Real Madrid begins its countdown to the Champions League final against Liverpool by facing Atlético Madrid in a capital derby in the Spanish league.

Carlo Ancelotti's Madrid has mostly pride to play for on Sunday after it clinched the domestic league title in the last round.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta signed a three-year contract extension Friday to stay with the Premier League club through the 2024-25 season.

The former Arsenal midfielder has his team on the verge of Champions League qualification for the first time in five years. With four games left, the north London club is in fourth place.

Gesticulating on the touchline in a black vest and a gray hooded sweatshirt, José Mourinho could have easily been mistaken for one of the 70,000 fans inside the Stadio Olimpico.

The outspoken Portuguese coach had told Roma supporters before the Europa Conference League semifinal that they shouldn't come to the stadium just "to watch" the game but rather "to play" it.

A day after rushing from his victory to watch Real Madrid play Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals, Rafael Nadal needed the same fighting spirit as his favorite team showed to avoid his own elimination at the Madrid Open.

The "Si se puede!" ("Yes we can!") chants that echoed at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday were also present at the "Caja Mágica" on Thursday after Nadal saw himself against the ropes, like Madrid was the night before.

The "Si se puede! (Yes we can!)" chants gradually faded at the Santiago Bernabéu as the minutes passed and Real Madrid looked beaten.

As the end of regulation approached, many in the stands — and on the field — were close to giving up as Manchester City defended its 1-0 lead.

Rafael Nadal got off to a good start in his return from injury, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic in two sets to reach the third round at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.

Nadal showed few signs of rustiness in his 6-1, 7-6 (4) opening win at home. He cruised in the first set and recovered in the second after twice losing his serve following a rain interruption.

When the final whistle blew, Rodrygo kneeled to apparently say a prayer or ask for thanks before joining the celebrations and throwing on a T-shirt reading "Let's go for the 14th."

The young Brazilian was trying to absorb how he had etched his name into Real Madrid's long love story with the European Cup.

While Japan and South Korea will start fine-tuning for the World Cup with high-profile warm-ups against Brazil next month, there are concerns in Iran that Asia's top-ranked team has been slow off the mark with its preparations.

Iran is in Group B with England and the United States at the World Cup, which kicks off Nov. 21 in Qatar. But while there have been reports of a June friendly with New Zealand and talk of a potential match with Canada, so far Iran hasn't confirmed its warm-up commitments.

FIFA has received 3 million ticket requests for the World Cup final in Qatar and high demand to attend some of its biggest group-stage games, even as issues linger about the tiny Persian Gulf nation's ability to accommodate fans.

The data revealed to The Associated Press by FIFA shows there have been 2.5 million ticket requests to see Argentina play Mexico on Nov. 26 at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium, and 1.4 million fans hope to see England face the United States the previous day at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was voted "Footballer of the Year" in England for a second time, and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has won the women's award.

The Football Writers' Association announced its awards on Friday and reported Salah garnered 48% of the vote, ahead of Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.