Had qualification for the World Cup been decided by population, Spain would only just have made it for the past seven tournaments. Ranked 31st by that metric, they lag behind Myanmar, Sudan and Colomb

Simon Kuper World Cup Fever A footballing journey in nine tournaments 352pp. Profile. £20. Jonathan Wilson The Power and the Glory A new history of the World Cup 608pp. Abacus. £25. In 1994, a column

01 December saw Mo Salah break the Premier League’s all-time goal contributions record for a single club with 277. Which now-retired forward did he overtake? 02 Noni Madueke’s first three goals for Ar

The end. The collapse. The exhaustion of 11 Arsenal players, slumping to the turf against the glittering backdrop of a Toon foil display. Mikel Arteta’s thousand-yard stare. Granit Xhaka’s chevron bro

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT THE FUTURE'S

Africa Cup of Nations: a “ludicrous finale” to ...