African Footballer of the Year Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in the running to win the award for a second successive season after being named on Thursday among the three finalists for the 2016 title.

Napoli substitute Manolo Gabbiadini converted a penalty with the last kick of the game to salvage a 3-3 draw at Fiorentina who were inspired by a superb display from Federico Bernardeschi.

Liverpool have the strength in depth to cope with Sadio Mane's absence during next month's African Nations Cup, the Senegal striker has said.

Midfielder Yaya Toure is determined to realise his dream of helping Manchester City eclipse arch rivals Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund missed a bagful of chances to draw 1-1 at home with Augsburg on Tuesday, as they squandered the opportunity to make up ground in the Bundesliga title race heading into the winter break.

England openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings survived some nervy moments on the final morning of the fifth Test against India on Tuesday as the tourists look to bat out the day and prevent a 4-0 series defeat.

Barcelona have agreed to withdraw an appeal against fines imposed by UEFA last year after their supporters waved pro-Catalan independence flags at two matches, European soccer's governing body said on Monday.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced a benefit game between Brazil and Colombia on Jan. 25, the same day Chapecoense play their first game since the air crash that prompted the friendly.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq hailed Asad Shafiq's defiant century as among the "classiest" he had ever seen after the knock of 137 all but drove Pakistan to a famous victory over Australia in the first Test in Brisbane on Monday.

India's Karun Nair struck his maiden Test century to keep the hosts on course for a handy first-innings lead against England on day four of the final Test on Monday.

India's makeshift opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel struck fifties to lead the hosts' strong reply to England's first innings total of 477 on day three of the fifth and final Test on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's admiration for Manchester United's summer recruit Zlatan Ibrahimovic soared to new heights on Saturday as he cooed about the Swede's 'superman' mentality following his latest match-winning tour de force at West Bromwich Albion.

Gonzalo Higuain struck again with a trademark goal to give Serie A leaders Juventus a 1-0 win over AS Roma in a tense top-of-the-table match which put them seven points clear on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho said he would never stand in the way of a player who requested a move away from Manchester United if the deal was right, even though he would like to keep his squad intact until the end of the season.

West Ham United midfielder Dimitri Payet has been granted extra time off to help the Frenchman recapture the scintillating form he displayed last season and to help cope with the Premier League's demanding festive schedule.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola knows that if he fails to turn around his team's flagging results he could face the sack but the Spaniard is determined to stick with his style of play.

The death toll from Saturday night's twin bombings in Istanbul has risen to 44, of whom 36 were police officers, Health Minister Recep Akdag was cited as saying by state-run Anadolu agency and other media on Monday.

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur is confident leg spinner Yasir Shah will be fit to face Australia in this week's day-night opening Test of a three-match series at the Gabba in Brisbane.

A brilliant Carlos Tevez scored twice in the final half hour as Boca Juniors came from 2-1 down to beat River Plate 4-2 at El Monumental in a thrilling Argentine 'superclasico' on Sunday.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane paid tribute to his players' spirit after they battled back to beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 on Saturday and set a club record 35 games unbeaten in all competitions.