Munich (Germany) (AFP) – France midfielder Paul Pogba has played down Antonio Ruediger's apparent attempted bite on his back during the world champions' Euro 2020 win over Germany. Television replays showed Chelsea defender Ruediger putting his mouth on Pogba's shoulder just before half-time in France's 1-0 win over Germany in Munich on Tuesday. Immediately after […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – France defender Benjamin Pavard revealed he briefly lost consciousness during the world champions' 1-0 win over Germany at Euro 2020, but still managed to finish the game. Les Bleus made a winning start at the European Championship as a first-half own goal by Germany defender Mats Hummels separated the sides in […]

London (AFP) – Premier League champions Manchester City will start the defence of their title away to Tottenham after the fixtures for the 2021-22 season were unveiled on Wednesday. City are among the sides heavily linked with Spurs striker Harry Kane, throwing up the tantalising possibility that the England captain could line up against his […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Germany head coach Joachim Loew says his side must "crank things up" ahead of Saturday's Euro 2020 clash against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after an opening defeat against France. The Germans lost 1-0 to the world champions in their Group F opener in Munich on Tuesday, courtesy of a Mats Hummels own […]

Frankfurt (AFP) – Police in Munich said Wednesday they were investigating a Greenpeace activist for "several offences" after the 38-year-old parachuted into the stadium before the Germany-France Euro 2020 match, injuring two people. The widely condemned stunt, which Greenpeace said did not go as planned, was captured on camera shortly before kick-off on Tuesday evening. […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Denmark can take heart that Christian Eriksen is recovering and will be cheering them on along with the rest of the country as they try to salvage their Euro 2020 campaign against fancied Belgium in Copenhagen on Thursday. Kasper Hjulmand's talented side know that their qualification from Group B will be in […]

Paris (AFP) – Wales are readying themselves for a hostile reception when they face Turkey in Baku at Euro 2020 later after Tuesday's action saw world champions France beat Germany and Cristiano Ronaldo become the all-time top European Championship goal-scorer. After drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening Group A game at the weekend, Wales […]

Shanghai (AFP) – China coach Li Tie paid tribute to predecessor Marcello Lippi after rescuing the country's hopes of reaching the World Cup for only the second time. China on Tuesday won their fourth match in a row under former Everton midfielder Li to enter the decisive third phase of qualifying for Qatar 2022. The […]

London (AFP) – England and Scotland renew their fierce rivalry on the football field on Friday at Euro 2020 as the Scots look to shock one of the tournament favourites on home soil at Wembley. AFP Sport looks at five clashes that have fostered the animosity between both nations. 1937 – Scotland 3 England 1 […]

London (AFP) – When England face Scotland in Friday's Euro 2020 clash at Wembley, the first meeting between the rivals in four years will renew a bitter feud stoked by centuries of antagonism and conflict. From Scottish fans swinging triumphantly on the Wembley crossbar in 1977 to Paul Gascoigne's virtuoso goal at Euro 96, the […]

Paris (AFP) – World champions France beat Germany in a blockbuster Euro 2020 clash on Tuesday, after Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top European Championship goal-scorer as holders Portugal started their campaign with a 3-0 win over Hungary in Budapest. In Munich, a 20th-minute Mats Hummels own goal proved enough for 2018 World Cup winners […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Toni Kroos rued an "unfortunate" own goal for Mats Hummels in Germany's defeat by France in their opening Euro 2020 match on Tuesday which increases the pressure on Joachim Loew's men. Hummels put through his own net in the first half to give France a 1-0 win at the Allianz Arena […]

Doha (AFP) – Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE topped their respective groups to ease into the third phase of Asian qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday On a frantic day of action across Asia, with 14 matches played, Iraq, Oman, China, Vietnam and Lebanon also made it through after finishing among the […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – A Mats Hummels own goal was enough to hand France a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday as the world champions made a winning start to their Euro 2020 campaign by dominating in Munich. Hummels turned the ball into his own net in the 20th minute, which ultimately decided the contest. […]

Paris (AFP) – Former UEFA head Michel Platini confirmed on Tuesday that he is to become the French representative on the board of FIFPRO, the world players' union. "This makes me very happy," Platini said in a statement sent to AFP. Platini is due take up his post in November, a source close to the […]