Football

Emami East Bengal has bolstered its squad ahead of the upcoming football season by signing French midfielder Madih Talal on a two-year contract. Talal, who previously played for Punjab FC, was the top assist provider in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season.The attacking midfielder joins Dimitrios Diamantakos to strengthen East Bengal's attacking options. The club has also retained the services of Brazilian forward Cleiton Silva, Jordanian defender Hijazi Maher, and Spanish midfielder Saul Crespo.East Bengal has also added to its Indian roster by signing forward David Lalhlansanga and midfielder Mark Zothanpuia. The club has extended the contract of India international Mahesh Singh Naorem.The signings are part of East Bengal's efforts to improve its performance after finishing ninth in the ISL last season. The club will be playing in the Durand Cup, scheduled to start in the final week of July, before hosting the AFC Champions League Two preliminary stage match against Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr FC on August 14 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Euro 2024 has witnessed thrilling football and passionate fans, but the tournament has been marked by the underperformance of some of Europe's biggest stars.Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's talisman, has yet to score in three appearances, while Kylian Mbappe, arguably the world's best player, has only managed a penalty for France. Robert Lewandowski, Poland's star striker, has been hampered by injury and has been ineffective when on the pitch.England's Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have also failed to live up to expectations, despite their impressive performances for their clubs this season. Antoine Griezmann of France and Phil Foden of England have also struggled to make an impact.Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time top scorer, has yet to find the net, while Luka Modric, Croatia's veteran midfielder, has been inconsistent.Despite the underperformance of some stars, there have been some surprising performers. N'Golo Kante has been key for France, while Jamal Musiala has been Germany's leading light. Niclas Fullkrug has scored twice for Germany, and Ivan Schranz and Razvan Marin have also impressed.Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands has scored twice, but his team's performance has been disappointing. Georgia's Georges Mikautadze is the tournament's top scorer with three goals.Spain has been the most impressive team so far, qualifying top of Group B with a game to spare. Fabian Ruiz and Marc Cucurella have been unlikely key players for the Spaniards.With 15 matches still to play, fans are eagerly awaiting the tournament's star names to join the party and light up Euro 2024.

The Round of 16 for Euro 2024 is set, with Georgia's stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal securing their place as the final qualifier. Spain, England, and hosts Germany have emerged as group winners, while France surprisingly finished second in Group D behind Austria. Slovenia, Netherlands, Slovakia, and Georgia have advanced as the four best third-placed teams, while Hungary and Croatia have been eliminated.Switzerland vs. Italy:Italy, despite a shaky performance in the group stage, will face Switzerland in Berlin on Saturday. The Swiss, with several Serie A players in their lineup, have proven capable of upsetting the favorites, as seen in their 1-1 draw with Germany.Germany vs. Denmark:Germany, revitalized under Julian Nagelsmann, has been one of the tournament's standout teams. They will be favored against Denmark, who finished second in Group C behind England. Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand believes his team can rise to the occasion against top nations, but Germany will have the home crowd advantage at the Westfalenstadion.England vs. Slovakia:England will face Slovakia on Sunday after topping Group C despite underwhelming performances. Coach Gareth Southgate has faced criticism from fans, and his team will need to improve if they want to live up to their pre-tournament expectations.Spain vs. Georgia:Spain has been the most impressive team so far, winning all three Group B matches. They will be heavily favored against Georgia, who pulled off a shock victory over Portugal. However, Georgia has shown they can cause an upset.France vs. Belgium:In one of the most intriguing matchups, France and Belgium will clash in Dusseldorf on Monday. France has struggled to find form, while Belgium has shown flashes of brilliance but also played cautiously.Portugal vs. Slovenia:Portugal will be favored to defeat Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday. Slovenia finished third in Group C, but they are unbeaten in nine games and have beaten Portugal in a pre-tournament friendly.Romania vs. Netherlands:The Netherlands, despite finishing third in Group D, will face Romania on Tuesday. Romania has qualified for the last 16 for the first time in 24 years after topping Group E. Ronald Koeman's Dutch team will need to improve after their disappointing group stage performance.Austria vs. Turkey:Austria, under Ralf Rangnick, has emerged as a dark horse after topping Group D. They will face Turkey in Leipzig on Tuesday in what promises to be an entertaining match. Turkey has a talented squad and has received strong support throughout the tournament.

Venezuela secured their berth in the Copa America quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mexico on Wednesday, while Jamaica's tournament hopes were dashed.Mexico-based striker Salomon Rondon converted a penalty in the 57th minute to give Venezuela the lead, which they held onto despite Mexico's late push. Mexico's Orbelin Pineda missed a penalty in the 87th minute, allowing Venezuela to claim all three points.Venezuela now sit atop Group B with six points from two games, while Mexico can still qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over Ecuador in their final group match on Sunday.Jamaica's elimination was confirmed following their 3-1 loss to Ecuador earlier on Wednesday. Ecuador took an early lead through a Kasey Palmer own goal and a penalty from Kendry Paez. Jamaica pulled one back through Michail Antonio, but Ecuador sealed the win with a late goal from Alan Minda.Ecuador's victory keeps their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive, while Jamaica's tournament ends with two losses.

Belgium, Romania, and Slovakia have secured their spots in the last 16 of Euro 2024, while Ukraine's valiant efforts fell short in a thrilling conclusion to Group E.Romania's 1-1 draw with Slovakia in Frankfurt earned both teams the point they needed to advance. Ukraine's spirited 0-0 draw with Belgium proved insufficient, as they finished bottom of the group on goal difference due to their opening game defeat to Romania.Belgium, despite being heavily favored, struggled to dominate the group and will now face a formidable opponent in France in the last 16. Slovakia, as one of the best third-placed teams, awaits their last 16 opponents, along with Romania.Belgium's blend of experienced veterans and rising stars has yet to fully impress in Germany. Their fans expressed their frustration at the final whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne urging his teammates to avoid acknowledging the jeers.Ukraine became the first team since the Euros expanded to 24 teams to fail to advance from the group stage with four points. They came agonizingly close to a winner against Belgium, but goalkeeper Koen Casteels denied Georgiy Sudakov in stoppage time.Despite the disappointment, Ukraine received a hero's welcome from their supporters. President Volodymyr Zelensky praised their fighting spirit, emphasizing the importance of unity in both victory and defeat.In Frankfurt, Romania secured their first knockout stage appearance at a Euros in 24 years. Slovakia took an early lead, but Ianis Hagi, son of legendary Romanian player Gheorghe Hagi, earned a penalty that Razvan Marin converted to level the score.

Georgia vs Portugal: Euro 2024 Match Preview, Live Streaming, and Telecast DetailsThe highly anticipated Euro 2024 match between Georgia and Portugal is set to take place on Thursday, June 27th, at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The match will kick off at 12:30 AM IST.Georgia and Portugal are both in Group E, which also includes Belgium, Ukraine, and Romania. Belgium currently leads the group with 6 points, followed by Ukraine and Portugal with 3 points each. Georgia and Romania are at the bottom of the table with 0 points.Portugal will be the favorites to win this match, as they are ranked 9th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Georgia is ranked 87th. Portugal also has a more experienced team, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and João Félix.However, Georgia will be hoping to pull off an upset and qualify for the Round of 16. They will need to win this match and hope that Ukraine loses to Belgium.Live Streaming and Telecast Details:The Georgia vs Portugal 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 to Watch:* Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): The Portuguese captain is one of the greatest players of all time and will be looking to add to his record-breaking goal tally.* Romelu Lukaku (Belgium): The Belgian striker is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe and will be hoping to open his account in this tournament.* Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine): The Ukrainian winger is a key player for his country and will be looking to make an impact in this match.* Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia): The Georgian winger is one of the most exciting young players in Europe and will be looking to impress against Portugal.Prediction:Portugal is the clear favorite to win this match, but Georgia will be hoping to pull off an upset. Portugal should win this match and qualify for the Round of 16.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has expressed optimism about a leg injury sustained during his team's 1-0 Copa America victory over Chile. The injury occurred when Messi was kicked by Gabriel Suazo in the 24th minute of the match.Despite the discomfort, Messi remained on the field and played a crucial role in Argentina's triumph. He assisted Lautaro Martínez's 88th-minute goal, which secured the victory and a berth in the quarterfinals.After the match, Messi downplayed the severity of the injury, stating that it was "nothing serious." He added that it was bothering him slightly but did not hinder his ability to finish the game. Messi also revealed that he had been dealing with a sore throat and fever in recent days.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni expressed confidence in Messi's fitness, citing his ability to sprint half the length of the field late in the game. Scaloni plans to rest several starters in Argentina's final Group A match against Peru on Saturday.Argentina is currently atop Group A and will advance to the knockout stage unless they lose to Peru and Canada defeats Chile in a simultaneous match. Canada can overtake Argentina on goal difference.Messi's injury has raised concerns among fans and pundits, but the player himself remains optimistic. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering commitment to his team and the sport.

Czech Republic vs Turkey: A Crucial Clash for Euro 2024 QualificationAs the Euro 2024 group stage draws to a close, Czech Republic and Turkey face off in a pivotal match that will determine their fate in the tournament. Both teams enter the encounter with contrasting fortunes, setting the stage for an intriguing battle.Turkey, buoyed by their impressive 3-1 victory over Georgia in their opening match, are on the cusp of securing second place in Group F. A point against Czech Republic would all but guarantee their direct qualification to the Round of 16. The Turkish side has shown resilience and attacking prowess, with Burak Yılmaz and Cengiz Ünder leading the charge.Czech Republic, on the other hand, find themselves in a precarious position. After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Croatia, they need a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive. A draw would leave them with only two points, which would likely not be enough to secure a spot among the four best third-placed teams.The match will be played at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Thursday, June 27, at 12:30 AM IST. The stakes are high for both teams, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric.Czech Republic will be looking to their talismanic captain, Tomáš Souček, to inspire them to victory. The West Ham United midfielder is known for his tireless work rate and ability to create chances. Patrik Schick, the Bayer Leverkusen striker, will also be a key figure, having scored the equalizer against Croatia.Turkey will rely on the experience of their veteran goalkeeper, Volkan Babacan, to keep Czech Republic at bay. The 39-year-old has been in impressive form and will be determined to help his team secure qualification.The match promises to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Czech Republic will need to play with urgency and intensity, while Turkey will look to control the tempo and exploit their attacking threats.

Ukraine vs Belgium: Euro 2024 Round of 16 Contenders Clash in StuttgartAs the Euro 2024 group stage nears its conclusion, Ukraine and Belgium will face off in a crucial match that could determine their fate in the tournament. Belgium, with a win against Romania under their belt, are poised to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Ukraine, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Romania.Belgium's star striker, Romelu Lukaku, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament after having three goals ruled out for offside. His presence in the box will pose a significant threat to the Ukrainian defense. Ukraine, meanwhile, will need to find a way to contain Lukaku and create scoring opportunities of their own.The match will take place on Wednesday, June 26, at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM IST. The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.Ukraine's hopes of advancing to the knockout stage rest on a positive result against Belgium. With only three points from their first two matches, they are currently at the bottom of Group E. Even a draw against Belgium may not be enough to secure a top-three finish, which is required for qualification.Belgium, on the other hand, are in a more comfortable position. A win against Ukraine would guarantee their place in the Round of 16. However, a draw or a loss could leave them vulnerable to being overtaken by Finland or Romania, who are also on three points.The match between Ukraine and Belgium promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. Both teams have the potential to reach the latter stages of the tournament, and this match could be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns.