TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: Gareth Bale had Wales daring to dream of a Euro 2020 place, on a night when Daniel James suffered a sickening blow to the head.

A day after qualifying for Euro 2020, the whole squad suited up to visit Pope Francis, presenting him a personalised Italy football shirt, with Francis' actual surname 'Bergoglio' on the back.

Turkey players celebrated Ayhan's far-post header with a military salute despite UEFA launching an investigation into a similar celebration during Friday's 1-0 win against Albania.

Real Madrid's Modric, who lined up against Bale for Croatia on Sunday, has emphasised his team-mate's importance to the La Liga giants and is eager for him to remain at the club.

As we reach a pivotal stage in Euro 2020 qualification matches, several teams are on the cusp of confirming their spot spot in next year's tournament. Sportsmail brings you the action, live.

CRAIG HOPE AT STADE DE GENEVE: Republic of Ireland will have to beat Denmark in Dublin next month if they are to avoid the Euro 2020 playoffs after another uninspiring night here in Switzerland.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES AND HARRY SLAVIN: Former Wales winger David Cotterill is yet to apply for charitable status for the foundation that carries his name, Sportsmail can reveal.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: The Caerphilly-born midfielder is muscular yet fragile and at the age of 30, he finds rapid physical recovery difficult to achieve, which has raised fears among supporters.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini has refused to rule out handing Euro 2020 call ups to Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele de Rossi despite the pair not featuring in the Azzurri's qualification campaign.

The hosts of the 2030 World Cup will only have six years to prepare for the tournament. The FIFA Council decided at a meeting Thursday that the bidding process will be launched in 2022.

Ryan Giggs has criticised brain injury charity Headway for questioning Wales' medical department following an apparent concussion incident involving winger Daniel James.

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman is eager to get back into management after a spell in the Chinese Super League with Hebei China Fortune.

A number of teams have released the shirts they will be wearing at Euro 2020 next summer. The likes of Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium have all unveiled their kits.

Raheem Sterling will miss Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley after an altercation with Joe Gomez at St George's Park.

Sportsmail's DANIEL DAVIS will provide live coverage including score, lineups and build-up, with full commentary of Spain vs Malta and Bosnia vs Italy.

Italy continued their renaissance as they cruised to an impressive 3-0 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday night and made it nine wins out of nine in Euro 2020 Group J.

Wales face Azerbaijan on Saturday afternoon knowing that nothing less than victroy can keep alive their hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2020. Follow the action here with KIERAN JACKSON.

Ryan Giggs appears finally to have discovered a successful formula for Wales - and he is within touching distance of being able to use it on one of football's greatest stages.

The forward posed with a flag with the words 'Wales, golf, Madrid... in that order' on it after securing Euro 2020 qualification on Tuesday night after fans sang a song with those lyrics.

Next summer's European Championship is really taking shape, with 20 of the 24 nations now confirmed for the finals. We profile each of the qualifiers so far here.

The Wales star helped his country qualify for next summer's European Championships during the international break, and was snapped with the contentious flag while celebrating.

The draw for Euro 2020 takes place in Bucharest at 5pm on Saturday evening and is live on BBC2 for UK viewers. Sportsmail take you through all you need to know for the draw.

BY JOE BERNSTEIN IN BUCHAREST: Wales boss Ryan Giggs revealed his delight at avoiding an opening Euro 2020 game away to Italy after Saturday's draw in Bucharest.

On Wednesday night, Zinedine Zidane's side enjoyed a break from their arduous schedule by hitting the town and going out for a squad meal to celebrate Christmas.

The TV picks for next summer's tournament have been revealed, with ITV showing England's final two group matches, including the final game with the Czech Republic.

The 29-year-old became the highest-earning British player ever when he joined Juve in July in a deal worth more than £400,000 a week, but has only featured sporadically because of fitness issues.

Rugby's Six Nations championship was in chaos on Tuesday night amid the increasing inevitability that Ireland's game against Italy in Dublin next weekend will be postponed.

Euro 2020 is nearly upon us for another month-long period of footballing drama - but this year there's a very big twist to it. This summer's tournament will be spread across 12 host cities across the continent.

Ramsey pledged the money to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, which serves an area including Caerphilly, where the midfielder was born.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has attempted to recreate his iconic Champions League final goal in his living room to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Hammers as well as Everton had shown interest in the Barcelona striker who only arrived at the Nou Camp in February for £15m in a controversial emergency signing approved by La Liga.

Mario Gotze is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summer with the German wanting to take on a new challenge.

Baseball's London Series has become the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic after Major League Baseball cancelled this summer's event at West Ham's London Stadium.

Former Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham forward Carlos Tevez believes top-flight footballers should offer to cut their wages during the coronavirus crisis. 

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell admits he is 'petrified' for his new-born's well-being if the Premier League resumes sooner rather than later due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Karren Brady has said that Premier League clubs have to slash the wages of their stars amid the coronavirus crisis, as the West Ham chief slammed the PFA for imploring players not to accept a cut.

Fabio Capello has given a frank account of England's 2010 World Cup campaign and has admitted that it pained him to put David James in goal following Robert Green's error against the United States.

Arsenal invincible Robert Pires ended up in the Midlands and Rio Ferdinand learned his craft on the south coast with Bournemouth. But who has been forgotten at each Premier League side?

SPORTS AGENDA: Liverpool's Jordan Henderson has admirably taken the lead in football over coronavirus, suggesting a fund be set up to help the NHS during the crisis.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES: Premier League managers are siding with clubs in the battle over wages, with the majority ready to accept a temporary cut.

The issue of Premier League stars taking a wage cut amid the coronavirus crisis is coming to the boil with players and club executives at loggerheads after weekend talks.

A shock transfer to struggling West Ham, and a return to London two-and-a-half years on from leaving Arsenal, may be the lifeline Sanchez needs to salvage his career.

Liverpool's position became indefensible before they reversed their decision but that is of little comfort to clubs in the Premier League's lower reaches.

Nunez, who would bring a youthful presence to the Gunners' defence at the age of 23, has a release clause of £26.45million and, according to La Razon, the Gunners are prepared to meet it.

Lady Karren Brady has revealed she has taken a 30 per cent pay cut to her £898,000 salary to ease the financial burden on West Ham United and its staff during the coronavirus crisis.

Javier Hernandez says his experience at Manchester United was 'bittersweet' as he tried to balance enjoying the journey and not getting overwhelmed.

After impressing under Harry Redknapp at Upton Park, Ferguson called the then 33-year-old on Christmas Day in 2001 about a move to United - much to the shock of the Italian maverick.

The 33-year-old joined the club on a free transfer in August after leaving West Ham and was always seen as a back-up option.

The Hammers are keen to ensure staff receive '100 per cent of their salaries' while the game is suspended, with Mark Noble saying the entire squad wanted to do their bit and help out.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: Sky Sports' owners Comcast have begun negotiations over extending NBC's contract to show Premier League matches in the United States.