..::Football IV::..

Wolverine GTR

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    Hazard: Lukaku showed how good he is

    Eden Hazard believes Romelu Lukaku can "be the difference" for Belgium at Euro 2016 after the striker ended his barren scoring run with two goals against the Republic of Ireland.

    The Everton striker had gone 11 competitive games for club and country without scoring before finding the net twice in the second half of his country's 3-0 triumph in Bordeaux on Saturday.

    Lukaku's place in the team had been questioned by some following the 2-0 defeat to Italy in Belgium's tournament opener, yet Chelsea forward Hazard insists his compatriot never let any criticism affect him.



    "Lukaku showed how good a player he is," Hazard told UEFA.com. "For a striker it's always great for confidence to score goals. He scored goals in the friendly games we played, but he was criticised a little.

    "When a striker doesn't score, he tends to get criticism."But he can take it, he's mentally strong and I am sure he will be the difference for us in each game, I hope."

    Belgium coach Marc Wilmots will hope the 23-year-old can fire them to victory again in the crucial clash with Group E rivals Sweden in Nice on Wednesday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :cool:Manchester United are Mkhitaryan's 'dream club'

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    Henrikh Mkhitaryan could still yet complete a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to join Manchester United, according to agent Mino Raiola.

    The Armenia international scored 23 goals in all competitions last season and only has one more year remaining on his current contract at Borussia Dortmund.But the Bundesliga club are reticent to lose another star name following the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels.

    However, Raiola remains hopeful a deal can be worked out to allow the player to sign for his "dream club" in the near future."We have both taken very different views and fight for them like lions," Raiola told Bild.

    "[Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim] Watzke walks 180 degrees into one direction and I 180 degrees into the other. But even though it does not look like it right now, I still hope for a sensible solution.

    "Such an offer to join Manchester United might only come once in a lifetime for a player and nobody can guarantee us that the door will still be open for Micki next season.

    "Manchester are Micki's dream club, he wants to join them by any means."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    OFFICIAL: Real Madrid to sign Morata from Juventus


    Real Madrid have confirmed they will exercise their buy-back clause in Alvaro Morata's contract to sign him from Juventus.

    The Spain international has a stipulation in his deal with the Serie A champions which allows Madrid to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu for €32 million.

    A statement from Madrid read: “Real Madrid CF has informed the Juventus FC the decision to rescue the federative rights of the player Alvaro Morata, who will join the first team in the preseason to the orders of Zinedine Zidane.”
    Reports claim that Madrid are planning to sell Morata on to another club for a profit this summer.

    Morata is currently with Spain at Euro 2016 and scored twice in last week's 3-0 victory over Turkey.

    Madrid sold the 23-year-old to Juventus in 2014 and the striker has scored 27 goals in 93 appearances for the Serie A champions.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Northern Ireland 0-1 Germany: Gomez secures top spot for Die Mannschaft

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    Mario Gomez's goal wrapped up top spot for Germany in Group C as a 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes left Northern Ireland waiting to find out their own fate at Euro 2016.

    Having failed to impress in a bore draw against Poland last time out, Joachim Low's side again struggled to hit top gear despite dominating against one of the tournament's biggest underdogs in Paris.

    Michael O'Neill's plan to stifle the world champions always looked likely to fail, with goalkeeper Michael McGovern – who was impressive throughout – called into action several times before his defences were breached.

    Gomez marked his first start in France with a close-range 29th-minute finish, while Thomas Muller hit the post and crossbar among a host of other Germany chances before the interval.Though Northern Ireland now needed a goal to claim the point they clearly came for, it proved close to impossible for them to relieve the constant pressure.


    Germany could not add to their advantage in a second half that was as one-sided as the first, but Northern Ireland will now await other results to see if their three-point return is enough to qualify as one of the four best third-placed finishers.

    O'Neill's men – unchanged from the 2-0 win over Ukraine – tried to present a compact and united front from the outset, positioning a wall of green between Germany and McGovern's goal.It was a barrier the Germans found all too easy to overcome, though, and McGovern had to be alert to deny Muller and Mesut Ozil in quick succession early on.

    The post came to Northern Ireland's rescue in the 27th minute when Muller's diving header threatened to break the deadlock.But the pressure finally told just before the half-hour mark, with Muller drawing McGovern's attention before laying it back for Gomez to find the net via a deflection.

    Muller hit the woodwork again five minutes later as Germany looked to inflict further damage before the break.The pattern continued in the second half - McGovern saved from Mario Gotze before the World Cup final goalscorer slid wide from inside the six-yard box.

    O'Neill's side were not entirely restricted to defensive duties, though a rare foray forward led by Steven Davis came to an end on the edge of the opposition penalty area and without Manuel Neuer being troubled.

    Germany kept creating openings and Sami Khedira was next to join in the shooting practice and find McGovern in fine form, the Hamilton Academical keeper – whose contract with the Scottish Premiership club is set to expire – diving low to his right to keep the deficit to one.

    If McGovern's display had not already alerted clubs to his potential availability, his stunning 82nd-minute save from Gomez may have done the trick as the 31-year-old brilliantly tipped the Fiorentina forward's header wide.

    McGovern and his Northern Ireland team-mates will only hope it is not the last chance they have to make their mark on the tournament.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ukraine 0-1 Poland: Blaszczykowski blasts Eagles into round of 16


    A solitary strike from Jakub Blaszczykowski was enough for Poland to secure a 1-0 win over Ukraine and seal the runners-up spot in Group C of Euro 2016 on Tuesday.

    Despite having more of the game, Mykhaylo Fomenko's troops fell victim to a strike from the Borussia Dortmund man - who accounted for Poland's second goal of the tournament - in the 54th minute.

    Arkadiusz Milik was at the heart of the move once more with his splendid ball into Ukraine's box causing panic and allowing Blaszczykowski to finish splendidly into the top corner.

    Despite their best efforts, Ukraine's attempts to break down a stubborn Poland defence late on proved fruitless as the latter looked to counter at every opportunity, but there were no more goals in what finished an open encounter.


    Poland progress to the knock-out rounds of a European Championship for the first time and will meet Switzerland on June 25 in Saint-Etienne, where they will hope to see Robert Lewandowski end his worrying goal drought.For the sixth successive international game the Bayern Munich striker failed to score, while he has not found the back of the net in over 500 minutes at the Euros.

    With the last 16 in their sights Poland made a bright start and could have been three goals ahead in the opening five minutes.Milik was first to test Andriy Pyatov with a low drive, before Lewandowski failed to find the top corner after being set up by his strike partner.

    The offside flag denied Lewandowski another opportunity moments later and Ukraine nearly made them pay as Roman Zozulya was played in by Oleksandr Zinchenko, however Michal Padzan was on hand to nullify the threat.

    Ukraine found themselves in behind the Poland defence in the 17th minute, but Lukasz Fabianski narrowed the angle to force Andriy Yarmolenko to fire wide.The previously quiet Yevhen Konoplyanka burst into life on the half hour with a surging run off the Ukraine left, but the Sevilla winger's low shot rippled the side netting.

    Four minutes after the restart Ukraine were again on the offensive as Konoplyanka delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area, only for Zinchenko to head over.That miss proved costly as Blaszczykowski made his mark in the 54th minute, the midfielder creating room for himself before lashing a left-foot shot past Pyatov.

    Ukraine's attempts to salvage a point from disappointing campaign created half chances for Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka and Zinchenko, but all were spurned.
    Roman Zozulya headed wide with nine minutes to play as Poland clung on to all three points, although they are left to settle for second in the group due to Germany's superior goal difference.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Schweinsteiger overtakes Lahm to set new Germany record


    Bastian Schweinsteiger has set a new appearance record after appearing in Germany’s Euro 2016 victory over Northern Ireland.The Manchester United midfielder came on as a second-half substitute as Mario Gomez’s goal sealed victory for the World Cup holders.

    And Schweinsteiger has now overtaken Philipp Lahm to become the Germany player with the most appearances at the European Championship.

    The 31-year-old, who made his tournament debut at Euro 2004, has made 15 appearances overall, one more than his former Bayern Munich team-mate.Germany finished top of Group C ahead of Poland, while Northern Ireland finished third and remain in with a chance of reaching the last 16.
     

    Alucard_SxE

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    Adanam Spain play karapu widiya anthimai:(

    Aparade 1st place ganna thibba chance 1ka nathi karagatthe:(:sorry:

    Group D runners-up nisa Italy set wenne Round of 16 wala.

    Anyway good luck for Round of 16 Spain:love:


    :lol:
    Portugal walata hoda chance ekak thiyanawa group eka top karoth.

    Round of 16 Belgium Naththam Sweden.
    Quaters Wales naththam Turkey/Nothern Ireland/Albania
    Semis Switzerland/Poland/ Croatia

    Awesome Chance! :D

    Anith paththe thamai lokuma matches tika thiyenne :D

    spain vs italy
    probably england vs france
    Germany vs italy/spain

    :D Portugal top karoth maru!!!
    Goals 3k gahala dinnanam hari. :D

    I'd like very much to see a Portugal vs Germany Final :D

    Habai Germany nam play karana widihata sauththui :angry:
    Specially Gotze. :angry: And no good RB after lahm :( Emre can should play.

    The strongest team I saw in the group stages was Portugal. :)
    They might have not found the net but still my favourites in the tournament. Group top karoth aniwa Final yanawa.

    But the most powerful in stats is France. Specially with the players they have. But they don't work together very well.
     
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    Wolverine GTR

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    Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey: Yilmaz & Tufan give Terim's men hope

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    Turkey remain in with a chance of reaching the last 16 of Euro 2016 after securing an impressive 2-0 win over Czech Republic in Lens on Tuesday.

    Fatih Terim's side came into their final Group D encounter without a goal or point to their name, but victory thanks to strikes from Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan lifted them above their opponents and into contention for one of the third-place qualification berths.

    By contrast, Czech Republic, missing talisman Tomas Rosicky through injury, are eliminated with their stirring late fightback to earn a 2-2 draw against Croatia last time out ultimately counting for nothing.

    The opener arrived in the 10th minute as Burak applied the decisive touch to a sweeping Turkey move with a fine finish, before Tufan smashed home to double the lead midway through the second half.


    Czech Republic struck the woodwork through Tomas Sivok shortly after Burak's effort, but Pavel Vrba's men - who knew a win would seal a last-16 spot - failed to create much else in the way of goalscoring opportunities as they crashed out.

    Meanwhile, Turkey must wait for results from Groups E and F on Wednesday to see if their participation at the finals will be extended, while the result also subsequently guaranteed Northern Ireland's progress from Group C.Terim made three changes from the meek 3-0 defeat to Spain and it was one of those, Emre Mor, who teed up Burak to break the deadlock in the early stages.

    Arda Turan had come in for heavy criticism following the first two games, but it was the captain's clever pass that freed Mor, who squared for Burak to sweep home.Czech Republic went agonisingly close to a swift equaliser when Sivok thudded a header against the base of the post from a right-wing corner.

    Pavel Kaderabek brought a save out of Volkan Babacan at his near post before Tomas Necid steered an effort over as Vrba's side grew further into the contest.
    Kaderabek just failed to get a telling touch on Necid's flick on the half-hour, and Jaroslav Plasil stung the palms of Babacan with a rasping 25-yard drive.

    Turkey made it to the interval with their lead intact, and threatened a second just prior to the hour when Mor blazed over on the break.Vladimir Darida and Necid brought smart stops out of Babacan as the Czechs responded, but Turkey added to their advantage in controversial circumstances in the 65th minute.

    Mehmet Topal appeared to be in an offside position when a free-kick was glanced in his direction, before he laid off to Tufan, who smashed past Petr Cech at his near post from close range.

    Substitute Olcay Sahan fired wide as Turkey went in search of a third late on, but there to be no more goals as Terim's men kept their hopes alive.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    :(Croatia 2-1 Spain: Ramos misses penalty as Roja collapse to defeat

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    Croatia condemned Spain to their first European Championship defeat in 12 years as a 2-1 victory sent them into Euro 2016's last 16 as Group D winners.

    Ivan Perisic was the tournament's latest last-gasp hero, marking his 50th cap with a virtuoso performance and an 87th-minute winner that means double-defending champions Spain will play Italy in the next round, having fallen to their first defeat in this tournament since a 1-0 reverse to Portugal at Euro 2004.Both sides knew they would go through before kick-off, and the lack of tension made for an entertaining contest.

    Alvaro Morata's return to Real Madrid had been confirmed earlier on Tuesday and the striker opened the scoring after just seven minutes, but Nikola Kalinic netted the first goal Vicente del Bosque's side had conceded in 735 minutes of European Championship action to level the scores before half-time.

    Spain captain Sergio Ramos - who became his country's most-capped outfield player on his 134th appearance - had a second-half penalty saved, but they rarely looked anywhere near their best and Perisic scored a breathtaking goal in the closing stages.

    A heavy police presence among Croatia fans also thwarted any potential trouble, with officials claiming pre-match that referee Bjorn Kuipers could be under threat as protests against the country's football federation rumble on.

    Croatia were assured of their place in the last 16 as a result of Northern Ireland losing 1-0 to Germany, and a side showing five changes were quickly shredded by a fit, firing and unaltered Spain attack.David Silva was at the heart of the move, threading a perfect reverse ball into Cesc Fabregas, who dinked the ball over Danijel Subasic and into the path of Morata for an easy finish.


    Spain's response to the goal was sloppy, however, and Kalinic pounced on an error from Ramos to force a save from David de Gea.

    Clumsy play soon after from De Gea gave Ivan Rakitic a sight of goal, but the Barcelona midfielder's chip somehow stayed out via a combination of the crossbar, post and a backtracking Gerard Pique.

    The 30th minute had been anticipated to see a disruption from Croatia fans, who were consequently much more heavily stewarded than Spain's support, but the half passed without any concerns.

    A shock equaliser came just before the interval as Perisic turned Juanfran inside out on the left flank before crossing for Kalinic to finish with an improvised flick with the outside of his right boot.Spain's errors spilled into the second half too, Marko Pjaca sending an overhead kick wide after De Gea had flapped at a Darijo Srna cross.

    With the likes of Perisic and Rakitic increasingly influential, Pjaca saw a penalty appeal turned down but Kuipers did point to the spot at the other end as Silva tumbled under Sime Vrsaljko's tackle.Ramos was thwarted from 12 yards, although Subasic was farcically a good three yards off his line as he saved to his right.

    And Croatia's winner came from a thrilling counter-attack, as Rakitic fed Kalinic, who held the ball up long enough for Perisic to take command on the left flank, charging towards goal before smashing a shot past De Gea via a slight deflection.
    The victory sets up a mouthwatering repeat of the 2012 final between Spain and Italy, with Del Bosque's side having triumphed 4-0 in Kiev four years ago.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Portugal walata hoda chance ekak thiyanawa group eka top karoth.

    Round of 16 Belgium Naththam Sweden.
    Quaters Wales naththam Turkey/Nothern Ireland/Albania
    Semis Switzerland/Poland/ Croatia​

    Awesome Chance! :D

    Anith paththe thamai lokuma matches tika thiyenne :D

    spain vs italy
    probably england vs france
    Germany vs italy/spain​

    :D Portugal top karoth maru!!!
    Goals 3k gahala dinnanam hari. :D

    I'd like very much to see a Portugal vs Germany Final :D

    Habai Germany nam play karana widihata sauththui :angry:
    Specially Gotze. :angry: And no good RB after lahm :( Emre can should play.​

    The strongest team I saw in the group stages was Portugal. :)
    They might have not found the net but still my favourites in the tournament. Group top karoth aniwa Final yanawa.​

    But the most powerful in stats is France. Specially with the players they have. But they don't work together very well.​


    Ow bro Godak durata France final select wei.playersla team up wela hariyata play nokalata individual pattama set 1kak innawa & Germany unath niyamai.Top 2 favourites thamai neh sare Euro title 1kata.

    & next matches set wena widiyatanam Portugal latath hoda chance 1kak thiyanawa group top unoth nam:)

    Spain patthen gatthama ada play karapu widiyath ekka thamai sure 1kak thiyanna bari:(aparade:sorry:
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ramos ready to 'dance with the favourites' in Italy clash


    Sergio Ramos lamented Spain's 2-1 loss to Croatia on Tuesday, but insisted the defending champions are not fazed by the prospect of facing Italy as a result in the last 16 at Euro 2016.

    Croatia came from 1-0 down to seal the come-from-behind victory and pip Spain to top spot in Group D, with Ivan Perisic striking a late winner after Nikola Kalinic cancelled out Alvaro Morata's opener in Bordeaux.

    Ramos had the opportunity to put Spain back ahead in the second half via the penalty spot, but Danijel Subasic produced a save to deny the skipper and keep Croatia in the game.The setback means Vicente del Bosque's men finish runners-up behind Croatia and will play Italy on Monday in a rematch of the 2012 final that Spain won 4-0.

    "We have to dance now with the favourites, but you need to face them so you can be champion," the Real Madrid defender told Telecinco."This Euro is just proving everyone can beat you. We need to think game by game."

    The 30-year-old added: "It was quite a weird game. We dominated at first, had chances, took the lead... but we forgave them. "I had the penalty chance but I missed it. It's a pity. At least we got the qualification but we face now a more difficult opponent.

    "The team has been good in everything but the result. We could have taken a good result, but we need to move on, learn from this game so we can avoid it in the last-16 round and try to have another clean sheet just as we were doing in our last games."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Messi becomes Argentina's all-time top scorer

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    Lionel Messi has become Argentina's all-time record goal scorer after netting a sublime free kick in their Copa America Centenario semifinal against the United States on Tuesday.

    The Argentina captain had drawn level with Gabriel Batistuta's record of 54 goals with a strike against Venezuela in their 4-1 win in the quarterfinals of the competition last Saturday.

    But it took Messi just 32 minutes against the USA to find the net and become outright top scorer for Argentina, hitting a sensational free kick off the underside of the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Brad Guzan helpless. The goal put Argentina 2-0 ahead in the contest after Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring inside three minutes, with Barcelona star Messi creating the goal.

    Argentina is looking to end its 23-year trophy drought at the tournament, and thanks to Messi's brilliance is well on its way to back-to-back Copa finals.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    United States 0-4 Argentina: Messi leads Argentina to Copa final

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    Argentina advanced to the Copa America final for the second consecutive year thanks a comfortable 4-0 win over the United States as captain Lionel Messi became the nation's all-time leading goal scorer on Tuesday.

    Runner-up to Chile last year, 14-time South American champion Argentina reached the decider of the centenary tournament on a night that Messi made more history with his record-breaking 55th international goal.Messi's inch-perfect free kick in the 32nd minute saw him surpass Gabriel Batistuta in stunning fashion in Houston.

    The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had earlier teed up Ezequiel Lavezzi - who was forced from the field in the second half after tumbling over an advertising board - for the game's opening goal in the third minute, while in-form striker Gonzalo Higuain completed the rout with a second-half brace at NRG Stadium.Argentina - seeking to end a 23-year wait for a major trophy - will now face either defending champion Chile or Colombia in the final.

    The USA was without three first-team regulars, with Jermaine Jones, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya suspended for the final-four clash. The trio's absence meant Graham Zusi, Chris Wondolowski and Kyle Beckerman were called upon, while DeAndre Yedlin also returned to the lineup.Argentina also had one changed forced upon the team as the suspended Nicolas Gaitan was replaced by Lavezzi in the starting XI.

    There were questions asked of Argentina coach Gerardo Martino and his decision to hand Lavezzi just his second start of the tournament, but the China-based forward repaid the faith just three minutes into the match.

    Jurgen Klinsmann and Co. insisted they would not give Messi any special attention, something they quickly had to revise as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner played a delightful lofted through-ball to Lavezzi, who guided his effort over the onrushing Brad Guzan as the USA attempted to clear its lines.

    Messi could not be stopped from that point, dictating the play and helping Argentina dominate possession as USA was forced to watch on in awe, ending the first half without a shot.After John Brooks made a last-ditch tackle to deny Gonzalo Higuain, Messi stepped up and executed an inch-perfect free kick just past the half-hour mark.

    In another moment of brilliance as fans watched on in anticipation, Messi curled a set piece across Guzan and in under the crossbar for his fifth goal of the tournament.The USA made a change at the break, with teenage sensation Christian Pulisic coming on in place of Wondolowski.

    But Argentina continued where it left off in the second half, Higuain springing the offside trap and tucking home his own rebound having initially been denied by Guzan.Despite the best efforts of captain Michael Bradley to inspire USA, the CONCACAF nation barely threatened as Argentina cruised.

    Argentina experienced a heart-in-mouth moment after Lavezzi tumbled over an advertising board following the hour, with medics immediately signalling for an ambulance having appeared to land on his neck. The Heibei China Fortune star, however, was able to get up on his feet, but was left clutching his arm.

    Business went on as usual for Argentina and Higuain completed the scoring four minutes from time for his 31st international goal, after Messi squared the ball across the six-yard box for a simple tap-in.