Wilson Odobert brace helps Spurs overcome AZ Alkmaar in Europa League last 16
A brace by Wilson Odobert fired Tottenham into the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar to keep their season alive.
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Nico Williams fires Bilbao into Europa League quarters, Eintracht hammer Ajax
PARIS: Athletic Bilbao beat 10-man Roma 3-1 in their Europa League last-16 second leg on Thursday, while Eintracht Frankfurt put four past Ajax to book their place in the quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate win. Euro 2024 winner Nico Williams grabbed a vital brace as Bilbao overturned a one-goal first-leg deficit to progress 4-3 on aggregate against the Italians. The tie swung dramatically in the hosts’ favor in the 11th minute when veteran Roma center-half Mats Hummels received a straight red card for a last-man tackle on Maroan Sannadi. Bilbao cranked up the pressure and finally found the breakthrough they were so desperately craving three minutes into first-half additional time. Inaki Williams’ cross from the left traveled all the way across the box to his brother at the back post who shot first time, his goalbound effort taking a wicked deflection off Angelino to beat Mile Svilar. A bullet Yuri Berchiche header from a corner gave the Basques a 2-0 lead in the 68th minute at the San Mames and Nico Williams grabbed a fine second eight minutes from time. A 93rd-minute penalty by Leandro Paredes gave the Romans hope in the final seconds, but Bilbao held firm. It was a better evening for fellow Italian capital club Lazio, who progressed 3-2 on aggregate against Viktoria Plzen. Pavel Sulc levelled the tie for the Czechs shortly after half-time, but Alessio Romagnoli nodded in a corner with 19 minutes remaining to tie the score at 1-1 in the Stadio Olimpico and send Lazio through. Elsewhere in the Europa League, goals by Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Hugo Ekitike, as well as a Mario Goetze brace, handed Eintracht Frankfurt a 4-1 home win against Ajax. The German side progressed to the next stage with a 6-2 win over both legs. Nor
Lappartient prepared to tell Trump IOC's autonomy must be respected
PARIS : International Olympic Committee presidential candidate David Lappartient is prepared to sit down with Donald Trump in the Oval Office and tell the U.S. president the IOC's autonomy must be respected.
Mbappe back with France for Nations League quarter-finals against Croatia
PARIS : Kylian Mbappe has been called up to the France squad for the first time since last September to face Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals, coach Didier Deschamps said on Thursday.
Coach predicts Scotland will thrive in hostile Paris
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend believes his side will thrive in a hostile atmosphere in Paris on Saturday, giving them a chance to upset leaders France in the last match of this year’s Six Nations.
Kylian Mbappe Recalled To France Squad For Nations League, Named Captain
Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month's UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up. Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November. The Real Madrid superstar was initially dropped because of fitness concerns, before later being left out amidst headlines about his private life. Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was "for the best" due to the noise surrounding the striker.
Mbappe returns to France squad as PSG’s Doue earns first call-up
PARIS: Captain Kylian Mbappe returned to the France squad named Thursday for this month’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, as Paris Saint-Germain teenager Desire Doue earned a first call-up. Mbappe, 26, was left out of the last two France squads by coach Didier Deschamps for the Nations League group stage in October and November. The Real Madrid superstar was initially dropped because of fitness concerns, before later being left out amidst headlines about his private life. Deschamps said at the time that his decision to do without Mbappe was “for the best” due to the noise surrounding the striker. Mbappe has been in fine form for Real in the months since and has scored 28 goals in all competitions this season for the club he joined last year. “I have chatted with him and I confirm what I already said a few weeks ago, that he will be the captain,” Deschamps said in response to questions about Mbappe’s ongoing role as skipper. The versatile Doue, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his impressive club form. The 19-year-old has scored or set up a total of 17 goals in 23 appearances since becoming a regular in the PSG side in mid-December. Capable of playing as a winger as well as in midfield, Doue was outstanding after coming off the bench for PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg against Liverpool, and scored the winning kick in the penalty shoot-out. Signed by PSG from Rennes for a reported 50 million euros ($54.1m) in August, Doue was part of Thierry Henry’s France Under-23 team that won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year. “He is not always a starter for his club but whenever he plays or comes on he has made a lot of progress,” Deschamps said. “He is a very young player but
Simon Easterby disappointed with comments around Antoine Dupont injury incident
Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby has expressed disappointment with accusatory comments made by France head coach Fabien Galthie regarding the Antoine Dupont injury incident.