Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Italy agonized over whether Brazilian-born Eder should get a place in their Euro 2016 squad, but coach Antonio Conte's faith was repaid with the goal that sank Sweden 1-0 on Friday. After what defender Giorgio Chiellini called a "brutal" first half, Italy came alive in the second period to secure their […]

Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – A 94th-minute penalty rescued a point for the Czech Republic in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Croatia as flares thrown onto the pitch marred Friday's Euro 2016 match. With Croatia 2-1 up and with one foot in the last 16, referee Mark Clattenberg briefly halted play late in the game when […]

Sometimes TV ratings can be a false positive. The viewing audience for USA vs. Ecuador on FOX Sports was 1.878 million, the second most-watched men's soccer game on FS1. Based on that metric, you would assume that FOX Sports did a fantastic job of covering the Copa America Centenario quarter-final. Being the only English-language provider […]

Saint-Étienne (France) (AFP) – Fans threw at least eight flares onto the pitch forcing the referee to halt the Croatia-Czech Republic Euro 2016 game for four minutes on Friday before the match finished in a 2-2 draw. The flares appeared to come from the Croatian supporters' section. UEFA are certain to open an inquiry into […]

Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has called on Sweden to beat Belgium next week and save their Euro 2016 campaign after a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Toulouse on Friday. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland in which Ciaran Clark's own goal, following Ibrahmovic's pass in to the […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Jon Walters will miss the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 clash with Belgium on Saturday due to injury, manager Martin O'Neill confirmed. "Jon Walters is not going to be fit so we will have to make at least one change. We will have a look at it and decide on it tomorrow […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal coach Fernando Santos threw his support behind Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday after the Real Madrid superstar was widely lambasted for describing Iceland as having a "small mentality" following their 1-1 draw at Euro 2016. Portugal were held in their opening Group F match on Tuesday by the Nordic island nation and […]

Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Brazil-born striker Eder overcame an otherwise patchy performance to hit a cracking late winner in a 1-0 victory over Sweden that sent Italy into the last 16 of Euro 2016 on Friday. Eder, playing in his first major finals for Italy after being naturalised last year, came close to being substituted […]

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – Wayne Rooney arrived in France for Euro 2016 with his place in England's team reportedly under threat, but a new midfield role has given him a fresh lease of life. With Rooney under pressure from rivals such as Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane and Leicester City sensation Jamie Vardy, England manager Roy […]

Toulouse (France) (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic's bid to become the first player to score at four European Championships was foiled as Sweden were level at 0-0 with Italy in their Euro 2016 Group E clash at half-time. Italy could secure a place in the last 16 with victory in Toulouse after a fine 2-0 win […]

Wolfsburg (Germany) (AFP) – With Euro 2016 in full swing, many football fans will be taking to their computer consoles to play out their team's fortunes in France. But those among the world's elite gamers are now even making a living from playing digital football online in what computer-game and football fans alike would regard […]

Paris (AFP) – Andres Iniesta's Spain will look to ease into the knockout stages of Euro 2016 and keep up their pursuit of a third consecutive title on Friday when they face out-of-sorts Turkey. And losing 2012 finalists Italy, who impressed in their opening match, can also move into the last 16 if they overcome […]

Marseille (AFP) – Two Euro 2016 surprise packets face off in Marseille on Saturday, with Group F leaders Hungary taking on Iceland, who kept Cristiano Ronaldo at bay in their opener. Absent from a major tournament since 1986 and the European Championships since 1972, Hungary finished below Northern Ireland and Romania in qualifying and only […]

Nice (France) (AFP) – European champions Spain are often slow starters at major tournaments but after Gerard Pique's late winner in their Euro 2016 opener, Vicente del Bosque's men already have the last 16 in sight when they take on Turkey on Friday. "Starting with a win makes a big difference," Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Belgium head into their Euro 2016 clash with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday desperate to atone for their opening defeat to Italy as debate rages about whether Romelu Lukaku should be dropped. Marc Wilmots' much-fancied side are second in the FIFA world rankings but they disappointed in a 2-0 loss to […]