Ian Foster’s men topped Group B with three wins, seven goals scored and none conceded – finishing with a 1-0 victory over second-placed Israel on Saturday evening. Up next for them is the Italians on Tuesday afternoon in the tournament’s semi-finals, but will they hold firm again? Continue reading
Tag: France
Fiorentina’s forward overtures for Jonathan Ikone show where they aspire to be
Recent reports claim Fiorentina – sixth in Serie A so far this term – are close to snatching a shrewd mid-season acquisition next month: Lille’s French winger Jonathan Ikone at just €15m (£12.75m), the sort of cut-price fee they’ll be hoping propels them into serious European challengers, as opposed to the frequent pretender tag they’ve long beld in Italy. Continue reading
Gareth Southgate’s contract extension felt inevitable, but is no less divisive
Gareth Southgate’s two-year extension announcement means, if all goes well, he’ll remain England manager until December 2024 – occupying the position for more than eight years, being their longest head coach since Bobby Robson. They’ve progressed considerably under his guidance and yet there remains an unwavering feeling he’s taken them as far as he can. Continue reading
Spain 1-2 France: Les Bleus seal Nations League title the hard way after nailbiting finish
World champions France recovered from another deficit, for the second time in four days, to be crowned the 2021 UEFA Nations League champions with a 2-1 win over Euro 2020 semi-finalists Spain. Just like their comeback win over Belgium, goals from Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe saw them storm ahead in a frenetic second-half packed with chances for both sides. Continue reading
Belgium 2-3 France: Benzema, Mbappe key as Les Bleus earn second-half comeback win
In a week where he addressed the Real Madrid rumours and mother Fayza provided an update on her son’s future, Kylian Mbappe produced his best display since May to help propel France into the UEFA Nations League Final, where they play Euro 2020 semi-finalists Spain on Sunday.
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Report: Tottenham in advanced talks with Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram
Per today’s reports, Tottenham are leading the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram – currently in Didier Deschamps’ Euro 2020 squad with France. The versatile 23-year-old, who has two successful Bundesliga seasons under his belt, has admirers aplenty. Continue reading
Euro 2020: Karim Benzema to make France return after six-year absence
Six years after his last call-up with politics, allegations of racism and an ongoing court case bubbling beneath the surface, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been named in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man France squad for the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament – which begins in less than a month’s time. He’s expected to lead the line after an excellent season at club level.
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France boss Deschamps fears Europe’s top leagues prioritising money over safety
England’s top-flight is among Europe’s top divisions set to resume next month, but France coach Didier Deschamps insists they are only doing so due to financial reasons – while sharing his worries over player fitness and heightened injury risk. Continue reading
Ousmane Dembele’s doctor confirms winger to return in three months
Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, who today celebrates his 23rd birthday, is progressing as planned in recovering from the hamstring injury that sidelined him indefinitely on February 3. Continue reading
Olivier Giroud reveals his January move to Inter was blocked by boss Lampard
Olivier Giroud has admitted he saw himself ‘far away from Chelsea’ during a difficult January window, one which saw his proposed exit eventually blocked by manager Frank Lampard: with the experienced Frenchman set to join Inter Milan.
3 possible replacements for Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. After Tuesday’s news broke about Ousmane Dembele’s fitness, Barcelona’s quest to conquer Europe again just got a whole lot more difficult. Continue reading
Laporte sidelined, Manchester City linked with Inter’s Milan Skriniar
With Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte sidelined until the New Year after successful knee surgery, Pep Guardiola is reportedly targeting a move for Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar this coming winter. Continue reading