Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight is a big night for Julen Lopetegui as he takes charge of Wolves for the first time.

A post-World Cup, pre-Christmas home game against League Two Gillingham in the EFL Cup is not the most glamorous way to start but, as Lopetegui outlined yesterday, it does offer a chance to see how his players operate in a competitive environment.

Striker Diego Costa's last involvement was getting sent off for a head-butt in the 1-1 draw at Brentford in October.

"Diego knows this is a big opportunity for him," said Lopetegui.

"But he has to push the bad things, that we know – and he knows too – away. I want to see his character, playing football, not doing silly things.”

The fourth round of the EFL Cup kicks off tonight. Here is a rundown of the ties we can look forward to this week:

Tuesday, 20 December

Milton Keynes Dons v Leicester City

Newcastle v Bournemouth

Southampton v Lincoln City

Wolves v Gillingham

Wednesday, 21 December

Blackburn v Nottingham Forest

Charlton v Brighton

Manchester United v Burnley (20:00 GMT)

Thursday, 22 December

Manchester City v Liverpool (20:00 GMT)

We will return to the World Cup in a moment to assess the main footballing talking points of the tournament, but I know many of you can't wait to turn your attention back to domestic issues.

The Football League has, of course, continued throughout the last month, but the EFL Cup took a break along with the Premier League.

Let's have a look at this week's fourth-round ties, which include eight interesting match-ups, starting with four tonight:

Image source, BBC Sport

The shortlist of contenders for the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has been announced this morning.

The nominees are...

• Gymnast Jessica Gadirova
• Footballer Beth Mead
• Curling's Eve Muirhead
• Cricketer Ben Stokes
• Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan
• Athlete Jake Wightman

Voting will be open during the show on BBC One on Wednesday, 21 December.

Other awards to be announced include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team and Coach of the Year, Unsung Hero and the Helen Rollason Award.

Eight-time sprinting gold medallist Usain Bolt will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award, while football World Cup winner Lionel Messi is the World Sport Star of the Year.

We have heard about Lionel Messi's award as BBC's World Sport Star of the Year, but shall we check out the shortlist for the main SPOTY contenders, which were announced this morning?

Details are coming up.

Image source, Getty Images

It's still too early to judge what mark this World Cup will leave on history.

But on one count, there can be no doubt.

Despite the repeated pledges of both Fifa and the Qatari authorities to make 'everyone welcome', those who were from - or supporting - the LGBTQ+ community have not felt that way.

There was the former Wales captain told to remove a hat in Pride colours.

And the LGBTQ+ ally detained briefly by the authorities for trying to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow T-shirt.

A gay fan who took a greyscaled Pride flag to a game was made to throw it in the bin; another was forced to unfurl his Pride banners by guards who approached him on the metro.

A BBC cameraman who wore a Pride watch strap was initially barred from entering a stadium - and was only able to gain entry after a phone call to the authorities.

These were some of many stories of LGBTQ+ fans and allies being stopped or confronted. Fifa and the Qatari authorities had given assurances that wouldn't be the case. But it happened anyway.

Read a personal account of the Qatar World Cup from Jack Murley - presenter of the BBC's LGBT Sport Podcast.

France striker Karim Benzema has hinted that his journey with the national team "is ending".

Benzema, who turned 35 on Monday, missed the World Cup through injury as Les Bleus lost 4-2 on penalties to Argentina in the final.

He has 97 caps, scoring 37 goals and now it appears he has retired international duty.

"I have written my story and made the mistakes to be where I am today and I am proud of it," he wrote on Twitter.

Full story

Before we leave the Argentina players to rest, shall we just treat ourselves to some of the best clips from the BBC Sport World Cup library.

Feast your eyes on these...

I wonder if the Argentina World Cup squad plan to get their heads down before this afternoon's parade through Buenos Aires.

Just a reminder, in case you missed the images earlier, the World Cup winners landed back in Argentina at 02:24 local time (05:24 GMT).

They were given a heroes welcome, with fans lining the route to the Argentine Football headquarters.

The main celebration is due to take place at the Buenos Aires Obelisk monument at midday (15:00 GMT).

Expect to see scenes similar to this after today was declared a bank holiday.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC Sport

In other news, Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has been named BBC Sports Personality's World Sport Star of the Year for 2022.

The award follows the 35-year-old's leading role in Argentina's first World Cup triumph in 36 years in Qatar.

The Paris St-Germain forward won the tournament's Golden Ball - awarded to the best player - after scoring seven goals at his fifth World Cup.

The former Barcelona star is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest footballers of all-time.

Messi scored twice in the World Cup final and also converted a penalty in the shootout as Argentina beat holders France 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Click here for the full story.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year show is on Wednesday, from 18:45 GMT on BBC One.

Image source, BBC Sport

Paris St-Germain will open talks with Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 35, following his World Cup heroics, with his current deal expiring next summer. (RMC via Mail)

France forward Kylian Mbappe, 24 on Tuesday, could soon announce he will leave PSG at the end of the season, with Real Madrid interested. (Sport)

Bayern Munich are interested in signing Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emilano Martinez, 30. (MediaFoot)

France midfielder N'Golo Kante, 31, is pushing for a move to Barcelona when his Chelsea deal ends next summer and is in advanced talks over a pre-contract agreement. (Sport)

Borussia Monchengladbach and Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, 34, is in talks with Bayern Munich over a move after Germany's Manuel Neuer broke his leg. (Goal)

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has distanced himself from the Brazil job, insisting he wants to stay with the European champions. (Rai Radio 1 via Mail)

Read Tuesday's full gossip column

After a lull during the World Cup, the transfer rumour mill is cranking back into top gear as focus returns to domestic football.

There is plenty of gossip circulating about some of the international stars of the tournament. including what next for Golden Ball winner Lionel Messi...

The Guardian

Image source, Guardian

The Daily Telegraph

Image source, Daily Telegraph

Daily Mirror

Image source, Mirror

The Daily Express

Image source, Daily Express

The Daily Star

Image source, Daily Star

Back home in the UK, we are all waking up to life after the World Cup, with domestic football returning tonight in the form of the EFL Cup fourth round.

There is still plenty of World Cup reflection in the papers though.

Let's take a look at today's back pages.

Image source, Getty Images

World Cup winners Argentina have been greeted by jubilant crowds at Buenos Aires airport and a bank holiday has been declared in the country.

After beating France in Sunday's final, the team landed home at 02:24 local time (05:24 GMT) on Tuesday.

They travelled on an open-top bus to Argentine Football headquarters.

Fans lined the streets en route, with the main celebration taking place at Buenos Aires' Obelisk monument at midday (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

The Argentine government said Tuesday would be a bank holiday so fans "can express their deepest joy for the national team".