Football

The Copa America 2024, the prestigious football tournament of the Americas, will make its second venture outside South America, with the United States hosting the 48th edition from June 21 to July 15.Defending champions Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will kick off the tournament against debutants Canada at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The tournament will feature 16 top teams from the Americas, divided into four groups.Group A consists of Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Canada; Group B includes Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica; Group C features the United States, Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia; and Group D comprises Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica.The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the final scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on July 15. Fourteen stadiums across the US will host the matches.Uruguay, the joint-most successful team in Copa America history with 15 titles, will be looking to Federico Valverde and Darwin Nunez to guide them to their first title since 2011. Brazil, the nine-time champions, will aim to avenge their loss to Argentina in the last final, with Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick leading their charge.Colombia, with James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz in their ranks, will also be a contender for the title. The tournament promises thrilling matches and intense rivalries, with the best football teams from the Americas vying for the coveted trophy.

France, boasting an impressive squad depth, faces a significant challenge in the absence of their talismanic forward Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined with a broken nose. The injury, sustained in their opening Euro 2024 match against Austria, casts doubt on Mbappe's availability for the upcoming clash with the Netherlands on Friday.Despite the setback, France remains confident in their ability to overcome the Netherlands without their star striker. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed optimism, stating, "We have an exceptional squad. I have total confidence in the guys on the bench and the quality we have."Mbappe's absence is a significant blow, given his prolific scoring record and impact on the team's performances. However, France has shown resilience in recent matches without him, including a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying.Coach Didier Deschamps has several options to replace Mbappe, including veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who played a key role in France's World Cup triumph in Qatar. Giroud, despite his age and recent groin injury, remains a reliable goal threat.Another option is Marcus Thuram, who can move from the left wing to a central role. However, Thuram has limited international experience and has only scored twice for France. Randal Kolo Muani is another possibility, but he has struggled for confidence after a difficult season at PSG.Despite the absence of Mbappe, France's performance against Austria suggests they have the defensive solidity to shut out most opponents. N'Golo Kante's return to the midfield has provided stability, while the defense has looked impressive.If France can secure a positive result against the Netherlands, they could seal their place in the last 16, allowing Mbappe to potentially sit out the final Group D game against Poland. However, the team will be eager to prove that they can succeed without their star player, demonstrating the depth and quality of their squad.

Switzerland's hopes of reaching the last 16 of Euro 2024 received a significant boost as Xherdan Shaqiri's stunning strike earned them a 1-1 draw against Scotland in Cologne.Murat Yakin's side found themselves trailing early on when Scott McTominay's shot took a hefty deflection off Fabian Schar and into the Swiss net. However, Shaqiri produced a moment of brilliance to level the scores, punishing Anthony Ralston's woeful backpass with a brilliant curler from 20 yards.With the draw, Switzerland moved into second place in Group A with four points, two behind Germany. They are now in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages, especially considering that the best four third-placed teams also qualify.Shaqiri's goal was a testament to his quality and experience. The former Liverpool forward has now scored at the last three Euros and the last three World Cups, making him the only player to achieve this feat."Shaqiri proved tonight that he lives and breathes for moments like that," said Yakin. "He really deserves that magical moment. He did the only thing he could do with that wonderful strike."Scotland, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a historic last 16 berth. Despite their disappointing 5-1 loss to Germany in their tournament opener, they showed great resilience and determination against Switzerland."It was a good reaction to a disappointing night against Germany," said Scotland manager Steve Clarke. "Heart-breaking moment for Ralston but if it falls to any other Swiss player I don't think they score.""I believe if we get three points against Hungary, we'll go to the next stage. We're a good team and we're still alive."Scotland's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds will depend on their ability to improve their goal difference with a big win against Hungary in their final group game.

Hungary's coach, Marco Rossi, expressed his frustration over the officiating in their 2-0 defeat to Germany in a Euro 2024 qualifier. The controversial moment came in the first half when Jamal Musiala scored Germany's opening goal after a challenge on Hungarian defender Willi Orban.Rossi vehemently protested the decision, claiming that a foul should have been awarded. He accused the referee of using a "double standard" and allowing a goal despite a clear push on Orban. The video assistant referees (VAR) also came under fire from Rossi for not intervening."I've never complained as a player or coach, but what the referee did tonight was unacceptable," Rossi said. "He allowed a goal on a push on Orban, but in the second half, he whistled a foul for a similar situation on Robert Andrich."Rossi believes that Germany would have won regardless, but he criticized the referee for providing unnecessary assistance. He questioned whether the same decision would have been made if Germany were playing a stronger team like France.Germany's Ilkay Gundogan, who scored the second goal, expressed surprise at Hungary's reaction. He insisted that he had not committed a foul while jostling with Orban."I was quite surprised that he or his Hungary team-mates were a bit angry about it," Gundogan said. "I don't know what it looked like on TV, but I've played in the Premier League for seven years, and if you gave that foul there, everyone would be laughing."Hungary's hopes of reaching the last 16 are now hanging by a thread. They must defeat Scotland in their final game to have any chance of advancing."We have a foot out of the Euros, but we're not out of it mathematically," Rossi said. "We'll try everything to win the final game. We don't want to exit without getting a single point."

Scotland vs Switzerland: Euro 2024 Clash Preview and Live Streaming DetailsFresh from their impressive 3-1 victory over Hungary, Switzerland aims to secure their spot in the Round of 16 of UEFA Euro 2024 with a triumph over Scotland in their second Group A encounter. Scotland, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle after their disappointing 5-1 defeat to Germany in their opening match.Switzerland is expected to field an unchanged lineup, while Scotland will be forced to make alterations following defender Ryan Porteous's red card against Germany. A loss for Scotland would significantly diminish their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.Match Details:* Date: Thursday, June 20 (IST)* Venue: Cologne Stadium, Cologne* Time: 12:30 AM ISTLive Telecast and Streaming:* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Points:* Switzerland seeks to seal qualification to the Round of 16 with a victory.* Scotland aims to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Germany.* Switzerland is likely to maintain their starting XI, while Scotland will make changes due to Porteous's suspension.* A loss for Scotland would severely damage their qualification hopes.Additional Information:* Switzerland has a strong record against Scotland, winning four of their last five encounters.* Scotland has never defeated Switzerland in a competitive match.* The Cologne Stadium has a capacity of over 50,000 spectators.

Germany vs Hungary: Hosts Aim for Second Win in Euro 2024Germany, the hosts of UEFA Euro 2024, will face Hungary on Wednesday night, aiming to extend their winning streak to two matches. The Germans made a resounding start to their campaign with a 5-1 victory over Scotland, showcasing the brilliance of Toni Kroos, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala.Hungary, on the other hand, endured a disappointing start, losing 3-1 to Switzerland. Coach Marco Rossi has expressed concerns about his team's performance and has warned that they must improve significantly to have any chance against Germany.Match Details:* Date: Wednesday, June 19 (IST)* Venue: Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart* Time: 9:30 PM IST* TV Channels: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteGermany's Strengths:Germany boasts a formidable squad with a blend of experience and youth. Kroos, the veteran midfielder, provides stability and leadership, while Wirtz and Musiala represent the future of German football with their exceptional talent. The team's attacking prowess was evident in their opening match, with Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Serge Gnabry all finding the net.Hungary's Challenges:Hungary faces an uphill battle against Germany. Their defense looked vulnerable against Switzerland, and they will need to tighten up significantly to prevent the German attack from exploiting their weaknesses. The team also lacks the individual quality to match Germany's star-studded lineup.Prediction:Germany is the clear favorite to win this match. They have a superior team on paper and are playing at home. Hungary will need to produce a much-improved performance to have any chance of an upset.Conclusion:The Germany vs Hungary match promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Germany will be confident of securing another victory, while Hungary will be desperate to salvage their tournament hopes. The match will be a test of Hungary's resilience and Germany's ability to maintain their momentum.

Croatia and Albania will face off in a crucial Euro 2024 Group B match on Wednesday, June 19, with both teams desperate for a victory after suffering defeats in their opening fixtures.Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, were humbled 3-0 by Spain in their first game, with Luka Modric failing to inspire his team. Albania, meanwhile, gave Italy a scare before eventually losing 2-1, with Nedim Bajrami scoring the fastest-ever goal in Euros history.With Spain and Italy already on three points each, Croatia and Albania know that a win is essential to keep their qualification hopes alive.When and Where:The Croatia vs Albania match will take place on Wednesday, June 19, at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany. The match will kick off at 6:30 PM IST.Telecast and Live Streaming:The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network in India. It will also be streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Key Players:* Croatia: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic* Albania: Nedim Bajrami, Elseid Hysaj, Thomas StrakoshaMatch Preview:Croatia will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Spain. Modric, who was below his best in that game, will need to step up and lead his team to victory.Albania, on the other hand, will be confident after their performance against Italy. They will be hoping to cause another upset and keep their qualification hopes alive.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a win.

FC Barcelona Shuts Down Academies in India After 14 YearsWorld-renowned football club FC Barcelona has announced the closure of all its academies in India, effective July 1, 2024. The decision comes 14 years after the club established its presence in the country with the aim of training young Indian footballers in the famed "La Masia" style.FC Barcelona has not provided an official reason for the closure. However, the club expressed gratitude to all the families, coaches, local staff, and Conscient Football, its India partner, for their contributions to the project over the years.The Barca Academy India was the largest grassroots football training and development initiative in the country. It operated multiple football training centers in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune, offering programs, camps, leagues, tournaments, and exposure trips.The academy aimed to provide a comprehensive training environment for boys and girls between 4 to 17 years of age, focusing on developing their technical skills, tactical understanding, and physical fitness. The program also emphasized the club's values of respect, humility, effort, teamwork, and ambition.Over the years, thousands of young Indian footballers have benefited from the Barca Academy's training. The academy has also been an active participant in the Barca Academy APAC tournament and the Barca Academy World Cup held in Barcelona.The closure of the Barca Academies in India is a significant loss for the country's football development. The academy has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent and promoting the sport at the grassroots level. It remains to be seen how the club's departure will impact the future of football in India.

Spain's hopes of building on their impressive Euro 2024 opener against Croatia rest heavily on the exceptional Fabian Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was the standout performer in Spain's 3-0 victory, setting up the opener and scoring a classy goal himself.Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's team was evident in his performance against Croatia. He outshone even Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and one of the world's best midfielders. De la Fuente praised Ruiz's "exceptional" qualities, highlighting his top-level ability and brilliant technique.Ruiz's resurgence under De la Fuente is a testament to the coach's belief in the player. De la Fuente coached Ruiz in Spain's Under-21 team, where he was a key figure in their 2019 European Championship triumph.Despite his success at youth level, Ruiz struggled to establish himself in the senior team under former coach Luis Enrique. He was not selected for the 2022 World Cup, but De la Fuente's appointment has given him a new lease of life.Ruiz's return to the Spain squad has coincided with a change in their playing style. Under De la Fuente, Spain are more direct than they were under Luis Enrique, and Ruiz's ability to create chances and score goals has been crucial.Ruiz's form has also been impressive at club level. He has flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG, scoring the winning goal in the French Cup final against Lyon. He also found the net in Spain's pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland.Spain's next challenge is a clash with Italy, a team they have met at four consecutive European Championships. Ruiz, who spent four seasons in Serie A with Napoli, will be familiar with many of the Italian players.Spain are seen as one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, and Ruiz will be a key figure in their quest for glory. His exceptional talent and ability to make a difference in big games make him a player to watch in this tournament.