Paris (AFP) – Spain can no longer match the standards that won back-to-back European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012, Gerard Pique admitted after his side crashed out of Euro 2016 to Italy. The 2-0 defeat means that Spain, who also claimed their maiden World Cup in 2010, have now been embarrassed in two consecutive […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – No one thought they stood a chance, but Iceland stuck to their guns and pulled off one of football's biggest shocks, dumping England out of Euro 2016 and forcing their manager Roy Hodgson to quit in disgrace. Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson claimed their place in sporting history with the goals […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – In presiding over England's humiliating Euro 2016 elimination at the hands of Iceland, Roy Hodgson seemed to abandon the principles upon which he has constructed his entire career. Hodgson, 68, resigned as manager in the press conference room at Stade de Nice minutes after his side's 2-1 loss to Iceland in […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine football legend Diego Maradona and the country's President Mauricio Macri urged Lionel Messi not to leave the national team despite his vow to quit after a humiliating defeat. The Barcelona superstar left the field in tears after missing a spot-kick in the Copa America Centenario final shootout against Chile on […]

Here are the ten things we learned from Week 16 of the 2016 MLS season. 1. California Clasico Delivers Again For intensity, drama, and sheer entertainment value, this fixture – the California Clasico hosted by San Jose against LA at Stanford Stadium – is the most reliable game on the MLS calendar. It never fails […]

Reykjavik (AFP) – More than 10,000 people packed a Reykjavik square to watch Iceland beat England at Euro 2016 in the country's greatest sporting moment. The 2-1 victory in Nice on Monday unleashed national celebrations. "There are no words, only tears of joy," Iceland's foreign ministry said on its Twitter account. But there were many […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine football legend Diego Maradona on Monday urged Lionel Messi not to follow through on his vow to quit the national team after its defeat in the Copa America Centenario. "Messi has to stay in the national team... He will go to Russia in form to be world champion" at the 2018 […]

Despite losses in the last two summers in major tournament Finals for Argentina and Lionel Messi, he somehow managed to keep his expression in check, as well as his disappointment. But by the third time last night at MetLife Stadium, the weight of the world, the internal turmoil at the Argentinian FA and the pressure […]

Univision's live coverage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario final between Argentina and Chile averaged a record 6.8 million viewers across Univision and Univision Deportes combined. The Spanish-language broadcast of the game was more than double the 2.997 million who watched the match on FOX Sports 1. For the entire tournament, the 6.8 million number […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Iceland's co-coach Heimir Hallgrimsson toasted a potentially life-changing win for his team after the small nation stunned England at Euro 2016 on Monday. "If you want the best out of life you have to be ready when the opportunity comes. That is a fact and these boys were ready today and […]

Sunday's Copa America Centenario final between Argentina and Chile averaged 2.979 million viewers, which is the most-watched men's soccer game ever not involving the USA team on FOX Sports 1. The game, which was televised live on FS1 from 8-10pm ET, ended in a 0-0 draw in regulation time and after extra time. In the […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Tiny Iceland beat England 2-1 in their Euro 2016 last-16 game in Nice on Monday, one of the biggest ever shocks in major tournament football. Here AFP Sports looks at five things we learned from the match. – New chapter opens in Iceland's fairytale – Iceland's fairytale debut major tournament just […]

Paris (AFP) – Italy are facing a serious selection headache in midfield ahead of their Euro 2016 quarter-final against Germany after Daniele De Rossi came off hurt in Monday's win over Spain and Thiago Motta incurred a suspension. Roma midfielder De Rossi came off early in the second half of the game at the Stade […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Iceland hero Ragnar Sigurdsson said England's over-confidence caused their humiliating 2-1 defeat to the Nordic minnows and they "panicked" in one of the most stunning football upsets. "They thought this would be a walk in the park," said Sigurdsson, who scored Iceland's first goal. "But we had faith in our ability," he […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – Roy Hodgson resigned as England manager following his side's humiliating 2-1 defeat by tiny Iceland in the Euro 2016 last 16 on Monday. Hodgson's contract was due to expire after the tournament and following the match in Nice, he read a pre-prepared statement at his post-match press conference in which he […]