DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Real Madrid stuns Bayern Munich late to reach Champions League final but match marred by controversial decision
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

With all hope seemingly lost, Madrid’s substitute striker Joselu turned the tie on its head after scoring two goals in the space of three minutes. This time, VAR could not be used to check the incredibly tight decision because the referee had blown his whistle. “It almost feels like a betrayal because of that decision,” Tuchel told TNT Sports after the match. From fan to heroAfter the full-time whistle, Madrid celebrated in style as it crowned Joselu the club’s new hero. As a forward, you dream of scoring goals, and if they’re like tonight’s, then even better,” Joselu said after the match.

Persons: Carlo Ancelotti, Alphonso Davies, Blancos, Joselu, It’s, ” Ancelotti, Madrid, Madrid’s, Manuel Neuer, David Ramos, Antonio Rüdiger, wasn’t, Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, De Ligt, beIN, “ I’m, it’s, ”, Thomas Tuchel, ” Tuchel, “, de Ligt, Harry Kane, Kane, ” Joselu Organizations: CNN — Real Madrid, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern, Real Madrid, Staff, Bayern Munich’s, beIN Sports, ” Bayern, TNT Sports, FC Bayern, Madrid, Espanyol Locations: Santiago, Madrid, Paris

☆ Manchester United reaches FA Cup final after ‘the most humiliating victory’ against second-tier Coventry City
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But, as they have done throughout this turbulent season, things started to go very wrong for the 12-time FA Cup winner. United subsequently secured victory via a penalty shootout, but the celebrations were muted after Rasmus Højlund scored the decisive spot-kick. But defender Harry Maguire instead turned to the Coventry players and immediately congratulated them on their performance, while many other of United’s stars stayed standing around the center circle. They were 20 seconds from going out.”Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing questions over his future at the club. I’m sure we have a good chance to win this final, although we play the best team in the world.

Persons: Luke Edwards, Manchester United's Harry Maguire, Alastair Grant, United, Rasmus Højlund, Harry Maguire, “, ” Edwards, Erik, Hag, Nick Potts, Erik ten, Roy Keane, ”, Keane, I’m, Jim Ratcliffe, Ochirvaani, Sir Alex Ferguson, ” Batbold, Andy Mitten Organizations: CNN, Manchester United, Coventry City, FA, Premier League, Coventry, Wembley, Reds, Manchester, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, BBC’s Football, Manchester City, ITV, ”, Dreams Locations: Coventry, Mongolia

☆ La Liga branded ‘embarrassing’ by Barcelona for lack of goal-line technology in Real Madrid’s controversial El Clásico win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Barcelona manager Xavi and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen have labeled La Liga “embarrassing” for its lack of goal-line technology after the team was denied what it thought was a legitimate goal in Sunday’s 3-2 El Clásico defeat by Real Madrid. The camera angles provided by VAR were inconclusive – including one looking directly down the goal line that was blocked by Lunin’s body – meaning Soto’s original decision stood. According to FIFA, goal-line technology can notify a referee within “a second” if the whole of the ball has crossed the line. Barcelona's German Marc-Andre ter Stegen called La Liga's lack of goal-line technology 'embarrassing.' “I can’t find the words to explain what happened on the goal line,” Ter Stegen told reporters, per ESPN.

Persons: Xavi, Marc, André ter, Vinícius, Andreas Christensen’s, Lamine, Andriy Lunin, César Soto’s, Javier Tebas, “, ”, German Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Javier Soriano, ” Tebas, Lucía Taboada, El, Jude Bellingham, ” Ter Stegen, ” Xavi, Jude Bellingham's, David Ramos, Carlo Ancelotti, Ter Stegen Organizations: CNN —, Liga, Real Madrid, Barca, La Liga, FIFA, AFP, Getty, Liga didn’t, Diario AS, ” Real Madrid, ESPN, Real, Forbes Locations: CNN — Barcelona, Sunday’s, Spanish, German, La, Barcelona

☆ Nottingham Forest: Premier League club accuses official of supporting rival team in extraordinary social media post
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Nottingham Forest has accused a Premier League refereeing official of being a fan of relegation rival Luton Town in an extraordinary social media post following the team’s 2-0 defeat by Everton on Sunday. “Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept,” the club wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “We warned the PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. “The Premier League was extremely disappointed to read the comments made by Nottingham Forest on social media yesterday, following its match against Everton,” the league said in a statement on Monday. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images“It tells you where we are with the Premier League and the clubs now,” he said during post-match coverage Sunday.

Persons: Giovanni Reyna, Callum Hudson, Anthony Taylor, Stuart Attwell, “, NFFC, Jamie Carragher, ” Forest, Catherine Ivill, ”, “ Attwell, Taylor, Gary Neville, Attwell, Ashley Young’s, ’, Mark Clattenburg, victimised, ” Callum Hudson, Ashley Young, Andrew Yates, Jurgen Klopp, Nuno Espírito Santo, Neco Williams, Keith Hackett, they’ve, Hackett Organizations: CNN, Nottingham Forest, League, Luton Town, Everton, Sunday, Luton, Forest, English Football Association, Premier League, Sky Sports, Liverpool, Manchester United, Ashley Young’s handball, ’ Former Premier League, Daily Mail, BBC, Sheffield Locations: Luton, Manchester, ”, Liverpool, Clattenburg, Forest

☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, eBay, Zoom, JetBlue, BJ's & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"We are initiating coverage of Samsara (IOT) with a Buy rating and $42 price target." Deutsche Bank adds a catalyst call buy on Estee Lauder Deutsche added a short-term buy rating on shares of the beauty giant. Bernstein reiterates Apple as market perform Bernstein said it's getting more "constructive" on Apple shares but is sticking with its market perform rating for now. "We are initiating coverage of AES with a Buy rating and $21PT. "We are initiating coverage on shares of Beacon Roofing Supply (BECN), a leading roofing products distributor in the United States, with a Buy rating and $135 PT."

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Oppenheimer, JPMorgan, Lauder Deutsche, Mizuho, TD Cowen, Cowen, it's, Bernstein, Jefferies, Kite, Kite Realty Jefferies, GE Vernova, Tesla, Needham, Andy, BTIG, Davidson, Barnes, Morgan Stanley downgrades, Morgan Stanley, Etsy, Rosenblatt, Swift, Janney Organizations: Bank of America, Cisco Systems, Goldman Sachs, P, JPMorgan, JetBlue, Bancorp, SPT, Oracle, Deutsche Bank, Linde, Mizuho, LIN, Nvidia, Apple, Kite Realty, GE, Metro NY, SSS, Deutsche, Infrastructure, FTAI Infrastructure, BMO, New, AMC, Barnes Group, AES Corporation, AES, eBay, EBAY, UW, ZS, Comcast, CNBC, Benchmark, Beacon Locations: New York City, OW, United States

Tottenham moved to fourth place, level on points with Aston Villa, which hosted Wolves later. Palmer's brace at Stamford Bridge could help Chelsea only draw 2-2 with 10-man Burnley. Chelsea was wasteful in the first half and had a goal ruled out after 20 minutes. The Blues took the lead from the spot when Palmer scored with a Panenka kick, chipping the ball down the middle. In a spectacular game that was goalless at the break, Sheffield United and Fulham drew 3-3 after the host blew a 3-1 lead.

Persons: Son Heung, Tahith Chong, Issa Kabore, Timo Werner, Kabore, PALMER’S PANENKA, Cole Palmer, Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Vincent Kompany fuming, Kompany, Lorenz Assignon, Josh Cullen volleyed, Raheem Sterling’s backheel, Dara O’Shea, Djordje Petrovic, James ’, Harvey Barnes, Lukasz Fabianski, “, ” Barnes, “ It’s, I’ve, Alexander Isak, Mohammed Kudus, Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Crystal Organizations: Tottenham, Luton, English Premier League, Aston Villa, Spurs, South, Wolves, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, LETHARGIC SPURS Tottenham, PALMER’S PANENKA Chelsea, Premier League, Stamford, Chelsea, Burnley, Blues, Newcastle, West, Sheffield United, Fulham, Nottingham Forest Locations: South Korea, West Ham, St, London, Newcastle

☆ Arsenal edges past Porto on penalties to reach Champions League quarterfinals for first time in 14 years
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Emirates Stadium, London CNN —If Arsenal fans had forgotten just how tense and grueling the Champions League knockout stages can be, their memories will now certainly be refreshed after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Porto in the round of 16. On a raucous night, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said this was probably the best atmosphere he’d experienced at the Emirates Stadium since taking over as manager in 2019. It was a reminder of the threat this Porto team possessed – if Arsenal still needed one after Galeno’s late, long-range sucker punch in the first leg. That strike propelled Arsenal forward in the second half, though Porto looked increasingly content with sitting back and absorbing the pressure. After a riveting 90 minutes, extra time was largely a non-event, with the highlight coming when Kai Havertz pushed Porto manager Sergio Conceição to spark a tussle on the touchline.

Persons: Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard’s, Wendell, Galeno, David Raya, Mikel Arteta, “, ”, Pepe, William Saliba, Evanilson, Leandro Trossard's, Hannah McKay, Porto, Diogo Costa, Arteta, Arsenal's, Adrian Dennis, Francisco Conceição, Kai Havertz, Sergio Conceição, ’ Organizations: London CNN, Arsenal, Champions League, Porto, Gunners, Emirates, League, Reuters, Belgian, Getty Locations: London, Europe’s, Raya, AFP

☆ Champions League: Mats Hummels rages at ‘joke of a penalty’ in Borussia Dortmund’s draw with PSV
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was left raging at what he called “a joke of a penalty” after the team’s 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. With Malik Tillman advancing into the box, Hummels slid in and clearly won the ball before following through on the attacker. However, referee Srđan Jovanović immediately pointed to the spot and Luuk de Jong stepped up and confidently buried the penalty kick. I cannot believe there can be decisions like today or against Chelsea or PSG with the VAR,” Hummels posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the match. They might as well give the referee that’s made the decision the opportunity to make the right decision anyway in his opinion.

Persons: Mats Hummels, Donyell Malen, Malik Tillman, Hummels, Srđan Jovanović, de Jong, Twitter, ” Hummels, Jovanović wasn’t, Glenn Hoddle, Joleon, ” Hoddle, ‘, ”, Hoddle, Lescott, “, ” Lescott, Dean Mouhtaropoulos, that’s Organizations: CNN — Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, Champions League, PSV, Dortmund, Twitter, Chelsea, PSG, TNT Sports, TNT Locations: Germany

☆ Host nation Ivory Coast continues miraculous run to AFCON final to set up a matchup against Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The host nation is seeking its third AFCON title, while Nigeria is looking to lift the trophy for the fourth time. ET on Sunday and will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast midfielder Ibrahim Sangare (L) fights for the ball with DR Congo's Simon Banza. Against Mali, Ivory Coast pulled off yet another great escape, grabbing a last-minute equalizer. Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made two saves and striker Kelechi Iheanacho netted the deciding penalty to send Nigeria into the final.

Persons: Ouattara, Ivory, Les Éléphants, Jean, Louis Gasset, Emerse Faé, Ibrahim Sangare, DR Congo's Simon Banza, Franck Fife, Faé, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra, Sébastien Haller, Ivory Coast's, Sia Kambou, William Troost, Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Osimhen, Percy Tau, Teboho Mokoena, Issouf Sanogo, Grant Kekana, Stanley Nwabali, Kelechi Iheanacho Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, beIN Sports USA, DR Congo, Guinea, Equatorial, Coast, Ivory, DR Congo's, Getty, Senegal, Against, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Super Eagles, South Africa Locations: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ivory, Abidjan, South Africa, Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, AFP, Against Mali, Europe, AFCON, Cameroon, Angola, Africa

☆ Africa Cup of Nations: After making disastrous start, host Ivory Coast is on a roll under interim coach and win over Senegal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“We had a difficult start, conceding an early goal, but I told the players at half-time to keep playing the same way, not get confused,” Ivory Coast interim coach Emerse Fae told reporters after the match. “There was a lot of pressure before the match, and match day was too long for me,” he said. Former Ivory Coast coach Jean-Louis Gasset was remarkably sacked during the tournament after that 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, as the team stood on the brink of an early elimination on home soil. “We must not stop here; we must continue working, maintain this morale, and keep playing match by match,” the coach asserted. Ivory Coast will now play either Mali or Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.

Persons: Charles Konan, “, Emerse Fae, Fae, ”, Habib Diallo, Pierre Atcho, Edouard Mendy, Kenzo Tribouillard, Atcho, Franck Kessié, Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté, Kessié, Jean, Louis Gasset, Morocco’s Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, Ivory, Elephants, Senegal, Arsenal, Pepe, AFCON, Former Ivory Coast Locations: Senegal, Ivory, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, AFP, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso

☆ Cameroon squeaks by Gambia in AFCON game dubbed the ‘best match in the history of football’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is always entertaining, but few games in the history of the competition can stand up to Cameroon’s 3-2 win against Gambia on Tuesday. “The match, like all of AFCON, is insane,” he added in a separate post. The first goal didn’t come until the 56th minute though, when Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi headed his country in front. Gambia looked to have stunned the five-time AFCON champion but couldn't hold on in the frantic affair. The 2019 champion, which boasts an array of top-class talent, finished bottom of Group D after failing to win a single game in the group stages.

Persons: André Onana, Andrés Onrubia Ramos, ”, didn’t, Karl Toko Ekambi, deservedly, Ablie Jallow, Kenzo Tribouillard, Colley’s, Gambia’s James Gomez, ‘, Christopher Wooh, Wooh, De verdad, Iba, Muhammed Sanneh, Tom Sainfait, ” Onrubia, “, Yali Dellahi’s Organizations: CNN, Africa, of Nations, Gambia, Cameroon, Manchester United, Getty, Lions, PARTIDO, LA HISTORIA DEL FÚTBOL, C, Nigeria, Mauritania Locations: Spanish, Cameroon, Gambia, AFP, GOL, GAMBIA, el, @AndiOnrubia, Algeria

☆ Real Madrid secures controversial 3-2 comeback victory that left opponent Almería feeling ‘robbed’
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Then, Hernández Maeso ruled out what appeared to be a legitimate Almería goal after Bellingham went down clutching his face in agony in another VAR intervention. All three of the major VAR incidents left Almería – rock bottom of La Liga and without a win all season – feeling aggrieved at the full-time result. Isabel Infantes/Reuters“We leave with the feeling that the match was robbed today, it’s that clear,” midfielder Gonzalo Melero told reporters after the match. “The penalty, the goal with [Vinícius’] hand that makes a motion, the disallowed goal for a duel. The title race continues next weekend when Real Madrid travels to Las Palmas and Girona faces Celta Vigo.

Persons: Largie, Edgar González’s, Francisco Hernández Maeso, Kaiky Fernandes Melo, Jude Bellingham, halve, Hernández Maeso, Bellingham, Dion Lopy, Vinícius Jr, ’, Dani Carvajal, Largie Ramazani, Isabel Infantes, Gonzalo Melero, “, Carlo Ancelotti, ”, Almería, ” Vinicius, Pierre, Philippe Marcou Organizations: CNN, Real, La Liga, Reuters, ” Real Madrid, Girona, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Celta Vigo Locations: Vinícius, AFP, Las Palmas

SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Last-place Sheffield United scored the latest goal on record in the Premier League — in the 13th minute of a wild period of stoppage time — to salvage a 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday. Two players had already been shown red cards in added-on time when Oli McBurnie was fouled by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola in an aerial collision. “That is the least we deserved," Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said. Vladimir Coufal was booked for his part in a melee after Brewster's foul and picked up a second yellow card moments later for a foul on James McAtee. West Ham stayed in sixth place and is five points behind Tottenham in fifth.

Persons: —, Oli McBurnie, Alphonse Areola, McBurnie, Fabianski —, Dirk Kuyt's, Chris Wilder, “, Ben Brereton Diaz, Maxwel Cornet, James Ward, Prowse, Danny Ings, Gustavo Hamer, Rhian Brewster, Vladimir Coufal, James McAtee, West Ham, ___ Organizations: SHEFFIELD, Sheffield United, Premier League —, West, Premier League, Liverpool, Arsenal, Burnley, Villarreal, Emerson, Tottenham Locations: England, West Ham, Chile

In his first game back from an eight-month ban, Toney scored from a free kick to help Brentford beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Saturday and end a skid of five straight Premier League losses. I’m just buzzing to be back and scoring goals and playing for the team. Frank even gave Toney the captain's armband for this game, indicating how important his return is for the west London club. Toney led his team with 20 goals in 33 league games last season before being handed the ban in May. With the return of Toney, any thoughts of a relegation scrap for Brentford might soon be in the past.

Persons: — Ivan Toney, Toney, “, ” Toney, Thomas Frank, Dane, Frank, Nuno Espirito, Danilo, Ben Mee, Chris Wood, Callum Hudson, Forest's Orel Mangala, Mads Roerslev, Neal Maupay, volleying, Thomas Frank’s, “ I’m, I’ve, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, ” Martinelli, Gabriel, Dean Henderson, Leandro Trossard, Martinelli's, Mikel Arteta’s, Roy Hodgson’s, ___ Organizations: Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest, ” ARSENAL, Fulham —, Liverpool, Arsenal, Crystal, Emirates, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, League's Locations: London, Dubai, West Ham, Liverpool

LONDON (AP) — It took Kevin De Bruyne less than five minutes to show why his return from injury could be so crucial for Manchester City in the second half of the Premier League season. De Bruyne had not made a league appearance since the opening round of the season in August, but it looked like he'd never been away. And in stoppage time, he lifted a perfectly weighted ball into the box for substitute Oscar Bobb to score his first Premier League goal and complete the comeback. Only two games were played Saturday with half of the Premier League teams having the weekend off for a short winter break. It was the 21-year-old Palmer’s ninth league goal of the season and fifth from the penalty spot after joining from Man City in the offseason.

Persons: Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, he'd, James ', Pep Guardiola's, Martin Dubravka, Oscar Bobb, I’m, Eddie Howe's, Erling Haaland, “, Kevin, Guardiola, Oscar, ”, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Isak, Walker, Stefan Ortega, Gordon, Ortega, Ederson, Sean Longstaff, Mauricio Pochettino, Cole Palmer, Palmer, ” Palmer, Marco Silva, Malo, ” Silva, Dai Yongge, Port, ___ Organizations: Manchester City, Premier League, City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League teams, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Arsenal, League, DERBY WIN, CHELSEA Chelsea, Blues, Stamford, Man, Middlesbrough, “, TNT, ” Fulham, Port Vale, Reading, English Football League, Cheltenham Locations: St, London, Man City, Middlesbrough, Bolton

☆ Soccer set to trial sin bins for dissent and ‘tactical offences’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Soccer is set to trial sin bins at the higher levels of the game in a bid to improve player behavior towards match officials – a move that has drawn a mixed response. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport’s lawmaking body, announced on Monday that sin bins should be trialed “for dissent and specific tactical offences” having been successfully implemented at a grassroots level. Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesBut not everyone is in favor of sin bins. “Considering football can’t decide what is clear and obvious from one week to the next, sin bins and the threshold for being banished to one have no chance,” CNN Senior Sports Analyst Darren Lewis wrote on X. He continued: “The success of sin bins in the grassroots game has been prevention, rather than cure.

Persons: –, bin, “, Pierluigi Collina, Jamie Carragher, “ I’ve, William Troost, Richard Heathcote, John Terry, ” Terry, ”, Darren Lewis, Mark Bullingham Organizations: CNN — Soccer, International Football Association Board, Liverpool, Sky Sports, Premier League, Chelsea, ” CNN, English Football Association, “ Locations: London, England

☆ Newcastle vs. PSG: Magpies denied famous win after controversial VAR penalty decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Newcastle United was denied a famous away win over Paris Saint-Germain after the French side was awarded a late penalty following yet another controversial VAR decision. Trailing 1-0 to Alexander Isak’s 24th-minute goal, PSG swarmed the Newcastle goal throughout the second half but without any success. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded the penalty after being recommended by the VAR to view the pitchside monitor. If he’s the best ref in the business – and he probably is – how can he give that?”How on earth is that a penalty for PSG. After the match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he was “still coming to terms” with the decision to award PSG a spot kick.

Persons: Germain, Alexander Isak’s, Ousmane Dembélé, Tino Livramento, Szymon Marciniak –, –, Dembélé, Szymon Marciniak, Alain Jocard, Darren Fletcher, Ally McCoist, it’s, Gary Lineker, Mbappé, Eddie Howe, “, ” Howe, Franck Fife, Marciniak didn’t, Lewis, @ChampionsLeague — Michael Owen, @themichaelowen Organizations: CNN, Newcastle United, Paris Saint, PSG, Magpies, Newcastle, Getty, TNT, TNT Sports, International Football Association Board, UEFA, Borussia Dortmund’s, AC Milan, Milan, Dortmund Locations: Newcastle, AFP, @GaryLineker, Paris

☆ Ukraine vs. Italy: Ukrainian media slams ‘scandalous’ penalty decision in crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Stranger still, it appears as though VAR didn’t even review the challenge. The mood in the Ukrainian media after the match was understandably one of frustration. “I have one question: why did the VAR referee keep silent at the moment with Mudryk?” Stupar added. The referee didn’t want to expose himself. But if he didn’t give a penalty, then he should have given Mudryk a yellow card for simulation.”One Ukrainian media outlet called the decision 'scandalous.'

Persons: Bryan Cristante, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jesús Gil Manzano, didn’t, Miroslav Stupar, Stupar, “, ”, ’, ” Football24 Organizations: CNN, Italy, UEFA, Ukraine, FIFA, Reuters, TSN Locations: Ukraine, Italy, England, Ukrainian

☆ 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

☆ Hungary qualify for Euro 2024 with dramatic 2-2 draw against Bulgaria.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group G - Bulgaria v Hungary - Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria - November 16, 2023 Hungary's Zsolt Kalmar and Daniel Gazdag celebrate their second goal an own goal scored by Bulgaria's Alex Petkov REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov Acquire Licensing RightsSOFIA, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Hungary qualified for the Euro 2024 finals with a game to spare after a last-gasp own goal from Alex Petkov earned them a 2-2 away draw against Bulgaria in their qualifying Group G on Thursday. The result put them on top of the group with 15 points from seven games, with an unassailable seven point lead over third-placed Montenegro, who have two games left to play. Hungary took the lead through Martin Adam's close-range header following a free kick from captain Dominik Szoboszlai from the right after 10 minutes. Hungary were also reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Milos Kerkez was sent off and suffered a major setback in the 78th minute as Kiril Despodov scored with a penalty to give Bulgaria a 2-1 lead. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico CityOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hungary's Zsolt Kalmar, Daniel Gazdag, Bulgaria's Alex Petkov, Stoyan, Alex Petkov, Martin Adam's, Dominik Szoboszlai, Marco Rossi's, Bulgaria's, Valentin Antov, Ilia Gruev, Milos Kerkez, Kiril Despodov, Petkov, Janina Nuno Rios Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, Vasil Levski National, Bulgaria's Alex Petkov REUTERS, Rights, Bulgaria, Delev, Thomson Locations: Bulgaria, Hungary, Sofia, Montenegro, Bulgarian, Mexico City

☆ Spain close in on top spot with Cyprus win
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Spain closed in on clinching top spot in their Euro 2024 qualifying Group A when they strolled to a 3-1 away win against Cyprus on Thursday. Happy to help the team and for the beautiful goal," Yamal said. "To play football is very difficult and it's difficult to win comfortably, scoring a lot of goals," said De La Fuente. "The opponent also play and they want to please their fans, so we need to be focus all the time. "In the second half we didn't play as well as we did in the first and they had their chances later on.

Persons: Luis de la Fuente, Yamal, Barcelona wonderkid, Mikel Oyarzabal, Joselu, Kostas Pileas, De La Fuente, Fernando Kallas, Julien Pretot Organizations: Cyprus, Spain, Barcelona, Real Sociedad, Real, Thomson Locations: Spain, Scotland, Georgia, Cyprus, Real Madrid

☆ Emma Hayes: Chelsea ‘robbed’ of Champions League win against Real Madrid, says Blues manager
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says her team was “robbed” of a win after controversial refereeing decisions overshadowed her side’s entertaining 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the Women’s Champions League group stage on Wednesday. Firstly, a questionable penalty was awarded to Madrid in the 78th minute and then a last-minute winner was ruled out for offside. “I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game,” Hayes said after the match. With Chelsea dominating proceedings, referee Frida Klarlund awarded Real Madrid the penalty after Blues defender Jessie Fleming brought down Athenea del Castillo. Real Madrid manager Alberto Toril said he was pleased with the performance and result against Chelsea.

Persons: Emma Hayes, “, ”, ” Hayes, OIga Carmona’s, Millie Bright, Niamh Charles, Sam Kerr, Misa Rodríguez –, Frida Klarlund, Jessie Fleming, Athenea del, Isabel Infantes, Carmona, Hayes, Jessie, Fleming, shouldn’t, ’ Chelsea, Lauren James, Charles, Kerr, Niamh, Sam, Alberto Toril Organizations: CNN, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Women’s Champions League, Reuters, Real, Super League, Madrid’s, Blues, Athenea, Getty, US, National, ” Chelsea, UEFA, Madrid, BK Häcken, Paris FC Locations: Madrid, Spanish, Real Madrid, Athenea del Castillo, she’s, European

☆ Arsenal's Arteta charged by FA over referee criticism
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 16 (Reuters) - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for comments that were insulting towards match officials, English soccer's governing body said on Thursday. Arteta had branded the decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon's goal in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Nov. 4 as an embarrassment and a disgrace, after the goal stood following a triple VAR assessment. "Mikel Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.1 following comments that he made in media interviews after Arsenal's Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday 4 November," the FA statement said. "It's alleged that his comments constitute misconduct as they are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute." Arteta now has until Nov. 21 to provide a response to the charge.

Persons: Mikel Arteta, Arteta, Anthony Gordon's, It's, Trevor Stynes, Julien Pretot Organizations: Arsenal, Football Association, Newcastle United, Arsenal's Premier League, Thomson Locations: Arsenal's

☆ Luxembourg sweep past Bosnia 4-1 to enter Euro playoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LUXEMBOURG, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Luxembourg thumped Bosnia 4-1 on Thursday but fell short of a top-two finish in Group J after Slovakia beat Iceland 4-2, leaving both teams in the hunt for a place for Euro 2024 in the play-offs. The home side took the lead after six minutes when Mathias Olesen's header flew into the top right-hand corner of Nikola Vasilj's goal. A late Renato Gojkovic goal gave the Bosnians some breathing space in added time before Rodrigues scored his second goal two minutes later. Already-qualified Portugal topped Group J with 25 points after nine matches, while Slovakia is second with 19 points. Luxembourg and Bosnia still have a chance to go through the playoffs.

Persons: Mathias Olesen's, Nikola Vasilj's, Gerson Rodrigues, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Leandro Barreiro, Nihad Mujakic, Dirk Carlson's, Renato Gojkovic, Rodrigues, Angelica Medina, Julien Pretot Organizations: Luxembourg thumped, Slovakia, Iceland, Thomson Locations: LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, Luxembourg thumped Bosnia, Portugal, Slovakia, Bosnia, Mexico City

☆ Colourful Euro 2024 ball to reflect energy of tournament, say organisers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Organisers Present the Official Match Ball - Maifeld, Berlin, Germany - November 15, 2023 General view of the Euro 2024 match ball 'Fussballliebe' REUTERS/Annegret Hilse Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Organisers of Euro 2024 on Wednesday unveiled the official ball for the continental tournament next year, with its colourful pattern designed to reflect the energy of the event and with built-in technology to assist in VAR decisions. Organisers said the design, featuring black wing shapes with colourful edges, curves and dots, was a reflection of the tournament's energy. Germany is hosting its first major international football tournament since the 2006 World Cup, which at the time had triggered an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm with large fan zones across the country and the event dubbed the "summer fairytale". Illustrations of each of the stadiums appear on the ball alongside the name of each host city. The ball also features some built-in technology to track all elements of its the movement and help with VAR decisions.

Persons: Annegret, Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer, Karolos, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, REUTERS, Rights, Wednesday, Adidas, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany

Search resuls for: "Var"

25 mentions found