'We can upset Mexico and reach World Cup' Panama can upset Mexico for the third time this year at the Azteca Stadium next month and go on to reach their first World Cup finals, coach Julio Cesar Dely Valdes said on Monday.

ootball | World Cup 2014

Julio Cesar Dely Valdes © Action Images

 

 

Panama can upset Mexico for the third time this year at the Azteca Stadium next month and go on to reach their first World Cup finals, coach Julio Cesar Dely Valdes said on Monday.
Panama beat Mexico twice in the group phase and semifinals of the Concacaf Gold Cup in the United States in the summer, and also drew 0-0 in the home World Cup qualifier.
The teams clash again in their penultimate qualifier on October 11 in Mexico City with the home side in serious danger of failing to reach the 2014 finals in Brazil.
"If you've already managed it, experienced what used to look impossible, you've realised it isn't," Dely Valdes said of Panama's chances of beating Mexico again.
"So of course it's possible a third time. We're not used to seeing Mexico in this situation," the 46-year-old told the Panamanian TV channel Telemetro (www.telemetro.com).

El Arabi brace condemns Bilbao to defeat Athletic Bilbao missed a chance to climb above Villarreal into fourth in La Liga when a Youssef El Arabi double condemned the Basque club to a 2-0 defeat at Granada on Monday.

Football | Spain

Youssef El-Arabi © Gallo Images

 

 

 Athletic Bilbao missed a chance to climb above Villarreal into fourth in La Liga when a Youssef El Arabi double condemned the Basque club to a 2-0 defeat at Granada on Monday.
Bilbao had made a solid start to the season after flirting with relegation last term but they turned in an error-strewn performance devoid of inspiration at Granada's Los Carmenes stadium.
El Arabi fired the Andalusian side ahead from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute after Ander Herrera fouled Yacine Brahimi on the edge of the area.
The Morocco international scored his second eight minutes later when Pape Diakhate flicked on a Diego Buonanotte corner and he headed past Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz.

Roger Milla wants Eto’o back Retired Cameroon international Roger Milla has expressed his desire to see Samuel Eto’o return to the national team and participate in the knockout stage of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying following reports of the player’s decision to quit international football.

Football | Africa

Roger Milla © Action Images

 

 

 Retired Cameroon international Roger Milla has expressed his desire to see Samuel Eto’o return to the national team and participate in the knockout stage of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifying following reports of the player’s decision to quit international football.
The local press had reported that Eto’o, 32, who recently joined London club Chelsea from Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala, told teammates he was leaving the Indomitable Lions fold immediately after their 1-0 win over Libya on September 8 in Yaoundé.
However, many observers and officials in the central African country deem it as a bluff from the striker, and team coach Volker Finke, who has refused to confirm Eto’o’s decision, has included the former Barcelona and Inter forward in his initial 25-man squad for the Tunisia clash.

Icardi called up after Messi injury Lionel Messi's injury has opened the international door to Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi, called up for the first time by Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella for their last two World Cup qualifiers.

ootball | Argentina

Mauro Icardi © Gallo Images

 

 

Lionel Messi's injury has opened the international door to Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi, called up for the first time by Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella for their last two World Cup qualifiers.
"Sabella called up forward Mauro Icardi of Italy's Inter today (Monday) for the matches against Peru and Uruguay," the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on its website (www.afa.org.ar).
Argentina, who lead the South American group and have already qualified for the 2014 finals in Brazil, host Peru in Buenos Aires on October 11 and visit Uruguay in Montevideo four days later.
Messi suffered a hamstring injury playing for Barcelona at Almeria on Saturday and is expected to be out of action for up to three weeks.

Lukaku helps Everton sink Newcastle Everton forward Romelu Lukaku destroyed Newcastle as the Belgian marked his home debut with a double-strike in a 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Monday.

Football | Barclays Premier League

Romelu Lukaku © Action Images

 

 

 

Everton forward Romelu Lukaku destroyed Newcastle as the Belgian marked his home debut with a double-strike in a 3-2 win at Goodison Park on Monday. Toffees boss Roberto Martinez snapped up Lukaku on loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day and the powerful 20-year-old looks set to be a big hit on Merseyside.
He netted on his Everton debut in a win at West Ham last weekend and followed that with a pair of clinical finishes to kill off Newcastle.

Cesc Fabregas © Action Images BPL Fantasy League Bayern's UCL season in pictures Video Highlights 'Barca should thrive without Messi' Cesc Fabregas has challenged his Barcelona teammates to prove they can thrive without Lionel Messi when they face Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday

Football | Champions League

Cesc Fabregas © Action Images

 

 

Cesc Fabregas has challenged his Barcelona teammates to prove they can thrive without Lionel Messi when they face Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Argentina forward Messi injured his thigh in the 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday and will miss the Group H clash against the Scottish champions as a result.
Former Arsenal midfielder Fabregas acknowledged losing the player widely recognised as the best in the world was a significant blow, but he is adamant a club of Barca's stature should be able to cope with his absence.

Barca look to Neymar to avoid Celtic shock Barcelona are preparing to unleash the speedy Neymar on Celtic in the Champions League, hoping the 'next Lionel Messi' can inspire them in the absence of the real one when they face the team who stunned them last season.

otball | Champions League

Neymar © Action Images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Barcelona are preparing to unleash the speedy Neymar on Celtic in the Champions League, hoping the 'next Lionel 

Messi' can inspire them in the absence of the real one when they face the team who stunned them last season.
World Player of the Year Messi was ruled out with a hamstring problem before the Spanish champions headed to Scotland for Tuesday's Group H encounter against Celtic who still have fond memories of their 2-1 home win last November.