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Defending champions South Africa expect Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against "greatest foes" New Zealand to be a "grind" as both teams eye what would be a record fourth tournament title.
La Liga champions Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first Clasico of the season on Saturday, forced into leaning heavily on players from their feted La Masia youth academy.
Manchester City will test the strength of Manchester United's recent revival at Old Trafford this weekend, while red-hot leaders Tottenham are seeking their eighth win in 10 games.
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto was banned for 41 games, equal to half a season, by the National Hockey League on Thursday for activities relating to sports wagering.
Lionel Messi was among three finalists named on Thursday for Major League Soccer's Newcomer of the Year award despite the Argentine star playing only six league matches for Inter Milan.
Liverpool eased Toulouse aside 5-1 to register a third straight Europa League win Thursday, while Brighton beat ailing Dutch giants Ajax for the club's first ever victory in continental competition.
West Ham's 17-match unbeaten European run came to an end on Thursday with a 2-1 loss away to Olympiakos, while Rangers battled for a point in a goalless Europa League draw at Sparta Prague.
A perfectly legitimate piece of innovative tactical genius or an abomination that should be legislated out of existence?
Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana on Thursday said defending champions England "underestimated" his team in their key World Cup clash.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster has made one change to his starting XV to play South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday, Brodie Retallick replacing Sam Whitelock in the second row.
Ange Postecoglou says he is more concerned about laying the groundwork for "sustainable" success at Tottenham than the immediate chance to establish a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The ongoing Cricket World Cup has thrown up some shock results, huge totals and incredible performances in its three weeks of action.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma admitted Thursday that he was so stunned by seeing Pakistan described as "mercurial" that he had to "Google the word" out of respect for his opponents ahead of their World Cup clash.
England captain Jos Buttler admitted the World Cup had been "incredibly disappointing" as the defending champions were pushed to the brink of elimination on Thursday.
Norwegian police said on Thursday they had opened an investigation into accusations of abuse made by Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and his brothers Henrik and Filip against their father Gjert.
Sri Lanka pushed dismal England to the brink of World Cup elimination on Thursday when they handed the defending champions an eight-wicket thrashing.
England lock Maro Itoje said he believed Argentina would be motivated by revenge at the Rugby World Cup's third-place playoff on Friday.
New Zealand and South Africa meet in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France with the All Blacks holding a three-two head to head advantage in previous meetings at the sport's quadrennial showpiece event.
If the World Cup represents Quinton de Kock's farewell to one-day internationals, then the South Africa opener is bowing out in style.
Sri Lanka pushed England closer to the World Cup exit door on Thursday when they bowled out the defending champions for just 156.
Newcastle United's Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months for betting, the Italian football federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan insisted Thursday that his under-performing teammates believe "miracles can happen" as the former champions enter a "do-or-die" battle to rescue their faltering World Cup campaign.
Swiss prosecutors announced Thursday they have dropped their three-year criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over suspected collusion with officials concerning the corruption scandal that engulfed world football's governing body.
Iconic Springbok captain Siya Kolisi insisted Thursday that rugby does not come any bigger than a World Cup final against old rivals New Zealand.
The Rugby Football Union says it is "deeply disappointed" that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been cleared of a racial slur and will play in Saturday's World Cup final.
South Africa have named half-backs Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk as well as hooker Bongi Mbonambi in their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand on Saturday.
French prodigy Victor Wembanyama scored 15 points on his much-anticipated NBA debut on Wednesday but it was not enough to prevent the San Antonio Spurs slipping to a 126-119 defeat to Dallas.
Aaron Smith will bow out of international rugby after the World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday, leaving a gaping hole at the heart of the All Blacks team.
Argentina play England in the Rugby World Cup's third-place play off on Friday with both sides licking their wounds from two very different semi-final losses and having already met during the tournament.
Sergio Perez will be racing for his Red Bull future alongside runaway title winner Max Verstappen when he drives in front of an impassioned home crowd at this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.
From restaurant cooks to street workers, Springbok jersey-wearing South Africans are ubiquitous in Johannesburg, as a frenzied mood grips the nation in anticipation of Saturday's Rugby World Cup final.
Bongi Mbonambi, alleged to have addressed a racial slur at England's Tom Curry, is regarded as key to South Africa retaining their world title on Saturday -- not bad for someone once told he was too small to play the game.