Chantilly (France) (AFP) – England must be decisive in both penalty areas to avoid a repeat of their humiliating World Cup exit at Euro 2016, goalkeeper Joe Hart said on Thursday. Roy Hodgson's side travelled to Brazil two years ago confident that they would make an impact, only for consecutive 2-1 defeats by Italy and Uruguay […]

Evian (France) (AFP) – Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is ready to step up and captain the world champions in their opening Euro 2016 group game against Ukraine on Sunday. Regular skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31, played the final 23 minutes of last weekend's 2-0 warm-up win over Hungary but is doubtful for Germany's opening Euro 2016 […]

A report from ESPN has suggested that Arsenal are interested in signing either Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Riyad Mahrez. The American sports news outlet has also claimed that the Gunners are prioritizing the Borussia Dortmund forward over Leicester City’s Mahrez. Before delving into opinions and statistics in deciding which player the north London club should go […]

Montpellier (France) (AFP) – Italy coach Antonio Conte calmed Azzurri hopes of a triumphant summer of football by admitting the beaten 2012 finalists will be taking a "humble" approach to their Euro 2016 campaign in France. But Conte, speaking at the "Casa Azzurra" near their team base in Montpellier, said every one of his 23-man […]

Madrid (AFP) – Chinese-owned Espanyol have appointed former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores as their new coach, the La Liga outfit revealed on Thursday. Espanyol, who are majority-owned by Chinese entertainment company Rastar Group, said Sanchez Flores had signed "a three-year deal" to replace Romanian Constantin Galca. Sanchez Flores was surprisingly fired by Watford at […]

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford has admitted that his whirlwind four-month rise to prominence firstly with Manchester United and now England "doesn't seem real". The 18-year-old was a relative unknown at the beginning of February, but after breaking into the United first team he finished the season with eight goals in 18 […]

Sydney (AFP) – Papua New Guinea will play in their first Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup final in 43 years against a backdrop of civil unrest when the hosts face regional power New Zealand in Port Moresby on Saturday. The impoverished Pacific nation recorded a 2-1 semi-final win over the Solomon Islands on Wednesday, the […]

Glendale (United States) (AFP) – Ecuador frustrated Peru's hopes of sealing their Copa America Centenario quarter-final berth, fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw. A superb strike from West Ham's Enner Valencia and a second half effort from Brazil-based midfielder Miller Bolanos on Wednesday completed a gutsy fightback for Ecuador who […]

Orlando (AFP) – Philippe Coutinho struck a spectacular hat-trick and Renato Augusto scored twice as Brazil crushed Haiti 7-1 in their Copa America Centenario Group B match at the Citrus Bowl. The result moves Brazil to four points from two games after they were held to a goal-less draw in their opener against Ecuador. The […]

Paris (AFP) – Swedish legend Freddie Ljungberg says his country can survive Euro 2016's 'group of death' with superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic poised to play his last European Championship finals. Erik Hamren's Sweden open their campaign against the Republic of Ireland at Paris' Stade de France on June 13 and will also face Belgium and Italy […]

Glendale (United States) (AFP) – Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay's second match of the Copa America Centenario against Venezuela after struggling to shake off his hamstring problem, coach Oscar Tabarez confirmed. Uruguay face Venezuela on Thursday in Group C in Philadelphia aiming to bounce back after suffering defeat to Mexico in their opening match on […]

Orlando (AFP) – Philippe Coutinho struck a hat-trick and Renato Augusto scored twice as Brazil crushed Haiti 7-1 in their Copa America Centenario Group B match at the Citrus Bowl. Wednesday's result moves Brazil to four points from two games after they were held to a goalless draw in their opener against Ecuador. The five-times […]

Paris (AFP) – A tortuous build-up dominated by off-field controversy and untimely injuries comes to an end for hosts France when they finally get Euro 2016 underway against Romania in Group A at the Stade de France on Friday. Les Bleus' preparations on the field have been distracted by claims from Real Madrid striker Karim […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal warmed-up for Euro 2016 with a 7-0 mauling of Estonia at Lisbon's Stadium of Light on Wednesday. The Real Madrid star hit the target twice in nine minutes late in the first half. "Today we showed that the team is doing well on all levels. We […]

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – Manchester United defender Chris Smalling paid tribute to former manager Louis van Gaal on Wednesday for helping him to become a first-choice pick for both club and country. United said farewell to defensive stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic prior to Van Gaal's arrival in 2014 and when it came to […]