Two-time champion South Korea defeated Iraq 2-0 to qualify for its first Asian Cup final in nearly 30 years at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Monday.

Lee Jeong-hyeop's header in the first half and Kim Young-gwon's long-range strike just after halftime lifted South Korea to its first continental final since 1988 and within a victory of its first Asian Cup title since 1960.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insisted Monday that controversial striker Mario Balotelli does have a future at Anfield.

Speculation over the Italy forward's career on Merseyside intensified after he was left out of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton Wanderers on form grounds, although the forwards selected in his place failed to find the back of the net in a goalless draw with the second division club.

Big-serving Milos Raonic advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-3 win Monday over Feliciano Lopez of Spain.

After breaking Lopez' serve in the eighth game of the final set, Raonic won all four points in the next game to clinch the match. He had 30 aces but wasn't helped by his inability to convert break-point chances — only three of 13 in the match.

Victoria Azarenka is packing her bags and leaving the Australian Open far earlier than years past, but the two-time former champion sure had fun while she was here.

For the Belarussian, who is putting forth a more carefree image these days, this might be just as important as winning.

Belgian authorities and the country's football federation are seeking action against Standard Liege fans who displayed a massive banner showing a drawing of a beheaded Anderlecht player ahead of their weekend match.

The banner reading "Red or Dead" referred to the Standard colors and also showed a drawing of a masked man with a huge knife and the head of Anderlecht midfielder Steven Defour, who used to play for Standard before moving to arch rival Anderlecht.

If the detour leads to the ultimate destination for Tim Cahill and the Socceroos, Australians won't be worried at all about the route the national team has taken to the Asian Cup final.

Australia takes on the United Arab Emirates in the semifinals on Tuesday at Newcastle, 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Sydney. Organizers no doubt would have preferred a semifinal at a heaving former Olympic stadium in Sydney on Australia Day, Jan. 26, but the Socceroos missed out on that by losing their last group game 1-0 to South Korea.

European champions Real Madrid have completed the signing of Brazilian under-21 international midfielder Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro.

The deal cost Los Blancos a reported 14 million euros ($15.8 million, £10.5 million) with Silva agreeing a five-and-a-half year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Just days after being taken to hospital with malaria, Asamoah Gyan lit up the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday with a late winning goal as Ghana beat Algeria 1-0.

Ghana's win and the 1-1 draw between Senegal and South Africa later in the day in Mongomo leave the two qualifying spots in Group C still up for grabs ahead of the final round of matches next Tuesday, although Bafana Bafana appear very much up against it.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal declared that he was not concerned by his side's performance after their 0-0 draw at fourth-tier minnows Cambridge United in the FA Cup.

Van Gaal selected a strong team for the trip to the Abbey Stadium, but despite the presence of Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, United could not prevent the fourth-round tie going to a replay.

Jose Mourinho insists his Chelsea stars must ignore talk of a potential quadruple because it is virtually impossible to win all the major prizes.

Mourinho's side will look to keep their challenge for the FA Cup on course when they face third tier Bradford at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round on Saturday and if, as expected, they advance to the last 16 there will be renewed talk of Chelsea hoovering up all four trophies.