Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has warned his Brazil team-mates they will face “one of the best strikers” if Ollie Watkins gets the nod to lead the line for England on Saturday night.
Brazil take on England at Wembley this weekend in a friendly which acts as preparation for both nations ahead of their respective major tournaments this summer with Euro 2024 and the Copa America both set to commence in June.
England boss Gareth Southgate has fitness concerns over captain Harry Kane, who is nursing an ankle issue and may sit out the clash with Selecao.
23 players are out at training this morning, with and continuing to work indoors.
— England (@England)
If Kane is absent, Southgate could turn to Watkins after an excellent domestic cam…
Eddie Howe admits Newcastle could not afford to allow “gentle giant” Joelinton to leave on a free transfer after they finally persuaded him to sign a new contract.
The 27-year-old Brazil international put pen to paper on a long-term deal on Thursday to end fears that he could leave the Magpies for nothing next summer despite becoming one of their most important players.
Ultimately, the two parties managed to reach agreement over a man whose value on and off the pitch had increased substantially during his time on Tyneside, although head coach Howe knows the financial implications of doing so may impact on his summer business as the club attempts to comply with profit and sustainability limits.
We are delighted to announce that Joelinton has signed a new long…
Mohamed Salah scored the quickest hat-trick in Champions League history as Liverpool thumped Rangers 7-1 to put one foot in the last 16.
It started badly for Jurgen Klopp s side at Ibrox when Scott Arfield scored his first Champions League goal with a crisp finish past Alisson from outside the penalty area.
Liverpool pulled level soon after, though, when Firmino headed home a corner from close range, before the Brazilian and Darwin Nunez put the Reds 3-1 up.
That set the stage for Salah to come off the substitutes bench and complete a hat-trick in just six minutes and 12 seconds to leave Liverpool, who added a seventh late on through Harvey Elliott, needing just a point from their final two games against Ajax and Napoli to progress to the knockout stages.
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Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany has confirmed he will miss Euro 2016 due to the injury he sustained in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old centre-back, who has missed large parts of the season through injury, limped off just 10 minutes into City s 1-0 defeat at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday with a suspected groin problem.
And he has now confirmed he will miss the European Championships in France, in a big blow to Belgium s hopes.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, Kompany said: I ll miss the Euros. To me that s very sad news.
I could be standing here, feeling sorry for myself. I could fear for my career, as others may do. I could give up.
That is not me. I decide …
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Desperate to mark their return from October’s international break with a flurry on home soil, PSG will welcome Strasbourg to the Parc des Princes on Saturday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, while PSG might have come under plenty of scrutiny earlier in the month as they slumped to an infamous 4-1 drumming at the hands of Premier League outfit Newcastle, Luis Enrique’s side certainly claimed an immediate boost prior to October’s international break. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 3-1 romp away at Rennes, the former Barcelona boss will be desperate for his superstar squad to use that performance as a platform to build on. Desperate to defend their Ligue 1 crown this season, Les Parisens will be smelling a golden chanc…
Los Angeles FC s title defence has not yet got started after their derby with LA Galaxy was called off due to adverse weather last week, but they will be looking for another win against the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
The Timbers opening game was also rearranged due to the elements, although they were later able to beat Sporting Kansas City to get their season up and running.
This particular match-up included a memorable game for LAFC last year en route to their Supporters Shield and MLS Cup double.
The sides met in the penultimate game of the regular season, with LAFC winning 2-1 in Oregon to take the Shield.
Their victory came in dramatic fashion – Denis Bouanga netting in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time after Dairon Asprilla had cance…
UEFA President Michel Platini has appealed to the international community to support Poland and Ukraine in the organising of Euro 2012.
Fears have abounded that the former communist country would be unable to stage such an event.
According to reports emanating out of Ukraine there have been delays in the rebuilding of stadiums, the upgrading of transportation networks including airports as well as the upgrading of hotels.
Platini have told the Ukrainian football authorities that progress has to be made within the next few months otherwise Italy may have to be asked instead.
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Didier Deschamps says he is closing on France s starting XI for Friday s Euro 2016 opener against Romania after witnessing his side turn in a classy showing in a 3-0 win over Scotland.
Tournament hosts France concluded their preparations for the quadrennial showpiece with a fine performance in Metz, Oliver Giroud bagging a brace to make it seven goals in as many international appearances before Laurent Koscielny made it 3-0 before half-time with his first goal for Les Bleus.
France failed to add to their tally after the break with Paul Pogba going closest when he struck the left-hand post from a free-kick shortly after the hour.
Head coach Deschamps was pleased with the serious manner his side approached the game and says his team is starting to take shape for th…
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has signed a new three-year contract with the Premier League club.
Academy graduate Dunk went past the 400-appearance mark during the 2022-23 season and helped the Seagulls qualify for the Europa League with an excellent sixth-placed finish.
Dunk’s previous terms with Brighton were due to expire in two years’ time, but he has flourished under Roberto De Zerbi and will now be contracted to the club until 2026.
De Zerbi said: “Long live the captain!
We are pleased to announce that Lewis Dunk has signed a new contract that runs until June 2026.
— Brighton Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC)
“I’m really happy he has signed this new contract. It’s good news for Lewis and the club.”
Centre-back Dunk…
A sin bin trial featuring blue cards was conspicuous by its absence as football’s lawmakers set out plans to improve player behaviour on Saturday.
The PA news agency understands blue cards were set to be part of a trial of sin bins at higher levels of the sport, with details of the trial having been close to publication by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) last month.
Media reports about blue cards published on February 8 drew a negative response on social media and from the likes of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, and plans to publish the trial details were delayed pending further talks at Saturday’s annual general meeting.
The IFAB approves permanent concussion substitutes among several changes to the Laws of the Game
Fo…