France forward Anthony Martial went off after receiving treatment for an injury during his country’s World Cup qualifying win over Kazakhstan.

Martial’s clever turn and pass set up Ousmane Dembele to make it 1-0 against the team ranked 122 in the world.

Sergiy Maliy produced a fine clearance as Martial looked to make it 2-0 before the defender headed into his own net.

Manchester United player Martial was replaced by Kylian Mbappe, who had a penalty saved after being fouled.

Having been held 1-1 by Ukraine in Paris last Wednesday, reigning World Cup champions France have four points from two games in Group D.

Didier Deschamps’ side are back in qualifying action on Wednesday away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Paul Pogba started against Kazakhstan after Deschamps said on the eve of the game that the Manchester United midfielder needed regular game time to rediscover his best form.

Pogba played for an hour before being replaced by Adrien Rabiot.

Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gundogan scored as Germany got their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start with a comfortable win over Iceland.

The home side led 2-0 after just seven minutes, with Chelsea forward Havertz firing in the second after Leon Goretzka’s well-taken opener.

Gundogan continued his fine goalscoring form this season by adding a third.

The Manchester City midfielder has now netted 15 times in his past 24 appearances for club and country.

The closest Iceland came to scoring was a Runar Sigurjonsson shot that deflected just past the far post in the first half.

The home side were vastly superior, though, and should have scored more, with Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger heading a superb chance wide.

Germany also gave a late run-out to Havertz’s Chelsea team-mate Timo Werner and Bayern Munich’s 18-year-old forward Jamal Musiala, who last month opted to represent the country of his birth as opposed to England.

The home side had suffered a scare before kick-off when midfielder Jonas Hofmann tested positive for Covid-19, but the game was allowed to go ahead after consultation with local authorities.

Germany coach Joachim Low, who is stepping down after this year’s European Championship, was pleased with his team’s start.

“It wasn’t our most incredible performance, but it was very important to make a positive start to the new year and that’s what we’ve done tonight,” he said.

“We knew they’d sit deep and we knew we were going to have to force them to move in order to create space. I think we did that really well for at least 60 minutes.”

Germany visit Romania in their next Group J match on Sunday while Iceland are away to Armenia.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his return to international football after a five-year absence with an assist as Sweden beat Georgia in their World Cup 2022 qualifying opener on Thursday.

The 39-year-old volleyed the ball across the area for Viktor Claesson to bundle home just before the break.

Georgia had few chances although Levan Shengelia was denied late on by a superb Kristoffer Nordfeldt save.

Ibrahimovic’s return meant he became the oldest player to represent Sweden.

The AC Milan striker beat the previous record of 38 years and 59 days previously held by goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli.

Ibrahimovic, who has 62 international goals, was unable to get on the scoresheet himself before he was substituted in the 84th minute.

“It felt good. It felt like it was my first international match. It was a lot of adrenaline,” Ibrahimovic told Sverige Radio.

“I think I could have done a lot more, but we won the match, and that is the most important thing,” he added.

John McGinn’s spectacular overhead kick salvaged a deserved late draw for Scotland against Austria in their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign opener at Hampden.

The Aston Villa midfielder conjured an acrobatic effort as the Scots were forced to come from behind twice.

Grant Hanley’s first Scotland goal in eight years cancelled out Sasa Kalajdzic’s opener.

Kalajdzic headed in a second to rock Scotland before McGinn’s intervention.

The result ends a run of back-to-back defeats for the Scots with Israel, who went down 2-0 to Denmark earlier, and the Faroe Islands up next.

The last time these two met in competitive action, Scotland beat the eventual group winners Austria 2-0 at Celtic Park as both reached the World Cup for – now at least – the last time.

For all the acclaim Steve Clarke’s Scotland have had for reaching Euro 2020, back-to-back defeats to Israel and Slovakia in November meant a tentative approach to this one.

In comparison, Austria had lost just one of their last eight, winning six, and topped their Nations League section.

That confidence showed early on. Kalajdzic shot wide and Stefan Ilsanker headed over. Then, a neat flick from Kalajdzic sent Christoph Baumgartner charging down the middle and David Marshall had to get down low to deflect his driven shot away.

They were testing Scotland’s makeshift defence. Hanley, earning a first cap in three years, was booked early on and was running the risk of another before half an hour was on the clock.

Scotland though, slowly, began to exert some pressure of their own. Andy Robertson’s looping header landed on the roof of the net. Stuart Armstrong had two shots from distance off target.

And they should have been in the lead after Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager gifted the ball under no pressure to Lyndon Dykes. The Queens Park Rangers striker knocked the ball back to Ryan Christie rather than shoot, and the Celtic midfielder hit his shot off the legs of Schlager.

Scotland had finished the first half the stronger of the two, but when Austria emerged after the break they were back on the front foot, and 10 minutes in were ahead.

Florian Grillitsch was given too much time and space to shoot from distance. Marshall parried his shot, but Kalajdzic reacted quicker than Jack Hendry to knock in the rebound.

Scotland responded well. Christie appeared to be denied a stonewall penalty when Ilsanker wrapped his arms around him then tackled him to the ground. Incredibly, the referee waved away the claims.

Kalajdzic then headed in what he thought was a second for Austria, but the referee had spotted a push on Kieran Tierney.

Southamption forward Che Adams made his debut from the bench, but it was Hanley who drew Scotland level when he got away from Ilsanker at a free-kick and headed home, his second ever goal for Scotland and eight years and three days since his last.

Dykes was inches away from getting to Robertson’s cross as the goal spurred the home side on, but Scotland were behind again when Kalajdzic leapt high in the box and planted a header beyond Marshall.

An agonising defeat was staring Scotland in the face, but McGinn beat the offside trap and with his back to goal acrobatically sent the ball past Schlager to spark wild celebrations

Spain suffered a frustrating start to their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign as they were held to a draw by Greece in Granada.

Alvaro Morata have the home side the lead from close range, shortly after Dani Olmo’s drive had hit the crossbar.

However, substitute Inigo Martinez conceded a penalty for a rash tackle on Greek midfielder Giorgos Masouras.

Anastasios Bakasetas converted from the spot to stun Luis Enrique’s team and earn his side an impressive point.

Morata, currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, had an opportunity to win it for his country but headed straight at the goalkeeper as Spain dominated possession but struggled to create any clear chances.

Spain next travel to Georgia in their second qualifying fixture on Sunday, the same day Greece host Honduras in a friendly.

A commanding first-half display by Italy condemned Northern Ireland to a 2-0 defeat in their opening World Cup qualifier in Parma.

An early goal from Domenico Berardi set the tone for the slick hosts, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell then beaten by Ciro Immobile at his near post.

Northern Ireland responded strongly after the break and went close through Gavin Whyte and Paddy McNair.

Ian Baraclough’s men play Bulgaria at home in their next qualifier.

That is next Wednesday night at Belfast’s Windsor Park, but before that at the same venue on Sunday, Baraclough must guide his squad through a friendly against USA.

Having replaced Michael O’Neill last year, the former NI Under-21 boss is still without a win during 90 minutes after nine matches in charge of the senior side.

This was always going to be a difficult match in which to get that first victory, with Italy, resurgent since Roberto Mancini took over in 2018, now unbeaten in 23 matches.

The four-time World Cup winners have still never lost a home World Cup qualifier, with Thursday’s win adding to the 10 victories they secured in 10 Euro 2020 qualifiers.

With Switzerland beating Bulgaria 3-1 earlier in the day’s other Group C match, next Wednesday’s encounter at Windsor now assumes even more importance for Northern Ireland as they bid to reach a World Cup finals for the first time since 1986.

If he doesn’t play on Sunday, Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis will hope to break Peter Shilton’s British international caps record against the Bulgarians, after equalling it with his 125th appearance in Parma.

England suffered a surprise defeat by Switzerland in the opening game of their European Under-21 Championship campaign.

Dan Ndoye’s looping effort 13 minutes from the end proved decisive for the Swiss on their first appearance at the finals for a decade.

While Aidy Boothroyd’s side dominated possession they struggled to break down resolute opponents.

Thursday’s other Group D fixture sees Portugal face Croatia at 20:00 GMT.

The group stage of the tournament began on Wednesday, hosted in Slovenia and Hungary.

The knockout phase is scheduled to take place between 31 May-6 June, with the final due to be played in Ljubljana.

And England, who have not advanced past the group stage in four of the last five finals, now have their work cut out to progress.

In truth it was no more than they deserved, with Switzerland enjoying the better chances in a hard-fought encounter.

England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale saved superbly from Brighton forward Andi Zeqiri following lax play from Ben Godfrey, and another error, this time from Tom Davies, saw Bastien Toma hit the post for Switzerland.

In response England were restricted to few chances of note, with a dipping Davies effort from distance, Lloyd Kelly’s wayward header from a corner and a Callum Hudson-Odoi free-kick all they could muster.

England Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd, speaking to Sky Sports: “I thought we had a high percentage of the ball but we were not clinical enough. I don’t think we created enough in the final third really and it is as simple as that.

“We are not out of it yet, two more games and we can still get out of the group and that is what we will aim to do.

“The word is cautious. We played a safe game today and if you are going to win you can’t play safe. I felt at half-time we had more to come. The substitutes we brought on had a go but unfortunately if was not our day today.

“This is the biggest test and we have to go through a bit of adversity to come through the other side. Am I worried about it? No I am not because the team that goes out against Portugal will be a very attacking team and we will see if we can improve. We have still got a chance.”

Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has withdrawn from England Under-21s squad for the European Championships because of an injury.

It was the 19-year-old’s first call-up to any England squad since he was sent home from the first team last September having breached coronavirus protocols.

Norwich’s attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell will come in as a replacement.

The competition sees the group stage being held from 24-31 March and the knockout stage from 31 May to 6 June.

Hungary and Slovenia will host the tournament, which features 16 nations competing in four groups of four with the group winners and runners-up qualifying for the knockout phase

England play Switzerland in Slovenia in their first game on Thursday and also face Croatia and Portugal in Group D.

Former England striker Frank Worthington has died aged 72 following a long illness.

Frank Worthington began his career at Huddersfield in 1966, going on to play for more than 20 clubs during his 26-year career

Worthington, who won eight England caps and scored twice for the national team, began his career at Huddersfield Town.

He went on to make more than 200 appearances for Leicester City and played for clubs including Bolton, Birmingham City, Southampton, Leeds United and Sunderland.

He also had a spell as player-manager of Tranmere Rovers.

Former Leicester striker and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker paid tribute, tweeting: “Profoundly saddened to hear that Frank Worthington has died. He was my boyhood hero when he was at LCFC.

“A beautiful footballer, a maverick and a wonderful character who was so kind to this young apprentice when he joined the club. RIP Frank [Elvis].”

Worthington was known as much for his flamboyant antics off the pitch as he was for his maverick talents on it.

He played in 22 consecutive Football League seasons from 1966 to 1987, scoring 266 goals in 882 appearances in all competitions.

In 14 of those campaigns he played in the top division, notching 150 goals in 466 matches, and won the Golden Boot award playing for Bolton in 1978-79 as the leading scorer ahead of Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish and Arsenal’s Frank Stapleton.

It was during that season he scored one of the defining goals of his career against Ipswich at Burnden Park in April 1979, juggling the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the penalty area before turning, knocking the ball over the onrushing defenders and volleying low into the corner.

He was player-manager of Tranmere between 1985-87 before having a number of short spells at non-league clubs including Chorley and Weymouth. He was player-coach at hometown club Halifax in the 1991-92 season.

He made all eight of his England appearances in 1974, scoring in friendlies against Bulgaria and Argentina.

In a statement, the Professional Footballers Association said: “We are very sad to hear the news about Frank Worthington. He was a great player and great character who lit up the game. He was also a marvellous after dinner entertainer with his football tales.

“Our deepest sympathies to Carol and all his family. Frank will be much missed but never forgotten.”

Former Bolton striker Alan Gowling, who provided the assist for Worthington’s famous goal against Ipswich, told BBC Radio Manchester: “Frank was a really skilful player. We always used to have a little laugh about the fact I used to do all his running for him while he was doing all the show business bits.

“Frank was up there with the George Bests and people of that ilk in football. He had this image of being the playboy. In fairness to him he enjoyed a social life, but his football came first.

“I’ll remember him as a good friend a great footballer with the best left foot I have ever seen on anybody.”

In 2016, Worthington’s daughter, Kim Malou, announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, something he publicly denied the following day.

In a statement, his wife Carol said: “Frank brought joy to so many people throughout his career and in his private life.

“He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him so much.”

Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard has finally established himself as a key player for Arsenal, where he will play on a loan deal at least until the end of the 2020-2021 season. Arsenal are “extremely happy” with Odegaard’s recent performances and work ethic and will try their very best to keep the player when his current loan deal expires, according to reporter Fabrizio Romano.

Still, Real Madrid and the player himself will be the ones making that decision. Odegaard has said many times in the past that playing minutes consistently and stability are key factors for him, so he could ultimately be keen on extending his loan deal if he believes he’s not going to be given the chance to play for Madrid regularly.

Fabrizio Romano reported this Tuesday that coach Zinedine Zidane’s future is key. Zidane never found a way to get Odegaard involved even when the young talent was healthy and Odegaard might not want to find himself in the same situation next season if Zidane is going to stay.

Odegaard’s contract with Real Madrid expires in the summer of 2023, so at the end of the day Madrid will have to trust him and stop sending him on loan if they want Odegaard to commit to another contract extension.

Right now, extending his loan deal with Arsenal makes sense although negotiating an extension with him in 2022 when he would just be back in Madrid could be problematic if he decides to leave the club.

Gareth Bale says he plans to return to Real Madrid next season after his loan at Tottenham ends.

Wales captain Bale rejoined Spurs on a season-long loan in September but has a year left on his Real contract, which expires in the summer of 2022.

Bale, 31, is with Wales as they prepare for their opening World Cup qualifier away against Belgium on Wednesday.

“There’s no distraction for me,” Bale said when asked how his club future might affect his international form.

“I think the main reason I came to Spurs this year was to play football first and foremost.

“Going into the Euros I wanted to be match-fit. The original plan was to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros still have a year left at Real Madrid.

“My plan is to go back, that’s as far I have planned.”

At Real, Bale has won four Champions League titles, two La Liga championships, one Copa del Rey, three Uefa Super Cups and three Club World Cups.

However, a run of injuries, indifferent form and a deteriorating relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane had seen Bale become a marginal figure in Spain.

As a result, last September, he moved back to Tottenham, whom he had first joined as a 17-year-old from Southampton in 2007 for an initial payment of £5m.

Bale initially found playing time limited at Spurs but he has been in excellent form recently and has scored 10 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions this season

Xabi Alonso has had an offer to take over as Borussia Monchengladbach’s new manager, but a decision has not yet been made, says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Bild has reported that Alonso, 39, will replace Marco Rose, who is to leave in the summer to take over at Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Alonso is currently manager of La Liga side Real Sociedad’s B team. and Balague says the World Cup winner could stay and take over the senior team if that role becomes available.

He also says the Gladbach offer is one of many on the table and the former Liverpool midfielder is not in a rush to make the next step in his coaching career.

As a player, Alonso helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

He also won the Champions League with Liverpool and Real Madrid before finishing his playing career with Bayern Munich in 2017.

On the coaching front, Alonso led Real Madrid Under-13s to a league title before joining his former club Real Sociedad’s B team in 2019 – managing in Spain’s third tier.

German football writer Constantin Eckner says Alonso is one of six candidates for the Gladbach job, including Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel.

Luis Suarez scored his 500th career goal to give La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid victory over Alaves.

The Uruguay forward reached the milestone by heading home Kieran Trippier’s cross in the second half.

It was his 19th goal for Atleti, while the 34-year-old has also scored 198 goals for Barcelona, 82 for Liverpool, and 63 for Uruguay.

Jan Oblak saved a late Joselu penalty to ensure Atletico remained four points clear at the top of La Liga.

Barcelona ensured they kept the pressure on Diego Simone’s side, thrashing Real Sociedad 6-1 in Sunday’s late kick-off – a win that saw Lionel Messi mark his record 768th appearance with a second-half double.

Suarez began his career at Uruguay side Club Nacional, where he scored 12 goals, before moving to Eredivisie outfit Groningen where he netted 15 times.

He joined Ajax in 2007, adding 111 goals before he joined Liverpool in 2011 and then Barcelona in 2014.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain won 4-2 at Lyon to go top of Ligue 1.

The 22-year-old France striker’s efforts either side of the break saw him become the youngest player to score 100 goals in the French top flight.

Mbappe opened the scoring from a tight angle, before Danilo Pereira made it 2-0 with a half-volley and Angel di Maria added a third early in the second half.

Mbappe netted again before Islam Slimani and Maxwel Cornet responded.

Victory lifts PSG to the summit on goal difference above Lille, who were beaten 2-1 at home by Nimes earlier on Sunday.

Mbappe replaces Herve Revelli, who achieved the feat with Saint Etienne in 1969, as the youngest player ever to score 100 goals in the French top flight.

Victory against third-placed Lyon also saw Brazilian forward Neymar return from a six-week injury layoff, coming off the bench to replace Mbappe in the 70th minute.

Lionel Messi celebrated a record-breaking 768th appearance for Barcelona with two goals as the Spanish giants thrashed Real Sociedad 6-1 in La Liga.

The Argentina forward, 33, moved one game clear of former midfielder Xavi’s total as Barca closed the gap on leaders Atletico Madrid to four points.

Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring, Sergino Dest scored twice and Ousmane Dembele also found the net.

Messi has now scored 23 league goals so far this season.

At 5-0 down, Ander Barrenetxea did manage to find a consolation goal for Sociedad with arguably the strike of the night, but it was far too late for Imanol Alguacil’s side to stage a fightback at the Anoeta Stadium.

Messi did not disappoint on his history-making night, showing the same energy and enthusiasm he has done throughout his career for the Catalan club.

His first major act was to turn provider for American Dest to score his first goal for Barcelona. The threaded through-ball also took Messi’s assist tally up to eight for the 2020-21 season.

After testing Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro twice in the first half, Messi finally grabbed a well-deserved reward during the second half by poking home Barca’s fourth.

The icing on the cake for Messi came on 89 minutes when the Argentine’s good link-up play with left-back Jordi Alba resulted in a second goal on his special night.

As much as the three points were a welcome birthday gift for boss Ronald Koeman, Barca still trail league leaders Atletico Madrid in the race to become champions.

Juventus’ hopes of winning a 10th straight Serie A title were dealt a major blow after Adolfo Gaich snatched a remarkable winner for strugglers Benevento at the Allianz Stadium.

Gaich pounced on a stray Arthur pass before punishing the sluggish hosts.

Juve had a penalty overturned and Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed as Benevento ended an 11-game winless run with one of the season’s upsets.

The defeat leaves third-placed Juve 10 points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

With Inter’s game against Sassuolo postponed this weekend because of a coronavirus outbreak at the Nerazzurri, victory against a Benevento side that has struggled so far in 2021 was seen a chance to put pressure on the title pacesetters.

Instead, the hosts suffered their first home defeat since December against a well-organised side that pinched victory with their only shot on goal.

Juve themselves had a number of chances, with Benevento goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo ensuring the Witches left with all three points after making a series of decisive saves either side of the break from Ronaldo, Matthijs de Ligt and Alvaro Morata.

Montipo was also called upon to tip a headed second-half clearance from team-mate Federico Barba over the bar in an inspired performance.

Juve were even awarded a penalty in the 35th minute when the ball appeared to brush Daam Foulon’s arm as he tried to get his chest to a cross, but referee Rosario Abisso overturned his decision after being instructed to watch a replay on the pitchside monitor.

From the resulting corner, De Ligt tested Montipo before Morata wastefully sent his follow-up effort over the bar.

Juventus continued to press forward in the second half, but lacked urgency and quality and were eventually punished by Argentine striker Gaich, who intercepted a weak pass across goal from Arthur before coolly beating keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Ronaldo, who flashed an early shot across goal and had a volleyed effort ruled out for offside before the break, was twice denied a late equaliser by the excellent Montipo.

Arsenal came from three goals down to rescue a point in a stunning game against London rivals West Ham in the Premier League.

The Hammers raced into a three-goal lead at London Stadium through Jesse Lingard, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek, who touched in a Michail Antonio header.

The visitors gave themselves hope when an Alexandre Lacazette effort went in off Soucek for an own goal just before half-time.

West Ham defender Craig Dawson turned in Arsenal full-back Calum Chambers’ low cross for another own goal in the 61st minute.

And Lacazette completed the comeback with a thumping header from Nicolas Pepe’s cross, before both sides had late chances to win the game.

The result leaves the Hammers two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in fifth, while Arsenal move above Aston Villa into ninth.