London (AFP) – Manchester United will play Premier League top-four rivals Tottenham in a pre-season glamour friendly in Shanghai, the Old Trafford club said on Wednesday. At least six major English clubs will visit China this summer, with Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves taking part in the Premier League Asia Trophy on July […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels has said he does not bear a grudge over Germany coach Joachim Loew's decision to axe him and teammates Thomas Mueller and Jerome Boateng. "I myself do things that other people aren't happy with, so I am not resentful about decisions other people make which have an […]

Santa Clara (United States) (AFP) – Mexico made it two wins in two matches under coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino Tuesday with a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in a friendly international at Levi's Stadium. Jonathan dos Santos' long wait for a first international goal ended as he opened the scoring in the sixth minute of his […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Midfielder Christian Pulisic scored early but limped off with a quadriceps injury Tuesday as the United States remained unbeaten under coach Gregg Berhalter with a 1-1 friendly draw against Chile. Pulisic became the youngest American to score 10 international goals when he opened the scoring at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston […]

Parma (Italy) (AFP) – Fabio Quagliarella attributed his new-found serenity after years of a stalker nightmare to his stunning form as the 36-year-old on Tuesday became the oldest player to score for Italy. The player from Castellammare di Stabia near Naples converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri […]

London (AFP) – England star Raheem Sterling has called on the Premier League to show the way to other European countries in the fight against racism. Sterling and his England team-mates were subjected to racist chants during Sunday's 5-1 victory in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro in Podgorica. Sterling reacted by pulling his ears […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Denmark-based Paul Onuachu scored within the first minute Tuesday to give Nigeria a 1-0 victory over Egypt in a high-profile African international friendly in Asaba. From the kick-off, the ball was lofted forward to the two-metre striker and he slammed it into the far corner of the net from the edge […]

London (AFP) – England are in danger of missing out on a chance to hire Warren Gatland after the Rugby Football Union admitted Eddie Jones' successor would not be hired until after the World Cup. Jones is under contract with England until 2021 but has hinted he may leave after the World Cup in Japan […]

Parma (Italy) (AFP) – Fabio Quagliarella became the oldest ever player to score for Italy as the 36-year-old converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein on Tuesday. Italy top Group J with six points after beating Finland 2-0 in Udine on Saturday with goals from Nicolo […]

Ta’ Qali (Malta) (AFP) – Alvaro Morata's remarkable revival continued on Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta. After edging past Norway 2-1 on Saturday, Morata's double at the Ta'Qali stadium gives Spain two wins from two in Euro 2020 qualifying and the perfect start in Group F. Luis […]

Prague (AFP) – Substitute Gabriel Jesus scored twice in the closing minutes to help Brazil come from behind to beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in a friendly in Prague on Tuesday. The Manchester City striker first slammed home a cross from David Neres who had sprinted down the left flank following a superb pass from […]

Dublin (AFP) – Republic of Ireland ignored a bizarre tennis ball protest from angry fans as Conor Hourihane's first international goal sealed a 1-0 win over Georgia in Tuesday's Euro 2020 qualifier. Hourihane's excellent first-half free-kick settled the opening home game of Mick McCarthy's second spell as Ireland manager. But the clash in Dublin was […]

London (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's success at Manchester United is partly due to the work of his predecessor Jose Mourinho, according to former Old Trafford chief Louis Van Gaal. Solskjaer has made a remarkable impact since arriving as United's interim boss in December following Mourinho's sacking. The Norwegian has won 10 times in 13 […]

London (AFP) – James McClean has slammed Declan Rice's decision to snub the Republic of Ireland in favour of pledging his international allegiance to England. London-born Rice caused controversy recently when he opted to play for England despite having previously represented the Republic. McClean played under-21 football for Northern Ireland, but went on to represent […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has called for education to stamp out racism in football as European governing body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro following abuse aimed at black England players during his side's 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifier win in Podgorica. Raheem Sterling celebrated the fifth goal on Monday by cupping his ears towards […]