Football

Brazil's Vinicius Jr. emerged as the star of the show in their 4-1 Copa America victory over Paraguay, bouncing back from a lackluster performance in their tournament opener. The victory marked Brazil's first win in six competitive matches and their maiden competitive triumph under manager Dorival Jr., who took charge in January.From the outset, Vinicius' pace and trickery posed a constant threat to Paraguay down the left flank, a stark contrast to his ineffective display in Brazil's 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Despite Brazil's strong start, Paraguay nearly took the lead in the 15th minute, but Damian Bobadilla's goal-bound effort was deflected off Eder Militao and nearly wrongfooted goalkeeper Alisson Becker.Brazil earned a penalty in the 28th minute for a handball, but Lucas Paqueta's spot-kick was wide of the mark. However, the midfielder made amends seven minutes later, setting up Vinicius with a first-time pass to cap off a flowing team move. Girona winger Savio doubled Brazil's advantage after pouncing on a rebound inside the box, before Vinicius diverted a clearance from Omar Alderete into the net for his second goal of the night in first-half stoppage time.Paraguay got a goal back after the break as Alderete netted a superb long-range effort, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed when Brazil were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after a handball by Mathias Villasanti. Despite his earlier miss, Paqueta stepped up and made no mistake at the second time of asking to send Brazil's fans into delirium.Towards the end of the match, tempers flared and Andres Cubas was shown a red card after kicking out at Douglas Luiz, with Brazil using their man advantage to comfortably see out the game and clinch the three points.

Lionel Messi, the talismanic captain of Argentina, will miss the team's final Copa America group game against Peru due to muscle tightness. The news was confirmed by assistant coach Walter Samuel, who stated that Messi is being monitored on a "day-by-day" basis.Messi experienced discomfort in his right adductor muscle during Argentina's previous match. Samuel emphasized that the team is not overly concerned about Messi's absence, as they have proven capable of performing well without him in the past."The team has always shown that they can rise to the occasion when he's not there," Samuel said.Argentina has already secured a spot in the quarter-finals after victories over Canada and Chile. A draw against Peru on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami would ensure their qualification as group winners.Despite Messi's absence, Samuel insisted that Argentina will field a strong team against Peru. "Peru has top players; we are taking this game with the utmost seriousness," he said.Samuel will be in charge on the bench as head coach Lionel Scaloni serves a one-game suspension for the team's tardiness in emerging for the second half in their previous matches. Scaloni expressed disappointment over the suspension, stating that he and his coaching staff have always maintained a high level of professionalism.Argentina is expected to rest several key players against Peru, but Samuel emphasized that the team will still aim for a win. "We want to finish the group stage on a high note," he said.

Aston Villa have bolstered their defensive ranks with the acquisition of Netherlands international Ian Maatsen from Chelsea. The 22-year-old left-back joins the Villans on a permanent deal, reportedly worth around £37.5 million.Maatsen, who spent the previous season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, impressed with his performances in the Bundesliga and Champions League. He made 16 appearances in the German top flight, scoring once in Dortmund's quarter-final victory over Atletico Madrid. He also featured in seven Champions League matches, including the final against Real Madrid.Prior to his loan spell at Dortmund, Maatsen had made 12 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. He has also gained valuable experience on loan at Charlton, Coventry, and Burnley.Maatsen's arrival at Villa Park reunites him with manager Unai Emery, who signed him for Arsenal in 2018. The Dutch defender is the second signing made by Emery in the pre-season transfer window, following the acquisition of forward Lewis Dobbin from Everton.Villa's ambitious plans for the upcoming season include competing in the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Premier League last term. Maatsen's versatility and experience will be crucial as the Villans aim to make an impact on multiple fronts.The Netherlands international is currently with his national team at Euro 2024 in Germany, where he has been called up as a replacement for the injured Frenkie de Jong.

Germany, the hosts of Euro 2024, will face Denmark in the last 16 on Saturday in Dortmund. The Germans are hoping to avoid a repeat of their disappointing 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final group stage match.After impressive victories over Scotland and Hungary, Germany's hopes were dashed against Switzerland. They were on the verge of defeat before Niclas Fuellkrug's stoppage-time header salvaged a draw and secured first place in the group.The draw served as a wake-up call for the hosts, who are aiming for their fourth Euros title. Coach Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged that there is still much work to be done.Germany's trophy cabinet may be more impressive than Denmark's, but the Danes famously defeated them in the Euro 1992 final. Denmark's triumph, after failing to qualify and then being admitted following Yugoslavia's exclusion, became a fairytale. However, Germany still regrets underestimating the Danes.Berti Vogts, a Euros and World Cup winner as a player, coached Germany in that 1992 final. He admitted in a recent column that his team "underestimated" Denmark."In 1992, we lost the Euros final against a great Danish team even though we were the favorites," he wrote. "Everyone thought we had the title in the bag, unfortunately, some players did too."Denmark, a 2020 semi-finalist, resembles Switzerland in many ways, with a well-drilled team and several talented players at top clubs. Vogts warned that the current Danish team may not have the same quality as their 1992 counterparts, but the pressure is on Germany."The Danes were hungry for success and carefree, they just played football and took us by surprise," Vogts said. "The German team should not make that mistake now. The Switzerland game was therefore an important warning shot."Germany has won five and drawn two of their seven games in 2024, thanks in part to Nagelsmann's consistent starting XI. However, the policy has cost them center-back Jonathan Tah for the Denmark clash after he picked up a second yellow card against Switzerland.Nico Schlotterbeck, Borussia Dortmund's talented but unpredictable central defender, will replace Tah on Saturday. Antonio Rudiger is also doubtful for the clash with a hamstring injury.Schlotterbeck expressed confidence in Germany's preparation for the match. "We know actually everything about the Danes," he said. "The whole match plan, defense, offense. We know about Denmark and how we will play them."Nagelsmann may consider replacing Arsenal forward Kai Havertz with Niclas Fuellkrug, who has scored twice off the bench so far. Fuellkrug, who made his debut at the age of 29 in 2022, has 13 goals to Havertz's seven.Fuellkrug downplayed his role as a supersub, saying, "The title is so much more important than the individual."

Italy, the reigning European champions, will face Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Saturday, having narrowly qualified from the group stage. The Azzurri secured second place in Group B with a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer from Mattia Zaccagni against Croatia, finishing five points behind Spain.Coach Luciano Spalletti expressed mixed emotions after the group stage, praising his team's progress while criticizing their timid performance in the final game. He also lashed out at media pressure, potentially attempting to deflect attention from his inability to ignite the team's full potential.Despite Spalletti's claims of improvement, Italy's performance has been unconvincing, lacking the flair and dominance of the side that triumphed at Euro 2020. Key players from that tournament, such as Manuel Locatelli, Ciro Immobile, and Marco Verratti, have been omitted from the squad, while veterans Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have retired.Lazio forward Zaccagni, who scored the crucial equalizer against Croatia, remains optimistic about Italy's chances in the knockout rounds. "We're focused on preparing for a very important match against Switzerland," he said. "We know we can suffer at times, but we always come out strong when it matters."Switzerland, led by Murat Yakin, boasts several Serie A players, including Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer and Bologna trio Dan Ndoye, Remo Freuler, and Michel Aebischer. "Switzerland is a very compact team that plays for each other," added Zaccagni. "It will take a great performance to beat them."Italy will be without the suspended Riccardo Calafiori, but Zaccagni is confident despite suffering a rib injury in the celebration of his late goal. Questions remain over Italy's best formation, with Spalletti experimenting with different shapes. Holding midfielder Jorginho has struggled in particular, while strikers Mateo Retegui and Gianluca Scamacca have failed to impress.Switzerland, who also pipped Italy to qualification for the last World Cup, are no longer considered an easy opponent. They went through Group A unbeaten, holding Germany to a 1-1 draw in their final group game. That result may have been a blessing in disguise, as it placed Switzerland in the perceived easier half of the draw.Switzerland proved at Euro 2020 that they can upset the odds, knocking out France on penalties in the last 16 before losing to Spain in the quarter-finals. That victory will give them confidence to try and equal their best ever finish in the tournament by reaching the last eight."We know how to win and lose in the round of 16," said Freuler. "We need an even better performance than in the group games. Saturday has to be our best performance in recent years."The winner of the Italy-Switzerland clash will face England or Slovakia in the quarter-finals.

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.