minute I'm just playing. I'd like to sit down and speak with them. But at the minute I'm playing and it's up to the club to do that."

He went on: "I would like to end my career there. I feel I can play at the top level for a good few more years, but it's whether the club feels the same.

"I know there are a lot of changes at Chelsea. I'd love to be involved, and the youth coming into the squad this year has really freshened up our team.

"I'd love to carry on but it's a club decision to come and sit down with me.

"They used to sit down with me three years before the end of my contract! Now I'm waiting."

Lampard admitted: "People do look at you differently when you get the other side of 30. That's natural. I don't mind that at all.

"I want to keep myself as fit as possible, to live right, and keep my edge so I know I can keep competing at the top.

"That's what drives me on. If I don't feel I can do it, I wouldn't be happy playing football anyway."