Sweden just did the unthinkable. The Scandinavian side entered the second leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff tie against Italy with a 1-0 lead on the aggregate score, and surprisingly held on for a 0-0 draw that clinched them a berth in Russia s tournament next year.
Italy looked dominant at times, but they failed to penetrate the opposing defence and those problems have prevented them from keeping a World Cup appearance streak alive. The last time they failed to qualify was in 1958, so this is clearly a disappointing result for one of the most successful countried in the entire world.
Italy Dominated The First Half Despite Their Lack Of Accuracy
Sweden got off to a better start, but Italy looked much better right from the start. Sweden should have gotte…
Pedri hopes Spain team-mate Nico Williams will soon join him at Barcelona after the pair s quest for Euro 2024 glory is over.
The youthful La Roja duo have been integral to Spain s perfect start at the international tournament in Germany, winning all four matches to reach the quarter-finals.
Williams netted a fine solo goal in Sunday s 4-1 hammering of Georgia, becoming the first player on record at the Euros (since 1980) to score, assist and complete 100% of his passes (46/46) in a game he started.
Germany await for Luis de la Fuente s side on Friday in the last eight, yet regardless of that result, Pedri wants to be playing in LaLiga with winger Williams next season.
Barcelona have been linked with a move for the Athletic Bilbao forward, with Liverpool …
With just nine days to go until the start of Euro 2020, preparations are hotting up.
There are systems to train, friendlies to navigate and injuries to heal – hopefully – for the 24 teams involved before the delayed competition begins on June 11.
That year-long wait for the finals has helped some, with certain players able to recover form and fitness after looking likely to miss out entirely had the tournament gone ahead last year.
However, there are others for whom the rescheduling has come as a bit of a blow.
Using Opta data, Stats Perform examines some of the major contenders for the trophy and why the postponement could prove a particular problem
Belgium
Roberto Martinez has been left with a major headache around thre…
Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored an equaliser deep in injury time as his side claimed a dramatic 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico.
The hosts looked to be heading for a narrow defeat in their opening UEFA Champions League Group E clash after Pablo Barrios fired the visitors into a 29th-minute lead.
But under instructions to go up for a corner in the fifth minute of added time, Provedel continued to loiter in the box before leaping to glance a Luis Alberto cross past his opposite number Ivo Grbic.
Provedel’s goal was the sixth by a goalkeeper in the Champions League and only the second from open play, after Sinan Bolat scored for Standard Liege against AZ Alkmaar in 2009.
There was also drama in the other Group E encounter as goal…
Former France international Frank Leboeuf has criticised UEFA s decision to name Antoine Griezmann player of the tournament at Euro 2016 and feels Portugal defender Pepe deserved the award more than the Atletico Madrid forward.
Griezmann made the difference for France in the knockout stages with goals in the wins over Republic of Ireland, Iceland and Germany, but was unable to find the net in the final against Portugal as the hosts were beaten in extra time.
UEFA picked the 25-year-old as the star of the tournament following his sublime performances, yet Leboeuf feels the attacker was not consistent enough to take the individual award home.
I like Griezmann a lot, but he was not the player of the tournament. I do not agree with this choice, Leboeuf told RMC.
UEFA has denied preventing supporters attending the Euro 2020 clash between the Netherlands and Czech Republic from displaying rainbow flags.
Earlier on Sunday, it was reported by Dutch outlets De Telegraaf and Nu that fans arriving for the game in Budapest were having their rainbow flags – a sign of support and pride for the LGBTQ community – confiscated by security guards on the instruction of UEFA.
Hungary has recently faced criticism over its treatment of LGBTQ communities after passing a law that prohibits the sharing of content in schools that could be deemed to promote homosexuality or gender change.
Germany had hoped to underline opposition to that decision when they faced Hungary in their final group-stage game by lighting up Munich s Allianz Are…
Greece have qualified for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a stunning 1-0 upset of Russia, eliminating their opponents in the process.
Giorgios Karagounis scored the game s only goal in the last play of the first half, tucking an opportunistic strike under Russia custodian Vyacheslav Malafeev after some sloppy Russian defence.
Dick Advocaat s men pushed for an equaliser for the majority of the second half, however it was Greece that literally came closest, with a free kick denied by the woodwork.
Russia s best chance came from their top scorer at the tournament Alan Dzagoev who got on the end of an Andriy Arshavin cross, but his glancing header went just wide of Michalis Sifakis far post.
Greece qualify as the second-placed side in Group A, while Russia…
Tonight is the night that will complete the official line-up for UEFA Euro 2021. While 20 nations have already been able to book their place in next summer s international showpiece event, there are eight national teams out there who are attempting to make history of their own: Hungary, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Serbia, Scotland, Georgia and North Macedonia.
Right now the betting favourites to win the Euros next year are England with odds of 11/2 via . Alas, these four games are about a whole lot more than winning the tournament because simply qualifying is a huge statement of intent.
Can Iceland do it again?
Hungary vs. Iceland
Despite having far more recent success than their opponents when it comes to international tournaments, Iceland are viewed …
Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has been ruled out for the rest of 2019 with a knee injury.
The centre-back was hurt during the 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth at St James Park last Saturday.
Newcastle confirmed on Thursday that Lascelles will not play again until the new year.
The 26-year-old has played in all 12 of Newcastle s league games this season and scored in the 1-1 draw with Wolves on October 27.
He will now miss matches against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Sheffield United, Southampton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Everton.
Steve Bruce s side begin 2020 at home to Leicester City on January 1 and head to Wolves on January 11, after the third round of FA Cup matches.
will be without captain J…
Youngster Tony Watt fires home the decisive goal for Celtic in their 2-1 defeat of Barcelona at Celtic Park
The big story in the Champions League on Wednesday night was Celtic’s excellent 2-1 victory over Spanish giants Barcelona at Celtic Park.
The victory was made even more extraordinary by the fact that Celtic were missing key players Scott Brown and Gary Hooper.
Celtic took the lead on 21 minutes. Charlie Mulgrew fired in a corner and Kenyan midfielder Victor Wanyama got above Jordi Alba to head past Victor Valdes.
Barcelona kept going and were denied on numerous occasions by Celtic keeper Fraser Forster.
Celtic withstood a barrage from Barca and hit a second goal in the 83rd minute. Teenage substitute Tony Watt broke clear of the Barcelona…