Hugo Lloris told France to put the euphoria of their World Cup triumph firmly behind them following another disappointing performance against Ukraine.
Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw in Kiev on Saturday in their latest qualifier for Qatar 2022, meaning they have now drawn five matches in a row for the first time in their history.
Anthony Martial s first international goal in five years cancelled out Mykola Shaparenko s excellent opener but, despite having 61.5 per cent of the ball, Didier Deschamps men could not create enough meaningful chances to find a winner.
Substitute Moussa Diaby hit the post, but only five of France s 16 shots were on target, as they made it five games in a row in Kiev without a victory.
Lloris thinks his side need to put their 2…
Xavi believes Lionel Messi could finally get his hands on the World Cup in Qatar, tipping Argentina alongside Brazil as favourites to land the trophy.
The closest Messi has come to being a World Cup winner was when Argentina were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final.
His unprecedented seven Ballon d Or successes underline Messi s individual greatness, but he is missing the most valued team prize of all.
Winning the Copa America with Argentina last year gave him a first major title in senior international football, with Argentina getting the better of Brazil at the Maracana in the final.
Now, at the age of 35, and in his final World Cup, Argentina captain Messi goes again, with former Barcelona team-mate Xavi strongly rating the Albiceleste s chances.
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Best Odds: 3/4
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Looking to pick up some pre-Euro 24 momentum on Monday night, England will welcome Bosnia Herzegovina to St. James’ Park.
England
Starting with the hosts, while England might have suffered Wembley heartbreak at the hands of Italy three years ago, Gareth Southgate’s men are pencilled in as a standout contender this summer. Arriving in Germany this month with their sights firmly set on securing a first piece of international silverware since their World Cup success way back in 1966, this current crop of Three Lions stars are regarded as a real golden generation. Unbeaten in all of their eight Euro 24 qualifying appearances last year, Southgate’s men have plenty of expectations on their shoulders. However, last seen settling for an …
Luka Modric believes club team-mate Rodrygo will get stronger following his crucial penalty miss in Croatia s World Cup quarter-final victory over Brazil.
Rodrygo was one of two players to fail from 12 yards along with Marquinhos as the Selecao were beaten 4-2 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw at Education City Stadium.
Modric knows how his 21-year-old Real Madrid team-mate feels. The midfield maestro was only a year older when he missed his spot-kick in Croatia s quarter-final defeat by Turkey at Euro 2008.
Despite the disappointment, the Vatreni captain is confident Rodrygo will benefit from the ordeal, telling reporters: I m sure he ll gain more experience and strength to continue. He will get stronger with all this.
It can happen to anyone. We mu…
Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac warned Niklas Sule against rushing his comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in order to feature for Germany at Euro 2020.
Sule, 24, went into a challenge with Augsburg s Florian Niederlechner in the early stages of Saturday s 2-2 draw in Bavaria and tore his ACL.
He underwent surgery the following day and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, while Bayern president Uli Hoeness said Sule can forget the Euros, that s all nonsense .
Nevertheless, with more then seven months to go until Euro 2020 begins on June 12, some have suggested he could yet be of use to Joachim Low in the tournament.
Kovac urged him to be careful to not rush his rehabilitation, however.
Speaking ahead of Bayern s Champions Le…
Southampton have completed a £12.8million move to bring Sporting CP midfielder Mateus Fernandes to the Premier League.
Fernandes, who has been capped seven times by Portugal at under-21 level, spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Estoril, making 28 Primeira Liga appearances and scoring once.
The 20-year-old, who came through Sporting s youth system, has penned a five-year deal with Southampton, who began their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Newcastle United.
Fernandes is the 14th arrival at St Mary s since their promotion back to the top flight, with Flynn Downes, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Cameron Archer among their more expensive acquisitions.
I m very happy to be here, it s a dream come true to come to England and play in the Pre…
Nicolas Pepe admits it wasn t easy to come to terms with leaving Arsenal, believing many judged his performances in the Premier League on his £72million price tag.
Pepe, who joined Arsenal from Lille in 2019, completed a permanent switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor last year, leaving the Emirates on a free transfer.
The Ivorian s arrival in North London came with great expectations, having become the club s most expensive signing, surpassing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang s £56m move from Borussia Dortmund.
That has since been eclipsed by Declan Rice s £100m move from West Ham last year, but the England midfielder flourished in his first season with the Gunners.
Pepe made 112 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists during his four-…
Goals for Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos saw Real Madrid battle their way to a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in a lively LaLiga encounter on Sunday.
Veteran France international Benzema hooked back a loose ball with a sensational volley to beat Unai Simon in the 24th minute at San Mames Stadium.
Kroos then swept home a breakaway finish in the 90th minute to wrap up the points for Carlo Ancelotti s men and keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
But Ernesto Valverde s side will be left to mull whether they should have taken a point from the encounter after pushing hard for a draw before Kroos goal ended those hopes.
FT: 0-2
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
Following Barca s victory over Getafe, it was impera…
Prediction: Bayern Munich to win 3-1
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Mainz and Bayern Munich will face each other in the Bundesliga this coming weekend. The match between Die Nullfünfer and Die Bayern will be held at the MEWA Arena and is scheduled to kick off at 2:30pm UK time on Saturday.
Mainz
Mainz are an established club in the Bundesliga and do well in the top flight of German football. They have been playing in the Bundesliga since the 2009-10 season and tend to finish in mid-table. Now, there have been occasions when Mainz have been in danger of getting relegated to 2. Bundesliga, but overall they have done well in the German top flight.
Bo Svensson’s side are eighth in the Bundesliga table at the moment with 42 points from 28 matches. Main…
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is keen to build on the solid foundations laid by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Slot, who led Feyenoord to their KNVB Cup success last season, officially started his position at the start of June as the Reds start life without Klopp, who won eight trophies during nine years on Merseyside.
Liverpool finished third in the Premier League, nine points behind winners Manchester City and seven behind runners-up Arsenal, lifting the Carabao Cup in February against Chelsea.
The Dutchman is optimistic his new side can once again challenge for the title in his first campaign in charge and is hopeful of continuing the good work Klopp started back in 2015.
I think 82 points is a result of the playing style. Always the points you get…