NEWS – Page 71 – Football Flame

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Copa America: Messi frustrated after Argentina draw

Lionel Messi of Argentina adjusts his captain's armband before a Group A match between Argentina and Chile at Estadio Olímpico Nilton Santos as part of Copa America Brazil 2021 on June 14, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Argentina superstar Lionel Messi scored a stunning freekick but Chile hit back to earn a 1-1 draw in the Copa America on Monday.Messi’s magical left foot gave dominant Argentina a deserved first half lead but Eduardo Vargas equalized in the second half after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal’s penalty.Despite Argentina’s dominance, Messi lamented that ‘we weren’t calm, we didn’t have control of the ball.’His coach Lionel Scaloni saw things differently, though.‘We deserved to win but in the end we drew. In any case, it’s only the st...
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Wasteful Spain frustrated by Stubborn Sweden

Mikael Lustig of Sweden is challenged by Alvaro Morata of Spain during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Spain and Sweden at the La Cartuja Stadium on June 14, 2021 in Seville, Spain.Spain endured a frustrating opening game in Euro 2020 as they failed to make their near total dominance pay against a rigid and stubborn Sweden in Seville.Luis Enrique's side had the vast majority of possession and territory in the match, which at times resembled a session of attack versus defence, but were unable to take advantage of the good opportunities their build-up play yielded.The best fell to Alvaro Morata, who was allowed in on goal by a fluffed attempted clearance from Marcus Danielson but side-footed his shot wide.Dani Olmo also saw a close-range header tipped round the post by ...
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Slovakia beat 10-man Poland in Group E

Robert Lewandowski of Poland looks dejected as Players of Slovakia celebrate after victory in the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E myatch between Poland and Slovakia at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 14, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.Slovakia gained a shock victory over 10-man Poland in their European Championship Group E opener in St Petersburg.Milan Skriniar's fine low shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area secured the three points for Slovakia, a country ranked 36th in the world.They had taken an early lead when the ball bounced off the post and rebounded in off Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after a fine run and shot from Robert Mak.A lovely one-touch move, calmly finished by Karol Linetty, brought the Poles level early in the second half. But the 62nd-min...
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Losing start for Hanley in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic

Grant Hanley of Scotland is challenged by Lukas Masopust during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between Scotland v Czech Republic on June 14, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. Norwich City captain Grant Hanley played the full 90 minutes in Scotland's opening Euro2020 2-0 defeat to the Czech Republic on Monday afternoon at Hampden Park.Hanley got the nod to start in central defence but was beaten in the air by a towering header from Patrik Schick three minutes before the interval.The Bayer Leverkusen forward then embarrassed former Norwich keeper, David Marshall, with a stunning lob from the halfway line to seal the win in the second half.Scotland, appearing in their first finals since 1998, will now travel to Wembley to face arch rivals England on Friday night. The Three Lions ...
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Euro 2020: Scotland end 23-year wait on day four of the tournament

Jack Hendry of Scotland celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with Andy Robertson of Scotland, Lyndon Dykes of Scotland, Kieran Tierney of Scotland and Liam Cooper of Scotland during the International Friendly match between Netherlands and Scotland at Algarve Stadium on June 2, 2021 in Almancil, Portugal.Monday at the European 2021 Championships sees Scotland make their first major tournament appearance in 23 years as they take on Czech Republic in their Group D opener at Hampden Park.Captain Andrew Robertson will lead his country out in front of 12,000 fans at the national stadium, who will no doubt be in fine voice for what is a crucial game in the group.With Croatia and England to come, qualification from the group could come down to this clash with the Czechs this afternoon.De...
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Netherlands beat Ukraine in five-goal thriller

Netherlands' midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (C) is congratulated after scoring the first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group C football match between the Netherlands and Ukraine at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on June 13, 2021.Denzel Dumfries headed a dramatic late winner to earn the Netherlands victory after Ukraine had come back from 2-0 down in a Group C thriller in Amsterdam.Oranje boss Frank de Boer is hoping to use Euro 2020 to prove to fans he is the right man to lead the team into a successful new era after an unconvincing start in the role. It looked like going to plan for De Boer when Georginio Wijnaldum, who scored eight times in qualifying, pounced from inside the box before Wout Weghorst's instinctive finish doubled the lead.But Ukraine pulled one back through Andriy ...
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Austria earn first European Championship win

Austria's forward Michael Gregoritsch celebrates scoring his team's second goal with his team-mates including Austria's defender David Alaba (C) during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group C football match between Austria and North Macedonia at the National Arena in Bucharest on June 13, 2021.Substitutes Marko Arnautovic and Michael Gregoritsch earned Austria their first ever victory at a European Championship as Franco Foda's side edged past tournament debutants North Macedonia in their Group C opener.Gregoritsch met captain David Alaba's sublime cross with 12 minutes remaining to end North Macedonia's resistance, before Arnautovic put the result beyond doubt after rounding goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.Veteran striker Goran Pandev looked to have earned a memorable point for Euro 2020's lowest ranked...
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Euro 2020: Sterling goal seals opening win for England

Raheem Sterling of England celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Croatia at Wembley Stadium on June 13, 2021 in London, England.England's Euro 2020 campaign got off to a satisfactory start as Raheem Sterling's goal secured victory over Croatia at Wembley.Sterling repaid England manager Gareth Southgate's faith in him, sliding in the winner after 57 minutes following a perfect pass from man-of-the-match Kalvin Phillips.Southgate resisted the temptation to play Aston Villa's Jack Grealish and was rewarded with a lively performance from Sterling as England secured the win their superiority deserved.The Three Lions almost took an early lead when Phil Foden struck a post but there were the first signs of frustra...
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Belgium Lay Down A Marker At Euro 2020 After Brushing Aside Russia

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium scores their side's first goal past Mario Fernandes of Russia during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match between Belgium and Russia on June 12, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.Belgium got their Euro 2020 campaign off to a bright start as their golden generation chase European glory.They ran out 3-0 victors over Russia in St Petersburg after being gifted two goals by the hosts. The Red Devils had some bright spells and created some good chances but it was their opponents who gifted them their victory, with Romelu Lukaku scoring twice and Thomas Meunier also on the scoresheet.Roberto Martinez’s side did not have to play with much intensity that they have been known for in recent years due to the respect Russia were showing them. The game appeared to be mor...
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Euro 2020: Finland beat Denmark, Eriksen awake after collapse halts game

Denmark's players escort Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen (C) as he is evacuated after collapsing on the pitch during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group B football match between Denmark and Finland at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on June 12, 2021.Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is "awake" in hospital after collapsing in the Euro 2020 match against Finland, said the Danish Football Association.The 29-year-old's condition has been "stabilised", according to tournament organisers Uefa.The game in Copenhagen was suspended before half-time after the Inter Milan player fell to the ground and received emergency treatment on the field.Finland won the Group B match 1-0 after it restarted at 19:30 BST.Danish players were applauded on to the pitch by their opponents as they returned to the field...
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Moore helps Wales earn draw against Switzerland at Euro 2020

post images onlineKieffer Moore of Wales scores their side's first goal past Yann Sommer of Switzerland during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Wales and Switzerland at the Baku Olympic Stadium on June 12, 2021 in Baku, Azerbaijan.Wales fought back to draw with Switzerland in their opening game of Euro 2020, as Kieffer Moore marked his return to the starting line-up with what could prove to be a vital equaliser.In only his third start in nine matches under interim manager Robert Page, the Cardiff City striker was close to giving Wales an early lead when his header was superbly tipped over by Yann Sommer.Switzerland took control of the match from that point and, after squandering several chances, they eventually scored as the impressive Breel Embolo headed in from Xherd...
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Italy: injured Florenzi to miss Switzerland clash

Alessandro Florenzi of Italy in action during the international friendly match between Italy and Czech Republic at on June 04, 2021 in Bologna, Italy.Alessandro Florenzi picked up a calf injury against Turkey last night and will miss the upcoming game against Switzerland, reports Sky Sport Italia.The Roma loanee was replaced during the half-time break against Turkey due to a calf problem.Sky Sport Italia reports Florenzi underwent medical examinations this morning and although the injury is not a severe one, he will miss the second game of the group stage against Switzerland on Wednesday.Florenzi reportedly picked up a contracture in his calf.   The 30-year-old should return to action after the game against the Swiss and his physical conditions will be assessed daily.Napoli’...
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Italy cruise past Turkey as Euro 2020 kicks off

Ciro Immobile of Italy celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group A match between Turkey and Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on June 11, 2021 in Rome, Italy.Euro 2020 opened in spectacular fashion as Italy got their campaign off to an impressive start in front of their own fans with a comfortable victory against Turkey.In the first game of the rescheduled tournament, played at at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, an own goal by Merih Demiral and strikes by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne settled a one-sided Group A contest.The Azzurri dominated the first half but could not find the net, Giorgio Chiellini going closest with a header from a corner which brought a fine save from Ugurcan Çakir.They broke the deadlock when Demiral turned the ball past hi...
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Kroos ready to prove Germany’s doubters wrong against France

Toni Kroos of Germany plays the ball with team mate Thomas Müller during a training session of the German national team at Tivoli Stadion on June 01, 2021 in Innsbruck, Austria.Toni  Kroos aims to prove Germany's doubters wrong in their Euro 2020 opener against world champions France on Tuesday.Germany have their work cut out in Group F at the European Championship with holders Portugal and Hungary to come after the mouth-watering tie against the French in Munich.Kroos has bounced back after testing positive for Covid-19 last month and played in Germany's 7-1 thrashing of minnows Latvia on Monday in their final friendly warm-up.Yet the Germans have struggled to recover from the humiliation of crashing out of the group stages at the 2018 World Cup and Kroos knows they have a point to p...
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Italy and Turkey get ball rolling as Euro 2020 begins under Covid cloud

Head coach Italy Roberto Mancini looks on during training session at Stadio Ennio Tardini on March 24, 2021 in Parma, Italy.PARIS: An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus continuing to cast a shadow over the tournament.Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship -- with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal the holders -- is being played for the first time all across the continent, with 11 cities from as far apart as Seville to Baku hosting matches.The idea was first mooted by Michel Platini almost a decade ago when he was president of UEFA and has survived the Covid-19 crisis, but matches are being played in front of limited crowds and with onerous health restrictions in place.I...
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Wales star Aaron Ramsey issues fitness update after missing Euro 2020 training session

Gareth Bales, Aaron Ramsey and Kieffer Moore warm up during the Wales squad training session on June 04, 2021 in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. Wales play Albania at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday June 05 as part of their warm up for the UEFA EURO 2021 competition.Wales' Aaron Ramsey has allayed fitness fears after he missed a training session on Thursday in Baku.Just two days before Wales' Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland on Saturday, Ramsey sat out the squad's open training session at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium but has insisted it was planned and he is fully fit."All good," the 30-year-old midfielder said."It was planned. It was a very light session for the boys today. It was planned that I stayed off my feet. All good and looking forward to Saturday."Juve...
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Euro 2020 warm-ups: England booed by fans before beating Romania; Belgium, Netherlands also win

Marcus Rashford of England in action during the international friendly match between England and Romania at Riverside Stadium on June 6, 2021 in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.Captaining England for the first time on Sunday, Marcus Rashford heard boos from home fans when leading his team in taking a knee before a warm-up game against Romania ahead of the European Championship.In contrast, Rashford was cheered around the stadium in Middlesbrough when he scored the 68th-minute penalty that settled a 1-0 victory.The insistence of some England fans to boo their players for making the anti-racism gesture has been as strong a feature of the team's Euro 2020 preparations in the northeast town this week as the pair of 1-0 wins.The scattered disapproval was quickly countered by other fans applauding...
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Mbappe will never leave PSG, says president Al-Khelaifi

long snouted fish 3 letters Kylian Mbappe of France warms up ahead of the international friendly match between France and Wales at Allianz Riviera on June 02, 2021 in Nice, France.Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted Kylian Mbappe will never be sold or leave on a free transfer amid ongoing links with Real Madrid.Mbappe has long been tipped to swap Ligue 1 giants PSG for La Liga powerhouse Madrid, while Premier League outfit Liverpool have also been linked previously.The 22-year-old star is out of contract at the end of 2021-22, but PSG have remained defiant over Mbappe's future in the French capital.Al-Khelaifi reiterated that stance as speculation grows heading into Euro 2020 and the off-season."I will be clear," Al-Khelaifi told L'Equipe. "Mbappe is going to stay in ...
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Euro 2020: Jordan Henderson back in full training with England ahead of Romania

Jordan Henderson of England controls the ball during the England training session on June 03, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England.Jordan Henderson trained with the England squad ahead of Sunday's final Euro 2020 warm-up friendly against Romania.Gareth Southgate's Three Lions kicked-off their Euro preparations with a 1-0 win against fellow finalists Austria at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.That friendly was set to be Liverpool skipper Henderson's first appearance for club or country since undergoing groin surgery in February, only to miss out after complaining of discomfort on the morning of the match.But the 30-year-old trained with the squad ahead of taking on Romania at style="text-alignMiddlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training ground on Saturday. The #ThreeLions are out at training this m...
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Spain and Portugal share spoils in Euros warm up

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the international friendly match between Spain and Portugal at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on June 04, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.Spain and Portugal drew 0-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday in an engaging warm-up friendly ahead of Euro 2020.The previous two champions of Europe could not be separated in Madrid as Alvaro Morata and Diogo Jota missed the pick of the chances.Luis Enrique and Fernando Santos named strong starting line-ups for an energetic first half, with Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte winning his first cap at the heart of the Spanish defence.Laporte was a little fortunate not to be punished with 21 minutes left as Cristiano Ronaldo got free in the box before heading wide from one of the quieter second half's few good openings.Af...
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