Records

Last Thursday, the world’s second-most populated country once again failed to qualify for the World Cup. India had never managed the feat before, and a 1-0 defeat to Qatar confirmed that 2022 wouldn’t mark a maiden voyage for the Blue Tigers.

But there’s one contest that India might yet win, and that’s the personal battle between 36-year-old captain Sunil Chhetri and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. 

Forty-one — that’s all that really mattered for Bayern Munich in its season finale against Augsburg on Saturday. Sure, there were send-offs for beloved club players like David Alaba, Jérôme Boateng, Javi Martínez and coach Hansi Flick, but what Die Roten really wanted was to get Robert Lewandowski a 41st goal to break the Bundesliga single-season goals record, which had stood since 1972.

The goal finally came with the final kick of the match.

In the lower reaches of the English Football League, teams are largely comprised of journeymen. Squad turnover at this level is high, and with shorter contracts and higher financial volatility, players often play on different teams from season to season.

But few footballing nomads have ever reached the migratory magnitude that goalkeeper Josef Bursik has achieved this season. Thanks to numerous injury dilemmas at the Championship and League One level, the 20-year-old Stoke City goalkeeper has played for four different clubs in the 2020-21 campaign alone.

Here’s a live look at Joe Willock’s transfer value using a sophisticated tool that I’ve been developing.

You can see the part where Joe Willock starts scoring goals. Photo: ShutterStock

MUNICH - Bayern Munich celebrated their record-extending ninth consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday with a 6-0 demolition of Borussia Mönchengladbach and a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski, who edged closer to a 49-year-old scoring record.

The champions had sealed the title before kickoff following RB Leipzig's 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund earlier on Saturday.