..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

'He unlocked the match' - Lopetegui lauds Isco for impressive display


Spain coach Julen Lopetegui praised Isco after the attacker's match-winning display against Italy in World Cup qualifying.Isco scored a first-half brace before Alvaro Morata came off the bench to seal Spain's 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

While he preferred to focus on his team's performance, Lopetegui hailed Isco, who curled in a stunning 20-yard free-kick before later beating Gianluigi Buffon from outside the area for a second time.

"He made a great match, like the rest of his team-mates. He unlocked the match," Lopetegui said of the Real Madrid man.

"He scored two fantastic goals and has been very good under pressure. He wants to be a main player and fortunately he is with us."He has had more games and it makes you grow, mature and become more polished. He is a great player. He has grown significantly with and without the ball."

The result saw Spain make it six wins in seven qualifiers, lifting them three points clear atop the table. Lopetegui was pleased with the result as his side moved a step closer to Russia 2018.

"We had great confidence, tremendous spirit and knew how to solve complicated moments," he said."I'm content and satisfied because it was a very complicated opponent."

Spain are back in action with a clash against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ruud van Nistelrooy impressed by Lukaku's early form at Man Utd


Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is impressed with Romelu Lukaku's start to life at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy, a striking great for United between 2001 and 2006, has been an interested observer of Lukaku since he signed for an initial fee of around £75million from Everton in July.

The Belgium international has scored three times in as many games as Jose Mourinho's side have made a perfect start to the new Premier League season, while also netting in the UEFA Super Cup loss to Real Madrid.

Lukaku still has a long way to go to reach the 150 strikes Van Nistelrooy netted for United, but the Dutchman likes what he sees."He's done great," Van Nistelrooy, 41, told Sky Sports of Lukaku after scoring a penalty for United in a legends match against Barcelona at Old Trafford .

"To score in your first games here after you have been transferred for a lot of money, it is nice to get that pressure out of the way and get your first goals in.
"He has done well. Not only scoring but also providing, making his runs and doing his work. So it looks good for the season."Van Nistelrooy is well aware of the scrutiny Lukaku will come under this year and beyond.

"There's always pressure to score here – but that also makes it interesting, dealing with that," he said."The goals are expected and if you don't score there is a lot of talk about you not scoring. Then there's pressure on the next game."

Van Nistelrooy is optimistic that United will be competing to win the top competitions under Mourinho this season, after finishing sixth along with EFL Cup and Europa League silverware in 2016-17. "They had a great pre-season and continued that at the start of the league," he said."The only team with nine points, 10 goals and none against. They have had a wonderful start.

"The Champions League will start now so I'm very excited to see how they will do there. They look impressive at the moment and they can challenge this season for the big ones."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I don't know if I deserve so much love' - David Villa thrilled with Spain return

David Villa spoke of his pride at returning to the international scene in Spain's 3-0 victory over Italy on Saturday.

The former Valencia and Barcelona star last took the field for his national side over three years ago at the 2014 World Cup, but came on as a late sub to win his 98th cap at the age of 35.

The New York City striker has been in fine form since making his move to Major League Soccer, winning the league's Most Valuable Player award last season and currently sitting atop the league's scoring charts. While Villa never really retired from the national team, his long absence and subsequent return brought about plenty of emotion for the striker.

"I've always said it was difficult for me to come back, but I had not given up the dream. It makes me very happy to be here," Villa, who received a rapturous reception from the home support, said to Teledeporte ."To all those who have trusted me to come, thank you. It was a key moment with this game for qualification.

"The feeling is very difficult to describe, I'm very happy. Thanks to everyone. I do not know if I deserve so much love."One hundred caps? You have to go step by step. Now it is time to rest, try to play the 99th and then we will see."

Villa also praised the man he replaced, Isco, whose magnificent individual form for club and country continued as he scored a double to break Italy's 11-year unbeaten run in qualifying .

"I know Isco from the Valencia youth set-up, he was already training with the first team and knocking on the door," he said of the 25-year-old. "He is a great guy and he is in a great moment. I'm very happy for him. We can all enjoy him because he is Spanish, thank God. We will enjoy him for the national team."

"I know Isco from the Valencia youth set-up, he was already training with the first team and knocking on the door," he said of the 25-year-old. "He is a great guy and he is in a great moment. I'm very happy for him. We can all enjoy him because he is Spanish, thank God. We will enjoy him for the national team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy's incredible 11-year unbeaten qualification run ended by rampant Spain


Spain and Italy were out to protect excellent unbeaten runs when they met in the Santiago Bernabeu, as well as seizing the advantage in their World Cup qualifying group.The two sides were level on points ahead of their Group G game after six games as the race to Russia in 2018 becomes intense, but there was something else at stake in Saturday's encounter.

The Azzurri had not suffered a loss in the preliminary European Championship and World Cup phase since a France team consisting of Thierry Henry, Claude Makelele and Patrick Vieira beat them 3-1 in 2006.

Meanwhile, 59 games had gone by since the last time Spain were beaten in World Cup qualifiers - a 1-0 defeat to a Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup-led Denmark in 1993. The two sides failed to get the better of each other when they met in Italy in the previous fixture, but there was no share of the spoils this time around.

A double from Isco and one goal from Alvaro Morata ensured that Italy's run stopped at 56 games. Interestingly, Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli were the only Italy players to feature in both defeats.

Spain, however, are 24 years and counting!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rooney calls Lukaku the ‘perfect player’ for Manchester United


Wayne Rooney has praised Romelu Lukaku as the “perfect player” for Manchester United, declaring he will definitely improve the team.A £75 million move took the Belgian striker to Old Trafford from Everton, with Rooney moving in the opposite direction in a separate deal.


Lukaku is off to a dream start for United, scoring three times in their first three games, all victories for the Red Devils.And Rooney is not surprised at the striker’s performance, telling talkSPORT in an interview that he sees Lukaku as a the perfect fit for United.

"For that United side, he is the perfect player," Rooney said."He is powerful, quick and strong and he scores goals, so certainly will improve that team."And Rooney is not the only former United player lavishing praise on the Lukaku acquisition.

Louis Saha told reporters he believes Lukaku could achieve impressive personal accolades with the Red Devils, even while understanding the team comes first.

When asked by reporters if Lukaku could win the Premier League Golden Boot, Saha answered: "I think so, he looks like he has got all the players around him to fit him.

"He will get better through the season as I think he understands this club is all about winning. Not only games, but trophies. So he will know that he has to keep going and reach 20 to 25 goals."He definitely has the power to bring in other players to score goals. So he will definitely hope this side wins trophies.”

Lukaku is currently on international duty with Belgium and continued to display his red-hot form with a hat-trick in a 9-0 win over Gibraltar in World Cup qualifying Thursday.

United are next in action at Stoke on Saturday, while the club kicks off their Champions League campaign Tuesday against Basel, before taking on Rooney and Everton the following Sunday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy boss Ventura: I couldn't help but applaud Isco


Isco's stunning individual performance for Spain against Italy left Giampiero Ventura feeling he had no choice but to applaud.

Spain thumped Ventura's side 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, with the Real Madrid star's first-half double proving decisive before substitute Alvaro Morata sealed victory late on.

Isco delighted his home crowd with a magnificent free-kick and an accurate low strike, his second goal seeing him glide past Marco Verratti, who was given a torrid time.The Spain standout also executed a magnificent second-half nutmeg against the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder which has since gone viral.

Italy boss Ventura watched on in admiration of Isco's performance and conceded to actually enjoying the experience. "I could not help but applaud him when I saw him, he was a rival, but I am a lover of the beautiful things of this sport," said Ventura.

"It was nice to see Isco live. He is a great player who did incredible things, you just have to think about the technical manoeuvre of the nutmeg he did in midfield, he left two opponents red-faced, then in the second half between three opponents and you do a nutmeg, that means he has incredible class, obviously superior to the rest of the players.

"But not just Isco, there were other players with a lot of class too. You have to be humble to recognise it and we have to work in order to be competitive."
Italy are at home to Israel in Group G on Tuesday, while leaders Spain travel to Liechtenstein.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mbappe reveals why he decided to join PSG


Kylian Mbappe opted for Paris Saint-Germain over a host of European suitors because he wants to make history in Ligue 1 before leaving France.

Mbappe rose to stardom last season after a thrilling campaign with Monaco, the 18-year-old scoring 26 goals in all competitions as Leonardo Jardim's young side lifted the league title and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

His outstanding displays under Jardim led to the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal all being linked with a close-season swoop for the teenage prodigy.

However, Mbappe opted to swap Monaco for PSG after the clubs agreed a season-long loan deal with a binding option to make the move permanent for €180 million.

Mbappe revealed staying in his homeland was a conscious decision so early in his career and that the presence of Neymar made PSG too good to turn down."Great players make history in their own country," he told Telefoot. "If I had left France after six months I would have left as an eternal hope.

"When you come to Paris you are at a club that has the ambition to be the best in the world, you have come to a club that wants to play in all the competitions. "I'm going to give everything I have got to make history with PSG.

"Playing with Neymar is something extraordinary. PSG already interested me, but having Neymar is an additional boost."The forward also paid tribute to Monaco, saying the club will remain dear to him.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wayne Rooney rules out England return for 2018 World Cup


Wayne Rooney has no intention to come out of international retirement to try to help England at the 2018 World Cup - should they qualify.England's record goalscorer called time on his career with the national team in August after falling out of favour with Gareth Southgate due to a lack of playing time at Manchester United.

Two goals in his first two matches for Everton this season had led to calls for a recall, but Rooney retired before Southgate named his squad to play Malta and Slovakia."My mind is made up," Rooney, who was charged with drink driving on Friday, told talkSPORT. "I have seen it a few times, where players have come out of retirement and gone to tournaments - and it's not right.

"The lads who are trying to qualify for Russia will be the players that deserve to play in the tournament. So my decision has been made."I've had my time. I can't have any regrets. It's now time for some of the younger lads to step up and try to take it further.

"Of course I'll be watching. I've made it clear throughout my career that I love playing for England and want England to do well - and that remains.

"Now I won't be playing, I'll be watching with the same interest as everyone else. Hopefully we can go that next step in the tournament."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger confirms Lemar rejected €100m Arsenal move but promises future bid


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that the Premier League side bid €100 million for Thomas Lemar, but intends to make a second offer for the midfielder after he decided to reject the Gunners for Monaco.

Wenger wanted to bring the 21-year-old to the Premier League, and put in a deadline day bid for Lemar as Alexis Sanchez looked to be on his way to Manchester City. However, Lemar's decision to turn down a chance to join the Gunners saw both moves break down.

Despite the France international choosing Monaco over Arsenal, Wenger revealed that he would continue his pursuit of the midfielder, and will make another offer in the future.

"He decided to stay at Monaco," Wenger told Telefoot. "Did we make a €100m offer? Yes. Are we going to make another offer? Yes."He is always ready to receive the ball, he is quite complete in both defence and attack."

Lemar showed his class for France on Thursday, scoring a stunning goal in their 4-0 win over Netherlands, admitting after the win that the speculation surrounding his future did not affect him."I am a player of Monaco, I am very happy there," Lemar told Canal+."Now I'm going to make a good season with my club, to try to progress and move forward in my career with Monaco.

"I prepared for this game as usual. I do not lose my head, even if there are rumours. I was focused on my game, that's all that mattered to me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Giggs sees Rashford 'problem' but tips him to emulate Arsenal legend Henry


Marcus Rashford has a “problem” finding central striking starts for Manchester United and England but can flourish in a wider post, says Ryan Giggs.

The 19-year-old burst onto the scene at Old Trafford in February 2016 operating down the middle under Louis van Gaal, as the Red Devils looked to their academy system for assistance during an injury crisis.

He has, however, since being forced to accept more of a support role, with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku favoured by Jose Mourinho in a No. 9 berth.

Giggs does not see that being a problem for the youngster, with it possible that he can emulate Arsenal legend Thierry Henry by drifting in from the flanks before becoming an out-and-out striker in the future.The United legend told ITV on Rashford’s lack of central opportunities: “Yeah that could be a problem for him.

“He’s not going to play centre-forward of United too often with Lukaku, Ibrahimovic as well. “For England with [Harry] Kane, he’s not going to play centre-forward.”

Giggs added: “He can definitely play out wide, but eventually he’s going to be a No. 9.“I see similarities with Thierry Henry myself, he’s brilliant off the left. “Even if he’s playing centre-forward, he drifts off to the left where you can take players on either side.

“But then, if he’s not played centre-forward a lot and all of a sudden Kane gets injured and you ask him to play up front, he can do it.”Rashford managed eight goals in 18 appearances during his debut campaign, before contributing 11 in 53 outings last season.

He is up and running for the current campaign, with an important effort netted last time out against Leicester to help United preserve their faultless start and cement a standing at the top of the early Premier League standings.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luis Garcia: Coutinho stay crucial for Liverpool


Former Liverpool star Luis Garcia believes keeping Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho at the club was vital for the Premier League side.Coutinho, 25, was a major target for the La Liga giants during the transfer window, but Liverpool stood firm to keep the Brazil international.

Garcia, who won a Champions League with Liverpool, talked up the significance of holding onto Coutinho amid Barcelona's interest."Of course everybody would like to have Coutinho in their team because for the last two or three years he has been showing how important he is for Liverpool," the Spaniard said on Saturday.

"Many, many teams have been interested in signing him so, for Liverpool, I think it was very important for them to keep him."If they want to be competitive in this difficult Premier League they need to keep all of their important players."

Even without Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp's men have made a bright start to the Premier League season, claiming seven points from three games to be second in the table.

New signing Mohamed Salah has impressed, scoring three goals in five games in all competitions."The add of Salah was important," Garcia said. "I think we've seen he has fit very well into the team and scored a few goals and he is showing he is fantastic with the other players.

"I think they are pretty happy but again it depends on their future results but they have had a fantastic pre-season and it looks like a bright future."

Liverpool's first game after the international break is a blockbuster clash against Manchester City on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Henderson to remain England captain against Slovakia


Jordan Henderson will remain as England captain for Monday's World Cup qualifier at home to Slovakia.

Manager Gareth Southgate confirmed the Liverpool midfielder will remain as skipper after leading his country in the 4-0 away win over Malta on Friday.

Southgate is yet to announce a new permanent captain since the international retirement of Everton forward Wayne Rooney.

A second straight game with the armband would appear to put Henderson in a strong position for the role, with Gary Cahill and Harry Kane also mooted as candidates.

"Jordan stays [as captain] and there is no point in changing that," Southgate said at his pre-match media conference. "Normally the captain does the two games when we have been together unless we change the team and that guy does not play."Southgate also confirmed Manchester United defender Phil Jones will start the Slovakia match alongside Henderson, with all 26 of his players available for selection.

England are two points clear of closest rivals Slovakia at the top of Group F and a victory would put them on the brink of sealing their place in Russia, while defeat would see them lose top spot.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Greece 1 Belgium 2: Vertonghen and Lukaku secure World Cup spot

Belgium got the better of a whirlwind five-minute spell to beat Greece 2-1 and confirm their place at the 2018 World Cup.

Roberto Martinez's men would have been all-but qualified for Russia with a draw, but goals from Jan Vertonghen and Romelu Lukaku rubber-stamped their progression - making them the first European team to book their spot at the tournament.

Belgium had dominated the game for little reward until the 70th minute when Vertonghen smashed home from long-range.Zeca volleyed in as a shaky visiting defence went to sleep, but Lukaku popped up less than two minutes later to secure the points in Piraeus.

Defeat for Greece sees them lose second place to Bosnia-Herzegovina, who beat Gibraltar, but Martinez's men may afford their beaten opponents a favour when they face the Bosnians next time out.


Come the tournament next year, Martinez may use this game as a template for beating stubborn, defensive sides, with his players having hogged possession in threatening territory for large parts of the first half, only to see the hosts go closest to breaking the deadlock.

Anastasios Donis drove straight through the heart of Belgium's defence from inside his own half before forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois, who was a spectator as Kostas Stafylidis whipped a 25-yard effort off the right-hand post to great encouragement from the stands.

Vertonghen almost turned Giannis Maniatis' cross into his own net and his tame 30-yarder soon after at the other end was Belgium's first shot of the match midway through the opening period, summing up their stodgy attacking play.

The Tottenham defender almost opened things up for Kostas Fortounis with an unconvincing defensive header, but Courtois was on hand to scoop the ball away from the Olympiacos playmaker's feet in the nick of time.

Once again Vertonghen was in the thick of the action, bringing a soporific second half to life when he advanced from his defensive position and thumped a dipping effort beyond the reach of Orestis Karnezis.

The defensive uncertainty that had simmered in Belgium's ranks spilled over just three minutes later when Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Carrasco looked every inch a makeshift wing-back as he watched Zeca run onto Georgios Tzavellas' cross and volley home.

Lukaku silenced the home crowd almost immediately, though, as Thomas Meunier's cross from the right picked out the Manchester United striker to nod across Karnezis and in.



Dries Mertens wasted a late chance to make sure of the win, but it mattered little and Martinez can now begin preparations in earnest as this gilded group of Belgian players look to make their mark on the global stage.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Belgium patta​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hungary 0 Portugal 1: Silva's header keeps pressure on Switzerland

Portugal's hopes of earning automatic World Cup qualification remain on track following a narrow 1-0 win over 10-man Hungary in Budapest.Andre Silva nodded in the only goal from Cristiano Ronaldo's cross to keep the pressure on Group B leaders Switzerland, who remain three points clear after beating Latvia.

The visitors' task was made easier by the first-half dismissal of former Watford and Ipswich forward Tamas Priskin, although Fernando Santos' side did have to wait until after the interval for Silva to break the deadlock.Hungary defended stoutly either side of Priskin's elbow on Pepe but rarely threatened an upset, registering just a single shot on goal.

Ronaldo, fresh from a hat-trick in Thursday's 5-1 victory over Faroe Islands, was kept quiet at the other end and will have to wait for what would be a record-breaking 15th goal of this qualifying campaign.

And with Bernd Storck's men now out of the running, Portugal only need to beat Andorra next month to set up a showdown with Switzerland, who have an inferior goal difference, to determine who progresses straight to Russia.


Ronaldo began his goal-hunt as early as the fifth minute, stinging the palms of Peter Gulacsi from distance and then heading a far-post cross inches wide of the upright.Hungary steadied after a concerning start and managed to restrict the visitors to a series of blocked attempts from outside the area, although Cedric Soares should have produced a better touch when a ricochet fell into his path.

Priskin, however, brought that good work undone when he was shown a straight red card on 30 minutes for catching Pepe in the face with a stray elbow.

Balazs Dzsudzsak scored twice when the two teams drew 3-3 at Euro 2016 and the skipper cleverly picked out Gergo Lovrencsics for Hungary's best chance of the half, but the Ferencvaros man failed to test Rui Patricio with a difficult shot on the turn.

Fabio Coentrao, back in Portugal's squad for the first time since October 2015, was withdrawn due to injury before that action and Santos' frustration grew on the stroke of half-time as Silva shot straight at Gulacsi following an intricate team move.Silva only needed three minutes of the second half to redeem that missed chance, the 21-year-old nodding in Ronaldo's perfect dinked to the far post.

Portugal were content to take the sting out of the contest following Silva's goal and, after Gulacsi diffused one chance for a potential second, Santos' side comfortably saw out the remaining 15 minutes to set the stage for a blockbuster October.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France 0 Luxembourg 0: Stubborn visitors hold on for sensational draw

France's World Cup qualifying campaign suffered an unexpected blow as Didier Deschamps' side were held to a 0-0 draw by Luxembourg.Luc Holtz's minnows, ranked 136th by FIFA, battled tirelessly to earn arguably the most impressive result in the country's history in Toulouse, keeping a star-studded France line-up full of attacking prowess at bay.

The hosts peppered the Luxembourg goal with shots throughout the contest and Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar with a first-half free-kick, while Kylian Mbappe tormented defenders with his pace.

But Luxembourg goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert had the game of his life, pulling off a string of world-class saves to deny the likes of Paul Pogba and Djibril Sidibe when they looked certain to score.

A stunning story almost had an even more sensational finish when Luxembourg substitute Gerson Rodrigues struck the base of the post late on, as France narrowly avoided further ignominy on an already humbling evening.

The result leaves Les Bleus top of Group A by just one point after second-placed Sweden beat Belarus 4-0 to narrow the gap, and Deschamps' men must deliver victories in October's games against Bulgaria and Belarus to make sure of their place at Russia 2018.


Deschamps made one change to the team that so devastatingly beat Netherlands 4-0 last time out, rewarding Mbappe for his goalscoring performance as a substitute with a starting place ahead of Kingsley Coman.

The Paris Saint-Germain loanee burst down the left flank after 11 minutes and cut the ball back only for Griezmann to aim too high with his shot, and moments later Joubert recovered from a mistake to save another Griezmann attempt.The pressure on Joubert's goal steadily increased and Pogba tested the goalkeeper with a low drive before Luxembourg forward Vincent Thill gave the hosts a scare, firing narrowly over the crossbar after racing clear of the France defence.

It took a brilliant one-handed save from Joubert at full stretch to keep out Pogba's 20-yard shot after 36 minutes, and Griezmann shook the crossbar with a thunderous free-kick two minutes later, but half-time arrived with the scoresheet blank.

Frustration began to grow around the stadium as Luxembourg continued to soak up waves of France pressure in the second half and added a degree of composure to their play when in possession.

Deschamps sent on Coman and Alexandre Lacazette for Mbappe and Olivier Giroud after 59 minutes, while Joubert continued his heroics for Luxembourg, saving low to his left from a Sidibe header at close range.Layvin Kurzawa headed wide from the edge of the box after 68 minutes before Luxembourg's Chris Philipps made vital blocks to prevent shots by Griezmann and Lacazette while Pogba nodded against the crossbar as the tension mounted.

France's night was very nearly completely ruined in the 78th minute when Rodrigues broke clean through on goal and beat Hugo Lloris with a shot that came back off the far post, allowing the home crowd to breathe a sigh of relief.But there was no breakthrough at the other end as further late chances went begging and Holtz's side held on to clinch a famous result.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands 3 Bulgaria 1: Propper double keeps World Cup hopes alive

Davy Propper scored a brace as Netherlands kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over Bulgaria in Amsterdam.Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Propper, one of three players brought in by Dick Advocaat after Thursday's heavy defeat to France, scored his first international goal early on.

Captain Arjen Robben doubled Netherlands' advantage after the break, before Bulgaria's Georgi Kostadinov got the faintest of touches on Ivelin Popov's free-kick to ensure the hosts were made to work for victory.

Propper then headed in with 10 minutes remaining to secure a win that gave Netherlands some revenge after their 2-0 loss to Bulgaria in March, which proved to be the last straw prior to the sacking of former coach Danny Blind.Netherlands move above Bulgaria into third in Group A, but still face a tough task to qualify, as Sweden – who defeated Belarus – sit three points clear of them with only two games to play.

The Oranje's hopes are further complicated by Sweden holding a much stronger goal difference. France are also three clear, but can extend that to six with a win at home to Luxembourg later on Sunday.Bulgaria are four adrift of Sweden with their hopes of reaching Russia now faint at best.


The hosts made a fast start to the match and moved in front in the seventh minute.
Daley Blind played a neat one-two with Vincent Janssen as part of a swift passing move and sent in an accurate cross from the left which the onrushing Propper slotted home from inside the six-yard box.

Bulgaria almost responded against the run of play when a deep right-wing cross from Strahil Popov found a back-pedalling Kostadinov, who stretched to send a good header bouncing off the post with home goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen beaten.
With Netherlands dominating possession, the visitors made a tactical change midway through the first half as Simeon Slavchev replaced Aleksandar Tsvetkov.

Janssen collected a pass from Propper and turned well to fire wide with a 25-yard effort, shortly before Bulgaria keeper Plamen Iliev made a simple save from another attempt from the Tottenham striker as the Oranje went into the break one up.

The Netherlands number nine produced a poor finish from another shooting opportunity after the break, with Propper again the creator. But Advocaat's men were on top and deservedly doubled their lead with 23 minutes remaining.In a goal that was similar to their opener, Quincy Promes sent Blind clear down the left and another square cross from the Manchester United defender was converted, this time by a sliding Robben.

Bulgaria had not registered a shot on target until they made a prompt response when an in-swinging free-kick from Ivelin Popov flew all the way into the far corner, with Kostadinov claiming he had got a touch on the way through.

With nerves fraying, Robben forced a save from Iliev, while Ivelin Popov forced Cillessen into action at the other end.The decisive moment then arrived, with Promes twisting into space down the left and sending in a precise delivery for an unmarked Propper to head into the bottom corner.

With his first two international goals scored in a huge clash, man of the moment Propper was substituted to a generous ovation in the closing stages as Netherlands turned their attention to next month's crucial double-header against Belarus and Sweden.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I cannot understand how PSG did not break FFP over Mbappe, says Monaco president


Monaco president Vadim Vasilyev has admitted he is bewildered over how Paris Saint-Germain circumvented Financial Fair Play rules in bringing Kylian Mbappe to the French capital.

Having already smashed the world transfer record with the arrival of Neymar, PSG pulled off another coup by landing Mbappe from their Ligue 1 rivals. The teenage wonderkid moves on an initial one-year loan, but with a compulsory purchase option that will push the total transfer value to a whopping €180 million.


Vasilyev, who ironed out the details of the transfer along with PSG and Mbappe's representatives, has now affirmed that he cannot fathom how the buyers have stayed within the financial limits stipulated by UEFA.

"It was a very tough transfer. At the start, we didn't want to let him go to a direct competitor, but I've always shared a good relationship with his father who is also his agent. They convinced me," the Russian explained to TASS.

"But the talks with Paris were very complicated. We couldn't understand how they could sign the player without breaking FFP."Ultimately, however, Vasilyev explained that the offer was just too good to refuse.

"It was a deal between three parties. The Mbappes always said that it was going to be done by the best terms for us," he added.

"Paris paid the price we asked, which was as much as we got from other European clubs". The principality club saw a host of top talents leave over a lucrative summer.

As well as Mbappe, the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko moved on from the Champions League semi-finalists.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Southgate hails 'best defender' Jones


Phil Jones has been hailed as England's best defender by Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions prepare to face Slovakia in a crucial World Cup qualifier.Jones earned his 22nd cap on Friday when England beat Malta 4-0 to ensure they go into Monday's clash at Wembley with a two-point lead at the top of Group F.

Slovakia have won each of their last five qualifiers, scoring 13 goals in the process, and Southgate discussed the value of Jones' experience to his defence.

"Not just this season, in terms of when I've been looking at him, but there was a long period last season where I think he's been the best defender," said Southgate.

"He's got very good composure on the ball, he's got the pace and the reading of the game, he's aggressive in his defending - which I like - and I think he's got fantastic experience although he's still only relatively young.

"He organises well, he competes well, so I'm delighted that we've been able to involve him this time and it was clear the other night [against Malta] what he brings to the team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Souness: Liverpool should have sold Coutinho to Barcelona


Liverpool should have sold playmaker Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, according to club legend Graham Souness.The Reds turned down three bids from Barca this summer, even after the 25-year-old playmaker submitted a transfer request.

Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group were adamant about keeping the Brazilian, turning down a £114 million offer and releasing a statement that said: "The club's definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered."

But Souness, a former Liverpool midfielder and manager, has questioned the kind of attitude Coutinho will have for Jurgen Klopp's side following such a high-profile transfer saga."Going forward, what sort of Coutinho is Jurgen Klopp going to have around the place?" Souness wrote in The Sunday Times."There will be some players in the dressing-room who are not terribly happy with him and everyone will be keeping a close eye on him.

"Will he still be the same committed Coutinho from past seasons? Only he can answer that."I would have accepted an offer in excess of £100m for him."

Coutinho, who has not yet appeared for Liverpool this season, is currently with Brazil ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Colombia.