Football

England's resurgence under interim manager Lee Carsley culminated in a resounding 5-0 victory over Ireland on Sunday, securing promotion back to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League.Harry Kane's 69th international goal, a record-extending strike, ignited a second-half scoring spree that propelled England to a dominant win at Wembley. The Three Lions needed to match Greece's result to top Group B2, and they did so with aplomb.Kane's penalty in the 53rd minute, awarded after Liam Scales brought down Jude Bellingham, opened the floodgates. Within five minutes, England had doubled their lead through Anthony Gordon's close-range finish. Conor Gallagher added a third just three minutes later, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.Substitute Jarrod Bowen made an immediate impact, scoring with his first touch in the 75th minute. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, making his debut, headed in another four minutes later to complete the rout."A really important win for us," said Kane. "It was a tough first half, but we came out second half with a lot more energy and we finished it off."England's victory was a testament to Carsley's impact during his brief tenure. The former under-21s coach instilled a sense of attacking flair and belief in the team, which was evident in their performance against Ireland."I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch and attacking," said Carsley. "I see them do it day in, day out on the training ground. And now we've seen it (on the field)."England's promotion to the top tier of the Nations League means they will be among Europe's leading nations in the next edition of the competition. They will also be looking to build on their momentum under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, who takes over in January.Tuchel will have plenty of options when he selects his first squad, as Carsley handed debuts to eight players during his short reign. In his final game, Gordon, Gallagher, Bowen, and Harwood-Bellis all scored their first senior goals for England."Lee has achieved the main objective from the six fixtures this autumn: securing promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League," said English Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham. "The players have really enjoyed working with Lee and his team – they have made a real impact in their interim roles."

France, Italy, and Portugal are poised to secure their spots in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, while England's hopes of promotion have been dampened by a string of withdrawals.Italy and Portugal need only a point to advance, while France is well-positioned ahead of their match against Israel on Thursday. However, the fixture has been overshadowed by security concerns following clashes in Amsterdam during a match between Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.Israel has urged fans to avoid the Nations League tie due to fears of anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim abuse amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. France defender Dayot Upamecano expressed understanding for the fans' decision but emphasized his focus on the game.Kylian Mbappe is once again absent from the France squad, with coach Didier Deschamps stating that the decision is "for the best." Mbappe has been under investigation for an alleged rape, which he has denied.After the Israel match, France will face Group A leaders Italy in Milan on Sunday. Italy needs only to avoid defeat against Belgium to secure a quarter-final berth.Portugal will host Poland and then travel to Croatia in Group A1, where Scotland is struggling at the bottom of the table. The Netherlands and Hungary will meet in a crucial A3 showdown, while Germany can wrap up top spot by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina.Denmark and Serbia will battle it out for the other qualifying spot in Group A4 alongside Spain. The Danes host Spain and Serbia go to Switzerland before a potentially decisive clash in Leskovac on November 18.England must beat Greece in Athens to stay in contention for promotion back to the top tier. Greece has a perfect record in League B and won 2-1 at Wembley last month. Interim England boss Lee Carsley will be without several key players for the match.Georgia can become the first team to climb from League D to League A since the Nations League began in 2018 if they beat Ukraine and Czech Republic in Group B1. San Marino, who earned their first-ever competitive win in September, could make the leap to League C by defeating Gibraltar on Friday.Teams finishing third in League A and second in League B will face off in relegation/promotion play-offs, with identical play-offs between Leagues B and C. The Nations League also has an impact on World Cup qualifying, with the 12 group winners in European qualifying going to the World Cup and another four places going to winners of play-offs.

Inter Milan and Arsenal Set for Crucial Champions League ClashArsenal captain Martin Odegaard is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury as the Gunners prepare to face Inter Milan in a pivotal UEFA Champions League encounter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Thursday. Odegaard has been sidelined for the past 12 matches due to an injury sustained on international duty with Norway, but he has resumed training and traveled with the squad to Milan.Both Inter Milan and Arsenal are locked on seven points in the Champions League standings, setting the stage for a thrilling contest between two teams harboring aspirations of advancing deep into the tournament. Inter, under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, has enjoyed an impressive eight-match unbeaten run, including seven victories. Arsenal, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend.Inter will be looking to extend their winning streak and strengthen their position at the top of the group, while Arsenal will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback and keep their Champions League hopes alive. The match promises to be a tactical battle between two well-organized teams with a wealth of attacking talent.Inter's attacking trio of Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko, and Hakan Calhanoglu will pose a significant threat to Arsenal's defense. The Gunners, however, will be buoyed by the return of Odegaard, whose creativity and leadership could prove invaluable in unlocking Inter's defense.The match will be played at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, and will kick off at 1:30 AM (IST) on Thursday, November 7. Fans can catch the live telecast on Sony Sports Network and the live streaming on Sony Liv.

Sporting CP and Manchester City will clash in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League 2024-25 match on Wednesday, November 6 (IST). The match will be held at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, and will kick off at 1:30 AM IST.Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Tottenham in the League Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League. Manager Pep Guardiola will face off against his future rival, Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim, who will take charge of the Portuguese champions for the penultimate time before joining Manchester United.The two sides last met in the last 16 of the 2021/22 Champions League, with City securing a comfortable 5-0 aggregate victory. However, both teams have started the new Champions League format strongly, with seven points from their opening three matches.Sporting CP, led by Amorim, has impressed in the Champions League this season, defeating Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille. They will be hoping to continue their good form against a formidable Manchester City side.City, despite their recent setbacks, remain one of the favorites to win the Champions League. With a star-studded squad featuring Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden, Guardiola's team will be confident of securing a positive result in Lisbon.The match promises to be an intriguing tactical battle between two of Europe's top managers. Amorim's Sporting CP will look to exploit City's recent defensive vulnerabilities, while Guardiola will be keen to restore his team's winning ways.Fans can expect a high-quality match with plenty of attacking flair and tactical intrigue. The outcome could have significant implications for both teams' hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

France's star forward Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Belgium. The decision was made by coach Didier Deschamps to allow Mbappe to rest and recover from a minor thigh injury.Mbappe recently returned to action for Real Madrid after a brief spell on the sidelines. He made a substitute appearance in the Champions League match against Lille, but the team suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat.Deschamps explained his decision to leave Mbappe out of the squad, stating that he had spoken to the player and determined that it was not a serious injury. However, he emphasized that he would not take any risks with Mbappe's fitness."I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad," Deschamps said.France will face Israel in an away fixture on October 10, which has been moved to Budapest due to security concerns in the Middle East. They will then travel to Brussels to take on Belgium on October 14.The absence of Mbappe is a significant blow to France's hopes of success in the Nations League. The team has three points after their first two outings in Group A2, which is topped by Italy with six points.Deschamps also announced the retirement of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann from international football earlier this week. Griezmann, who has won 137 caps for France, made the decision at the age of 33."He had such an impact that we can't play in the same way," Deschamps said of losing Griezmann. "I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player."Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku, who has not played for France since June last year, has been recalled to the squad. However, midfielder N'Golo Kante has also been left out.

Lille vs Real Madrid: Champions League Holders Face French ChallengeReigning UEFA Champions League champions Real Madrid will travel to France on Thursday to face Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in their second group stage match. The Spanish giants will be looking to maintain their winning start to the competition, while Lille will aim to bounce back from their opening day defeat.Mbappe Returns, Camavinga StartsParis Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has recovered from a thigh injury and will be available for selection, although he is expected to start on the bench. French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has been out with a long-term injury, will make his first start of the season for Real Madrid.Real's Strong StartReal Madrid began their Champions League title defense with a convincing 3-1 victory over Stuttgart at home two weeks ago. Mbappe was among the scorers in that game, along with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior. The Spanish giants will be confident of extending their winning streak against Lille.Lille's Redemption MissionLille, on the other hand, will be eager to make amends for their disappointing 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon in their opening Champions League match. The French champions will be looking to their star players, such as Jonathan David and Renato Sanches, to inspire them to a positive result.Match Details* Date: Thursday, October 3 (IST)* Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille* Time: 12:30 AM IST* Live Telecast: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv

UEFA Champions League: A Legacy of Triumph and TragedyThe UEFA Champions League, the pinnacle of European club football, has captivated fans worldwide for decades. Its history is intertwined with iconic moments, legendary players, and unforgettable storylines.In 1956, the tournament was inaugurated as the European Cup, with Real Madrid emerging as the inaugural champions. The Spanish giants dominated the early years, winning five consecutive titles from 1956 to 1960. However, in 1961, a Hungarian manager named Béla Guttmann led Benfica to a stunning victory over Real Madrid, breaking their streak.Guttmann's triumph was not without controversy. After a dispute with the club's management, he famously cursed Benfica, declaring that they would never win the European Cup again. The curse has haunted the Portuguese club ever since, as they have reached the final eight times but have never lifted the trophy.Over the years, the tournament has undergone several changes. In 1992, it was rebranded as the UEFA Champions League and expanded to include more teams. The format has also evolved, with the introduction of a group stage and a knockout phase.Real Madrid remains the most successful club in the tournament's history, with a record 15 titles. Other notable winners include Bayern Munich (6 titles), Liverpool (6 titles), and Barcelona (5 titles).The Champions League has also witnessed some of the greatest players in football history. Cristiano Ronaldo is the tournament's all-time leading scorer, with 140 goals. Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, and Ronaldinho are among the other legends who have graced the competition.However, the Champions League has also been marred by tragedy. In 1985, 39 people were killed in a stampede at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels during the final between Liverpool and Juventus. The disaster led to a ban on English clubs from European competitions for five years.Despite the challenges, the UEFA Champions League continues to captivate fans around the world. It is a tournament that combines the highest level of football with a rich history and unforgettable moments.

Spanish giants Barcelona embark on their UEFA Champions League campaign with a daunting trip to the Principality to face AS Monaco at Stade Louis II. The Catalan club, eager to reclaim their European glory after years of setbacks, will be determined to make a statement under new coach Hansi Flick.Flick's Barcelona have made an impressive start to the season, winning all five of their La Liga matches. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been a revelation for the Blaugrana, playing a pivotal role in their attacking prowess. However, Monaco sent shockwaves through the Barcelona camp when they met in a pre-season friendly last month.Adi Hutter's Monaco stunned Barcelona with a resounding 3-0 victory at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. The Ligue 1 side have also begun their season strongly, winning three of their first four games.The Monaco vs Barcelona clash promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes in recent years. Barcelona, desperate to return to the European elite, will be eager to avenge their pre-season defeat. Monaco, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their impressive start and prove that their pre-season triumph was no fluke.

Arsenal's European adventure begins with a daunting challenge as they travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners, fresh off a victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, will be eager to make a winning start to their continental campaign.However, Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions, will pose a formidable obstacle. Gian Piero Gasperini's side has bounced back from recent Serie A setbacks with a victory over Fiorentina, demonstrating their resilience and attacking prowess.Arsenal will be without captain Martin Odegaard, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, and Declan Rice, who is suspended. These absences will test the depth of Mikel Arteta's squad, particularly in midfield.Atalanta, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the return of key players such as Duvan Zapata and Ruslan Malinovskyi. The Italian side is known for its high-octane attacking style, which could pose problems for Arsenal's defense.The match will be played at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Friday, September 20, at 12:30 AM IST. It will be telecast live on the Sony Sports network and streamed on the SonyLIV app and website.Arsenal will be looking to make a statement in their first Champions League match under Arteta. A victory would boost their confidence and set the tone for the rest of the group stage. However, Atalanta will be determined to prove that they are not to be underestimated and will be eager to make a mark on the European stage.