NEWS – Page 13 – Football Flame

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Belgium bow to Slovakia grit: Slovaks hold fort after Schranz strike as VAR frustrates Lukaku

Slovakia's forward #26 Ivan Schranz celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E football match between Belgium and Slovakia at the Frankfurt Arena in Frankfurt am Main on June 17, 2024.Ivan Schranz scored Slovakia’s quickest goal at a major tournament to take his side to an upset 1-0 victory over wasteful Belgium in the European Championship Group E on Monday.It was Belgium’s first loss in 16 games under coach Domenico Tedesco and a flashback to their disastrous 2022 World Cup campaign, although they did have two goals ruled out by VAR.Both were from the boot of Romelu Lukaku, the first for offside and the second a handball in the build-up on a hugely frustrating day for the burly striker in which he also missed several clear-cut chances.Slova...
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France edge Austria in Euro 2024 opener as Mbappe gets broken nose

  Kylian Mbappe of France suffers a broken nose during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Austria and France at Dusseldorf Arena on June 17, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.Maximilian Woeber's own goal was enough to give France a winning start to their Euro 2024 campaign on Monday as they edged Austria 1-0 in their opening game but Kylian Mbappe came off late on with a broken nose.Woeber diverted Mbappe's cutback into his own net seven minutes before half-time in Duesseldorf to allow the French, one of the leading contenders to win the tournament, to come through a stiff test.Austria have been much-improved under Ralf Rangnick and they often made life uncomfortable for the 2022 World Cup runners-up, who saw Mbappe leave the field near the end after being hurt in a collision...
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England begin Euro 2024 quest with win over Serbia, Dutch edge Poland

Jude Bellingham of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Serbia and England at Arena AufSchalke on June 16, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. England got their quest for a first major tournament title in 58 years off to a winning start as Jude Bellingham’s header was enough to beat Serbia 1-0, while the Netherlands grabbed a late 2-1 win over Poland on Sunday.Christian Eriksen enjoyed a fairytale return to the European Championship, three years after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch, by scoring the opening goal, but Denmark were held 1-1 by Slovenia.England had been hyped as one of the favourites for the tournament as Gareth Southgate aims to finally steer a richly-talented generation to glory.However, they left plent...
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Harry Kane explains why England can win Euro 2024

 Harry Kane of England poses for a portrait during the England Portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany on June 11, 2024 in Blankenhain, Germany.Harry Kane has thrown his weight behind England to go all the way at Euro 2024, stating that he and his teammates will be 'disappointed' if they don't have their hands on the trophy come mid-July.Alongside France, the Three Lions are strong favourites to win the this summer's tournament with Gareth Southgate's squad boasting stars in abundance.To name just a few individuals and their recent achievements: Jude Bellingham won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid during the 2023/24 season, Phil Foden secured another Premier League title and was named Premier League Player of the Season with Manchester City, and Kane hims...
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Euro 2024: Scotland star Callum McGregor’s worrying admission after Germany defeat

Celtic captain Callum McGregor celebrates with the trophy after the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 25, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland.Callum McGregor admits Switzerland and Hungary will “smell blood” after watching Scotland get thumped 5-1 by Germany in their Euro 2024 opener in Munich.It was a calamitous 90 minutes for Steve Clarke’s side, who played the second half with 10 men after defender Ryan Porteous was sent off before the break for conceding a penalty with a crunching tackle on the hosts’ captain Ilkay Gundogan, with Kai Havertz netting the resultant penalty to make it 3-0.The Scotland boss needs to restore battered confidence ahead of the game against the Swiss in Cologne on Wednesday night before they take on Hungary in Stuttgart in their final G...
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Italy beat Albania 2 – 1 in euro 2024 match

 Alessandro Bastoni of Italy celebrates scoring his team's first goal with a header with teammates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Italy and Albania at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 15, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Italy beat Albania 2 - 1 in a Group B match in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2024) on Saturday.Nedim Bajrami stunned the Italians with his goal from the penalty area after intercepting a throw-in in the first minute at BVB Stadion Dortmund.Alessandro Bastoni equalized with a header on a corner kick in the 11th minute.Nicola Barella brought the lead to Italy with a well-placed first-time long shot in the 16th minute.Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi missed a chance to make it 3 - 1 as his shot was deflected by the Albanian kee...
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Germany give Scots football masterclass at Euros

 Florian Wirtz of Germany celebrates his goal with Jamal Musiala of Germany (left) during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Scotland at Munich Football Arena on June 14, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Clinical Germany thumped Scotland 5-1 in their Euro 2024 tournament opener on Friday with the host nation scoring three first-half goals and enjoying a man advantage after Ryan Porteous received a straight red card before the break.Florian Wirtz opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he connected with a cross that goalkeeper Angus Gunn could only palm against the post and watch helplessly as it rolled into the net during a match in which Germany dominated possession.The three-times European champions doubled their lead in the 19th minute at the Munich Football Arena a...
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Serbia’s Mitrovic in best ever shape and ready to shock England

 Aleksandar Mitrovic of Al Hilal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the AFC Champions League match between Al Hilal and FC Sepahan at Kingdom Arena on February 22, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Aleksandar Mitrovic has been one of the Saudi Pro League's most successful imports and the Serbian striker believes he can carry that form into Euro 2024 to shock England on Sunday.Mitrovic spent eight years in England at Newcastle and Fulham before forcing through a move to the riches and sunnier climes of Saudi 12 months ago.Amid a flurry of star names headed to the Gulf kingdom, including Al Hilal team-mate Neymar, Mitrovic's move largely went under the radar.But Neymar's serious knee injury left the Serb to spearhead an unbeaten season as Al Hilal won the treble of league,...
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Euro 2024 Group E guide: Last-chance saloon for Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City reacts in the warm up prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road on February 27, 2024 in Luton, England. For once and for all, Euro 2024 could be the last-chance saloon for Belgium’s golden generation.The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are running out of time to finally lead their nation to glory and Group E is well set for Domenico Tedesco to get his team firing early on in Germany.Little is expected of Slovakia and Romania whereas Ukraine have a young team tipped to at least reach the knockouts.BelgiumFeels like the third straight tournament people have called ‘last chance saloon’ for Belgium’s golden generation, but this time it genuinely is. No, really.Jan Vertonghen is 37,...
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Buffon: ‘Italy underestimated’ at Euro 2024

 Gigi Buffon gestures during Andrea Pirlo Farewell Match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 21, 2018 in Milan, Italy. Italy’s delegation chief, Gigi Buffon, insists the Azzurri are ‘underestimated’ at Euro 2024 and feels they can rely on at least four top players.Buffon joined Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo at a press conference from Casa Azzurri on Wednesday. Italy players arrived in Germany on Monday evening and trained in front of nearly 5,000 yesterday.This will be Buffon’s first major international tournament as Italy’s delegation chief, so he was asked about his feelings and thoughts ahead of Italy’s debut against Albania on Saturday.“I was curious about my feelings and how I would prepare in a different role,” Buffon said, as quoted by TMW.“I can say that what I fee...
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Morena’s double puts Bafana on World Cup track

DR Congo's midfielder #8 Samuel Moutoussamy fights for the ball with South Africa's defender #23 Thapelo Morena during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 third place play-off football match between South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo at Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on February 10, 2024.Powered by the sprightly crowd that filled up the stadium to rafters in the traditionally football-crazy city of Bloemfontein, Bafana Bafana turned the heat on Zimbabwe by outwitting them 3-1 on a cold night at Free State Stadium last night.Thapelo Morena came off the bench to net a brilliant brace, adding to Iqraam Rayners's early goal. The win massively boosted Bafana's dream to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as they are now second in Group C of the qualifiers on seven points, leve...
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Chinese keep World Cup qualifying hopes alive despite Korea defeat

Lee Kang-in (C) of South Korea celebrates with teammates Joo Min-kyu (L) and Son Heung-min (R) after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Asian second qualifier Group C match between South Korea and China at Seoul World Cup Stadium on June 11, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.China squeezed into the third round of Asia's preliminaries for the 2026 World Cup by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday (June 11) despite slipping to a 1-0 loss at the hands of South Korea in Seoul.Indonesia, North Korea, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan also confirmed their progress to the next round with the Chinese qualifying as runners-up in Group C behind the South Koreans after Thailand could only register a 3-1 victory over Singapore.Needing to win by three clear goals, or to score at least four with a two-...
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Dutch thrash Iceland 4-0 in warm-up but De Jong out of Euros

 Xavi Simons of Netherlands is challenged by Hákon Arnar Haraldsson of Iceland during the Friendly International match between Netherlands and Iceland at Stadion Feijenoord de Kuip on June 10, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.Netherlands’ delight with an emphatic 4-0 win over Iceland in their last warm-up match yesterday before heading to the Euros turned to despair when it was announced that playmaker Frenkie de Jong would not be going to the tournament in Germany.De Jong has been battling to be fit in time after suffering several ankle injuries this season playing for Barcelona.He tried training for the first time with his team mates on Sunday, after a week of individual work, but following examinations yesterday doctors said he would not be ready in time.That put a damper on Dutch sp...
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Poland’s Lewandowski injury scare ahead of Euro 2024

  Robert Lewandowski from Poland sits on the pitch during the international friendly match between Poland and Turkey at Stadion Narodowy on June 10, 2024 in Warsaw, Poland.Poland have suffered a Euro 2024 injury scare as captain Robert Lewandowski was forced off in their final warm-up friendly against Turkey.The Barcelona striker left the field with an apparent thigh problem after 32 minutes of the Poles' last-gasp 2-1 victory in Warsaw on Monday night.To compound matters, fellow forward Karol Swiderski was also substituted after suffering an ankle injury while celebrating scoring the opening goal on 12 minutes.Turkey, who are also heading to the Euros, equalised through Baris Alper Yilmaz but Nicola Zalewski gave Poland something to cheer on a trying night with an injury-time wi...
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Koeman: De Jong could miss the first game

De Jong joined in group training on Sunday but it is still unclear whether or not the Barcelona midfielder will make the clash against Poland in a weeks time.At his press conference, Koeman gave an update, “He didn’t do everything yet. During the position game, we used him as a neutral man. To get him out of the duels, but that he was part of the group. The next step has been taken, but he is not yet ready to play matches.”Koeman admitted that the chances are high that De Jong will miss the first group game, “It could be that Frenkie doesn’t make it to the first game. Then you can wait until the second or third game. That’s a possibility. Even if he can’t play the first two games, he just sticks to it. If he misses the entire group phase, I might have to think about it again.”On the group ...
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Czechia midfielder Michal Sadilek ruled out of Euro 2024

  Michal Sadilek of FC Twente dribbles during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Twente and Fortuna Sittard at Grolsch Veste on April 6, 2024 in Enschede, NetherlandsCzechia's Euro 2024 hopes have suffered a blow following an injury to midfielder Michal Sadilek, who has been forced to pull out of the tournament after falling off a bike. The 25-year-old plays his football in the Netherlands with FC Twente and he featured at the last European Championships. Sadilek also captained his nation in a 7-1 win over Malta on Friday. A statement from the Czechia FA on Sunday confirmed that the player would miss the tournament after 'suffering a laceration in his leg' following the fall. 'This is a big setback for us, because Michal is one of our experienced players,' Hasek...
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South Africa hold Super Eagles to 1-1 draw in Uyo

 Nigeria's goalkeeper #23 Stanley Nwabali (R) grabs the ball next to South Africa's forward #10 Percy Tau (L) during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024. Nigeria’s Super Eagles had to battle back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers matchday3 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, yesterday’s nightThe 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runners failed to live up to expectations most Nigerians fans as they struggled to control against the determine and mobile South Africa’s players.The visitors took the lead in the 29th minute of the first half through Themba Zwane who dazzled past the Ni...
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Pascal Gross Rescues Germany With Last-Gasp Winner Against Greece

 Pascal Gross of Germany celebrates the team's second goal with teammate David Raum during the international friendly match between Germany and Greece at Borussia Park Stadium on June 07, 2024 in Moenchengladbach, Germany. An 89th-minute winner from Pascal Gross snatched Euro 2024 hosts Germany a 2-1 win against Greece in a friendly in Moenchengladbach on Friday, one week out from the tournament's curtain-raiser. Brighton midfielder Gross blasted a rocket past German-born Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in the final minute to win the match for the home side, after Kai Havertz earlier cancelled out Georgios Masouras' opener. Despite coach Julian Nagelsmann naming his strongest XI, Germany lacked fluidity against the 2004 Euros winners, who did not qualify for this...
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Lesotho blow Bafana’s group wide open with victory over Zimbabwe

 Ivory Coast Karim Konate (L) fights for the ball with Lesotho Rethabile Rasethuntsa during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Group H qualifying match against Lesotho played in Soweto, South Africa on June 9, 2022.Lesotho moved to the top of Group C with five points after a convincing 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier played at the Orlando Stadium on Friday afternoon.Zimbabwe are playing their home matches in South Africa because, like Lesotho and Benin in this group, they don't have facilities that are approved by Caf and Fifa to host international matches. This group includes Bafana who will face Nigeria late on Friday night (9pm) in Uyo.Only a win by Bafana will take Lesotho off the summit of the group ahead of the conclusion of round four on Tuesday.Ni...
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Euro 2024: Spain drop Pau Cubarsi, Marcos Llorente and Aleix García from final squad

 Pau Cubarsi of Spain in action during an International Friendly Match between Spain and Andorra at Nuevo Vivero on June 05, 2024 in Badajoz, Spain.Barcelona teenager Pau Cubarsí and midfielders Marcos Llorente and Aleix García were dropped from Spain’s final 26-man squad for the European Championship on Friday.The 17-year-old Cubarsí impressed with his club and debuted for Spain this season. García was a key force behind Girona qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, and Atletico Madrid’s versatile Llorente has been a regular for Spain.Coach Luis de la Fuente, however, stuck with Real Betis forward Ayoze Pérez, who is with Spain for the first time, as well as 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder Fermín López.Spain are aiming for a record-extending fourth European Champion...
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