Xabi Alonso won his first game as Chelsea boss thanks to Morgan Rogers's debut goal and Joao Pedro's strike after just 31 seconds of a pulsating 3-2 victory against Fulham on Monday.

Football, at its most captivating, thrives on romantic ideals. It is driven by the pure, unadulterated ambition of a child dreaming under a bedroom poster, waiting for the universe to align.

The prospect of Brazil visiting Bangladesh in the coming months appears increasingly likely, with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) expecting to sit down with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) soon to explore the possibility.

A group of former international players, including World Cup winners and FIFA legends, called on Monday for immediate change at world soccer's governing body, saying its leadership under embattled President Gianni Infantino had been blinded by power.

Paris Saint-Germain players can ill afford to cruise through the season as coach Luis Enrique warned he expected them to play out of their comfort zone.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino laid out his manifesto for reelection as the champion of poorer soccer nations on Sunday as UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin ruled out running against him but said he thought there would be an opposition candidate.

Virgil van Dijk said Liverpool "need to show a reaction" from a bitterly disappointing season that cost Arne Slot his job as manager, but called for patience with new boss Andoni Iraola.

Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser collected the Adidas Azteca ball at full-time and kept it for more than three decades.

Asked whether Brazil could potentially play a friendly or hold a training session in Dhaka before or after their tour of India, Tabith told The Daily Star, “The answers are yes. We discussed all options.”

The Rossoneri turned to Amorim after finishing fifth last season, and the Portuguese has been provided with an overhauled squad as the giants look to challenge their city rivals and defending champions, Inter Milan.

Fermin then added the fifth goal in the 79th minute, controlling the ball on the edge of the box, swivelling past his marker and driving inside before smashing an unstoppable shot beyond the helpless keeper.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has said he is "not interested" in replacing Gianni Infantino, but has warned the under-fire FIFA president must either quit or face a leadership challenge in March.

Ferran Torres came off the bench to score a late double on his debut as Paris St Germain rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 with hosts Stade Rennais in their Ligue 1 season opener on Sunday.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted it was Ollie Watkins's responsibility to explain his absence from a thumping 4-0 Premier League loss away to Brighton on Sunday.

Enzo Maresca revealed Rayan Cherki was frustrated to be left on the bench before the "unbelievable" Manchester City playmaker inspired a dramatic 2-1 win against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle in Andoni Iraola's first match in charge of the Reds.

Giuliano Simeone delivered a family rescue act in the dying moments, earning Atletico Madrid a dramatic 2-2 draw with Villarreal after his father Diego's side had been reduced to 10 men on a scorching afternoon of fan anger and frayed nerves.

Brighton lanched their Premier League campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester City made a winning start to life without Pep Guardiola as late goals from Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory against Bournemouth on Sunday in Enzo Maresca's first Premier League game as the Spaniard's replacement.

Could Brazil really be heading for Bangladesh? That possibility gained momentum on Sunday after a five-member delegation from the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) inspected two Dhaka stadiums, apparently assessing their suitability for a future Brazil fixture.