London (AFP) – Harry Kane kept England on course to qualify for Euro 2020 as the skipper's hat-trick inspired a 4-0 demolition of Bulgaria on Saturday. Kane punished woeful Bulgaria defending to open the scoring in the first half at Wembley. The Tottenham striker netted again with a penalty soon after the interval before Raheem […]

London (AFP) – Quique Sanchez Flores has returned to the Watford bench after Javi Gracia was sacked just four games into the season, the Premier League team announced on Saturday. "Watford FC announces the appointment of Quique Sanchez Flores as the club's new Head Coach," the club said in a statement Sanchez Flores previously took […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany full-back Nico Schulz has been ruled out of the Euro 2020 qualifier against Northern Ireland on Monday due to a foot injury, the German Football Association (DFB) confirmed Saturday. Borussia Dortmund man Schulz, 26, played the full 90 minutes of Germany's 4-2 defeat to the Netherlands in Hamburg on Friday evening, […]

Paris (AFP) – Cameroon's four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o announced his retirement on Saturday at the age of 38, declaring "I need a rest". "The end, towards a new challenge," the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker posted on Instagram. "Thank you all, big love, adrenalin." "In a few months you'll […]

Paris (AFP) – Cameroon's four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o announced his retirement on Saturday at the age of 38. "The end, towards a new challenge," the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker posted on Instagram. "Thank you all, big love, adrenalin," added Eto'o, who enjoyed five hugely successful seasons with Barcelona […]

East Rutherford (United States) (AFP) – Erick Gutierrez and Uriel Antuna scored second half goals as Mexico routed the United States 3-0 on Friday in a rematch of the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. PSV Eindhoven's Gutierrez and Antuna scored just four minutes apart as the regional rivalry as Mexico posted their biggest win over […]

Miami (AFP) – Neymar didn't disappoint in his much anticipated return Friday, grabbing a second-half equalizer for Brazil in a 2-2 friendly draw with Colombia on Friday. The Paris Saint-Germain star was playing for the first time for club or country since suffering an ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar in June, which ruled […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland captain Andy Robertson labelled his side "scared" after blowing an early lead to lose 2-1 to Russia and realistically end their hopes of automatic qualification for Euro 2020. John McGinn's early opener was just reward for Scotland's bright start, but Artem Dzyuba's equaliser five minutes before half-time sapped the hosts' energy […]

Hamburg (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew said his team played below their best after goals from Frenkie de Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum saw the Netherlands inflict a 4-2 defeat on their old rivals in Hamburg on Friday. A goal down for much of the game, the Dutch fought back in an explosive second half, […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Bale hopes Wales' 2-1 victory against Azerbaijan can prove a turning point in their race to qualify for Euro 2020 after the Real Madrid star spared his side's blushes on Friday. With just six minutes left at the Cardiff City Stadium, Ryan Giggs' team were on the brink of […]

Paris (AFP) – Germany suffered a surprising 4-2 home defeat by the Netherlands as World Cup runners-up Croatia hammered Slovakia in qualifying for Euro 2020 on Friday. Joachim Low's side lost in Hamburg after debutant Donyell Malen's late effort for the visitors as the home side failed to pick up a point for the first […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday the Spanish giants are not worried about Lionel Messi's future, despite the Argentinian star being able to leave the club at the end of the season. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new four-year deal with Barca in 2017, but Bartomeu says he […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Gareth Bale sparred Wales' blushes as the Real Madrid star headed a late winner to clinch their vital 2-1 victory against Azerbaijan in Friday's Euro 2020 qualifier. With just six minutes left at the Cardiff City Stadium, Ryan Giggs' side were on the brink of an embarrassing draw that would […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland's hopes of automatic qualification for next year's European championships suffered a huge blow as Russia came from behind to win 2-1 at Hampden on Friday. John McGinn's early opener was just reward for Scotland's bright start, but Artem Dzyuba's equaliser five minutes before half-time sapped the hosts' energy and belief. Russia […]

Hamburg (AFP) – Goals from Frenkie De Jong and Georginio Wijnaldum gave the Netherlands' Euro 2020 qualification campaign a timely boost with an enthralling 4-2 win over old rivals Germany in Hamburg on Friday. A goal down for much of the game, the Dutch fought back in an explosive second half, as the two neighbours […]