SOCCER

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Messi Discusses Future Retirement After Five Star Display for Argentina. Lionel Messi delivered yet another masterclass for Argentina, netting a hat-trick and providing two assists in a dominant victory over Bolivia in the South American World Cup qualifiers.

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Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool at his rented villa in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old athlete, who had recently joined Greek club Panathinaikos, was discovered unresponsive after his partner in the UK raised concerns when unable to reach him by phone.

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Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea boss, has agreed to take over as England's next permanent manager, according to the BBC. The 51-year-old German will become the third non-British manager to lead the England men's team, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. Tuchel is set to take charge after the interim stint of Lee Carsley, who is leading England through the final Nations League matches in November.

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As the pressure mounts, Brazil's national football team faces critical World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru, but they will do so without several key players sidelined by injuries. After a string of poor performances, the five-time World Cup champions are under intense scrutiny as they sit precariously in fifth place in the qualification standings, just ahead of Venezuela on goal difference.

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Belgium capitalized on Lorenzo Pellegrini’s first-half red card to come from behind and draw 2-2 against Italy in UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group A2, avoiding defeat for the first time in four H2Hs. It took just 61 seconds for Italy’s wing-backs to team up for the opener, as Federico Dimarco glided up the pitch and delivered a pinpoint pass that culminated in Andrea Cambiaso converting despite the best efforts of Maxim De Cuyper and Koen Casteels.

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Italy can become a great team if they play at their best, coach Luciano Spalletti said on Wednesday, ahead of a game against Belgium which he described as crucial for their hopes of progress in the Nations League.

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The obvious reaction to England's shock 2-1 defeat by Greece on Thursday would be to blame the radical selection of stand-in coach Lee Carsley, but the key moments came not in the crowded midfield but when England had numbers galore at the back. Vangelis Pavlidis scored both Greece goals, the second in stoppage time, despite being surrounded by defenders on both occasions.

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German coach Jurgen Klopp (57) has been appointed Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.