Munich (Germany) (AFP) – England captain Harry Kane scored his 50th international goal on Tuesday by converting a late penalty in Munich in a 1-1 Nations League draw with Germany. Germany broke the deadlock when Jonas Hofmann fired the hosts ahead at the Allianz Arena, but Kane levelled from the spot with two minutes left. […]

Cesena (Italy) (AFP) – Italy continued an unbeaten start to their UEFA Nations League campaign on Tuesday after beating Hungary 2-1 with an inexperienced line-up. First-half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini in Cesena were enough for the Azzurri to see off Hungary in a largely impressive display blighted by Gianluca Mancini's own goal. […]

Al-Rayyan (Qatar) (AFP) – Ajdin Hrustic fired a late winner to see Australia to a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and into a last showdown for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hrustic's deflected volley in the 84th minute decided the feverish Asian zone clash […]

Doha (AFP) – Ajdin Hrustic fired a late winner to see Australia to a nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and into a last showdown for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hrustic's deflected volley in the 84th minute decided a feverish clash in the Ahmad […]

Paris (AFP) – Ex-France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena said on Tuesday he has "turned the page" after the sex tape scandal involving former team-mate Karim Benzema. On Saturday, Real Madrid's Benzema, 34, dropped an appeal against a one-year suspended sentence, handed to him last November, for complicity in a bid to blackmail Valbuena with the video […]

London (AFP) – Wales manager Robert Page believes Gareth Bale must be handled with care at his next club after the forward inspired his country to reach the World Cup for the first time in 64 years. Bale is looking for a new team after ending his turbulent nine-year stay at Real Madrid. The Wales […]

London (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke insists he will not listen to the critics who blasted his team after their painful World Cup play-off defeat against Ukraine. Clarke's side blew their chance to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998 as Ukraine won 3-1 at Hampden Park in the play-off semi-final […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski revealed Tuesday he wants to call time on his career with the Bundesliga giants because of his desire for "more emotions in life". The Polish forward announced last week that his time with Bayern "had come to an end" without specifying his future plans. Asked Monday during […]

Berlin (AFP) – Schalke 04 on Tuesday announced the appointment of Frank Kramer as their new head coach on a two-year deal following the club's return to the Bundesliga. Kramer, 50, was sacked by Arminia Bielefeld in April as the club made an unsuccessful last-ditch bid to avoid relegation from the German top flight. He […]

Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand's men's football team will play in front of their home fans for the first time in nearly five years when they host Australia in a milestone friendly in September. The All Whites face the Socceroos at Auckland's Eden Park on September 25, marking the 100-year anniversary of the first international […]

Doha (AFP) – Coach Graham Arnold is counting on "Aussie mental strength" to see his side to victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and through to another playoff battle for a place in the World Cup finals. Arnold said that Australia seem to like qualifying the "hard way" but insisted that they are […]

Lausanne (AFP) – Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, once the chiefs of world and European football, face trial on Wednesday over a suspected fraudulent payment that shook the sport and torpedoed their time at the top. Former FIFA president Blatter, 86, and Platini, 66, start a two-week trial at Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court in the […]

Split (Croatia) (AFP) – Andrej Kramaric scored a late penalty as Croatia salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to world champions France on Monday that left both teams still chasing a first win in the Nations League. Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot fired France ahead on 52 minutes in Split as coach Didier Deschamps selected an inexperienced […]

Split (Croatia) (AFP) – Andrej Kramaric scored a late penalty as Croatia salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to world champions France on Monday that left both teams still chasing a first win in the Nations League. Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot fired France ahead on 52 minutes in Split as coach Didier Deschamps selected an inexperienced […]

Milan (AFP) – Roberto Mancini said Monday that Wilfried Gnonto shouldn't have pressure put on him despite the teen attacker's Italy debut exciting fans still reeling from failing to qualify for the World Cup. FC Zurich forward Gnonto set up Lorenzo Pellegrini's goal after coming on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 Nations League draw with […]