Johannesburg (AFP) – A late Anwar Sid Ali goal enabled Somalia to shock Zimbabwe 1-0 Thursday and achieve their first World Cup qualifying victory. Unable to play at home because of the unstable security situation in the east African country, the Somalis moved the first round first leg to Djibouti. The Ocean Stars shrugged […]

Yerevan (AFP) – Andrea Belotti bagged a brace as Italy saw off 10-man Armenia 3-1 to extend their perfect start to Euro 2020 qualifying with a fifth straight win on Thursday. Roberto Mancini's side had trailed after 11 minutes in Yerevan when Aleksandre Karapetyan got just the second goal past Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italy […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke has challenged his team to secure a memorable win over Russia on Friday as they chase a place at Euro 2020. Scotland have three crucial games coming up in their chances of automatic qualification for the European Championships. The visit of Russia is followed by a home game […]

Vienna (AFP) – The rustling of the wind through trees has replaced the referee's whistle at a football stadium in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt after an unusual art installation was revealed there on Thursday. Almost the whole pitch of the 32,000-capacity Woerthersee stadium, which hosted some of the fixtures of the Euro 2008 tournament, […]

The Hague (AFP) – For Matthijs de Ligt and the new generation of young Dutch talent, Friday's Euro 2020 qualifier against fierce rivals Germany is the latest chance to prove they are ready for a return to the big time. Last spring, the 20-year-old central defender and young teammates Frenkie De Jong and Donny van […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale has broken his silence on his difficult summer at Real Madrid, saying he feels stronger than ever after almost leaving the 13-time European champions. Wales captain Bale looked set for a big-money move to China in the summer transfer window only for the deal to collapse at the last minute, […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Bale says he feels more settled after a turbulent period at Real Madrid and is "raring to go" as Wales prepare to take on Azerbaijan in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday. Bale looked set to leave Real in a big-money move to China in the transfer window, only for the […]

Milan (AFP) – China coach Marcello Lippi says that he is finally starting to see growth as the Asian giants open their bid to reach the FIFA World Cup for just the second time later this month. The 71-year-old Italian World Cup winner returned as coach of China in May just four months after leaving. […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – Ajax teenager Sergino Dest said Wednesday he has yet to decide on his international future as he prepares to make his senior debut for the United States this week. The 18-year-old fullback, the son of an American father and Dutch mother, has been called up to the United States squad for […]

Berlin (AFP) – Joachim Loew's resurgent Germany side face their first test without Manchester City winger Leroy Sane when they renew their rivalry with neighbours the Netherlands in Friday's Euro 2020 qualifier in Hamburg. Sane, 23, is one of several German players missing through injury, including Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer, after he tore knee […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Fashion Sakala scored twice as Zambia edged Congo Brazzaville 2-1 Wednesday when the third African qualifying round kicked off for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games football tournament. Belgium-based Sakala scored after seven and 89 minutes at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka while Jacques Temopele netted for Congo during the opening minute […]

Burton-on-Trent (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The English Football Association's (FA) new technical director Les Reed believes Brexit could give more English players opportunities to play in the Premier League. The FA are keen to see the minimum number of 'homegrown' players in the 25-man squad Premier League clubs must register rise from eight to 12. […]

London (AFP) – The Professional Footballers' Association has called on social media companies to ensure Premier League stars get better protection from racist abuse. Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford and Chelsea pair Tammy Abraham and Kurt Zouma have suffered racial taunts on social media platforms this season. The PFA want Twitter, Facebook […]

London (AFP) – Vincent Kompany says the "disgraceful" racist abuse suffered by his Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku shows more diversity is needed in football's governing bodies. Inter Milan striker Lukaku was subjected to monkey chants from Cagliari fans as he prepared to take a penalty in a Serie A match on Sunday. After scoring the […]

Milan (AFP) – A group of hardcore Inter Milan supporters have written an open letter to Romelu Lukaku telling the Belgian striker that fans making monkey noises during a football match was not a sign of racism. Lukaku — Inter Milan's new 65 million euros ($73 million) recruit from Manchester United — was targeted by […]