Raheem Sterling finished England’s last European Championship campaign as the self-proclaimed “hated one”.Booed by his own fans and with his place under threat as England e…
Raheem Sterling finished England’s last European Championship campaign as the self-proclaimed “hated one”.Booed by his own fans and with his place under threat as England e…
The unexposed youngster caused an upset by beating Black Corton three weeks ago and can prove that was no flukeKelso gets its moment in the spotlight on this low-key Saturday between Cheltenham and Aintree, and will stage some tricky contests, notably …
• Southgate: ‘Sterling is a role model for younger players’ • Standing ovation for his part in 5-0 win over Czech RepublicGareth Southgate praised Raheem Sterling’s “devastating” performance and the manner in which he has turned around his internationa…
• Pogba and Griezmann show class in 4-1 win defeat of Moldova• Ronaldo unable to inspire Portugal to win against UkraineFrance turned on the style in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier, winning 4-1 in Moldova. Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Raphaël Varan…
Gareth Southgate’s attack of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho complemented each other to great effect in England’s exciting victory over Czech RepublicThree perfect touches at the end of twenty-five. The opening goal of a room temperature q…
Raheem Sterling stole the show but Harry Kane and Ben Chilwell also impressed in England’s first qualifier for Euro 2020 Continue reading…
Reigning champions Portugal were held to a frustrating goalless draw in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier against Ukraine as Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the side.
Ronaldo had missed the past six internationals after Portugal were knocked out in the World Cup last 16.
Ukraine keeper Andriy Pyatov made two strong saves to deny Ronaldo and also kept out Andre Silva’s curling effort.
Portugal had 18 shots in Lisbon while Ukraine managed just two.
William Carvalho thought he had put Portugal in front with a close-range header after 16 minutes but it was ruled out for offside.
There was also a penalty appeal from the hosts in stoppage time when substitute Dyego Sousa appeared to be bundled over in the box as he tried to get on the end of Ronaldo’s low cross.
Portugal will host Serbia on Monday in Lisbon. Luxembourg beat Lithuania 2-1 in Friday’s other Group B match.
The top two teams from each group qualify for the Euro 2020 finals but if Portugal were to miss out, they are guaranteed a play-off place after reaching the Nations League semi-finals.
Match ends, Portugal 0, Ukraine 0.
Second Half ends, Portugal 0, Ukraine 0.
João Mário (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moraes (Ukraine).
Foul by Dyego Sousa (Portugal).
Sergey Krivtsov (Ukraine) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by William Carvalho.
Pepe (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moraes (Ukraine).
Attempt saved. Dyego Sousa (Portugal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by João Mário.
William Carvalho (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ruslan Malinovskiy (Ukraine).
Attempt missed. William Carvalho (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Ruslan Malinovskiy (Ukraine).
Substitution, Ukraine. Vitaliy Buyalskiy replaces Yevhen Konoplyanka.
Substitution, Portugal. João Mário replaces João Moutinho.
Taras Stepanenko (Ukraine) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Rafa (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Taras Stepanenko (Ukraine).
Attempt missed. Ruslan Malinovskiy (Ukraine) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner.
Corner, Ukraine. Conceded by Rúben Dias.
Attempt blocked. Moraes (Ukraine) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Yevhen Konoplyanka (Ukraine) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Attempt blocked. Moraes (Ukraine) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Pepe (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Moraes (Ukraine).
Attempt missed. Dyego Sousa (Portugal) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by João Moutinho with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Taras Stepanenko.
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Raphael Guerreiro.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Foul by Dyego Sousa (Portugal).
Andriy Pyatov (Ukraine) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Sergey Krivtsov.
Substitution, Ukraine. Moraes replaces Roman Yaremchuk.
Offside, Portugal. João Cancelo tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Taras Stepanenko.
Substitution, Portugal. Dyego Sousa replaces André Silva.
Rúben Dias (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Roman Yaremchuk (Ukraine).
Lionel Messi’s return to the Argentina side for the first time since the World Cup ended in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela.
Barcelona forward Messi has missed six internationals following a self-imposed exile since losing to eventual winners France in the last 16 in Russia.
Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon scored on six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.
Lautaro Martinez pulled a goal back, but Josef Martinez added Venezuela’s third with a penalty.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi were all left out of the squad for the friendly by manager Lionel Scaloni.
Despite five substitutions being made by Argentina, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala failed to make it off the bench although Watford’s Roberto Pereyra did play the final 12 minutes at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Match ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.
Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.
Matías Suárez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ronald Hernández (Venezuela).
Juan Foyth (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).
Domingo Blanco (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Roberto Rosales (Venezuela).
Substitution, Venezuela. Jan Carlos Hurtado replaces Jhon Murillo.
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Juanpi (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).
Attempt missed. Darío Benedetto (Argentina) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross.
Foul by Walter Kannemann (Argentina).
Josef Martínez (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Roberto Rosales (Venezuela).
Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Yordan Osorio (Venezuela).
Substitution, Venezuela. Juanpi replaces Darwin Machís.
Substitution, Argentina. Roberto Pereyra replaces Giovani Lo Celso.
Goal! Argentina 1, Venezuela 3. Josef Martínez (Venezuela) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Penalty conceded by Juan Foyth (Argentina) after a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty Venezuela. Josef Martínez draws a foul in the penalty area.
Substitution, Venezuela. Josef Martínez replaces Salomón Rondón.
Hand ball by Juan Foyth (Argentina).
Substitution, Argentina. Darío Benedetto replaces Lautaro Martínez.
Attempt missed. Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nicolás Tagliafico.
Offside, Argentina. Matías Suárez tries a through ball, but Lautaro Martínez is caught offside.
Substitution, Venezuela. Yeferson Soteldo replaces Yangel Herrera.
Yordan Osorio (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
Hand ball by Yordan Osorio (Venezuela).
Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Walter Kannemann.
Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina).
Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Lionel Messi’s return to the Argentina side for the first time since the World Cup ended in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela.
Barcelona forward Messi has missed six internationals following a self-imposed exile since losing to eventual winners France in the last 16 in Russia.
Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon scored on six minutes before Jhon Murillo doubled the lead just before half-time.
Lautaro Martinez pulled a goal back, but Josef Martinez added Venezuela’s third with a penalty.
Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s on-loan striker Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi were all left out of the squad for the friendly by manager Lionel Scaloni.
Despite five substitutions being made by Argentina, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala failed to make it off the bench although Watford’s Roberto Pereyra did play the final 12 minutes at Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Match ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.
Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Venezuela 3.
Matías Suárez (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ronald Hernández (Venezuela).
Juan Foyth (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).
Domingo Blanco (Argentina) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Roberto Rosales (Venezuela).
Substitution, Venezuela. Jan Carlos Hurtado replaces Jhon Murillo.
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Juanpi (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Juanpi (Venezuela).
Attempt missed. Darío Benedetto (Argentina) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross.
Foul by Walter Kannemann (Argentina).
Josef Martínez (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Roberto Rosales (Venezuela).
Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Tomás Rincón (Venezuela).
Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
Roberto Pereyra (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Yordan Osorio (Venezuela).
Substitution, Venezuela. Juanpi replaces Darwin Machís.
Substitution, Argentina. Roberto Pereyra replaces Giovani Lo Celso.
Goal! Argentina 1, Venezuela 3. Josef Martínez (Venezuela) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Penalty conceded by Juan Foyth (Argentina) after a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty Venezuela. Josef Martínez draws a foul in the penalty area.
Substitution, Venezuela. Josef Martínez replaces Salomón Rondón.
Hand ball by Juan Foyth (Argentina).
Substitution, Argentina. Darío Benedetto replaces Lautaro Martínez.
Attempt missed. Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nicolás Tagliafico.
Offside, Argentina. Matías Suárez tries a through ball, but Lautaro Martínez is caught offside.
Substitution, Venezuela. Yeferson Soteldo replaces Yangel Herrera.
Yordan Osorio (Venezuela) is shown the yellow card for hand ball.
Hand ball by Yordan Osorio (Venezuela).
Corner, Venezuela. Conceded by Walter Kannemann.
Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina).
Tomás Rincón (Venezuela) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
If the aim, ultimately, is for Gareth Southgate and his players to see whether their Euro 2020 adventure can finish in this stadium – 12 July, 2020, to be precise – this will certainly count as a decent way to begin that process. Five goals, a clean sh…
• Leicester 15-29 Northampton• Return of six England internationals fails to rouse TigersIf there was any doubt as to whether Leicester are part of the Premiership’s relegation battle it can now be said with some certainty that they are fighting for th…
Pakistand 280-5; Australia 281-2 (from 49 overs)Shaun Marsh also finds form in first ODI in SharjahAaron Finch and Shaun Marsh, two Australian batsmen subject to plenty of World Cup conjecture in recent weeks, silenced their doubters by delivering an e…
Media playback is not supported on this device
…
Anteaters topple No 4 seed in biggest upset of tourney so farIowa wins as Big Ten moves to 6-0 in this year’s tournamentDay one: Morant lifts Murray State as NCAA tourney tips offEvan Leonard hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start a run of 12 straight po…
helpHow to playRate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfectionEnglandEnglandEnglandCzech RepCzech RepublicCzech RepublicEnglandStarting XIAv…
The three-year construction of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium is revealed in a time-lapse video released by the club. The £1bn stadium will be officially unveiled on Sunday, before Spurs play their first match at their new home on 3 April against Crys…
Minute-by-minute updates on the Group A game, 7.45pm kick-off Southgate lauds England’s promise and creative optionsAny thoughts? You can email Scott Murray 7.32pm GMT The ever-likeable Gareth Southgate speaks to Independent Television. “There’s a lot …
• Only an ‘oral agreement’ is in place between the parties• Edwards has asked for more time to consider his optionsWigan Warriors have revealed they will not stand in Shaun Edwards’ way if he wishes to take up another coaching opportunity instead of hi…
• Next opponents ranked worst in the world• Alex McLeish refuses to give up hope on qualifying for EurosIt was, as assistant coach Peter Grant freely admitted, not good enough. The fallout from Scotland’s calamitous 3-0 defeat against a side ranked 117…
