Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Poland star Robert Lewandowski said the team was facing an uphill task to qualify for the last 16 at Euro 2020 after losing 2-1 to Slovakia in their opening game on Monday. The Bayern Munich striker was kept quiet by a Slovakia defence led by Milan Skriniar, the Inter Milan centre-back […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani said on Monday he expects to return to South America from the English Premier League at the end of next season. Last month, Cavani ended uncertainty over his immediate future by committing to a second season with the Red Devils, to the delight of United's fans as […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – A match between Sierra Leone and Benin in Guinea on Monday to decide the final qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations was postponed 24 hours after a row over coronavirus tests. The game, which will decide the last place in the finals, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, a Confederation of African […]

London (AFP) – England midfielder Kalvin Phillips had to conquer a bout of pre-match nerves before emerging as an unexpected Euro 2020 star in Sunday's 1-0 win against Croatia. With England labouring to break down stubborn Croatia in their Group D opener at Wembley, Phillips provided the spark Gareth Southgate's side needed. Having surprisingly selected […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar fired Slovakia to a 2-1 victory over neighbours Poland on Monday in their opening game at Euro 2020 in Saint Petersburg. An own goal from Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny handed Slovakia the lead on 18 minutes, but Karol Linetty equalised for Poland right at the start […]

Budapest (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday he was looking forward to beginning Euro 2020 in front of a packed Puskas Arena against Hungary as he prepares to lead defending champions Portugal in their search for a repeat triumph. At 36 years old, Ronaldo is set take the field in front of 68,000 fans […]

Vienna (AFP) – Austria forward Marko Arnautovic on Monday apologised for insulting North Macedonian players after scoring in their Euro 2020 match. Arnautovic, who netted Austria's third goal in a 3-1 win in Bucharest on Sunday, angrily celebrated and had to be silenced by teammate David Alaba. Media reports have claimed he insulted Leeds United's […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Joachim Loew said Monday that his under-fire Germany team are keen to prove themselves in their opening Euro 2020 fixture against world champions France. Germany are under pressure to perform at Munich's Allianz Arena in Tuesday's eagerly-anticipated Group F clash against France, who are among the favourites for the title. Loew […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Didier Deschamps insisted on Monday that world champions France cannot afford to take Germany lightly in a clash of European powerhouses at Euro 2020. France and Germany open their European Championship campaigns in Group F with a mouth-watering showdown at Munich's Allianz Arena on Tuesday. France sit second in the FIFA […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland's long-awaited return to a major international tournament was ruined by Patrik Schick's "genius" said Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy after a stunning finish from the Bayer Leverkusen forward sealed a 2-0 win at Hampden on Monday. Schick's header just before half-time opened the scoring, but it was his stunning strike from […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland's return to a major international tournament for the first time in over two decades ended in a 2-0 defeat on Monday thanks to an excellent double from the Czech Republic's Patrik Schick, as Covid-hit Spain prepare to launch their bid for a record fourth continental crown. The Scots, absent from showpiece […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong admitted his side must learn from the mistakes that condemned them to a 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 opener on Monday. Scotland's first appearance at a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup got off to the worst possible start as they lost […]

Budapest (AFP) – Ronaldo said on Monday he was looking forward to beginning Euro 2020 in front of a packed Puskas Arena against Hungary as he prepares to lead defending champions Portugal in their search for a repeat triumph. At 36 years old Ronaldo is set take the field in front of 68,000 fans in […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland's long-awaited return to a major international tournament was ruined by Patrik Schick's slick finishing as the Czech Republic won 2-0 at Hampden on Monday to move top of Euro 2020 Group D. Schick's header just before half-time opened the scoring, but it was his stunning strike from just inside the Scotland […]

Rome (AFP) – Gianluigi Buffon may have ended his near two-decade career at Juventus but retirement is the last thing on the mind of the Italian football colossus. "I'm in the middle of important discussions which will ultimately lead me abroad to play as a first team regular in the Champions League, or in Italy," […]