Football / Sports

Romelu Lukaku loaned back to Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan confirmed: Lukaku’s second spell at Chelsea came to another unceremonious end on Wednesday, when Inter Milan re-signed the Belgian striker on a season-long loan.

This time around, Lukaku scored 15 goals in 44 appearances (all competitions – 8 in 26 in the Premier League), bringing his Chelsea career total to 15 goals. In total, Chelsea have paid roughly $155 million for Lukaku. Quick math says, $10 million per goal.

10 months after Chelsea, then the newly crowned champions of Europe, paid $135 million to themselves re-acquire Romelu Lukaku as the missing piece to a Premier League title challenge, the 29-year-old heads back to Inter Milan for less than 10 percent of that number. Initially, Chelsea wanted a $10.5-million loan fee; Inter Milan were put off by the price, but an agreement has since been reached (financial details still to come).

Getting Lukaku’s wages off the books at Chelsea and removing a disgruntled star from the locker room is all the moral victory the Blues can claim on this one.

Lukaku played a massive part in Inter Milan’s 2020-21 Serie A title, scoring 24 goals in 36 league games (30 in 44 in all competitions). AC Milan reclaimed the scudetto last season for the first time since 2011, beating Inter to the top spot by just two points.…

Football / Sports

Transfer Update….

Man Utd rejected Barcelona request for Harry Maguire swap included in Frenkie de Jong deal – Paper Talk

Manchester United have rejected a sensational request from Barcelona for England defender Harry Maguire to be included in any deal to sign midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Richarlison: Chelsea are considering rivalling Tottenham for Everton striker

The Blues are interested in the Brazil striker as a potential replacement for Inter Milan-bound Romelu Lukaku; Spurs are very keen on Richarlison and Everton are braced for them to bid; Chelsea could sign as many as three new forwards, with interest in Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele

Ronaldo not for sale despite Chelsea reports

Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale and Manchester United expect him to remain at Old Trafford, despite reports linking the Portugal star with a sensational move to Chelsea. United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League and lack of signings so far this summer has led to reports that Ronaldo may want to leave.

West Ham make offer to sign Lingard on a free

West Ham United have made an offer to Jesse Lingard’s representatives over signing the player on a free transfer.

Lingard officially becomes a free agent on July 1 following the expiration of his Manchester United contract.

Lingard had a successful loan spell at West Ham in the second half of the 2020/21 season when he scored nine goals in 16 Premier League starts.…

Football / Sports

NEWCASTLE SIGNS GOALKEEPER NICK POPE FROM BURNLEY

Newcastle signed goalkeeper Nick Pope to a four-year contract after the England international completed a move from relegated Burnley on Thursday.

The Premier League club paid a fee reported to be 10 million pounds ($12.3 million) for Pope, who made 141 league appearances in his six seasons at Burnley.

The 30-year-old Pope will compete with Martin Dubravka to be manager Eddie Howe’s first-choice goalkeeper.

“Nick is an exceptional Premier League and international level goalkeeper so I’m very pleased to be adding strong competition to a very important position,” Howe said.

Howe said there was “a lot of interest” in Pope from other clubs.

Pope, who has made eight England appearances, said “I can’t wait to get started” at Newcastle, where he will be reunited with former teammate Chris Wood. The New Zealand striker joined in the January transfer window.

Burnley was relegated from the Premier League after six seasons following a 2-1 loss — to Newcastle — in the season finale that allowed rival Leeds to survive.…

Football / News / Sports

Diego Maradona: Eight doctors and nurses who cared for Argentina legend face homicide charges after his death

Maradona, who captained Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning team, died in November 2020 at the age of 60.

The star, who underwent surgery for a subdural haematoma a few weeks prior to his death, died due to cardiac arrest.

Prosecutors now claim his death was the result of “omissions” by his caregivers.

In the 236-page document seen by Reuters, the judge in charge of the case questioned “the behaviors – active or by omission – of each of the accused which led to and contributed to the realization of the harmful result”.

It said that eight people, including doctors, nurses and a psychologist who cared for Maradona at the time of his death, are accused of “simple homicide” – which means taking a life with intent.

A medical team appointed to investigate Maradona’s death in 2021 said the star’s medical team acted in an “inappropriate, deficient and reckless manner”.

The defendants named in the ruling were Maradona’s neurosurgeon and personal doctor, Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, psychologist Carlos Diaz, nurses Gisella Madrid and Ricardo Almiron, their boss Mariano Perroni, and doctors Pedro Di Spagna and Nancy Forlini.

They have all denied responsibility for Maradona’s death and the judge said that lawyers for some of them had requested the case be dismissed.

‘A guilty party is being sought at all costs’

Vadim Mischanchuk, an attorney for Cosachov, said they would appeal the decision, adding the psychiatrist’s area of care had no relation with Maradona’s cause of death.

“A guilty party is being sought at all costs and objectivity is being lost,” the lawyer said.

Mario Baudry, a lawyer for one of Maradona’s sons, told Reuters that the World Cup winner was “in a situation of helplessness” by the time of his death.

Following Maradona’s death, there were three days of national mourning before he was laid to rest in a cemetery near Buenos Aires.

Maradona had long struggled with his health, including alcohol and cocaine addiction. He was …

Football / Sports

Sadio Mane Joins Bayern Munich After Six Years in Liverpool

Sadio Mane has just signed for Bayern Munich for a fee of approximately $33.6M USD with $9.1M USD in add-ons.

The striker claimed it was the right time for a challenge, stating, “I’m very happy to finally be with FC Bayern in Munich. We had a lot of talks and I felt the great interest of this big club from the start.” He adding that he was a big fan of Bayern Munich during his time at FC Salzberg.

Bayern Munich’s CEO, Oliver Kahn, said in an official statement that they were delighted to have signed Mane. “With his outstanding performances and his great successes at the highest international level over many years, there are very few players like him in the world. We’re sure that Sadio Mané will delight our fans in the coming years with his spectacular style of play. He’s ambitious and eager to win more titles. This is a very strong package. With players like him at FC Bayern, all the biggest goals are possible,” Kahn said.

The 30-year-old forward departs after spending six years with Liverpool. The attacker joined the Merseyside in 2016 from Southampton, in which he’s won the Premier League, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.

The Senegalean forward bid farewell to Liverpool and their fans, claiming that he sent a long text announcing his departure to everyone involved. “That was the plan from the beginning – to leave Liverpool in a very good way. It was fantastic in the club, in the dressing room. I am friendly with everybody, the coaching staff and even the kitchen staff, the ladies in the kitchen! So, for me leaving in a good way is so, so important – and [for] the fans as well,” Mane saod.

It might take some time to get used to for Liverpool fans as Mane leaves after scoring a total of 120 goals in 269 appearances. With just one year left on his contract, he departs shortly after the club-record signing …

Football / Foreign / Fraud / Law / News

Ex-footballer Samuel Eto’o pleads guilty to tax fraud to avoid prison

Former Cameroon football star Samuel Eto’o has struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid going to jail for tax fraud he committed while playing for Barcelona, a court in the city announced Monday.

Eto’o, who played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, received a fine and a 22-month suspended sentence but will not serve any time, as is customary in Spain for prison terms of under two years for non-violent crimes.

Reports in Spain claim Eto’o, 41, will pay a fine of 1.8 million euros ($1.9 million).

The record four-time African footballer of the year and Jose Maria Mesalles — his former representative, who for his part was sentenced to 12 months and a fine — must reimburse Spanish tax authorities for the amount defrauded, around 3.9 million euros.

Prosecutors accused Eto’o of failing to declare income from the transfer of image rights between 2006 and 2009.

According to them, Eto’o transferred his image rights to a company based in Hungary which declared his earnings in that country, where the tax rate is one of the “lowest in Europe”.

A second Spanish company declared them in Spain at the corporate tax rate, less than the income tax that should have been paid.

Eto’o was the “real holder of the image rights”, maintained the prosecution, according to whom the transfer was fraudulent and only designed to pay less tax.

Eto’o, who last year was elected head of the Cameroonian football federation, is one of a number of football stars to have a run-in with Spanish tax authorities, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.…

Football / Sports

Giggs quits as Wales coach ahead of domestic violence trial

Ryan Giggs has quit as Wales coach with immediate effect, saying on Monday he didn’t want his upcoming trial on charges of domestic violence to destabilize the national team heading into its first appearance at the World Cup since 1958.

The Manchester United great has been on leave from his post since November 2020, with his assistant, Robert Page, guiding the Welsh to the World Cup in Qatar via the European playoffs this month.

Giggs is accused of controlling and coercive behavior against his former girlfriend from August 2017 to November 2020. He is also accused of assaulting her and her sister. The trial is due to start on Aug. 8.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to manage my country,” Giggs said, “but it is only right that the Wales FA, the coaching staff and the players prepare for the tournament with certainty, clarification and without speculation around the position of their head coach.”

Giggs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A backlog of cases at Manchester Crown Court has delayed the start of the trial.

“Whilst I am confident in our judicial process, I had hoped that the case would have been heard earlier to enable me to resume my managerial responsibilities,” he said. “Through nobody’s fault the case has been delayed.

“I do not want the country’s preparations for the World Cup to be affected, destabilized or jeopardized in any way by the continued interest around this case.”

Giggs played a record 963 times for Man United before retiring in 2014. He also made 64 appearances for Wales and was hired as coach of his national team in January 2018.

Giggs qualified Wales for the most recent European Championship, which was delayed by 12 months to 2021 because of the pandemic. Page led the Welsh in that tournament.

“I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some unforgettable moments during my three years in charge of the national team,” Giggs said. “I am proud of my record and will cherish those special times forever.”…

Football / Sports

Rudiger signs four-year contract with Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger has signed a contract with Real Madrid until 2026 after undergoing a medical with the club on Tuesday.

The German center-back, whose contract with Chelsea expires in June, completed the deal via his agents with Real Madrid, and will arrive at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer.

However, Rudiger‘s move to Real Madrid is not yet official, with the club expected to make an announcement after the Champions League final in Paris on May 28.

It will most likely be the following week as it is intended to be made before the player starts training with the German national team for the Nations League.

Real Madrid and Rudiger had already reached an agreement, but only a few details were still to be finalized, and that happened on Tuesday.

The center-back was at one point distanced from Los Blancos due to his high salary demands, but the two parties resumed negotiations after the center-back relented on his salary demands and a deal was reached.

Carlo Ancelotti also insisted on signing Rudiger as it gives him more options in defence.

With the German and Militao as center-backs, David Alaba can also play at left-back, a position he already occupied at Bayern Munich.…

Football / Sports

Top Transfer News

Arsenal in talks to sign Man City striker Jesus | £35m Vieira deal ‘close’

Arsenal are in talks to sign Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus while a potential £35m deal for Porto’s Fabio Vieira is getting nearer

Bissouma completes Spurs medical ahead of £35m move

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma has completed his Tottenham medical ahead of a £35m move to north London.

Calvin Ramsay: Liverpool agree £6.5m deal for Aberdeen right-back

Liverpool have identified the 18-year-old right-back as a long-term rival for Trent Alexander-Arnold; Aberdeen set to bank a club-record £6.5m fee for the talented defender; Ramsay was named SFWA Young Player of the Year this season

 

Bayern set to meet Liverpool’s £42.5m Mane price

Sadio Mane is on the verge of sealing a move to Bayern Munich with the club preparing an improved offer in line with Liverpool’s £42.5 million valuation.

 …

Football / Sports

El Tri comes from behind to draw Reggae Boyz in Nations League

Mexico showed personality to come from behind on the road in Kingston and leave with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in their second of four CONCACAF Nations League group matches. The result leaves El Tri with ground to make up in the standings in the upcoming set of matches in September.

With the result, Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s men closed out a choppy three weeks of matches on a somewhat positive note. A handful of Mexican fans in Jamaica were still vocal with their “Fuera, Tata” chant (Tata Out), but the team enjoyed some good spells in its fifth and final match of the June period.

But things didn’t come easy for Mexico in Jamaica. The match got off to a disastrous start for El Tri: They failed to convert two clear looks at goal inside the opening minute, and then watched Leon Bailey score an early opener for Jamaica. The goal rattled Mexico and Jamaica looked like they could quickly get another, striking the crossbar on a set piece header by Damion Lowe.

But Mexico regained its composure and began taking the game to Jamaica. They registered several attempts at goal, but Jamaican goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake made several spectacular stops, as he is known to do when he faces the regional giants.

It looked like it would not be their night, but just before halftime El Tri got their goal on a set piece with Luis Romo finally beating Blake on a strong near-post header.

After Kevin Alvarez needed to make a last-ditch goal-line clearance at the start the second half to keep Jamaica from scoring a second, Mexico slowly emerged as the protagonist for the rest of the match. Only Blake kept the visitors from a second goal, stopping vicious strikes from Luis Chavez and substitute Diego Lainez (twice).

The draw was the fair end result, and Mexico can now look ahead to its next set of matches in the September FIFA international window. Before then, there’s also an Aug. 31 friendly against Paraguay in Atlanta …

Football / Sports

Jordan Morris rescues point for USMNT in muddy, sloppy CONCACAF Nations League game

90 minutes in El Salvador on a disgusting, sloppy, muddy mess of a pitch ended level as Jordan Morris rescued a point for the United States on the road in CONCACAF Nations League play.

The U.S. found itself in a peak CONCACAF road match, on a field beat up by torrential rain against a physical opponent. Punched in the mouth on repeated occasions by poor conditions, poor officiating, and an emotional opponent, the United States found an answer in the 90th minute.

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath was caught napping by Alex Larin before halftime, seeing El Salvador up at the break. The second half was chippy, and substitute Paul Arriola was sent off with 20 minutes to go. But less than 10 minutes later, El Salvador was reduced a player as well with Ronald Rodriguez sent off for a last man foul to take down Yunus Musah.

Eventually, Morris found the critical moment as he beat Larin in the air and headed a de la Torre cross into the back of the net to salvage a draw. The result means the United States needs four points from its next two matches to secure a spot in the Nations League final stage.

El Salvador vs. USA final score

1H 2H Final
El Salvador 1 0 1
USA 0 1 1
…
Football / Sports

Darwin Núñez completes move to Liverpool from Benfica

Liverpool has taken another of Portuguese soccer’s best players to strengthen its forward line, with Uruguay striker Darwin Núñez completing his move to Anfield from Benfica for an initial fee of 75 million euros ($78 million) on Tuesday. Núñez’s arrival comes six months after Colombia winger Luis Diaz joined from Porto, Benfica’s big rival, and had an instant impact at Liverpool in the second half of last season. Núñez is expected to become Liverpool’s starting striker as a replacement for Sadio Mané, who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

It is an immediate response by Liverpool to the signing of another of European soccer’s top strikers, Erling Haaland, by Premier League title rival Manchester City on Monday. Núñez doesn’t come with as big a reputation as Haaland but has a strong scoring record with Benfica, netting 34 goals in 41 matches last season including two against Liverpool in the Champions League. “I’ve played against Liverpool and I’ve seen them in lots of games in the Champions League, and it’s my style of play,” he said. “There are some great players here and I think it’s going to suit my style of play here.” In a brief statement to the Portuguese stock market, Benfica said Monday the transfer sum for Núñez could rise to 100 million euros ($104 million) based on variables. The transfer is subject to the successful granting of a work permit and international clearance.

Núñez, a tall and technically gifted striker, will offer something new to the attack of Liverpool, which has relied on the mobility of a smaller forward line containing Mohamed Salah, Mané, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Diaz. Salah and Firmino both have one year left on their contracts.

Núñez has made 11 appearances for Uruguay and follows in the footsteps of compatriot Luis Suarez in playing for Liverpool. Suarez was at Anfield from 2011-14.…

Football / Sports

Depay nets late winner as Netherlands beat Wales

Lively forward Noa Lang scored his first international goal and Memphis Depay got a late winner as group leaders Netherlands secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wales in their Nations League Group A4 clash at a festive De Kuip in Rotterdam on Tuesday.

After Lang had opened the scoring, Cody Gakpo added a second for the home side before Brennan Johnson pulled a goal back for the visitors.

That was the way it stayed until Gareth Bale netted a 92nd-minute penalty which looked to secure a point for the Welsh, but Depay, who missed a penalty late on in the 2-2 draw with Poland last time out, still had time to score the winner.

Netherlands lead Group Four with 10 points from their four games, three ahead of second placed Belgium. Poland (four points) and Wales (one) fill the bottom two positions.

The Dutch have now won all 10 matches they have played against Wales, but were made to work hard for this latest victory.

The pace and quality on the ball of their young forwards had the Wales defenders chasing shadows in the opening stages and the home side were rewarded with two goals.

Lang had already forced a good save from goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey before he found the back of the net on 17 minutes as he twisted and turned past three Wales defenders and rifled his shot into the net.

Gakpo then scored in similar fashion six minutes later as it was his turn to bamboozle the visitors’ defense, holding off four defenders before a fortunate ricochet back into his path allowed him to fire low into the bottom corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

Wales mounted a rare attack midway through the opening half after they were gifted possession by Jordan Teze in the midfield. Johnson was able pick his spot from the edge of the box with a precise finish for a third goal in the game in nine minutes.

Bale looked to have rescued a point late on when he …

Football / Sports

England suffer shock 4-0 home loss to Hungary as Nations League misery continues

England are staring at the prospect of relegation from UEFA Nations League Group A3 after suffering their worst home loss since 1928 with a 4-0 defeat to Hungary at Molineux on Tuesday.

Roland Sallai found the net in both halves to propel the visitors to their first away win against England since a famous 6-3 win at Wembley in 1953. England’s misery was compounded in the final 10 minutes as Zsolt Nagy and Daniel Gazdag scored further goals and John Stones was shown a second yellow card to make it one of the worst nights of Gareth Southgate’s reign.

England remain winless and at the bottom of their Nations League group with two points from four games, including a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in the reverse fixture earlier this month. Hungary top the group on seven points, ahead of Germany and Italy. The group winners go to the Nations League finals next June while the bottom team are relegated.

Southgate made nine changes from the team that drew with Italy at the weekend to give some fringe players a chance. But despite dominating possession, England created few chances, and the experiment backfired leading to loud boos from the home support.

“It’s not pleasant,” Southgate said. “The irony is that the pressure we’ve had and the reputational comments have come in the two Nations League campaigns, and in neither campaign have we been anywhere near able to pick our strongest teams for the games. The matches where every other England manager has been judged, we’ve had the best performances for 50 years.

“So there is a balance in my head. I’m really clear. But I totally understand the response tonight. I totally understand there’s been this narrative all week. I didn’t think that was correct after the Germany game. But tonight, I can’t dress up what’s happened tonight in any way, shape or form. But if we’re judged on the matches with our full strength players, then I think it’s a different assessment.

“So I’ve got to accept the next period …

Football / Sports

Super Eagles Set to Soar Over São Tomé in Agadir

After the opening day’s slim 1-0 win over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone last Thursday in Abuja, the Super Eagles are set to battle ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir on Monday, June 13.

The Nigerian delegation for the 2023 AFCON qualifying match landed in Morocco yesterday morning.

The Super Eagles are said to be in buoyant spirits following the victory over Leone Stars in Abuja.

Head Coach Jose Peseiro said at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa that the encounter against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ will bring the best out of his team as they seek to go top of the Group A table.

“We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it.

“As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players. It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”

Meanwhile, the three-time African champions will be without the services of defender and deputy skipper William Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke who have returned to their respective bases in England and France to attend to injuries copped during the international break.

Bonke was injured in the friendly game against Mexico in Dallas on 28th May, while Ekong suffered a groin strain in the 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday.…

Football / Sports

BELGIUM DOMINATES POLAND IN STATEMENT NATIONS LEAGUE WIN

Five days after suffering a 4-1 shellacking by the archrival Netherlands — a defeat that left many wondering if the No. 2-ranked Red Devils really have what it takes to lift the World Cup later this year — Belgium responded in convincing fashion Wednesday, with a 6-1 comeback victory over Poland in both teams’ second match of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.

Polish star Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring against the run of play in the 26th minute, but Roberto Martinez’s team, which squandered several chances to take an early lead in Brussels, equalized through Axel Witsel before the first half was over.

In the second half, the hosts dominated, eventually turning the match into a farce with five unanswered strikes from Kevin De Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, Loïs Openda and two from Leandro Trossard.

Here are three quick thoughts on the rout.

Motivation no issue for Belgium

Everyone knows how talented Roberto Martinez’s squad is. With all-world players at every position and backups who would start for just about any other national team, their quality has never been in question. Their commitment to winning this tournament, on the other, hand, certainly was after they fell behind at home for the second game in a row.

Before losing to the Dutch, star Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne raised eyebrows when he publicly disparaged the four-year-old Nations League, Europe’s second-most prestigious event for national teams following the quadrennial Euros.

“For me, the Nations League is unimportant,” he said. “Just glorified friendlies after a long and tough season. I am not looking forward to it.”

De Bruyne and his teammates looked like they didn’t want to be there last week, especially after veteran forward Romelu Lukaku went down with an injury, underscoring De Bruyne’s concerns about the load the competition places on players.

But the Belgians were on the front foot from the opening whistle Wednesday, and they looked every bit like World Cup contenders against a fellow Qatar-bound foe who just happened to have the player voted FIFA’s best the past two …

Football / Sports

Italy cling on for 2-1 win over Hungary to top England’s Nations League group

The Azzurri held on to go from the Italian Sob to the Italian Job done as they sunk the Three Lions’ conquerors 2-1 in Cesena.

European champions Italy have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games.

But until Mancini lunged in on the hour to fizz home a near-post cross from Attila Fiola they looked likely to halve that staggering stat.

Nicolo Barella, emphatically, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, easily, had rewarded Italian dominance by scoring after 30 and 45 minutes respectively.

But Mancini gave his team-mates and namesake manager Roberto some twitchy moments by arriving in the wrong place at the wrong time to put through his own net.

Fiola matched his impressive approach work down the right by raking the ball across.

And Mancini slid in with a precision of touch and timing that would have been applauded… had he produced it at the other end.

The Roma star remained flat out at full-stretch on the ground with anguish and embarrassment before team-mates dragged him up.

In the end, though, Hungary lacked the extra class to make him fully pay for his slide-fool finish with an equalizer.

And now it’s England who lie prone – at the bottom of the group with just a point.

Italy clearly deserved their victory overall.

Hungary keeper Denes Dibusz parried out a Mancini header early on.

Azzurri stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma reacted just as smartly to deny Roland Salli.

But it was all change once Italy pounced on the half-hour.

Leonardo Spinazzola slotted the ball across the edge of the area for Barella to power home.

Pellegrini nearly teed up Wilfried Gnonto to double the lead but promptly prodded home himself from a Matteo Politano center.

Napoli winger Politano hit the bar soon after the break.

And Italy’s flowing play seemed on course for a possibly bigger win – until Mancini’s unexpected intervention made for a surprisingly tight finale.…

Football / Sports

Harry Kane late penalty rescues England draw at Germany in Nations League clash

Harry Kane scored a late penalty to help England secure a vital 1-1 draw at Germany in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday.

Jonas Hofmann put the Germans ahead after 50 minutes but the visitors were awarded a penalty in the final five minutes.

After a long VAR check, Nico Schlotterbeck was adjudged to have brought down Kane in the area and Kane equalized from the spot to claim his 50th international goal.

The result means that England came away with one point from their opening two Nations League games after defeat to Hungary on the weekend.

After suffering a first defeat by Hungary for 60 years on Saturday in their opening League A, Group Three fixture, England fielded an experienced lineup in a noisy Allianz Arena but were second best for much of the clash.

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Hofmann had the ball in the England net early on as Germany dominated but an offside flag cut short his celebrations.

He was not to be denied though and he beat Jordan Pickford with a powerful, slightly-deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area five minutes after the interval.

Despite a rather labored performance, England had their chances with Bukayo Saka inches away in first-half stoppage time and Mason Mount and Kane both denied by Germany keeper Manuel Neuer as England sought a leveler.

“It is really important to show the mentality, 1-0 behind we showed good character to get back into the game and get a result,” Kane, who is now three goals behind England’s all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney, said.

“We were playing against a very good Germany side. We kept going and played our best football in the last half an hour.”

It was a frustrating end to the game for Germany who have drawn both their opening matches in the group. England, who face group leaders Italy at the weekend, are bottom.

Germany were far sharper for most of the evening and thought they had gone ahead midway through the first half when Hofmann galloped clear …

Football / Sports

Thibaut Courtois’ clutch saves cement Real Madrid’s UCL winning pedigree

Real Madrid might not be leaving the French capital with Kylian Mbappe in their luggage but they are taking a 14th UEFA Champions League trophy home with them after a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Stade de France on Saturday.

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game on the hour mark, but the Saint-Denis spectacle was unfortunately marred by the chaotic scenes of supporters unable to enter the venue in time for kickoff with questions already being asked by the Reds.

As finals go, it was far from pretty and the atmosphere was deflated further once it became clear that there were major issues going on in and around the stadium and it was an opportunistic Real who came out on top thanks to a Thibaut Courtois masterclass between the sticks. Karim Benzema had a first-half strike disallowed for offside after a VAR check but Vinicius’ effort from a Federico Valverde assist just before the hour was Los Blancos’ only shot on target over the 90 minutes as the Spanish giants somehow kept Liverpool at bay.

Jurgen Klopp’s men created plenty with nearly double figures in terms of efforts on target, but they found Courtois in inspired form and the Belgium international once again showed his value for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as he earned his UCL crown.

“Back in England, I do not get enough respect,” said Courtois after the final whistle. “So, well, I showed it today. I wanted to put some respect on my name there.”

Courtois’ nine saves on the night were the most on record since 2003-04 by any keeper in a single Champions League final, according to Opta. Liverpool won the xG battle 2.14 to 0.88 but came away empty-handed due to Courtois’ heroics.

Whether or not Real’s is a valid approach long-term given their ageing squad and inability to truly dominate opponents remains to be seen, but their failure to land Mbappe means that any planned summer rebuild will need to be reconsidered.

Based on this performance, the French superstar would not …

Football / Sports

Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi take home UEFA Conference League title

Jose Mourinho has done it again. The Special One led his AS Roma side to its first title since 2008 and the first UEFA trophy won in club history. The Giallorossi defeated Feyenoord, 1-0, in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Tirana, Albania, on Wednesday. Nicolo Zaniolo scored the winning goal in the inaugural tournament in the 32nd minute that helped send Giallorossi fans into a frenzy.

The last time AS Roma won any silverware came in 2008 when they won the Coppa Italia under Luciano Spalletti. They also lost their previous two European finals at the hands of Liverpool in the 1984 European Cup and Inter Milan in the 1991 UEFA Cup. It took them 31 years to play another final, but this time the trophy is going back to Rome, where tens of thousands of fans watched the match inside the Stadio Olimpico. With the win, AS Roma have clinched a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League group stage, which you can stream directly on Paramount+.

This is Mourinho’s fifth European final and trophy. He’s never lost a major UEFA final as manager. He has been triumphant in each of the previous four – with Porto in the 2003 UEFA Cup and 2004 UEFA Champions League, Inter in the 2010 UEFA Champions League and Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Europa League. He has, however, lost two UEFA Super Cups. For the Portuguese coach as well as Roma fans, Wednesday will go down as a an unforgettable night.

The first half wasn’t exciting as we could expect from these two sides, but it produced the only goal of the night. Feyenoord tried to maintain possession time and Mourinho’s side didn’t take many risks. There were not many chances, with only three shots on target overall in the first 45 minutes. However, AS Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who had just worked his way back to fitness, was forced to go off with an injury and was replaced by Sergio Oliveira. The 32nd minute gave us the …