Lionel Messi has been an injury doubt for Argentina as they continue their attempt to retain their Copa America title – with reports previously suggesting he would most likely not be fit for the rest of the tournament. However, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner resumed training with Argentina on Monday as they gear up for their Copa America quarter final tie with Ecuador in Houston. The 37-year-old not trained since his thigh/groin problem during their 1-0 win against Chile on June 25. The Inter Miami star also sat out the 2-0 triumph over Peru on Saturday. The Argentine Football Federation…
Author: Somto Isaac
Ronald Koeman has revealed his Dutch team took time to reflect and point out problems in the side while also admitting he would have hoped for shorter time-frame from their last group game to their last 16 affair with Romania. The Netherlands took to the field last in Berlin on Tuesday, in what was their final group D game, losing 3-2 against Austria which left them with a third place finish but securing a knockout phase ticket as part of the four best losers. Koeman said in a press conference: “It has been a very long week. Seven days is…
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez had nothing but words of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo after their shootout victory against Slovenia to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. The Portugal captain missed a penalty in extra time but stepped up first and scored in the 3-0 penalty shootout win. Ronaldo was captured in tears during half-time in extra time after his miss from the spot — which made the game sail into penalties but he redeemed himself and apologized to the fans in the shootout as goalkeeper Diogo Costa also made three saves to secure Portugal’s ticket. “He [Ronaldo] doesn’t…
Jude Bellingham came down hard on critics as he expressed satisfaction at being able to hit back at “people who talk a lot of rubbish” – as he netted equaliser in injury time with a bicycle kick in England’s 2-1 victory against Slovakia. The Three Lions were staring at potential elimination at the last 16 stage of Euro 2024 after their opponents took the lead on 25 minutes through Ivan Schranz’s goal but Bellingham’s audacious effort with seconds remaining on the clock. Captain Harry Kane netted in the opening minute of extra time to give England the lead which also…
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was visibly satisfied with his side’s performance in Sunday’s Euro 2024 round of 16 victory against Georgia – with confidence also moving through the veins of the players ahead of their battle with hosts Germany in the last eight. La Roja came from a goal down to defeat the Euro first-timers 4-1 at the Duesseldorf Arena on Sunday — a performance which was well received by the gaffer. De la Fuente had words of praise in his post-match press conference, saying: “I think we controlled the game at all times with brilliant stages of…
Juventus have completed the £42.3 million signing of Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on Sunday. The Brazilian agreed a five-year contract with the Italian giants, becoming the latest player to make his Villa Park exit due to the ongoing cost cuts because of Premier League’s financial fair play rules. Luiz made his move to Villa from Manchester City in 2019 and was integral in their fourth-place finish in the Premier League’s previous campaign. The 26-year-old, who netted 22 times in 204 appearances for Unai Emery’s team, completed his medical ahead of the move while with Brazil on international duty at…
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could not contain his excitement after putting a man-of-the-match performance to fire Georgia into the last 16 of Euro 2024 in their historic 2-0 win against Portugal. The 23-year-old also received the jersey of his childhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo, who inspired him with a pre-match pep talk. Kvaratskhelia netted Georgia’s opener inside 120 seconds and continued his dazzling performance with dribbles before being substituted with 15 minutes left – to send shockwaves to the Euro 2016 champions. The attacker, whom the Georgian nation depends on, had voiced his dreams of playing against Ronaldo and acquiring his idol’s shirt.…
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne has reacted to the boos and whistles from the nation’s faithful in their goalless draw with Ukraine on Wednesday. The boos were doubled when the 32-year-old was announced as the man of the match — a game which set up a round of 16 clash against France. Quizzed about the fans’ hostile attitude, the Manchester City midfielder responded neutrally, admitting the players gave their all to gain maximum points. “We tried to win the match and up to the 90th minute, we had goal-scoring opportunities … and we know that we can concede a goal…
Portugal gaffer Roberto Martinez praised the “incredible belief” of Georgia while also throwing light to the possible causes of their Euro 2024 Group F, 2-0 loss on Wednesday. With a round of 16 ticket in the bag for Portugal, Martinez started the contest with just three of the players in the starting lineup from the victory over Turkey. However, if Martinez had aimed for players to show more ahead of competing for places for the knockout clash against Slovenia – he was left with doubts as his charges were outplayed. “It’s a defeat. We started with low intensity, we conceded…
The Premier League’s status as financial heavyweights was shown in a latest report as the European football market grew by 16% to €35.3 billion [£29.8 billion], according to Deloitte, in the 2022-23 season. The ‘top five’ European leagues generated total revenue of €19.6 billion, up 14% on the previous campaign, and reported an aggregate operating profit [€0.5 billion] – a first since 2018-19. Boosted by the lifting of the leftover restrictions on coronavirus and the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, were Coffers — according to the Annual Review of Football Finance published by the Deloitte Sports Business Group. Revenue increase…