The ten year duopoly on the Ballon d'Or has been broken by Modric, which is praise indeed for a model player who conducts the team from midfield.

Although many see him as an aloof individual with a short fuse, in this instance Luis Rubiales has shown that he has a smooth touch, one that former Italian PM Mario Andreotti claimed was perennially lacking in Spanish politics.

I'm not sure as to how many consecutive games Harry Kane has failed to score for England, but it had to be yesterday when the Spurs player bucked this trend.

AS editor Alfredo Relaño analyses Spain's defeat to Croatia and the situation in their Nations League group.

I do feel for Lopetegui but on occasion sinners must suffer penance. The devil took him to a high plan overlooking the kingdoms of the world and said: "All this could be yours if you bow down and adore me”