Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates will play defending champions France or African record-breakers Morocco on Sunday afternoon in the World Cup Final after ultimately easing to a 3-0 win over Croatia in the tournament’s first semi-final. Turns out, Nicolas Tagliafico’s pre-match comments on the PSG man’s presence aged well here. Will they again this weekend?
Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Messi’s masterful display, Alvarez brace propels Argentina into Sunday’s final”
As good as Croatia were for sustained periods, Belgium had ample opportunity to punish Zlatko Dalic’s side. Instead, they again rued missed goalscoring chances and a startling lack of urgency at times, with their goalless draw on MD3 meaning the golden generation have failed to qualify from the World Cup group stages. Roberto Martinez’s contract expired at the tournament’s end and well, the inquest into their latest underachievement must be thorough. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Croatia draw sees Belgium crash out and Martinez depart, they must now rebuild”
Having laboured to a lacklustre 1-0 win over Canada, then being stunned 2-0 by Morocco on MD2, Roberto Martinez’s Belgium enter today’s group stage encounter with Croatia – the World Cup runners-up four years ago – aware tournament progression remains in their hands. As speculation about dwindling team dynamics and squad division persists, the 49-year-old Spaniard insists critics should enjoy what’s left of this golden generation, not inventing stories. Continue reading “World Cup 2022: Belgium boss Martinez rubbishes negative news before crunch clash vs. Croatia”
The 22-year-old, capped by Belgium from under-17 to under-21 level, has settled quickly to life under compatriot Vincent Kompany in Lancashire – six goals and two assists since his August transfer – and French reports today suggest he’ll be the man tasked with replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad after the Marseille midfielder’s nasty knee injury on Sunday. Continue reading “Anass Zaroury: Who is Burnley winger replacing Amine Harit in Morocco’s World Cup squad?”
Goals from Joao Cancelo, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix and Andre Silva in stoppage-time sealed an impressive 4-1 victory for Nations League winners Portugal – but they could have easily put Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia to the sword by half-time. Which individual players impressed while others struggled in Porto? Continue reading “Nations League – Portugal 4-1 Croatia: Player Ratings as Santos’ side cruise to victory”
England manager Gareth Southgate had special praise for captain Harry Kane, after his winner secured a semi-final spot ahead of next summer’s Nations League Finals. Continue reading “Gareth Southgate praises Harry Kane, calls him world’s best goalscorer”
England battled hard and recovered from 1-0 down to seal their Nations League semi-final place – but who struggled while others impressed at Wembley?
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic bemoaned fatigue as a key factor, after England’s dramatic comeback saw his side relegated in the UEFA Nations League this afternoon. Continue reading “Zlatko Dalic bemoans fatigue as Croatia relegated from League A”
Late goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane sealed a dramatic comeback for England, who secured their place in next summer’s UEFA Nations League semi-finals at Wembley.
Continue reading “England 2-1 Croatia: Kane’s late winner sends Lions to Nations League semis”
Manchester City and England winger Raheem Sterling has publicly praised Jadon Sancho’s work ethic, while revealing he’s not surprised by just how quickly the 18-year-old forward has eased seamlessly into international football at senior level. Continue reading “Raheem Sterling praises Jadon Sancho as teenager settles quickly with England”
Ahead of this month’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain, Gareth Southgate has made a few brave inclusions to his England side – granting three creative talents their first senior call-ups for the Three Lions. Continue reading “England squad announced: Maddison, Mount and Sancho earn first call-ups”
After an unpredictable tournament packed with memorable moments, France and Croatia will contest the 21st World Cup final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday afternoon. Both sides have worked hard and battled through difficult moments to get here, but both know their final opponent pose various threats; so they’ll be equally bullish about their chances of bringing home the ultimate prize.
Continue reading “World Cup Final Preview: France vs Croatia – All or nothing”
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