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Tag: Gareth Southgate

  • Spain wins Euro 2024, defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic final to claim record fourth European Championship

    Spain wins Euro 2024, defeating England 2-1 in a dramatic final to claim record fourth European Championship

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    (CNN) — Spain won a record-breaking fourth European Championship, defeating England 2-1 following a drama-filled second half in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin.

    Nico Williams – one of Spain’s breakout performers at the tournament – gave La Roja the lead minutes into the second half when he smartly finished in the bottom corner from a perfectly-weighted pass from the team’s other emerging star, freshly turned 17-year-old Lamine Yamal.

    England equalized midway through the second half through a brilliantly placed left-footed effort from Cole Palmer from outside the box to restore parity at the Olympiastadion in the German capital.

    But with just under five minutes remaining in regulation time, Spain took a late lead when Mikel Oyarzabal tapped home an inch-perfect pass from Marc Cucurella to cap off a victory and a terrific tournament for La Roja.

    It is Spain’s fourth Euro title – having previously won in 1964, 2008 and 2012 – while for England, it is heartbreak for a second straight European Championship having been beaten by Italy on penalties at Euro 2020.

    The game began in tight fashion befitting a major final, with both teams feeling one another out as the players overcame any pre-match nerves. As predicted by many, Spain enjoyed the majority of the possession in the opening 30 minutes, however, it did so without producing any real goalscoring opportunities.

    While La Roja dominated the ball as it strived to create an opening, it was England which had the first shot on target on the stroke of halftime with a Phil Foden snapshot from close range, but it flew straight at Unai Simón in the Spanish goal.

    Spain was delt a major blow at halftime when one of its most important players, Manchester City midfielder Rodri, was forced off through injury. He was replaced by Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi.

    But the Iberians didn’t seem dismayed by the loss of their star midfielder when a sweeping move two minutes after the break was expectedly finished by Williams to give La Roja a deserved lead. At the age of 22 years and two days old, Williams became the second youngest player to score in a Euro final.

    The goal seemed to kick Spain up a gear, with Dani Olmo coming inches away from extending the lead a minute later, but his effort flew wide of the post.

    England was on the ropes in the aftermath of Williams’ goal, first with captain Álvaro Morata’s deft dink being cleared away by John Stones before the Athletic Bilbao man fired just wide as he searched for his second of the game.

    As the Three Lions sought a way back into the game, manager Gareth Southgate made the bold decision to bring off captain and all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane and replace him with Ollie Watkins, fresh off scoring a last-gasp winner in the semifinal against the Netherlands to book the team’s spot in the final.

    The substitution seemed to galvanize the English, with the team playing with more verve and pace. Jude Bellingham fired an effort wide of the post which had the England fans on their feet for the first time in a while.

    But just when England was building a head of steam, Spain almost got a second through Yamal – who became the youngest player ever to feature in a Euro or World Cup final when he stepped onto the field on Sunday night – but Jordan Pickford stuck out a big hand to deny the Barcelona prodigy.

    England did eventually get its goal – and it came from one of Southgate’s substitutes. Chelsea midfielder Palmer, who had been introduced into the game for 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo just minutes before, latched onto a neat set-up from Bellingham and caressed an inch-perfect effort into the bottom corner to level the score.

    Spain built itself back into the game and came close to retaking the lead with 10 minutes remaining after some intricate build-up play left Yamal one-on-one with Pickford, but the 17-year-old’s effort was parried away by the England goalkeeper.

    As time ticked away and extra-time loomed, Spain finally got its deserved late goal through another flowing move which ended with Cucurella sliding in an appealing cross for Oyarzabal to steer home and spark wild celebrations.

    England had become renowned for late heroics at Euro 2024, and the squad needed yet another moment of magic if it had any hopes of getting back into the game.

    As the clock hit 90 minutes, a corner was headed towards goal by Declan Rice, with Simón parrying it out to Guehi whose effort was cleared off the line by RB Leipzig man Dani Olmo as Spain’s defense celebrated thwarting another English attack.

    The Three Lions threw everything they could to take it to extra time, but after four additional minutes, referee François Letexier blew the final whistle and Spain’s players dropped to the ground before joining the sea of fans clad in red and yellow inside the stadium in celebration.

    Royal support

    Ahead of the lifting of the trophy, Rodri was named the Euro 2024 player of the tournament, while Yamal was named the young player of the tournament.

    Yamal, who turned 17 the day before the final, appeared in every one of Spain’s seven games in Germany, providing a tournament-high four assists and scoring one goal: a stunning, record-breaking effort in the semifinal against France which made him the youngest ever scorer in Euro history.

    For England, its 58-year search for a major men’s international trophy goes on after winning the World Cup in 1966.

    Afterwards, King Charles III released a message of support for the England players on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    “Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high. All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near – and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.

    “But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead.”

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    Ben Morse and CNN

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  • FIFA World Cup 2022: Iran faces England on day two; check details on when and where to watch

    FIFA World Cup 2022: Iran faces England on day two; check details on when and where to watch

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    The FIFA World Cup 2022, which kicked off on Sunday, will see Iran play against England in Group B on day two. Scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm IST, the match will be held at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.

    When and where to watch

    Football fans can watch the Iran vs England match live on the Sports18 and Sports18 HD TV channels in India from 6:30 pm onwards. The match will also be live streamed on Jio Cinema’s app (Android as well as iOS) for free.

    Also WATCH | FIFA World Cup 2022: England Vs Iran- When, Where

    Predicted playing XI 

    England: Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Bellingham, Sterling, Mount, Foden, Kane

    Iran: Beiranvand, Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Mohammedi, Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi, Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Amiri

    Gareth Southgate’s squad will contest the second game of the competition on Monday when they face Iran in Doha. “Our challenge is to give our supporters a tournament that is memorable,” said Southgate during his pre-match press conference.

    “Our country is going through a difficult spell, obviously not like a couple of other countries are going through, in the middle of an economic recession and life has been difficult for a lot of people. We want them to have a journey with the team that brings real happiness,” he added.

    More on the day

    The match between Senegal and the Netherlands is also scheduled to be played on November 21 at 9:30 pm IST. Meanwhile, Wales will play the United States on November 22, at 12:30 am IST.

    Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022 opening ceremony: Event starts with Arabian theme; Jungkook performs new song ‘Dreamers’

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  • Politics precedes England’s match against Iran at World Cup

    Politics precedes England’s match against Iran at World Cup

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    DOHA, Qatar — The political situation back home has been a regular line of questioning for Iran ahead of the team’s opening Group B match against England at the World Cup.

    Large swathes of people in the country have risen up to protest for women’s rights following the death of Mahsa Amini while being detained for allegedly breaking rules regarding head coverings.

    On Sunday, a journalist from Iran decided to ask England coach Gareth Southgate about British politics, bringing up the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    “I understand the frustration from your team regarding the questions,” Southgate said, referring to near-constant inquiries about the unrest in Iran. “It’s a very difficult situation. And, believe me, I’ve been asked lots and lots of political questions by our media about lots of subjects for six years, so we’re both in the same situation on that.

    “I understand in the position I’m in that there is a responsibility for me to answer some of those questions.”

    Iran captain Ehsan Hajisafi also had to face political questions on Sunday. He paused before giving a considered response.

    “We have to accept that the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy,” Hajisafi said. “We are here, but it does not mean that we should not be their voice or we should not respect them.

    “Whatever we are is from them. We have to fight. We have to perform the best we can and score goals and to present the bereaved people of Iran with the results. And I hope that the conditions change towards the expectations of the people.”

    The protests have seen prominent former players Ali Daei and Javad Nekounam both say they have declined an invitation from FIFA to attend the World Cup.

    Actor and comedian Omid Djalili, who was born in London to Iranian parents, said Iran should be banned from the tournament and called on England’s players to make a statement in support of those protesting.

    He used Twitter to ask players who score a goal against Iran to mimic cutting their hair, which has been adopted by women in the country as a sign of defiance against the rules of compulsory hijab wearing.

    “My message to England players right now is you have an opportunity to do a very, very small gesture to make massive global impact,” he said. “I think England players, Wales and USA players — when they score, if you just make this one simple of statement of hair, snip, that sends a huge message to the women and girls of Iran.”

    Southgate, who led England to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of last year’s European Championship, embraced the theme of soccer’s ability to heal when saying he wants to bring joy to the nation amid the rising cost of living in Britain.

    “Look, our challenge is to give our supporters a tournament that’s memorable,” he said. “We’ve taken them on fantastic journeys in our last two tournaments, and we want to bring (them on another).

    “Our country is going also through a difficult spell — not the same as some of the other countries around the world at the moment, but we’re in the middle of an economic recession and life has been difficult for a lot of our people. So, we want them to enjoy their football and have a journey with the team that brings some real happiness.”

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports

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    James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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  • Liverpool FC Manager Jurgen Klopp’s Qatar Media Criticism Rewrites History

    Liverpool FC Manager Jurgen Klopp’s Qatar Media Criticism Rewrites History

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    Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp has had enough of being asked about the World Cup in Qatar.

    Although the Reds boss’s reservations about holding the tournament in Qatar are well known, ahead of the club’s clash with Tottenham, Klopp decided the time had come to switch focus to the event itself.

    “It’s a tournament, it’s there, and we all let it happen and it’s fine because 12 years ago nobody did anything then. We cannot change it now” he told the media in his typically assertive tone.

    “There are wonderful people there and it’s not at all that everything is bad. It’s just how it happened was not right in the first place. But now it is there, let them play the games, the players and managers.

    “Don’t just put Gareth Southgate constantly in a situation where he has to talk about everything. He is not a politician, he is the manager of England. Let him do that,” he added.

    The German coach wasn’t done there, he wanted, as he has a habit of doing, to flip the attention or responsibility for this moral conundrum on the people behind the cameras; the journalists.

    “You more than I, let it happen 12 years ago,” he told a reporter.

    They responded by reminding Klopp that the media had done more to expose the human rights issues than most.

    However, Liverpool FC’s manager refused to accept this point.

    “But not then, not then,” he replied.

    The exchange continued with the pair debating whether the soccer community or the media held more responsibility.

    Perhaps we can forgive Klopp, who was in Germany managing Borussia Dortmund at the time, for not recognizing that the premise of his argument, that the media had not done enough 12 years ago, was not accurate.

    British journalism can be accused of a lot of things, but that criticism is unfair.

    ‘The evil of the media’

    Rewind the clock over a decade, to the FIFA deliberations for who would host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, and it was journalists who were being attacked.

    According to Andy Anson, the chief executive of the failed England World Cup 2018, shortly before members of the executive committee began casting their votes ex-Fifa president Sepp Blatter, had spoken about the “evils of the media.”

    This wasn’t a generalized statement, the former leader was responding to very recent investigations by British outlets.

    Just three days before the vote took place, a BBC documentary was broadcast which made a host of allegations about bribery and corruption at FIFA. The Panorama show, titled Fifa’s Dirty Secrets, also made a range of claims about the bidding process for hosting the World Cup.

    That expose came hot on the heels of a series of powerful articles by British newspaper The Sunday Times, based on undercover footage that allegedly showed executive committee members selling World Cup votes.

    At the time, these investigations were not welcomed by large parts of the soccer community in England. The country was attempting to woo FIFA as part of a bid to host the 2018 tournament.

    So concerned were they about the impact of these stories, Anson met with the BBC’s most powerful executive Mark Thompson ahead of the broadcaster and labeled it “unpatriotic.”

    Gary Lineker, a representative of the English soccer community on the 2018 bid team, publicly criticized the national broadcaster for releasing something so critical of FIFA that close to the bidding.

    “The one thing I was unsettled by was the timing of this week’s Panorama program, coming just a few days before the decision is made,” he wrote at the time.

    “It was difficult to understand. It doesn’t affect the quality of the bid itself, but it does affect people’s emotions.”

    If anything this demonstrates just how willing British journalists were “at the time” to put their neck out and demonstrates how Klopp’s assertion “nobody did anything” is not accurate.

    The problem was not that the media didn’t use its power to sound the alarm, it was that the reaction to it was the opposite, this scrutiny was considered antagonistic.

    Or as Vyacheslav Koloskov, a lobbyist for the Russia bid, was reported to have said at the time, British journalists “are provoking members of the committee.”

    Interestingly Klopp suggests he would watch “an old documentary about the whole situation,” presumably created by journalists or media of some kind.

    Rather than trying to place blame, it might benefit the Liverpool manager to read about one of the rare instances where the soccer community was inspired by investigative journalism.

    Last year, I spoke to Tromsø IL midfielder Ruben Yttergård Jenssen who felt compelled to officially call for a tournament boycott after reading an article by the British newspaper The Guardian about the conditions of the workers building the stadiums.

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    Zak Garner-Purkis, Contributor

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  • England’s coach encourages gay soccer players to come out

    England’s coach encourages gay soccer players to come out

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    ROME (AP) — England coach Gareth Southgate hopes that gay soccer players “come out soon” because “it would have an enormous impact on society,” he said in an interview with an Italian newspaper published on Saturday.

    “The teams and players wouldn’t have any problem with it,” Southgate told La Repubblica ahead of this month’s World Cup in Qatar. “They would accept and embrace their teammates after a coming out. But footballers are afraid of the reactions outside and from the fans.

    “I experienced it with Thomas Hitzlsperger at Aston Villa: I didn’t think he was gay and when he announced it, it was something completely normal,” he said of the former Germany international, who came out as gay after he retired from playing.

    Southgate and Hitzlsperger were teammates at Villa in the early 2000s.

    “European teams have never been as tolerant, multicultural and multi-religious as they are today,” Southgate said in comments that were published in Italian. “Of course there will always be homophobes on the outside. But I hope gay players come out soon because it would have an enormous impact on society.”

    Gay rights have become an issue for the World Cup since same-sex relations are criminalized in the conservative Gulf nation.

    England will wear the “OneLove” anti-discrimination captain’s armband at the World Cup.

    At least 10 European nations committed to promote inclusion and campaign against discrimination this season and eight of them have qualified for Qatar.

    Southgate was asked if the armband initiative will be enough to raise awareness about human rights issues in Qatar, with the treatment of migrant workers who built venues for the World Cup a decade-long controversy.

    “We need to be realists about the goals we want to achieve,” the coach said. “I’ve been to Qatar three times and all the workers have told me clearly that they want the World Cup because it’s a vehicle for change.

    “We need to respect a country with a different culture, religion and traditions. But at the same time we have the responsibility and the possibility to shed light on aspects that can be improved. That could make a big difference.”

    England plays Iran in its opening match in Qatar on Nov. 21 before also facing the United States and Wales in Group B.

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    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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  • Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Three Talking Points

    Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Three Talking Points

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    Manchester United come away with another three points at home in the Premier League after their 1-0 win against West Ham United on Sunday evening.

    It was not their best performance of the season from an attacking point of view, but certainly up there from a defensive disposition. The back four, plus David de Gea, were exemplary in their efforts of keeping a clean sheet – in which they were successful.

    Even though West Ham are treading near the bottom of the table, playing a David Moyes-led side is never an easy task, but Manchester United found a way through and will be delighted with the three points that takes them on the cusp of a top four position.

    Here are three talking points from the game:

    Defensive Unity Coming Together

    It has been a long time coming for Manchester United to look defensive assured, but Erik Ten Hag has got them firmly on that path.

    This season looked ropey, at best, given the first two games of the Premier League season which ended in humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford, but since then, the Red Devils have only conceded twice at home.

    Even with the injured Raphael Varane, who has been magisterial in defence for Ten Hag, Man United are beginning to look like a well-oiled machine at the back, which Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are leading forces of that revitalisation.

    The Argentinean centre back has been a revelation under the Dutch manager, who he bought from his former club AFC Ajax for £50 million, and is comfortably one of Europe’s leading defenders on current form.

    Dalot looks a man transformed after his season-long loan last year, learning the Italian way of defending and having director Paolo Maldini guiding him. The Portugal international showcased a defensive masterclass on Sunday evening with his spatial awareness and defensive positioning.

    Harry Maguire has come back into the team after injury and, apart from a few mistakes in the first half, looked to grow into the game, especially in the second half. It has been a rocky 12 months for the Englishman, with bigger tests to come, but he came through with a positive performance when the scrutiny was firmly on him; as well as being under the eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

    Ten Hag has this team ticking and that begins with the defensive unit, no matter who comes in and plays.

    Marcus Rashford Has Found His Swagger

    Similarly to a few of the other England players in this Manchester United team, Marcus Rashford did not look himself last season and was playing on empty – completely devoid of any confidence whatsoever.

    However, under Ten Hag, who has been using him as either an inside forward off the left or through the middle as an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, the England international has stepped up to the plate.

    With 10 goal involvements in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, Rashford is looking like his old self and some. With his brilliantly timed headed finish against the Hammers, it was the first time that the Red Devils fans saw that Rashford was capable of being an aerial threat.

    Timing could not be better for Rashford with the World Cup exactly 21 days away and Southgate in the stands to watch him closely. England need more direct options in attack and Rashford certainly offers that, even if he has not been involved in the most recent camps.

    It would be remiss of Southgate not to call him up to the squad with the current form he is in – with the same being said of Luke Shaw.

    Casemiro Is Essential To Manchester United

    While Manchester United fans of course knew of the level Casemiro was playing at for a decade in Spain at Real Madrid, not many expected him to be this commanding and have such a ginormous impact when introduced.

    It has been no secret that the Red Devils have been in dire need of a defensive-minded midfielder for many a season, and so the arrival of the Brazil international was a superb signing.

    But not many thought that he would produce the level of performances that he is currently doing on a consistent basis as quickly as he has. It is hard to believe that Los Blancos saw Casemiro as surplus to requirements given the quality he possesses, in which he is showing it regularly.

    Another reason as to why Manchester United’s defence has been improved is down to Casemiro’s presence. The Brazilian is exceptionally aware of what is around him and when to press the opposition to break up the opposition’s rhythm.

    Not only is he clinical in winning the ball back, but having the foresight to see runners up ahead of him and quickly punch it into them to transition on the counter attack.

    Casemiro has been a godsend for Ten Hag and Manchester United fans, who hope that the good performances long continue.

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    Liam Canning, Contributor

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