Prediction: Poland win
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We re down to the nitty-gritty of World Cup qualification as a parade of nations attempt to force their way through to Qatar later this year. The European qualifiers, in particular, have already thrown up a handful of surprises, with more expected to come in the months ahead. Today, we re going to preview one of the many play-off finals as Poland go head to head with Sweden.
Poland
Poland have supposedly been through a golden generation, of sorts, in the last little while and yet they don t have a whole lot to show for it. They have some glittering stars that want so desperately to live up to what has been forecast for them and in this one game, they have the chance to set up a World Cup experience that …
Cruz Azul defeated Mexican rivals Tigres UANL 2-1 in the Leagues Cup final to lift the trophy.
In the inaugural edition of the interleague competition between MLS and Liga MX clubs, Cruz Azul triumphed in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Two goals in as many minutes from Yoshimar Yotun and Jonathan Rodriguez inspired six-time CONCACAF Champions League winners Cruz Azul in the all-Mexican final.
Guido Pizarro pulled a goal back in the 90th minute but Tigres were forced to settle for another runners-up finish in international cup competition, having lost Champions League finals in 2016, 2017 and 2019, while they were beaten in the 2015 Copa Libertadores decider.
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¡¡ es el Primer Campeón de la !!
— LIGA BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX)
After a …
Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson is the latest to pay tribute to Alex Ferguson as he recovers from a brain haemorrhage.
The 76-year-old is recovering in Salford Royal hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday.
Messages of support have been sent from across the football world, including from former United stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand and clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona.
Robson admits the news came as a shock, with his old United manager having looked in good health and spirits last Sunday, when he led a special presentation at Old Trafford to honour Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger s career.
However, the ex-England star, who overcame throat cancer in 2011, hopes the su…
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino struck at Southampton as Liverpool won 2-1 to continue their run of consecutive Premier League victories despite a late Adrian mistake.
Jurgen Klopp s Reds started poorly on the south coast on Saturday, seeing their hosts squander a couple of presentable first-half chances, but Mane, as so often, came up with the goods.
His brilliant effort a third of the season after two in the UEFA Super Cup final woke Liverpool from their slumber and they were comfortable in the second period even before Firmino doubled the advantage.
There was a wobble when Adrian hacked the ball straight at Danny Ings for an unlikely Saints response. Former Reds striker Ings should have equalised with a gilt-edged chance for his second, yet Liverpool held on.
Andres Iniesta has confirmed his international retirement after Spain s shock penalty shoot-out defeat to Russia resulted in their World Cup elimination.
Among the favourites for the trophy heading into the tournament, Spain joined the likes of Germany, Portugal and Argentina in making an early exit when Igor Akinfeev kept out Iago Aspas penalty in Moscow.
Iniesta started on the bench on Sunday, coming on midway through the second half as Spain attempted to retake the lead cancelled out by Artem Dzyuba s spot-kick, but could not inspire a victory.
And the 34-year-old, who will now join Vissel Kobe after calling time on his Barcelona career, confirmed he has played his final game for Spain.
It s a reality that this is my last game with the national tea…
Pep Guardiola will return to former club Barcelona after Manchester City were paired with the Spanish champions in the Champions League group stages.
Guardiola won Europe s premier club competition twice during a trophy-laden tenure at Camp Nou, thanks to final victories over Manchester United in 2009 and 2011.
He will lead City in Group C after the Premier League side overcame Steaua Bucharest 6-0 on aggregate in their play-off tie.
Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic round out a tough section, meaning there is a possibility of Kolo Toure facing his brother Yaya when the Scottish champions take on City.
Holders Real Madrid begin their bid for a 12th European title in Group F alongside Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw.
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Tunisia coach Alain Giresse has concerns over his goalkeepers following a pair of errors to start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Following a mistake from Farouk Ben Mustapha in a 1-1 draw with Angola in Tunisia s opening Group E match, Giresse changed his keeper to face Mali.
However, a blunder from Mouez Hassen led to Mali s opener and only Wahbi Khazri s deflected strike rescued a share of the spoils.
Tunisia head into Tuesday s clash with tournament debutants Mauritania in need of a victory to ensure their progression to the last 16 and Giresse did not shy away from acknowledging Tunisia s problem between the posts.
The match is very important and we are obliged to win to qualify for the next round, Giresse told a news conference.
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Unai Emery has hailed Emile Smith Rowe s humble mentality after the midfielder became Arsenal s youngest goalscorer for seven years in the 3-0 Europa League win over Qarabag.
Smith Rowe netted Arsenal s second in Azerbaijan, as the Gunners cruised to an eighth consecutive win in all competitions, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Matteo Guendouzi also scoring their maiden goals for the club.
The 18-year-old is the youngest Arsenal goalscorer since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011 and Emery insisted Smith Rowe s greatest asset is his down-to-earth attitude.
Every player needs to feel that they have the option to play with us, especially players from the academy, Emery told reporters.
18 Emile Smith-Rowe (18y 67d) is the youngest player to score for Ars…
Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is hoping he can help star striker Robert Lewandowski achieve his ambitions on the international stage.
Lewandowski will spearhead the Polish challenge at the World Cup in Qatar, starting with Tuesday s Group C encounter with Mexico.
The Barcelona striker has enjoyed a glittering club career, most notably at Bayern Munich with whom he won the Champions League in 2020, but has found success harder to come by with the national team. Lewandowski is Poland s record goalscorer with 76 in 134 appearances – including nine in their qualifying campaign – but has never scored at a World Cup.
Juventus goalkeeper Szczesny said: I think it s important for him, he is very motivated.
No-one doubts that Robert is one of the best p…
Scott Parker hailed his Burnley players for delivering a statement result in his first game at the helm as they thrashed Luton Town 4-1 in their Championship opener.
Parker took over as Clarets boss in July following Vincent Kompany s move to Bayern Munich, tasked with masterminding an immediate return to the Premier League after they finished 19th last season.
His reign began with a trip to Kenilworth Road to face Luton, who were relegated alongside Burnley last term and have also been tipped to compete for promotion.
Goals from Josh Brownhill, Wilson Odobert, Dara O Shea and Vitinho saw the visitors record an eye-catching win, taking them second in the early-season Championship standings, behind Sheffield Wednesday.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game…