Double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has broken his own men's marathon world record at Sunday's race in Berlin.

The 37-year-old Kenyan crossed the line in a time of two hours, one minute and nine seconds, to beat by 30 seconds his previous best, set four years ago in the German capital city.

He had previously taken one minute 20 seconds off compatriot Dennis Kimetto's 2014 record of 2:02.57 in Berlin.

On an overcast day in Berlin, Kipchoge, who has now won 15 of his 17 career marathons, ran the first half of the 26.2-mile race in 59 minutes, 51 seconds, prompting thoughts that he may become the first runner to break the two-hour mark in an official race

He has run a marathon in under two hours, in Vienna in 2019. However, that was not recognised as the official world record because it was not in open competition and he used a team of rotating pacemakers.

Andamlak Belihu was the only runner able to keep up with Kipchoge, who set a blistering pace from the start, but the Ethiopian dropped back around 17 miles into the race.

It is a fourth victory in Berlin for Kipchoge, matching Ethiopia great Haile Gebrselassie's record.

Fellow Kenyan Mark Korir was second, four minutes and 49 seconds behind Kipchoge, with Ethiopian Tadu Abate third.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa ran the third fastest time in history to set a course record of 2:15.37.

Croatia and the Netherlands finished warming up for the World Cup in style by qualifying for the Nations League finals, while holders France's poor form continued.

Croatia topped Group A1 by winning 3-1 in Austria to relegate their opponents to the second tier of the Nations League, while the unbeaten Dutch defeated visiting Belgium 1-0 and won Group A4 with 16 points, six more than their second-placed hosts.

Defending Nations League and World Cup champions France lost 2-0 in Denmark but avoided relegation because of Austria's defeat.

The matches marked the final preparations for World Cup-bound teams before the competition starts in Qatar on November 20. The French and the Danes will meet again in Qatar with Tunisia and Australia also in their group.

It could be the last international tournament for 37-year-old Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, and he enters the competition in good form. The Croats led after six minutes in Vienna when their veteran captain was left unmarked inside the penalty area and rifled home.

Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala scored her first goal of the season for Barcelona femeni in the club’s 4-1 demolition of Villarreal femini.

Oshoala came on as a substitute in Barcelona’s opening day victory over Granadilla Tenerife, but coach Jonatan Giraldez gave her the nod to lead the line away at Villarreal.

The Catalans showed superiority from the start of the game, and were rewarded with a goal from Mapi Leon in the 26th minute.

However, that was all the Spanish champions could muster in the first half.

In the second half, Barcelona came out hungrier, and played better and more fluid football.

Three minutes into the second period, Oshoala latched onto a pass from Mariona Caldentey that put her through on goal. The Super Falcons striker wasted no time, as she struck a perfect shot from outside the box past the charging Villarreal keeper to make it 2-0 for Barcelona.

Rocco Garcia pulled one back for the home side in the 56th minute to give her side a fighting chance.

Nonetheless, Barcelona fired back with goals from Claudia Pina and Lara Mata (own goal) to ensure a 4-1 win for the defending champions.

The win takes Barcelona to the summit of the Liga Femini, albeit on goal difference