Japan come from behind twice to draw with Netherlands

Yet it could have been so different after Newcastle initially handled a white-hot atmosphere so well by gaining the upper hand. The noise levels were certainly deafening before kick-off – even referee Maurizio Mariani and the officials were loudly whistled when they emerged for the warm-up. Flares were let off, ticker tape flickered in the…

A series of measures to tackle ‘tempo disruption’ and ‘time lost’ have also been approved. Following the success of the eight-second time limit imposed on goalkeepers releasing the ball when it is in their hands, a countdown will now be applied to players taking goal-kicks and throw-ins. If a player takes too long, possession will…

Bellingham’s start to the season was inevitably difficult, having had shoulder surgery in July for a long-standing injury he sustained in 2023. He missed 63 days of training and playing, including five matches for Los Blancos. In his first appearance back in late September, he was welcomed to the pitch with a huge roar as…

Wilder exited in June, nearly a month after the play-off final. Selles was announced less than an hour later, after impressing at Reading and Hull previously. But on the pitch it went wrong from the very start. Bristol City, the side Sheffield United beat so comprehensively in the play-offs, thumped them 4-1 at Bramall Lane….

At 17-0 the obits were being written. How bad was it going to get? How brutal was the analysis going to be? Scotland – all style, no substance. Not a serious team. Not a side to be respected when facing the biggest guns. Whither Townsend? When things started to turn, it was electrifying. It was…

There have certainly been glimpses of what this team could be in recent weeks. There was a devastating first-half display against Chelsea, a spirited hour away to Paris St-Germain and a fine opening half an hour or so at Anfield. But games are not won in snatches. It has been a frustration of the coaching…