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15Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Nations League: France beat Ronaldo’s Portugal to reach finals, Ramos misses two penalties

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (L) tries to escape N Golo Kante of France (R) during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Portugal and France at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on November 14, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal.World champions France and Germany rode on the influence of their Chelsea stars to rack up Nations League wins on Saturday while Spain's Sergio Ramos missed two penalties on the night he celebrated a record-setting 177th international appearance.Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante scored just his second international goal as France defeated European champions Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon to secure a place in next year's Nations League finals.Kante was quickest to react to a rebound as he netted the winner on 53 minutes that clinched France top spot in their group.France l...

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14Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Colombia 0-3 Uruguay: Edinson Cavani on target as Manchester United striker scores again

Edinson Cavani of Uruguay fights for the ball with Johan Mojica of Colombia during a match between Colombia and Uruguay as part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Estadio Metropolitano on November 13, 2020 in Barranquilla, Colombia.Uruguay's Edinson Cavani scored early and fellow striker Luis Suarez converted a second-half penalty, his fourth in three games for his country, as they beat Colombia 3-0 in Friday's World Cup qualifier.Cavani, who scored for Manchester United against Everton last weekend, got the opener for Uruguay in the fifth minute after Nahitan Nandez had done the hard work in midfield by robbing the ball and setting him up to fire home a low right-foot shot.Suarez then added to the lead nine minutes into the second period when he scored from the spot after Jeis...

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13Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mourinho handed suspended one-match European ban

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur gives his team instructions during the UEFA Europa League Group J stage match between PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham Hotspur at Ludogorets Arena on November 05, 2020 in Razgrad, Bulgaria.Jose Mourinho has been handed a suspended one-match European competition ban, UEFA has announced.The Tottenham head coach was deemed to be responsible for the late kick-off of their Europa League match against Royal Antwerp on October 29.Spurs were fined 25,000 euros (£23,000) for the late kick-off by UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body (CEDB), as well as a further 3,000 euros for a breach of UEFA's equipment regulations.The CEDB said the ban was "deferred for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision".Anothe...

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13Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mohamed Salah tests positive for coronavirus, Egyptian Football Association says

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool warms up before the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on November 8, 2020 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah has tested positive for coronavirus, the Egyptian Football Association said in a statement on Friday.The news comes the day before Egypt is due to face Togo in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cairo."The coronavirus test taken by our national team has shown that our international player Mohamed Salah, the star of Liverpool, has been infected with coronavirus after receiving a positive test result, although he is not suffering from any symptoms," the statement, posted by the governing body on social media, read."The rest of the team had negative test results."Our internati...

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13Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Grealish and Sancho shine in England’s win over Ireland

Jadon Sancho of England celebrates with his team after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on November 12, 2020 in London, England.England manager Gareth Southgate saw his side ease to victory over the Republic of Ireland.A much-changed Three Lions team secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Wembley as Harry Maguire captained the side and opened the scoring to make amends for his red card against Denmark 29 days ago.Jadon Sancho doubled the lead before a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty wrapped up the victory on a night where Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka starred for the hosts.England manager Gareth Southgate said: "We were really pleased. We had a good bedrock with the back three who were our most exp...

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13Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Euro 2020 line-up set as North Macedonia and Scotland end long exile

Goran Pandev of North Macedonia celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Play-Off Final between Georgia and North Macedonia at Dinamo Arena on November 12, 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia.North Macedonia will go to a major tournament for the first time in their history after a Goran Pandev goal gave the Balkan nation a 1-0 win away to Georgia, while Scotland's long exile is also over after a penalty shoot-out win over Serbia in Belgrade secured their place at Euro 2020 on Thursday.Hungary and Slovakia also won to secure spots at the tournament which was postponed earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and is now set for June and July of 2021.An extra year's wait will not matter to Scotland, who had gone through 10 failed qualifying campaigns since th...

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12Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England-Iceland to go ahead at Wembley

The Wembley turf seen under the floodlights ahead of the international friendly football match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in north London on November 12, 2020.The UK Government has given the green light for England's Nations League match against Iceland to be played at Wembley next week.The venue of the Three Lions' final Nations League group match - and final fixture of 2020 - had been up in the air due to issues arising from the visitors' game in Copenhagen on Sunday.Denmark is subject to enhanced travel restrictions due to concerns over a new strain of Covid-19, putting the Wembley encounter in jeopardy as the Football Association looked at instead hosting the game in Germany.The PA news agency understands Albania was another option put forward by UEFA, b...

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12Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Virus-affected Italy beats Estonia

Vincenzo Grifo of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with team mates during the International Friendly match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 11, 2020 in Florence, Italy.Vincenzo Grifo scored his first two goals for Italy in a 4-0 win over Estonia in a friendly on Wednesday as the host won comfortably despite missing a number of players and its coach because of coronavirus infections.Federico Bernardeschi also scored in the first half, while Riccardo Orsolini converted a penalty four minutes from time.Italy was without coach Roberto Mancini and several players because of the coronavirus. Players from six clubs — Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter Milan, Lazio, Roma and Sassuolo — were self-isolating because of COVID-19 cases in their squads. They wil...

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12Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ronaldo nets 102nd international goal in 7-0 win over Andorra

Joao Felix of Portugal and Atletico Madrid celebrates scoring Portugal seven goal with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Juventus during the international friendly match between Portugal and Andorra at Estadio da Luz on November 11, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal.Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 102nd international goal in a friendly match against Andorra on Wednesday, moving one step closer to the record of 109 held by former Iran forward Ali Daei. Portugal thrashed Andorra 7-0.Ronaldo reached the 100th goal milestone during the Nations League match against Sweden in September.Wolves winger Pedro Neto gave Portugal an early lead, followed by a double by Paulinho. Yesterday's match was the debutant performance for these two representing Portugal.Renato Sanches contributed the third goal i...

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11Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FA chairman Greg Clarke resigns after ‘colored footballer’ remark

Chairman of The English Football Association (FA), Greg Clarke attends the 43rd Ordinary UEFA Congress on February 7, 2019 in Rome.Greg Clarke has resigned as English Football Association (FA) chairman hours after referring to "colored footballers" during questions from members of parliament on Tuesday.The 63-year-old was widely criticized after making a series of inappropriate comments while taking questions from members of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) select committee."My unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallized my resolve to move on," Clarke said in a statement confirming his departure."I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in footba...

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10Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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England call up Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund controlls the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group F stage match between Club Brugge KV and Borussia Dortmund at Jan Breydel Stadium on November 4, 2020 in Brugge, Belgium.Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England squad after James Ward-Prowse and Trent Alexander-Arnold were forced to withdraw due to injury.It is the 17-year-old's first call up to Gareth Southgate's senior squad.The former Birmingham City player had at first been included in the England Under 21s but will now join the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson for Thursday's friendly against Republic of Ireland and Nations League meetings with Belgium and Iceland.Southampton midfielder Ward-Prowse has withdrawn with a tight hamstr...

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9Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Scotland without Fraser, Hanley for Serbia play-off

Ryan Fraser of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Molineux on October 25, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England.Scotland will be without Newcastle winger Ryan Fraser and Norwich defender Grant Hanley for Thursday's must-win Euro 2020 play-off against Serbia.Fraser had started Scotland's last two games but he missed Newcastle's defeat at Southampton on Friday due to a hamstring injury, while Hanley is struggling with a similar problem.Scotland assistant coach Steven Reid on Monday revealed the pair will not be fit for the crucial clash in Belgrade, which offers the winners a place at the delayed Euro 2020.The Scots have not appeared in a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup."Ryan and Grant Hanley at the moment are strugglin...

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8Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Asensio replaces injured Fati in Spain’s national team

Ansu Fati of FC Barcelona after receiving penalty during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis played at Camp Nou Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio will replace the injured Ansu Fati in Spain’s national team ahead of its upcoming Nations League matches, the Spanish soccer federation said on Sunday.Fati injured his left knee in Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Real Betis in the Spanish league on Saturday.The club said the 18-year-old forward has a “torn meniscus” but did not provide a timetable for his recovery. It said the necessary treatment will be determined in the coming days.He was replaced at halftime against Betis after a challenge from Aissa Mandi in the penalty area.Fati had quickly secured a spot in Spain’s national team, be...

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6Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Europa League: Yusuf Yazici nets hat-trick as Lille stun AC Milan; Arsenal and Leicester City win

Yusuf Yazici of LOSC Lille celebrates his third goal with his team-mates during the UEFA Europa League Group H stage match between AC Milan and LOSC Lille at San Siro Stadium on November 5, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Lille's Yusuf Yazici brought AC Milan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic down to earth with a bump on Thursday with all three goals in a 3-0 Europa League win over the seven-time European champions.The 39-year-old Ibrahimovic had been one of the stories of the early part of the season after firing seven goals in four league games to take the Italian giants top of Serie A, but it was Yazici, who is yet to start in Ligue 1 this season, who stole the show with his hat-trick at the San Siro.Yazici's goals put Lille, who are unbeaten in all competitions this season, one point ahead of Milan who lost...

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5Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Harry Kane bags 200th goal for Tottenham Hotspur with header in Europa League

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates during the UEFA Europa League Group J stage match between PFC Ludogorets Razgrad and Tottenham Hotspur at Ludogorets Arena on November 5, 2020 in Razgrad, Bulgaria.Harry Kane reached a mammoth landmark on Thursday night as the Tottenham star bagged his 200th goal for the north London club. The England captain has been the leading man for Spurs since breaking into the first team in 2011, consistently finding the net for both club and country.And the 27-year-old reached the double century in his 300th appearance for the club, against Ludogorets in the Europa League. Kane rose highest to head home a Lucas Moura corner to give Jose Mourinho's side the lead after just 13 minutes against the Bulgarians. He could have got to the figure earlier,...

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5Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FIFA asked to review controversial handball rule, UEFA confirm

 In this photo illustration a FIFA logo seen displayed on a smartphone.UEFA have asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to change the handball rule to stop "growing frustration" following a spate of penalties awarded for the offence, European football's governing body confirmed on Thursday.In a letter to Infantino, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin asked that football's lawmakers adjust the handball rule -- which has been in place since March last year -- so that referees can once again judge whether there is intent when a player handles the ball."The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offence has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community," said Ceferin's letter, which was sent on ...

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5Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gareth Bale named in Wales squad picked by absent manager Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs, Manager of Wales celebrates with Gareth Bale of Wales following their sides victory in the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Wales and Bulgaria at Cardiff City Stadium on September 06, 2020 in Cardiff, Wales.Gareth Bale has returned to a Wales squad selected by absent manager Ryan Giggs.Skipper Bale missed Wales’ October games against England, the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria with a knee injury which delayed his Tottenham debut following his season-long loan move from Real Madrid.But Bale is back in a 29-man squad which was selected by Giggs before his arrest on suspicion of assaulting a woman on Sunday night.Giggs was arrested and later bailed over an alleged row with “on-off girlfriend” Kate Greville at his Manchester home on Sunday, The Sun newspaper reported...

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3Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Giggs temporarily stands down as Wales coach over ‘incident’

Ryan Giggs co owner of Salford City and Wales manager look on in the stands during the Sky Bet League Two match between Port Vale and Salford City at Vale Park on October 17, 2020 in Burslem, England.Ryan Giggs temporarily stood down as Wales coach on Tuesday after what the nation’s soccer federation described as an “alleged incident” involving the Manchester United great.British newspaper The Sun reported Giggs was arrested at his home in Manchester on Sunday after a “disturbance” and was later released on bail.“The Football Association of Wales and Ryan Giggs have mutually agreed that he will not be involved in the upcoming international camp,” the FAW said in a statement.Wales is scheduled to play a home friendly against the United States on Nov. 12, followed by UEFA Nations League grou...

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3Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mbappe ruled out of PSG’s Champions League trip to Leipzig

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the UEFA Champions League Group H stage match between Istanbul Basaksehir and Paris Saint-Germain at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on October 28, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey.Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League match at Leipzig because of a thigh injury.Mbappe was substituted in the 74th minute of PSG’s 3-0 victory on Saturday in the French league but coach Thomas Tuchel said it was just a precautionary measure ahead of the trip to Germany.However, the French champions said in a statement on Tuesday that Mbappe won’t be ready to play because of the problem in his right adductor muscle.“He is not available for the trip to Germany and his unavailability will be reassessed in 48 hours,“...

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1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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PSG cruise to 3-0 win at Nantes to go three points clear

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (R) celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick during the French L1 football match between FC Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain at the La Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France on October 31, 2020.Paris St Germain cruised to a 3-0 win at Nantes on Saturday to move three points clear on top of Ligue 1, with Ander Herrera, Kylian Mbappe and Pablo Sarabia all scoring second-half goals.With several players injured, including Brazil forward Neymar who suffered a thigh injury in a 2-0 Champions League win at Istanbul Basaksehir in midweek, Mbappe had to bear much of the attacking responsibility against a tough Nantes side.The hosts almost took the lead in the 16th minute when Kolo Muani danced along the goal-line before pulling the ball back b...

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