It is not just sumo that occupies the hearts and minds of Japanese sports fans, as this year’s Rugby World Cup is proving on a rapidly increasing basis.

Not many managers can claim to have sent a referee into early retirement but Mourinho was accused of precisely that in one of his first European adventures with Chelsea.

Isco scored twice as Spain beat Italy 3-0 at the Bernabeu to move clear at the top of World Cup qualifying Group G.

David Villa is not only loving life with Patrick Vieira's New York City FC but his outstanding Major League Soccer form has earned a dream Spain recall at the age of 35.

Barcelona completed what was the greatest-ever comeback in the history of the Champions League knockout stages when they overturned a four-goal first-leg deficit against Paris St Germain but now they have to perform another escape act against Juventus.

"I'm hoping to get back there soon," says Tommy McNamara.

It was near midnight on Sunday when Robbie Keane went silently into the record books.

Sean St Ledger still hasn’t given up hope of an international recall...

The LA Galaxy, in third in the MLS table, saw off bottom side Colorado Rapids with a 3-1 comeback win after Marcelo Sarvas had given the hosts the lead.

Former England midfield duo Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard admitted they were raring to get their Major League Soccer debuts under their belts for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York City FC respectively this month.

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo is relishing the challenge ahead after leaving Juventus for MLS side New York City FC.

On the day the LA Galaxy introduced new signing Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane stole the show with a hat-trick in a 4-0 MLS win over Toronto FC.

The great players enjoy more space and more time than the mere mortals and that goal summed up what Villa can expect this year in this league.

Manchester City's deal to keep Frank Lampard until the end of the season has been condemned by supporters of New York City FC, their sister club in Major League Soccer who must now wait until mid-season to see their marquee signing.

The Premier League transfer window opens on Saturday morning and closes at 11pm on February 2.

Tomorrow is Pele’s birthday — or maybe it was yesterday. Depends on where you fact check.

Spain’s bid to return to the peak of international football begins in La Roja’s first Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Macedonia tonight.

Frank Lampard will join up with Manchester City next week as he begins a loan spell with the Premier League champions.

Javier Hernandez is unsure whether he will remain at Manchester United next year, but Atletico Madrid are willing to offer the Mexican an escape route from Old Trafford should he decide to leave.

Striker Romelu Lukaku could be on his way back to Everton as he looks for a way out of Chelsea.

Frank Lampard has signed for New York City FC, the Major League Soccer franchise have announced.

Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid from Bayern Munich, the German club have announced.

The process of making Luis Suarez a Barcelona player has been managed very cleverly, but fitting another high-profile attacker into the blaugrana team could well prove much more difficult.

Spain’s previously all-conquering players have not reacted well to their shock early exit from this summer’s World Cup.

Spain arrived in Madrid on Tuesday and unlike four years ago, after a triumphant World Cup in South Africa, there were few fans waiting for them at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport.

Record-breaking Spain striker David Villa stopped short of admitting his international career is now definitely over but conceded it would be difficult for him to play for his country again as he looks ahead to a new challenge in America.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque will make a decision on his future in the next week but revealed when he substituted goalscorer David Villa in the 3-0 win over Australia, he was unaware it was his last international.

AUSTRALIA 0 SPAIN 3

Spain must trust in their philosophy but trust their youth to enact it

Damien Duff pictured has agreed a one-year deal to join Melbourne City on a free transfer.

A-League side Melbourne Heart have been renamed Melbourne City FC and will take Spain striker David Villa on loan from sister club New York City FC for a short spell later this year.

Spain striker David Villa has announced he plans to retire from international football after the World Cup.

That’s what you call a statement of intent; New York City FC signing striker David Villa on Monday was an impactful moment.

Frank Lampard may not know where his club future lies but he accepts this summer’s World Cup is likely to bring the curtain down on his England career.

Diego Costa and Fernando Torres have been included in Spain’s final squad for the World Cup, but Manchester City pair Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas were left out.

One thing was for sure going into Saturday’s all or nothing La Liga clash between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou. The fifth Argentinian coach in history was going to win the trophy.

Barcelona 1 Atletico Madrid 1

LA LIGA

Uncapped duo Ander Iturraspe and Daniel Carvajal have both included in Spain’s 30-man provisional World Cup squad, along with Fernando Torres, but Real Madrid pair Alvaro Arbeloa and Isco have been omitted.

Someone will finally have to claim this season’s La Liga trophy next Saturday when Atletico Madrid travel to Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

Atletico Madrid 1 Barcelona 0 (Atletico Madrid win 2-1 on aggregate)

Barcelona 1 Atletico Munich 1

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has been left out of Spain’s squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Italy.

Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifying draw may have been the first time most football fans in Ireland realised Gibraltar had an international team which actually played in qualifiers.

Something most unusual is happening in Spain. There are signs that La Liga could turn into a genuine competition.

European round-up