St. Gallen (Switzerland) (AFP) – Germany laboured to a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday as Hansi Flick made a low-key debut at the helm. Chelsea striker Timo Werner broke the deadlock just before half-time in St Gallen before Leroy Sane doubled the lead late in a frustrating second-half for […]

Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Italy made an underwhelming return to action after triumph at Euro 2020 on Thursday as the Azzurri only managed a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in a low-key 2022 World Cup qualifier. Some 14,000 fans showed up for the Group C clash at the half-capacity Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence to welcome […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo will wear Manchester United's iconic number seven again after Edinson Cavani agreed to surrender the shirt. Ronaldo followed in a long list of United legends to have worn number seven during his first spell with United from 2003 to 2009. The 36-year-old rejoined United from Juventus last week, but Cavani […]

Le Mans (France) (AFP) – France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga said on Thursday he was proud to have joined Real Madrid. Camavinga, 18, left Rennes for the 13-time European Cup winners on Tuesday for a reported 31 million euros (36.6m dollars) plus nine million euros more in bonuses. "It's a dream, every player wants to play […]

Strasbourg (France) (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe has withdrawn from the France squad after suffering a right calf injury and will miss two World Cup qualifiers, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Thursday. The Paris Saint-Germain striker felt "pain" in his calf during France's home draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. He underwent examinations […]

Athens (AFP) – Olympiakos centre-back Ruben Semedo was released on 10,000 euros ($11,860) bail on Thursday after the Portuguese international was accused of rape. The examining magistrate and the prosecutor agreed the 27-year-old, accused of the rape of a 17-year-old girl, could be released without any restrictive conditions, according to judicial officials. Semedo, who made […]

Oslo (AFP) – Norway coach Stale Solbakken has caused controversy in the country by calling for people to vote against the government in the upcoming parliamentary elections over the strictness of its coronavirus rules. Solbakken was angry that the 28,000-capacity Ullevaal Stadion could only be a quarter-full for Norway's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in […]

Seoul (AFP) – Iraq held South Korea to a 0-0 draw in Seoul on Thursday in the opening game of the final World Cup qualifying round. The home team dominated proceedings and came close to breaking the deadlock, but Dick Advocaat's side defended stoutly. South Korea's best chance came after a first-half corner, when the […]

Florence (Italy) (AFP) – Olivier Giroud has tested positive for Covid-19, his club AC Milan announced on Thursday as the France forward sits out his country's World Cup qualifiers. In a statement, Milan said Giroud "tested positive in a molecular swab carried out at home", adding that he is "doing well but must remain in […]

Berlin (AFP) – RB Leipzig's new teenage midfielder Ilaix Moriba admits he never figured out how to stop his former teammate Lionel Messi during training sessions at Barcelona with the pair poised for a possible rendezvous in the Champions League. Having made 18 appearances for Barcelona last season, Moriba, 18, signed a five-year deal for […]

London (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for Portugal for "years to come" after breaking the all-time international goalscoring record of 109 previously held by Iran's Ali Daei. The Manchester United forward scored twice in the dying minutes to move to 111 international goals as Portugal came from behind to beat […]

Looking where to find CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers on TV and streaming? Here are the answers to your questions: In the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, CONMEBOL plans to squeeze three match windows into one week. That means three games per country across the continent of South America from Thursday, September 2 through Thursday, […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has challenged his England stars to make amends for their agonising Euro 2020 final defeat by winning the World Cup. Southgate's side were denied in heartbreaking fashion as Italy beat England on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final at Wembley in July. Despite leading England to a first […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Denmark extended their perfect start to the World Cup qualifying campaign as Daniel Wass and Joakim Maehle netted in quick succession in a 2-0 win against Scotland on Wednesday. Kasper Hjulmand's side killed off the Scots with two goals in two minutes at the Parken Stadium. Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark have a […]

Paris (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in men's international football with two late goals as Portugal beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1, while holders France drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022 World Cup qualifying on Wednesday. A day after completing his return to Manchester United, Ronaldo had an early […]