Lyon (AFP) – Portugal coach Fernando Santos is backing misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo to break his Euro 2016 duck by netting against Hungary on Wednesday to help fire his side into the last 16. Ronaldo is still waiting for his opening goal in France to become the first person to score at four consecutive European Championship […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Spain boss Vicente del Bosque admitted he would rather have avoided a Euro 2016 last 16 clash with old foes Italy after a 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Tuesday. Ivan Perisic's goal three minutes from time condemned the two-time defending champions to second place in Group D and repeat of the 2012 […]

Lens (France) (AFP) – Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan scored a goal in each half as Turkey beat Czech Republic 2-0 to keep alive slim hopes of reaching the Euro 2016 last 16 on Tuesday. The defeat eliminated Czech Republic, who had already suffered at Turkish hands at a past Euro finals. Turkey lost their […]

Paris (AFP) – Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said a prospective last 16 tie against England was a "dream" for his country, but Austria are also confident of advancing in Wednesday's final Euro 2016 Group F clash. After 1-1 draws against Portugal and Hungary, Iceland will progress to the knockout rounds with a victory at the […]

Marseille (AFP) – After Poland's 1-0 defeat of Ukraine secured them a slot in the last-16, coach Adam Nawalka said star striker Robert Lewandowski's third straight blank at Euro 2016 is not a concern. "The fact that Lewandowski has not scored a goal yet is not a problem for either me or the team," Nawalka […]

Chicago (AFP) – Eduardo Vargas will aim to extend his astonishing goalscoring record in the Copa America on Wednesday when holders Chile face Colombia in the semi-finals at Soldier Field. After a remarkable four-goal display in the 7-0 destruction of Mexico in the quarter-finals, Vargas has now amassed 10 goals in two editions of the […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Italy will not take their foot off the gas in Wednesday's Euro 2016 clash with the Republic of Ireland despite already being through to the knockout stage, coach Antonio Conte promised. Having won their opening two games against Belgium and Sweden, the Azzurri have already been confirmed as winners of Group […]

Lille (France) (AFP) – Seamus Coleman believes the Republic of Ireland can claim another famous win over Italy on Wednesday and make themselves "heroes" by qualifying for the Euro 2016 knockout stage. Ireland go into their final Group E game in Lille with just a single point and must win on a shocking surface at […]

Marseille (AFP) – Poland coach Adam Nawalka hailed his side's dogged work to qualify for the last-16 at Euro 2016 after their 1-0 win against Ukraine on Tuesday. "For the first time in Polish history we have qualified from the Euros group stage, the first time in three attempts," he said. With two 1-0 wins […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – It was a day to live in footballing infamy, a day when the two contrasting sides of Diego Maradona were displayed to the world in the space of four breathtaking minutes at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Thirty years after Maradona's "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup […]

Paris (AFP) – Star striker Thomas Mueller said Germany were too "greedy" handling their multitude of chances against Northern Ireland but have got better. "The goals were missing. We were greedy," Mueller said after the 1-0 win that ensured Germany finished on top of Group C. "There were improvements in our play, but of course […]

Paris (AFP) – Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern said that elimination from Euro 2016 would be a bitter blow after his side lost 1-0 to Germany in Paris on Tuesday. McGovern, who plays for Scottish club Hamilton Academical, made a string of saves to limit the damage at Parc des Princes, but Mario Gomez's 30th-minute […]

Marseille (AFP) – A second half strike by substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski booked Poland's ticket into the last-16 at Euro 2016 and sent hapless Ukraine home without a point. The 30-year-old Fiorentina veteran had been rested by coach Adam Nawalka who made four changes in all but scored minutes from his introduction at halftime to decide […]

Paris (AFP) – Mario Gomez struck as world champions Germany beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Paris on Tuesday to qualify for the Euro 2016 knockout phase as winners of Group C. Drafted in to address the goal-scoring problems witnessed in Germany's 0-0 draw with Poland, the on-loan Besiktas striker netted from Thomas Mueller's pass in the […]

Lyon (AFP) – Surprise Group F leaders Hungary will look to prolong Cristiano Ronaldo's misery in front of goal and secure first place when they face Portugal at Euro 2016 on Wednesday. The Hungarians have raised eyebrows in France, backing up their 2-0 win over Austria with a 1-1 draw with Iceland, to top a […]