Tag: France

Match coverage

France 4-1 Australia: World champions rally from early scare to earn big win in World Cup opener

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Adrien RABIOT and Olivier GIROUD of France during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Group D match between France and Australia on November 22, 2022 in Al...]

Four of the last five World Cup winners have gone on to crash out in the group stages at the subsequent tournament, a statistic beginning with France themselves back in 2002. For a 20-minute spell in their Group D opener against Australia, you could be forgiven for thinking history would repeat itself. Now though, they’ll be expecting to build on a display highlighting some strengths while lluminating weaknesses with tougher challenges in the days to come.
Continue reading “France 4-1 Australia: World champions rally from early scare to earn big win in World Cup opener” →

Analysis, feature pieces

U19 Euros: After flawless group stage campaign, tougher tests now await English teens

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Liam Delap of England celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2022 Group B...

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 “U19 Euros: After flawless group stage campaign, tougher tests now await English teens” →

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Fiorentina’s forward overtures for Jonathan Ikone show where they aspire to be

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Samuel Moutoussamy of FC Nantes competes for the ball with Jonathan Ikone of Lille OSC during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Lille OSC and FC...

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 “Fiorentina’s forward overtures for Jonathan Ikone show where they aspire to be” →

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Gareth Southgate’s contract extension felt inevitable, but is no less divisive

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Gareth Southgate, Manager of England and Steve Holland, Assistant Manager of England pose for a photo after the England Press Conference after...

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 “Gareth Southgate’s contract extension felt inevitable, but is no less divisive” →

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Spain 1-2 France: Les Bleus seal Nations League title the hard way after nailbiting finish

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Hugo Lloris of France lifts The UEFA Nations League Trophy following their team's victory in the UEFA Nations League 2021 Final match between Spain...

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 “Spain 1-2 France: Les Bleus seal Nations League title the hard way after nailbiting finish” →

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Belgium 2-3 France: Benzema, Mbappe key as Les Bleus earn second-half comeback win

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Karim Benzema of France gives words of encouragement to team mate Kylian Mbappe before taking a penalty to level the scoreline at 2-2 during the UEFA...

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.
Continue reading “Belgium 2-3 France: Benzema, Mbappe key as Les Bleus earn second-half comeback win” →

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Report: Tottenham in advanced talks with Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram

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Marcus Thuram of France during Team France training session at INF Clairefontaine on May 27, 2021 in Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France.

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 “Report: Tottenham in advanced talks with Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram” →

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Euro 2020: Karim Benzema to make France return after six-year absence

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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid duels for the ball with Alejandro Berenguer of Athletic Club during the La Liga Santander match between Athletic Club...

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.
Continue reading “Euro 2020: Karim Benzema to make France return after six-year absence” →

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France boss Deschamps fears Europe’s top leagues prioritising money over safety

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Deschamps has today had his say, with other top leagues resuming next month. (Picture: Sportskeeda)

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 “France boss Deschamps fears Europe’s top leagues prioritising money over safety” →

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Ousmane Dembele’s doctor confirms winger to return in three months

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Dembele limped off in tears against his former club during their Champions League win on Nov. 27

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 “Ousmane Dembele’s doctor confirms winger to return in three months” →

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Olivier Giroud reveals his January move to Inter was blocked by boss Lampard

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Olivier Giroud, Frank Lampard both earn 9/10 for Chelsea's derby ...

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.

Continue reading “Olivier Giroud reveals his January move to Inter was blocked by boss Lampard” →

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3 possible replacements for Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona

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Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling - two of England's best - could be destined for big moves this summer

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 “3 possible replacements for Ousmane Dembele at Barcelona” →