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Showing posts from June 30, 2024

Transfer News: Chelsea sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

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Chelsea's rebuild continues with another new signing. Chelsea have secured the signing of midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City for £30 million. The 25-year-old, who came through Leicester’s academy, has committed to a six-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2030. Dewsbury-Hall will be reunited with manager Enzo Maresca, who took charge at Chelsea this summer after leading Leicester to the Championship title last season. Last season, Dewsbury-Hall was in outstanding form, netting 12 goals and providing 12 assists in 44 league matches. His performances earned him both Leicester’s Player of the Season and Players' player of the Season awards. He becomes Chelsea's fourth summer signing, following the free transfer of defender Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham, the £19 million transfer of midfielder Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa, and the £5 million acquisition of teenage forward Marc Guiu from Barcelona. Read more Chelsea appoint Enzo Maresca as new bo

Euro 2024: Portugal triumph over Slovenia on penalties

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Portugal 0 - 0 Slovenia Portugal won 3-0 on penalties Cristiano Ronaldo's tears turned to joy as Portugal triumphed over Slovenia on penalties to secure a Euro 2024 quarter-final spot against France, despite the 39-year-old missing a crucial penalty in extra time. Ronaldo, who was in tears after Jan Oblak's brilliant save of his penalty in the 105th minute, was consoled by his teammates. Following a gruelling goalless draw, he successfully converted Portugal's first effort in the shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa's saves from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic were instrumental in the victory. Costa's heroics paved the way for Bernardo Silva to score the winning penalty after Bruno Fernandes had also found the net. This came after a similarly crucial save from Benjamin Sesko deep into extra time, as Slovenia came heartbreakingly close to a historic upset. Viva Ronaldo As always, Ronaldo took centre stage in this unforgettable match, though his wai

Euro 2024: France edge past Belgium

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France 1 - 0 Belgium A late own goal by Jan Vertonghen sent France into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 at Belgium's expense. A game that had lacked quality and excitement for much of its duration seemed destined for extra time. However, a shot by substitute Randal Kolo Muani deflected off Vertonghen with five minutes remaining, ultimately sealing a French victory at Düsseldorf Arena. There was a fantastic atmosphere before the match France had missed several opportunities before that, with their lack of finishing touch once again letting them down. Even captain Kylian Mbappe squandered chances that he would normally convert. Belgium nearly took the lead themselves before France's late goal. Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne charged into space through the middle, but his shot was pushed behind by Mike Maignan. That had been the underwhelming Belgians' only decent opportunity as France saw out the final few minutes to progress to the last eight, where they will

Transfer News: Villa sign Ross Barkley

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Villa are strengthening their squad ahead of a campaign where they will compete in the Premier League and Champions League They have signed midfielder Ross Barkley from Luton Town on a permanent deal. The 30-year-old made 32 Premier League appearances for Luton, who were relegated from the top flight in 2023-24. This is Barkley's second spell at Villa Park. He spent the 2020-21 season on loan there from Chelsea. The former Everton midfielder also made 33 appearances for England between 2013 and 2019 and was regarded as one of England's most promising talents, featuring in the Three Lions side at the 2014 World Cup. Barkley made 150 appearances for Everton over eight years  He joined Chelsea in a £15m move in 2018 but left by mutual consent at the start of the 2022-23 season after 100 appearances for the club. Also read Premier League: Summer 2024 news and stories  The latest from Aston Villa  A spell at Luton helped Barkley find his feet in the top flight once again after j

Euro 2024: Spain secure quarter-final spot against Germany

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Spain 4 - 1 Georgia Spain secured a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with hosts Germany by overcoming an early own goal to defeat Georgia 4-1 decisively. Spain and Germany have been standout teams in Euro 2024, and they are now set to face each other in the last eight in Stuttgart.  Georgia briefly looked poised to follow up their remarkable win over Portugal by eliminating the 2008 and 2012 winners. For a brief moment, that appeared possible when Robin Le Normand inadvertently redirected a cross into his own net. Giving Georgia the lead against the run of play. Spain, having started the game strongly, remained undeterred and continued to challenge Giorgi Mamardashvili's goal with 17 shots in the first half. Their persistence paid off when Rodri equalised with a precise strike. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia almost restored Georgia's lead with a clever attempt from his own half, but Spain completed their comeback just minutes later. Fabian Ruiz headed in a superb cross from L

Euro 2024: England leave it late against Slovakia

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England 2 - 1 Slovakia Jude Bellingham saved England from an early exit in Euro 2024 against Slovakia on Sunday with a breathtaking equaliser in the 95th minute.  Harry Kane then secured their place in the quarterfinals with a winner early in extra time, sealing a 2-1 victory. Slovakia started the match much brighter and gave England several warnings before Ivan Schranz skillfully placed the ball past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 25th minute. England, who will next face Switzerland, had a history of comebacks in their last three Euro matches where they conceded first, including the previous tournament's semifinal. They thought they had equalised shortly after the break, but Phil Foden was clearly offside before he tapped the ball into the net. Kane, unusually, headed a Foden free kick wide, and Declan Rice hit the post as Slovakia were pushed deep into their own half. However, England seemed to lack confidence, and their fans grew increasingly frustrated. Bellingham, cele

Transfer Rumour: City want Kimmich

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Press reports from across Europe are suggesting that Manchester City are about to make some big moves in the transfer market. Would Joshua Kimmich be a good signing for City and Guardiola? Kimmich is reportedly eager to reunite with Pep Guardiola, despite the possibility that his former boss could leave in a year. Kimmich, a crucial player for Germany's Euro campaign, has one year remaining on his contract with Bayern Munich and is attracting interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool. Manchester City's Guardiola is also interested. Kimmich is particularly drawn to reuniting with the manager who launched his career at Bayern in 2015, making the Etihad an appealing destination. Kimmich’s representatives are keen to know if Guardiola plans to extend his stay beyond next summer, but the player is so eager to work with him again that he is ready to take the chance. While Bayern’s manager Vincent Kompany is eager for Kimmich to remain, the club would prefer to sell him

Euro 2024: Germany progress after dramatic match with Denmark

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Germany 2 - 0 Denmark Euro 2024 hosts Germany advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Denmark.  The game at Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion was dramatically interrupted for about 20 minutes towards the end of the first half due to a spectacular storm, with lightning illuminating the sky and hail and heavy rain drenching the pitch. Current scenes in Dortmund. #EURO2024 https://t.co/gJjIQ72CSW pic.twitter.com/ZrhJuu9ukM — European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) June 29, 2024 Several crucial video assistant referee (VAR) decisions were to have a huge impact on what happened next. Germany's Nico Schlotterbeck had previously had a header ruled out by VAR, and Denmark saw Joachim Andersen’s goal disallowed in the second half due to Thomas Delaney being marginally offside. Germany celebrated when another VAR decision went in their favour, leading to referee Michael Oliver awarding a penalty for handball against the unfortunate Andersen. You'd have to argue that it p