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15Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Switzerland playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri ends national-team career after standout goal at Euro 2024

Switzerland's midfielder #23 Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Scotland and Switzerland at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne on June 19, 2024. Switzerland forward Xherdan Shaqiri ended his national-team career on Monday at the age of 32.The Chicago Fire playmaker announced the news nine days after his 125th game for Switzerland, which ended in a penalty shootout loss to England in the European Championship quarterfinals.Coming on as an extra-time substitute, the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich player struck the England crossbar direct from a corner in the 1-1 draw before scoring his penalty kick in the shootout.Shaqiri got just one start in five Euro 2024 games and scored one of the best goals of the tourn...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Spain leaves it late to beat England and claim UEFA Euro 2024

 Alex Remiro of Spain celebrates victory with teammate Mikel Oyarzabal during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Spain are the champions of Europe for a fourth time.La Roja defeated England 2-1 in the final of UEFA Euro 2024 on a late goal from Mikel Oyarzabal to claim their fourth major honour since 2008. The victory breaks a tie for most Euro triumphs with 2024 hosts Gemany.It was more heartbreak for the Three Lions, who lost consecutive Euro finals.Spain made two changes to his starting XI from the semis win over France with both Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand returning to the La Roja backline from booking suspensions in place of Jesus Navas and Nacho, respectivelyGareth Southgate made one change ...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro 2024 final: Luke Shaw starts for England vs. Spain

 Bukayo Saka of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Luke Shaw during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.England boss Gareth Southgate is set to hand Luke Shaw a dramatic recall to an otherwise unchanged starting lineup for Sunday's Euro 2024 final against Spain, sources told ESPN.Shaw replaced Kieran Trippier at half-time of Wednesday's semifinal win against the Netherlands, marking only his second appearance for club or country since suffering a hamstring injury playing for Manchester United against Luton on Feb. 18.However, Southgate has deemed Shaw fit enough to start in Berlin as England aim to win their first men's honour in 58 years.Harry Kane is expected to...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Argentina, Colombia meet in Copa America final

Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina speaks with referee Andres Matonte during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 match between Chile and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on June 25, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side is on the precipice of history as it gears up to take on Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final on Sunday night in Miami.A victory will give the Albiceleste a 16th South American championship, breaking the tie with Uruguay for the most ever. Argentina would also become just the fourth team to win consecutive Copas, but the first squad ever to win back-to-back tournaments with a World Cup triumph in between. The only team in the world to have done something comparable was Spain in winning Euro 2008, followed by the 2010 World Cup before winni...

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11Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England through to Euro 2024 final after tense win over Netherlands

 Head Coach of England Gareth Southgate celebrates their victory and entry into the Final during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.England is through to a second consecutive European Championship final, coming from behind to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund.Xavi Simons's stunning opener gave the Dutch an early lead, but England hit back almost immediately through a Harry Kane penalty.England dominated the first half, but aside from Phil Foden hitting the post and having a shot stopped on the line, it could not break through for a second goal.The Netherlands grew in stature during the second half, testing Jordan Pickford's goal.But second-half substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watki...

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10Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Manager Southgate confident in England to make history at Euro 2024

 Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, celebrates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.Gareth Southgate, manager of England, believes that his team will make history by reaching the Euro 2024 final after failing to appear in a final at any international tournament on foreign soil.England will play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals in Dortmund, Germany, for the opportunity to face Spain in the final. Though the "Three Lions”have progressed so far at the tournament, they had to go through extra time to win both knockout games against Switzerland and Slovakia, not to mention that England allowed both opponents to score fir...

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9Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Netherlands hit by travel chaos ahead of Euro 2024 semi

 Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Ronald Koeman, Head Coach of the Netherlands, during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Poland and Netherlands at Volksparkstadion on June 16, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany.The Netherlands' planned pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against England was cancelled on Tuesday after the Dutch had their travel plans disrupted.Ronald Koeman's men were due to travel to Dortmund from their base in Wolfsburg by train but were unable to do so due to a blockage on the line.Instead, the Dutch were forced to fly but were unable to fulfil their media duties due to their late arrival."Due to disruption of the Netherlands' planned team travel to Dortmund, their arrival has been signific...

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9Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in Copa America semifinal against Canada

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on in the second half against Ecuador during an International Friendly match at Soldier Field on June 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.Lionel Messi won’t be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina’s Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night.Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since a group stage victory over Chile on June 25. He missed the first-round finale four days later but played the entire match in the quarterfinal victory over Ecuador last Thursday.“Leo is good. He will be playing tomorrow,” Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.At 37, Messi has 13 Copa America goals and is four behind the record shared by Argentina’s Norberto Méndez and Brazil’s Zizinho, but...

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7Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England beat Switzerland on penalties to keep Euros dream alive

Kyle Walker of England, Trent Alexander-Arnold of England, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale celebrate their team's win after the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Dusseldorf Arena on July 6, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany.England’s quest for a first major tournament win in 58 years remained alive after another late fightback before beating Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to book their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals here on Saturday.After the 120 minutes finished level at 1-1, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the Three Lions’ hero in the shoot-out as he saved Switzerland’s first spot-kick from Manuel Akanji.Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold converted their penalties to send...

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7Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Uruguay, Colombia move to Copa America semi-finals

Manuel Ugarte of Uruguay and Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil battle for the ball during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 quarter-final match between Uruguay and Brazil at Allegiant Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Colombia and Uruguay have advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America.Manuel Ugarte scored the winner as Uruguay advanced to the Copa America semi-finals with a 4-2 victory over Brazil on penalties.Ugarte settled the result after a 0-0 scrap featuring a tournament-high 41 fouls and just four shots on goal.Uruguay advance to face Colombia in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Charlotte.Colombia earlier Saturday routed Panama 5-0, extending its unbeaten streak to 27 matches.Defending champion Argentina face Canada in the other semi-final on Tuesday in New Jersey. Uruguay...

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6Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gareth Southgate in no mood to celebrate 100 games as England manager

Gareth Southgate, Manager of England men's senior team, looks on during a training session at Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land on July 05, 2024 in Blankenhain, Germany. Sir Alf Ramsey reached 100 games as England manager in a World Cup qualifier against Wales, winning 1-0 at Ninian Park in 1972 with Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence making their debuts. But it came amid a backdrop of rising public criticism with England ultimately failing to reach the finals in 1974 (remember Jan ‘the clown’ Tomaszewski?) and Ramsey being sacked.Walter Winterbottom achieved the 100 landmark in a Home International fixture against Northern Ireland in Belfast, drawing 3-3 in 1958 when Sir Bobby Charlton scored twice. It was England’s first game after disappointing at the World Cup, drawing all three grou...

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6Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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France edge out Portugal on penalties, Spain outclass hosts Germany

 Kylian Mbappe of France controls the ball during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Portugal and France at Volksparkstadion on July 5, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Theo Hernandez scored the winning kick as Kylian Mbappe's France edged a tense Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with Portugal 5-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes on Friday in what will likely be remembered as Cristiano Ronaldo's last-ever match at the tournament. France were successful with all their penalties as they advance to a last-four showdown with Spain, while Portugal's Joao Felix was the only player to miss, sending his team's third kick against the post.It was overdue success in a shoot-out for France after they lost the 2022 World Cup final on penalties to Argentina and went out of the ...

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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Southgate talks up ‘outstanding’ Switzerland

 Gareth SouthgateGareth Southgate knows stumbling England have to raise their game if they are to stand a chance of beating "outstanding" Switzerland in Saturday's Euro 2024 quarter-final.A trip to Dusseldorf awaits after Jude Bellingham came to the rescue with a 95th-minute overhead equaliser against wily Slovakia on Sunday before Harry Kane sealed a 2-1 extra-time win.England were seconds away from their tournament coming to an end in humiliating fashion, only to squeak through to a fourth successive major quarter-final under Southgate.After an alarming performance in Gelsenkirchen, far better will be needed from the Euro 2020 runners-up against the Swiss on Saturday."You build on the spirit that they’ve shown, the belief that they’ll have gained from that," Southgate said."Equally,...

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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mexico are dumped out of Copa America as Venezuela go through

 Jaime Lozano, Head Coach of Mexico talks to Guillermo Martinez of Mexico during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Mexico and Ecuador at State Farm Stadium on June 30, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Mexico were unceremoniously dumped out of Copa America on Sunday night, after struggling to score in front of 63,000 fans in Glendale, Arizona.Their opponents Ecuador, meanwhile, secured a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina.Elsewhere in Group B, Venezuela thrashed Jamaica 3-0 to seal top spot, and a face-off with Canada in the last eight. Ecuador finished level with Mexico on four points but progress to the last eight thanks to a superior goal difference.Mexico manager Jaime Lozano is likely to face incr...

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30Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Italy out, but three Italian coaches still at EURO 2024

Vincenzo Montella, Head Coach of Turkiye walks out of the buch prior to the press conference of Türkiye at BVB Stadion Dortmund on June 21, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Italy may be out of EURO 2024, but there are still another three Italian coaches left in the tournament – Vincenzo Montella, Domenico Tedesco and Francesco Calzona.The Azzurri crashed out following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in Berlin, officially hanging up their title as reigning Champions of Europe.That too was not entirely out of character, as it means each of the last three European Championship winners have been eliminated in the Round of 16 when defending their title.It also happened to Spain at EURO 2016 and Portugal in EURO 2020 before Italy in EURO 2024.Italian tacticians can still have say at EURO 2024Meanwhil...

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29Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Vinicius brace helps Brazil to 4-1 Copa America win over Paraguay

 Miguel Almiron of Paraguay challenges for the ball with Vinicius Junior of Brazil during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Paraguay and Brazil at Allegiant Stadium on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Brazil’s Vinicius Junior scored twice in his side’s Copa America 4-1 victory over Paraguay in a Group D clash in Nevada on Friday, bouncing back from a lacklustre display in his first game of the tournament.From the whistle, Vinicius’ pace and trickery posed a constant threat to Paraguay down the left flank, a far cry from his performance in Brazil’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in their opening group stage match, in which he was largely ineffectual.Despite Brazil’ strong start, it was Paraguay who almost went ahead in the 15th minute as Damian Bobadilla’s goal-bound eff...

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29Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Colombia trounces Costa Rica to grab first place in Copa Group D

Luis Diaz of Colombia celebrates after scoring the team's first goal via penalty with teammate Johan Mojica during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Colombia and Costa Rica at State Farm Stadium on June 28, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. Luis Diaz scored from the spot for his first goal of the 2024 Copa America, James Rodriguez contributed his third assist and Colombia outclassed Costa Rica 3-0 on Friday in Glendale, Ariz., to take command of Group D. Davinson Sanchez and Jhon Cordoba also scored for Los Cafeteros (2-0-0, 6 points), who will finish the evening in first in the group regardless of Friday’s later result between Brazil and Paraguay.It was Colombia’s 10th consecutive victory and 25th match without defeat as they pursue their first Copa America title sin...

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28Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro 2024: Rudiger back, Eriksen absent before Germany-Denmark clash

 Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid celebrates with his supporters after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid CF at Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2024 in Manchester, England. Germany defender Antonio Rudiger on Friday returned to training ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2024 last 16 clash with Denmark, having missed earlier sessions with a hamstring strain.Denmark however will be forced to sweat on the fitness of midfielder Christian Eriksen, who did not take the pitch in the Danes’ pre-match training session.A spokesperson from the Danish FA (DBU) said Eriksen had taken part in a gym workout instead.Rudiger’s potential absence was a threat for Germany, who are already set to do without fellow centre-back Jonathan Tah, who misses the...

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27Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ecuador outclasses Jamaica in Copa Group B play

Ecuador's midfielder #10 Kendry Paez and Jamaica's midfielder #14 Kasey Palmer vie for the ball during the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group B football match between Ecuador and Jamaica at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 26, 2024. Ecuador took advantage of gifted goals for a much-needed 3-1 victory over Jamaica in Group B of Copa America in Las Vegas on Wednesday. A wild own goal by Jamaican midfielder Kasey Palmer in the 13th minute preceded a penalty kick from 17-year-old Kendry Paez in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time to double the lead. Jamaica cut the deficit to 2-1 on a historic goal by Michail Antonio in the 54th minute. He scored with a volley off a loose ball for Jamaica’s first-ever goal in Copa America in its eighth match. With Ja...

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26Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Lautaro’s late strike sends Argentina into Copa America quarter-finals

 Lautaro Martínez #22 of Argentina celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during an International Friendly between Guatemala and Argentina at Commanders Field on June 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.Substitute Lautaro Martinez grabbed an 88th-minute winner as Argentina finally overcame Chile 1-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Tuesday.Lionel Messi hit the post for Argentina in the first half but the World Cup winners had their goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank for keeping them on level terms before Lautaro’s late strike settled a pulsating clash in front of 82,000 fans at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.There were enough openings for the 15-times Copa America champions to get the breakthrough much earlier but a combination of poor finishing...

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