Baku (AFP) – Wales captain Gareth Bale said on Friday he was unconcerned about his international goal drought on the eve of his side's Euro 2020 opener against Switzerland. Bale, 31, last scored for Wales against Croatia in October 2019 but has created four goals in his previous seven appearances. "It doesn't matter. I've made […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Incoming Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou Friday said he had "created something special" with Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos but couldn't turn down a "tremendous opportunity" with the Scottish giants. The former Australia boss was named Celtic manager on Thursday, replacing Neil Lennon who resigned in February. The 55-year-old Australian's appointment has been met […]

Paris (AFP) – An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus continuing to cast a shadow over the tournament. Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship — with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal the holders — is being […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Andy Robertson will be in familiar surroundings as he leads Scotland out into battle for the first time in a major international tournament in 23 years against the Czech Republic on Monday. The Liverpool left-back, now a European and English champion with his club and captain of his country, was playing as […]

Houston (AFP) – Sam Mewis scored the only goal as the United States maintained their remarkable unbeaten streak on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over Portugal in a women's international friendly in Houston. Mewis nodded in the winner on 76 minutes, heading home from close range after an inviting corner from Manchester United star Christen […]

Sao Paulo (AFP) – "Rio is a giant hospital," screamed one headline. "No doctors, no medicine," said another. "Government criminally negligent," decried a third. With such damning words splashed in giant print across the front pages, Brazil decided it had little choice but to postpone the Copa America football tournament. No, not this year's highly […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil kicks-off the Copa America that almost never was on Sunday, on home soil for the second time in three years with minnows Venezuela as their opponents in a tournament already dominated by issues off the pitch. After an often absurd odyssey, the 2020 Copa America kicks off a year […]

Brasília (AFP) – Brazil's Supreme Court ruled Thursday the country can host the Copa America despite the coronavirus pandemic, clearing the way for the troubled football tournament to go ahead in three days. With voting still under way in an extraordinary virtual session, a majority of the high court's 11 justices have decided against plaintiffs […]

Rome (AFP) – Senol Gunes' young Turkish side are hoping to upset hosts Italy in Friday's Euro 2020 opener in Rome's Stadio Olimpico. "On paper they seem better than us but you never know what can happen on the pitch and I hope we'll have some points in our pockets at the end of the […]

Soweto (South Africa) (AFP) – Debutant Evidence Makgopa scored twice as depleted South Africa defeated Uganda 3-2 on Thursday in a match between teams experimenting ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifying. South Africa struggled during the first half at a cold Orlando Stadium in Soweto and Uganda deservedly led 1-0 at half-time through a 17th-minute […]

Rome (AFP) – Captain Giorgio Chiellini warned Italy were raring to get their Euro 2020 campaign going to prove that they are back among the elite three years after missing out on the World Cup finals. "The desire to rebuild, to relive a tournament as a protagonist is immense," said the 36-year-old Juventus defender on […]

London (AFP) – Scotland players will take a stand in an anti-racism gesture ahead of their three Euro 2020 group matches rather than taking the knee, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced on Thursday. The Scotland squad switched to standing for the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign in March after head coach Steve […]

Paris (AFP) – The delayed Euro 2020 tournament will finally get underway on Friday, a year behind schedule, with Covid still set to cast a shadow over the event. The continent-wide event, first envisaged by then-UEFA president Michel Platini when he announced the tournament would be held across Europe, will be played in front of […]

Herzogenaurach (Germany) (AFP) – Leon Goretzka has been ruled out of Germany's opening Euro 2020 match against world champions France, it was confirmed Thursday. The 26-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder is back in training after a leg injury, but will sit out Germany's Group F match against the French on Tuesday. "It is out of the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain defender Diego Llorente has tested negative for Covid-19, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said Thursday, just days after a positive test sparked fears of infection within Spain's Euro 2020 squad. The announcement came as Spain prepared to vaccinate its entire Euro 2020 squad just before the start of the tournament, which […]