The potential home final would have been the cherry on top, but Italy can still be satisfied with the World Cup playoff draw that took place a few hours ago.Having avoided the dangers of Sweden (and

As Chelsea ready themselves to face a side who have for so long been the yardstick against which all other European clubs are measured, they might ask whether they are hitting their own standards, let alone the lofty ones that Barcelona continue to set.

Garnacho struck in the 53rd for Chelsea, which was coming off Champions League victories over Ajax and Benfica after opening the league phase with a loss at leader Bayern Munich. In the other early game, Pafos earned its first-ever league-phase win by beating Spanish club Villarreal 1-0 at home in Cyprus.

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Juventus are still without a win in the Champions League after they were held to a 1-1 draw in Turin by Sporting on Tuesday, when Maximiliano Araujo put the visitors ahead and Dusan Vlahovic equalised for the hosts.