Lionel Messi has broken Athletic Bilbao's hearts with a late free-kick as Barcelona's big guns kept their Copa del Rey hopes alive.

A fine goal by Southampton forward Nathan Redmond gave them a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at St Mary's on Thursday morning.

• Dominic Bossi

A 19-year-old Sydney FC defender is set to make his debut in the Sydney derby, but Wanderers' troubled attack makes them the perfect opponent, says Alex Brosque.

• Dominic Bossi

"Is money dominating the game that much?"

• James Buckley

A heavy police presence at Moore Park will await fans attending Saturday's A-League and Big Bash double header.

Caretaker coach Michael Valkanis will lead an Adelaide United-flavoured Melbourne City side to South Australia for their A-League clash.

FIFA's decision to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams will devalue qualification for soccer's showpiece event, according to former Australian captain Paul Wade.

New Zealand Football believe the Oceania confederation they are part of will get "at least one place" in the expanded World Cup.

• Jason Burt

Arsenal's fight to keep Alexis Sanchez has taken a significant twist with Paris St-Germain exploring whether they can sign the unsettled star striker.

Manchester United turned frustration into jubilation as they planted one foot in the League Cup final after a late Marouane Fellaini header gave them a 2-0 win over Hull City in the first leg of their last four clash.

• J.J. Bull

More teams and more games at the World Cup means more money.

Ten years ago this week, David Beckham rocked the soccer establishment when he turned his back on Real Madrid, the world's most glamorous soccer club, and signed with Los Angeles Galaxy.

• COMMENT
• Michael Cockerill

FIFA's landmark decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams finally gives Oceania - the game's orphan child - direct entry. That one spot has taken 51 years.

Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA's player of the year award, beating off his old rival Lionel Messi who was pulled out of the ceremony only a few hours earlier by his club Barcelona.

Melbourne Victory winger Marco Rojas has ruled a move from the A-League club in the mid-season transfer window despite his red-hot form.

The FIFA Council has unanimously backed plans by President Gianni Infantino to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 32 starting in 2026, the global football body said on Tuesday.

Sydney FC remain cautiously optimistic of adding an experienced defender to their ranks before Saturday night's A-League duel with Western Sydney.

​FA Cup holders Manchester United will face Championship side Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round after the draw was held on Tuesday morning.

Buenos Aires A monument to Lionel Messi in the Argentine capital has lost its head - in fact, its entire torso - in an apparent act of vandalism, Buenos Aires city officials told dpa Monday.

• James Ducker

Jose Mourinho's determination to ensure Alex Ferguson's presence is still felt around Manchester United has been laid bare, with fresh details emerging about the extent to which he has gone to involve the club's former manager.

• Caden Helmers

Michelle Heyman doesn't try to cover up who she is because she has always been so comfortable in her own skin.

• Cameron Mee

Excitement is building within the Western Sydney Wanderers camp ahead of this week's A-League clash with Sydney FC.

• Richard Martin

Barcelona's Lionel Messi has scored an early contender for goal of the year.

• Steve Tongue

Fourth-tier Plymouth Argyle shut up shop and kept the door firmly closed to earn a 0-0 draw away to Liverpool's youngest ever starting XI in their FA Cup third round tie at Anfield while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur both won.

• Dominic Bossi

Sydney FC will be looking to fast-track a European central defender into their squad this week in the wake of a looming defensive crisis as a result of a costly win over Central Coast Mariners.

• Michael Lynch

For James Troisi to function at his most effective, he has to play with a smile on his face. 

• Dominic Bossi

A freak injury to Seb Ryall just two minutes into Sydney FC's clash with the Mariners has reduced their defence to bare bones ahead of next week's derby against the Wanderers.

• Adrian Warren

W-League leaders Sydney FC have drawn for the first time this season, held 1-1 by Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

• Michael Cockerill

What's happened to the African revolution? Two decades after the first tide of African migration lapped our shores, we were expecting, and hoping, to see the fruits by now.