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☆ Deanna Stellato-Dudek is now the oldest woman to win a World Figure Skating Championship - and has a message for non-athletes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Holly Yan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

With her partner Maxime Deschamps, the 40-year-old former retiree defeated athletes less than half her age and became the oldest woman to win a World Figure Skating Championship. Deschamps throws Stellato-Dudek into a triple twist during the pairs' free skate portion of the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships. While elite singles skating often rewards youth – requiring immense stamina to pull off quadruple jumps or triple-triple jump combinations – pairs skating comes with its own hazards. Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesBeing the oldest female world champion was “not something that I ever set out to do when I came back to skating,” Stellato-Dudek said after her victory. Stellato-Dudek and Deschamps won their world championship in front of a rapturous home crowd in Montreal on Thursday.

Persons: Deanna Stellato, Dudek, Maxime Deschamps, Deschamps, Stellato, it’s, “, ”, ” ‘, ’, Minas, who’s, Nathan Bartholomay, Dudek “, I’d, Beverley Smith, Deschamps captivate, ” Stellato, Minerva Fabienne Hase, Hase, “ Deanna, ” Hase, “ I’m, Mert Alper, Smith Organizations: CNN, Minas Panagiotakis, ISU Junior, CBC, NBC Sports, Getty Locations: Stellato, Chicago, Florida, Canada, Quebec, Montreal, German, Canadian, Anadolu

☆ France held to 2-2 draw as Greece spoil flawless qualifying campaign
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ATHENS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Greece came from a goal down to hold France to a 2-2 draw in their final Euro 2024 qualifier in Group B on Tuesday, denying Didier Deschamps' side a perfect record in their qualifying campaign. Randal Kolo Muani scored just before halftime before Greece levelled in the 56th minute through Anastasios Bakasetas and Fotis Ioannidis gave the hosts the lead five minutes later. Deschamps made eight changes to his starting lineup with Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann the only players who started on Saturday when they demolished 10-man Gibraltar 14-0 in a record Euro qualifying win. Greece, Euro 2004 champions, levelled in the 56th minute through midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas, who struck with a volley from outside the box, and Fotis Ioannidis gave Greece the lead five minutes later. France substitute Kylian Mbappe, who ended the qualifying campaign with nine goals, had a last-gasp chance to seal the win but hit the bar deep into stoppage time.

Persons: Didier Deschamps, Randal Kolo Muani, Fotis Ioannidis, Youssouf Fofana, Les Bleus, Deschamps, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Griezmann, Olivier Giroud teed, Kolo Muani, Anastasios Bakasetas, Fofana, Kingsley Coman, Kylian Mbappe, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: France, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, France, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Gdansk

☆ France beats Gibraltar a record 14-0 in Euro 2024 qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

2-ranked team playing against a country ranked 198 in the world and the gulf between the two was evident on the pitch. Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé all scored for France, while Olivier Giroud and Kingsley Coman got two goals apiece. “Being down to 10, already with 11 it’s complicated for them, but it doesn’t take away the credit for us even if we could have been more efficient, it’s as much about respecting the opponent as scoring goals,” France manager Didier Deschamps said, per Reuters. “Fourteen is not bad.”France had 39 attempts on goal, 19 of which were on target, while Gibraltar failed to muster a chance. France, already qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, is top of Group B while a winless Gibraltar is bottom on zero points without having yet scored a goal during qualification.

Persons: Les Bleus, Kylian Mbappé, Warren Zaïre, Emery, Philippe Lecoeur, Ethan Santos, Santos, Marcus Thuram, Jonathan Clauss, Youssouf Fofana, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Didier Deschamps, ” Organizations: CNN, France, European Championship, Reuters, Allianz, “, ” Locations: Gibraltar, San Marino, Nice, ” France, France, Germany

☆ France hand PSG teenager Zaire-Emery first call up
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The teenager has been in impressive form this season, scoring twice in 10 Ligue 1 games, and has played every minute of PSG's four Champions League matches. Zaire-Emery was the youngest player to appear for PSG when he made his debut last season aged 16 years and 151 days and in September was made France under-21 captain by coach Thierry Henry. Aurelien Tchouameni was already ruled out of the France squad after his foot injury in his club Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Barcelona last month but Zaire-Emery had been tipped for selection anyway having become a key member of PSG's side. "The absence due to injury of Aurelien Tchouameni did not necessarily condition the presence or absence of Warren Zaire-Emery," Deschamps said. The manager was also asked about the possibility of the young midfielder making the squad for the Euro finals.

Persons: Paris St Germain's Warren, Emery, Stephanie Lecocq, Germain, Warren Zaire, Didier Deschamps, Deschamps, Thierry Henry, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren, Benjamin Pavard, Jean, Clair Todibo, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Paris St Germain, AC Milan, Parc des Princes, Paris St, Rights, Paris Saint, Ligue, League, PSG, Real Madrid's LaLiga, Barcelona, Inter Milan's, Nice, France, Thomson Locations: Parc des, Paris, France, Paris St Germain's Warren Zaire, Gibraltar, Greece, Zaire, Warren Zaire, Germany, Nice

☆ 6 Terrific Witchy Y.A. Novels
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( S. Isabelle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Daughters of Jubilation, by Kara Lee CorthronThough Evalene Deschamps is hesitant to call herself a “witch,” she could go toe to toe with the best spell casters in Y.A. Evvie comes of age in the Jim Crow South, and she is in possession of a volatile magic. Her abilities are tied to her emotions, and their unpredictability is inconvenient at best, but oftentimes violent. She learns about her powers under the tutelage of her Grandma Atti, and their scenes are some of the most captivating in the book. Evvie eventually finds out that her magic was born as a defense against the pain wrought on her ancestors by slavery and white supremacy, and as she learns to control her powers, she must also navigate typical teen things — complicated friendships, big-sister responsibilities and blossoming young love.

Persons: Jubilation, Kara Lee Corthron, Evalene Deschamps, Evvie, Jim Crow, Grandma Atti

☆ Powerful Mexican oil union boss who became symbol of corruption dies at 79
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Dave Graham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Local media reported that Romero Deschamps died of a heart attack on Thursday. Days earlier, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that Romero Deschamps was under criminal investigation for corruption, allegations which he denied and was never prosecuted for. Romero Deschamps was included in a list of the "10 Most Corrupt Mexicans" published by Forbes in 2013. He, however, rode out scandals even as other top Mexican union leaders fell foul of the law, including the former boss of the powerful teachers' union, Elba Esther Gordillo, who was arrested on fraud charges early in 2013. While a government audit later revealed anomalies covering 2.3 billion pesos ($188.97 million) in the so-called Pemexgate scandal, Romero Deschamps himself escaped unscathed.

Persons: Carlos Romero Deschamps, Petroleos, Edgard Garrido, Romero Deschamps, Pemex, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Enrique Pena Nieto, Elba Esther Gordillo, Francisco Labastida, Paulina, Jose Carlos, Ferrari Enzo, Lopez Obrador, Dave Graham, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Local, Institutional Revolutionary Party, Senate, Pemex, Forbes, Reforma, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Latin America, Mexico's, Tampico, Tamaulipas, Hidalgo, Cancun, Europe, Miami

☆ Mbappe to be available against Nice, says Luis Enrique
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain striker Kylian Mbappe should be available against Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday after sitting out a friendly against Germany earlier this week, coach Luis Enrique said on Thursday. "We will analyse him tomorrow to find out what is going on," Luis Enrique told a press conference on Thursday. We will discuss tomorrow to find out if he will be ready (for Nice). However, we've been working together for two months, so they already know the instructions," Luis Enrique said. "Nice are a very hard-working team with a young coach, but with experience.

Persons: Kylian, Luis Enrique, Mbappe, Didier Deschamps, Manuel, Ugarte, we've, Marco Verratti, Anita Kobylinska, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Paris St Germain, Nice, Germany, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Olympique de Marseille, Parc des Princes, Qatari, Al, Ligue, AS Monaco, Thomson Locations: Paris, Ligue, Nice, France, Germany, Spanish, Parc des, Arabi, Marseille, Gdansk

☆ PSG sign striker Kolo Muani from Frankfurt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain have signed of France forward Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt on a five-year contract, the Ligue 1 club said on Friday. The transfer fee for the 24-year-old was not disclosed but French media said it was 90 million euros ($96.96 million). Now I can't wait to get to work and finally play in these colours," Kolo Muani said. Kolo Muani has nine caps and has scored once under France coach Didier Deschamps, who has included the striker in his squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ireland and friendly with Germany this month. ($1 = 0.9282 euros)Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paris St Germain, Randal Kolo Muani, Kolo Muani, Didier Deschamps, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Eintracht Frankfurt, Ligue, Bundesliga, Ireland, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Nantes, Germany, Mexico City

☆ Kylian Mbappé scores French record 54th goal of the season
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Kylian Mbappé scored his 54th goal of the season for club and country in France’s 1-0 win over Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying, setting a new French goalscoring record. The previous record was 53 goals in a single season set by the late striker Just Fontaine during the 1957-58 campaign. Mbappé scored the winning goal from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half after Antoine Griezmann was fouled by Konstantinos Mavropanos, maintaining France’s perfect qualifying record with four wins from four matches. “The only regret I have is to not be able to play safe because we had chances to score the second goal,” France head coach Didier Deschamps told uefa.com. France, yet to concede a goal in qualifying, continues its campaign against the Republic of Ireland at the Parc des Princes in September.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Just Fontaine, Germain, Erling Haaland’s, Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Mavropanos, Randal Kolo Muani, ”, Didier Deschamps, “, Olivier Giroud’s, Les, Harry Kane, England’s, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Kalvin Phillips Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, Manchester City, don’t, France, Les Bleus, Parc des Princes, Three Lions, Arsenal, Bukayo Locations: Greece, Paris, Norway, Cyprus, ” France, Germany, France, Republic of Ireland, Parc des, England, North Macedonia, Ukraine

☆ Record-breaker Mbappe leads France to 1-0 win over Greece
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The result left France top with 12 points, six ahead of second-placed Greece, who had Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off in the 69th minute after Mbappe's 55th minute spot kick. "We wanted to follow up on our win against Gibraltar, in front of our crowd," said midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, referring to France's 3-0 win on Friday. It came after earlier opportunities for Mbappe and Kingsley Coman but the offensive trio hit a brick wall. Vlachodimos parried Mbappe's spot kick but it had to be taken again as the keeper had left his goal line too early. After Saturday's win over Gibraltar, France have now scored nine goals and kept clean sheets in all four qualifying games.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Mbappe, Just Fontaine, Erling Haaland, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Didier Deschamps, Eduardo Camavinga, Randal Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, Les Bleus, Jules Kounde's, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Antoine Griezmann, Greece's, Mavropanos, Kolo Muani, Saturday's, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon, Ken Ferris Organizations: Greece, St Germain, Manchester City, Gibraltar, Mbappe, Thomson Locations: France, Norway, Cyprus, Greece, Gibraltar, Ireland, Netherlands

☆ Saudi champions Al Ittihad sign 'global football icon' Benzema
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Benzema, who ended a trophy-laden 14 years at Real this week, joins the Saudi Arabian champions on a three-year deal and will wear the number nine shirt. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe," Benzema said. I am looking forward to joining my new team mates and, together with them, help take this amazing club and the game in Saudi Arabia to new levels." Al-Ittihad last month clinched the Saudi Pro League title for the first time since 2009. "Benzema's arrival is the most impactful transfer in the club's history to date," Al Ittihad said in a statement.

Persons: Ballon, Karim Benzema, Al, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Ronaldo, Didier Deschamps, Mathieu Valbuena, Lionel Messi, Al Ittihad's, Anmar Alhailae, Karim, Osama Khairy, Aziz El Yaakoubi, Mohamed Yossri, Aadi Nair, Rohith Nair, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Al Ittihad, Real, Saudi, Olympique Lyonnais, Juventus, League, Saudi Pro League, SAUDI FOOTBALL, Reuters, Al, Benzema, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid, Saudi Arabian, Spain, Europe, Portugal, France, Qatar, Ittihad, Portuguese, Al Ittihad, Argentina, Hilal

☆ Mbappe looking to reach new heights with ambitious France
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe's rise continued as France started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win against the Netherlands and the forward will be looking to reach new heights as Les Bleus face Ireland away in Group B on Monday. Mbappe has scored 38 goals for France and sits in fifth place overall in the list of the country's top scorers, three shy of former great Michel Platini and 15 behind all-time leader Olivier Giroud. Mbappe netted a double at the Stade de France last Friday as France crushed the Netherlands in seemingly casual, yet brutal fashion. "We want to show we can be a great team, that's the identity of this generation - this desire for greatness, a lot of players have that," said the 24-year-old Mbappe. To do that, France will rely on their pair of centre backs after Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate proved unbreakable last Friday.

☆ France already firing on all cylinders as new chapter begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mbappe also set up Antoine Griezmann for the opening goal, soothing the Atletico Madrid player's disappointment after he was only named vice-captain. Eduardo Camavinga added: "His attitude hasn't changed, he's still the same, we're very happy that he scored that double. Deschamps wasted no time in installing Konate and Upamecano, 23 and 24 respectively, in central defence. France next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ French football bracing itself for Black Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Feb 27 (Reuters) - French football is bracing itself for a major shakedown as both the president of the federation (FFF) and the women's head coach are expected to resign from their positions on Tuesday. Should he refuse to step down, Le Graet, 81, could be brought before the FFF's disciplinary committee or the executive committee could resign to force new elections. According to a report in French multimedia outlet RMC Sport, Renard will not play for the national team as long as Diacre is in charge. The 48-year-old Diacre, who in 2014 became the first French woman to coach a men's team when she took charge of then Ligue 2 side Clermont, was appointed France head coach in 2017. Diacre had previously attracted criticism from other French players, including Gaetane Thiney and Sarah Bouhaddi.

☆ Anti-abortion activist climbs Arizona's tallest building
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Maison Deschamps climbs Chase Tower in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. February 7, 2023 in this still image taken from social media video. Jim Wyatt/via REUTERSFeb 7 (Reuters) - An anti-abortion activist scaled the 40-story Chase Tower in downtown Phoenix on Tuesday, local media reported, days before the area hosts Super Bowl LVII. "This is a stupid, stupid move. It is unclear if Des Champs was taken into custody. Des Champs, who appeared to have scaled the Chase Tower without ropes, has been arrested several times over the last year after climbing buildings in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and San Francisco.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

☆ French football president apologises for 'awkward remarks' on Zidane after backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Le Graet added he would not even pick up the phone if Zidane called, prompting a backlash and his subsequent apology. 'LACK OF RESPECT'France forward Kylian Mbappe was one of the first to voice his disapproval after Le Graet's comments were aired. "The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone holding such representation and are in themselves unsuitable." France's Minister for Sports Amelie Oudea-Castera was one of many politicians who reacted to Le Graet's comments, saying the president of the country's "biggest sporting federation" had crossed a line. French politician Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade had also demanded an apology from Le Graet, saying on Twitter: "Zidane is a monument of French football and sport.

☆ Pelé remembered for transcending soccer around world
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. I would say that before Pelé soccer was just a sport. He is gone, but his magic will endure.”Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion, winning titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Throughout his life, Pelé inspired generations of athletes and deserves every tribute.”Ronaldo, who led Brazil to a fifth World Cup title in 2002, described Pelé as “Unique. Four years ago, Mbappé became only the second teenager — after Pelé — to score a goal in a World Cup final.

☆ Soccer-In year of drama, World Cup shines spotlight on growth in the sport
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Manasi Pathak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 20 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's World Cup fairytale lit up the year in soccer as heroics and heartbreak at the finals captivated fans and highlighted the growth of the world's most popular sport despite the criticism of host country Qatar's human rights record. With matches played in air-conditioned stadiums to cope with the heat of the desert state and no beer on tap in stadiums, spectators experienced a World Cup like never before. Playing in a fifth World Cup for Argentina, the incomparable Messi once again left everyone in awe of his magical powers on the field as he smashed records and delivered on the hopes of a nation, bringing the World Cup home after 36 years. The South American giants were handed a shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in their first group game, which statisticians Gracenote credited as the biggest upset in World Cup history. With every continent represented in the World Cup last 16, the most diverse knockout stage in the tournament's history was evidence of the sport's expanding reach.

☆ French hearts are broken but future looks bright
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mbappe, who turns 24 on Tuesday, netted all three French goals, taking his tally from two World Cups to 12. "Potentially, this France team has an important reservoir of talents," said Deschamps. "We'll always need experienced team leaders to groom the young players but the reservoir is big." "Some players have been in the Euro 2016 final, won the 2018 World Cup, they bring their experience. "We have to keep this France team at this level, with the best players on the world and European stage."

☆ Analysis: Drama specialists Argentina deserve their World Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 Argentina's Lionel Messi lifts the World Cup trophy alongside teammates as they celebrate after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachLUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Sunday's World Cup final turned from a one-sided affair into a nerve-racking vintage showdown and it was somehow fitting that footballing diva Argentina prevailed over France amid the drama. "Argentina have been playing a World Cup final, not us," Deschamps said at halftime. The whole Argentina bench ran onto the pitch like headless chicken, but it was somehow not enough drama for a night to remember. France have conceded all the last 14 penalties against them in shootouts, with the last person to miss Luigi Di Biagio in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final. After France's shootout defeats in the Euro 2021 last 16 and 2006 World Cup final, it was a coherent end to a logic-defying final.

☆ Stage set for clash of titans as Argentina take on France in World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - After 63 matches, the World Cup in Qatar comes to a close on Sunday when reigning champions France take on Argentina in a showpiece final at Lusail Stadium with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest. The last time these two teams met was at the 2018 World Cup where France beat Argentina 4-3 in the last 16, an encounter that was arguably the most entertaining match of the tournament in Russia. The final will also see a clash of generational stars when 35-year-old Messi, playing in his final World Cup match, faces his 23-year-old Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe. Both players have scored five goals at the World Cup and could potentially leave Qatar with three trophies as they also vie for the Golden Boot for the top scorer as well as the Golden Ball for the tournament's best player. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Doha Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Beware the penalty specialist if final goes to shootout
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The less than magnificent shootout seven:Jamie Carragher, England v Portugal, 2006 World Cup quarter-final. =Marcus Rashford, England v Italy, Euro 2020 final. =Sancho, England v Italy, Euro 2020 final. Italy missed their fifth attempt, which left Bukayo Saka with the chance to keep the shootout going but his was also saved and Italy were European champions. =Badr Benoun, Morocco v Spain, World Cup 2022, last 16.

☆ Stopping the stars won't be enough to win World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

DOHA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Despite the high profile performances of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in Qatar, Argentina and France can create danger all over the pitch, so stopping the superstars is only one battle in Sunday's World Cup final war. England were quick to double-team Mbappe whenever he picked up the ball and Argentina, probably through Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul, will try to do the same. Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot have both been excellent in Doha, with the latter expected to return after missing the semi-final through illness. As hundreds of opponents before them can attest, there is no real way to plan to keep him quiet. In general, the two attacks look stronger than the two defences, which, for the neutral at least, is always a good thing in a World Cup final.

☆ France's Deschamps on cusp of World Cup history but happy to shun limelight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of course, I'm proud and we all know there's a chance now to defend our title in the final," Deschamps said. Having captained France's 'golden generation' that won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the 54-year-old has now nurtured another golden generation over the past decade. "He's just an amazing manager and he's so humble... For me he's the greatest French manager by miles!" ADAPTABILITYWhat has made Deschamps successful in tournaments, especially at the World Cup since 2018, is not sticking to a particular identity or philosophy which is often the defining feature of big teams. "Didier Deschamps has shown he's the best head coach in the world in the last 10 years."

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