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☆ Major League Soccer sets all-time attendance record in Lionel Messi’s first full season
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Jamie Barton | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —More than 11 million fans have attended Major League Soccer matches this year, breaking the regular season attendance record. With 16 games still remaining before the start of the MLS Cup playoffs, the total has already surpassed the previous record of 10,900,804 set in 2023. At just over 17,000, the average crowd for Inter Miami games, home and away, was the second smallest in the league in 2022. Luis Suárez, Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona, was reunited with the Argentine this year and helped Inter Miami to its first ever Supporters’ Shield in early October. The Herons are favorites to take the MLS Cup, with the playoffs beginning later this month.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, El Tráfico, Olivier Giroud, Kevork Djansezian, Marco Reus, Hugo Lloris, Luis Suárez Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, MLS, Inter Miami, Miami, Atlanta United, Sporting Kansas City, Arrowhead, Rose, LA Galaxy, Inter, New, Gillette, LAFC, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Argentine

☆ Champions League Briefing: Arsenal’s statement win – and why so many thrashings?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Tim Spiers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +12 min

If you like your European midweek football this is the week for you, with 54 Champions League, Europa League and Conference League matches being crammed into three nights. The Champions League kicked things off with some of the competition’s favourites beginning to bare their teeth. It was also, incredibly, their 31st defeat from 37 Champions League group stage away games. Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and a first Champions League goal for James McAtee saw City get their first win of this year’s competition. They lost a number of key players in the summer and can’t even play Champions League games at their own home, with the 15,000 capacity Stade Francis-Le Ble not up to Champions League standards (they’re hosting matches at Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou instead).

Persons: Olivier Giroud, Germain, Luis Enrique, Mikel Arteta’s, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Kai Havertz, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leandro Trossard’s, l, e, sid e, Rob e, Lew, Rea, ’, Camara, enki, – they, night., ashe, hal f, alf of a, Brendan R, c Roy, are, tim e, eason, Francis, Le Bl, ning, Bayer, ade 0 P, 45pm E, ina Organizations: Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, League, Arsenal, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Brest, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint, Emirates, sco, RIM, rit, UE, eni, Graz, Salzburg …, pla Locations: Barcelona, Emirates, Nis, goa, Zagreb, Ata, Brest, Austria, Red Bul, arta

☆ Spain 2 France 1: A semi-final for the ages as Yamal makes history with wondergoal – The Briefing
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-09 | by ( Dermot Corrigan | Liam Tharme | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Spain are the first nation through to the Euro 2024 final after beating France 2-1 in Munich. Spain are back in their first big tournament final since the golden generation which dominated from 2008 to 2012. Yamal celebrates with the Spain bench (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Dermot CorriganFrance’s attack misfires againFor the first time, a Frenchman scored from open play for France. Despite their attacking options, including Dembele, Mbappe, Kolo Muani plus Bradley Barcola, Antoine Griezmann and Giroud from the bench, they could not summon a cutting edge. Their goalscorers were from the penalty spot, an own goal or Kolo Muani.

Persons: Didier Deschamps ’, Randal Kolo, Yamal, Dani Olmo, Olivier Giroud —, Liam Tharme, Dermot Corrigan, Peter Rutzler, Phil Hay, Luis de la, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Alvaro Morata, Alex Pantling –, —, Germany’s, Kolo Muani’s, — Williams, Kolo Muani, Germain, Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba’s, Aurelien, Jules Kounde, Liam Tharme Yamal, Adrien Rabiot, ”, Jesus Navas, Mike Maignan, despairingly, Dan Mullan, He’s, Alex Livesey, Dermot Corrigan France’s, misfires, Frenchman, Kolo, Bradley Barcola, Antoine Griezmann, Mbappe, Didier Deschamps, Justin Setterfield, Dani Vivian, Dembele, Deschamps, Deschamps ’, Matthias Hangst, Peter Rutzler Morata, Vivian ., Morata, Alex Brodie Organizations: France, Copa, The Athletic FC, La, Alex Pantling – UEFA, UEFA, Getty, Nations League, Paris Saint, PSG, Germany, Georgia, yesterday’s, Portugal, Mbappe, Morata Locations: Spain, Munich, ’, France, Berlin, Europe, Copa America, England, Netherlands, Paris, Mbappe, Jesus, Spanish, Belgium

France could only come second in Group D at Euro 2024 after a 1-1 draw with Poland in Dortmund. AdvertisementThe second half started in a similar manner, before a penalty in the 56th minute — scored by Kylian Mbappe, in his mask — gave France the lead. The theme continued in the second half as Skorupski was initially a match for everything that France threw at him, making seven saves in total. It took a penalty to finally beat him — Jakub Kiwior brought down Dembele and Mbappe sent Skorupski the wrong way. The other half, which awaited the team who finished second in Group D, has some of Euro 2024’s form teams — Portugal, Spain and Germany.

Persons: Didier Deschamps ’, Lukasz, Kylian Mbappe, —, Robert Lewandowski, Nick Miller, Michael Cox, Andy Jones, Elias Burke, Charlie Scott, It’s, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Catherine Ivill –, Skorupski Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Skorupski, Szczesny, Skorupski, Lukasz Fabianski, Ina Fassbender, Theo Hernandez, — Jakub Kiwior, Mbappe, Mike Maignan, Marco Guida, Upamecano, Karol Swiderski, Lewandowski, Maignan, ’, Robert Lewandowski’s, Mike Maignan’s, Marco Steinbrenner, Kylian, N’Golo Kante, Marcus Thuram, Franck Fife, Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, Germany Charlie Scott Organizations: Poland, Bologna, League, Serie, Getty, Bayern Munich, Milan ’, France, Getty Images, Austria Locations: France, Dortmund, Poland, AFP, Germany, Swiderski, Netherlands, Austria, Friday’s, Berlin, Italy, England, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine

☆ Kylian Mbappe fractures nose for France at Euro 2024, will wear mask to return to play
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Ali Rampling | Oliver Kay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Kylian Mbappe suffered a fractured nose during France’s Euro 2024 win over Austria on Monday but will not undergo surgery at this time. AdvertisementThe 25-year-old was seen bleeding heavily from his nose as he was attended to by medical staff on the pitch. — Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 17, 2024Speaking before the diagnosis was confirmed head coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the blow that losing Mbappe to injury would be for his side. Asked by French television channel TF1 if the fear was a broken nose, he said: “Apparently yes, his nose is not good at all. It’s so intense.”GO DEEPER The Briefing: Austria 0 France 1 - Mbappe's bloodied nose, pitch problems, Deschamps' dilemma(Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Kevin Danso, Mbappe, Des idées Organizations: Austria, Real, Dusseldorf Locations: Real Madrid, France, Netherlands

☆ Euro 2024: German and British police working together for ‘safe and trouble-free’ tournament amid hooliganism fears
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The hostIt’s fair to say expectations for the German national team are not high within the host country. Expectations are low for the German national team. Didier Deschamps has been in charge of the national team since 2012 and last January extended his contract until 2026. After winning the World Cup and Nations League, Mbappé wants to add the Euros to his resume. That’s the only one that missed me with the national team after I did everything with the national team,” Mbappé told CNN recently.

Persons: ”, Lars Baron, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Nagelsmann, Christian, hasn’t, Henri Delaunay, Les, Didier Deschamps, Deschamps, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaïre, Emery, Eduardo Camavinga, France’s, Mbappé, Matthias Hangst, ” Mbappé, it’s, Harry Kane, Phil Foden, Saka, Declan Rice, Jude, Gareth Southgate, fthe, Southgate, Alex Grimm, ” Southgate, “, you’ve, Dominik Szoboszlai, ” Szoboszlai, “ It’s, Rafal Oleksiewicz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Lunin, Mykhailo Mudryk, Artem Dovbyk Organizations: CNN, British, soccer’s, England, Serbian, Guardian, German Police, Policing Unit, UEFA, Serbian Football Federation, Serbian Ministry of Interior, Russia, Reuters, German, Bayern Munich, ARD, German national, Getty, Nations League, English Football Association, Liverpool, Defence, Iceland, Bosnia, Ukraine Locations: Gelsenkirchen, England, Serbia, European, Germany, North Rhine, Westphalia, “, France, Marseille, Russia, Scotland, Netherlands, Austria, Turkey, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Ukraine, Herzegovina, Iceland, Spain, Belgium, Slovakia, Romania

☆ Francesco Camarda becomes youngest ever Serie A player aged 15
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Aged 15 years and 260 days old, Francesco Camarda pulled on the famous black and red striped jersey of AC Milan on Saturday, and made history as the youngest ever debutant in Serie A. The Rossoneri’s victory against Fiorentina stymied their recent drought of wins, and ensured they remained third in the league, five points behind leaders Inter Milan. I could be his grandfather,” Milan manager Stefano Pioli told Sky Sport Italia, according to ESPN. So far this season, Camarda had made nine appearances for AC Milan in the Campionato Primavera 1 TIM, Italy’s under-19 league, and scored one goal. After his history-making Serie A debut, Camarda’s teammates rushed to congratulate him, including France’s all time leading goalscorer Olivier Giroud who hailed his “rossonero little brother” on Instagram.

Persons: Francesco Camarda, Luka Jović, Wisdom Amey, “ Francesco, ” Milan, Stefano Pioli, Camarda, Camarda’s, Olivier Giroud, ” Organizations: CNN, Milan, Serie A, Luka, Fiorentina, Bologna, Sky Sport Italia, Inter Milan, ESPN, AC Milan, Primavera, Serie Locations: Instagram

☆ 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

☆ French connection strikes as PSG beat AC Milan to go top
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Another Kylian Mbappe moment of magic and a Randal Kolo Muani goal helped Paris St Germain beat a toothless AC Milan 3-0 at the Parc des Princes to go top of their Champions League Group F on Wednesday. "We play as a team, we make the efforts for our team mates, that's how we do it." Kolo Muani said: "We wanted to control the match and go for the win. PSG got off to an aggressive start but were outnumbered in the midfield and struggled to free themselves from Milan's pressing play. PSG next travel on Nov. 7 to Milan, who will need what would be their first win in the group stage to maintain their hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Paris St Germain, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele, Lee Kang, Warren Zaire, Emery, Luis Enrique's, Milan's Olivier Giroud, Manuel Ugarte, Dembele, Kolo, Mike Maignan, Christian Pulisic, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rafael Leao's, Maignan, Lee, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Paris St, Milan, Princes, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, AC Milan, League, PSG, Borussia, Newcastle, Thomson Locations: Parc, France, Zaire, Milan

☆ Milan go top with late Pulisic strike at Genoa as Giroud ends match in goal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GENOA, Italy, Oct 7 (Reuters) - A late strike by Christian Pulisic earned AC Milan a 1-0 win at promoted Genoa that put them top of Serie A on Saturday but the game ended in chaos as both keepers were sent off and striker Olivier Giroud went in goal for the visitors. U.S. international Pulisic netted in the 87th minute with a half-volley from near the penalty spot after he was brilliantly set up by Yunus Musah to give Milan the lead. But the three points were hanging by a thread as the game took a chaotic turn when Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan saw red for a foul on Caleb Ekuban late in stoppage time and Giroud took his spot in goal. "I like to think that what Giroud did is part of our mentality," coach Stefano Pioli told DAZN. "Pulisic wanted to go in goal and perhaps he had already done it, but I told him that he was too short.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Mike Maignan, Caleb Ekuban, Giroud, Frenchman, Genoa's Albert Gudmundsson, George Puscas, Stefano Pioli, DAZN, Milan, Pioli, Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Rade Krunic, Ismael Bennacer, Rafael Leao, Josep Martinez, Martinez, Theo Hernandez, Anita Kobylinska, Toby Davis Organizations: Milan, Serie, U.S, Inter Milan, Lazio, AS Roma, Napoli, Genoa, Juventus, Thomson Locations: GENOA, Italy, Genoa, Milan, Bologna, Gdansk

☆ Leao scores as AC Milan beat Verona 1-0
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 23 (Reuters) - AC Milan returned to winning ways when Rafael Leao scored in a 1-0 home win over Hellas Verona in Saturday's Serie A game that was delayed by 25 minutes due to a hailstorm. Leao gave Milan the lead in the eighth minute when Olivier Giroud pinched the ball from Verona near the halfway line and released the winger, who sprinted past two defenders scrambling to track back before slipping his shot past the goalkeeper. At the other end, Milan were rarely threatened by Verona who remain in ninth place, five points behind Stefano Pioli's side. Milan keeper Marco Sportiello pulled off a fine save from a Michael Folorunsho header in the 20th minute, but he was rarely troubled after that. Milan forward Christian Pulisic also got away from his marker in the 72nd minute but his curling shot was pushed away by Verona keeper Lorenzo Montipo.

Persons: Rafael Leao, Leao, Olivier Giroud, Stefano Pioli's, Pioli, DAZN, Marco Sportiello, Michael, Christian Pulisic, Lorenzo Montipo, Marco Baroni, Rohith Nair, Trevor Stynes, Christian Radnedge, Clare Fallon Organizations: Milan, Hellas Verona, Saturday's Serie, Inter, Champions League, Newcastle United, Empoli, Portugal, Verona, Thomson Locations: Saturday's, Milan, Verona

☆ Top of the table clash gives Milan derby extra edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Trevor Stynes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The match at the San Siro will be the first time since 1962 that the Milan sides meet while top of the table. But this Milan side are a different proposition from the team who put up such a disappointing defence of their league title last season. Preparations for the derby will mostly come down to the last few days with most of their starting players returning from international duty. Milan have a concern over Giroud after he went off injured in France's win over Ireland last week but are hopeful he can recover. Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, with just one point from three games, will try to kick-start their season when they host Empoli on Sunday.

Persons: Stefano Pioli, Massimo Pinca, San Siro, Stefano Pioli's, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Loftus, Reijnders, Milan, Sandro Tonali, Olivier Giroud's, Lautaro Martinez, Martinez, Simone Inzaghi, Romelu, Eden Dzeko, Marcus Thuram, Luka Jovic, Fikayo Timori, Simon Kjaer, Jose Mourinho's, Trevor Stynes, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer, Juventus, AC Milan, Allianz, Milan, Inter, Serie, Napoli, Lazio, San, Fiorentina, Champions League, Serie A's, France's, Ireland, Juve, Genoa, Lecce, Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, Empoli, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italy, Saturday's Milan, Milan, Newcastle, Monza

☆ Christian Pulisic: US captain scores sensational goal on AC Milan debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Men’s National Team captain Christian Pulisic scored a sensational goal on his debut for Italian side AC Milan on Monday night. The 24-year-old’s thunderous 21st-minute strike was the second of the night in AC Milan’s 2-0 victory over Bologna as the team began its Serie A campaign strongly. Nice to get a goal, while a clean sheet and a win are always nice.”Giroud scored Milan’s opening goal, tapping home from close range after just 11 minutes. Following a disappointing Serie A title defense last season – though the Italians did reach the semifinals of the Champions League – AC Milan has recruited heavily this offseason in the hope of reclaiming the Scudetto. Pulisic scores Milan's second goal against Bologna.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, ” Pulisic, DAZN, ” Giroud, Sandro Tonali, Midfielders Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Luka Romero, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah, Noah Okafor, Samuel Chukwueze, Alessandro Sabattini, ” Milan, Stefano Pioli, “, ” Pioli, ” Organizations: CNN, US Men’s National Team, Italian, AC Milan, Champions League –, Milan, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Midfielders, Chelsea, Bologna Locations: Chelsea, Bologna, Italy, Milan, London, “

☆ 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

☆ Folarin Balogun: What to expect from the 21-year-old who outscored Lionel Messi last season ahead of his USMNT debut
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Folarin Balogun recently committed to representing the United States men’s national team (USMNT), ending years of speculation about whether the 21-year-old would choose to play for the US or England on the international stage. Here’s all you need to know about the prodigious striker ahead of his potential USMNT debut against Mexico. Stu Forster/Getty ImagesOn the pitch, Balogun has refined his game over the past two seasons. After the Arsenal man’s haul last season, Barker also believes this could be just the beginning for the striker. “I’m not sure he will be an elite, world class player,” Barker said, “but you certainly wouldn’t bet against him.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Folarin Balogun, Gregg Berhalter’s, Jesus Ferreira, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, “, James Williamson, Flo, unforthcoming, Balogun, Art de, Charles McQuillan, ” de Roché, it’s, Roché, de Roché, he’s, Stu Forster, “ He’s, ”, Alex Barker, ” Barker, Oliver Giroud, Roberto Firmino, Messi, Germain, Francois Nascimbeni, Balogun’s, Barker, John Dorton, who’s, that’ll, De Roché, Xavier Laine, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, France’s Ligue, United, United States men’s national, Mexico, Arsenal, Premier League club’s, Middlesbrough, Ligue, Reims, CNN Sport, Millwall, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, West Brom, EFL Championship, Twitter, ”, Paris Saint, “, Getty, USSF, US, USSF ‘ Locations: USA, Argentine, Brooklyn, United States, England, Qatar, Netherlands, New York, Millwall’s, Reims, Ligue, AFP, Canada, Mexico, France

☆ Roma and Milan share spoils with late goals in top-four battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Milan remain fourth in the standings, level on 57 points with Roma in fifth, with both sides two points behind third-placed Juventus who travel to Bologna on Sunday. Roma's back luck, however, did not end there and Mourinho was forced to make an early change when defender Marash Kumbulla clashed inside the box with Milan forward Olivier Giroud. They had a decent chance just after the half-hour mark but forward Leao fired wide. Milan defenders Davide Calabria and Fikayo Tomori had two more chances before halftime but both missed the target. Milan host second-bottom Cremonese on Wednesday when Roma travel to ninth-placed Monza.

☆ 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.

☆ AC Milan win 2-1 at Salernitana as Serie A returns
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SALERNO, Italy, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Sandro Tonali scored a goal and set up another to guide AC Milan to a 2-1 victory at Salernitana on Wednesday as Serie A returned after a seven-week break for the World Cup and the festive season. Rafael Leao and Tonali struck in the first half as second-placed Milan moved to 36 points, five behind league leaders Napoli who play away to Inter Milan later. Forward Leao gave Milan a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when he picked up a clever pass from midfielder Tonali and went around goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for a brilliant finish. Milan could have added more goals but they missed chances, including from Giroud. Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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.

☆ Factbox: 10 memorable impressions from the Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SAUDI ARABIA STUN ARGENTINAArgentina were cruising in their opening Group C game after Lionel Messi scored a first-half penalty. RONALDO EXITS FINAL WORLD CUP IN TEARSPortugal's talisman became the first male player to score in five World Cups with a penalty against Ghana. FIRST FEMALE REFEREE AT A MEN'S WORLD CUPFrenchwoman Stephanie Frappart was handed control of Germany's final Group E clash against Costa Rica, becoming the first female referee to officiate at a men's World Cup. Costa Rica coach Luis Fernando Suarez described it as a big step forward in 'sexist sport' and the 39-year-old Frappart produced a calm and assured display in Germany's victory. Germany needed a win over Costa Rica and for Spain to beat Japan to go through as runners-up, and at halftime that was exactly what was happening.

☆ 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.

☆ Messi's 'Maradona moment' faces formidable French final hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

They really found their rhythm against Croatia, sweeping aside a team who had just knocked out Brazil, to march into the final on high. France looked the best side in the tournament in their first two group games and recovered from the Tunisia blip to turn on the style in beating Poland 3-1. The final will mark his 26th World Cup appearance, more than any other player, as the stars are seemingly aligning for the mini-maestro. Having lost to Germany in the 2014 final, Argentina are seeking a third triumph to follow 1978 and '86 but France are the team of the moment. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mental strength, moments of brilliance - how France reached the World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GROUP STAGE MATCH 2: FRANCE 2-1 DENMARKHaving lost their last two games against Denmark in June and September, France were facing their first real test of the tournament. LAST 16: FRANCE 3-1 POLANDAfter France went through a brief rough patch, Giroud opened the scoring to become France's all-time top scorer on 52 goals - moving one ahead of Thierry Henry. They went ahead thanks to a 25-metre Aurelien Tchouameni strike, but cracked early in the second half with Harry Kane converting a penalty after a Tchouameni foul. They went ahead on five minutes thanks to Theo Hernandez's high-hooked volley, forcing their opponents to take the initiative. France will play Argentina, who are also looking to win the World Cup for the third time, in Sunday's final at the Lusail Stadium.

☆ France and Argentina bring multiple plot lines to mouthwatering World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Standing in Messi’s way is his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé, as France seeks to win back-to-back World Cup trophies. After a shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in its opening group game, Argentina’s World Cup campaign got off to the worst possible start. When asked whether Sunday’s game will be his last at a World Cup, Messi replied: “Yes. Like Griezmann, the 36-year-old Giroud has had a renaissance in this World Cup, after failing to score a single goal in 2018. We’ll enjoy it now and get ready for the last match of this World Cup.”

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