EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE IN SAALFELDEN, AUSTRIA: Ziege is up on his feet, recreating Gascoigne's agonising stretch, where had he connected it would have sent Germany home.

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is on Lewandowski's tail in both the race to be atop the German top-flight scoring charts and in following suit by becoming a striker at the peak of his powers.

The Manchester City star is believed to be closing in on a return to his home country, with reports in Germany on Wednesday claiming that he wants to join Bayern Munich in January.

The latest batch of names, placing in from 20 to 11, includes a 21-year-old World Cup winner, a Brazilian who lifted 26 trophies this decade and a jewel in Manchester City's crown in the last decade.

Manuel Neuer's long-term future at the Allianz Arena has been thrown into doubt with rising star Alexander Nubel having already agreed a deal to join the club on a five-year deal come this summer.

KIT HOLDEN: The love affair between Bayern Munich and Thomas Muller is one of modern football's immovable certainties. A local boy with a goofy grin, Muller is the apple of Bayern's eye.

Former heavyweight world champion George Foreman has revealed what Ali said when he spoke with him about Tyson during the peak of his career.

The Brighton CEO has been vocal in his opposition to the 'unfair' proposals of Project Restart, which would see remaining games played at a small number of independent grounds.

Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Euro 2016 but Sweden's record goalscorer appeared to be tempted to return after qualification for this summer's finals had been achieved.

Striker Son Heung-min blamed himself for South Korea's 1-0 defeat by Sweden in their World Cup opener on Monday, saying he did not do enough to help lift his team mates in the Group F game.

Sweden were given a pleasant surprise during their training session on Wednesday morning when their national anthem was sung over the tannoy system by one of the World Cup volunteers.

Germany went 1-0 behind against Sweden but Marco Reus levelled before Toni Kroos stepped up and smashed a last-gasp free-kick into the top corner at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening.

FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against two German team officials who stormed towards the Sweden bench gesticulating and clapping after a last-gasp victory on Saturday.

The line-up for the round of 16 was completed on Thursday as Belgium booked a date against Japan, with England scheduled to play Japan. Sportsmail brings you all you need to know.

Sweden have lit the blue touchpaper before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with England by accusing Ashley Young of diving. Young has been criticised in the past for going to ground too easily.

Victor Lindelof will return from the Russia World Cup with his stock higher than ever before, and has a series of clubs interested in acquiring his services on loan for next season.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT WHITEHALL STADIUM: England ended their Under 17s European Championship campaign on a winning note but it wasn’t enough to carry them to the quarter-finals.

Sergio Reguilon, Pau Torres and Gerard Moreno were handed call-ups on Friday after being named in coach Robert Moreno's squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway and Sweden.

On Tuesday afternoon, supporters flocked to Malmo's stadium to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic himself unveil the bronze statue, commissioned by the Swedish FA.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is currently gearing up for Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Norway on Saturday night, enjoyed a break from his goalkeeping duties during training.

LAURA LAMBERT AT EASTBOURNE: Jo Konta sailed through the opening round at the Eastbourne International on Sunday to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track.

Sydney-born Konta, 28, moved to Eastbourne in East Sussex with her Hungarian parents when she was 14-years-old.

LAURA LAMBERT ON COURT NO 1: Jo Konta made light work of her first-round match at Wimbledon, impressing the Duchess of Cambridge with a straight-sets victory on No1 Court.

Johanna Konta suffered a first-round defeat at the Rogers Cup in Toronto as the British No 1 was beaten in straight sets by 19-year-old Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Konta is relishing big tournaments like never before this year, and she clocked her twelfth victory in the Grand Slams this season by reaching the US Open third round.

Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland will 'always be' a European nation while on a visit to Brussels, where she embraced the European Commission President.

Labour was last night accused of betraying the Union to get Jeremy Corbyn into No10 after it crawled over to the SNP and offered them a second independence referendum.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon broke ranks with other Remainers by suggesting that a confidence vote to oust Boris Johnson should be held before an extension is secured.

Nicola Sturgeon tonight claimed Jeremy Corbyn would be willing to sacrifice the Union of the United Kingdom if that was the price of taking power after the election.

John Nicholson, the candidate for the marginal seat of Ochil and South Perthshire, tried to rally supporters with a tub-thumping speech ahead of the tightly-fought ballot on December 12.

STEPHEN GLOVER: The British are respected for their good sense and moderation, or used to be. But they may be about to choose an extremist government that would crash the economy.

The First Minister said that the Prime Minister's decision to block a new vote was 'a sign of weakness' as she continued to build her case the break up the UK.

Kate Forbes only found out that she would announce the Scottish Government's spending pledges for the coming year at around 8am today - just after Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.

Alex Wilson had his account targeted by his devastated wife Pamela, who said he had left her to be with fellow SNP councillor Mandy Morgan. Pictured: Mr and Mrs Wilson.

Ex-Liverpool star Sakho, 29, was suspended from football in 2016 after testing positive for a fat-burning substance. But it later emerged that the substance was not on the banned list.

Sanches's underwhelming time in the Bundesliga has come to a close after he completed a reported £23m move from German champions Bayern Munich to French side Lille on Friday afternoon.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: If Giggs guides his team to victory over Hungary in the winner-takes-all clash and secures a place at Euro 2020, it will be a significant achievement.

Arda Turan was once one of Turkey's best players and earned big moves to Atletico Madrid and then Barcelona. But, at 32, his career now lies in ruins following astonishing off-field incidents.

Since the shambolic viewings four years ago, England have started to assemble a side capable of going all the way and Southgate deserves credit for putting faith in the next generation.

The former X Factor judge, 67, celebrated her theatre stint for Nativity! The Musical with her daughter Kelly, 35, during a gala night, held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, on Thursday.

The X Factor: Celebrity champion, 27, looked sensational as she shared a sizzling Instagram video of her dancing in a lacy black cut-out body and stockings on Friday.

X Factor: The Band's grand final saw girl group Real Like You crowned the winners as they beat boy band Unwritten Rule in a nail-biting final on Sunday night.

The Pussycat Dolls star, 41, ensured she had all eyes on her during the X Factor: The Band's live grand final on Sunday as she put on a very busty display in a plunging black gown.

The X Factor judge, 41, opted for a glamorous look as she donned a chic red fur coat, which no doubt kept the chill off in the chilly climes.

Gogglesprogs - a spin-off of Gogglebox UK that features pint-sized pundits on the sofa offering their unique observations on everything from Strictly to Donald Trump's hair - is back for Christmas.

Louisa Johnson took to Instagram on New Year's Day to share not one, but three images, prancing around in a bikini, despite claiming she felt 'bloated'.

X Factor : Celebrity winner Megan McKenna took a 'watermelon break' on Wednesday, seen lounging around on her Instagram page as she kicked back for New Year's Day.

Megan McKenna is still enjoying her sun-drenched Caribbean vacation, having stormed to success on X Factor: Celebrity last year.

The Masked Singer raked in 6.5 million viewers despite people calling it the 'trashiest' TV filled with B-listers under a monster's mask. It stars a bizarre line-up including the former Home Secretary.

Love Island viewers struggling with the issue of Connagh with a G and Conner OG are sure to be less-than-thrilled to learn the latest hunks set to enter the show are both called Luke.