Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse is considering changes for his side s must-win World Cup Group A clash against Ecuador on Tuesday.

Having lost to the Netherlands in their opening match, a 3-1 victory over Qatar kept the African champions hopes of advancing to the last 16 alive but Ecuador s draw against the Oranje gives the South American s the edge at Khalifa International Stadium.

Only a win will be enough for Senegal to progress to the knockout stage for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002, their first World Cup, and they will have to beat South American opposition at the World Cup for the first time having lost on two such previous occasions (Uruguay in 2002, Colombia in 2014).

Cisse is pondering tactical tweaks for the crucial clash.

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The Champions League quarter-final second legs are here, and the competition s two most recent winners must overcome first-leg deficits to reach the final four on Tuesday.

Defending champions Chelsea were downed by a stunning Karim Benzema hat-trick at home to Real Madrid, who are bidding to be crowned European champions for a 14th time.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, suffered a shock reverse at Unai Emery s Villarreal, who will surely require a remarkable defensive performance to keep the free-scoring Bundesliga leaders at bay in Bavaria.

Here, Stats Perform unpacks the pick of the data from Tuesday s crucial European ties. 

MODE

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)

Real Madrid v Chelsea: Benzema brilliance puts hosts in driving seat

Thomas Muller described Germany s World Cup campaign in Qatar as an absolute disaster , heavily hinting at international retirement in the process.

While Hansi Flick s side were successful in their final match, beating Costa Rica 4-2, Japan s surprise 2-1 victory over Spain led to another group-stage exit at the World Cup.

Prior to 2018 in Russia, Germany had not failed to advance past the group stage at a World Cup since 1954 but have now endured an early exit in the past two tournaments.

For Muller, part of the squad that was victorious in 2014 in Brazil, it may now be his final appearance on the international stage, as he admitted he was unsure of his future steps.

It s an absolute disaster! I don t know what happens next, he told ARD after the match.…

Real Madrid have expressed their sincere gratitude and affection to departing duo Gareth Bale and Isco.

Bale confirmed on Wednesday that, as expected, he was leaving the LaLiga champions and Champions League winners, with his contract with Los Blancos coming to an end.

Isco also revealed earlier this week that he was departing the club on a free transfer.

Both players signed for Madrid in 2013 Bale joining from Tottenham while Isco arrived from Malaga.

The pair have helped Madrid win 19 trophies in their nine years in the Spanish capital, although Bale did spend the 2020-21 season on loan at Spurs.

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11)

They can count five Champions League titles, three league crowns, one Copa del Rey and four FIFA …

Newcastle could face a challenging summer as they attempt to managing the competing demands of their ambition and financial rules which prevent them from fully exercising their spending power.

In-form striker Alexander Isak and influential midfielder Bruno Guimaraes are coveted by rivals at home and abroad and the Magpies, who are determined to hang on to their biggest names, will have to negotiate a balancing act as they go about the latest phase of their recruitment drive.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the issues they may have to contend with.

Aren’t Newcastle’s owners fabulously wealthy?

The Magpies’ Saudi-backed owners may have eye-watering amounts of money at their disposal, but the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules…

Craig Bellamy insists there is still room for improvement for Wales after seeing off Montenegro 1-0 to make it four games without defeat.

Harry Wilson s 36th-minute penalty earned Wales all three points in Monday s Nations League Group B4 clash at Cardiff City Stadium.

Bellamy, who succeeded Rob Page in July, is the first Wales head coach to avoid defeat in his first four games in charge of the senior men s side.

As well as beating Montenegro home and away, Wales have also drawn 0-0 at home to Turkiye and 2-2 in Iceland.

Reflecting on his side s latest win, Bellamy told S4C: I was impressed by us being able to control the tempo of the second half, but we still need improvement on it.

You will get breaks and it feels like you can score because the…

Pep Guardiola appreciates having Erling Haaland s special quality at his disposal but is adamant Manchester City will not win the Champions League by relying solely on the Norwegian.

Haaland has enjoyed a tremendous start to life at City, scoring 10 goals in his first six Premier League games to equal the division s record for the fewest matches required to reach double-figures.

Before the season began, some suggested Haaland might require a bit of time to get up to speed, but his early form has made a mockery of his critics.

However, many feel that making a difference in the Premier League is not the reason for City signing Haaland, rather he was purchased to be decisive when the margins are much smaller – in the Champions League.

Despite massive inve…

Martin O Neill has revealed that Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Rob Elliot suffered a serious knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Slovakia.

The Newcastle United keeper was handed his fourth cap at the Aviva Stadium, but his chances of making O Neill s Euro 2016 squad are now in tatters.

Slovakia opened the scoring through Miroslav Stoch, but Elliot was injured as he tried to stop the ball from flying into the top corner.

O Neill refused to give a timeframe for the injury, but the former Aston Villa boss conceded Elliot s problem was serious.

He s not great. He s got a serious knee injury and it s a real disappointment and a dampener on the evening, particularly when he s getting his career together and going well at Newcastle and looking forward…

According to AS, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is planning on retiring from professional football in 2020 in order to focus his attention elsewhere – on becoming a candidate for the role of club president in 2021.

The 31 year old first joined the club back in 2008 with this year marking his ten year anniversary at the Nou Camp, and it’s fair to say that he’s had a successful run with the Spanish champions. He is already considered to be a club legend with Barca and it doesn’t feel like he has any need to go elsewhere, especially given just how much the fans love him.

He’s young enough to the point where he could probably keep playing at the highest level for a good few years to come, but if his heart is set on things other than playing, then it may be smart …

Market: Both teams to score

Odds: 2/3 @

Looking to mark their League One return with an opening weekend statement, Wrexham will welcome Wycombe to the Racecourse Ground on Saturday evening.

Starting with the hosts, storming their way to a sensational League One return this season, Wrexham are in the midst of what has become an iconic fairytale. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-1 victory at home against Stockport, the Red Dragons won all of their final five League Two appearances by an aggregate score of 17-3. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their clinical performances in the final third, Phil Parkinson’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Enjoying a real summer flurry over in the United States and even snatching a thrilling 2-2 stale…