Ireland to face Kazakhstan in Women’s World Cup play-offs
The Republic of Ireland women will face Kazakhstan in the first round of the World Cup play-offs in their bid to reach the tournament in Brazil.
France Sport News
Gary Lineker says Harry Kane is the ‘greatest English striker we’ve ever had’
Gary Lineker celebrated Harry Kane equalling his World Cup goals record for England by branding the Bayern Munich talisman the “greatest English striker we’ve ever had”.
Real Madrid sign Konate from Liverpool
June 18 : Real Madrid have signed France defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer, the LaLiga club said on Thursday, securing the centre back on a deal until June 2030.
Kane scores twice as England beat Croatia to launch World Cup charge
ARLINGTON, United States: Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday. Jude Bellingham, immediately after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes to go ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2-2. The prolific Kane twice put England ahead in the first half — one a retaken penalty — only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit back for 2018 runners-up Croatia. With both sides shaky at the back, the second half threatened another goal glut, Bellingham needing just two minutes to put England ahead again in front of a crowd of 70,000. England had numerous chances to extend their lead immediately after, but did not take them until Rashford popped up. The meeting was a repeat of the 2018 semifinal, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra-time, although England have since had the edge against one of the older squads at the tournament in North America. Thomas Tuchel’s side, bidding to deliver England a first major trophy since 1966, made a nervy start in front of a packed house at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys. Then the drama came. Croatia’s talismanic captain Luka Modric dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box. Kane saw his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line. Turpin once sent off Tuchel in the Champions League and the referee taking charge of the game had been highlighted by English media this week.
Auger-Aliassime overcomes tough test against American Learner Tien to reach Halle Open quarters
Montreal's Félix Auger-Aliassime narrowly avoided an upset at the Terra Wortmann Open, rallying for a 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) win over Learner Tien of the United States in second-round action Wednesday in Halle, Germany.
Brest coach Eric Roy dead at 58
June 17 : Brest coach Eric Roy has died at the age of 58 after battling pancreatic cancer, his family said on Wednesday.
World Cup goals record ‘just a number,’ says Messi
KANSAS CITY: Lionel Messi savored a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer on Tuesday but said, “ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more.”
DR Congo score 1st World Cup goal, pull out surprise draw vs. Portugal
TEXAS: Yoane Wissa scored a goal in first-half stoppage time and the Democratic Republic of Congo pulled off a surprising 1-1 draw against Portugal in the opening World Cup game for each side to begin Group K play at Houston on Wednesday. Portugal dominated possession but had just one shot on goal as DR Congo goaltender Lionel Mpasi finished without a save. It allowed DR Congo to earn a point in the country’s second-ever World Cup appearance and first since 1974 when it was known as Zaire. DR Congo’s draw was one of the more stunning results of early World Cup action, alongside the 0-0 draw Cape Verde orchestrated in their World Cup debut against a tournament favorite in Spain on Monday. Joao Neves scored an early goal for Portugal, which owned possession for 60 percent of the match and completed 791 passes to 263 for DR Congo and yet were unable to secure the victory. Due to the draw, Portugal fell two spots to seventh in the FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings. DR Congo rose three spots to No.