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The two London-based sides are set to rekindle their rivalry at Wembley Stadium in a heavyweight clash to close out England’s domestic season.

Arsenal will be buoyed by the sharpness of Aubameyang, who scored twice against Watford on the final day of the Premier League on Sunday and finished the championship as the league second joint-top scorer with 22 goals, just one striker behind Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy.

Luckassen is expecting big things from Auba as the Gunners look to win the first piece of silverware of Mikel Arteta's reign.

“I think Arsenal have got a good chance because it’s a cup final and in a cup final, anything can happen,” Luckaasen told Goal on Wednesday. “They won the cup two or three years ago, so in the cup final everything is possible.

"[I’m expecting] Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette to show up, these are the two most dangerous players for Arsenal," he added. “[Nicolas] Pepe is also a good player. 

"So the three of them upfront can do something.”

Chelsea finished the recent Premier League in fourth position, three spots above Arsenal, although the Gunners improved markedly after Arteta replaced Unai Emery midway through the campaign.

“I think Chelsea have a better team right now and they did better in the league as well," Luckassen remarked. 

[Olivier] Giroud is in form, but a cup final is only one game, so anything can happen. Arsenal beat Manchester City [in the semi-final] and City are one of the best teams in the Premier League.”

Arsenal’s defence came under heavy scrutiny during the league season, particularly considering the inconsistency of Brazil defender David Luiz, who conceded five penalties and received the marching orders on two occasions.

There are also other reasons why the centre-back will be in the spotlight on Saturday, particularly considering he joined Arsenal from Chelsea last year.

“Arsenal’s defence is error-prone but when they played against Manchester City, David Luiz was one of the best on the day,” the former AZ Alkmaar and Ross County man concluded “I hope everybody has his best game in this final, and maybe the score can go on the side of Arsenal.

"Personally, I believe Arsenal will win.”

With three titles, 2017 champions Arsenal are the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup, while Chelsea, who won the trophy in 2018, have clinched the top prize on eight occasions.

Brian Mascarenhas is another player from Goa who could point to the exit of the Goan clubs from I-League for having played a role in the stalling of his career. The winger, who currently plays for Real Kashmir, was forced to spend two seasons with Salgaocar, playing just the Goa Professional League.

The 28-year-old, having gathered nearly 2000 minutes with Salgaocar FC in the I-League, is yet to come to terms with the Goan side's exit from the league in 2016.

"When Salgaocar pulled out from the I-League, that time my career was at its peak," he mentioned to Goal. "I was continuously playing in the I-League but it (his career) went down with the club going out of the I-League."

Among his major honours, Brian has won the Goa Professional League with Dempo (2011) and Salgaocar (2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16) besides winning the 2014 Lusofonia Games as part of the Goa-India team.

The Nuvem-based lad took his first steps in football with Fransa-Pax FC's U-12 set-up before moving to Velsao Pale FC along with coach Eban Misquita. This was after the club from Nagoa shut down in 2006. There after he represented Salgaocar's junior sides from the U-16 to U-19 level and at the age of 17, joined Churchill Brothers where he would play in the Goa League for two years.

"Eban used to call me one-footed player because I used to mostly use my left foot. But then, I started using both my feet effectively. Now I can play as a left back also," he said.

"Actually, at the (2014) Lusofonia Games, coach Francisco Neto wanted to field me as a left back. I said to him that I never played as a left back and he told me 'you don't worry, you just give your best and I'll see the rest'. So from that time onwards, I started playing as a left back. For Salgaocar also, coach Derrick (Pereira) used to give me a chance as a left back."

Between his stints at Churchill Brothers (2009-2011) and Salgaocar (2012-2018), Brian kicked off his senior career with Dempo Sports Club in the 2011-12 I-League season. "It was the time when Clifford (Miranda) had gone for India duty (2011 SAFF Championship) and coach Armando (Colaco) gave me a chance to play," he recalled.

Brian saw his career at the top league stall after Salgaocar pulled out of the I-League in 2016. Though he stayed with them till 2018, he finally moved out of Goa to continue his career when he signed for Real Kashmir in 2018.

"I played only in Goa (until moving to Real Kashmir). So the offers also were hard to come by. I stayed with Salgaocar and played in the Goa Professional League for three seasons.

"I spoke to an agent and he told me about Real Kashmir. It was the season when they had won the (I-League) second division. The coach (Dave Robertson) was Scottish and Malcolm Thomson, who was the Salgaocar coach that time, was his friend. After my agent spoke to him (Robertson) about me, he asked Malcolm about me and that's how the move happened."

The 28-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Kashmiri outfit. After four appearances in the first season, he was just beginning to garner some playing time in the calendar year of 2020.

"This (2019-20) season, I got to play only three matches and when I was supposed to play in the starting 11, the lockdown (in Kashmir in order to curb the spread of coronavirus) happened and the match didn't take place. Then before the March [21-day] lockdown (announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi), we came home," Mascarenhas narrated.

Brian played just one full match in each of the two seasons but had the distinction of being included in matchday squad for all the 15 games that Real Kashmir played until the last season was suspended.

What next?

"I don't have a contract at the moment but (Real) Kashmir has told me that they will keep me. I have to speak to my agent also to see what happens. I just want to keep on playing and let's see where it can take me," he signed out.

There are very few footballing triumphs for a Mohun Bagan fan that trigger a sense of joy exceeding the ecstasy of winning the league. Winning the Kolkata Derby against eternal rivals East Bengal surely qualifies as one.

On Mohun Bagan Day, a few legends of the club – Jose Barreto, Sony Norde, Bhaichung Bhutia and Joseba Beitia sat together to discuss their favourite derby moments

Norde won the league in the 2014-15 season but had to wait until the 2016-17 for his first derby goal in the I-League. He scored a brilliant free-kick in a 2-1 derby win over the Red and Golds.

“I won the league with them and scored many goals. But the fans always wanted me to score against East Bengal. So, when I did that, I could finally breathe with relief,” he said.

If putting on a stellar show in the derby was one way of winning the Mohun Bagan fans over, Beitia wasted no time in becoming a hero. The Spaniard was the Man of the Match during both the games in his first season. In the second game – a 2-1 win over East Bengal – Beitia scored the opener and assisted Baba Diawara for the second.

But he maintained that winning the league was always the priority and winning the derby was just a means to get to his final goal.

“It (derby) was a special match for me. I knew it was huge for the fans. There was pressure but when I entered the pitch and saw 70,000 fans, I liked it. When I play with such a huge number of fans, I think that it is my match and I need to do well. Two Man of the Match(es) in two derbies was amazing. We drew the first one and won the second. But it was because of the team. I know the fans wanted the derby win but for me it was all about winning the league,” he explained.

Barreto was spoilt for choices when he was asked to choose his favourite derby goal, having scored for fun several times in this historic tie. He finally chose his equaliser in the semi-final of the 2008 Federation Cup that forced the game to penalties and ultimately led to Mohun Bagan’s coronation after a win over Dempo in the final.

“In the semi-final of the Federation Cup (2008), it was 1-1. It was the one where we played Dempo in the final. East Bengal were winning the game. That Federation Cup was important to us. The pressure was high. Sanju Pradhan scored in the first half. I equalised with a header in the second half. We then went through after the tie breaker. We beat Dempo in the final and became champions. That derby was important for me,” Barreto recollected.

Bhaichung, however, had a unique take on this, given he was the only player from the panel to have played for both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. He spoke about how it was hard to be disliked by both clubs after a poor show in the derby, for different reasons altogether.

"The club fans don’t like when the players shift to direct rivals. So that was very difficult for me. But at the end of the day, any professional player would want to do well for the current team. At East Bengal, I always waited to play against Mohun Bagan and vice versa. When you are not playing well, your fans turn against you too. So I experienced both fans going against me," he said.

ATK Mohun Bagan midfielder Pronay Halder expressed his excitement at turning out for the Green and Maroons in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season.

Halder was an integral part of the Mohun Bagan team between 2014 to 2017 where he won an I-League title and a Federation Cup trophy.

“I am very excited to start the new season playing for Mohun Bagan in the ISL. I am looking forward to it and hopefully, we will bring success to the club again," the Bengali midfielder said during a live chat session on Mohun Bagan Day.

There are numerous players from the football-mad state of West Bengal currently playing in the national team and Halder hopes that the situation does not change in the near future.

“It is a good thing that so many Bengali players are currently playing in the national team. Before us also players like Subrata Paul, Syed Rahim Nabi, Mehtab Hossain and many other Bengali players used to play for the national team. I am personally glad that so many of us are playing now and I hope in future too there will be many Bengali players.”

The India international midfielder also spoke about the difference in style of former India coach Stephen Constantine and current head coach Igor Stimac.

“We are all professional players and we have to adapt to all styles. Every coach has a different style of play. Since the beginning of my career, I have played under several coaches with different styles. Stephen Constantine was a more defensive coach who wanted to play in counter-attacks. Igor Stimac, on the other hand, loves to play a possession-based game. We have adopted well to Igor’s style."

He also suggested that the national team’s primary target now is to get the best possible results in their remaining World Cup qualifying games. India are winless in five matches so far in their group though they have managed to hold Asian champions Qatar, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. India are out of the running for a spot in the next phase of the World Cup qualifiers but will be hoping to finish as high as possible which might help them in their bid to reach 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

"We drew against Qatar in Qatar. We still have three matches to go in the World Cup qualifiers and we will try to do well,” said the ATK Mohun Bagan star.

The Malaysian FA (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Amin has proposed several suggestions to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) chief Gianni Infantino, in a meeting held on Wednesday.

According to the FAM social media, Hamidin attended the video conference with Infantino, along with other FIFA association members from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

His first proposal was for the world football governing body to admit more member countries into its various committees.

"As FIFA has 211 member countries, I suggest that FIFA open the door to more member associations to be appointed to the nine standing committees of FIFA.

"Infantino welcomes this proposal and says there will be an in-depth dialogue on this matter in the future," said Hamidin as quoted in the social media post.

His second suggestion concerned youth competitions.

“I also recommended various youth tournaments under the FIFA banner to be held on a yearly basis instead to the current biennial system. This will give more opportunities for every generation of footballers to be exposed to more competitive international matches via the qualifiers and the final rounds. 

"Infantino replied that FIFA is always in discussions with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and it depends on the current situation, at this time especially after October," he noted.

Malaysia U-19 in the AFC U-19 Championship finals in 2018. Photo from AFC

The meeting participants also discussed matters of football in their own countries amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hamidin is set to attend the 70th FIFA Congress, which is also set to be held virtually on September 18.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic claimed to be "like Benjamin Button" after making history with two goals at Sampdoria as the veteran shows no signs of slowing down.

Ibrahimovic returned to AC Milan in January and has been as influential as ever in their climb up the table.

In a 4-1 win at Samp, the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester United striker grabbed two goals - taking his tally to 10 in 2020 - and an assist as Milan made it 12 games unbeaten in all competitions.

In doing so, Ibrahimovic became the first player to score 50 goals for both Milan and city rivals Inter in Serie A.

The 38-year-old claimed on social media last week he was "just warming up" and repeated the statement post-match in Genoa.

Ibrahimovic then explained his continued brilliance by suggesting a resemblance to the fictional character who ages backwards.

"I'm like Benjamin Button," he told Milan TV, before adding: "I've always been young, never old."

The form of Ibrahimovic and AC Milan has seen head coach Stefano Pioli handed a contract extension at San Siro.

The Rossoneri appeared set to instead appoint Ralf Rangnick, but Ibrahimovic is delighted Pioli is staying on, even if his own future remains up in the air.

"I can say only positive things," Ibrahimovic said. "I'm happy for him because he did a great job.

"He worked under pressure without knowing the future. He did a great job and the renewal is deserved. When you work hard, you always get something back.

"I'm happy for him. He deserved this - it was not an easy situation. The team believes in him a lot and I respect him." 

AC Milan's latest win - their eighth in Serie A since the Italian top flight resumed in June - keeps them in sixth place, four ahead of Napoli who went down to Inter on Tuesday. 

The Rossoneri conclude their 2019-20 campaign on Saturday when they host Cagliari at San Siro, already assured of Europa League football for the coming season.

Christian Kouame had his second involvement in a Fiorentina goal after assisting Federico Chiesa in a 4-0 victory over Musa Barrow’s Bologna in the Serie A on Wednesday night.

The Viola came into this match having suffered a 2-1 loss at Roma last time out which ended their six-game unbeaten league run since a three-game winless run (D1 L2) at the restart.

They were keen to make an impression on their last home match of the season and after a goalless first 45 minutes, Giuseppe Iachini’s men took control three minutes after the break thanks to Chiesa.

The Italian hotshot then made it 2-0 in the 54th minute followed by Nikola Milenkovic 20 minutes later.

Kouame came on for Patrick Cutrone in the 67th minute and had a say by delivering a delicious pass for Chiesa who drove in from the left flank before drilling in a curled effort in the 89th minute for his hat-trick.

It marked the fourth consecutive game Kouame featured for Fiorentina and his sixth overall after making his debut in a goalless draw with Cagliari following nearly eight months out with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.

It was also the 22-year old Genoa loanee’s second assist for the Florence-based team after doing so first in a 2-0 win over Torino.

On the opposite side, Barrow played for the entire 90 minutes but did not have the same heroic effect he had in Bologna’s last outing where he provided two assists and scored a late winner in a 3-2 victory against Lecce.

The Gambian forward still managed to produce two total shots, two successful dribbles from three, 50 touches and 26 accurate passes at 89%. He has scored nine goals and provided three assists since he joined on loan from Atalanta in January.

Barrow’s countryman Musa Juwara made his sixth appearance of the season after replacing Riccardo Orsolini in the 73rd minute. It was the first time he made it unto the pitch after his maiden Bologna goal in a shock 2-1 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro on July 5, Barrow scoring the other goal.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men end their season on Sunday when they host Torino at the Stadio Renato Dell'Ara while Fiorentina will travel to already-relegated SPAL.

Amadou Diawara scored his first-ever goal for Roma albeit from the penalty spot after they claimed a 3-2 win over Ola Aina’s Torino at the Stadio Olimpico and are guaranteed fifth spot in the standings.

The Giallorossi continued their strong form from their last outing where they edged past Fiorentina 2-1 but had to start from behind here with Alex Berenguer giving the hosts the lead in the 14th minute.

It didn’t take long for Roma to respond with former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko equalising just two minutes later.

Manchester United loanee Chris Smalling made it 2-1 to the Italian capital side in the 23rd minute and it remained that way heading into the break.

Their lead was further extended when Diawara converted from the penalty spot in the 61st minute. Koffi Djidji had fouled Dzeko in the box and Diawara made sure Torino goalie Samir Ujkani could not get a hand unto his effort even though he went the right way.

Moreno Longo’s men clawed one back four minutes later via Ivorian teenager Wilfried Singo who drilled in a low shot which Pau Lopez could have handled better. The 19-year-old made a solo run from the centre of the pitch and went clear of opposition players for his first Torino goal in what was his first Torino start.

Diawara completed 90 minutes for the second Serie A game in a row since the restart and produced 65 touches the second-highest of any Roma player on the pitch after Aleksandar Kolarov and 56 accurate passes at 93%, the fourth-highest among his teammates.

Nigeria international Aina meanwhile started from the bench for Torino and came on for Berenguer in the 80th minute. He had limited action but still made two tackles, won two ground duels from two, made 14 touches and 10 accurate passes at 90%.

It was the former Chelsea player’s 31st appearance for the Bulls this season, starting 20 of them.
Torino are safe from danger heading into the final round of fixtures as they are four points clear of the drop zone. They will make a trip to Bologna on Sunday to wrap things up.

Roma also hold that same point margin over AC Milan for already-guaranteed Europa League qualification. They travel to newly-crowned champions Juventus on Saturday.

Rennes president Nicolas Holveck has admitted that the club is aware Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu is keen to move to the Premier League rather than the French club.

The Ghana international has been linked with a host of European clubs all summer after his strong performances for the Castile and Leon club where he played 31 times last season as they finished 13th in La Liga, seven points clear of the drop zone.

Rennes had been rumoured to be in the race to sign him for some time, but that is very unlikely to happen with reports emerging Salisu is on the verge of joining Southampton.

"Unfortunately, we knew from the start, Salisu preferred the Premier League because he is English-speaking,” Holveck told RMC Sport.

“He told us very humbly, and we respect his choice, that the Premier League was his priority. We had doubts about his ability. to obtain the work permit in England. It seems that he has acquired this permit.

“He would therefore be moving towards the Premier League. We were his first choice in case of non-obtaining of the license. Today, the post of central defender is the priority of our transfer window.”

Holveck went on to reiterate his desire to keep M’baye Niang who has been linked with a move to Marseille. The Senegalese striker finished as the Red and Blacks top marksman with 15 competitive goals as the Brittany outfit ended up third on the log and booked a spot in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

"He's a great striker. All our good players, we want to keep them. M’baye is one of them," he said

Holveck also confirmed Rennes are looking to finalise the extensions of Hamari Traore and Faitout Maouassa whose contracts expire in 2021.

"We are progressing rather well. I hope to succeed fairly quickly. We are also trying to keep our best young players,” he stated.

Holveck went on to discuss the possibility of Rennes signing Amiens and Franco-Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy. The 24-year-old scored nine goals last term but the Unicorns sadly got relegated to Ligue 2 after finishing 19th.

"The transfer window has not started so discussions are still rather slow,” Holveck said.

“It is a position we are looking for. Serhou was the priority from the start.

“There are prices that we cannot reach. I respect the choice of selling clubs, I would do the same. We are still on his track but we also have to look elsewhere.”

First-half goals from Luca Gagliano and Giovanni Simeone gave Cagliari a deserved 2-0 victory over Serie A champions Juventus.

Juve wrapped up their ninth consecutive title with a 2-0 win over Sampdoria at the weekend, although patchy recent form means Maurizio Sarri's side have now won only two of their past seven matches.

A vibrant Cagliari were the beneficiaries on this occasion, with Gagliano giving them an early lead to set them on the way to a first July win at the ninth and final attempt.

It proved a frustrating night for Cristiano Ronaldo, while Simeone – the son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego – came up with a superb finish worthy of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in first-half stoppage time.

Gianluigi Buffon was back in the Juventus starting line-up and picking the ball out of his net in the eighth minute, when Federico Mattiello drove Paolo Farago's right-wing cross back across goal for Gagliano to finish from close range.

Ronaldo – engaged in what appears to be an increasingly futile pursuit of Ciro Immobile in the Capocannoniere stakes – touched in Federico Bernardeschi's stabbed throughball from an offside position and racked up four blocked attempts by the interval.

Gonzalo Higuain volleyed over from Bernardeschi's 38th-minute corner before Juve found themselves further beyond due to Simeone's sublime 20-yard drive.

Joao Pedro sent a shot from similar range skimming wide early in the second half before Buffon plunged to keep out a Simeone volley – the defence in front of the veteran gloveman continuing to look terribly disjointed.

Atalanta-bound Simone Muratore had a long-range effort saved by Cagliari keeper Alessio Cragno, who also got down sharply to keep out Ronaldo's left-footer from 25 yard in the 68th minute.

Simeone might have added to his tally and Juve's misery when he sliced wide before the visitors pounded at the Cagliari defence with diminishing return until the final whistle.

What does it mean? Sarri has steepening Champions League task

The more Juventus turn in performances like this, the less their schedule of competitive action before the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon feels like an advantage.

The Ligue 1 side have, of course, been out of action since March as they prepare to defend a 1-0 lead in Turin next month. Sarri badly needs his team to find some rhythm, something an experimental line-up entirely ruled out in Sardinia.

Simeone back in the groove

The moment of defining quality was produced by Simeone as he sized up a backpedalling Leonardo Bonucci before lashing beyond a helpless Buffon. It was his 12th goal of the Serie A season – closing on the 14 he scored in a breakout 2017-18 at Fiorentina.

That form proved good enough to earn international honours, but the last of his five caps also came in 2018. At 25, he still has plenty of time to get back on track.

Record man Ronaldo falls flat

Ronaldo is two shy of chalking up the most prolific Serie A season in Juventus history even if Immobile is now surely out of reach. But he was brought to Turin to help bring Champions League glory.

The sight of that wider goal appeared to be lost by all concerned as Sarri indulged a spiralling shot count and another 90 minutes in the legs for the 35-year-old.

What's next

Juventus wrap up their Serie A season at home to Roma on Saturday, when Cagliari are on the road at in-form Milan.

Said Benrahma was a catalyst for Brentford as they turned around a one-goal deficit to see off Andre Ayew’s Swansea City 3-1 in the second leg of their Championship promotion play-off semi-final on Wednesday.

The Bees had fallen to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the Liberty Stadium courtesy of Ayew’s brilliant 80th-minute strike after the Ghana international had missed a penalty.

However, Thomas Frank’s men clearly had other ideas for the return leg in what was their last game at Griffin Park having played there since 1904, and they came out in full force with Ollie Watkins giving them the lead in the 11th minute to level the tie.

It didn’t take long before it became 2-0 with Benrahma’s long ball from deep finding the head of Emiliano Marcondes four minutes later.

Brentford were in control, but still added more, with a third coming from Franco-Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo at the restart, as he tap in Rico Henry’s low cross.

Swansea pulled one back through Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster in the 78th minute after a dismal error from Brentford captain Pontus Jansson but it proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation.

Benrahma had a fine game, producing six shots and having two efforts hit the woodwork. The Algerian also had 64 touches which was the joint second highest of the Brentford players; 34 accurate passes at 85% (second-highest) and four key passes.

During the regular season, Benrahma scored 17 goals and provided nine assists as Brentford finished in third place, just two points shy of automatic promotion.

Ayew meanwhile was far from his best, having no shots but having a 100% success in his dribbles (five from five attempts). The 30-year old Ghanaian had 45 touches, 13 accurate passes at 56% success rate, and was dispossessed while on the ball 21 times.

2019-20 is the most productive season of Ayew’s career with 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions, which is just one short of his last three campaigns in England combined and his loan stint in Turkey with Fenerbahce.

For Chelsea-linked Benrahma and Brentford, they will have a chance to make it into the English top flight for the first time in more than 70 years when they face either Fulham or Cardiff City in the final at Wembley next Tuesday.

Polish Ekstraliga side Medyk Konin have completed the signing of Ghana international Ernestina Abambila on a one-year contract.

The Konin-based outfit secured the Black Queens midfielder as a free agent after she parted ways with Spanish Primera Iberdrola side Sporting Huelva following the expiration of her contract.

Abambila, who arrived at the Spanish club from Swedish side Assi in January, made six appearances in all events before the league suspension and subsequent cancellation due to Covid-19.

In her brief but unforgettable spell, she featured for Sporting against Logrono, Barcelona twice (including in the Spanish Women's Cup), Sevilla, Deportivo la Coruna and Rayo Vallecano.

Abambila's signing will further boost the title ambitions of the Polish giants, having failed to claim the league diadem since 2017, while finishing as runners up with 25 points from 12 matches last term.

The midfielder has previously turned out for Greek side Aris Thessaloniki and Belarusian giants Minsk, where she became the first Ghanaian to score in the Women's Champions League game.

On the international scene, she has represented Ghana at the U17 and U20 Women's World Cup before recently featuring in a 2020 Olympic Games qualifier against Kenya in September 2019.

Since arriving in Poland, she has started training with Medyk and made her debut in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Czech Republic Liga giants Slavia Prague in a club-friendly at Zagan Arena.

Following her Wednesday's unveiling, Abambila will be aiming to inspire Medyk back to domestic glory when they open their campaign against Alice Ogebe's Sportis Bydgoszcz on August 14. 

Brentford survived a nervy finish and beat Swansea City 3-1 in the final match at Griffin Park to reach the Championship play-off final.

The Bees, who last played in the top flight in 1947, missed out on automatic promotion on the last day of the season and then lost the semi-final first leg 1-0 in Wales.

But a superb start on Wednesday set Brentford on their way to a 3-2 aggregate success.

Ollie Watkins raced onto Mathias Jensen's defence-splitting pass after 11 minutes and finished calmly as Swansea were punished on the counter-attack.

The hosts then led for the first time in the tie just four minutes later as Emiliano Marcondes headed in unmarked when found by Said Benrahma, who soon struck the post.

And Swansea's hopes of a swift second-half recovery were dashed when Bryan Mbeumo added a superb third 54 seconds after the interval.

A dismal Pontus Jansson error teed up Rhian Brewster for a lob that brought the visitors back into the match with 12 minutes to go, but Brentford battled bravely to book a Wembley date.

Hamed Traore scored his fourth Serie A goal of the season as Sassuolo hammered Genoa 5-0 in Wednesday's league encounter.

The Ivory Coast youth international opened the scoring at the Mapei Stadium-Citta del Tricolore as the hosts ended their four-game winless run in style.

Traore slotted his right-footed strike to the back of the net after benefitting from Domenico Berardi's assist in the 26th minute.

Morocco’s Mehdi Bourabia who also started for hosts, provided an assist for Berardi in the 39th minute as Roberto De Zerbi's men cruised into the break with a two-goal lead.

A brace from Francesco Caputo and Giacomo Raspadori's lone goal in the second half completed the rout for Sassuolo, who bagged their first win since their 2-1 victory against Lazio on July 11.

Traore was in action for 65 minutes before he was replaced by Luka Haraslin. The Ivorian midfielder has been impressive for the Black and Greens since his arrival on a two-year loan from Empoli in June 2019.

He has played in 30 league matches, including 19 starts with a contribution of four goals and an assist so far.

Bourabia was on parade for the entire duration while Equatorial Guinea international Pedro Obiang was introduced as a 73rd-minute substitute.

Ivory Coast's Jeremie Boga was not available for the encounter as he continues recovery from a muscular injury he suffered against AC Milan last Tuesday.

Despite the emphatic victory, Sassuolo remain unmoved in the Serie A standings as they occupy the eighth spot with 51 points from 31 matches.

They will be hoping to end the 2019-20 campaign on a winning note when they welcome Udinese to the Mapei Stadium-Citta del Tricolore on Sunday while Genoa, placed 17th in the table, will be fighting to maintain their top-flight status when they battle Hellas Verona on the same day.

Kaizer Chiefs captain Itumeleng Khune has spoken about the importance of his side continuing where they left off before the coronavirus pandemic hit South Africa in mid-March. 

Amakhosi went into the lockdown break atop of the PSL standings and four points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns as they close in on their long-awaited domestic title.

While Khune is relishing the return, he's wary about the fate suffered by high-profile Premier League goalkeepers David de Gea and Kasper Schmeichel, who endured some tricky moments and appeared rusty at times after football returned.

"I realise that the break, due to this Covid-19 pandemic, affected a lot of keepers, including Manchester United’s David de Gea and Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel," Khune told the Amakhosi website. "They didn’t seem to have the same confidence as before the break.

"There was clearly a lot of rustiness," he added. "Luckily, we have had a bit more time to prepare before the league restarts.

"We have also discussed various aspects on our ‘Keeper Corner’, which is us goalies communicating with our goalkeeper coach Lee Baxter, and it's basically about learning from the past to go forward.

"Going back into the field will all be about mental strength. We just need to be ready come August 11."

The stopper has also acknowledged that some of his teammates have found it hard to train alone during lockdown, although he's not lost sight of how fortunate Chiefs were to be able to prepare themselves as well as possible to return to action strongly. 

"It's important for us to continue where we left off," he continued. "Luckily, we have new technology, like the Zoom mobile app, via which we could have video communication.

"This helped the coaches to guide us on exercises to keep fit. It was a frustrating time, as we missed being on the field. We just had to hang in there.

"We are happy that we will soon be able to do what we all love again – playing football."

Al-Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez was cleared to rejoin training with his charges on Wednesday following his positive coronavirus test, the Qatari club confirmed. 

The former Barcelona great had revealed on Saturday that he would be unable to accompany Al-Sadd in their Stars League clash against Al-Khor after contracting the disease. 

“Today I will not be able to accompany my team in the return to official competition," Xavi wrote on his Instagram account. 

“David Prats, reserve coach, will take my place as head of the technical team.

“A few days ago, following the QSL protocol, I tested positive in my most recent Covid-19 test.

“Luckily, I feel perfectly fine, but following the protocol, I will remain isolated until I have overcome it.

“When the medical authorities allow me, I will return to my daily routine and work more eagerly than ever.

“I thank all the authorities, especially those which allowed us the means for an early detection that avoids more spreading of the virus and guarantees the normal continuation of the season. A hug, and see you soon on the football pitch!”

On Wednesday the coach was able to resume normal activities, with Brazil-born Qatar international Rodrigo Tabata also joining training with his new club. 

"The first football team of Al-Sadd Club continued its training today, Wednesday, at the club's sub-stadium, in preparation for the upcoming Al-Ahly match in the nineteenth round of the Stars League, which will be held next Monday, the third of August at the South Stadium," Al-Sadd revealed in a statement released on the club's official website.

"On Wednesday, Maran witnessed the return of Coach Xavi Hernandez after he recovered from infection with the Corona virus (Covid 19), which he was exposed to about 14 days ago.

"Everyone within the team was keen to welcome the coach, especially the leader is facing strong challenges during the next stage. This also welcomed the team members to the newcomer Rodrigo Tabata, who joined the leader one a season-long contract.

"Tabata underwent special training under the supervision of fitness trainers in order to prepare him to participate in group exercises during the next stage."

Uganda's Ritah Kivumbi netted twice as 10-woman Mallbackens secured a 5-3 comeback win against Lidkopings in Wednesday's Elitettan game, despite Algeria's Hanna Boubezari's strike.

Kivumbi made her sixth appearance for Mallbackens since joining from Vaxjo in January, while Boubezari was earning her eighth appearance this season after arriving from Jitex Molndal this winter.

Kivumbi impressed alongside Nigeria's Sarah Michael in Mallbackens' 3-2 win over Sandviken, and aimed to extend their winning run, while Boubezari was eager to help Lidkopings end their winless streak. 

At Strandvallen, Algeria international Boubezari got the visitors off to a bright start when she put them ahead after just four minutes of the encounter.

However, Emma Eriksson leveled the score for the hosts seconds after Kivumbi almost found the back of the net in the 14th minute.

The visitors did not allow the hosts' celebration to last as they regained the lead when Sandra Lagerbratt struck four minutes later, before Taylor Townsend extended the advantage in the 34th minute.

Kivumbi pulled one back to inspire the hosts' comeback on the hour mark before Jessika Pedersen was handed a marching order after receiving her second yellow card of the match in the 66th minute.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Mallbackens never relented and almost equalised through the striking duo of Sarah Michael and the Ugandan in the 68th and 69th minute respectively. 

They secured a crucial leveller through Frida Brostrom in the 76th minute, before Ida Hallstensson put them ahead four minutes later.

Boubezari came close to grab her second goal of the match to even the score, but was denied in the 86th minute before Kivumbi bagged her brace a minute later to ensure the hosts outclassed their visitors. 

Kivumbi, who has now scored three goals in six games, was involved in the entire game along Michael for Mallbackens.

On the other hand, Boubezari also played from the duration for Lidkopings, and has now scored three goals in eight games.

The result moves Mallbackens to eighth with 11 points, while Lidkopings dropped to 12 with five points from eight matches.

Bongani Zungu has identified former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure as the player he looked up to while growing up, and explained how the Ivory Coast legend shaped his career.

The Ivorian is considered one of the greatest Africans to grace the game, with multiple trophies in his cabinet including the Premier League, La Liga, Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations. The 37-year-old - who was recently spotted training with League Two side Leyton Orient - is also a four-time recipient of the African Footballer of Year.

His legacy is now being felt among the generation who follow him, with Zungu paying tribute to his fellow midfielder.

"Growing up, I looked up to Yaya Toure. I used to watch a lot of his games,” Zungu told Daily Record. "I watched him at Barcelona back in the day, and then when he was at Manchester City, even when I became a professional football player because I'm the type of player that invests a lot of time in football.

"I watch what top midfielders do, or if they have books or documentaries or anything like that. So, I can say Yaya Toure was the biggest influence. He was very influential in terms of when he was on the pitch and the things he did."

Zungu started his career in South Africa with the University of Pretoria, before joining record Premier Soccer League title  holders Mamelodi Sundowns. He then moved to Europe to play for Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal during the 2016-17 season.

The 27-year-old has been on the books of Amiens since 2017, playing 57 times in all competitions including 21 in Ligue 1 last season, but was unable to prevent their relegation to Ligue 2.

"When I was younger, I basically played in every position," he added. "When I made my debut in the South African second division for Dynamos, I was a No.10 and then I went to the Premier League and played in the same position for Tuks.

"It was only when I was at Mamelodi Sundowns, that they moved me to a holding midfielder role.

"There are a lot of players whose manager decides what position they play in. Perhaps I will see myself as an attacking midfielder, but he wants me as a defensive midfielder.

"So I read about Yaya because that was what happened to him and learned all about how it impacted him as a player because it's difficult to make that change."

Zungu went on to narrate how he was almost killed in a shooting incident that occurred in his family home in the city of Duduza. The 29-time capped Bafana Bafana star stressed that playing football presents a distraction from many of society’s problems such as the near-death experience he encountered.

"What happened was I was driving...and the funny thing is this happened right in front of my parents’ house, like at the gate,” he continued. "I was taking my young brother home and two guys in a car came and they started shooting. I told my younger brother to open the door and run. He ran, and I had to come out. It was just a crazy moment.

"Fortunately, I just told them to take the car and leave, so that’s what happened. That’s where I come from, these things happen a lot, but that situation also helped me mentally, because now I’m more careful when I’m driving.

"You need to be sure, you need to check what’s going on and stuff. So after all that, I picked myself up, I said to myself, 'Okay, the positive thing is that nothing bad really happened, they just took the car.' It taught me how to be careful.

"I guess it’s important to take lessons from all of these difficulties. I can’t even imagine experiencing something like that and taking it in your stride.

"So football kind of helps me. Like, I switch off from the problems of the world and what’s happening when I play football, despite all that has happened. Every time when I’m training or I’m on the pitch, I know how to adjust and perform."