G'day sports fans,

📈 STAT: Lionel Messi scored a world record 91 goals in just 69 games in 2012, averaging a goal every 66 minutes while also providing 29 assists and hitting nine hat-tricks.

🇦🇺 Aussie Sport

🏊🏼‍♂️ Kyle Chalmers backed up his triumph in the 100m freestyle with an otherworldly swim in the men's 4x50m freestyle, powering Australia to the gold medal as the team's anchor.

Australia was placed fifth when Chalmers entered the water, but the 24-year-old rocketed through his leg in 20.34 seconds.

He mowed down a 0.62-second lead held by Italy with 50 metres remaining and lifted Australia to victory in 1:23.44, just 0.4 seconds quicker than the Italians.

"Absolute wowzas," said Australian swimming great Giaan Rooney on Nine's coverage.

🐴 STAT: Australia will host a race worth $1M or more every four days in 2023.

🏉 Scans confirm a grade 2 hamstring strain (partial tear) for Tom Trbojevic. Manly expects a 6-8 week recovery, the usual timeframe. Provided no rehab setbacks, will be fit for Round 1, but recurrence risk is the main concern heading into the season via @nrlphysio

🏉 Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington is set to miss the early rounds of the 2023 NRL season after rupturing his biceps doing chin-ups in the gym.

🏏 Renegades captain Nic Maddinson made 87 and spinner Akeal Hossein also starred as last season's wooden-spooners started BBL Twelve with a 22-run win over the Heat in Cairns.

🇦🇺 The umpire at the centre of the Brownlow Medal betting scandal has been dumped by the AFL, which has ruled out changes to the voting process for the prestigious award. There were widespread calls for voting rights to be taken away from umpires, which AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan rejected on Thursday.

🏀 The clash between Perth Wildcats and New Zealand Breakers set down for Friday has been postponed, after a number of Breakers' players tested positive to COVID-19. (ESPN)

⚽️ Adelaide United and Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin has reiterated he does not support the APL's decision to hold the next three A-Leagues Grand Finals in Sydney, telling 10 News First it will lead to a "bunch of neutrals in the stands" (Twitter)

🇦🇺 The Western Bulldogs have declared Luke Beveridge is their man long-term, with the senior coach signing a contract extension ahead of one of his most crucial seasons at the club in a significant display of faith.

🌍 World Sport

🏆 The World Cup final between Argentina and France looks close on paper and should be a classic for the ages. Holders France have Kylian Mbappe, but their defence has been vulnerable in the tournament, which spells trouble with Lionel Messi.

Messi has been magical in this World Cup and his presence should ensure goals at both ends.

STATS:

• Argentina have lost one of their last 42 matches

• Lionel Messi has scored in five of his last six World Cup matches

• France have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven matches

• France have led at half-time in four of their five wins at this World Cup.

⚽️ Manchester City's Norway striker Erling Haaland, 22, is no longer on Real Madrid's list of future targets, with Brazilian forward Endrick, 16, having agreed to join them from Palmeiras in 2024. (Sport - in Spanish)

🏎 Mick Schumacher is to be the Mercedes reserve driver in 2023.

The German, son of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, lost his race seat for 2023 when the Haas team dropped him in favour of veteran Nico Hulkenberg.

🎾 From the team behind F1: Drive to Survive, Break Point gets up close and personal with top players on the tennis circuit through an entire year travelling across the globe for all four Grand Slams and the ATP and WTA tours. Coming January 13th.

🎾 Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has been released from prison after serving eight months of his sentence for hiding £2.5m worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts.

🏀 Stephen Curry will receive an MRI on Thursday in Philadelphia after injuring his left shoulder in the Golden State Warriors' 125-119 loss at the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

🏏 Kane Williamson has stepped down as New Zealand's Test captain after six years in charge and will be replaced by Tim Southee for the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

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TODAY

⚽️ 07:00 - Scottish Premiership - Rangers v Hibernian (beIN SPORTS 1)

🏀 07:00 - EuroLeague - Asvel Basket v Olympiacos Basketball (Fox Sports)

🏒 11:00 - NHL - New York Rangers v Toronto Maple Leafs (ESPN 2)

🏈 12:15 - NFL - Seattle Seahawks v San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)

🏀 14:30 - NBA - Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns (ESPN 2)

🏏 17:05 - Big Bash League - Melbourne Stars v Hobart Hurricanes (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

🏀 19:30 - NBL - Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings (ESPN)

⚽️ 19:45 - A-League Men - Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar (Paramount+)

🏏 20:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

🏀 21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (ESPN)

SATURDAY

🏀 04:45 - EuroLeague - Fenerbahce Basketball v Saski Baskonia (Fox Sports)

🏀 07:00 - EuroLeague - AS Monaco Basket v Alba Berlin (Fox Sports)

🏏 11:20 - Test Match - Australia v South Africa (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Golden State Warriors (ESPN)

⚽️ 13:00 - A-League Men - Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United (Paramount+)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets (ESPN)

🏏 16:00 - Test Match - Pakistan v England (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:00 - A-League Men - Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC (Paramount+)

🏀 17:30 - NBL - Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans (ESPN)

🏏 19:05 - Big Bash League - Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 19:45 - A-League Men - Melbourne City v Melbourne Victory (10 Bold or Paramount+)

🏀 20:00 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v Brisbane Bullets (ESPN)

🏏 20:30 - Lanka Premier League - Dambulla Giants v Galle Gladiators (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 23:30 - Scottish Premiership - Aberdeen v Celtic (beIN SPORTS 1)

SUNDAY

🏏 00:30 - Women's Twenty20 Series - India v Australia (Fox Cricket)

🏏 01:00 - Lanka Premier League - Colombo Stars v Kandy Falcons (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 02:00 - World Cup - World Cup 3rd Place Game (SBS)

⚽️ 04:30 - English Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers (beIN SPORTS 1)

🏈 05:00 - NFL - Minnesota Vikings v Indianapolis Colts (ESPN)

🏈 08:30 - NFL - Cleveland Browns v Baltimore Ravens (ESPN)

🏏 11:20 - Test Match - Australia v South Africa (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

12:15 - NFL - Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins (ESPN)

🏀 14:00 - NBL - South East Melbourne Phoenix v Sydney Kings (10 Peach, Fox Sports)

⚽️ 15:00 - A-League Men - Western United FC v Western Sydney Wanderers (10 Bold or Paramount+)

🏀 16:00 - NBL - Melbourne United v Illawarra Hawks (10 Peach, ESPN 2)

🏏 16:00 - Test Match - Pakistan v England (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:00 - A-League Men - Macarthur FC Bulls v Perth Glory (Paramount+)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League - Melbourne Renegades v Sydney Thunder (Fox Cricket or Channel 7)

🏏 20:30 - Lanka Premier League - Galle Gladiators v Jaffna Kings (Fox Sports)