Tokyo (AFP) – Former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida and Real Madrid youngster Takefusa Kubo were on Tuesday named in an 18-man Japan football squad "aiming for gold" at the Tokyo Olympics. Japan have only won an Olympic men's football medal once — bronze at Mexico 1968 — but manager Hajime Moriyasu is confident of […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spain are bracing themselves for a test of nerve in their last group game against Slovakia on Wednesday, with Luis Enrique's side needing victory to guarantee their place in the last 16. After leaving out Sergio Ramos, Luis Enrique has left himself open to questions about a lack of leadership in his […]

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – Peter Gulacsi is ready to wreck Germany's dreams of reaching the last 16 of Euro 2020 and cement his reputation as one of Europe's best goalkeepers, but off the pitch the Hungary shot-stopper is a strong believer in human rights. The 31-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers at the […]

Budapest (AFP) – Germany can secure a place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Wednesday, but holders Portugal are at real risk of crashing out despite a prolific start to Group F by Cristiano Ronaldo. France top the section with four points heading into their final game against Portugal, a repeat of the […]

Madrid (AFP) – "After the game, everyone knew we had discovered an extraordinary player for Portugal," Joaquim Milheiro says. "And then it was like, boom." Joao Felix had just made his debut for Portugal's under-18s against Norway in 2017 and Milheiro was in the room when the coaches began discussing one thing. "He played 35 […]

London (AFP) – England's bid to win their Euro 2020 group has been thrown into chaos ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Czech Republic after Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell were forced to isolate following Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour's positive coronavirus test. Mount and Chilwell embraced their Chelsea team-mate Gilmour on the Wembley pitch after […]

Cuiabá (Brazil) (AFP) – Chile booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Monday after securing a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in Group A. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas fired La Roja ahead on 26 minutes before Uruguay salvaged a point through Atletico Madrid in the 66th minute. Vargas's first-half strike saw him […]

Paris (AFP) – Denmark powered into the last 16 of Euro 2020 with a brilliant 4-1 thrashing of Russia at a raucous Parken Stadium on Monday, helping to send five other teams through in the process. The Danes knew they had to beat Russia by two goals and hope leaders Belgium saw off Finland in […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Mikkel Damsgaard heaped praise on his Denmark teammates Monday after their 4-1 hammering of Russia helped them into the last 16 of Euro 2020 following a rocky start to the tournament. Sampdoria winger Damsgaard opened the scoring late in the first half on a dramatic night at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Belgium scored two late goals to see off a valiant Finland 2-0 on Monday, pushing their opponents to the brink of a group-stage exit from Euro 2020 and sending Denmark through to the last 16. Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky's 74th-minute own goal and Romelu Lukaku's third strike of the tournament ensured […]

Copenhagen (AFP) – Denmark made it through to the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Monday after a convincing 4-1 win over Russia which alongside Belgium's victory against Finland meant they finished second in Group B. Goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Yussuf Poulsen, Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle gave the Danes their fist win of the […]

Paris (AFP) – Austria edged to a 1-0 win over Ukraine on Monday to beat their opponents to a spot in the last 16 of Euro 2020, while Denmark will try and snatch a knockout place despite losing their first two games. Christoph Baumgartner's 21st-minute goal proved enough for Austria to secure second place in […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Scotland manager Steve Clarke hopes Billy Gilmour's replacement becomes a "national hero" after the Chelsea midfielder tested positive for coronavirus, ruling him out of Tuesday's crucial Euro 2020 clash with Croatia. Scotland need to beat the World Cup finalists in front of a home crowd of 12,000 at Hampden to have any […]

Amsterdam (AFP) – Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice as the Netherlands completed a perfect group stage at Euro 2020 by comfortably beating North Macedonia 3-0 in Amsterdam on Monday. The Dutch captain, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Liverpool just before the tournament began, scored twice in the second half at the Johan Cruyff Arena after […]

Bucharest (AFP) – Christoph Baumgartner's first-half goal sent Austria through to the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Monday after a 1-0 win over Ukraine that left their opponents facing an anxious wait to see if they qualify. Hoffenheim midfielder Baumgartner turned in David Alaba's corner on 21 minutes in Bucharest as Austria pipped Ukraine […]