USA down Ecuador 2-1 to reach Copa Centenario semis Seattle (AFP) – Clint Dempsey struck again as the United States powered through to the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario in a stormy 2-0 win over Ecuador that saw both sides finish with 10 men. Dempsey scored his third goal in as many games for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side at CenturyLink Field, pouncing on 22 minutes before setting up a … [Read more...]

Spirited England comeback against Wales provides hope for Euro 2016 Too often, England arrive at major tournaments and play with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Frequently, England has had good teams. But the combined failures of countless tournaments past – along with the doubt and self-loathing that those failures have installed in the national psyche – have often proven too much … [Read more...]

Copa chiefs call for end to ‘offensive’ fan chants Los Angeles (AFP) – Copa America Centenario organizers called for an end to offensive behavior by fans following reports of homophobic chants by Mexico fans during matches at the tournament.  A joint statement from regional confederations CONCACAF and CONMEBOL did not mention Mexico by name, but hit out at “derogatory and offensive” fan behavior … [Read more...]

Attempted murder inquiry into England fan beatings at Euro 2016 Lens (France) (AFP) – French prosecutors have launched an attempted murder inquiry over attacks on two England football fans at Euro 2016 which left the victims gravely wounded, they said Thursday. The announcement came as French and British authorities expressed relief that England’s victory over Wales in Lens passed without any … [Read more...]

Viewership numbers for every Copa America Centenario Group Stage game The group stage of the Copa America Centenario tournament is complete, and both Univision Deportes and FOX Sports have reported impressive numbers for their telecasts. For FS1 and FS2, they’ve both broken their records for the most-watched men’s soccer games on those networks. The 2016 Copa America Centenario has produced … [Read more...]

Gareth Bale ‘proud’ despite Wales Euro 2016 derby defeat Lens (France) (AFP) – Gareth Bale declared himself “proud” of his Wales team-mates despite the huge disappointment of Daniel Sturridge’s stoppage-time goal giving England a 2-1 victory on Thursday. For the second game running at Euro 2016, Bale put Wales ahead from a direct free-kick, but England substitutes Jamie Vardy and Sturridge … [Read more...]

Vardy, Sturridge rescue England against Wales at Euro 2016 Lens (France) (AFP) – Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge rose from the bench to score as England came from behind to defeat neighbours Wales 2-1 in Thursday’s all-British Euro 2016 clash in Lens. Just as he had in Wales’s opening 2-1 win over Slovakia, Gareth Bale put Chris Coleman’s side ahead with a long-range free-kick that England … [Read more...]

Russian far-right agitator among fans expelled from Euro 2016 Marseille (AFP) – A Russian far-right agitator was among 20 fans to be thrown out of France on Thursday as the city of Lens went into lockdown ahead of England’s next Euro 2016 match. Amid diplomatic tensions over the case, Alexander Shprygin, who heads Russia’s football supporters’ association, is among fans who will be expelled … [Read more...]

Lotus position keeps Germany flexible at Euro 2016 Evian (France) (AFP) – In the macho world of international football, Germany have taken a more spiritual approach by employing a yoga teacher at Euro 2016, whose former pupils include Madonna and Sting. “To my knowledge, I was the only yoga teacher working with a national team at the World Cup in Brazil,” Munich-based yoga teacher Patrick Broome … [Read more...]

Slovakia hail Hamsik after historic win Lille (France) (AFP) – Slovakia coach Jan Kozak believes Europe’s best teams should be watching Marek Hamsik after the Napoli midfielder led his country to a 2-1 win over Russia. It was a historic day for Slovakia in Lille as they claimed their first European Championship finals win since the break-up of Czechoslovakia to boost their hopes of qualifying … [Read more...]