Lyon (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo equalled French legend Michel Platini's record of nine goals in the European Championship finals with a bullet header to give Portugal the lead over Wales in their Euro 2016 semi-final. The three-time World Player of the Year rose highest to head home Raphael Guerreiro's cross and open the scoring in […]

Lyon (AFP) – The first Euro 2016 semi-final between Portugal and Wales in Lyon remained goalless at half-time after an opening 45 minutes of few chances. Wales, in their first major tournament semi-final, tested Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio via a long-range Gareth Bale effort. That was the only attempt on target in the first half […]

Barcelona (AFP) – After a court in Spain on Wednesday sentenced Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, the footballer vowed to appeal the sentence and clear his name. The prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first offences for non-violent […]

Cardiff (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Wales fans massing in Cardiff were trying — and failing — to keep a lid on their excitement in the build-up to the biggest football match in the country's history on Wednesday. As Wales prepared to take on Portugal in their 2016 European Championship semi-final in the French city of […]

Marseille (AFP) – Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger will make his first start of Euro 2016 in Thursday's semi-final against France, coach Joachim Loew has confirmed. The Manchester United star suffered a knee strain in Saturday's quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Italy, but has recovered in time to face France in Marseille. "In a game like […]

Barcelona (AFP) – From former German tennis champion Boris Becker to Barcelona's star striker Lionel Messi, many sports stars and bodies have fallen foul of the taxman over the past few years. Messi became the latest star on Wednesday to be nabbed for tax evasion, when a Spanish court sentenced him and his father to […]

Lyon (AFP) – Real Madrid centre-back Pepe was not selected for Portugal's Euro 2016 semi-final against Wales in Lyon on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, with Bruno Alves taking his place. Pepe was unable to train on the eve of the game and ceded his place to Alves in one of three changes made […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona, the second richest football club in the world after Real Madrid, has been tainted by a series of legal woes in recent years involving its players and management. Here is a recap of the most significant cases: – Messi – Under investigation since 2013 for tax fraud, the club's Argentine striker […]

Lyon (AFP) – Thousands of Portugal and Wales fans poured into the French city of Lyon on Wednesday to see Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale go head to head in the Euro 2016 semi-final between the countries. For Ronaldo, 31, the match is the latest stage of his battle to get a […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentine football was in crisis Wednesday after the national coach followed star striker Lionel Messi in quitting weeks before the Olympics, with legend Diego Maradona eyeing a return to a role with the squad. The country's President Mauricio Macri himself slammed the way the sport was being run by the Argentine […]

Barcelona (AFP) – A court in Spain on Wednesday sentenced Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and his father to 21 months in jail for tax fraud, in the latest case of tax avoidance involving a top footballer in the country. But the prison sentences are likely to be suspended as is common in Spain for first […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester United confirmed on Wednesday that the Premier League giants had completed the signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund. Mkhitaryan, 27, has penned a four-year deal with United with the option to extend the contract for a further year, the club announced in a statement. "I am very proud […]

Marseille (AFP) – France need midfield star Paul Pogba to hit peak form when Les Bleus take on Germany for a Euro 2016 final place, coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday. Juventus star Pogba started the European Championship finals amid high expectations but has not consistently sparkled. "Paul is someone who needs tranquility and serenity. It's […]

Marseille (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps has called on Les Bleus to go on the attack to end a 58-year wait to beat Germany in a major tournament and book a spot in the Euro 2016 final. "We can't change past history, but we've got our own page to write," Deschamps said in Marseille […]

The match commentators for the Euro 2016 final games have been announced. They are: Semifinal I (POR-WAL): Jon Champion/Stewart Robson Semifinal II (GER-FRA): Ian Darke/Taylor Twellman Final – Darke and Twellman