By CHRIS ALTRUDA STATS Editor=

Brazil prodigy Neymar volleyed a fine goal from the edge of the box after 52 seconds to inspire Santos to a 2-1 win over Avai that put them third in the Brazilian championship on Thursday.

Big soccer rivals Argentina and England could play a friendly on Feb. 9, 2011, the man charged with organising the South American team's international calendar said on Thursday.

European heavyweights France, England and Italy get the chance to put their disappointing World Cups behind them on Friday as they kick off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaigns on a night for fresh starts.

England coach Fabio Capello is confused by his sudden transformation from a "god" to a "monster" since his team faltered at the World Cup. Preparing for European Championship qualifying, a combative Capello fought back against claims by pundits and columnists in England that he is a clueless coach lacking the tactical ability to turn the team into title winners.

Colombian police are searching for a Mexican fugitive wanted for the shooting in January of Paraguay soccer player Salvador Cabanas, a senior officer said on Thursday.

A FIFA delegation says the main stadiums proposed by Spain and Portugal in their joint bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup are "ideal" venues for big games. FIFA inspectors visited Barcelona's Camp Nou, Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Benfica's Stadium of Light and FC Porto's Stadium of the Dragon during a four-day tour to assess the bid.

Bruce Arena thinks Bob Bradley wouldn't get so much public criticism if his bosses actually backed him.

* Benayoun inspires Israel

Yossi Benayoun scored a hat trick Thursday as Israel started its qualifying campaign for the 2012 European Championship with a 3-1 victory over Malta. The Israel captain found the net in the seventh, 64th and 75th minutes in Israel coach Luis Fernandez's first competitive game since starting the job in May.

David Beckham hopes to make his return to action in LA Galaxy's match against Columbus Crew on Sept. 11, the midfielder said on Thursday.

Philadelphia Independence keeper Val Henderson gives a behind-the-scenes take of everyday life with the WPS expansion club. In the latest installment, Val puts the game of soccer in perspective.

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Israel 0 Malta 0 - 2012 European Championships Group F qualifier latest:

FIFA offered high praise for World Cup winner Spain in its official analysis of the event Thursday, and indicated African countries harmed their chances on home soil by employing foreign coaches. The report also criticized goalkeepers for making "inexplicable errors" -- possibly because of the Jabulani ball -- but glossed over the refereeing errors that helped eliminate some teams.

Goal.com’s Ghana correspondent K.N.S Mensah examines the fate of the four-time African champions without three of their most experienced midfielders for the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Goal.com invites you to pick your Spain team for the Euro 2012 qualifying match against Liechtenstein.

A FIFA report claims that Spain might be the team of the century...

Milan's Clarence Seedorf was pleased after the draw for the Champions League Group G - with Real Madrid, Ajax, and Auxerre.

'Hard working' striker earns official plaudit.