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OLYMPICS 2020: MEXICO BEAT JAPAN TO CLAIM FOOTBALL BRONZE MEDAL

Mexico eased to the bronze medal in the men’s Olympic football tournament with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Friday.

First-half goals from Francisco Cordova and Johan Vasquez put El Tri in control and Alexis Vega added a third after the break before Kaoru Mitoma got a late consolation in a repeat of the 1968 bronze medal match, which Japan won in Mexico City.

Mexico, beaten on penalties by Brazil in their semifinal, were ahead within 13 minutes after Vega was fouled by Wataru Endo. Following a VAR review, the penalty decision was upheld and Cordova sent Japan goalkeeper Kosei Tani the wrong way to open the scoring.

Cordova then turned provider as his free kicks led to headed goals from Vasquez, on 22 minutes, and, on 58 minutes, Vega to put Mexico in total control.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa pulled off a stunning stop to Mitoma pulling a goal back on 75 minutes as Japan piled on the pressure but the Kawasaki Frontale striker eventually did find the back of the net with an emphatic strike three minutes later.

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JACK GREALISH COMPLETES MANCHESTER CITY MOVE ON SIX YEAR DEAL

Manchester City have announced the signing of Jack Grealish on a six-year deal from Aston Villa.

Grealish (25) leaves Villa having made 213 appearances over the course of eight seasons, scoring 32 goals.

The Premier League champions had been heavily linked with England midfielder Grealish all summer, with a reported £100 million British record deal agreed.

City confirmed Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by the departure of long-serving striker Sergio Aguero.

“I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City. City are the best team in the country with a manager considered to be the best in the world – it’s a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said on www.mancity.com.

“Over the past 10 seasons, they have won major trophies consistently. Pep [Guardiola] coming here has taken them to the next level and the football this team plays is the most exciting in Europe.

“To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it’s something any top footballer would want.

“The facilities are amazing, and I honestly can’t wait to get started, meet everyone and get playing.”

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain hailed Grealish as “an incredible talent”.

Begiristain said: “Jack’s development over the past few seasons both for club and country has been plain for everybody to see. His natural talent together with his commitment to improve as a player, has seen him become one of the most exciting attacking players in world football today.

“I am certain that the fans are going to love seeing him in our team. Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City.

“Our style and his style are a perfect match. I’m excited to watch him over the coming years.”

Grealish, who had four years remaining on his Villa contract, developed into one of English football’s hottest properties.

The midfielder scored six goals in the Premier League last season, also providing 10 assists, and went on to help England reach the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Birmingham-born Grealish admitted it was not an easy decision to leave his boyhood club.

“It was obviously a difficult few months because I have been an Aston Villa fan for my whole life,” he said.

“But when I spoke to the manager here and you see what type of players they have got here, in the end it was something I couldn’t say no to. I am absolutely delighted to be here.”

Grealish revealed the chance to play Champions League football next season and to push for top club honours were key to moving to City this summer.

“There are obviously a lot of reasons why I decided to come here. The manager has been a massive factor; playing under the best manager in the world was something I couldn’t really turn down, (and) obviously the players that we have got here,” Grealish said.

“Competing for major trophies is something that I wanted to do. It was something I couldn’t turn down. Let’s hope it is a successful one.”

Grealish feels he can earn his place in Guardiola’s starting XI.

“It is something that I thrive off and I think everyone needs to be kept on their toes for competition for places,” the midfielder said.

“There is so much talent here and I just cannot wait to get in and amongst it and speak with these guys.

“I still think I am young, I am only 25, so I can still learn from all these people.

“I can’t wait to do that, to play and train with them and just be in and around them.

“You can learn from these people and I cannot wait to get started and to get playing.”

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LIONEL MESSI TO LEAVE BARCELONA AS CLUB BLAMES LA LIGA REGULATIONS

Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the La Liga club said on Thursday, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of the deal.

Messi, who joined Barca’s youth set-up aged 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker with 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.

The Argentina forward was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barcelona had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club.

Messi, who has spent his whole career at Barcelona, had been expected to sign a new five-year deal with the Catalan club, which would have included a salary reduction of 50 per cent.

Barcelona needed to financially restructure in order to get the deal over the line, which proved impossible in the end as they failed to reduce their wage bill in order and stay within La Liga’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

La Liga chief Javier Tebas said last month that Barcelona, who have a total debt of more than €1 billion, would not be shown any leniency when it comes to obeying the league’s strict financial control rules.

The news of Messi’s exit comes a day after La Liga agreed in principle to sell 10 per cent of a newly formed company housing most of its business to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for €2.7 billion.

“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” Barca said in a statement.

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

Messi’s last contract, signed in 2017, was the most lucrative in world sport according to a January report in newspaper El Mundo.

Messi had tried to leave Barcelona in August 2020, making a formal request for an exit after a breakdown in his relationship with then president Josep Maria Bartomeu but successor Joan Laporta, who presided over the Argentine’s rise to greatness, convinced him to stay.

The Argentine, who helped Barcelona claim 10 league titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups among his haul of 35 trophies, remains without a club ahead of the 2021-22 season.

The Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta will hold a news conference on Friday morning in the wake of Messi’s exit.

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AARONSON SCORES LATE WINNER AS SALZBURG BEAT BARCELONA IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

United States international Brenden Aaronson struck a late winner as FC Salzburg beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Red Bull Arena in an entertaining preseason friendly on Wednesday.

Aaronson, who joined Salzburg from the Philadelphia Union in January, turned home from close range in the last minute after Chukwubuike Adamu had hit the post.

Martin Braithwaite’s fortunate goal five minutes earlier looked to have rescued a draw for Barca following Luka Sucic’s deflected opener just before the break.

Salzburg’s winning margin might have been greater if not for a string of glaring misses from Switzerland forward Noah Okafor in the first half.

This was Barca’s fourth game of preseason and the first they have failed to win. They’re still without Lionel Messi, who’s not yet signed his new deal with the Catalan club and remains a free agent.

Barca were also missing several other players due to injuries, the Olympic Games and players returning late from international tournaments this summer.

However, Ronald Koeman was still able to name a strong side in Austria, with Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann among those slotting into a 3-5-2 formation.

It was the home side who roared out of the blocks in a front of a ferocious crowd, though, and they should have been 2-0 up before Sucic’s 43rd-minute opener.

Okafor missed two gilt-edged chances, blazing over with the goal gaping after a Jordi Alba mistake and sliding wide later when one on one with Neto.

At the other end, Memphis curled wide for Barca and Griezmann hit the roof of the net but Nico Mantl was never really troubled.

Salzburg finally opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when Sucic’s long-range effort took a touch off De Jong to deceive Neto.

Multiple substitutions disrupted the second half, but Salzburg remained on top and there was still time for Okafor to miss another opening, firing straight at Neto when well placed, before he was finally replaced.

The game opened up late on, with Alejandro Balde and Memphis both testing substitute goalkeeper Philipp Kohn from distance before Braithwaite’s leveller.

The Denmark striker didn’t know much about it, though, with the ball ricocheting off him and beating Kohn after Sergino Dest’s shot was only half-cleared.

Salzburg pushed hard in the final five minutes to restore their lead. Some last-ditch defending from Dest kept Benajamin Sesko out on the line but the home side kept going.

Adamu shook the post but Aaronson, who scored seven goals in his debut season in Salzburg last term, was quickest to react to the loose ball.

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HAKIM ZIYECH SCORES BRACE AS CHELSEA PLAY 2-2 DRAW IN TOTTENHAM FRIENDLY

Tottenham Hotspur fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 against Chelsea in an entertaining pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge.

A brace from Blues winger Hakim Ziyech gave last season’s Champions League winners a lead their performance to that point deserved before Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn struck twice in 14 second-half minutes to wipe out their advantage.

Fresh from Sunday’s win over Arsenal in the opening game of “The Mind Series” — a preseason competition between the Blues, Spurs and the Gunners organised to support better mental health — Thomas Tuchel’s side started strongly before approximately 25,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.

Ziyech drove home his first from 20 yards after 16 minutes before netting again just three minutes into the second period. However, Spurs improved thereafter with Moura’s heavily-deflected shot halving the deficit and Bergwijn’s low finish restoring parity.

Tottenham were without Harry Kane after he failed to report back for preseason training as planned with the 28-year-old seeking a move to Manchester City but Son Heung-Min, who recently signed a new four-year deal, started in attack with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon among those also included in the line-up.

Chelsea made two changes to the team that beat the Gunners with N’Golo Kante and Marcus Alonso drafted in for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic.

Kante had excelled in the Champions League Final win against Manchester City — Cesar Azpilicueta brought the trophy out to a guard of honour and rapturous applause before kickoff — and he picked up that form in west London, helping the home side take firm control after Son’s fifth-minute low drive forced Edouard Mendy into an early save.

Spurs quickly looked overrun in midfield and as Moura picked up the ball and looked to drive over the halfway line, he was stopped in his tracks by a superb trademark tackle from Kante.

The loose ball fell to Ziyech and he took advantage of the space ahead of him to drive forward into a central position before unleashing a left-foot drive past new Spurs goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, who joined the club in July on an initial season-long loan from Atalanta.

Chelsea continued to dominate and Timo Werner rounded Gollini to score just before the interval but his goal was ruled out — incorrectly — for offside.

Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo introduced Harry Winks for Hojbjerg at the interval as Chelsea brought on Pulisic and Tiemoue Bakayoko for Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi but the Blues initially continued in the ascendancy.

Four minutes into the second half Werner, Kai Havertz and Alonso combined to find Ziyech in the box and his shot took a nick off Eric Dier before finding the net.

Spurs began their revival just before the hour mark when Moura’s shot deflected heavily off Antonio Rudiger and looped into the net.

Tuchel then made seven changes — including academy graduate Dijon Sterling, who tested Collina moments after coming on with a low left-foot shot from the edge of the box — but the Blues inevitably looked more disjointed as mistakes began to creep in.

And Spurs capitalised with 20 minutes remaining when another substitute — Malang Sarr — lost the ball allowing the visitors to break, Son feeding Bergwijn to finish low through Mendy’s legs.

Ben Davies, another second-half introduction, almost won it with a left-foot shot which Ethan Ampadu cleared off the line but the spoils were shared in a match from which both sides will take positives as they build up to competitive action next week with Chelsea set to face Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup Final on Aug. 11.

Spurs play Arsenal in their final preseason friendly on Sunday.

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LOUIS VAN GAAL NAMED NETHERLANDS MANAGER FOR THIRD TIME

Louis van Gaal been appointed as the Netherlands manager for the third time, the KNVB have announced.

Van Gaal replaces Frank De Boer, who left the role of Netherlands boss in June following a disappointing Euro 2020 exit to Czech Republic in the round of 16, and has agreed a deal up to and including the 2022 World Cup.

“Dutch football has always been close to my heart and national coaching is in my view a key position for the further advancement of our football,” Van Gaal said. “Moreover, I consider it an honour to coach the Dutch national team.

“There is little time for the next qualifying matches, which are immediately crucial for participation in the World Cup. The focus is therefore immediately 100% on the players and the approach. After all, I was appointed for that.

“It is good to be back in Zeist. By now I have already spoken to a number of players and the technical staff has been put together with the KNVB. I am very much looking forward to getting the job done together.”

The move marks Van Gaal’s return to management after he announced his retirement in 2019. The 69-year-old’s most recent coaching job was at Manchester United, where he was sacked in 2016 after winning the FA Cup.

Van Gaal was first appointed Netherlands boss in 2000, but the move was short-lived after his side failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

He was granted a second chance at the job in 2012, enjoying a two-year stint in charge. That time the Netherlands successfully qualified for the 2014 World Cup and reached the semifinals before losing to Argentina on penalties.

Van Gaal has won 20 major trophies in a 30-year coaching career during which he also managed Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar, Bayern Munich.

Danny Blind, Henk Fraser and Frans Hoek will assist Van Gaal in the role.

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MANCHESTER CITY CLOSING IN ON £100M DEAL FOR JACK GREALISH – REPORTS

Manchester City are closing in on a British record £100 million (€117 million) deal for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, according to reports.

The Premier League champions have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old all summer and reportedly made their offer last Friday.

Neither club have commented but there are widespread claims that negotiations have progressed and a deal could be concluded in the coming days.

The current British record fee is the £89 million paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba in 2016.

Grealish, who has four years remaining on his Villa contract, has become one of the hottest properties in the English game.

He scored six goals in the Premier League last season and also provided 10 assists. He made four appearances for England during their run to the final of Euro 2020.

He is one of two players at the centre of considerable transfer speculation involving City this summer, with the other being Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane.

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ASTON VILLA COMPLETE SIGNING OF LEON BAILEY FROM BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Jamaica forward Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of around £30million (€35 million).

Bailey, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, has passed his medical and agreed personal terms on a deal running to 2025.

Villa boss Dean Smith is looking forward to working with his new recruit.

“Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity,” Smith told the club’s website.

“He has enjoyed a successful career at Leverkusen and we are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League.”

The announcement comes amid speculation over the future of Villa captain Jack Grealish, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Bailey, who had reportedly caught the eye of a number of top English clubs last season, scored 39 goals in three and a half campaigns for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, as well as featuring in the Champions League and Europa League

And the 10-cap international is now relishing the challenge of showing what he can do in the Premier League.

“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he said on the club’s website.

“It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it.

“Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”

He continued: “I like to give assists and I like to score, that’s always been me. I like to score and be the one who gives the pass in a decisive moment and not be selfish.

“I’m not always thinking about scoring, I’m more so thinking about the team. Whichever situation we’re in, I try to adapt to it and better the team.

“I’m a flair type of person, I like to entertain the fans, do my tricks, use my speed and make life difficult for defenders.”

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SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN SMASHES OWN 400M HURDLES WORLD RECORD TO TAKE GOLD

USA's Sydney Mclaughlin competes to win the women's 400m hurdles final setting a new world record during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 4, 2021. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo by JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)

The USA’s Sydney McLaughlin broke her own world record to clinch the 400 metres hurdles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 21-year-old clocked 51.46 seconds having previously set a world best of 51.90secs to become the first woman to break the 51-second barrier in June.

Dalilah Muhammad was second in 51.58s – which also broke McLaughlin’s previous record. The Netherlands’ Femke Bol claimed bronze.

“I’m absolutely delighted. What a great race. I’m just grateful to be out here celebrating that extraordinary race and representing my country,” she said.

“I saw Dalilah ahead of me with one to go. I just thought ‘run your race’.

“The race doesn’t really start until hurdle seven. I just wanted to go out there and give it everything I had.

“It’s just about trusting your training, trusting your coach, and that will get you all the way round the track.

“I can’t really get it straight in my head yet. I’m sure I’ll process it and celebrate later.”

McLaughlin powered through in the last 20 metres to take the title and beat defending champion Muhammad having been third on the final bend.

It came after the men’s 400m hurdles on Tuesday – already labelled one of the greatest races – when Karsten Warholm broke his own world record to win in 45.94s.

He took almost a second off his previous world best of 46.70s he set in Oslo at the start of July.

The USA’s Rai Benjamin (46.17s) was second with Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos (46.72s) third – with both coming inside Kevin Young’s long-standing previous world record of 46.78s the American set 29 years ago.

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FABINHO SIGNS NEW LONG TERM CONTRACT WITH LIVERPOOL

Liverpool midfielder, Fabinho Tavares has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool FC.

The brazilian put pen to paper on fresh terms at the Reds’ pre-season training camp in Evian on Tuesday.

“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with the club,” Fabinho told Liverpoolfc.com. “Since the beginning of the conversation, I was really positive about it because it’s what I wanted – staying in this club, keep playing for Liverpool. Now this is official and I’m really happy.

“These last three seasons I’ve been really happy here. I learned a lot with the manager, with all the staff, with the boys as well.

“We achieved things together and for me I think it’s the best place to be, the best place to keep growing, to keep learning from the staff, from the boys. Hopefully we will keep achieving good things.”

A Brazil international who has been described as the team’s ‘lighthouse’ by assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, Fabinho arrived at Anfield from AS Monaco in the summer of 2018.

After a period of acclimatisation, he established himself as a pillar of Jürgen Klopp’s vintage, record-breaking Liverpool side that won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League across two glorious seasons.

The 27-year-old racked up 122 appearances during his first three campaigns on Merseyside and has now committed his future to the club.

He continued: “The manager and the staff are pushing us for this because they know our capacity, they know our quality.

“Personally, as I say, I want to be the best for the team, I want to be an important piece in this team – not just as a player but as a leader as well. Keep learning from the boys and the staff and be the best I can.

“We know with these players we can go really far in all the competitions. In the last year we didn’t win any trophies, so I think everyone is hungry to win more trophies, win more things, to keep our fans happy. Hopefully we will do this this season.”