SYDNEY (AP) — Host Australia and three-time champion New Zealand were drawn into the same group Wednesday for the expanded Rugby World Cup in 2027, with the group winner likely to meet defending champion South Africa in the quarterfinals. Australia was placed into Pool A from the second band of teams that were ranked from

Midweek football — what a time to be alive. It makes you feel like the sun’s out when it’s cloudier than ever, the birds are chirping when it’s just your noisy dormmates and you finally feel like your team’s capable of winning a football match only to realize you support Liverpool. Emma Clement Speaking of

Real Madrid have long been known for their Galactico players with outsized personalities and egos. Yet even by those standards, it is something new and different that the team’s most important individuals are now surrounded by sizable teams of executives and professionals dedicated to serving their interests. Xabi Alonso’s squad contains three of the 10

1 Florian Plettenberg reports that Atletico Madrid are keeping close tabs on TSG 1899 Hoffenheim striker Tim Lemperle. Since moving to Hoffenheim from Köln this summer, Lemperle has scored four goals and registered two assists for his new Bundesliga outfit. The former Germany U21 international has raised his estimated market value from €5m to €8m.

Chelsea made it seven unbeaten, in all competitions, with a stellar effort against league-leaders Arsenal on Sunday, battling to a 1-1 draw despite playing over an hour with just ten, so surely a game against one of the worst teams in the league will pose less of a challenge. Of course, that’s not how it

1 According to a report from Sport Bild, Borussia Dortmund are set to tie Alexander Meyer down to a new contract, which will run until 2027 with an option for another year. The 34-year-old is yet to feature for die Schwarzgelben this season, but he’s been an important understudy to Gregor Kobel, playing 25 games

| Wednesday, December 3rd |Premier League | Anfield8:15PM BST/3:15PM EST Sunderland come into this match in an extremely strong position, and, per manager Régis Le Bris’ press conference, will relish the opportunity to play at Anfield, as venues like Anfield are the “privilege” they earned through their long-fought push for promotion. Sunderland have been amongst

Erling Haaland scored his 100th Premier League goal on Tuesday and Manchester City moved to within two points of the top of the standings after surviving a stunning fightback from Fulham. Haaland became the fastest player to reach a century of goals in the league with his 17th-minute opener in City’s 5-4 win at Craven

Juventus have booked their spot in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals after a 2-0 victory at home against Udinese in the round of 16 on Thursday evening, but it remains to be seen which side they will come up against in February. An own goal from 17-year-old Matteo Palma and a second-half penalty from Manuel Locatelli

Associated Press TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus advanced to the Italian Cup quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Udinese after teenage defender Matteo Palma scored an own goal and conceded a penalty Tuesday. Juventus, which holds the record for the most Italian Cup trophies with 15, will next face either Atalanta or Genoa, which play

It was goal number 100 for Haaland on Tuesday, but goals 101 and 102 could have come just as easily. He hit the post in both halves during a strong attacking display as he also chipped in with two assists. Haaland leads the top flight’s scoring charts, having netted 15 times so far this season,

Barcelona produced an impressive comeback to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 and move four points clear at the top of La Liga. Alex Baena fired Atletico ahead on Tuesday, but Raphinha equalised for the champions before Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres slotted home to end the visitors’ run of 13 straight league games without defeat. Recommended

1 The Bundesliga is a market that Newcastle United knows well after signing Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart for a club record fee in the summer, and now the Premier League club are showing interest in two current players from Germany’s top flight. According to a report from The Athletic, NUFC are showing an interest