Algeria Extend Coach Petkovic’s Contract

Football - Euro 2020 - Quarter Final - Switzerland v Spain - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 2, 2021 Then Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic applauds fans after the match. (Pool via Reuters)
Football - Euro 2020 - Quarter Final - Switzerland v Spain - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 2, 2021 Then Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic applauds fans after the match. (Pool via Reuters)
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Algeria Extend Coach Petkovic’s Contract

Football - Euro 2020 - Quarter Final - Switzerland v Spain - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 2, 2021 Then Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic applauds fans after the match. (Pool via Reuters)
Football - Euro 2020 - Quarter Final - Switzerland v Spain - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 2, 2021 Then Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic applauds fans after the match. (Pool via Reuters)

Algeria have extended Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic's contract until 2028, just days before the start of the World Cup.

Petkovic, 62, had been in charge of the Desert Foxes since 2024, taking over following Algeria's first round exit at the African Cup of Nations.

"The Swiss coach has managed some remarkable results since he took over," the Algerian federation said in a statement on Sunday.

Under Petkovic, Algeria have "won 21 matches, had four draws and lost only three matches", the federation added.

Algeria will line up in Group J at the World Cup alongside reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan.

Petkovic was Switzerland coach from 2014 to 2021 and before that won the Italian Cup with Roma in 2013.



Messi Creates Both Miami Goals in 2-2 Draw with Atlanta

Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, center, is hugged by teammate Casemiro, right, scored a goal off a Messi corner kick in a 2-2 MLS draw with Atlanta. CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, center, is hugged by teammate Casemiro, right, scored a goal off a Messi corner kick in a 2-2 MLS draw with Atlanta. CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP
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Messi Creates Both Miami Goals in 2-2 Draw with Atlanta

Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, center, is hugged by teammate Casemiro, right, scored a goal off a Messi corner kick in a 2-2 MLS draw with Atlanta. CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, center, is hugged by teammate Casemiro, right, scored a goal off a Messi corner kick in a 2-2 MLS draw with Atlanta. CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP

Lionel Messi set up both goals for Inter Miami as the Major League Soccer champions drew 2-2 with Atlanta United on Saturday in the Argentina star's first match since announcing his retirement from international football.

Thunderstorms and lightning delayed the start for 90 minutes, but there were sparks aplenty on the field after with Messi, Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, at the heart of the action.

Miami grabbed the lead in the 32nd minute when Brazil's Casemiro rose to head home Messi's corner, said AFP.

Atlanta equalized three minutes later when former Newcastle forward Miguel Almiron blasted home a low shot.

Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez put Miami into the lead with a measured finish on the cusp of half-time after a move down the left started by Messi.

But Swiss striker Breel Embolo struck home an 87th-minute penalty to secure a share of the spoils.

In Toronto, Derrick Etienne scored two minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a dramatic 4-4 draw in a wild eight-goal thriller against Chicago.

Josh Sargent scored a hat-trick for Toronto, but Chicago's Maren Haile-Selassie scored twice before an own goal and Robert Lewandowski's 63rd minute strike put the visitors 4-3 up.

Philadelphia beat Montreal 2-0 as 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored in the 75th minute.

It gave the teenager four goals and seven assists this season, the most scoring contributions by a 16-year-old in a season, eclipsing the mark of 10 by Freddy Adu in 2005.

In Orlando, Antoine Griezmann's goal in the 28th minute gave the hosts a 1-0 home victory over San Diego

Guilherme Biro scored in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Austin with San Jose.


Modric Available to Play for Croatia in Nations League

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Modric Available to Play for Croatia in Nations League

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)

Luka ‌Modric is still available to play for Croatia, the country's soccer association (HNS) said on Saturday, ending speculation that the veteran midfielder would end his international career after this year's World Cup.

Croatia captain Modric, who turns ‌41 on ‌Wednesday, has been ‌playing ⁠for the national ⁠team since 2006, earning over 200 caps and helping them reach the 2018 World Cup final.

"Luka's decision makes me extremely happy, ⁠we are all aware ‌what ‌he brings to Croatia, both on ‌and off the pitch," ‌said Slaven Bilic, who returned for a second spell as Croatia manager after the team ‌exited this year's World Cup in the round ⁠of ⁠32.

Modric, who spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid, joined AC Milan last year.

Croatia will visit the Czech Republic, host England and play Spain twice in the Nations League between September 26 and October 6.


Flick Hoping Barca’s Yamal Can Face Valencia After Knock

 Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
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Flick Hoping Barca’s Yamal Can Face Valencia After Knock

 Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is hoping teenage star Lamine Yamal is fit to face Valencia in La Liga on Sunday after taking a knock.

The 19-year-old winger did not train with his team-mates on Saturday but instead worked by himself at the training ground.

"For tomorrow we have to wait, I cannot say it today," Flick told reporters Saturday.

"We have to decide if it's better that he rests or he starts from the beginning, I'll speak with him and we'll decide that.

"Lamine is a player who likes to play football."

Flick said Yamal will travel with the team to Mestalla stadium, where Barca are looking to continue their 100 percent start to the season.

"He trained separately and everything was good, he will travel with us tomorrow," said Flick.

"He took a hit and he had some pain so we said it's better that he trains separately," added the coach.

"After the training he said everything was good so he will travel and hopefully he can play tomorrow."

Yamal impressed in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday, netting his first two goals of the season.

Rivals Real Madrid slipped up in a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday, giving champions Barca the chance to establish themselves as sole league leaders.

"When you see the game yesterday, Real Madrid also played well... they had big, big chances," said Flick.

"This is football, (slipping up) can always happen. For us it's important that we focus on ourselves."

New arrival Gabriel Jesus is likely to begin on the bench with winger Raphinha staying as the starting striker after notching five goals in three games playing out of position.

"In this moment (Raphinha) is doing really great," explained Flick.

"He's the best option for us at the moment in this position."