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Brazil  are unbeaten in 10 matches, winning their last five. They have not lost a competitive game at home since 1975. The five-time world champions have won four of eight previous meetings with Spain (W4, D2, L2), but the two countries have not faced each other since 1999. Brazil handed the Spanish their heaviest-ever World Cup defeat in 1950. They won 6-1 at the Maracana before going on to lose to Uruguay in the final. Four of Brazil’s Confederations Cup squad play their club football in Spain. Spain  are on a record 29-match unbeaten run in competitive matches, stretching back to the 2010 World Cup (W24, D5). La Roja’ s only competitive win over Brazil came in the first round of the 1934 World Cup. Spain have won their last six encounters against South American opponents in all competitions, including friendlies. The last Latin American side to beat Spain was Argentina in a friendly in September 2010.

Chelsea have taken a big step towards winning the race to sign in-demand Napoli player Edinson Cavani, after the Blues reportedly agreed personal terms with the striker. Chelsea are among a host of clubs across Europe who are keen on the Uruguay international, with Real Madrid and Manchester City also in pursuit.

JOSE MOURINHO last night made a £5million bid to nab Norwich keeper John Ruddy. Chelsea have been told they will need to double their opening bid if they want to land the shot stopper. The Blues are in the market for a back-up to first-choice Petr Cech, after allowing both Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull to depart Stamford Bridge at the end of last season.

Bayern Munich have confirmed Franck Ribery has formally committed himself to the European champions until 2017. The France international, who has been at the club since 2007, had agreed a four-year contact extension with the Bavarians at the start of the month and has now signed on the dotted line.

Andres Iniesta has rescued Albacete from relegation by stumping up €240,000 owed the club's players. The cash-strapped Segunda Division B outfit would have been demoted to the fourth tier of Spanish football on administrative grounds had they not settled the debt by noon on Friday. However, Iniesta who began his career at the club came to their aid, paying the outstanding wage bill out of his own pocket.

Lionel Messi believes old foe Jose Mourinho will be a roaring success at Chelsea, and described the Portuguese coach as a ‘great manager’. Mourinho returned for a second spell at Stamford Bridge after ending his tenure at Real Madrid at the end of last season.  The former Porto and Inter Milan coach was a divisive figure in Spain and didn’t curry much favour with Barcelona after a tumultuous spell in Madrid.

Nigeria reached the second round of the Fifa Under 20 World Cup in Turkey courtesy of a lone goal defeat of Korea Republic in Istanbul on Thursday. The only goal of the game was scored in the ninth minutes of the encounter by Olanrewaju Kayode. Nigeria will now face the second-place side from Group F in the next round.

Real Madrid  have announced on their official website that they have completed the signing of Spain Under-21 international  Isco  from  Malaga  for an undisclosed fee. The midfielder will sign a five-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu side upon completion of his medical. The 21-year-old had also caught the attention of Manchester City as former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini was keen to lure him to the Premier League, but he has opted to continue his career in La Liga instead.

Barcelona will hold last-ditch talks with Thiago Alcantara to try and persuade the Spain midfielder to turn down a move to Manchester United. The Premier League champions have agreed personal terms of £5.5million a year with Thiago and his father, former Brazil World Cup winner Mazinho, and are confident of wrapping up a £17m transfer.

Former Arsenal attacker Andrey Arshavin has returned to Zenit St Petersburg in a two-year deal. Arshavin, 32, moved to the Emirates  for £15m in January 2009,  but was  one of 14 players not offered a new contract  by the Gunners this summer.

Carlos Tevez's turbulent stay in England was coming to an end on Tuesday night after Manchester City agreed a £10million deal with Juventus for the Argentina striker. Tevez, 29, is set to sign a three-year contract in Turin once he undergoes a medical on Wednesday although sources close to the player insist that personal terms have yet to be agreed. The two clubs struck a deal yesterday after Juve general manager Beppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici flew to England to conclude negotiations yesterday.

Chelsea have completed the signing of German international Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen for £18million. The 22-year-old winger has signed a five-year-deal and will wear the No 14 shirt at Stamford Bridge. 'I am so happy now I have signed and it is an honour for me to play for this club, with this team and for these great fans,' Schurrle said. 'I am really looking forward to it.'

Serena Williams overcame a minor second set blip as she began the defence of her Wimbledon crown with a 6-1 6-3 win over Mandy Minella of Luxembourg. The world number 92 claimed her opening service game but the American soon took control and easily won the first set. Minella claimed a break in game two of the second set only for the five-time champion to win six straight games.

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the new boss at Real Madrid following Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge. The Italian, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double with the Blues in 2010, takes the reins at the Bernabeu after leading Paris Saint-Germain to the French title last season. Ancelotti's old job at PSG has been taken by former France manager and Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc.

Barcelona could be ready to rival Real Madrid and Chelsea for Wayne Rooney's signature. The Catalan giants are poised to join the bidding for the wantaway Manchester United striker, according to the Sun. Rooney is set for showdown talks with new Old Trafford boss David Moyes after demanding to leave the Premier League champions while Sir Alex Ferguson was counting down to his retirement.

AC Milan  president Silvio Berlusconi has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of charges of corruption and soliciting an underage prostitute. The 76-year-old was accused of paying for sex with Moroccan girl Karima El Mahroug in 2010, when she was 17, as well as abusing his position in public office for attempting to force her release from police custody over a charge of petty theft. 

Pep Guardiola  has revealed that  Bayern Munich 's rich history and the quality of their current squad were the main reasons for him accepting the Bavarians' offer. The 42-year-old signed a three-year deal with Bayern back in January as he replaces Jupp Heynckes at the helm starting this summer and he's keen to replicate last season's results - which saw the club win an historic treble - in the years to come. "I decided to join Bayern because of the players and the club's history. They're one of the best teams in the world," Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday. "I am ready to return to football. This is a new challenge for me. My time at Barcelona was wonderful, but I needed a new challenge. Bayern Munich have given me that opportunity.

Edinson Cavani  has voiced his dismay with  Napoli  boss Aurelio De Laurentiis' latest comments about the prolific attacker's future and has demanded showdown talks with the flamboyant club president. De Laurentiis jokingly said that he "would smash Cavani's head in" if he had not made a decision about his future yet when he returns to the club on July 20, but the 26-year-old is not amused with the  Partenopei chief's remarks.  "The quotes by the president were heavy and very strong. I don't like it. I want to talk to him face to face," Cavani told reporters after Sunday night's demolition of minnows Tahiti in the Confederations Cup.

Chelsea remain keen on St Etienne defender Kurt Zouma, who is being considered as a cheaper alternative to Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala. The 18-year-old France Under 20 international, is powerfully built and stands at 6ft 2in tall, leading to comparisons with Marcel Desailly.  His club believe they can get around £10million for the player, with a host of clubs from across Europe, including Atletico Madrid keen.

Liverpool have announced the signing of Sevilla forward Luis Alberto for a fee of £6.8million. The 20-year-old Spaniard has signed a four-year deal with the Reds. Having spent last season on loan at Barcelona B, Alberto scored 11 goals and made an impressive 17 assists in 38 appearances for the Catalan reserve side.

The lawyers of Lionel Messi have insisted the Barcelona attacker has  complied with Spanish legislation" in response to recent allegations of tax evasion. Financial crime prosecutors have summoned the 25-year-old, along with his father to a court hearing on September 17 th .

LeBron James proved why he is the game’s greatest player with a clutch jump-shot to lead the Miami Heat to their second consecutive NBA championship with victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game seven of the Finals. After the epic contest of Game six, where Miami came back from seemingly certain defeat to force overtime and snatch victory to keep their championship dream alive, they became the first team in this series to win consecutive games to claim the title on their home court. NBA Finals picture Game 1:  Miami Heat 88-92 San Antonio Spurs Game 2:  Miami 103-84 San Antonio Game 3:  San Antonio 113-77 Miami Game 4:  San Antonio 93-109 Miami Game 5:  San Antonio 114-104 Miami Game 6:  Miami 103-100 San Antonio (OT) Game 7:  Miami 95-88 San Antonio Miami wins the NBA Finals series 4-3

Incoming: Thiago Alcantara Manchester United are on the verge of signing Barcelona midfield star Thiago Alcantara in a £17million deal. The Premier League champions have stolen a march on rivals Manchester City by agreeing personal terms of £5m-a-year with Thiago, 22, and his father Mazinho. They still have to finalise a deal with Barcelona and sources say that it is unlikely there will be any announcement on Friday, but discussions between the two clubs will continue over the weekend.

Reports from Brazil say The Confederations Cup could be abandoned because of the protests which have swept the country. Two respected, mainstream media, in the South American nation said that the eight-team tournament, considered a dry run for next year's World Cup, was in danger. Protesters claim that too much money is being spent on the competition, next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

The super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday lost 2-1 Uruguay in the ongoing FIFA confederations cup. John Mikel Obi scored in the 32nd minute to cancel out a Diago Lugano opener, before Diago Forlan secured Victory for the South Americans with a superb strike.

Beckham mania swept through China today as five students were injured as a stampede ensued at Shanghai's Tongji University. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was due to meet members of the University football team as part of his seven-day tour to promote the Chinese Super League.  However, a mass crowd of people wanting to catch a glimpse of the former England international made it impossible. Beckham was unable to make it through the hordes of fans waiting for him and later posted on his Facebook and Sina Weibo account apologising to his fans.