Page 43 - Football

Uruguay players defend decision to enter crowd to protect families

Uruguay striker Luis Surez defended his teammates' decision to enter the stands following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa America semifinals, saying the action was necessary to defend families and supporters. After a physical and emotional game that included seven yellow cards and one red card, players exchanged words and shoves at midfield of Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night. Uruguay players, including Darwin Nez, noticed an altercation behind the team's bench and about a dozen or so players then climbed into the stands as the melee continued. Some players were seen throwing punches before Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers and stadium security restored order after about 10 minutes. Obviously when one has your woman, your little child, your father, elderly people you want to go and see if they're OK, Surez said. Here these things, it's an image that no one wants to have created but obviously if someone is attacking your family you want to go and defend them. But t

Dutch see dream of European title slip away as coach disputes penalty

Dutch fans came to the stadium in a rousing march, 100,000 strong. It will feel like a long journey home. When Ollie Watkins' added-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Wednesday, it ended the orange-clad Dutch fans' dream of a first European Championship title since 1988. A great goal, but then it's over, and that's difficult to accept, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. The journey home will not be without some bitterness after a hotly disputed penalty decision in England's favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries made contact with Harry Kane while trying to block a shot. In my opinion this should not have been a penalty, Koeman said through an interpreter. "I think that we cannot play properly football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football. Until the penalty call that put England firmly back in the game, it had been a party atmosphere for the Dutch fans. The towering South Stand famed as a Yellow Wall for

Euro Cup 2024 semifinal: England beats Netherlands 2-1, reaches final

Three Lions will face the mighty Spain in the final match of the prestigious tournament on Sunday at the Olympiastadion

Euro Cup 2024 semifinal highlights: Spain beats France 2-1, reaches final

After seeing off another one of the pre-tournament favorites to reach the Euro 2024 final, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has warned England or the Netherlands that his team can still improve. Spain reached the European Championship decider with a 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest-ever scorer at the continental tournament. France took an early lead when Randal Kolo Muani headed in a cross from Kylian Mbapp, who played without a mask, before Yamal's moment of brilliance in the 21st minute. Dani Olmo scored the clincher four minutes later. We were in a difficult stretch after not expecting to concede so early. I just took the ball and wanted to put it right there. I am very happy," Yamal said. I don't try to think about it too much, just enjoy myself and help the team, and if it goes my way, then I am happy (for the goal) and for the win. Spain, which is chasing a record fourth European Championship title, will play England or the

England defender Luke Shaw ready to go in Euro 2024 semifinal after injury

England defender Luke Shaw says he is fit to start Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands and ready to go after a long-term injury and a long-running debate over his selection for the tournament. Manchester United left-back Shaw played his first game since February when he came off the bench Saturday in England's quarterfinal game with Switzerland, which England won in a penalty shootout. England, the runner-up at Euro 2020, faces the Netherlands on Wednesday in Dortmund in its bid to reach another final. Shaw had repeated setbacks in his recovery from a muscle injury before that and said Monday he'd been itching to get back on the field. Of course, I think I am, but obviously that's solely down to (England manager Gareth Southgate's) decision on what he does. But, I feel fit and I'm ready to go," Shaw said when asked if he was fit to play a full game. Shaw's injury problems made him a much-disputed selection for Euro 2024 as England's only specialist left-back.

Euro 2024: Rodri calls for more protection for players after Pedri's injury

Rodri has called for more protection for players after one of his Spain teammates was ruled out of the rest of the European Championship. Pedri's tournament was ended after the midfielder sustained a knee injury last Friday in a hefty challenge by Toni Kroos at the start of the quarterfinal against Germany, which La Roja went on to win 2-1. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Kroos should have been sent off in the final match of his illustrious career. He did not even receive a yellow card. As football players, we always want to be protected, Rodri said on Monday. This is the job of the referee. I mean, he puts the standard, so what is a yellow card or red card is his job, It's not our job. And we play with the rules or with the level he put. This is the reality. Rodri, considered the best defensive midfielder in the world, is expecting another hard-fought encounter in Tuesday's semifinal against France. Tomorrow is going to be a very, very physical battle because they are a very

If France is boring you, go watch something else, says coach Deschamps

A boring France team? Coach Didier Deschamps doesn't care. Tuesday's European Championship semifinal between Spain and France is a matchup of very different styles. One team is playing some of the most exciting soccer at Euro 2024, and the other is playing arguably the dullest. A team that has won all five of its matches, against a team that has won just two (excluding Friday's penalty shootout victory over Portugal ). A team that has scored a tournament high 11 goals, against a team whose players have yet to score from open play having notched two own goals and a penalty. If we're boring you, you can watch something else, it doesn't matter, Deschamps said on Monday when asked about criticism of his team's form. It's a very particular European Championship, with less goals than normal. We have the chance to make France happy, in a delicate situation for the country. If (others) are bored, I don't really care. France has underwhelmed and captain Kylian Mbapp is frustrated as he

Messi to start against Canada in Copa America semifinal: Coach Scaloni

Lionel Messi won't be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina's Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night. Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since the group stage win over Chile on June 25. He missed the first-round finale four days later but played the entire match in the quarterfinal victory over Ecuador last Thursday. "Leo is good. He will be playing tomorrow, Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. At 37, Messi has 13 Copa America goals and is four behind the record shared by Argentina's Norberto Mndez and Brazil's Zizinho but hasn't scored in this year's tournament. It's an easy decision for me, Scaloni said. It's a fairly honest decision: I ask him how he feels. If he says I'm not good,' then he will play the last 30 minutes. When he's available, he will play. Seeking a record 16th Copa America title, Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in the June 20 tournament opener when Messi set up ...

Referee once linked to match-fixing will oversee England's Euro semifinal

The referee for England's semifinal against the Netherlands at the European Championship will be Felix Zwayer, who once had ties to a match-fixing scandal in Germany. Wednesday's game will be Zwayer's fourth of Euro 2024 and his second with the Netherlands after refereeing its 3-0 win over Romania in the round of 16. UEFA and the German soccer federation announced the appointment Monday. England midfielder Jude Bellingham was fined 40,000 euros ($43,400) while playing for Borussia Dortmund in 2021 for criticizing the appointment of Zwayer. As a young assistant referee, Zwayer received a six-month ban in 2006 over an allegation that he received money from another referee, Robert Hoyzer, who was banned for match-fixing. A ruling in the case, which was eventually published in 2014 by German newspaper Die Zeit, stated that Zwayer accepted 300 euros ($325) from Hoyzer ahead of a game in 2004 and had not immediately reported the incident, but said there was no evidence Zwayer manipulate

Euro Cup 2024 semifinals full schedule, live match time (IST), streaming

Check the full schedule and match timings (IST) of Semifinal matches in the Uefa European Championships (Euro Cup 2024) here

Euro Cup 2024 QF: Netherlands vs Turkiye live match (IST), live streaming

Sony LIV will live stream the Netherlands vs Turkiye quarterfinal match in India at 12:30 AM IST

Euro Cup 2024 QF: England vs Switzerland live match (IST), live streaming

Sony LIV will livestream the England vs Switzerland quarterfinal match of Euro 2024 in India at 9:30 PM IST tonight

Euro Cup 2024 QF: Portugal vs France live match (IST), live streaming

Sony LIV will livestream the Portugal vs France quarterfinal match in India at 12:30 AM IST tonight

Euro Cup 2024 QF: Spain vs Germany live match (IST), live streaming

Sony LIV will live stream the Spain vs Germany quarterfinal match in India at 9:30 PM IST

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag signs contract extension until 2026

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has signed a contract extension through to 2026, the Premier League club said Thursday. The Dutchman has won back-to-back trophies in his first two years at Old Trafford, but faced uncertainty over his position after leading it to its worst league finish in 34 years last season. After a performance review, United decided to stick with Ten Hag and he has now agreed on a new deal, which is a one-year extension on his previous contract, which was due to expire at the end of the upcoming season. Looking back at the past two years, we can reflect with pride on two trophies and many examples of progression from where we were when I joined, Ten Hag said. However, we must also be clear that there is still lots of hard work ahead to reach the levels expected of Manchester United, which means challenging for English and European titles. "In my discussions with the club, we have found complete unity in our vision for reaching those goals, and we are all

Euro 2024: Spain face Germany in quarterfinals,potential record on line

Spain meet host nation Germany on Friday in the quarterfinals of the European Championship in an eagerly-anticipated match between two of the best performing sides at the tournament. There is also a potential record on the line as Spain and Germany have each won three European Championships, better than any other nation. Two of the most exciting talents will be on show in Spain teenager Lamine Yamal and 21-year-old Germany forward Jamal Musiala. Match facts The winner will advance to face France or Portugal in the semifinal in Munich on Tuesday. Spain and Germany are the leading scorers at Euro 2024, having netted nine and 10 goals respectively in their four matches. They have also conjured the most attempts on target. Spain has never eliminated a host nation, either at a European Championship or at the World Cup. La Roja is the only team to have won all its matches at Euro 2024, beating Croatia, Italy and Albania in the group stage before thumping Georgia 4-1 in the round of 16.

Euro Cup 2024: Uefa fines Germany over selfie-seekers on field with Ronaldo

UEFA has fined its tournament co-organizer Germany for failing to stop selfie-seekers from coming onto the field to get photos taken with Cristiano Ronaldo at the European Championship. UEFA published a slew of disciplinary rulings Monday that included two fines totaling 20,000 euros ($21,500) for the German soccer federation. The charges related to order and security at games and protection of the playing area at Portugal's games against the Czech Republic and Turkey. Multiple fans have invaded the playing field to take photos with Ronaldo during and after games. The Portugal star posed for one in-game photo with a young boy but grew visibly frustrated at the repeated security failures during the game against Turkey. UEFA announced it would review and increase security at stadiums. After a brief brawl between Georgia and Turkey fans in the stadium before their game at Dortmund, UEFA announced fines Monday of 30,000 euros ($32,200) for the Georgian soccer federation and 25,000 eu

Euro cup 2024: Portugal clashes debutant Slovenia in knockout clash

Portugal plays Slovenia on Monday in the pre-quarterfinals at the European Championship. The game kicks off at 9 pm local time (1900 GMT, 12.30 am [Tuesday]) at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt. The winner will advance to face Belgium or France in the quarterfinals on Friday. Here's what to know about the match: Match facts Portugal starts the group stage with wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey, then rests some starters in the third game and loses 2-0. Sound familiar? Portugal started Euro 2008 just as it has 16 years later. Then, Portugal did not get momentum back and was eliminated in the first knockout round to a German team heading to the final. Slovenia is a different kind of test. Slovenia will play its first knockout game at a major tournament in 32 years as an independent soccer nation. Slovenia went home after the group stage at Euro 2000, and the World Cups of 2002 and 2010, though only the top two advanced at those tournaments. Slovenia started Euro 2024 the same way

Former Indian midfielder Bhupinder Singh Rawat passes away at 85: AIFF

Former India midfielder Bhupinder Singh Rawat, who played in the 1969 Merdeka Cup in Malaysia died after a brief illness, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) stated. He was 85 and is survived by his wife, one son and daughter. A darling of the crowd for his speed and ability to cut through the rival defence despite his diminutive figure, Rawat was nicknamed "Scooter" by the fans. "Bhupinder Singh Rawat was a classy winger and also a prolific scorer, who served the game with distinction," the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said in his condolence message. "I extend my sincerest condolences to his family in this hour of sorrow." A speedy winger of the 1960s and 1970s, Rawat was part of the Indian team that finished seventh in the Merdeka Cup with a win over Western Australia in a classification match. In domestic football, he played for top teams like Delhi Garrison, Gorkha Brigade and Mafatlal. He represented Services and Maharashtra in the National Football Championship for t

Euro 2024: Penalty shootouts set to take center stage as new tactics beckon

Here's a quiz question: What do the 2022 World Cup final, the 2021 African Cup of Nations final, the 2020 European Championship final and the 2016 Copa America final have in common? Answer: They were all settled by a penalty shootout. Like it or not, the shootout that tense battle of wills over 12 yards (11 meters) has increasingly become a huge part of soccer, an unavoidable feature of the knockout stage in the biggest competitions. Added to the laws of the game in 1970, penalty shootouts have marred careers (Roberto Baggio has never gotten over his miss in the 1994 World Cup final), spawned pizza adverts (Gareth Southgate starred in one after his decisive failure from the spot at Euro 1996) and, in Lionel Messi's case at the most recent World Cup, earned a win that definitively secures a player a place in the pantheon of soccer greats. It's why those who delve into the psychology and science of soccer are perplexed why this tiebreaker system has been and continues to be ...