The USA’s men’s basketball team bounced back from their shock opening-game defeat with a comfortable 120-66 victory over Iran.

The Americans saw their 25-game Olympic winning streak ended by France on Sunday, but never looked in danger of suffering another loss here.

Damian Lillard top-scored with 21 points, while Devin Booker added 16 points and five rebounds.

In total the team sunk 19 three-pointers, with six players ending the match in double figures.

The Americans, who have won gold at the past three Games, can secure their place in the knockout stages with a win against the Czech Republic in their final Group A game on Saturday.

In Group B, Germany also recovered from an opening-game defeat, beating Nigeria 99-92.

Johannes Voigtmann top-scored with 19 points for Germany, who were beaten by Italy in their opener on Sunday.

In Group B’s other match, Jock Landale scored 18 points and seven rebounds to help Australia edge Italy 86-83 and secure their second win of the competition.

Defending champions Brazil eased through to the quarter-finals of the men’s Olympic football, but 2016 silver medallists Germany are eliminated.

Everton striker Richarlison scored two late goals as Brazil beat Saudi Arabia 3-1 to finish top of Group D, with Ivory Coast second after holding Germany to a 1-1 draw.

In Group B, South Korea beat Honduras 6-0 to qualify as group winners.

New Zealand drew 0-0 with Romania to finish second on goal difference.

Brazil looked set to be held to a frustrating draw when a header from Saudi Arabia defender Abdulelah Al-Amri cancelled out Matheus Cunha’s early opener at the Saitama Stadium.

However Richarlison, who hit a hat-trick in Brazil’s opening group game against Germany, edged them ahead again with 14 minutes remaining before sealing the win in stoppage-time.

Germany needed to beat Ivory Coast to make it through, but fell behind midway through the second half when Benjamin Henrichs put the ball into his own net while attempting a tackle in the six-yard box.

Eduard Loewen levelled with a free-kick six minutes later to set up a frantic finish, but despite piling on the pressure Germany could not find a winner.

Hosts Japan became the only side to win all three of their group games after thumping France 4-0 in Yokohama.

Goals from Hiroki Sakai, Takefusa Kubo, Koki Miyoshi and Daizen Maeda sealed the victory and set up a last-eight clash against New Zealand.

Mexico secured second place and will play South Korea next after a 3-0 win against South Africa, who lost all three of their group matches.

Egypt will play Brazil in the quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Australia secured second place in Group C ahead of Argentina, who could only draw 1-1 with group winners Spain.

Argentina midfielder Tomas Belmonte scored a late equaliser to cancel out Mikel Merino’s opener, but it was not enough to prevent Argentina from slipping to third and bowing out.

Spain, who end with five points from their three group games, face Ivory Coast in the quarter-final.

All four teams in Group B went into the final round of games level on three points each, but it was South Korea who progressed as group winners as a hat-trick from Hwang Ui-jo helped secure a 6-0 win over Honduras, with New Zealand joining them in the quarter-finals.

The Nigeria Football Federation says it is working at a pace to ensure he payment of outstanding bonuses and allowances of the coaches and players of the senior men national team, Super Eagles, as well as salaries owed the coaches of the team. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja on Wedneday that the challenges and disruptions caused by the global coronavirus pandemic are still being felt by government institutions and businesses the world over, and there was no need to pretend that these are normal times.

“The NFF deserves no joy in owing players and coaches their entitlements. The same players and coaches have been well-taken-care of and provided the necessary facilities when things were normal, and as we work assiduously towards conquering the present challenges and seeing sunlight again, we expect the players, coaches and administrative staff to show the same level of understanding that they have been showing over the past 18 months.

“Of course, we are pragmatists and we releaize that these things can be frustrating and some people will boil over and talk about them. It is normal. Last month, during the friendlies in Austria, we were able

to pay some of the outstanding bonuses and allowances. We are working at a pace presently to clear what is remaining. As I speak, we are owing the team bonuses and allowances from only the last two matches,and payments for these two games have been sent to the Central Bank some weeks ago. They will receive the monies shortly. We are equally working to pay the coaches what they are being owed as salaries.”

Dr Sanusi’s comments were in direct reference to a statement credited to Super Eagles’ defender, Leon Balogun on Tuesday saying the NFF was owing the players bonuses and allowances. “We have never denied owing the team. Leon is a senior player that everyone respects for his quality output on the pitch and calmness and forbearance off it, but I do not know which reports he was referring to when he said the NFF was contradicting itself.

“He also talked about playing pitches. Sincerely speaking, the past few years has seen a remarkable improvement in stadia infrastructure across the country. The team had to move round the States because the turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja got bad. Now, the pitch is coming back to shape thanks to the efforts of the present Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare, who got the respected Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s company to work on it.

“Presently, we have exciting venues in Uyo, Benin City, Asaba, Kaduna and Lagos. Without the team moving round the States, the governments of these States probably would not have devoted much effort into putting these facilities in world-standard shape. There are remarkable improvements on facilities in Ibadan, the National Stadium in Lagos and a new one in Lagos. All these will benefit the teeming youth population of Nigeria who are interested in sports.”

Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid to sign defender Raphael Varane.

It is understood the clubs have agreed an initial fee of £34m, which could rise to £42m, and that Varane, 28, has agreed terms on a four-year contract with the option for another 12 months.

United said the transfer would be completed “subject to a medical and to player terms being finalised”.

Varane, a World Cup winner with France, has made 360 appearances for Real.

“Real Madrid wants to show all its affection to Raphaal Varane and his family and wishes him good luck in this new stage of his professional career,” the club said in a statement.

“Our club thanks you for your professionalism and exemplary behaviour during the 10 seasons in which you defended our shirt.”

Varane, who has 79 caps, will become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s third signing in this transfer window – following the resigning of goalkeeper Tom Heaton and the arrival of England winger Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

BBC Sport understands Varane will quarantine before having his medical, after which he will complete his move.

United, who agreed a fee with Real on Monday have been long-term admirers of Varane, whose contract was due to expire next summer.

Former boss Sir Alex Ferguson originally pursued a deal for the player before his move to Madrid, and Jose Mourinho was also keen to add the defender to his squad during his time at Old Trafford.

Varane’s journey to Old Trafford

After coming through Lens’ academy, Varane broke into the first team at the age of 17, and while he was unable to steer them away from relegation, his performances attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.

Despite strong interest from United, Real signed the teenager on a six-year contract in 2011, and he went on to make 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season in Spain as Mourinho’s side regained the title.

That was the start of Varane’s impressive trophy haul during his decade in the Spanish capital.

He helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side clinch their 10th European title – ‘La Decima’ – in the 2013-14 season, making seven appearances and partnering Sergio Ramos in the final as they beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon.

Varane was also a key figure under compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who replaced Rafael Benitez as manager in January 2016, as Los Blancos secured a hat-trick of Champions League titles from 2016-2018.

However, a hamstring injury ruled him out of the 2016 final against Atletico and France’s European Championship campaign that summer, which ended in defeat in the final.

Having battled injuries during the 2016-17 season, Varane enjoyed arguably his strongest year in 2017-18 as Real beat Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, before he starred for France at the 2018 World Cup, playing every minute of Les Bleus’ triumphant campaign in Russia.

Varane’s performances for club and country during 2017-18 saw him finish seventh in the Ballon d’Or rankings – the highest-placed defender – and he was named in the Uefa Team of the Year.

Varane also played every minute of France’s Euro 2020 campaign, which ended with a last-16 penalty shootout defeat by Switzerland.

United have outspent rivals in Solskjaer era

Should the Varane deal be completed as expected, United will have spent just short of £400m on players since Solskjaer was appointed manager on a permanent basis in March 2019.

That eclipses the outlay of Manchester City (£298m), Chelsea (£262m), Tottenham (£255m) Arsenal (£243m) and Liverpool (£119m) in the same period.

Varane is the fourth defender United have brought in since conceding 54 goals during the 2018-19 Premier League season, after Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles.

Having acquired Maguire and Wan-Bissaka in the summer of 2019, the Red Devils conceded 36 goals as they finished third in 2019-20.

They climbed a place to finish second behind Manchester City last season, letting in 44 goals, 12 more than their neighbours.

It is understood any further signings this summer are likely to depend on outgoings.

‘Varane will bring leadership and tactical nous’

This certainly seems like an excellent deal for Manchester United.

Varane has precisely the back-story they need to bring leadership and tactical nous to their defence. The experience of starting three Champions League finals victories and a World Cup final win is invaluable in what is a relatively young United squad.

United have been able to exploit a weak transfer market – they were the only realistic option for Varane if he decided to leave Real – and the financial issues affecting all Spain’s leading clubs to come up with a deal attractive enough to entice a player of true international quality.

The big question for United now is whether they are done in the market this summer.

That may well depend on whether Paul Pogba decides to sit out the remaining year of his contract or if he would be willing to accept a lower salary that may be on offer in 12 months’ time in order to get a move to PSG.

Axel Tuanzebe seems the most likely central defender to make way for Varane, potentially on loan to Newcastle, although doubts hang over the futures of Diogo Dalot, Brandon Williams, Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones, who did not make a single appearance last season and has not been involved so far during pre-season games against Derby and QPR.

Balancing the finances is important for United. However, for the fans, they just want to see Varane in action. Coming so soon after Jadon Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund was confirmed, optimism around Old Trafford has not been so high for quite some time.

When you’re watching volleyball at the Tokyo Olympics, you might notice a player wearing a different colored jersey than the rest of their team. There’s a good reason for their standout appearance: you’ve just spotted the libero, a specialized player whose unique role requires them to be easily visible at all times.

According to USA Volleyball, the libero is a defensive specialist who can replace any player in the back row without counting toward a team’s substitutions, which in international play are limited to six per se  . Introduced in 1998, there are some specific limitations on what a libero can and cannot do while they are on the court. In international play, liberos cannot serve, spike, or rotate into the front row positions. Essentially, they’re a defensive specialist who’s there to help receive serves and make crucial saves during longer rallies.

However, the greatest benefit of having a libero comes in the rules for player substitutions. This unique quality of the role makes it a highly strategic position, especially because the other players on the court rotate throughout the match, and teams may swap in hitters for defensive players, who will eventually end up on the front row.

Although liberos don’t count toward the overall substitution limits, there are some rules about how they can be swapped in. According to the rules of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball, the official international governing body of the sport, “there must be at least one point played between a libero substituting off for a player”  and going back on the court for another player.” In other words, the libero cannot be on the court for the entirety of the game.