Football

Tonight's Euro 2024 semifinal clash between Spain and France promises to be a captivating encounter between two footballing powerhouses. Spain, the 2010 World Cup champions and three-time European champions, have been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, showcasing their trademark possession-based style and clinical finishing.In their quarterfinal clash against Germany, Spain faced their toughest test yet. Despite conceding a late equalizer, they displayed remarkable resilience and composure to secure a dramatic victory in extra time. Dani Olmo's opener and Mikel Marino's late header proved decisive, highlighting Spain's ability to control the game even under pressure.France, on the other hand, have not been as convincing in their performances. Star striker Kylian Mbappe, who suffered a broken nose in the opening match, has struggled to regain his top form. Despite their attacking struggles, France have relied on their defensive solidity and the experience of players like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba to grind out results.The absence of Pedri, Spain's midfield maestro, due to a knee injury is a significant blow. However, the team's depth and collective spirit have been evident throughout the tournament. Gavi, Pedri's replacement, has impressed with his energy and creativity, while Sergio Busquets and Koke provide stability and experience in the midfield.All eyes will be on Mbappe tonight. If he can rediscover his World Cup-winning form, France will pose a serious threat to Spain's aspirations. However, Spain's dominance in possession and their ability to create chances from all over the pitch make them slight favorites.Regardless of the outcome, this semifinal clash promises to be a tactical battle between two of the world's best teams. The Allianz Arena in Munich will witness a spectacle of attacking brilliance and defensive resilience, as Spain and France vie for a place in the final.

Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, exudes confidence in his team's abilities as they prepare to face France in the Euro 2024 semi-final. Despite the formidable presence of Kylian Mbappe, de la Fuente believes in his players' potential to overcome the French challenge.Spain has showcased impressive form throughout the tournament, scoring 11 goals in their five consecutive victories. In contrast, France has struggled to find attacking rhythm, relying on a penalty and two own goals for their three strikes. However, de la Fuente remains cautious, acknowledging Mbappe's exceptional talent."Mbappe is a unique player," de la Fuente said. "He can appear anywhere on the pitch and never truly disappears. Even if he's not at his peak, he still possesses immense quality."Despite the praise for Mbappe, de la Fuente emphasized his faith in his own team. "My players are the best," he declared. "We will minimize France's strengths and counteract their threats. I have unwavering belief in our ability to win."Spain's midfielder, Rodri, echoed his coach's sentiments, dismissing criticism of Mbappe's recent performances. "I don't listen to what people say," Rodri said. "Mbappe is a world-class player who can hurt any team. We must be aware of his capabilities."Rodri also defended France's style of play, despite accusations of being boring. "They may not be the most exciting team, but they're in the semi-finals," he said. "We're focused on our own game and winning, not on what they do."As Spain prepares for the crucial clash, de la Fuente's unwavering belief in his team serves as a source of inspiration. With their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, Spain aims to overcome the challenge of Mbappe and France to secure a place in the final.

Argentina's hopes of retaining the Copa America title received a significant boost as head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that talisman Lionel Messi is fit to play in the semi-final clash against Canada.Messi, who missed Argentina's final group stage match due to a thigh issue, returned to action in the quarter-final victory over Ecuador, playing the full 90 minutes. Despite missing a penalty in the shootout, Messi's presence on the field was a major factor in Argentina's triumph.Scaloni expressed confidence in Messi's fitness, stating, "99 per cent of the time, [Messi] is fit to play. It's never happened to me that he's not fit to play. Every time he's come out on the pitch, he's fit to play. For [Canada], he's fit to play, without a doubt."The coach acknowledged Messi's ability to make a difference even when not fully fit. "When he's fit, he always plays. There are no doubts. Who would have any doubts? I'm the coach, so I have no doubts. I'm the one who decides, and when I see that he's fit to play, even if he's not 100 per cent fit, he's going to play. I take responsibility for that, but I have no doubts," Scaloni said.Argentina, who are unbeaten in the tournament, are just two games away from defending their crown. They will face Canada on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium. A victory over Canada would mark Argentina's fourth final appearance in five tournaments.

England and the Netherlands, two footballing giants with a history of underachievement, have defied expectations to reach the semifinals of Euro 2024. Despite their illustrious pasts, both teams have struggled to replicate their domestic success on the international stage.England's lone major trophy remains the 1966 World Cup, while the Netherlands have never lifted the World Cup despite producing a plethora of world-class players. In the Euros, England has reached the final only once, losing to Italy in 2021, while the Netherlands won the tournament in 1988 but have not reached the semifinals since 2004.This tournament has been a tale of struggle for both teams. England narrowly qualified for the knockout stages, while the Netherlands suffered a humiliating defeat to Austria in the group stages. However, both teams have shown resilience and determination in the knockout rounds.England's Jude Bellingham scored a stunning equalizer against Slovakia in the Round of 16, while Harry Kane netted the winner in extra time. In the quarterfinals, Bukayo Saka's late goal forced a penalty shootout against Switzerland, which England eventually won.The Netherlands trailed Turkey until the 70th minute of their quarterfinal before Stefan de Vrij equalized. Six minutes later, an own goal by Mert Muldur sent them to the semifinals.Both teams have a lot to play for in the semifinals. An Euros trophy would not only end their trophy droughts but also revitalize their football cultures. The neutrals are likely to support the underdogs, and England and the Netherlands have a golden opportunity to break out of their long-standing underachieving status.

Bayern Munich have bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of French forward Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. The German giants triggered a €70 million release clause to secure the services of the 22-year-old on a five-year contract.Olise, who has represented France at youth levels, has impressed with his performances for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Last season, he scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 19 appearances. His arrival is expected to provide Bayern with much-needed firepower after they struggled for goals last season.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that Olise represents "new impetus, new energy, and new ideas" for the team. He added that Olise's arrival will "enrich our game."Olise's signing is Bayern's second major acquisition of the summer, following the arrival of Japanese defender Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart. The German champions are also reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, while Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah and RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons are also on their shopping list.Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga last season, breaking their streak of 11 consecutive titles. They are determined to regain their dominance and believe that Olise's addition will play a key role in their quest for success.Olise, who was born in London, will represent France at the Paris Olympics in August under coach Thierry Henry. He is expected to make his debut for Bayern in the upcoming season as they aim to reclaim their Bundesliga crown and make a deep run in the Champions League.

The Copa America semi-finals are set to ignite with Argentina, the reigning champions, facing off against Canada, the tournament's surprise package. Uruguay, who stunned Brazil in a penalty shootout, will battle Colombia, an unbeaten force in 27 games.Argentina, led by the enigmatic Lionel Messi, will be the heavy favorites against Canada. However, the North Americans have impressed under coach Jesse Marsch, implementing a high-energy, pressing style that has propelled them to the last four.Canada's confidence is soaring after their penalty shootout victory over Venezuela. However, they acknowledge the daunting task ahead against Argentina, who defeated them 2-0 in the group stage."It's going to take everything," said Alphonso Davies, Canada's Bayern Munich wing-back. "We're going to try to play the way we want to play and see if we can keep it up."Argentina's lineup remains largely unchanged from their World Cup triumph in 2022. Messi, despite a hamstring strain, has yet to reach his peak form, but the team boasts a wealth of quality in midfield and a solid defense.Colombia, under Nestor Lorenzo, have found a new lease of life. Playmaker James Rodriguez has rediscovered his spark, providing creativity and scoring a penalty in their 5-0 thrashing of Panama.Uruguay, buoyed by their victory over Brazil, will be without the suspended Nahitan Nandez and injured Ronaldo Araujo and Matias Vina. However, coach Marcelo Bielsa's direct, hard-running style promises a high-tempo encounter against Colombia, who possess the pace of winger Luis Diaz."The match against Colombia will be just as demanding," said Bielsa. "We are confident we can play on an equal footing with any opponent."The Copa America final will be held in Miami on July 14, with the winner etching their name in the tournament's history.

Spain and France, two European football powerhouses, will face off in the semifinals of Euro 2024 on July 9 in Munich. The match promises to be a clash of contrasting styles, with Spain's flowing football pitted against France's more pragmatic approach.Spain has been the dominant force in international football in recent years, winning three consecutive major tournaments from 2008 to 2012. Their style of play, known as "tiki-taka," is characterized by short, quick passes and constant movement. Spain's midfield, led by Sergio Busquets, Pedri, and Gavi, is considered one of the best in the world.France, on the other hand, has a more direct style of play. They rely on their physicality and pace to create chances, with Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema leading the attack. France also has a strong defense, marshaled by Raphael Varane and Jules Koundé.The two teams have a long history of competitive matches, with France holding a slight edge in recent encounters. In the 2021 Nations League final, France defeated Spain 2-1 in a controversial match. However, Spain won their most recent meeting, a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinals of Euro 2012.The semifinal clash in Munich is expected to be a close and exciting affair. Spain will be looking to continue their dominance, while France will be determined to prove that they are still the team to beat.

France's hopes of reaching the Euro 2024 final hinge on Kylian Mbappe's ability to rediscover his superstar form in their upcoming semi-final clash against Spain. The match in Munich on July 9th presents a pivotal moment for Mbappe, who has struggled to find his footing in the tournament thus far.Despite being named captain and completing his dream move to Real Madrid, Mbappe has failed to live up to expectations. A broken nose sustained in the opening game has further hindered his performance, limiting his aerial presence and reducing his field of vision.Mbappe's struggles have contributed to France's underwhelming goal tally of just three in five games. His lone goal came from a penalty against Poland, while the other two were own goals. Vice-captain Antoine Griezmann has also been off-color, further exacerbating the team's attacking woes.However, Mbappe's teammates remain confident in his abilities. "He had a great season. If he is not scoring goals, we need to help him," said Randal Kolo Muani, who played with Mbappe at PSG.Mbappe's leadership qualities have also been on display. After being substituted in the quarter-final against Portugal, he delivered a rousing speech to his teammates before the penalty shoot-out. "When he talks about penalties before a shoot-out, we listen to him," said midfielder Youssouf Fofana.Spain, meanwhile, will be without right-back Dani Carvajal, who was sent off in the quarter-finals. His absence could provide an opportunity for Mbappe to exploit the Spanish defense.Mbappe's performance in the semi-final will be crucial for France's chances of reaching the final. The 25-year-old has the potential to be a game-changer, but he needs to overcome his recent struggles and deliver a performance worthy of his status as one of the world's best players.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, has shifted his focus to representing his club, Bengaluru FC, after retiring from international football. Chhetri's popularity remains undiminished, as evidenced by the thunderous cheers he received during the club's open training session at the Bangalore Football Stadium.The 39-year-old striker declined to specify when he would retire from club football, stating that he would continue playing as long as he could contribute to the team. "A lot depends on what value I bring to the team. That is a very important criteria," Chhetri said. "I do not want to be here if I don't add value. I want to give my very best to this team."Chhetri expressed his joy at the Indian cricket team's victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly for his close friend Virat Kohli. "I love the fact that he (Kohli) won the tournament. It was long overdue. I know that he genuinely wanted to win it. To see the tears, as a sportsperson myself, I understood the emotions," Chhetri said.Like all Indian fans, Chhetri's heart skipped a beat when David Miller nearly hit a maximum in the final over of the match. "When Miller hit the ball, we all thought it was going for six. What a catch by Suryakumar (Yadav)! It is a fine margin — if that had gone for six, who knows what would have happened. Kudos to the whole team," Chhetri said.Chhetri acknowledged that BFC's 10th place finish in ISL 2023-24 was among the club's worst performances. He expressed a strong desire to restore the club to its winning ways. "The message from the head coach (Gerard Zaragoza) is very clear. He wants us to win every day. Firstly, we have to be at our best in training. There is a lot of competition in the team, so the coach made it very clear that everyone has to work hard to grab their places in the side. This creates a healthy atmosphere," Chhetri added.