Rome (AFP) – The Italian government has given the green light for fans to attend Euro 2020 matches scheduled for Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, including the tournament’s curtain raiser, the country’s football federation said on Tuesday. Rome is set to host the opening fixture for the delayed multi-host nation Euro, between Turkey and Italy in Group…
Henrik Larsson’s best goals for Barcelona
Henrik Larsson is a bonafide legend at Celtic, a footballer who cemented himself as one of the club’s greatest ever footballers during an unforgettable spell in Scotland. Larsson signed for Celtic from Feyenoord and became an instant favourite of the club’s support, spending eight seasons in Glasgow and scoring a staggering 242 goals in just…
Spurs frustrated by Newcastle, Villa sink Fulham
London (AFP) – Tottenham’s bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League suffered a setback as Joe Willock’s late strike rescued a 2-2 draw for lowly Newcastle, while Aston Villa also aided the Magpies’ bid for survival by beating Fulham 3-1 on Sunday. Jose Mourinho’s side were just five minutes away from moving into…
Real Madrid see off Eibar ahead of Liverpool and Barca tests
Madrid (AFP) – A patched-up Real Madrid began a crucial week by beating Eibar 2-0 on Saturday to increase the pressure on Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga. With Liverpool to come in the Champions League on Tuesday and a Clasico against Barcelona next weekend, Madrid welcomed a comfortable win thanks to goals…
Alguacil calls on Real Sociedad to make history in all-Basque cup final
Madrid (AFP) – Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil urged his players on Friday to make history by beating Athletic Bilbao in the final of the Copa del Rey. La Real will face bitter rivals Bilbao on Saturday in the postponed final from last season, which has been put off as long as possible in the…
North Macedonia hails ‘Miracle of Duisburg’ after Germany win
Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia) (AFP) – North Macedonians on Thursday were revelling in their football team’s remarkable victory over Germany, dubbed “the Miracle of Duisburg”, in World Cup qualifying. Goals from veteran striker Goran Pandev and Napoli’s Eljif Elmas helped North Macedonia inflict only a third ever World Cup qualifying loss on Germany, and…
Germany’s Kroos slams World Cup hosts Qatar amid protests
Berlin (AFP) – Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has sharply criticised 2022 World Cup host nation Qatar in the wake of several European teams protesting about conditions in the Emirate state. “I think the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar was not a good thing for several reasons,” said Kroos in his…
Mauritania, Ethiopia qualify for Africa Cup of Nations
Johannesburg (AFP) – Mauritania won and Ethiopia were trailing in an abandoned match as they secured places Tuesday at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, raising the number of qualifiers to 21 for the 24-team tournament. Ethiopia were losing 3-1 to already-qualified Ivory Coast in Abidjan after 80 minutes when the Ghanaian referee collapsed and…
Mbulu sends Malawi to third Cup of Nations
Johannesburg (AFP) – Richard Mbulu scored after 16 minutes to give Malawi a 1-0 Group B victory over Uganda on Monday, and qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The 27-year-old forward headed powerfully past Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango off a cross from former Atletico Madrid youth squad member Robin Ngalande. It was the…
Kane ends England goal drought to sink Albania
Tirana (AFP) – Harry Kane ended his six-game England goal drought as he inspired a 2-0 win in Albania in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier. Gareth Southgate’s side struggled to break down the well-organised underdogs until the Tottenham striker netted late in the first half at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana. It was the England…