GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM

Barcelona’s announcement that Lionel Messi would be leaving the club set Paris Saint-Germain scrambling to figure out if it could sign the most desired free agent in soccer history.

Memphis Depay scored a goal and was involved in two more from Georginio Wijnaldum in the Netherlands’ 3-0 victory over North Macedonia at the European Championship.

Romelu Lukaku delivered a heartfelt message to Denmark player Christian Eriksen after scoring the first goal in Belgium’s 3-0 victory over Russia at the European Championship.

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Liverpool, at Craven Cottage stadium, London, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. They weren’t alone, in what has proved a tough weekend for the Premier League’s likely title candidates. Liverpool ends the weekend in second place after 12 games, tied on 25 points with Tottenham. The pair meet at Anfield on Wednesday in the headline fixture in a midweek round of games in the Premier League where rotation might be heavy across the division. Only Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton, with 13, have combined for more goals in a single top-flight season than Kane and Son.

Liverpool fans applaud during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (Peter Powell/Pool via AP)LONDON – Fans of Premier League title challengers Liverpool and Tottenham had waited since March to watch their teams win from the stands. Spurs supporters — a maximum of 2,000 under coronavirus restrictions, and no away fans — were treated to a 2-0 win over fierce north London rival Arsenal. It was the first Tottenham home game since fans were allowed back in stadiums in England. Liverpool responded with a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton to stay level with league leader Tottenham on points.

(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)ROME – Three years after an embarrassing failure to qualify for the World Cup, Italy is back in contention with the best in Europe. England, meanwhile, is already out of contention for the Nations League finals with one round of matches still to play. In all, more than 20 Italy players were unavailable due to the virus and injury. Jorginho converted a penalty for Italy midway through the first half after Andrea Belotti was brought down inside the area. WINNING WALESWales is the only unbeaten team in League B following a 1-0 win over Ireland, courtesy of David Brooks’ second-half header.

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum, right turns and celebrates after scoring his sides 3rd goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. As the fans shut out of the stadium lit the sky with pyrotechnics, Liverpool and Chelsea provided their own explosive moments in an eight-goal thriller. A 5-3 victory before receiving the Premier League trophy was an entertaining way for Liverpool to sign off from Anfield for the season on Wednesday with eight different scorers. Just like four weeks ago, when Chelsea's victory over Manchester City clinched the trophy for Liverpool, fans couldn't resist gathering outside Anfield. With cordite filling the air from the pyrotechnics set off by Liverpool fans, it was Chelsea celebrating again.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, July 5, 2020. Liverpools players were back home at Anfield for the first time since winning a first English league title since 1990. Mane swept home a finish off the underside of the crossbar in the 71st for his 16th league goal of the season before Jones converted a shot from 10 meters out in the 89th after a nod-down from Mohamed Salah for his first Premier League goal. With second-place City losing 1-0 hours later at Southampton, Liverpool is on course to win the league by a record margin. BLADES BLUNTEDSheffield United's players resumed the Premier League with an outside shot at Champions League qualification.

(AP Photo/Jon Super)MADRID Atltico Madrid said Monday that forward Joo Flix has sprained his left knee. The clubs said tests have shown that the Portuguese forward suffered a low grade ligament sprain and his return to training will depend on how he responds to treatment. The club did not immediately say how long Flix is expected to be sidelined because of the injury, but he is not likely to miss many matches after the Spanish league resumes. Teams have been undergoing group training sessions as the Spanish government gradually lifts confinement restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Flix joined Atltico in 2019 amid high expectations after signing from Portuguese club Benfica, touted as a replacement to Antoine Griezmann.