Former Real Madrid midfielder and youth coach Guti will leave the Spanish club to join Turkish top division side Besiktas as an assistant manager from next season, the 41-year-old has said.

Guti, who was touted to take over from Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss prior to Julen Lopetegui's appointment last month, will work alongside manager Senol Gunes at Besiktas.

The former Spain international made 40 appearances for Besiktas in a 16-month spell before his retirement in 2012.
"Today I want to thank Real Madrid my home, for all the years that I enjoy as a footballer and as a coach," Guti said on his official Instagram account.

"I will join in a few days Besiktas as a second coach to continue growing professionally.

"I am grateful to Besiktas for the love and trust that you have placed in me, I will return it to you with a lot of work and enthusiasm."

Real Madrid have issued a statement denying claims they are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Kylian Mbappe in a £237m move.

Media reports on Wednesday morning suggested that the European champions had concluded an agreement to sign the France World Cup striker.

But Real Madrid issued a statement distancing themselves from a move for the 19-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward.
"Given the information published in the last few hours regarding an alleged agreement between Real Madrid C.F. and PSG for the player Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid would like to state that it is completely false," said the Spanish club.

"Real Madrid has not made any offer to PSG or the player and condemns the spreading of this type of information that has not been proven by the parties concerned.

Real Madrid had earlier denied a report that they have offered a world-record 310 million euros ($360.59 million) for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Neymar.
Spanish television channel TVE reported on Monday that the Champions League winners had submitted the bid for the player who left Barcelona last year for a record 222 million euros.

"In light of information broadcast tonight by TVE regarding an alleged Real Madrid offer to PSG and their player Neymar, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to state that this information is absolutely untrue," the club said in statement on their website.

"Real Madrid has made no offer of any kind to PSG or the player."

Neymar is currently on duty with Brazil at the World Cup in Russia and scored one and set up another as they beat Mexico 2-0 in the last 16 on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo has received an offer to leave Real Madrid and join Italian champions Juventus, a source close to the player told Reuters on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, who joined Real from Manchester United in 2008 for a then world record £80 million, is the Spanish club's all-time top scorer with 451 goals in all competitions and has won two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with them.
Moments after lifting a third consecutive Champions League trophy by helping beat Liverpool 3-1 in the final on May 26, Ronaldo appeared to suggest he had already decided to leave Real, telling a television reporter on the pitch at Kiev's NSC Olympic Stadium: "It was beautiful to play for Real Madrid."

Ronaldo, 33, appeared to backtrack on that statement during Real's celebration parade through the Spanish capital the next day, when he told a mass of supporters: "See you next season."
He also caused a stir in 2012 when he declared in a post-match interview after a game with Granada: "I'm sad and the club know why."
Juventus declined to comment when contacted by Reuters, while Real Madrid said: "Our official comments are made through our official media channels."

Real have not issued any statement on their website about Ronaldo, although in the past days they have issued statements denying reports they have made transfer bids for Paris St Germain forwards Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Spanish newspaper Marca suggested on Wednesday that Ronaldo is unhappy at Real because they are searching for his successor and president Florentino Perez has publicly courted Neymar, urging the Brazilian last year to come to Madrid if he wants to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

Ronaldo scored two goals against Juventus in Real's 4-1 win in the 2017 Champions League final and earlier this season struck a jaw-dropping bicycle kick against the Italians in a 3-0 win in a quarter-final first-leg game in Turin which prompted Juve supporters to give him a standing ovation.

The Portuguese converted a stoppage-time penalty in the second leg to knock the Italians out 4-3 on aggregate.

Ronaldo enjoyed an explosive start to the 2018 World Cup by scoring a hat-trick in his side's 3-3 draw with Spain, also hitting Portugal's winner in a 1-0 win over Morocco. But he missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Iran and failed to score in his side's 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in the last 16.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli says he has a plan to ease the load on star player Lionel Messi.

Argentina face France in the last 16 at 3pm (UK time) on Saturday after they stumbled through their group with a late Marcos Rojo goal against Nigeria sending them through.
He said: “I am sure France has a plan to neutralise Leo - but we have our own plan to make his life easier. Let's see which plan works the best."We have the best player on earth but we also have other players who can impose themselves. And that will help Leo."
“Leo is completely committed to the team - and you see that first and foremost on the pitch. Leo has a clear vision of football and shows us things that only a true genius can show.Sampaoli also insisted the rest of his team has to match their star man. "It can be tough to be at his level," he added. "He is a shining light for us all and we must try to play as close to his level as we can.“Some players know how Leo plays because of experience; for others it will take more time. France will have success only if we aren't accurate with the ball."

World Cup Group G, Kaliningrad Stadium - England 0 Belgium 1 (Januzaj 51')

England suffered their first defeat for a year as Belgium claimed a 1-0 victory in the World Cup Group G decider and will now take on Colombia in the last 16.

Adnan Januzaj scored a stunning goal in the 51st minute to separate the sides in a match that was otherwise devoid of quality, excitement or inspiration.

Gareth Southgate's sweeping changes did not help but England produced a pitiful performance that sees them finish second in Group G.

As a result, England will now take on Group H winners Colombia in the last 16 with Belgium taking on Japan.

Iran striker Sardar Azmoun announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, saying he had decided to quit the national team because insults aimed at the 23-year-old had ruined his mother's health.

Iran were knocked out of the World Cup with a win, a defeat and a draw in their three Group B matches, and Azmoun, Iran's top scorer in qualifying, did not replicate his best form in Russia, where he failed to score a single goal.
"Playing in my national team has been a great honour for me and I will be proud of myself to the end of my days," Azmoun said in a post on social media. "Unfortunately... I have come to the decision to say goodbye to my national team.

"This is one of the most painful and significant life decisions for a youth of 23, who faced great hardships to get here."
Although Iran left the World Cup with their heads held high, beating Morocco in their first match and narrowly losing to Spain before securing a gritty draw with Portugal, Azmoun said he had been subjected to abuse for his performances.

"There are some things in life that will speak first to you," he added.

"My mother had overcome a serious illness and I was happy, but unfortunately because of the unkindness of some people, and the insults that me and my team mates in no way deserved, her illness has become severe.

"This has put me in a difficult position where I must pick one or the other - and as a result I pick my mother."
The most promising young talent in Iran's national setup, Azmoun represented the country at youth level before moving to Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan at 18.

Strong in the air and with the ball at his feet, he moved to Rostov for two seasons and attracted the attention of clubs from some of Europe's biggest leagues, before opting to return to Kazan to continue his development.

Seen as the long-term successor to Iran great Ali Daei, Azmoun's retirement will come as a major blow to the Asian country, who have made steady progress under their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.

World Cup Group H, Samara - Senegal 0 Colombia 1 (Mina 74')

A towering header from Yerry Mina was somehow enough to sneak Colombia into the last 16, despite a game in which they were largely outplayed by Senegal. As such, the World Cup knockout stages will enjoy no African team; in the second round, Colombia - and Japan, who qualified with them - will meet either England or Belgium.

Senegal's general play in the first half was terrific - Colombia simply could not compete with their pace, movement and interchanges, unable to get the ball forward never mind create opportunities. And on 17 minutes, Senegal thought they had a penalty, when Davinson Sanchez was adjudged to have fouled Sadio Mane, only for VAR to reveal a brilliant tackle.

Colombia improved their intensity after half-time, but still struggled to create. But as Senegal retreated, they enjoyed more time on the ball in attacking areas, and when, on 74 minutes they won a corner, Mina leapt brilliantly at the near post to guide home what proved to be the winner.

In the immediate aftermath of the goal, Senegal threatened an equaliser, but the final few minutes passed relatively calmly as Colombia passed and timewasted intelligently. Somehow - and without James Rodriguez, who departed in the first half, injured - they have found a way, though on the evidence of this performance, neither England nor Belgium have anything to fear.

TALKING POINT

Why are we settling football matters according to disciplinary matters? What if the ref made an error, was more fussy than another, in a bad mood that day, or took a personal dislike to someone? Football is sport, not toadying - at least a coin toss is fair.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Yerry Mina (Colombia) Davinson Sanchez saved his team in the first half, but Mina was solid too, and his fine leap and header delivered a goal that until it arrived had not looked remotely likely.

PLAYER RATINGS

Senegal: K.Ndiaye 6, Sabaly 7, Koulibaly 7, Sané 7, Gassama 6, Gueye 6, Kouyaté 6; Sarr 6, Mané 5, Niang 5, Keita Baldé 5. Subs: Wague 6, Konate 6, Sakho 6. 

Colombia: Ospina 6, Arias 6, Yerry Mina 8, Sánchez 8, Mojica 6, Carlos Sánchez 5, Uribe 5, Cuadrado 6, James 5, Quintero 5, Falcao 4. Subs: Muriel 6, Borja 6, Lerma 6.

KEY MOMENTS

17’ - PENALTY TO SENEGAL! BUT I'M NOT SO SURE! A lovely move from Senegal, Balde into Mane who bousts into the box ... but Sanchez slides in with a brilliant challenge!

74’ - GOAL! Senegal 0-1 Colombia (Mina) Two in two for the centre-back! Quintero's corner picks him out, he's up hard and high and the near post, and sticks the nut on it like a pubescent doorman! Senegal are going out and Colombia are going through!

79’ - The chances are coming for Senegal! Mane drifts in from the left and lofts one over to Ismaila on the opposite side, eight yards out. He readies his sidefooter, applies it to the ball, and with great precision slices well over the top. Not good.

KEY STATS

This is the first time an African side hasn't made the knockout stages of a World Cup since 1982.

Colombia are the only side to reach the knockouts after losing their first game.

World Cup Group H, Volgograd Arena - Japan 0 Poland 1 (Bednarek 59)

Japan qualified through to the last 16 by virtue of having a superior fair-play record to Senegal despite Jan Bednarek handing Poland their only World Cup win of 2018.

Both sides appeared content with a slower pace as the game kicked off in 37-degree heat in Volgograd. The best chance of the second half fell to Kamil Grosicki, whose powerful header across goal was kept out with a stunning aerobatic save from Eiji Kawashima. Goal-line technology later confirmed that the Japanese captain had kept the ball from crossing the line with his impressive block.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark, when Rafa Kurzawa’s 35-yard free kick fell to Southampton’s Jan Bednarek, who confidently volleyed into the net for Poland’s second goal of the tournament. It marked Poland’s fifth consecutive World Cup goal to come from a set piece.

Japan, who made six changes in their starting line-up, largely failed to make an impact on the game — and struggled to break through Poland’s resolute back line.

In a rapidly changing scenario, Japan looked to be eliminated from Group H when they conceded. However, as Colombia beat Senegal 1-0, the Samurai Blue reached the knockout stage by virtue of their superior fair play record.

TALKING POINT

Will Japan pose a threat in the knockout rounds? - The Samurai Blue are in the knockout rounds by virtue of their fair play record, and will face either England or Belgium at the next stage. They were impressive in their first two games, but posed little threat to an already-eliminated Poland. They have never surpassed the Round of 16 - and that may not change in 2018.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jan Bednarek - Not only did the Southampton defender score the winning goal, but he was an integral part of a Polish backline that withstood plenty of Japanese attacks. Credit is also due to Lukasz Fabianski for a superb World Cup debut.

PLAYER RATINGS

Japan - Kawashima 7, Hiroki Sakai 7, Yoshida 6, Makino 6, Nagatomo 6, Gotoku Sakai 6, Shibasaki 7, Yamaguchi 6, Usami 7, Okazaki 7, Muto 7. Subs: Inui 6, Osaka 6

Poland - Fabianski 8, Jedrzejczyk 7, Glik 7, Bednarek 8, Bereszynski 7, Kurzawa 7, Goralski 7, Krychowiak 7, Zielinski 7, Grosicki 7, Lewandowski 6. Subs: Teodorczyk 6, Psezko 6

KEY MOMENTS

33 - CHANCE! Grosicki heads towards goal and sees it saved by Kawashima on the line! That's a truly world-class save! Grosicki was already reeling away celebrating!

35 - CHANCE! Usami breaks into the box on the right, and pushes towards the touchline, looking as if he'll cut back a cross... but he shoots from a narrow angle and forces a good save!

59 - GOAL! Poland win a free kick around 35 yards from goal. Kurzawa floats it in and Bednarek volleys into the net!

74 - CHANCE! Grosicki has space on the right flank and puts a square ball in to Lewandowski - his first touch puts the ball over the bar! Nine times out of 10 Lewy puts that in the net!

KEY STATS

Poland have never exited the World Cup without at least one group win.

Poland kept their first clean sheet since a 1-0 win over Portugal in 1986.

Japan have failed to score in five of their last six World Cup outings against European opposition.

World Cup, Group B – Spain 2 (Isco 19’ Aspas 90’) Morocco 2 (Boutaib 14’ En-Nesyri 81’)

Spain stumbled into the last 16 of the World Cup after an Iago Aspas strike in stoppage time gave them a 2-2 draw with Morocco in a thrilling game.

Fernando Hierro’s side have a tie against Russia by winning the group on goal difference after Portugal drew 1-1 with Iran.

In a spicy first-half which saw four Moroccan players booked, Gerard Pique was lucky to escape a red card for a two-footed lunge on Khalid Boutaib.

And it was Boutaib who gave the North Africans the lead after pouncing on a mistake by Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta to run through on goal and score.

The lead lasted just five minutes though as Iniesta, who bossed the midfield, teed up Isco to hammer the ball in from close range.

Morocco, who could not qualify for the next round, continued to show plenty of fighting spirit in the second half with the impressive Nordin Amrabat rattling the crossbar with a long-range effort while Roman Saiss cleared Isco’s header off the line. And they nullified the threat of Diego Costa who barely had a kick.

The Atlas Lions thought they had won the game through substitute Youssef En Nesyri's bullet header from a corner nine minutes from time.

But the 2010 world champions snatched an undeserved draw in stoppage time courtesy of a deft flick from substitute Aspas with VAR overruling the initial decision to disallow the goal for offside.

TALKING POINT

Should Gerard Pique have been sent off?

The Barcelona defender was sold short by a pass from Danny Carvajal but went in two-footed on Boutaib who was left in agony. Amazingly he was not even booked and the referee did not ask VAR to review the challenge. The defender was also lucky to escape a card for a clear handball on the edge of the box in the second half.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nordin Amrabat (Morocco): The Watford man was impressive against Portugal and reached the same heights against Spain with his energy and creativity. He was desperately unlucky not to score with a long-range strike which hit the crossbar.

PLAYER RATINGS

SPAIN: De Gea 6, Carvajal 5, Pique 4, Ramos 5, Alba 6, Busquets 6, Thiago 5, Silva 5, Iniesta 8, Isco 8, Costa 4. Subs: Aspas n/a, Asensio n/a, Rodrigo n/a

MOROCCO: El Kajoui 5, Hakimi 7, Da Costa 7, Saiss 7, Ziyach 7, El Ahmadi 6, Belhanda 6, Boutaib 8, Boussoufa 7, Amrabat 8, Dirar 6. Subs: Fajr 6, En Nesyri 7, Bouhaddouz n/a.

KEY MOMENTS:

8’ – PIQUE LUCKY TO ESCAPE RED: A two-footed lunge from the Barcelona defender has left Boutaib on the floor in agony. He made contact with the ball first but it was reckless.

14’ - GOAL FOR MOROCCO! Boutaib nicks the ball after a mix up between Ramos and Iniesta and is through on goal, he calmly slots the ball under De Gea.

19’ - GOAL FOR SPAIN! Iniesta cuts the ball back to Isco to hammer the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

25’- DE GEA SAVE! Boutaib is through on goal again after Ramos and Pique go to sleep from a quick throw-in, but this time the keeper is there to block it. He should have found the net from there.

55’ - WOODWORK! Amrabat unleashes a stunning effort from distance which rattles the bar and does not cross the line, De Gea was rooted to the spot.

62’ - OFF THE LINE: Isco's looping header into the corner is headed clear by Saiss. Hierro thought that was in!

80’ - CHANCE! Ziyach's shot is blocked by Pique's hand which was down by his side. He wants a penalty but that would have been harsh.

81’ - GOAL FOR MOROCCO! From the resulting corner, En Nesyri's bullet header flies into the net!

90’+1 - GOAL FOR SPAIN! Spain take a short corner, its played in and Aspas flicks it into the net. The flag is raised but VAR will have a look and rules it is a goal.

KEY STATS

Spain have not lost in their last 23 internationals.

The Spanish fail to win their final group game for the first time since 1982.