Ghana s World Cup reunion with Uruguay is set to be full of bite, and Luis Suarez was handed a start in the showdown at Al Janoub.
Suarez said on Thursday that he will never apologise for his famous handball on the line in a 2010 quarter-final tie with the Black Stars.
With the scores level at 1-1, Asamoah Gyan hit the resulting spot-kick against the crossbar, and Uruguay went on to win on penalties.
Suarez was sent off for the handball, but it was put to him in the pre-match press conference that many Ghana fans still compare the former Liverpool and Barcelona star to the Devil.
Uruguay coach Diego Alonso had no issues in handing the 35-year-old a starting spot for the crunch Group H match, though. Uruguay need a victory to stand a chance of progressing …
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes says she does not intend to watch Sunday’s Manchester derby that could see her side crowned Women’s Super League champions.
With two rounds of games to go, champions Chelsea are two points clear of second-placed Manchester United heading into their lunchtime kick-off at Kingsmeadow against Arsenal.
If the Blues win, United then failing to in their early evening clash with Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village will mean a fourth successive WSL title – adding to last weekend’s FA Cup success – secured for Hayes’ team.
Asked if she would be watching the derby, Hayes told a press conference: “I said (to her son) I promise you Sunday afternoon we’ll take you out, new bike, and I’ll take him and his cousins for a roll around …
The Republic of Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 were all but ended by the Netherlands for whom substitute Wout Weghorst’s goal secured a 2-1 win in Dublin.
The hosts, in need of victory to put themselves in contention in Group B, took the lead on four minutes when Adam Idah scored from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk had been penalised for handball.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu brought down Denzel Dumfries as the Netherlands won a penalty of their own midway through the first half, with Cody Gakpo levelling from 12 yards.
FT | It ends in defeat at the Aviva Stadium.
— Ireland Football (@IrelandFootball)
Weghorst ensured his side moved second with a game in hand behind leaders France when he scored from Dumfries’ cut-back af…
France must defy the weight of history as they attempt to sink Germany in the second semi-final at the Women s European Championship.
Corinne Diacre s French team have already made a colossal impact on the tournament in England, starting from when they smashed five goals past Italy in the first half of their opening group game.
That felt like a statement 45 minutes, a message to their rivals that this France team are different to those who have come before. Although France have not quite hit those swashbuckling heights since, they are through to their first Women s Euros semi-final, after falling in the quarters in each of the last three editions.
Coach Diacre made some tough choices for this tournament, omitting star forward Eugenie Le Sommer and Champions Leag…
Olivier Giroud s first-half strike proved the difference as Milan battled through to the Champions League last four with a 1-1 draw at Napoli to secure a 2-1 aggregate triumph.
Ismael Bennacer s goal last week at San Siro snatched a 1-0 quarter-final lead and Milan deservedly doubled their aggregate advantage in the first half on Tuesday in Naples.
Giroud had an earlier penalty saved by Alex Meret but made amends soon after with his 43rd-minute opener after Rafael Leao s incredible run to create the goal.
Victor Osimhen s stoppage-time strike offered Napoli hope after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia s 82nd-minute penalty was saved by Mike Maignan, but Milan held on to reach their first Champions League semi-final since 2007.
That run. Just sensational.
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Chelsea are interested in signing Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2025, according to . Lino has impressed a number of clubs with his performances, but it is Chelsea who are showing the most interest at the moment and think that his attacking versatility would be a great addition to the squad.
Lino has been on the books of Atletico since 2022 when he joined from Gil Vicente in the Portuguese Primera Liga. The 24-year-old winger spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Valencia from Atletico and is now part of the Madrid club’s first team.
The Brazilian winger has given one assist in six La Liga matches for Atletico so far this season. Lino has also played 28 minutes in the UEFA Champions League and has scored one goal in four Copa del Rey games for Diego S…
Ajax have signed Damian Van Der Vaart, son of former Netherlands international Rafael.
Midfielder Van Der Vaart moves to Amsterdam from Danish side Esbjerg after Ajax bought out the remainder of the 17-year-old’s contract.
A club statement read: “Ajax has signed Damian Van Der Vaart. The midfielder has agreed to a contract lasting one season, until June 30, 2024.
Damián is the next Van der Vaart
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax)
“This marks the first contract with Ajax for the 17-year-old youth player.”
Esbjerg’s talent manager Anders Brynaa revealed an agreeable deal had been brokered which allowed the young Dutchman to move to Amsterdam.
“Over a long period, we have had a good dialogue with Ajax regarding a possible change …
Atletico Madrid are ready to sell Jan Oblak in the summer transfer window, according to . The report in the Spanish news outlet has claimed that Atletico value Oblak at €30 million, with the goalkeeper having a release clause of €120 million in his contract.
AS has noted that Oblak is aware that his days at Atletico are numbered. The 31-year-old Slovenia international goalkeeper has been on the books of the Spanish club since 2014 and has been one of the best players in his position for years. He has won the La Liga title and the UEFA Europa League once each with Atletico.
Atletico are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 64 points from 33 matches. Diego Simone’s side are seven points behind Girona, who are third, and are six points above Athletic Bilbao…
Manchester United are interested in signing Rayan Cherki from Lyon in the January transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the presence of incoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe could convince Cherki to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Cherki is one of the best young players in France. The 20-year-old, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, has been on the books of Lyon since 2010 and has come through the youth system. He is now part of the first team. The 20-year-old has made 13 starts and four substitute appearances in Ligue 1 this season, providing two assists in the process.
United are eighth in the Premier League table at the moment with 28 points from 18 matches, eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Lyon curren…
Croatia defender Vedran Corluka believes Euro 2016 quarter-finalists Portugal are worse than Turkey and the Czech Republic.
A 117th-minute goal from Ricardo Quaresma saw Portugal edge Croatia 1-0 in the last 16 in what was a poor encounter in Lens on Saturday.
Fernando Santos men are yet to win in 90 minutes at the tournament, but find themselves in a quarter-final with Poland.
Corluka was less than impressed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Co., saying they were poorer than two of Croatia s group opponents – both of whom were knocked out.
Portugal is weaker than Turkey and Czech, he said.
Which defeat was more painful for me, against Turkey in 2008 or this one? It was the one in Vienna in in the 2008 quarter-final.
Domagoj Vida had two of Cr…