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 […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to make amends for a poor performance and some unwise words when his side take on Austria at Euro 2016 on Saturday. Ronaldo failed to shine in his opening Group F game, and after the 1-1 draw against Iceland he lambasted the North Atlantic minnows for […]

Lens (France) (AFP) – Wales manager Chris Coleman called on his side to put the desperate disappointment of their 2-1 defeat to England behind them when they face Russia in their final group game at Euro 2016. A long-range Gareth Bale free-kick gave the Welsh the lead at a raucous Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens on […]

Seattle (AFP) – Jurgen Klinsmann lashed out at Copa America Centenario officiating, branding the dismissal of key midfielder Jermaine Jones in the United States win over Ecuador as "disgraceful." US coach Klinsmann was left counting the cost of a deserved 2-1 quarter-final victory at Seattle's CenturyLink Field after goals from Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes […]

Seattle (AFP) – Clint Dempsey struck again as the United States powered through to the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario in a stormy 2-0 win over Ecuador that saw both sides finish with 10 men. Dempsey scored his third goal in as many games for Jurgen Klinsmann's side at CenturyLink Field, pouncing on 22 […]

Before this Copa America, Jurgen Klinsmann said that his goal was to make the semifinals of the tournament. Some scoffed and some wondered whether that goal was attainable. Now, as the US prepares to head to Houston for the semifinal on Tuesday against Argentina or Venezuela, Klinsmann and his team deserve the credit for not […]

This wasn’t the job Antonio Conte signed up for. When Cesare Prandelli resigned after Italy failed to advance from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, and Conte agreed to take charge of his native country, he thought he’d be leading one of the world’s leading teams. Instead, Conte, who was coming off three […]

Paris (AFP) – The knockout stages of Euro 2016 beckon for defending champions Spain and 2012 finalists Italy if they can back up their opening wins with more success against Turkey and Sweden on Friday. Luka Modric's Croatia could also get through with a win against Czech Republic. Spain avoided their normal early tournament jitters […]

Too often, England arrive at major tournaments and play with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Frequently, England has had good teams. But the combined failures of countless tournaments past – along with the doubt and self-loathing that those failures have installed in the national psyche – have often proven too much to […]