NEWS

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, Mateo Kovacic, NEWS

Turkey lose in first home game since earthquakes

Mateo Kovacic of Croatia celebrates goal with Luka Modric of Croatia, and Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Turkey and Croatia at at Bursa Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu on March 28, 2023 in Bursa, Turkey.Turkey played their first home international fixture since two powerful earthquakes in the country claimed 50,000 lives. A giant banner paying tribute to those affected was unveiled before kick-off in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Istanbul. Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic scored twice to secure the win for the visitors. The midfielder struck from close range before firing in from a rebound on the stroke of half-time. It was a little harsh on Turkey, who had started the game as the better side. Kerem Akturkoglu saw an exce...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Belgium, Kevin de Bruyne, NEWS

De Bruyne scores as Belgium edge Germany

Niclas Fullkrug of Germany in action with Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium during the international friendly match between Germany and Belgium at RheinEnergieStadion on March 28, 2023 in Cologne, Germany. Belgium made it two wins from two under new coach Domenico Tedesco as they beat Euro 2024 hosts Germany in a friendly. The visitors outclassed their opponents in the first half and took the lead when Yannick Carrasco fired in. Romelu Lukaku then converted from Kevin de Bruyne’s pass to make it 2-0 before Niclas Fullkrug reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. However, De Bruyne made it 3-1 after a swift Belgium attack before Serge Gnabry added a late consolation. The victory was Belgium’s second in four days after a Lukaku hat-trick beat Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kieffer Moore, NEWS, Wales

Moore’s header sees Wales beat Latvia

Kieffer Moore and Neco Williams of Wales celebrate after the team's victory during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Wales and Latvia at Cardiff City Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales.Wales maintained their good start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Kieffer Moore’s header gave them a 1-0 win over Latvia and put them top of Group D. Wales took the lead shortly before the break as Moore’s powerful header from Daniel James’ cross nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Neco Williams rattled the crossbar as Wales pushed for a second goal. Wales gave record scorer Gareth Bale a guard of honour before the match as he said goodbye to the home supporters. It proved a night to celebrate for Wales as they moved top of their group thanks to their away goal scored...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Scott McTominay

Terrific Scotland stun Spain in seismic victory

Scott McTominay of Scotland celebrates scoring his second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group A match between Scotland and Spain at Hampden Park on March 28, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sensational Scotland took a seismic leap in their bid to reach consecutive European Championships by stunning Spain in a heroic triumph. Scott McTominay crashed in a deflected opener after just seven minutes, triggering an explosion of noise inside a charged Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s team rode their luck to stay ahead at the break, only for McTominay to repeat his earlier feat just after the restart to cause chaos in the stands as well as in the bamboozled Spanish defence. Scotland, in their first competitive victory over Spain for 39 years, now top Group A – three points above the ...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Benjamin Pavard, EURO 2024, FRANCE, NEWS

Pavard hits superb winner as France beat Republic

Benjamin Pavard of France celebrates with teammates Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between Republic of Ireland and France at Dublin Arena on March 27, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. The Republic of Ireland made a losing start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Benjamin Pavard’s superb second-half goal gave France victory in Dublin. Having held the French in a first half of few chances, the Republic fell behind five minutes after the restart when Pavard intercepted a Josh Cullen pass and fired past Gavin Bazunu. The Republic put the beaten World Cup finalists under severe pressure late on but fell short as Mike Maignan’s stunning save denied Nathan Collins a late leveller. The Republic’s next qual...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo double helps Portugal thrash Luxembourg

Maxime Chanot of Luxembourg and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group J match between Luxembourg and Portugal at Stade de Luxembourg on March 26, 2023 in Luxembourg.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal thrash Luxembourg 6-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying. Ronaldo, 38, broke the deadlock after nine minutes before Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva pulled Portugal further clear. The Al Nassr forward sent his side in with a 4-0 lead at half-time, with substitutes Otavio and Rafael Leao scoring late in the second period. Portugal top Group J after winning their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers. After scoring two against Liechtenstein on Thursday, Ronaldo further extended his record as Portugal’s leading scorer in European Championship qua...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Phil Foden

Foden ruled out after surgery to remove appendix

Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish of England celebrate victory after the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between Italy and England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 23, 2023 in Naples, Italy. Phil Foden has been ruled out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Sunday after having surgery to remove his appendix. Gareth Southgate has chosen not to call up a replacement for the 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder, meaning he has 20 players available for the game at Wembley. Chelsea full-back Reece James withdrew on Saturday with an “ongoing issue”. Luke Shaw is suspended after a red card in the 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope initially dropped out,...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Askhat Tagybergen, Denmark, Kazakhstan, NEWS

Denmark stunned by Kazakhstan in Euros qualifier

Kazakhstan's midfielder Askhat Tagybergen (C) and Denmark's midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg (L) vie for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group H qualification football match Kasakhstan v Denmark in Astana, Kazakhstan on March 26, 2023.Kazakhstan scored twice late on as they came back from two goals down to stun Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifier.Rasmus Hojlund, who scored a hat-trick against Finland on Thursday, scored twice in the first half to put the Danes in control. Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov got one back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. Askhat Tagybergen and Abat Aymbetov then scored two goals in three minutes to put Kazakhstan ahead with a minute of normal time remaining. Aymbetov was sent off deep in stoppage time for a second bookable offence but Kazakhstan held on for a hugely...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Croatia, EURO 2024, Nathan Broadhead, NEWS, Wales

Broadhead scores on Wales debut to shock Croatia

Wales' Nathan Broadhead celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualifying match at the Stadion Poljud, Split. Picture date: Saturday March 25, 2023. Wales debutant Nathan Broadhead secured a stunning 1-1 draw for Robert Page’s side as they scored with their only shot on target in Split. Andrej Kramaric’s sweetly struck shot on 28 minutes gave the hosts a deserved half-time lead. Wales improved after the interval and might have levelled on the hour, but Dan James’ volley missed the target. Ivan Perisic hit the bar as Croatia sought a second, but Broadhead levelled from close range in injury-time. The goal, after a long throw caused chaos in the Croatian penalty area, came totally against the run of play, but Wales will not care a jot a...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Dani Olmo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Spain

Joselu scores twice on debut as Spain beat Norway

Joselu Mato of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's second goal with his teammate Yeremy Pino of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group A match between Spain and Norway at La Rosaleda Stadium on March 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain.Former Newcastle and Stoke striker Joselu scored twice in two minutes on his international debut as Spain beat Norway in Euro 2024 qualifying.Dani Olmo scored the opener at Malaga’s La Rosaleda Stadium, turning home Alejandro Balde’s cut-back. Joselu, 32, scored two late goals in under two minutes to seal victory for Luis de la Fuente in his first outing as Spain boss. Spain top Group A alongside Scotland, who beat Cyprus 3-0 on Saturday. Espanyol’s Joselu struggled in a two-season spell at Newcastle, scoring only seven times. He has sinc...

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

England, EURO 2024, NEWS, Reece James

James withdraws from England squad

England's defender Kyle Walker (L) and England's defender Reece James attend a team training session at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on March 21, 2023 ahead of of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier football match against Italy.Chelsea defender Reece James will miss England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday through injury. The 23-year-old has returned to the Premier League club for what the Football Association says is “assessment of an ongoing issue”. James came on for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after 85 minutes of Thursday’s 2-1 win over Italy in Naples. Manager Gareth Southgate has decided not to call up any replacements. James missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury and picked up another knee problem in December which kept him out f...

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Manchester United, NEWS, Old Trafford

Manchester United receive a second Qatari bid to buy the club

General View of Old Trafford prior to the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 25, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United have received a second Qatari bid to buy the Old Trafford club, according to UK media reports. Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, placed his second-round offer overnight. A source close to the bid say the Qataris remain confident of completing a takeover despite rival interest from Jim Ratcliffe and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus. A deadline for offers had been set for 9pm on Wednesday, but that was extended. The first round of bidding took place last month and it has been reported there are as many as eight separate pot...

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, FRANCE, Kylian Mbappe, NEWS

Mbappe scores twice as France thrash Netherlands

Antoine Griezmann celebrates his goal on the back of Kylian Mbappe, right Adrien Rabiot during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between France and Netherlands at Stade de France on March 24, 2023 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. Kylian Mbappe scored his first goals as France captain as the World Cup finalists began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a comfortable win against the Netherlands. The hosts were ahead after just two minutes when Antoine Griezmann curled in from Mbappe’s pass. Defender Dayot Upamecano made it 2-0 six minutes later as he bundled in. Mbappe then got his 37th goal for France when he drove in, before powering home his second late on. Griezmann had reportedly been unhappy at being overlooked for the captaincy role given to Mbappe, but th...

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku scores hat-trick as Ibrahimovic returns

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates with teammate Arthur Theate of Belgium after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group F match between Sweden and Belgium at Friends Arena on March 24, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick to lead Belgium to victory against Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifier and upstage Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his international return. Lukaku headed in a first-half opener before turning in from close range, and then slotted in late on. Ibrahimovic, 41, came on in the 73rd minute to a standing ovation from the Swedish fans. It was his first international appearance for almost a year. At 41 years, five months and 21 days, Ibrahimovic had initially been hailed as breaking the the record, held by Italian goalkee...

24Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA, NEWS, Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich sack Nagelsmann and appoint Tuchel

Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, looks on during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea FC at Stadion Maksimir on September 06, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. Bayern Munich have sacked manager Julian Nagelsmann after less than two years in charge and appointed Thomas Tuchel as his replacement until 2025.The German side have won the last 10 Bundesliga titles and sit second in the table this season - one point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.They beat Paris St-Germain to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Manchester City. Tuchel, 49, was sacked by Premier League club Chelsea in September. He replaces Nagelsmann on a contract until 30 June 2025 and will take training for the first time on Monday. Bayern chief executive...

24Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo scores twice as he sets men’s caps record

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Group J - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round match between Portugal and Liechtenstein at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 23, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men’s international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener. The 38-year-old has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals. He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups. Ronaldo added to his goals tally with a second-half penalty before finding the top corner with a free-kick. The forward – now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr – had been frustrated in front of...

23Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Eric Garcia, NEWS

Barcelona looking to part ways with four players to coup with Financial Fair Play

Eric Garcia centre-back of Barcelona and Spain during the warm-up before the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are currently heavily restricted with a lot of problems going on off the field rather than on it. Whereas the Catalans seem to be going from strength to strength in terms of their form on the pitch, they have other urgent matters to tend to as well, looking ahead to the future. The Financial Fair Play matter, for instance. Has become a massive thorn for the club’s potential plans. Heavily inclined to cut both current salaries as well as limit spending to an extreme, the Blaugrana outfit has thus started to realize that departures may just be a necessity at this point to ens...

22Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Mesut Ozil, NEWS

Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Ozil retires

Mesut Oezil of Istanbul Basaksehir during the UEFA Europa Conference League group A match between Istanbul Basaksehir and ACF Fiorentina at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on September 15, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has retired from football at the age of 34. Ozil won nine trophies during his club career including four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012. He also won 92 caps for Germany and was part of the team that lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions,” Ozil said in a statement on social media. “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. “But in...

22Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Frenkie de Jong, NEWS

Netherlands lose De Jong for Euro 2024 clash with France

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.The Netherlands will face France in their Euro 2024 qualifying clash this week without injured playmaker Frenkie de Jong or winger Steven Bergwijn, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Monday. They have been replaced by PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman and Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen as the Frenkie de Jong take on Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Friday, before playing Gibraltar on Monday, March 27, in Rotterdam. De Jong featured 90 minutes for Barca in Sunday’s El Clasico win over Real Madrid. “The Barcelona player has upper leg complaints from the game with Real Madrid and is not available for ...

22Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS

Lionel Messi pictured reuniting with his Argentina team-mates ahead of friendlies

Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during a training session at Julio H. Grondona Training Camp on March 21, 2023 in Ezeiza, Argentina. Lionel Messi has been pictured training alongside his Argentina team-mates ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Panama and Curacao. The Argentina squad reconvened on Tuesday afternoon for their first training session back together after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 35-year-old was already a national hero before the tournament in the Middle East but their success cemented his status. Messi guided his country to World Cup glory after beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw. The Argentina captain wanted to give his team-mates a personal memento to remembe...