London (AFP) – England have eased into their first European Championship semi-final for 25 years at Euro 2020 and will face Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday for a place in the final. Manager Gareth Southgate has been able to regularly change his team, with a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal. Here, AFP Sport […]

Rome (AFP) – Thrust into the starting line-up after Christian Eriksen's near-fatal cardiac arrest, Mikkel Damsgaard has emerged as Denmark's revelation of Euro 2020, helping his country resurrect a campaign that was almost over before it started. Nicknamed 'Damsinho', the gifted Damsgaard, whose flamboyant talent has caught the eye of Europe's elite, embodies the enthusiasm […]

London (AFP) – Italy and Spain meet in a blockbuster first semi-final at Euro 2020 before an expected crowd of 60,000 at Wembley on Tuesday as anticipation builds ahead of host nation England's last-four tie against Denmark. Tuesday's game is the latest episode in a burgeoning rivalry between Italy and Spain with the nations meeting […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Star forward Neymar set up Lucas Paqueta to score the only goal as hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to qualify for the Copa America final. The semi-final was a repeat of the last final, two years ago, when a Brazil team shorn of the injured Neymar also triumphed on […]

The irony of the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) discussion is that team accolades are used as a deciding factor to display individual greatness. Many people believe that Lionel Messi cannot be considered the best soccer player who ever lived because he has never won a major trophy with Argentina. His longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, […]

London (AFP) – Spain coach Luis Enrique is hoping Wembley will be filled by Spanish and Italian expatriates for Tuesday's Euro 2020 semi-final after fans travelling to England were offered no exemption from strict quarantine rules. A crowd of 60,000 will be permitted for both semi-finals and the final at the home of English football […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – French champions Lille announced on Monday the appointment of Jocelyn Gourvennec, former coach of Bordeaux and Guingamp, as their new head coach. The 49-year-old succeeds Chrisophe Galtier, who left the club for Nice just two days after securing the Ligue 1 title. "Lille is delighted with the arrival of Jocelyn Gourvennec," […]

London (AFP) – Harry Maguire says England have more confidence heading into Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark than when they faltered at the last four of the World Cup three years ago. Gareth Southgate's men lost 2-1 to Croatia in 2018 despite taking an early lead in Moscow. Now on home soil, with 60,000 […]

Paris (AFP) – France midfielder Ousmane Dembele on Monday apologised after a video emerged on social media of him appearing to denigrate Asian hotel employees on a tour of Japan by his club Barcelona. Dembele offered his "sincere apologies" after a 42-second clip, which he appeared to have made on Snapchat in 2019, was leaked […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund are reportedly planning to spend some of the 85 million euros ($100 million) they are set to receive for Jadon Sancho on Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven. Sancho, 21, is set to leave Dortmund, who have agreed a transfer with Premier League giants Manchester United. According […]

Berlin (AFP) – Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich said on Monday they expect the Covid-19 pandemic to cost them 150 million euros ($178 million) in lost match-day revenue. Just a few hundred fans were allowed in for their final game last season, the only Bayern match at the Allianz Arena where spectators have been admitted since […]

London (AFP) – Former France striker Nicolas Anelka believes Kylian Mbappe will need to follow his example in leaving Paris Saint-Germain to play abroad if he is to be regarded as the best player in the world. Mbappe, who joined PSG in 2017, is about to enter the final season of his contract in the […]

London (AFP) – Tottenham's new managing director of football Fabio Paratici said on Monday keeping Harry Kane is "our goal as a club" even though the England captain has stated his desire to leave. Kane, 27, has told Spurs he wants a move after growing frustrated at the their 13-year trophy drought and a clutch […]

London (AFP) – Peter Schmeichel says son Kasper will be ready for penalties if needed when Denmark take on England in the Euro 2020 semi-finals on Wednesday, warning the Danes should not be underestimated. The former Manchester United goalkeeper was part of the Danish team that stunned the world in 1992 when they won the […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate says England are ready to end their semi-final hoodoo as they prepare to face Denmark in the last four of Euro 2020, bidding to reach their first final at a major tournament since 1966. England topped their group and beat old foes Germany in the round of 16 before ratcheting […]