Month: December 2024

A stunning goal from Theo Hernandez sent France into the Nations League final after they battled back to beat Belgium 3-2.

The Milan full-back struck in the 90th minute after Karim Benzema and a Kylian Mbappe penalty had cancelled out goals from Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku.

Lukaku thought he had won an enthralling contest for Belgium with 88 minutes gone, but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR check, and France made their luck count.

In an even opening to the game, Hugo Lloris made a stunning save to keep out Kevin De Bruyne s scuffed effort from close range before Mbappe went close at the other end.

With each side lining up in a 3-4-3 that cancelled out the other, the game began to drift before Carrasco collected De Bruyne s pass, drove in…

Ronald Koeman has returned to Barcelona as head coach following Quique Setien s sacking.

The Dutchman leaves his role as boss of the Netherlands, having agreed a two-year deal at Camp Nou.

Setien s sacking was confirmed after just seven months in charge, as he paid the price for Barca s failure to win LaLiga and their 8-2 Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Koeman becomes Barca s fifth Dutch coach, following in the footsteps of Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard.

The former Netherlands boss also turned out for the Blaugrana as a player between 1989 and 1995, securing his place among the club s greatest ever Dutchmen. Here, we take a look at those key figures in the club s history.

— FC…

Prediction: Costa Rica to win 3-0

Best Odds:

Bookmaker:

Costa Rica and Paraguay will lock horns with each other in the 2024 Copa America this week. The Group D match between Gustavo Alfaro’s side and Daniel Garnero’s team will be held at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. It is scheduled to kick off at 2 am UK time on Wednesday.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica are a well-known footballing nation in the CONCACAF region and will have been determined to do well in the 2024 Copa America. They do not have a great record in the prestigious competition, though. Costa Rica have not progressed beyond the group stage since the 2004 Copa America in Peru.

Gustavo Alfaro’s side were drawn against Brazil, Colombia and Paraguay in 2024 Copa América Group D. Brazi…

Wayne Rooney has resigned as Derby County manager after a rollercoaster reign, the former Manchester United and England star said on Friday.

Rooney took his first role in management when he was appointed at Derby in November 2020, and faced a difficult challenge as the club were blighted by off-field issues.

Derby were relegated from the Championship at the end of last season after having 21 points deducted, 12 for entering administration and nine for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.

The Rams will be playing in the third tier for the first time since the 1985-86 season, yet Derby had hoped to keep Rooney.

American businessman Chris Kirchner expressed an interest in acquiring the club and was named preferred bidder by administr…

Kalvin Phillips has signed for Manchester City from Leeds United in a deal that is reportedly worth up to £45million.

City, who had already signed striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, were in the market for a holding midfielder to complement Rodri after Fernandinho confirmed he would be leaving the Premier League champions after nine years with the club.

Phillips was identified as the ideal replacement and City have moved quickly to sign the England international, who has penned a six-year contract.

It was reported last month that City and Leeds had agreed a fee of £42m, plus a further £3m in add-ons, and the move was officially confirmed on Monday.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: Kalvin is a player that we have long admire…

Netherlands came from a goal down to seal a morale-boosting 2-1 friendly victory away to England on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson s side were riding high after their 3-2 victory over Germany on Saturday, but they failed to replicate the same standards they hit in the second half in Berlin against a Dutch side who looked far sharper than in recent displays.

Wembley observed an impeccable minute s silence for the victims of the recent terror attacks in Brussels, Lahore and Iskanderiyah, while applause once again sounded in tribute to Johan Cruyff, but the home fans did not have much to cheer until Jamie Vardy capped a fine team move to snatch the lead just before half-time.

Vincent Janssen, on his full debut for Danny Blind s side, equalised from the penalty spot on 50 minu…

Jurgen Klopp said Sergio Aguero is one of the best players he ever managed against after the ex-Manchester City forward announced his retirement.

Aguero, who joined Barcelona from City earlier this year, confirmed his decision to retire on Wednesday at an event featuring president Joan Laporta and the Blaugrana s first-team players, while representatives of the 33-year-old s other clubs – including Pep Guardiola – also attended.

The Argentina international suffered chest pain in a LaLiga match against Deportivo Alaves on October 30, which Barca confirmed was down to a heart arrhythmia.

Further tests resulted in Aguero being ruled out for three months to undergo a diagnostic and therapeutic process . After consultations with specialists, he was told…

Chelsea failed to make the most of their superiority as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, with the hosts extending their unbeaten run to seven across all competitions.

Antonio Conte s men were looking to open a six-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Liverpool after their entertaining 3-3 draw with Arsenal on Friday, but ultimately Chelsea could not successfully break down Sam Allardyce s stubborn Everton.

For all of their first-half dominance, Chelsea did not create as many clear-cut chances as Conte would have hoped, with Jordan Pickford only troubled sporadically.

The champions were quick out of the blocks after the break and saw a couple of opportunities go begging, but such chances soon dried up once again.

Eden …

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Barcelona after being released from his contract with Arsenal.

Aubameyang, who earlier in January returned to the Gunners early from the Africa Cup of Nations due to some concerns over heart lesions , has not played since December 6.

The 32-year-old was stripped of Arsenal s captaincy for a disciplinary breach and had not featured in Mikel Arteta s squad since.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed he had terminated his deal with Arsenal by mutual consent, and he has now signed for Barca.

Aubameyang has agreed a contract running until June 30, 2025 with an option to agree to cut ties earlier, on June 30, 2023. It includes a buy-out clause of €100million. 

Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 …

The Champions League returns on Wednesday as the first legs of the round of 16 come to an end.

Manchester United travel to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid, with the visitors aiming to become just the fourth team to 500 goals in the European Cup and Champions League combined.

Erik ten Hag s Ajax thrilled in the group stages with their high-scoring and free-flowing football, and they make the trip to the Estadio da Luz to face Benfica in the other first-leg meeting.

Here, Stats Perform unpacks the pick of the Opta data behind the pair of knockout fixtures in Europe s premier club competition.

Atletico Madrid v Manchester United

United and Atletico have somehow only faced each other in the same European campaign once previously, whe…