Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
Second-half goals from Fred and substitute Anthony were the catalyst for a nervy but hard-earned comeback win for Manchester United over La Liga leaders Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League last-32 tie, prevailing 4-3 on aggregate – welcome preparation before their Wembley trip on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle await.
Theo Hernandez’s early strike and a first international goal for second-half substitute Randal Kolo Muani ensure reigning champions France are back in the World Cup final, where they’ll play Lionel Messi and Argentina on Sunday afternoon. Morocco fought valiantly, but Les Bleus can now become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their crown as world champions.
Continue reading “WC 2022 – France 2-0 Morocco: Hernandez, Kolo Muani sink historic Africans, into Sunday’s final”
Olivier Giroud surpassed Thierry Henry to top the all-time goalscoring charts for France, scoring against a former teammate in goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny no less, before Kylian Mbappe’s second-half brace ended Poland’s fading hopes of a late comeback. Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski scored a retaken penalty late, on what could be his last World Cup appearance. Continue reading “France 3-1 Poland: Giroud breaks all-time record, Mbappe’s second-half brace puts Poles to the sword”
Raphael Varane’s catastrophic defensive errors will dominate headlines, but Manchester City were rewarded for their intense pressing from the front against La Liga champions Real Madrid. What were five talking points here, as Pep Guardiola’s men booked their place in next week’s Champions League quarter-finals?
After clinching the La Liga trophy last month, Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side have a tougher challenge to come next. With a 2-1 aggregate deficit to overturn in the blue half of Manchester, Los Blancos have a difficult task ahead on Friday. Continue reading “Champions League last-16 preview: Manchester City vs Real Madrid – Who crashes out?”
Real Madrid went top of La Liga overnight with an important 1-0 away win over Valladolid, courtesy of Nacho Fernandez’s second-half header – but what were three reasons for their latest win, as they extended their unbeaten run to 19? Continue reading “Real Valladolid 0-1 Real Madrid: 3 reasons why Los Blancos won”
After revealing he’d stay at Real despite speculation on his future, I take a look at three reasons why World Cup winner Raphael Varane is right with his latest decision to remain in Madrid…
Continue reading “3 reasons Raphael Varane is right to stay at Real Madrid”
Champions League holders Real Madrid were knocked out in stunning fashion, after a 4-1 home defeat by Ajax. Which players excelled while others faltered though?
Continue reading “Real Madrid 1-4 AFC Ajax: 5 Hits and Flops”
It was a frustrating evening for World champions France, as they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam. Continue reading “UEFA Nations League – Netherlands 2-0 France: 5 Talking Points”
Barcelona ran riot with an emphatic 5-1 win over their fierce rivals Real Madrid, during an unpredictable El Clasico on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading “Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid: 5 Hits and Flops”
France are through to the 2018 World Cup final after a 1-0 victory over Belgium in a tense semi-final encounter in St Petersburg. Both sides fashioned great chances, although the deadlock was finally broken after the interval where Samuel Umtiti leaped above Marouane Fellaini from a corner before heading beyond Thibaut Courtois at the near post.
In a real battle, Les Bleus came out on top and have plenty of players to thank – namely the goalscorer, his centre-back partner Raphael Varane for immense displays at the back, as well as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for a string of impressive saves to keep the scores goalless in the first-half. Continue reading “France 1-0 Belgium: Umtiti’s header breaks Belgians in smash-and-grab victory”
Raphael Varane’s towering header and a long-range effort from Antoine Griezmann were enough to see France progress into the World Cup semi-finals in a feisty, tough affair – which only intensified as the match continued. Continue reading “Uruguay 0-2 France: Varane and Muslera’s error seal semi-final place”
Mo and Sports 