..::Football III::..

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Moyes: I rejected job offers before Sociedad sacking

David Moyes has revealed he turned down job offers prior to his sacking as Real Sociedad head coach earlier this month.

The former Manchester United and Everton boss was dismissed following a 2-0 defeat to Las Palmas that left Sociedad just two points off the bottom of the Liga table after 11 matches.

Moyes has since expressed his frustration that he was not granted longer at the Basque side after he successfully avoided relegation last season and claims he spurned offers from other clubs in order to continue his work in San Sebastian.

In a statement released via the League Managers Association on Tuesday, the Scot said: "I am disappointed to have left Real Sociedad.

"When I accepted the job as manager of La Real last November, my remit was to avoid relegation and retain the club's La Liga status. We succeeded in attaining that target and finished 12th in the table.

"I feel that we made significant progress last season; beating Barcelona in front of our home fans was a memorable highlight.

"I made a firm promise to Real Sociedad to honour my contract and it is disappointing not to be able to fulfil this commitment, especially when I have turned down a number of job opportunities in recent months.

"After spending 12 years in the Premier League as manager of Everton and Manchester United, I was keen to take the opportunity to work abroad and have learnt a great deal from the experience.

"I would like to thank the club and the president for giving me the opportunity to manage in Spain, at a club with such a rich history of employing British managers. I would also like to thank the players, staff and my assistant, Billy McKinlay, for their support and the wonderful people of San Sebastian.

"It has been a pleasure to work in their beautiful city and immerse myself in their culture. Their warmth and generosity has made me feel very at home over the last year."

Former Barcelona assistant coach Eusebio Sacristan succeeded Moyes as Sociedad>

 

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Lewandowski agent: No contact with Real Madrid

The agent of Robert Lewandowski has denied having any contact with Real Madrid regarding the Bayern Munich striker.

Cezary Cucharski, the player's representative, recently told Marca Madrid were interested in the Poland international.

But Cucharski has since said Lewandowski and his camp have had no talks with any other clubs since his arrival at Bayern.

"Since Robert signed a contract with Bayern Munich, [we] have not talked with representatives of Real Madrid on his transfer to the club," Cucharski told WP SportoweFakty in Poland.

Lewandowski has scored 19 goals for Bayern in al competitions so far this season, and helped Poland wrap up qualification for Euro 2016 in October with three vital strikes against Poland and the Republic of Ireland.

 

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Lingard: I turned down Liverpool to join Manchester United

Jesse Lingard has revealed he turned down an offer from Liverpool in order to join Manchester United.

The 22-year-old, who scored his first goal for the club in his side’s recent win over West Brom, capped an impressive start to the campaign with a call-up to the England squad two days ago.

However, things may have worked out differently if the Warrington-born Lingard had opted to sign for United’s fierce rivals.

“I was at a local club Penketh United and Mike Glennie, a Manchester United scout, came to watch me,” he explained in an interview with United’s official website.

“He spoke to my grandad and offered me trials but there was also interest from Liverpool and I had to pick — I was only young but obviously my heart was with United at the time.”

Lingard was just seven when he joined the club and he talked about the “incredible” experience of progressing all the way through to the first team, where he now regularly lines up with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.

“I think it’s just been an incredible experience, coming through from the Under-7s to where I am now and what I’ve achieved already,” he continued.

“It’s been incredible and I can’t thank the United staff enough. They could have let me go because of my height and I would now be playing somewhere else but they stuck with me.

“They saw my ability and I’m thankful for that.”

 

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Higuain has no plans to leave Napoli - agent

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is not planning for a future away from the club, according to his agent.

The Argentina international has scored 11 goals in 15 games for Maurizio Sarri's side so far this season as the San Paolo club have started their Serie A and Europa League campaigns in encouraging form.

Higuain, who was linked with a move during the most recent transfer window, remains a rumoured target for struggling Premier League champions Chelsea.

But Nicolas Higuain - the 27-year-old's agent and brother - says even a club willing to match president Aurelio De Laurentiis' €100 million price tag would struggle to convince him to leave.

"We're doing really well with Napoli," he told TuttoNapoli.net.

"I've been in Argentina for five months, I'm not travelling around the world trying to sell my brother.

"If tomorrow a club arrived and found an agreement with De Laurentiis it would be another matter and we would talk with him about it, but from our part that intention isn't there.

"We aren't planning a future elsewhere."

A lack of Champions League football or a genuine Serie A title challenge has fuelled speculation regarding Higuain's future in the past, but Nicolas believes the current side is closer than ever to a major trophy.

"Gonzalo has had a dream of winning something big with this team from the day he first set foot in Naples," he added.

"This year, we are confident: the team is doing well, they play with more intensity, they're more organised.

"There is a special feeling with Sarri. Gonzalo grew up as a footballer and a person as the world's biggest club, surrounded by champions. Now he is reaching maturity."

 

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Morata: Belgium favourites for Euro 2016

Spain striker Alvaro Morata has tipped Belgium to challenge for next year's European Championship in France.

The two sides were set to meet in a friendly on Tuesday at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels but the match has been called off after security risks heightened following the terror attacks in Paris on Friday.

Juventus striker Morata - who has won six caps for the national team - feels it is a privilege to represent his country and believes Belgium will be one of the strongest teams in France.

"Playing for the national team is always an honour. We must make the most of every opportunity," the 23-year-old said.

"Belgium is a very strong team and they are favourites for the Euros. They can be considered amongst one of the toughest in Europe."

Morata has been used sparingly by coach Vicente del Bosque in recent games but the Real Madrid youth product remains open to playing out of his regular role.

"I'm a striker, my job is to score goals. I'm willing to play any position," he added. "Whatever position I play, I will do the best I can."

Spain breezed into Euro 2016 on the back of nine wins in 10 games in Group C, conceding just three goals in the process.

 

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Hodgson defends Van Gaal over Lingard concerns

Roy Hodgson agrees with Louis van Gaal's concerns that Jesse Lingard's first England call-up may have come too soon.

Manchester United midfielder Lingard was handed a spot in the senior set-up for the first time ahead of Tuesday's friendly with France, after Jamie Vardy and Michael Carrick pulled out of the squad due to injury.

United boss Van Gaal stated prior to the international break that an England call-up would be "too much too early" for the 22-year-old, who scored his first senior goal for his club in the 2-0 win over West Brom earlier this month.

Hodgson admits he would not have turned to the inexperienced Lingard were it not for England's injury problems but says Van Gaal was fine with the decision.

"I don't think Van Gaal was wrong to say that," the England manager said.

"Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't have been considering Jesse Lingard at this time, even though he's a very interesting player. I can understand why he said that.

"But the situation has changed enormously. Van Gaal gave his blessing without any problem whatsoever. It would be unfair pushing that back on him."

Hodgson says Lingard won a call-up ahead of Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.

"We did consider Zaha, yes," he added.

"He came in a similar type of player. They're both wingers. We did consider him, but we decided on>

 

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Fenerbahce: Van Persie is not for sale

Fenerbahce have insisted Robin van Persie is not for sale despite reports linking the striker with a return to the Netherlands.

Speculation has suggested the Dutchman, who moved to Turkey from Manchester United in July, could be bound for his first club, Feyenoord, with ex-Brazil striker Fred coming in as his replacement.

But Fenerbahce have moved to deny the reports and claim neither player nor club has any intention of cutting his stay in the Super Lig short.

"In the last few days there have been many transfer rumours about Robin van Persie in the media," a statement on the club's official website reads. "But these are against our player's wishes.

"We don't have any plans to sell [Van Persie] and he wants to stay with us too. He is a valuable player in our squad and he is going to play for us."

 

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Diego Lopez 'only wants to stay' at AC Milan

AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez has no plans to leave San Siro despite his uncertain situation at the club, according to his agent.

The former Real Madrid shot stopper lost his place to 16-year-old sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma and is now out injured to recover from a persistent tendonitis issue in his left knee.

As a result, Lopez has been linked with a move to the Premier League but his representative Manuel Garcia Quilon insisted the 34-year-old is only targeting returns to fitness and the Milan starting XI.

"Diego Lopez is recovering from injury," he told MilanNews.
"He is working to eliminate the problem and he has already improved.

"He only wants to recover to stay at Milan. Leaving in January? I know nothing about that."

Donnarumma has played in Milan's last four Serie A matches and conceded only twice as Sinisa Mihajlovic's men have picked up 10 points from a possible 12 to recover from a poor start to the season.

 

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I'm adapting but I could be doing better - Martinez

Jackson Martinez has admitted that he has found it difficult to adapt to life at Atletico Madrid but insists he will stay as long as he is wanted, after an inauspicious start to his career at Vicente Calderon.

The Colombia striker moved to the 2013-14 Liga champions in the close-season, following a prolific spell for Porto which saw him net 67 goals in 90 Primeira Liga appearances.

However, Martinez has struggled in the early months of his time at Atletico, scoring just three times in 15 games across all competitions.

Martinez's form has led some to suggest he could look for a move away at the end of the season, but he is determined to prove himself.

"My future is a question you need to ask the coach," Martinez told La Sexta.

"I try and work hard in every game. I'm trying to adapt bit by bit but I do acknowledged that my productivity could be higher.

"The team is securing good results and I just need to keep working hard.


"I'll keep fighting and I have no intention, as has been said, to leave at the end of the season.

"I want to struggle and wear this shirt and I'll stay at the club as long as the club wants me to. So much of this is linked in to results, we all know that."

Martinez is an injury doubt for Atletico's trip to Real Betis on Sunday after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty.

 

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Man Utd sign former Arsenal academy starlet

Manchester United have completed the signing of 17-year-old midfielder DJ Buffonge on a scholarship contract.

Buffonge, whose full name is Darren Raekwon McIntosh-Buffonge, started the season in United’s Under-18 team but has been sidelined with a groin injury since August.

Buffonge has been described by United as a “creative midfielder who is very comfortable in possession of the ball” and first played for Arsenal’s academy before moving to Fulham.

 

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Thiago to miss up to a month with knee injury

Bayern Munich have revealed Thiago will miss three to four weeks after injuring his right knee during Spain's friendly against England.

The midfielder was substituted in the first half of the 2-0 victory and scans have confirmed an injury to the capsule between the joint in his knee.

Bayern insist, however, that the problem "has nothing to do" with the injuries Thiago has suffered in the past. The former Barcelona man did not play until April after damaging a knee ligament last season.

Thiago is likely to miss the end of the Champions League group stage and around five Bundesliga fixtures, including Saturday's clash against Schalke.

 

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Rojo plays down Van Gaal spat claims

Marcos Rojo has dismissed reports of a difficult relationship between himself and Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

The Argentine full-back was said to have angered Van Gaal when passport issues hampered his involvement in a pre-season tour of the United States, while there was also reported to be a disagreement over the severity of Rojo's hamstring injury early in the campaign.

Having featured just twice up until October, Rojo has since established himself as a regular in Van Gaal's first-choice XI, starting each of United's last seven matches in all competitions.

"It is normal, as with any other coach," Rojo told ESPN FC of the rumoured spat.

"I don't ask him why he includes me in a game when I play, so I don't have any right in asking him why I don't play when he decides that I don't have to do it. It's as simple as that.

"Van Gaal does the same as any coach in the world. He decides who plays according to what he sees during the week, he chooses the players that he sees in the best condition and we have to accept all the decisions that the coach takes.

"He is a very professional coach, he wants to get out the very best from each one - that doesn't mean that he is rough.

"He wants his work to have success and we have to understand what he expects from each one of us."

United are in action away to Watford in the Premier League on Saturday.

 

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'Neymar could be forced to leave Barcelona'

Neymar could be forced to leave Barcelona due to his ongoing tax fraud case, according to the Brazilian's father.

A Brazilian court has frozen £31.3 million worth of assets belonging to the Barca forward, his family and related businesses. The 23-year-old is alleged to evaded £10.5m in Brazil taxes between 2011 and 2013.

Neymar, who was wanted by Manchester United, is in talks with the Spanish champions over a new deal but the player's father warns that the current investigations could jeopardise his future.

"We are talking about renewal but we are need to solve some things,” Neymar’s father told Cadena SER.

“We need to know if Spain accepts our situation. It's hard for us because we are receiving many attacks, from Brazil and from Spain. Neymar is a star and works his image here and from Brazil.

"We're talking to everyone to know what to do with this matter because we don't want to be in Spain two, three, four, five or ten years and then we are caught by surprise by saying that our structure is wrong. We need to know if things are right for us.

"We must do the right things and know if Spain let us work. We need to stop these investigations. We want the peace of mind. His image is not associated with his job. His image is part of a company in Brazil, which has existed since 2006. It is not now that we've taken advantage of his image. For years we've been working with this company. I do not want to talk about persecution but if we don't have a comfortable situation to work we can not stay in Spain.

"We never had such big fiscal problems in Brazil. After arriving Spain the attacks began and the attacks have now spread to Brazil. We will respect the contract he has with the club but we don't want a renewal without peace of mind.”

 

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Luxembourg 0-2 Portugal: Andres & Nani seal friendly win

A first-half strike from Andres Andres and Nani's unorthodox free-kick was the difference between Portugal and Luxembourg, as the visitors took the honours 2-0 in a surprisingly tight clash.

The midfielder was on hand to stroke home after excellent work from Vierinha towards the end of the first-half.

And Nani secured victory two minutes from time in bizarre fashion, when his mishit set-piece fooled Joubert in goal and crept into the corner.

Luxembourg were full of confidence after pulling off a surprise 1-0 victory against Greece on Friday and battled hard, Stefano Bensi and Aurelien Joachim both going close.

Awful weather made conditions particularly hard in the second half and the home side were denied a late penalty when the ball struck Neto on the arm in the box, but the officials did not think the contact was deliberate.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos named a young team, making 10 changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Russia on Friday night, with only Andre keeping his place. Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the Portugal squad for these friendlies.

Although Portugal dominated possession in the early stages, Luxembourg had the first clear chance after 12 minutes. Stefano Bensi broke down the right and crossed for Joachim, who shot first time just wide.

Portugal should have taken the lead eight minutes later. After Mario Mutsch was booked for a foul, Joubert flapped at Ruben Neves' free-kick and Neto headed over the crossbar.

Bensi then had a fine chance to open the scoring, but Anthony Lopes saved with his legs and Joachim's shot from the rebound was blocked and another effort from Bensi went just wide.

Andre found Joao with a ball over the top of the Luxembourg defence after 28 minutes, but, after rounding Joubert, his touch was heavy and his shot hit the side netting.

Portugal's mounting pressure, though, did pay off two minutes later when Vieirinha did well down the right and crossed for Andre to shoot low past Joubert.

Luxembourg, 142 places below Portugal in the FIFA rankings, responded strongly and Christopher Martins Pereira fired wide.

Vieirinha came close to doubling his side's lead after 39 minutes with a low free-kick from the edge of the box that curled narrowly wide. Joao then missed a fabulous chance from six yards just before the break, side-footing wide after linking up brilliantly with Rafa Silva.

Both teams struggled for cohesion in the second half as substitutions slowed down the tempo, although Neto went close after 57 minutes.

Heavy rain made conditions difficult with both sides struggling for balance on the slippery pitch. Joachim, Luxembourg's hero against Greece, had a couple of sights of goal, but was unable to make his chances count.

The hosts then saw their penalty appeals against Neto waved away before substitute Nani compounded their frustrations when he stepped up to convert a late free-kick with a fine low finish into the bottom corner.

 

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Denmark 2-2 Sweden (agg. 3-4): Ibrahimovic seals place at Euro 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Sweden secured a 2-2 draw with Denmark that sends them to Euro 2016 as 4-3 victors on aggregate.

Ibrahimovic, who intends to call time on his international career following the tournament in France, gave the visitors the lead in Copenhagen against the run of play midway through the first half before adding a sensational second after the interval.

Sweden's opener, converted by the Paris Saint-Germain forward from a corner, came shortly after Kim Kallstrom had been inches away from putting the ball into his own net.

Kasper Schmeichel impressively denied Ibrahimovic a second of the night but the Sweden captain doubled his tally by curling in a sublime free kick to all but seal his country's qualification.

Erik Hamren's men were made to sweat after Yussuf Poulsen and Jannik Vestergaard netted late on, but Denmark remained two goals short due to the away goals rule.

After an impeccably observed minute's silence following last week's terror attacks in Paris, Denmark - buoyed by Nicolai Jorgensen's late goal in the first leg - started well, almost making their supremacy count when Kallstrom inadvertently deflected Poulsen's effort onto the crossbar.

But despite their promising start, the hosts found themselves behind 20 minutes in, Ibrahimovic – who scored a first goal of his extensive career against Denmark in the first leg – nudged Sweden ahead with a deft half-volley after latching onto Kallstrom's corner.

Schmeichel made a fantastic save to deny Ibrahimovic a second as the half-hour mark approached, with Andreas Isaksson parrying away Christian Eriksen's dipping free-kick at the other end.

Ibrahimovic was at the heart of the next chance, effortlessly shaking off two defenders to race onto Sebastian Larsson's overhit pass before drilling in a venomous cross that Daniel Agger somehow managed to divert over his own crossbar.

Denmark started the second half in similar fashion to the first, and were almost rewarded for their efforts when Andreas Granqvist turned Jorgensen's curling delivery just wide of his own upright.

Eriksen looked set to restore parity when he drilled in a powerful strike from the edge of the box, but Isaksson made a superb save to nudge it wide.

And Denmark were again made to pay for their lack of cutting-edge a few moments later, Ibrahimovic giving Schmeichel no chance with a pin-point swerving free-kick from 25 yards out.

Poulsen pulled one back with a back-post header with 10 minutes remaining, and the Parken crowd were on their feet as Vestergaard bundled home from a chaotic corner kick.

However, there was too much for Denmark to do, as coach Morten Olsen's 16-year tenure was brought to an end in disappointing circumstances.

 

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Congratzz Sweden!

Sweden qualify wechcha 1ka godak hodai​

 

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Italy 2-2 Romania: Late Andone goal pegs Azzurri back

Salvatore Sirigu made a crucial error that allowed Florin Andone to score a late equaliser as Romania held Italy to a 2-2 draw in Bologna.

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper had only been on the field for 20 minutes, as a substitute for veteran Gianluigi Buffon, when he parried the ball into the path of Andone who levelled the match in the 89th minute.

Bogdan Stancu's first-half goal for Romania was cancelled out by a Claudio Marchisio penalty, before Manolo Gabbiadini scored his first international goal and Italy looked to have completed an impressive turnaround.

But Antonio Conte's final substitution of the match proved to be decisive, when Sirigu failed to hold Vlad Chiriches' header and Andone struck from point-blank range to send the Romanian supporters home happy.

The result was hard-earned by a Romania side that seemed determined to defy their position one place below Italy in Fifa's world rankings with a confident performance, and Conte's men were left with a defeat and a draw to show for their two November friendlies.

Italy had Buffon to thank for keeping the scores level when the veteran goalkeeper was at full stretch early on to save from Gabriel Torje's sweetly struck drive.

But Buffon could do nothing to prevent Stancu opening the scoring moments later, after a mix up between Matteo Darmian and Andrea Barzagli allowed the Genclerbirligi forward to dart into the box and side-foot a cool finish into the net.

The home team showed no lack of urgency as they looked to bounce straight back into the contest, and Alessandro Florenzi delivered a cross that flashed across the face of goal as Eder slid in just too late to convert it.

Italy's best chance of the half went begging when Eder made a great run to the byline and sent over an inch-perfect cross, but Stephan El Shaarawy got the ball tangled up in his feet and failed to test Ciprian Tatarusanu with a shot.
Romania's lead looked precarious just before half-time, as Marchisio rifled a shot just over the crossbar and Eder had a strong penalty claim turned away, but the hosts went in at the break with nothing to show for their efforts.

Within 10 minutes of the restart, Italy were given a lifeline when Dragos Grigore felled Eder in the penalty area and Marchisio struck a near-perfect spot-kick, sending the ball into the top corner off the crossbar.

Conte then brought Eder off as part of a triple substitution that saw Gabbiadini step up off the bench, and within six minutes of his introduction the Napoli winger was presented with the easiest of chances and he headed home unchallenged from five yards out.

But just as Italy looked to have wrapped up their fifth win in six games, Chiriches' header from Lucian Sanmartean's free-kick was parried by Sirigu to the feet of the grateful substitute Andone, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.

 

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England 2-0 France: Alli & Rooney score on emotional night at Wembley

Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney scored to earn England a 2-0 victory over France on an emotional night at Wembley in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks.

Tuesday's international fixtures were once again overshadowed by security fears, with matches in Belgium and Germany cancelled following last Friday's events.

But - with a heightened police presence - the match at Wembley went ahead as planned, with the stadium's arch lit up in the colours of the French flag and 'Liberte, egalite, fraternite' greeting supporters at the end of Wembley Way.

The Duke of Cambridge and prime minister David Cameron joined Roy Hodgson, Didier Deschamps and their respective teams on the field for moving pre-match tributes, including a rousing rendition of the French national anthem La Marseillaise.

Alli, making his first international start alongside Tottenham team-mate Eric Dier in midfield, illuminated the contest after 39 minutes by netting from long range.

Rooney struck his 51st international goal early in the second half.

France substitute Lassana Diarra was granted a wonderful ovation around the ground when he came on as a 57th-minute substitute – the Marseille midfielder's cousin was killed during the attacks four days ago – on an evening where a stirring demonstration of solidarity far outstripped the importance of the action on the field.

It was a friendly that began in the expected becalmed fashion, although France, whose players spent much of Friday night inside Stade de France with their Germany counterparts after their 2-0 friendly victory was targeted by three suicide bombers, made the more assured start in London with Yohan Cabaye sending a speculative effort over the crossbar.

Visiting captain Hugo Lloris in the France goal handed an eighth-minute opportunity to Harry Kane with a badly sliced clearance, but his Tottenham club-mate's attempt to capitalise was similarly lacking in quality.

England crafted a first clear opening after half an hour, with Kane's measured through ball finding Rooney, whose clever footwork took him beyond Laurent Koscielny before he lashed narrowly wide.

Koscielny tried to get a block in when Alli drove towards goal, but the youngster's unerring 25-yard strike took a slight deflection off the Arsenal man and sailed into the top-left corner.

Hodgson's men sought to press home their advantage and Raheem Sterling almost crowned a jinking run with a second before half-time.

Alli and Sterling were both involved as Rooney did make it 2-0 three minutes into the second half – the former muscling France substitute Paul Pogba off the ball to feed Sterling, whose left-wing cross was volleyed beyond Lloris by the skipper at the back post.

Confidence was now coursing through the hosts and Lloris looked on anxiously as Kane's audacious swerving strike flew narrowly off target.
Wembley rose to welcome Diarra before Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, on for Joe Hart at the interval, saved brilliantly from Manchester United star Anthony Martial.

Antoine Griezmann, the Atletico Madrid forward whose sister survived Friday's siege at the Bataclan theatre where 89 people died, was also given an outing off the bench as a unity of sentiment and spirit overrode the sensations of victory and defeat that would normally dominate such a showpiece occasion.

 

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France mentally th down wela hitiyeplay karapu 1ka ganath sathutu wenna one​

 

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Colombia 0-1 Argentina: Martino's men grab vital World Cup win

Lucas Biglia's goal gave Gerardo Martino a lifeline in the Argentina hotseat, as the nation downed Colombia 1-0 to put their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.

A miserly two points in the opening three games had sent the Albiceleste near the bottom of the Conmebol standings, and raised questions about the ex-Barcelona man's future on the bench.

But Biglia struck after a fine team move which he started in his own half, giving Argentina some breathing space in the last qualifier of 2015.

Jose Pekerman's team pushed for an equaliser and were denied a penalty when Teofilo Gutierrez went down under a challenge from Ramiro Funes Mori.

Chances were few and far between in the second half, with Argentina limiting their opponents to efforts from outside the box.

Martino's side saw the game out to end Colombia's run of seven home matches in World Cup qualifying without defeat.

The two sides, both having dropped points in their previous fixtures, were positive from the outset as they sought to make amends.

Ever Banega looked impressive in possession but it was Angel di Maria who created the first opening with 12 minutes played, Gonzalo Higuain firing his cutback over the top.

The deadlock was broken eight minutes later as Zapata failed to deal with Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross following a swift Argentina counter-attack, leaving Biglia the simple task of tapping into gaping net.

Zapata could have been dismissed for a trip on Di Maria when the winger raced in behind the Colombia defence, but the referee deemed the foul only to be worthy of a yellow card.

A mix-up between Funes Mori and Sergio Romero almost gifted Pekerman's side a route back into the game in the 34th minute, but the Argentina goalkeeper recovered in time to stop Carlos Bacca converting.

The home fans were calling for a penalty moments later when the Everton defender sent Gutierrez to ground inside the box moments later, though the referee did not agree.

Di Maria could have doubled Argentina's lead five minutes before the interval but, after being released by Higuain, he rolled the ball wide.

Banega fired straight at David Ospina before Frank Fabra fired wide in the 50th minute as the second half began in entertaining fashion.

The tempo of the game suffered as the pitch cut up, with Luis Muriel - on for the second half in place of Macnelly Torres - lashing his first strike at goal high of the target.

Edwin Cardona warmed Romero's gloves with a 25-yard strike but Colombia were unable to find an equaliser.
Paulo Dybala was denied a first international goal by a tight offside call with nine minutes remaining.

In the final minute of normal time, Gino Peruzzi fed Dybala in the box and the Juventus striker did superbly to turn away from Zapata before hitting the upright.

An error from Romero almost resulted in a 93rd-minute equaliser, but Jeison Murillo blasted his shot wide of the target with the keeper out of his net, the lone Biglia strike proving enough for the away team.

The beaten World Cup finalists are next in action away to Copa America nemesis Chile on March 23. Colombia travel to face Bolivia on the same day.