Page 38 - Football

Germany confirms Rdiger strained hamstring ahead of Euro 2024 last-16 game

Antonio Rdiger strained a hamstring muscle in Germany's 1-1 draw with Switzerland at Euro 2024, his team said Monday. The Real Madrid defender was seen holding his leg as he left the field after Sunday's game, which saw Germany level the score with a header from Niclas Fllkrug in stoppage time. Germany didn't give any details of Rdiger's condition in a brief statement confirming the injury Monday or indicate whether he's likely to be fit to play in the round of 16 on Saturday. If Rdiger can't play, it would leave Germany without either of its first-choice central defenders. The other central defender from the last game, Jonathan Tah, will be suspended for the round of 16 after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament. It's likely to mean a bigger role for Nico Schlotterbeck, who replaced Tah off the bench on Sunday. The other central defenders in the squad are Eintracht Frankfurt's Robin Koch and Stuttgart's Waldemar Anton. Neither has played in Euro 2024 so far.

Euro Cup 2024 today match: ALB vs ESP live match time, CRO vs ITA streaming

The Albania vs Spain football match as well as the Croatia vs Italy football match will begin at 12:30 AM IST on June 25

Mirlind Daku banned by Uefa for 2 Euro 2024 games after nationalist chants

Albania player Mirlind Daku was banned on Sunday for two games after leading fans in nationalist chants at the European Championship, that UEFA said brought soccer into disrepute. Daku took a megaphone after Albania's 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg and joined in chanting slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia. The incidents and fallout from the game in Hamburg have been the most serious involving Balkan politics at a Euros with the most-ever teams from the region playing and offering a stage for some fans to air its issues. It also has highlighted rifts in soccer between Albania and Serbia at a time when their soccer federations have tried to heal them by teaming up, despite opposition from many fans, in a bid to co-host the Under-21 Euros in 2027. On Sunday, UEFA said its disciplinary judges found Daku guilty of failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations o

Hungary forward Barnabas Varga stable after injury against Scotland

Hungary forward Barnabs Varga was in hospital in stable condition after a serious-looking injury at his team's final group match at the European Championship. Varga will likely undergo surgery after fracturing several bones in his face. The 29-year-old also has concussion and will take no part in the rest of Euro 2024 should Hungary advance to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams. The Group A game against Scotland was halted for nearly 10 minutes so Varga could get treatment after colliding with opposing goalkeeper Angus Gunn midway through the second half. Varga's teammates held up blankets to shield the player as he was tended to by medical staff, while everyone looked on in concern. Both sets of fans applauded when Varga was stretchered off. Several bones in Barnabs Varga's face were broken during the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion, the Hungarian soccer federation wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after the match. The Ferencvros

Germany gets late goal to draw with Swiss; finish top of Euro 2024 group

They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from its first loss at the European Championship, against an impressive Switzerland team. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing center-back Antonio Rdiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Fllkrug. The German trio was circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet off the ground in unison, straining to be the one to head the ball. It was Fllkrug who won the contest, guiding the ball crossed from another substitute David Raum back across Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer into the top corner of the net. The match ended 1-1. We risked a lot in this phase because we could have conceded a second goal, Germany coach Julian Nagelesmann said about throwing his defenders into attack. "Who doesn't dare to risk, doesn't get to draw. Germany had already advanced to the r

Euro Cup 2024 today match: SUI vs GER live match time, SCO vs HUN streaming

The Switzerland vs Germany football match as well as the Scotland vs Hungary football match will begin at 12:30 AM IST on June 24

Euro 2024: Group A, B, C, D, E and F points table, top stats of tournament

Germany is at the top of Group A, Spain is leading Group B, England leads Group C while the Netherlands have Group D under their control. Romania and Portugal stand atop Group E and F respectively

Euro 2024: Italian coaches are dominating dugouts, here's the reason why

Italy continues a tradition at the European Championship with Italian coaches this time five in charge of national teams at the tournament in Germany. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is joined by Vincenzo Montella (Turkey), Domenico Tedesco (Belgium), Marco Rossi (Hungary) and Francesco Calzona (Slovakia). With five of the 24 teams in Germany led by Italians, this tops the Netherlands' mark of having three coaches out of 16 teams at Euro 2008. All but Tedesco studied at the Italian federation's coaching school, directed by former coach Renzo Ulivieri, also the president of the Italian soccer coaches' association. It is a great source of pride for all of Italian soccer and especially for our coaching school, Ulivieri said in an interview with The Associated Press. We think that our coaches are excellent, for two reasons: ours is a good school and then, the coaches have a very educational apprenticeship within our leagues, both in the professional leagues, but also in the amateur

Euro 2024: Georgia get first point in a 1-1 draw with Czech Republic

Georgia earned its first-ever point at a major tournament in a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic at Euro 2024 here on Saturday. Video reviews were in the spotlight as the Czechs had a goal for Adam Hlozek disallowed for hand ball. Georgia, the only team making its debut at Euro 2024, then took the lead with a Georges Mikautadze penalty given for hand ball by Czech defender Robin Hranec. The Czech team got back into the game when a header rebounded off the post and Patrik Schick scored with his chest. Schick went off with a calf injury soon after. Georgia could have won but Saba Lobjanidze shot narrowly over the bar with the last kick of the game on a counterattack. The draw means that both teams almost certainly require a win in their last group games to qualify for the knockout stages. Turkey and Portugal are the other two teams in Group F and they will meet later tonight.

Euro to FIFA World Cup: Fastest goals scored in international, club history

Albania's Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in the history of European Championship (Euro Cup) history. Turkey's Hakan Sukur scored the fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history.

Euro Cup 2024 today match: SLO vs UKR live match time, POL vs AUT streaming

Slovakia vs Ukraine football match will begin at 6:30 PM IST on June 21. Poland vs Austria football match will begin at 9:30 PM IST on June 21

England draws 1-1 with Denmark, remains on track to advance in Euro 2024

Where England stands after two European Championship games is the envy of most teams. Just not good enough yet to have title ambitions. A 1-1 draw Thursday with Denmark a semifinalist last time, don't forget means England is unbeaten and all-but certain to advance to the round of 16. It also was a slack, mistake-filled display that left coach Gareth Southgate angrily gesturing at his players for gifting a slew of scoring chances late in the game. The team didn't function today, that is my responsibility, said Southgate, who heard jeers from fans behind the England goal in a ragged second half. Harry Kane gave England another fast start at Euro 2024, scoring it the 18th minute, but the captain was substituted off in the second half as the team faded. Denmark leveled in the 34th when Morten Hjulmand fired in a powerful low shot from long distance, after Kane gave away the ball in defense. Eight years with Southgate has earned England sustained tournament success. The Three Lions

Own-goals lead way in scoring chart after bizarre start to Euro 2024

There's just no stopping the top scorer at the European Championship. Own-goals lead the way in the scoring chart, with the fifth one of the tournament coming Thursday through Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori in his team's 1-0 loss to Spain. The other unfortunate players to score in their own net were Germany's Antonio Rdiger, Austria's Maximilian Wber, the Czech Republic's Robin Hranc and Albania's Klaus Gjasula. These five have come from just 18 games so far. There were a tournament-record 11 own-goals at the last edition three years ago. In an unusual start to Euro 2024, only one player has two goals Germany forward Jamal Musiala and 40 players have scored one goal. Gjasula has scored for and against his country. There's also this unlikely stat: None of the 47 goals have been penalties.

Euro 2024: Spain advances to knockout round, defeats defending champs Italy

Europe beware Spain might just be back. The three-time European champion advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 1-0 win against holders Italy on Thursday. A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen. But that didn't begin to tell the full story of a statement performance from Spain, which surely marks it as one of the favorites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship. I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of, coach Luis de la Fuente said. I don't see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit. Spain totally dominated defending champion Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer's most exciting young stars. Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy's defenders and was the width of the crossbar away from scoring in the second half. It took Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to keep the score down with

With Messi-style dribbling, Lamine Yamal thrills in Spain win at Euro 2024

At times, it was like watching Lionel Messi. How about that for a compliment for Lamine Yamal after another thrilling performance at the European Championship that showed just why there is such a buzz around this 16-year-old phenom with blond tinges in his dark hair and magic in his boots. One moment stood out, in particular, in Spain's 1-0 win over Italy on Thursday. It was the middle of the first half and Yamal had just started to put on a show eliciting some ooohs and ahhhs from a crowd containing Spain's King Felipe VI when the Barcelona youngster found himself inside off his right wing and with the ball at his feet. Suddenly, he exploded into life, slaloming through the attempted tackles of two would-be challengers Federico Dimarco and then Jorginho while keeping the ball stuck to his left foot. As another tackle came in, he managed to play the ball through to Alvaro Morata to get a shot away. It really could have been Messi. As it could when he cut back off his wing and

Euro 2024: Late leveller by Serbia denies Slovenia first Euros victory

A late strike denied Slovenia a first-ever win in a European Championship as Serbia snatched a 1-1 draw on Thursday. an Karnicnik's 69th-minute goal put Slovenia on the brink of a historic win until substitute Luka Jovic levelled deep in stoppage time. The goal sent the Serbia fans into raucous joy but also saw them throw flares and other objects onto the field. The equalizer was virtually the last action as the referee blew full-time immediately after the players restarted. The Slovenia players collapsed to the ground in disappointment. It also would have been their first win in a major tournament since victory over Algeria in the 2010 World Cup. Slovenia plays England in its final group match on Tuesday when Serbia faces Denmark. Serbia lost to England in their opener. With both teams needing a win to boost their chances of progressing, the match started at a fast pace and Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic had to make two early saves. Those two shots on target in the first ei

Euro 2024: Italy newcomer Folorunsho makes tournament debut at age of 26

Late bloomer Michael Folorunsho hadn't even played in Italy's top division this time last year. Now he's representing Italy at the European Championship. The 26-year-old Folorunsho made his tournament debut Saturday as a stoppage-time substitute in Italy's opening 2-1 win over Albania. It's a dream turned reality for the player who only made his Serie A debut last August. I think it was inconceivable 12 months ago, Folorunsho said Wednesday. I don't think I could have ever imagined that a year on, I'd be playing at the European Championship. Folorunsho, an attack-minded midfielder, scored five goals for Hella Verona last season after joining the team on loan from Napoli. He played more league games, 34, than any other outfield player on the team. Physically strong, combative and versatile, Folorunsho has a powerful strike and is good in the air, too. I never stopped dreaming. But that now drives me forward because once you get to a certain level, that's when the going gets really

Mbappe trains at Euro 2024 with bandaged nose, online post sparks curiosity

Kylian Mbapp returned to light training Wednesday with a bandage covering his broken nose in the first public appearance by the France superstar since his bloody injury that shook the European Championship. A cryptic post on social media earlier hours might have provided an insight into Mbapp's mindset as the world waits to discover how long he will be out of action. Without risks, there are no victories," the striker wrote on Instagram in the only comment so far from Mbapp or the French team management on a day when the Real Madrid-bound player underwent more tests on the nose injury sustained in the 1-0 win over Austria on Monday. Mbapp emerged for a late-afternoon practice session at the Home Deluxe Arena in Paderborn about 30 minutes after his teammates came out. He was initially seen running with the ball alone, with a trainer, and later speaking to France coach Didier Deschamps, before taking part in a shooting drill with other players. France's next match is against the ...

Messi could be playing his final tournament with Argentina at Copa America

It's sad but true, Copa America could mark Lionel Messi's final chapter with Argentina's national soccer team. The World Cup winner will turn 37 during the tournament in the United States, which kicks off Thursday. He's clearly past his peak at Inter Miami after two decades of playing at the highest level in Europe. Messi has not set a date for his retirement and has kept the door open to playing in a sixth World Cup in 2026 to defend his title from Qatar. But he already recognizes his shortcomings. I don't think about that yet. The moment I feel that I am not going to help my team, I will retire, Messi said in March in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Riyad Season. I always ate well, trained. But as I grew I became aware that the physical effort we make is getting harder. As you grow old, things become more difficult. Last year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner struggled with muscular injuries while playing in MLS and for Argentina. That didn't change much in 2024. Messi has

Shaqiri scores stunning goal in Switzerland's 1-1 draw at Euro 2024

Shaq did it again. At the age of 32 and having left top-flight European soccer behind to play in MLS, Xherdan Shaqiri is back on the international stage and back scoring again. His stunning first-half strike secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Scotland at Euro 2024 on Wednesday. It is the sixth-straight major international tournament in which Shaqiri has scored, dating to the World Cup in 2014. That's three World Cups in a row and now three European Championships for the Chicago Fire forward. According to UEFA he is the first player to achieve that feat. He proved tonight that he lives and breathes for moments like these, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said. Shaqiri rolled back the years with a first-time curling effort from about 20 meters out at Cologne Stadium. Scotland led from the 13th minute when Scott McTominay's shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Schar to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer. But Shaqiri pounced on Anthony Ralston's loose pass in the 26th