Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored two trademark brilliant goals Wednesday to go into European Championship history and rescue Portugal in a 3-3 draw that took them into the last 16. The 31-year-old opened his account in style with a deft backheel flick on 50 minutes, then a bullet header 12 minutes later to twice […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Diego Maradona and former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton reignited on Wednesday their long-running feud, on the 30th anniversary of the Argentine's infamous "Hand of God" World Cup goal. Maradona, one of the finest footballers to play the game, scored twice in Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in front of 115,000 fans […]

Dinard (France) (AFP) – Wales boss Chris Coleman insisted Wednesday he is not yet trying to plot a path through the minefield of the European Championship knockout rounds. And Coleman indicated he could make changes to the team that brilliantly beat Russia 3-0 for their last 16 match against Northern Ireland or Turkey in Paris […]

Lyon (AFP) – Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a record fourth European Championship finals on Wednesday when he backheeled into the net against Hungary in Euro 2016. The goal came in the 50th minute to bring Portugal level at 2-2 in the Stade de Lyon in their final Group F match.

Houston (AFP) – Lionel Messi's goalscoring exploits at the Copa America Centenario have rewritten his country's record books and left Argentina on the brink of a first major title for 23 years. But if Argentina are to avoid a fourth straight defeat in a major final when they take the field in New Jersey on […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal's superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo let the tension show as he prepared for his country's crunch Euro 2016 match on Wednesday by throwing a reporter's microphone in a lake. The three-time World Player of the Year has had a frustrating time in France, hitting the post with a penalty in Saturday's goal-less […]

Lyon (AFP) – Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday became the first player to make 17 appearances at European Championship finals when he started against Hungary in Wednesday's crunch Euro 2016 tie. Ronaldo is also aiming to become the first player to score in four separate Euros finals, with Portugal needing at least a point […]

Losing 4-0 to anyone will always look terrible, no matter the opponent, even if it’s against one of the world’s best teams. Argentina might not have moved out of second gear Tuesday night, but even in cruise control they still looked nearly untouchable. Though the US played badly, and may not have set themselves up to […]

The United States was demolished 4-0 by Argentina in the Copa America Semifinal in Houston on Tuesday night. Here are the player ratings for both teams. USA Brad Guzan, 3: Got caught on the opening goal in several different ways, and got beat on his side on the free kick. Did make a very good […]

Over the last several days, a series of flat 0-0 draws in marquee games on the field – paired with incessant fan misbehavior off the field – considerably deflated the mood surrounding the 2016 European Championships in France. Concerns over security, the format allowing progression for four third-placed teams, and an almost-bizarre lack of goal-scoring […]

Paris (AFP) – Germany and their normally prolific strker Thomas Mueller bemoaned missed chances at Euro 2016 as the world champions scored just one goal against battling Northern Ireland The Germans had 26 attempts on goal at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday to just two for their opponents but only Mario Gomez was able […]

Houston (AFP) – Lionel Messi became Argentina's all-time record goalscorer as the two-time world champions outclassed the United States 4-0 to reach the Copa America Centenario final here Tuesday. Messi curled in a magnificent 32nd-minute free-kick to become Argentina's all-time record scorer with 55 goals as the United States' campaign ended with an emphatic defeat […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Croatian coach Ante Cacic said his heroic players are an example the country's unruly fans should follow after shocking European champions Spain 2-1 to top their Euro 2016 group. Flares thrown by Croatian fans halted their side's momentum in a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Friday and saw the country's […]

Paris (AFP) – Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern spent last season toiling for Scottish strugglers Hamilton Academical, but his brilliant display against Germany at Euro 2016 made him the toast of Paris. The 31-year-old pulled off save after save on Tuesday to frustrate the world champions and while Mario Gomez found a way past him […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal will be relying on a drastic turnaround for superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo to avoid an embarrassing early Euro 2016 exit against surprise package Hungary on Wednesday. Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden, meanwhile, are still in contention to join Group E winners Italy in the last 16. Ronaldo missed a […]