“Yesterday I asked him if he was ready to play, and he said yes. It’s always a joy for us,” said coach Lionel Scaloni, praising his captain’s readiness and leadership.

Ronaldo netted his 40th and 41st qualifying goals, overtaking retired Guatemala international Carlos Ruiz, who scored 39 between 1998 and 2016.

Over 1,000 police officers and army personnel were deployed while helicopters and drones flew overhead to keep a watch on a demonstration which was kept several kilometres away from the Bluenergy Stadium hosting the Group I fixture, won 3-0 by Italy.

Elsewhere, pro-Palestinian demonstrations prefaced Italy's vital win over Israel and Spain took another step towards qualification with a big victory against Bulgaria.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said Brazil "mentally collapsed" in their 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan on Tuesday and warned that they need to learn from their mistakes before the World Cup.

Bangladesh held Hong Kong, China to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third-round fixture at Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon on Tuesday, thanks to an equaliser from Rakib Hossain that kept their faint qualification hopes alive.

Rakib Hossain scored an 84th-minute equaliser as Bangladesh drew 1-1 against Hong Kong in their fourth match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday.  

The new turfs are expected to last around 15 years.

Japan claimed their first win over Brazil after roaring back in the second half to stun Carlo Ancelotti's side 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo on Tuesday.

The men in red and green are set to face hosts Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Stadium today at 6:00pm (Bangladesh time).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino pledged the governing body’s support to rebuild football infrastructure in Gaza as part of wider post-war reconstruction efforts following Monday's peace summit in Egypt.

Hong Kong coach Ashley Westwood has shot down suggestions that Bangladesh have been ill treated ahead of their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong at a packed Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night.

Bangladesh’s away clash vs Hong Kong, China will be streamed exclusively on Bongo at 6:00pm Bangladesh time. 

France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, were without a host of players in Reykjavik including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured.

Iceland, with a population of around 340,000, became the smallest country to qualify for the global showpiece when they reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup finals for a third time suffered a blow after a late equaliser saw them draw 1-1 with hosts Jordan at Aqaba Stadium on Monday night.

The Azzurri host Israel on Tuesday in Udine, a small city which will be the scene of a massive security operation with a pro-Palestinian demonstration set take place.

To play in the main stage of the AFC Asian Cup, the outcome of the return match against Hong Kong, China will determine the future of the team.

No country has ever won the World Cup with a foreign-born coach but Carlo Ancelotti said Monday that there was "always a first time" as he eyes glory with Brazil.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has come to the defence of Florian Wirtz, saying the 22-year-old midfielder's slow start at Liverpool is simply part of his adjustment to the Premier League.