Month: July 2021

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ENGLAND CHARGED BY UEFA OVER LASER AIMED AT KASPER SCHMEICHEL

UEFA has charged England after a laser pointer was aimed at Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel in the Euro 2020 semi-final.

The goalkeeper had a laser shone in his face before he saved Harry Kane’s extra-time penalty, although Kane scored the rebound to earn England a 2-1 victory on Wednesday.

England have also been charged with “disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem” after home fans booed the Denmark national anthem and the lighting of fireworks inside Wembley.

The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

England came from behind after Mikkel Damsgaard’s free kick gave Denmark the lead.

Simon Kjaer’s own goal levelled for Gareth Southgate’s side and Kane booked England’s first major tournament final for 55 years when he followed up his missed penalty after Raheem Sterling was tripped by Joakim Maehle.

England now play Italy at Wembley on Sunday aiming to win their first major trophy since lifting the World Cup in 1966.

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PSG CONFIRMS THE SIGNING OF SERGIO RAMOS FROM REAL MADRID

French giants, Paris Saint German have confirmed the signing of Serigo Ramos from Real Madrid

The Spain International reflected on “a day I will never forget” as he completed his much-anticipated switch to Paris St Germain after ending his 16-year stay with Real Madrid last month.

Ramos has been at the forefront of Real’s success in recent years, helping the club to five LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns in his time at the Bernabeu, but injuries restricted his involvement last season.

He made just 21 appearances in all competitions in 2020-21, the fewest games he has played over the course of a campaign in a Real Madrid shirt, while he was at loggerheads with club president Florentino Perez over a new deal.

The 35-year-old Spaniard departed Madrid after 671 appearances and 101 goals, and has signed a two-year contract with Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG, tying him to the French capital club until June 2023.

“I am very happy to join Paris St Germain,” said Ramos on the club’s official website. “This is a big change in my life, a new challenge and it’s a day I will never forget.

“I am very proud to be a part of this ambitious project, to be a part of this squad with so many great players.

“Paris St Germain is a club that has already proven itself at the highest level. I want to continue to grow and improve at Paris and help the team to win as many trophies as possible.”

A number of niggles and a knee injury that required surgery have limited the veteran defender to just seven appearances in total for club and country in 2021, and he missed out on a Spain squad place at Euro 2020.

Ramos, part of the Spain sides that won the 2010 World Cup and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, was one of the hottest free agents on the market this summer but PSG have won the race for his signature.

“Today, Paris welcomes one of the greatest players of our era,” said PSG chairman and chief executive officer Nasser Al-Khelaifi “We are delighted to announce that Sergio Ramos has joined us.

“Sergio is a complete footballer, one of the best defenders in the history of the game. He is a born competitor, a leader and a true professional. His vast experience and ambition is in perfect synergy with those of the club

“I am proud to see him in a Paris St Germain jersey and I know our supporters will reserve a fantastic welcome for him.”

Ramos is PSG’s third summer signing following the arrivals of Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan and Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool.

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NOVAK DJOKOVIC EASES PAST MARTON FUCSOVICS TO REACH 10TH WIMBLEDON SEMI-FINAL

Novak Djokovic marched into his 10th Wimbledon semi-final after a straight-sets win over Marton Fucsovics on Centre Court.

The five-time champion, looking to claim a record-equalling 20th grand slam title this weekend, swept aside unseeded Fucsovics 6-3 6-4 6-4.

It was not the most convincing display from the world number one but, as has been the case throughout these Championships so far, it did not really have to be.

Djokovic has still only dropped one set, against Britain’s Jack Draper in the first round, and he remains firmly on course to become only the fourth man to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles alongside Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras.

Things looked ominous for Fucsovics when Djokovic raced into a 5-0 lead and brought up two set points inside the first 25 minutes.

But the underdog fended those off to finally get a game on the board and, amid plenty of encouragement from the crowd, managed to break in the next, only the fourth time Djokovic had dropped serve in the entire tournament.

Fucsovics, the first Hungarian man to reach the last eight of a grand slam in 40 years, has a similar playing style to Djokovic and easily matches up with the Serbian on the fitness front.

Having surrendered the first set, the 29-year-old stayed with Djokovic until 4-4 in the second when one of too many forehand errors gave away a break point which the top seed devoured.

A backhand return winner brought Djokovic another break at the start of the third and he fended off four break points among some punishing rallies to wrap up another routine win.

“I think it was a solid performance,” he said. “I started extremely well, did not do too many things wrong in the first five or six games.

“One break of serve in the second and third sets was enough and credit to Marton for hanging in there. He had a great tournament.

“Going for history is a huge inspiration to me – let’s keep it going.”

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Chelsea prepared to bid £150m for Erling Haaland

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to tempt Borussia Dortmund with a £150m bid for Erling Braut Haaland.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Norway international since winning their second Champions League trophy in May.

Dortmund are allegedly keen to retain the services of the 20-year-old for at least one more season, despite the prospect of losing their most prized asset for a much lower fee next year.

However, according to 90 min, Chelsea believe that an offer of £150m will be enough to agree a transfer during the summer window.

The report adds that discussions have already been held with Haaland’s representatives, where it was determined that personal terms would not be a stumbling block.

While Real Madrid are also said to be keen on the frontman, they are not in a position to meet the player’s asking price in 2021.

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WIMBLEDON: SHAPOVALOV REACHES SEMI-FINALS AS HUKACZ STUNS FEDERER

DENIS SHAPOVALOV (CAN) TENNIS - THE CHAMPIONSHIPS - WIMBLEDON - ALL ENGLAND LAWN TENNIS AND CROQUET CLUB - ATP - WTA - ITF - WIMBLEDON - SW19 - LONDON - GREAT BRITAIN - 2021 © TENNIS PHOTO NETWORK

Denis Shapovalov showed he is ready to challenge for the Wimbledon title by booking his first grand slam semi-final with a five-set win over Karen Khachanov.

The Canadian won the boys’ crown in 2016 and is giving himself the best chance of replicating that in the men’s draw with an epic 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-1 6-4 victory over the Russian.

His biggest test is now to come as he faces world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the last four on Friday.

But the 22-year-old proved he belongs on the biggest stage, coming from two sets to one down with his trademark flamboyance, and is likely to be a contender at this tournament for years to come.

He is one of two men who made it through to the last eight that have won the junior title.

So it only seemed a matter of time until he made an impact in the men’s draw and had got to this point playing some eye-catching tennis, which he brought on to Court One.

He forced four break points at 3-3 in the opening set, which Khachanov was able to wriggle out of, but there was no escape in the next service game as he took the break with a crisp volley after a smart approach.

He quickly served out the first set in his next service game and that appeared the perfect platform for him.

But Khachanov had other ideas and, as Shapovalov’s forehand went missing in action, he quickly reeled off four successive games to put a tight grip on the second set.

Shapovalov’s level came some of the way back and he regained one break but Khachanov steely averted any further comeback attempt to level the match up.

The third set was a titanic battle with both men peppering winners from the baseline, but it was Khachanov who edged it, stealing a break at 5-5 and then serving it out.

Shapovalov was staring down the barrel but immediately came out firing and dominated the fourth set, reeling off five successive games to win it 6-1 and take the match to a decider.

Khachanov’s heart must have sunk at that point, following his gruelling five-set battle with Sebastian Korda on Monday and the last thing he needed was his opponent stepping it up a level.

He almost made a breakthrough at 2-2 but Khachanov recovered from 0-40 to hold but Shapovalov kept coming back and the match was won in the ninth game of the decider.

After squandering three more break points, he finally won his fourth when Khachanov drifted a forehand long, allowing him to serve it out.

“It was super tough, especially in the fifth, missing those break points and then having the craziest game of my life,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview.

“I was in a similar position in the US Open in the quarter-final and I started that fifth set a little bit slow so I told myself I wanted to start quick and play every point as hard as I can in the fifth set. Luck was on my side.”

Meanwhile, Roger Federer’s hopes of winning a ninth title were ended by a quarter-final loss to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

The 39-year-old had played himself into form through the first week at the All England Club to raise hopes of an improbable trophy run after two knee operations and a month short of his 40th birthday.

But Hurkacz is a top-20 player and 15 years Federer’s junior, and was simply too good on the day for his opponent, who suffered a straight-sets loss at Wimbledon for the first time in 19 years.

After a poor first set in breezy conditions, Federer led 4-1 in the second but he could not find his timing and Hurkacz kept his wonderfully to win 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-0, handing the Swiss his first ever bagel at Wimbledon.

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MORATA RECEIVED THREATS AFTER SPAIN EXIT – WIFE

Alvaro Morata’s wife has slammed “disgraceful and unacceptable” threats she received on social media after Italy knocked Spain out of Euro 2020 on Tuesday.

Morata, who plays on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, started on the bench at Wembley but came on to score an 80th minute equaliser against the Azzurri to cancel out Federico Chiesa’s opener and take the semifinal to extra-time.

The former Chelsea striker then had his penalty saved as Italy won 4-2 on penalties to progress into Sunday’s final.

Alice Campello, Morata’s wife, who is Italian, posted on Instagram stories some of the menacing messages she received written in Italian after the game.

“Your husband has cancer…. your children too” was one of the texts she received, while another one said: “Don’t you dare post a photograph of Morata’s goal or I will go to your house and burn you on live Instagram.”

Campello responded to the abuse and wrote: “I’m honestly not suffering with regards to these messages, truthfully. I don’t think it’s a factor of ‘Italians’ but of ignorance. I do, however, think that if it had happened to a more fragile woman, it would have been a problem.

“Let’s remember that this is a sport to unite not to vent your frustrations. I really hope that in the future there can be serious measures taken for these types of people because this is disgraceful and unacceptable.”

Earlier in the tournament, Morata told a news conference that he and his family “received death threats and insults” after Spain’s 1-1 draw with Poland during the group stages.

Spain coach Luis Enrique publicly backed his player and said the threats should be “put in the hands of the police.”

Morata, 28, received criticism throughout the tournament in Spain for his lack of effectiveness, yet his goal against Italy made him his country’s top scorer in Euro finals with six goals, one more than Fernando Torres.

Following Spain’s exit on Tuesday, Luis Enrique defended Morata and praised the player for coping with so much pressure.

“He’s had to put up with many difficult things in this European Championship and has shown an enormous level,” Luis Enrique said. “Morata had a physical problem, yet he took the penalty. I have to congratulate him for his personality.”

In March, Morata addressed the importance of mental health for football players and revealed he came close to suffering depression during his first season at Chelsea and has since seen a psychologist to help him cope with the day-to-day pressure.

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ENGLAND BEAT DENMARK 2-1 TO BOOK A DATE WITH ITALY IN EURO 2020 FINAL

Harry Kane propelled England to just their second major tournament final as Gareth Southgate’s men secured an extra-time penalty win against Denmark to set-up Sunday’s match against Italy.

Italy lie in wait after a tense, pulsating semi-final under the arch on Wednesday night, when Simon Kjaer’s own goal cancelled out a superb Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick before Kane sealed a 2-1 extra-time win after his penalty was saved.

England made a start as electric as the atmosphere at Wembley, but Damsgaard’s stunning 25-yard free-kick silenced the home support as the 21-year-old continued to shine in place of the sadly absent Christian Eriksen.

It was the first goal England had conceded during an unusually straightforward summer, but they responded well to the setback and Kjaer turned 19-year-old Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own goal under pressure from Raheem Sterling.

Kasper Schmeichel had superbly denied the latter moments earlier and the goalkeeper shone throughout a second half in which the video assistant referee cleared a Christian Norgaard challenge on Kane in the box.

The Denmark goalkeeper continued to impress in extra-time but could not stop England progressing to the final, with Kane slotting home after the Leicester man saved his initial spot-kick after Sterling was judged to have been fouled.

Denmark grew into proceedings, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg seeing a shot saved and Jordan Pickford surviving a lackadaisical moment.

Kasper Hjulmand’s well-drilled side continued to push as Damsgaard bent wide, with Pickford entering England’s record books by breaking World Cup winner Gordon Banks’ long-standing 720-minute record without conceding. He only managed to extend it to 726 minutes.

Luke Shaw fouled Andreas Christensen when a free-kick came over, giving Denmark another chance from a better position.

Damsgaard stood over it and unleashed a thumping 25-yard strike that beat Pickford, sending Denmark’s red wall into raptures in the 30th minute.

England did eventually settle back into a rhythm and Schmeichel spread himself well to stop Sterling turning home a Kane cross from close range.

It was a missed opportunity that the forward helped atone for in the 39th minute.

Saka kept his cool and drove over a cross from the right that Kjaer turned into his own goal under pressure from Sterling.

Harry Maguire saw a goalbound header superbly denied one-handed by Schmeichel in a second half that England were controlling as Denmark began to retreat deeper.

Southgate turned to fan favourite Jack Grealish to change the dynamics and the VAR decided against awarding a penalty after reviewing a clumsy Norgaard challenge on Kane.

England continued to push right into stoppage-time, when Maguire saw another header saved by Schmeichel and Kane’s point-blank effort was blocked by Kjaer.

Grealish stung the palms as the onslaught continued, with fleet-footed Sterling creating havoc for the tiring Danish defenders.

Joakim Maehle was adjudged to have ended Sterling’s mazy run and Makkelie pointed to the spot. There was another ball on the pitch during a phase of play that the VAR reviewed, but the decision stood.

Kane stepped up and Schmeichel saved, only for the ball to land kindly for him six yards out to turn home and spark bedlam in the stands.

Denmark tried desperately to level in the second period but a Martin Braithwaite shot was the biggest threat they managed, with Sterling denied by Schmeichel before the final whistle sent the 60,000-plus crowd wild.

‘Sweet Caroline’ echoed around the ground as England celebrated reaching their first European Championship final.

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Roberto Mancini: ‘We must rest ahead of Euro 2020 final’

Roberto Mancini was delighted by Italy‘s fight and spirit after sealing a shot at European Championship glory by beating Spain on penalties following a scintillating semi-final.

England or Denmark lie in wait for the Azzurri back at Wembley on Sunday after edging past La Roja in a pulsating clash under the arch on Tuesday evening.

Italy struck first as Federico Chiesa curled home a sublime effort, but Spain substitute Alvaro Morata finished a fine team move to send the match into extra time.

The match would end 1-1 after 120 minutes and had to be settled by spot-kicks, with Morata denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Jorginho coolly swept home to seal 4-2 shootout triumph for Mancini’s men.

“First and foremost, we’re delighted to have been able to provide this wonderful evening’s entertainment to the Italian people,” the former Manchester City boss said.

“Now we still have one more game to go and we wanted to do exactly that if possible.

“We knew it was going to be a very tough match because in terms of ball possession Spain are the best around.

“They caused us problems. We had to dig in when we needed to. We tried to score or create opportunities when we could.

“It was a very open match and of course there were some issues because we did not have too much possession.

“However, we wanted to make it into the final and we kept trying right until the end.

“As ever, penalties are a lottery but I really want to take my hat off to Spain. They’re a wonderful team.”

Italy have impressed throughout the Euros and stretched their unbeaten run to a jaw-dropping 33 matches, but Mancini knows they have not achieved anything yet.

“I thank the players because they believed right from day one that we could create something incredible,” he said.

“We haven’t done everything we need to. There’s still one step to go. Now we have to rest up because this really was very challenging.

“I did say to them before the match this would be our hardest game of the competition because when you go into your sixth match in such quick succession with all the travelling that we’ve had to do it does become very tiring.

“We certainly struggled with Spain’s ball possession, had some issues, but we wanted to make the final.”

Spain shone for large spells against Italy but a lack of cutting edge proved costly for Enrique’s men.

“It’s not a sad night for me,” the Spanish manager said. “Not at all.

“Of course there’s disappointment but that’s elite football. You have to be able to win and lose.

“We were very pleased to win the penalty shootout in the quarter-finals but we can’t get desperate now. We have to just congratulate our opponents.

“You’re always thinking about the present, thinking about being competitive.

“I said at the start we were one of the eight teams that could have won it. I don’t think I was wrong about that.

“I think we now go home knowing we competed and were one of the best teams at the competition.”

Enrique said he gave his players an A- grade for their tournament and threw his support behind Morata after the striker’s crucial spot-kick was saved.

“Well, he has an adductor issue and it really says a lot about his personality that even despite that he wanted to take a penalty,” the Spain boss said in the post-match press conference.

“He has gone through some tough times during this competition but he was brilliant.

“He really created some uncertainty within the Italy ranks so he was excellent.

“I haven’t been able to see him because he’s had to go to doping control, but I will go and see him now.”

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ARGENTINA BEAT COLOMBIA TO REACH COPA AMERICA FINAL

It will be Lionel Messi’s Argentina against Neymar’s Brazil in the Copa America final on Saturday.

Argentina won its semifinal against Colombia 3-2 on penalties after three saves by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Regular time ended 1-1 at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia on Tuesday.

Argentina hasn’t captured a major title since 1993 when it won Copa America. On that occasion, the team eliminated Colombia on penalties 6-5 in the semifinal after a goalless draw.

Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to advance to the final.

It took Argentina only seven minutes to open the scoring. Rodrigo De Paul found Messi in the penalty box with a through pass. The star earned his fifth assist in the tournament with a pass to Lautaro Martinez, who put the ball in the right corner past Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.

A more aggressive Colombia, led by Juan Cuadrado, hit the bar and the post in the second half before it leveled in the 61st minute with Luis Diaz, who received the ball on the left of Argentina’s box shot almost with no angle to beat Martinez.

The last big opportunity in regular time came with Messi hitting Ospina’s right post in 81st minute from short range.

Martinez saved the shots taken by Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona in the shootout. Messi converted his opportunity from the spot and was one of the most joyous players in the celebrations. He seeks his first major title with Argentina against favorites Brazil.

In tears, Martinez said after the match he wanted to face the Brazilians in the final in the Maracana Stadium.

“It is a great team, the favorite. But we have a great coach, we have the best player in the world and we will try to win it,” he said.

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ITALY BEAT SPAIN ON PENALTY TO REACH EURO 2020 FINAL

Italy beat Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a magnificent Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley on Tuesday, as Jorginho converted the decisive kick to take the Azzurri through to the final where they will face either England or Denmark.

Italy were not always on top though, with Spain the better side for long spells of an epic contest before Federico Chiesa, the Juventus forward, gave Italy the lead with a fabulous finish an hour into a match watched by a crowd of almost 58,000.

The much-maligned Alvaro Morata, who was dropped from the starting line-up, came off the bench to equalise with 10 minutes of normal time left.

No further scoring in extra time meant penalties again for Spain, who had beaten Switzerland in a shoot-out in the quarter-finals.

They had also beaten Italy on penalties at Euro 2008, but this time misses from Dani Olmo and then Morata saw Spain give up the advantage they had been handed when Manuel Locatelli failed with the first kick in the shoot-out.

The Italians celebrated at the end with a large contingent of their UK-based supporters, and a team that has been rejuvenated under Roberto Mancini continues to dream of winning a first European Championship since 1968.

Now unbeaten in 33 games, they go through to Sunday’s final to face either England or Denmark, who meet in Wednesday’s second last-four tie.

“I have to thank the players because they believed right from day one that we could do something incredible,” said Mancini.

“We haven’t yet done everything we need to though, there is still one step to go.”

It is nine years since Spain mauled Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev to win a third consecutive major tournament, and this was the fourth successive Euro in which these powerhouses had met.

Spain won the first two of those meetings, but the last two have now gone to Italy.

“It is not a sad night for me by any means,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique.

“We can go home knowing we competed and were among the best teams.”

This meeting took place in the chill of a damp July evening in London, but the atmosphere at Wembley was no damp squib.

There were no traveling supporters, given the obligatory quarantine for all visitors to the United Kingdom.

However, the large Spanish and Italian communities already in Britain meant a combined 20,000 fans of the two teams were in the 57,811-crowd allowed inside Wembley.

They added a noise and colour so sadly lacking at major sporting events since the pandemic began, and that provided the perfect stage.

The football itself was absorbing and of the highest quality, particularly in midfield where Italy’s outstanding trio of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella met their match in Spain’s Sergio Busquets, Koke and the brilliant Pedri, a frightening talent at just 18.

But it was Italy who reached their 10th major tournament final and ended Spain’s hopes of a record fourth European crown.

Standing in the Azzurri’s way will either be England, who have never reached a Euro final, or Denmark, playing in their first major semi-final since surprisingly winning the competition in 1992.