NEWS

25Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Mbappe’s return fails to mask France shortcomings at Euro 2024

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe, wearing a band-aid after breaking his nose during his country's opening win against Austria, attends a training session during the UEFA Euro 2024 Football Championship, at the Home Deluxe Arena Stadium in Paderborn, western Germany, on June 19, 2024.The French are through to the last 16 after emerging unbeaten from the first round, but Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Poland in Dortmund meant they finished second in Group D behind Austria.Ironically, Austria are the only team the 2022 World Cup runners-up have managed to beat so far at the competition, as they followed their 1-0 victory over Ralf Rangnick's men with a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands and then an insufficient display in being held by the group's bottom side.There are consequences for that, a...

25Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Torres relishing Olmo link up with Spain after scoring winner

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal (L), Spain's forward #25 Fermin Lopez (C-DOWN), Spain's midfielder #17 Nico Williams (C-UP) and Spain's forward #11 Ferran Torres attend the training session of Spain's national football team ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 football Championship at the team's base camp in Donaueschingen on June 13, 2024. Ferran Torres has been chatting about his match-winning goal for Spain after opening His Euro 2024 account against Albania.The Barcelona forward started the game and scored a fine effort to ensure Spain made it three wins out of three in the group stages.Torres latched onto a pass from Dani Olmo, who is being linked with a return to Barca currently, and said he told him before the game to supply those kinds of passes.“I asked Dani Olmo before the gam...

25Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England coach Southgate targeted after 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Euro 2024

Phil Foden of England interacts with Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, as he leaves the field after being replaced by substitute Anthony Gordon (not pictured) during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between England and Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on June 25, 2024 in Cologne, Germany.Top of the group, unbeaten and on the favorable side of the draw for the knockout phase of Euro 2024. It’s a case of job done for England.Try telling that to the fans who jeered loudly and threw beer cups as the final whistle blew on a 0-0 draw with Slovenia at Cologne Stadium on Tuesday.Criticism of England’s performances in Germany has been fierce.“I’ve not seen any team qualify and receive similar,” manager Gareth Southgate said.He believes he and his England team could be paying the price f...

25Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Costa Rica holds on for draw against Brazil in Copa America opener

Haxzel Quiros of Costa Rica challenges for the ball with Vinicius Junior of Brazil during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group D match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium on June 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California.During Sunday’s pregame news conference, Costa Rica men’s national team soccer coach Gustavo Alfaro placed all the pressure on Brazil.“They’re under pressure because even before they start playing (the tournament), they have to get to the final,” he said through translation.Such is the life when you play for the Brazilian national team, expectations are high and sometimes off the charts.Legendary midfielder Ronaldinho, who won the Copa America tournament twice (1999 and 2002), called this collection “one of the worst teams in recent years.”The talent was on display...

24Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Scotland head home from Germany after Euro 2024 exit

Andrew Robertson of Scotland embraces Stephen Clarke, Head Coach of Scotland, after defeat to Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Scotland at Munich Football Arena on June 14, 2024 in Munich, Germany. Scotland began their journey home from Germany on Monday afternoon to the accompaniment of a Bavarian band following their exit from Euro 2024.Steve Clarke’s side lost 1-0 to Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday to leave them bottom of Group A with one point from three matches, following a 5-1 opening game thrashing by host country Germany and a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.Scotland were given a memorable reception by the locals and the band when they arrived at their training base in Garmisch-Partenkirchen just over two weeks ago but the performanc...

24Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Germany top Group A at Euro 2024 after 1-1 draw with Switzerland

Nico Schlotterbeck of Germany competes for a header with Manuel Akanji of Switzerland during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Switzerland and Germany at Frankfurt Arena on June 23, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from their first loss at Euro 2024, against an impressive Switzerland team.Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing center-back Antonio Rudiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Füllkrug.The German trio were circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet left the ground in unison, straining to get to the ball.It was Füllkrug who won the conte...

24Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Portugal coast into Euro 2024 last-16 with 3-0 victory over Turkey

Portugal's midfielder #10 Bernardo Silva (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Portugal's defender #20 Joao Cancelo (L) during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group F football match between Turkey and Portugal at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on June 22, 2024Bernardo Silva’s first goal at a major tournament, a calamitous own goal from Samet Akaydin and a Bruno Fernandes tap-in gave Portugal a comfortable 3-0 win over Turkey oQn Saturday to guarantee qualification for the last 16 as Group F winners. Silva gave Portugal the lead in the 21st minute, rifling home after Nuno Mendes’ cross deflected kindly into his path before Akaydin failed to look and passed the ball beyond onrushing goalkeeper Altay Bayindir seven minutes later.Fernandes effectively ended the contest after 56 minutes ...

24Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Christian Pulisic got the United States off on the right foot in Copa America opener

Christian Pulisic #10 of United States and Davinson Sánchez #23 of Colombia challenge for the ball at Commanders Field on June 08, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.Christian Pulisic scored in the third minute and assisted on Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 44th as the United States cruised past Bolivia, 2-0, in their Copa America opener on Sunday night.Among six invited guests to South America’s championship, the United States is expected to advance from Group C to the quarterfinals along with Uruguay.Bolivia lost its 13th straight Copa America match dating to 2015 and has one win in its last 31.The 11th-ranked United States plays Panama on Thursday at Atlanta and closes the group against Uruguay on July 1 at Kansas City, Mo. No. 84 Bolivia meets Uruguay on Thursday at East Rutherford, N.J., then ...

24Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Hungary score historic winner against Scotland; Germany win Group A

Kevin Csoboth of Hungary celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena on June 23, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. Having suffered two, two-goal defeats in their first two games at Euro 2024, Hungary needed a win against Scotland tonight, in the final group stage match, to have any hope of advancing to the knockout round.Scotland were in a very similar situation as well, coming in with a point but needing something more than just another draw. But only one team seemed to actually want to win this game, and it were not Steve Clarke’s charges.They did defend well however, which meant that Hungary needed nearly every last second to find the winner, Kevin Csoboth scoring in the 10th minute of stoppage time:...

23Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mexico captain Edson Álvarez injured in Copa América opener

Edson Alvarez of Mexico exits the pitch with the help of the medical team during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group B match between Mexico and Jamaica at NRG Stadium on June 22, 2024 in Houston, Texas.Mexico captain Edson Álvarez was forced off with an injury in the first half of his team's Copa América win over Jamaica on Saturday at Houston's NRG Stadium.After sprinting back during a counter from Jamaica, the West Ham midfielder suddenly hit the ground in pain, clutching his left hamstring.Álvarez had to be helped off the field in obvious pain and was visibly distraught at his match and potentially his tournament coming to an end after less than 30 minutes.Monterrey's Luis Romo was chosen to replace Álvarez by Mexico manager Jaime "Jimmy" Lozano, with the score tied at 0-0.He ha...

23Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro 2024 stats: Ronaldo record for assists and goal-less streak; Lukaku’s overturned goals

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates his goal during the International Friendly match between Portugal and the Republic of Ireland at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro on June 11, 2024 in Aveiro, PortugalOn day 9 of Euro 2024, Portugal qualified for the Round of 16, Georgia continued to entertain, and Belgium just about stayed alive in the competition.Georges Mikautadze's second goal of the tournament had Georgia dreaming, but they were denied a win by Patrick Schick's equaliser, as both teams notched up their first point in the competition. Then Portugal won Group F with a convincing 3-0 win over Turkey, as Cristiano Ronaldo took centrestage and later Kevin De Bruyne inspired Belgium to bounce back with a 2-0 victory over Romania.The tournament now heads into the final round of matches with...

22Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Cancelo, Portugal cruise past Turkey, advance to Euro 2024 knockout stages

Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo of Portugal celebrate their team's third goal scored by teammate Bruno Fernandes (not pictured) during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Portugal at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 22, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. Barcelona loanees Joao Cancelo and Joao Félix will play in the Euro 2024 knockout stages as Portugal have clinched top spot in Group F with a game to spare thanks to a 3-0 win over Turkey in Dortmund on Saturday.Turkey made a strong start with most of their attacks down the left wing trying to exploit Cancelo, who started at right-back and was beat by Kerem Aktürkoglu a few minutes into the game but the Turkish winger failed to convert the chance into a real shot on target.Turkey played well and offered a threat...

21Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Austria earn first win of Euro 2024 to leave Poland pointless in Berlin

Christoph Baumgartner of Austria celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Poland and Austria at Olympiastadion on June 21, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Austria earned their first win of Euro 2024 as Christoph Baumgartner's fine second-half finish helped them to a 3-1 victory against Poland in Berlin.Ralf Rangnick's side required a response having lost to France in their Group D opener and they got off to a fast start when Gernot Trauner headed them in front early on.Poland, who lost to the Netherlands in their first game, hit back to level through Krzysztof Piatek before half-time but could not press on to find the win they needed, losing out to Baumgartner's strike and a late penalty from Marko Arnautovic.Austria s...

21Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro round up: Spain qualify, England feel pressure, Jovic rescues Serbia in stoppage time

Lamine Yamal and Alvaro Morata of Spain celebrate their team's first goal, an own goal scored by Riccardo Calafiori of Italy (obscured) during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Spain and Italy at Arena AufSchalke on June 20, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, GermanySpain took a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy in their clash at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday; It was a huge disappointment for England when they failed to get a win against Denmark in Frankfurt in Group C; while Luka Jovic snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Serbia in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia keeping both teams in contention for a place in the last 16 of Euro 2024.Spain took a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Italy in their clash at the Are...

20Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Southgate: England struggling with expectations

Gareth Southgate England Manager and Kieran Trippier of England at Jena Stadion on June 11, 2024 in Jena, Germany.Gareth Southgate has admitted his England squad are struggling to cope with the expectations of winning Euro 2024 after labouring to a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.Harry Kane gave England an 18th-minute lead before Morten Hjulmand equalised 16 minutes later and although Phil Foden hit the post midway through the second half, the Danes looked the likelier winners thereafter.England are still top of Group C heading into Tuesday's final match against Slovenia but they were booed off by a significant number of their own supporters in Frankfurt.Southgate held a meeting with his 26-man squad earlier this week to discuss the mixed reaction to England's opening win over Serbia,...

20Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro 2024: Germany cruise into knockouts with 2-0 win over Hungary

Ilkay Gundogan of Germany celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena on June 19, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany.Ilkay Gundogan set up a goal for Jamal Musiala and then scored himself to give Germany a comfortable 2-0 win over Hungary in Group A on Wednesday that made the host nation the first side to qualify for the knockout stage at Euro 2024.With two wins out of two, the Germans are guaranteed to be at least among the four best third-placed teams. They will finish in the top two of the group if Scotland fail to beat Switzerland later on Wednesday.That scenario would also prevent Hungary from finishing in the top two.Musiala, playing in his hometown, gave the Germans the lead in the 22nd minute after som...

19Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gjasula scores own goal then last-gasp equalizer for Albania in 2-2 draw with Croatia at Euro 2024

Klaus Gjasula of Albania celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Albania at Volksparkstadion on June 19, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Albania substitute Klaus Gjasula had the rare experience of scoring for both teams Wednesday in an intense 2-2 draw with Croatia that could make it difficult for each to survive the group stage at Euro 2024.The Croatian players were particularly disappointed with the result in Hamburg after Gjasula's stoppage-time goal denied them a much-needed win after they lost 3-0 to Spain in their opening Group B match.''My first minutes on the pitch were very, very difficult for me not only for the own goal but also other situations,'' Gjasula said. ''Then God wanted and gave me th...

18Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gareth Southgate responds to Jamie Carragher criticism of star man Harry Kane

Harry Kane of England looks on as Predrag Rajkovic of Serbia saves his shot as he pushes it onto the crossbar during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Serbia and England at Arena AufSchalke on June 16, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. England boss Gareth Southgate says he was pleased with Harry Kane's performance against Serbia, despite the forward only touching the ball twice in the first half.The Three Lions dominated possession and took a well-deserved lead through a Jude Bellingham header.But Kane struggled to make his mark and regularly dropped deep looking for the ball.Former England ace Jamie Carragher called out the Bayern Munich striker for failing to have an impact on the match, despite his involvement improving in the second half."For a player of his class, that i...

18Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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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...

18Jun

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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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...