Soccer

ZURICH (AP) — Soccer clubs in England and Saudi Arabia fueled spending on player agents in international transfer deals to a record $888 million this year, FIFA said on Thursday.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Another poor performance by Barcelona in a defeat at modest Antwerp has increased the pressure on Xavi Hernández to turn things around. The 3-2 loss in Belgium on Wednesday didn't mean much in practical terms.

So much for the English taking over European soccer.

MILAN (AP) — World Cup winner Lautaro Martínez has two targets: To score 100 goals this season and to renew his contract with Inter Milan. One is more realistic than the other.

DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund has thrived on the Champions League stage against Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Newcastle. Now comes the tricky part — Augsburg away on a Saturday afternoon.

If this is to be Roy Hodgson's final stint in his long, itinerant coaching career, then the oldest manager in the English Premier League is going out swinging.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Considered past his use by date, former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has recaptured his best form and lifted Gennaro Gattuso’s resurgent Marseille back into the French league race.

The Vancouver Whitecaps will face Mexico's Tigres UANL in the first round of the revamped CONCACAF Champions Cup. Wednesday's draw also paired Canadian Premier League champion Forge FC with a tough Mexican foe in Chivas Guadalajara.

Forward Charlie Sharp, Toronto FC's third-round pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, is one of three finalists for the 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy which honours the top NCAA soccer player.

NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — AC Milan and Newcastle were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday after the Italian team’s 2-1 win at St. James’ Park that ensured Paris Saint-Germain and Kylian Mbappé qualified for the round of 16 instead.