Sao Paulo (AFP) – Colombia midfielder Mateus Uribe insisted on Wednesday he was happy with the quarter-final draw that pits his in-form side against reigning champions Chile at the Copa America. Colombia stormed through the group phase with the only perfect record to top Group B but arguably landed the toughest draw of the pool […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani warned his team-mates on Wednesday not to be caught out by minnows Venezuela when the sides meet in the Copa America quarter-finals. Argentina scraped into the knock-out rounds courtesy of a 2-0 win over invitees Qatar in their final pool match having gone into it bottom […]

Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite admitted on Wednesday he fears the injustice of a penalty shoot-out as the hosts prepare to face Paraguay in the Copa America quarter-finals on Thursday. Brazil are haunted by the spectre of penalty shoot-outs against Paraguay having twice been eliminated by their western neighbors in that exact […]

Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump took on Twitter's version of a penalty shootout Wednesday in a row with the USA women's World Cup soccer stars over visiting the White House. USA co-captain Megan Rapinoe kicked off by issuing an expletive-reinforced thanks-but-no-thanks before Trump had even issued an invite. "I'm not going to the fucking […]

Cairo (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored his first goal of the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Egypt secured a place in the last 16 on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ahmed Elmohamady prodded Egypt ahead on 25 minutes after a wicked Salah cross and the Liverpool star slammed […]

Paris (AFP) – As the eight survivors caught their breaths, nursed their injuries and prepared for their quarter-finals, the headlines at the women's World Cup on Wednesday were dominated by a man who is not playing or even in France. As his national team prepared for a quarter-final with hosts France, United States President Donald […]

Paris (AFP) – FIFA on Wednesday announced disciplinary proceedings against Cameroon for misconduct and offensive behaviour in their women's World Cup match against England. England won Sunday's last 16 tie 3-0 but the game at Valenciennes was marked by Cameroon players' furious response to several refereeing decisions,. At one stage they apparently threatened to walk […]

Cairo (AFP) – Knowledge Musona's incredible open-goal miss proved costly as a wasteful Zimbabwe were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Emmanuel Okwi pounced on a rebound to nudge Uganda ahead on 12 minutes in Cairo but Khama Billiat levelled for Zimbabwe with a glancing finish […]

Alexandria (Egypt) (AFP) – Nigeria became the first qualifiers for the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations when they beat Guinea 1-0 in Alexandria on Wednesday with Kenneth Omeruo scoring the only goal. Centre-back Omeruo headed a corner into the net on 73 minutes to earn the Super Eagles a second straight Group […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chris Gayle on Wednesday revealed he was delaying his retirement after previously stating the World Cup would be his final one-day international tournament. The 39-year-old said in February that he would quit ODIs after the showpiece in England and Wales, although he later prevaricated. Now he appears to be setting […]

Paris (AFP) – The USA have the utmost respect for France captain and "natural leader" Amandine Henry, her former club teammate Tobin Heath said Wednesday before they clash in the women's World Cup quarter-finals. Heath played alongside Henry at US club Portland Thorns in the 2016-2017 season and the experience left a lasting impression. "She's […]

Washington (AFP) – President Donald Trump accused US women's World Cup soccer star Megan Rapinoe of "disrespect" Wednesday after she swore not to visit his White House. In the latest of his public feuds with high-profile athletes and celebrities, Trump sent multiple tweets complaining about Rapinoe, whose short, dyed hair has made her one of […]

Paris (AFP) – Holders the United States are the last ones standing in the way of a European winner at the women's World Cup heading into the quarter-finals, as coach Jill Ellis and her team prepare for a heavyweight showdown with hosts France on Friday. Italy and the Netherlands made it seven out of eight […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chris Gayle says he deserves to be considered alongside the greats of West Indies cricket but is refusing to set a definite date for his retirement. The swashbuckling opener is still hoping the West Indies can sneak into the World Cup semi-finals, with India next in line at Old Trafford […]

Le Havre (France) (AFP) – England coach Phil Neville says he is "totally relaxed" despite potentially having to go into Thursday's quarter-final against Norway at the women's World Cup without either of his first-choice central defenders. Captain Steph Houghton is struggling with an ankle injury picked up in Sunday's 3-0 win over Cameroon, in which […]