Football

Indonesian tycoon Thohir has reached a preliminary, non-legally binding agreement with Inter owner Moratti to take a stake in the Italian soccer club.

The Spanish club, however, did not say how long it expects Granero to be sidelined.

Rooney drew a line under an unsettled few months as he scored twice to chalk up 200 goals for United in a 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Galatasaray have made a mediocre start to the season but Drogba believes they can repeat April's victory over Real in Tuesday's Champions League Group B opener.

Having signed Gareth Bale from Tottenham this summer for a world-record fee, Madrid will be bidding for their first Champions League trophy since 2002.

Barreto struck the winning goal in the dying moments but it wasn't enough to see his team Bhawanipur FC qualify for the semi-finals of the Durand Cup on Sunday.

Barcelona say left back Jordi Alba will be sidelined for around three weeks after tearing a muscle in his right leg.

Alejandro Sabella's side will play in their 11th successive World Cup finals next June and July after a 5-2 rout of Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday night.

Falcao insists Colombia's confidence has not been dented by a 0-2 loss to Uruguay as the team attempts to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup since 1998.

The Japanese midfielder has hinted that lack of game time at Manchester United could harm his World Cup preparation.

Chiellini scored in the 51st minute and Balotelli converted a penalty kick in the 54th, giving Italy a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Czech Republic.

African champion Nigeria and surprise package Ethiopia reached the final playoffs for the World Cup after winning last-round group games.

Manchester City center back Martin Demichelis has been ruled out for six weeks with a right knee injury.

Isco hurt an ankle in Tuesday's training session and will have tests to determine whether he can play in Friday's WC qualifier against Finland.

Messi said it would be positive to award Madrid the Games given the nation's recent success in a number of high-profile sports.

The transfer window's longest-running saga finally ended when Tottenham forward Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid for a world transfer record fee of 100 million euros.