Baku (AFP) – Kasper Dolberg was rewarded for his double against Wales a week ago by retaining his place in the Denmark side for Saturday's Euro 2020 quarter-final against the Czech Republic in Baku. Kasper Hjulmand named an unchanged side from the 4-0 thrashing of Wales in Amsterdam despite the return of RB Leipzig forward […]

Marseille (AFP) – Marseille have signed Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi on a permanent basis, the French club said on Saturday. Balerdi, who joined on loan from Borussia Dortmund last summer, has signed a five-year deal the Velodrome said. The 22-year-old has two Argentina caps but is not part of the squad that has reached the […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Lorenzo Insigne says Italy are gunning for Euro 2020 glory in honour of left-back Leonardo Spinazzola, who is out of a tournament he has lit up after injuring his Achilles tendon in the Azzurri's thrilling quarter-final win over Belgium. Spinazzola, 28, was stretchered off after 79 minutes and is expected to […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Lucas Paqueta's second-half strike was enough for defending champions Brazil to hold off determined Chile 1-0 on Friday and book a Copa America semi-final showdown with Peru. Second-half substitute Paqueta made an instant impact, finding a gap in Chile's defense and firing into the back of the net in the […]

Rome (AFP) – England will be on their guard against surprise Euro 2020 quarter-finalists Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, while an increasingly confident Denmark hope to keep their inspiring run going against the Czech Republic. After beating old rivals Germany in a knockout match for the first time since the 1966 World Cup final, England […]

Rome (AFP) – Italy left-back Leonardo Spinazzola suffered an Achilles tendon injury in their Euro 2020 quarter-final win over Belgium on Friday. Team management said there were "clinical signs of an injury to the left Achilles tendon". The Roma defender will be a big miss for Italy in the remainder of the European Championship after […]

Paris (AFP) – Italy beat Belgium 2-1 in a pulsating Euro 2020 quarter-final in Munich on Friday to set up a last-four clash with Spain, who needed penalties to get the better of 10-man Switzerland. Lorenzo Insigne's brilliant strike proved to be the winner for Italy, who extended their national record unbeaten run to 32 […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – A stunning strike by Lorenzo Insigne fired Italy into the semi-finals of Euro 2020 on Friday as a 2-1 win over Belgium sent them through to a meeting with Spain. Nicolo Barella struck the opening goal of the quarter-final in Munich before Insigne curled in Italy's second in an action-packed first-half. […]

Rome (AFP) – Jose Mourinho's reign at Roma began on Friday with the Portuguese coach greeted by hundreds of 'Giallorossi' fans as he arrived in the Italian capital. Despite the heat they thronged outside the city's Ciampino airport to greet the self-declared 'Special One' with a party atmosphere and flares heralding in the new era. […]

London (AFP) – Gareth Southgate has warned his England players not to rest on their laurels as they aim to reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals with a victory against Ukraine on Saturday. Southgate's side are heavy favourites to progress from the quarter-final in Rome, but the England manager is keen to avoid a loss of […]

Paris (AFP) – Spain needed penalties to get the better of Switzerland and advance to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 on Friday, setting up a clash against Belgium or Italy who were playing each other later in Munich. European champions in 2008 and 2012, Spain beat Switzerland 3-1 on penalties after their quarter-final tie in […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Goalkeeper Unai Simon was the hero as Spain edged past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on penalties on Friday to set up a Euro 2020 semi-final against either Belgium or Italy. After a 1-1 draw in Saint Petersburg which saw the Swiss play for 43 minutes a man down, Simon made two saves […]

Berlin (AFP) – Portugal striker Andre Silva has signed a five-year contract with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig after transferring from Eintracht Frankfurt, his new club announced Friday. The 25-year-old netted 28 goals in the Bundesliga in 2020/21, second only to Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, who set a new single-season record by scoring 41 times […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona's contract negotiations with Lionel Messi "are progressing as expected", club president Joan Laporta told Spanish public television on Friday. The Argentine superstar, who is currently at the Copa America, became a free agent on Thursday when his last contract with Barcelona expired. "We want him to stay, Leo wants to stay […]

Rome (AFP) – Excitement is building in England after their Euro 2020 last-16 win over Germany, a result which left them with a theoretically favourable path to the final as they look to win a first major tournament since 1966. However Ukraine, who stand in their way in Saturday's quarter-final in Rome, are hoping to […]