Over the last several days, a series of flat 0-0 draws in marquee games on the field – paired with incessant fan misbehavior off the field – considerably deflated the mood surrounding the 2016 European Championships in France. Concerns over security, the format allowing progression for four third-placed teams, and an almost-bizarre lack of goal-scoring […]

Paris (AFP) – Germany and their normally prolific strker Thomas Mueller bemoaned missed chances at Euro 2016 as the world champions scored just one goal against battling Northern Ireland The Germans had 26 attempts on goal at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday to just two for their opponents but only Mario Gomez was able […]

Houston (AFP) – Lionel Messi became Argentina's all-time record goalscorer as the two-time world champions outclassed the United States 4-0 to reach the Copa America Centenario final here Tuesday. Messi curled in a magnificent 32nd-minute free-kick to become Argentina's all-time record scorer with 55 goals as the United States' campaign ended with an emphatic defeat […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Croatian coach Ante Cacic said his heroic players are an example the country's unruly fans should follow after shocking European champions Spain 2-1 to top their Euro 2016 group. Flares thrown by Croatian fans halted their side's momentum in a 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Friday and saw the country's […]

Paris (AFP) – Northern Ireland goalkeeper Michael McGovern spent last season toiling for Scottish strugglers Hamilton Academical, but his brilliant display against Germany at Euro 2016 made him the toast of Paris. The 31-year-old pulled off save after save on Tuesday to frustrate the world champions and while Mario Gomez found a way past him […]

Paris (AFP) – Portugal will be relying on a drastic turnaround for superstar captain Cristiano Ronaldo to avoid an embarrassing early Euro 2016 exit against surprise package Hungary on Wednesday. Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden, meanwhile, are still in contention to join Group E winners Italy in the last 16. Ronaldo missed a […]

Paris (AFP) – Ivan Perisic's last gasp winner gave Croatia a 2-1 win over Spain that condemned the defending European champions to a heavyweight last 16 clash against Italy while Germany claimed their place in the knockout rounds. Mario Gomez struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Paris to ensure […]

Paris (AFP) – France on Tuesday expelled Russian football activist Alexander Shprygin for the second time in four days after he sneaked back into the country to watch his country play at Euro 2016. Shprygin, who has been linked to Russian far-right causes, was first expelled on Saturday over fan violence between Russian and England […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Ivan Perisic struck a sensational winner three minutes from time as Croatia ended Spain's 14-game unbeaten run at the European Championship finals to top Group D after a 2-1 victory on Tuesday. Spain will now face Italy in the last 16 in Paris on Monday in a repeat of the 2012 final. […]

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – England's under-fire goalkeeper Joe Hart is backing the Three Lions to to prove critics of their goalless draw with Slovakia wrong in the Euro 2016 knock-out phase. Hart acknowledged the "tension" caused by England's second draw which left the side waiting to meet the Group F runners-up — either Iceland, Portugal, […]

Lyon (AFP) – Portugal coach Fernando Santos is backing misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo to break his Euro 2016 duck by netting against Hungary on Wednesday to help fire his side into the last 16. Ronaldo is still waiting for his opening goal in France to become the first person to score at four consecutive European Championship […]

Bordeaux (AFP) – Spain boss Vicente del Bosque admitted he would rather have avoided a Euro 2016 last 16 clash with old foes Italy after a 2-1 defeat to Croatia on Tuesday. Ivan Perisic's goal three minutes from time condemned the two-time defending champions to second place in Group D and repeat of the 2012 […]

Lens (France) (AFP) – Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan scored a goal in each half as Turkey beat Czech Republic 2-0 to keep alive slim hopes of reaching the Euro 2016 last 16 on Tuesday. The defeat eliminated Czech Republic, who had already suffered at Turkish hands at a past Euro finals. Turkey lost their […]

Paris (AFP) – Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said a prospective last 16 tie against England was a "dream" for his country, but Austria are also confident of advancing in Wednesday's final Euro 2016 Group F clash. After 1-1 draws against Portugal and Hungary, Iceland will progress to the knockout rounds with a victory at the […]

Marseille (AFP) – After Poland's 1-0 defeat of Ukraine secured them a slot in the last-16, coach Adam Nawalka said star striker Robert Lewandowski's third straight blank at Euro 2016 is not a concern. "The fact that Lewandowski has not scored a goal yet is not a problem for either me or the team," Nawalka […]