England’s players will rally round Lauren James after her “Beckhamesque moment of madness” in the team’s penalty shoot-out victory over Nigeria in the World Cup last 16.
Former men’s national team striker Gary Lineker likened the 21-year-old Chelsea forward’s red card for petulantly standing on Michelle Alozie as she lay on the floor to Beckham’s kick-out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup.
“The @Lionesses down to 10 as Lauren James has a Beckhamesque moment of madness,” Lineker wrote on Twitter.
The down to 10 as Lauren James has a Beckhamesque moment of madness.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker)
However, while the former Manchester United star’s sending-off contributed to the team’s difficulties, Sarina Wi…
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an adductor injury in Sunday s derby draw with Atletico Madrid, the Spanish champions have confirmed.
Courtois struggled to kick with his left foot in the latter stages of the match at the Civitas Metropolitano, where he was earlier targeted with projectiles by a group of supporters.
Atleti ultras group Fondo Sur launched objects including cigarette lighters at Courtois when he celebrated Eder Militao s 64th-minute opener in front of the home fans.
The teams were taken off the pitch for over 15 minutes in response to that incident, with Angel Correa s stoppage-time strike later salvaging a 1-1 draw for the hosts.
On Monday, Madrid released an update on Courtois condition, confirming he had suffered an adduc…
Gareth Southgate admits England have fallen short of expectations thus far at Euro 2024, bemoaning their failure to find a replacement for Kalvin Phillips in midfield.
Having opened their Group C campaign with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Serbia last week, England failed to clinch top spot with a game to spare as they were pegged back in a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday.
Harry Kane put the Three Lions ahead after 18 minutes, but they soon fell into old habits and sat deeper against a lively Denmark side, who levelled through Morten Hjulmand s ferocious 25-yard strike.
While England remain on course to top Group C, sitting two points clear of Denmark and Slovenia, who they face on matchday three, their performance put Southgate under more scrutiny.
Engl…
Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on the signing of Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan before the transfer window closes in a few days, according to Fabrizio Romano. The contract binding the Slovakia international to the Nerazzurri is otherwise set to expire at the end of the season, and the Serie A club are obviously keen to get at least some kind of fee for the services of the 27-year-old defender.
The agreement between the two clubs is apparently close enough for Inter to have started searching for a suitable replacement. One of the names on the list is Victor Lindelof, but Manchester United aren t too keen on letting the Swede leave as that would force them to conduct a fast search for a replacement in turn.
Having risen through the youth ranks at MSK Zilina in his ho…
The United States got off to an awful start in Tokyo as they lost 3-0 to Sweden to end a 44-match unbeaten streak, while Brazil s Marta enjoyed differing emotions as she netted twice against China in a 5-0 win to make Olympic Games history.
The USA came into the Games as firm favourites for the gold medal, but Sweden offered a rude awakening for the reigning world champions. They had previously not been defeated since back in 2019 before that run was ended by their emphatic setback in the Group G opener.
Goals either side of half-time from Stina Blackstenius and another from Lina Hurtig did the damage, and while the USA were denied twice by the woodwork, Sweden were deserved winners to repeat their quarter-final shoot-out victory over the same opposition at Rio 20…
Girona head coach Michel has urged his team to rediscover their attacking spark by adopting a bolder approach in the final third against Athletic Bilbao this Sunday.
Girona return to LaLiga action at the Estadi Montilivi following their 3-2 Champions League defeat to Feyenoord in midweek, leaving them winless in the competition.
The Blanquivermells have also struggled in the league, failing to win any of their last four matches (D2 L2), while only scoring two goals during that run.
Michel s side currently sit 13th in the standings with nine points from their first eight games, while Bilbao are up in sixth on 14 points.
Girona have lost only one of their last four against this weekend s opponents in LaLiga (W2 D1), with Michel desperate to see his side …
Pele was hailed as an inspiration by England captain Harry Kane as the football world reacted to worrying reports about the health of the Brazil World Cup legend.
Seven years ago, Pele praised the burgeoning Kane, who had just been called into the England squad for the first time after impressing for Tottenham in the Premier League.
He described the then 21-year-old Kane as an excellent talent and urged him to look after his physical wellbeing and never believe he was the best in the business.
That praise was remembered with fondness by Kane on Saturday, as he spoke at an England press conference ahead of the Qatar 2022 last-16 game against Senegal.
Reports in Brazil have claimed the 82-year-old Pele has been moved to palliative care after a cancer battle…
Former Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon has announced his retirement from football.
Lennon made 28 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season, scoring twice, but was released by the club following their relegation to the Championship.
The 35-year-old initially said he would continue playing after becoming a free agent, but has now called time on a career in which he played 416 Premier League games and won 21 England caps.
Having come through Leeds United s youth system, Lennon enjoyed a successful 10-year spell at Tottenham between 2005 and 2015, featuring in 266 league games for the club and playing a key role in their 2007-08 EFL Cup win – which remains Spurs most recent major trophy.
In a statement posted to Twitter, Lennon said: I…
Pep Guardiola believes Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the greatest player of all time, describing arguments in favour of Pele or Diego Maradona as sentimental .
Messi has long been considered among the best ever, but both he and Cristiano Ronaldo trailed Pele and Maradona in the eyes of some while neither had won the World Cup.
That changed on Sunday, when Messi led Argentina to glory at Qatar 2022, matching Maradona s achievement from 1986.
However, in the eyes of Manchester City manager Guardiola, who coached Messi at Barcelona, there was never any doubt.
Everyone has their opinion, but nobody can doubt he s there with the greatest of all time, Guardiola said. For me, I ve said many times: he s the best.
It s difficult to understand how a player …
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In what is a real heavyweight battle on Friday night, Holland and Argentina will meet at the Lusail Iconic Stadium with a World Cup semi-final spot up for grabs.
Holland
Starting with Holland, while the European giants might have failed to book their ticket out in Russia four years ago, Louis van Gaal s side have continued to shine on their return to the world stage. Enjoying what has been an extended purple patch since welcoming back the former Manchester United boss for a third stint in charge, the Oranges should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Taking seven points from their three Group A appearances and breezing their way to the knockout stage without breaking much of a sweat, Holland could be smelling the chance to s…