Andorra - players.bio

Unimpressive England beat Andorra 2-0 in World Cup mismatch

BIRMINGHAM, England :England needed an own goal to open the scoring during a laboured 2-0 win over Andorra in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday before Declan Rice made the result somewhat more respectable against the tiny principality ranked 170 places below them.

Cristiano Ronaldo extends goal-scoring record as he targets a sixth World Cup

MANCHESTER: Cristiano Ronaldo’s quest to play in a record sixth World Cup began in typical fashion with two goals as Portugal made a winning start to its qualifying campaign by routing Armenia 5-0. Ronaldo’s goals extended his record as the highest scorer in men’s international football to 140 and underlined his enduring motivation to keep setting more benchmarks before his storied career comes to an end. The 40-year-old soccer great has recently signed a new contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and led Portugal to victory at the UEFA Nations League last summer. The World Cup is the one major trophy that eludes him — leaving him behind his great rival Lionel Messi, who lifted soccer’s biggest prize with Argentina in 2022. Next year would likely be Ronaldo’s last chance to win it when the tournament is staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Newcastle’s Burn has ‘nothing but good wishes’ for Isak

LONDON: Newcastle defender Dan Burn insisted on Friday he feels “no animosity” toward Alexander Isak following the striker’s drawn-out move to Premier League rivals Liverpool. Isak effectively went on strike in order to force a move through a move to the English champions, with a British record £125 million ($169 million) transfer finally completed on Monday’s deadline day of the summer window. Newcastle fans turned on their one-time hero and while Burn was sympathetic toward their feelings, the Magpies center-half accepts the Sweden striker had to look after himself. “I’ve been in football long enough to understand that for a player, the careers are short and they’ve got things that they want to achieve,” Burn said ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier with Andorra on Saturday. “So for me, happy that it’s over. “Alex is a mate, so it was tough situation because you wanted him to be around and helping the team, but also understand for him, what he needs to do personally.

’No curse’ on England, insists Tuchel despite near misses

LONDON: England manager Thomas Tuchel is adamant there is “no curse” upon his side as he looks to end their near 60-year wait for a major international trophy.England’s only previous major title came at the 1966 World Cup on home soil, defeating West Germany in the final.England came close several times to ending the drought under Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate, losing successive European Championship finals, as well as reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals and the last eight in 2022.England’s women have enjoyed success under Sarina Wiegman, winning back-to-back Euros titles in 2022 and 2025, while the men’s Under-21 side are also double European champions after backing up their 2023 title with victory in Slovakia in June.“Not at all,” Tuchel said when asked if he felt extra pressure due to the women’s and youth teams’ successes.“If it is something, then it is a good omen and I was so happy for Sarina and (Under-21 coach) Lee (Carsley) because they made it and they made an extraordinary effort and a huge success with back-to-back victories...“It is possible (to win a trophy with England), there is no curse on English teams and it is a good omen and we will do our very best to follow their example.”England face Andorra on Saturday in qualifying for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, before taking on Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday.“I get a lot of tips, that’s for sure, but always in a friendly manner,” former Chelsea boss Tuchel said of his interactions with England fans.“Most of them just say, ‘Bring it home, Thomas’.