Football

Wales' Euro 2024 hopes were dashed in heartbreaking fashion as Poland edged them out 5-4 on penalties in Cardiff. After a tense 0-0 draw, Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to miss in the shootout, sending Poland to Germany this summer.Despite the presence of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, Poland failed to register a single shot on target in 120 minutes. However, they found their range from the spot, with Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski, and Krzysztof Piatek all converting confidently.Wales, missing the talismanic Gareth Bale, created a good game but lacked the creative spark to break down a resolute Polish defense. Kieffer Moore provided a physical presence up front, but his header was spectacularly saved by Wojciech Szczesny.The home side finished the 90 minutes in the ascendency but could not find the breakthrough. In extra time, Poland came closest to winning the game, but Jakub Piotrowski's effort flew inches past the far post.Wales saw out the final few seconds with 10 men after Chris Mepham was shown a second yellow card. But their first experience of penalties was a sour one, with James' miss proving costly."It's a cruel game," said Wales boss Rob Page. "We'll be bigger and stronger for having gone through this horrible experience. This group is going somewhere. There is a lot more to come, there are good times ahead."Poland coach Michal Probierz praised his team's performance: "We created a good, emotional game. This is a very important day for us."

Brazil and Spain played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in a friendly match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience.The match, organized to combat racism, saw Brazil captain Vinicius Junior largely kept quiet, while his teenage compatriot Endrick continued to impress. Spain's Lamine Yamal also shone, winning the penalty that Rodri converted for the opening goal.Spain dominated the first half, with Dani Olmo doubling their lead with a fine individual effort. However, Brazil pulled one back before the break when Unai Simon gifted Rodrygo a goal.Endrick equalized for Brazil early in the second half, but Rodri restored Spain's lead from the spot after Dani Carvajal was fouled. Brazil refused to give up and earned a late penalty when Carvajal cynically pulled back Galeno. Lucas Paqueta converted the spot-kick to snatch a draw in stoppage time.Despite the friendly nature of the match, the intensity was high, with both teams eager to prove their worth. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente fielded a strong side, while Brazil coach Dorival Junior gave Endrick his first appearance at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.The match was a testament to the quality and competitiveness of both teams, and it served as a reminder of the importance of combating racism in football.

India's hopes of advancing to the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers suffered a significant setback as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan in a Group A match at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati.Sunil Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, gave the hosts an early lead in the 36th minute with a penalty, marking his 94th international goal in his 150th appearance for the country. However, Afghanistan regrouped in the second half and turned the tables on India.Rahmat Akbari equalized for Afghanistan in the 70th minute with a powerful drive, and Sharif Mukhammad converted a penalty in the 88th minute to seal the victory for the visitors.India's defensive approach in the second half proved costly as Afghanistan exploited gaps in the Indian defense with their high-press tactics. The Afghans' physical play also posed a challenge for India, who struggled to find a solution.Despite the defeat, India remains in contention for a third-round berth, but they will need to win their next match against Kuwait on June 6.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, has etched his name in the annals of international football history by reaching the milestone of 150 appearances for his country. The talismanic striker achieved this remarkable feat during India's 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Afghanistan at Guwahati's Indira Gandhi International Stadium.Chhetri's illustrious career has been marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He is the third-highest active goalscorer in international football, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. With his goal against Afghanistan, Chhetri extended his unique record of scoring for India in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th, and 150th games.Despite Chhetri's historic goal, India suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Afghanistan. However, the match marked a significant milestone for the Indian team, as it ended their goalless run this year. India's last goal came against Kuwait in November 2023.Prior to the match, Chhetri was felicitated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in recognition of his remarkable achievement. AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Assam Football Association secretary Sangrang Brahma, and AIFF's technical committee chairperson I.M. Vijayan presented souvenirs to the India skipper.Chhetri's journey to 150 international appearances began on June 12, 2005, when he made his debut in a friendly match against Pakistan. Since then, he has become an icon of Indian football, inspiring generations of young players.Chhetri's achievements are a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering passion for the game. He has represented India with distinction on the international stage, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian footballers.

India vs Afghanistan: Blue Tigers Aim for Historic Victory in World Cup QualifierIndia will face Afghanistan in a crucial Group A match of the second round of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, March 26. The match, which will also serve as the second round of the Asian Football Confederation Championship Qualifier, will be played at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati.This match holds immense significance for India, as captain Sunil Chhetri is set to make his 150th international appearance. Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, will become only the second Indian player to reach this milestone.India's qualification hopes received a setback after their 1-1 draw in the away leg against Afghanistan last week. The Blue Tigers currently sit second in the group with four points from three games, one point ahead of Kuwait.To advance to the third round, India must secure a positive result against Afghanistan. A win would put them in a strong position, while a draw would keep their hopes alive. However, a loss would virtually eliminate India from contention.India have never reached the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers, and this match represents a historic opportunity for them to make history. The Blue Tigers have shown resilience and determination in recent matches, and they will be eager to put in a strong performance in front of their home crowd.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their impressive performance in the first leg. They currently sit third in the group with three points from three games and will be confident of causing an upset in Guwahati.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. India will be relying on the experience of Chhetri and the support of their home crowd, while Afghanistan will be looking to exploit India's defensive vulnerabilities.

Dani Alves Released on Bail Pending Appeal in Rape CaseConvicted rapist and former Brazil international Dani Alves was released from prison near Barcelona on Monday after posting the one-million-euro bail set by a court to ensure his release pending appeal.Alves, one of the world's most decorated footballers, walked out of the Brians 2 prison in San Esteban Sasroviras near Barcelona, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.The 39-year-old was arrested in January and charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Barcelona on December 30. He has denied the allegations.On February 20, a court in Barcelona ordered Alves to be held in pre-trial detention without bail, citing the risk of flight and the severity of the charges.However, on Monday, the court granted Alves's appeal for release pending trial. The court set a bail of one million euros, which Alves's lawyers paid.Alves is now required to surrender his passport and appear before the court regularly. He is also prohibited from contacting the alleged victim or entering the nightclub where the incident allegedly occurred.The trial date has not yet been set. If convicted, Alves could face up to 12 years in prison.Alves has had a distinguished career, winning numerous titles with Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also played for the Brazilian national team, winning the Copa America twice.His arrest and conviction have shocked the football world and raised questions about the safety of women in nightclubs.

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has set a bold target for himself and the team: qualification to the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac, who has been at the helm since 2019, has made it clear that failure to achieve this goal will result in his resignation."If I don't take India to the third round, I will leave, with my pride, with my honor on everything that was done here in the five years of work," Stimac declared. "I will leave my position to someone else."India's path to the third round is fraught with challenges. They currently stand second in their group with four points from three games, one ahead of Kuwait. The Blue Tigers have never reached the third round of the Qualifiers before.Stimac is not deterred by the odds. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve its goal, but it will require hard work and dedication. He has called for longer preparatory camps for the national squad ahead of big tournaments, citing the positive results achieved during previous extended training periods."In my four years, there were three long camps that we had," Stimac said. "One was five years ago right here prior to games against Oman and Qatar, you remember how well the team played that time. Second was for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata, the team was flying -- 3 games, 3 wins, 8-1 goal difference. Third long camp was last year prior to the tournaments that we played brilliantly, could see the intensity and everyone knew what they had to do."Stimac also expressed concerns about the lack of Indian strikers in the Indian Super League (ISL), with most of the positions being occupied by foreign players. He believes that this is hurting the national team's scoring ability."Scoring problem has been haunting us for five years, even before I came here," Stimac said. "I have mentioned that foreign players are occupying scoring positions and that is hurting us."Despite the challenges, Stimac remains optimistic about the future of Indian football. He believes that the team has the potential to achieve great things, and he is determined to lead them to success.

Chelsea's missed opportunity to sign Endrick, the Brazilian wonderkid, has become painfully evident after his impressive performance against England at Wembley. Endrick's goal proved decisive in Brazil's victory, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential.Chelsea had been heavily interested in the teenager, with scouts flocking to witness his brilliance in the Under-16 Montaigu Tournament in France. His senior debut for Palmeiras further solidified his reputation, prompting an invitation from Chelsea to visit their training ground.Despite the presence of Brazilian stars Thiago Silva, Jorginho, and Cesar Azpilicueta, and the promise of a local church, Chelsea's pursuit of Endrick hit a snag due to the astronomical $64 million transfer fee demanded by Palmeiras. Real Madrid seized the opportunity, securing the services of the highly sought-after prospect.Endrick's partnership with Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid promises to be formidable, as evidenced by their connection in Brazil's victory over England. Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole likened Endrick's style to Brazilian legend Romario, highlighting his body shape and clinical finishing.Brazil's new manager, Dorival Jr, has high expectations for Endrick, believing he can become a significant figure in both Brazilian and world football. Endrick's international debut against Colombia made him the youngest Brazilian to play for the national team since Ronaldo, and his goal against England marked another milestone.Chelsea's failure to sign Endrick is a significant setback, as they have struggled in recent years. The missed opportunity to acquire a future star has left them with a sense of despair. Endrick's move to Real Madrid will undoubtedly enhance his reputation, while Chelsea will rue their decision not to invest in his potential.

Milestone man Sunil Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Blue Tigers seek to overcome their goal-scoring woes in the return leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Afghanistan on March 26 in Guwahati.Igor Stimac's India fired a blank in a disappointing draw in the away leg Group A match in Abha, Saudi Arabia on March 22 against their lower-ranked opponents, extending their goalless run. India last scored a goal in November 2023 against Kuwait.In this backdrop, it will be imperative from India's point of view that Chhetri, who will be appearing in his 150th international match, rises to the occasion and makes his landmark game memorable at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Having played his first International in 2005, he has so far earned 149 international caps, 93 goals, and 11 trophies for the country. His team would be too happy to see him score one more time, lead them to victory, and brighten their prospects of reaching the third round of the World Cup qualifications, something they have not achieved.While Chhetri has always looked to deliver what is expected of him, his teammates understand it is not fair to rely only on a 39-year-old talisman. They will need to chip in with useful contributions if the 58th-ranked side is to excel and stay in the reckoning for a place in the third round.Stimac has prioritized qualification to the third round of World Cup Qualifiers and secure a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. However, with his team coming off a disappointing campaign in the last continental showpiece, the Croatian will be under pressure and will want his wards to show a lot more desperation, composure, and urgency upfront.The Blue Tigers currently stand second in the group with four points from three games, one ahead of Kuwait, who are on three points from as many matches. India can still advance to the third round, but the task has got a lot tougher following last week's stalemate, from which they gained only a point. India will need at least four points from their next three matches – against Afghanistan (Tuesday), Kuwait (June 6), and Qatar (June 11) to remain in control of their fate.Stimac hoped that Chhetri could make his landmark match all the more special with a performance befitting his stature in Indian football. "Being chosen to represent your country is a dream of millions of kids when they start kicking the ball, and to make it 150 times is possible only for the GOATs (greatest of all times)," said Stimac. "We hope our captain will make it memorable on March 26 for all Indian fans and himself."Stimac tried out almost all options upfront in the first leg, but they did not work, and a goal eluded the team. He admitted that the team needs improvements in a few areas, especially while attacking, and was not happy with the manner in which his wards complicated things instead of keeping them simple in the final third. "We need to be better in passing, creating chances, and attacking the box when the crosses are coming from the flanks," he said.The Blue Tigers had last played in Guwahati five years ago, when they suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Oman in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup preliminary joint qualifiers. Match starts at 7pm IST.