Lionel Messi became Argentina’s leading scorer with a superb free-kick as they beat hosts the USA 4-0 reach Sunday’s Copa America final. The Barcelona forward, 28, passed Gabriel Batistuta’s 54-goal tally with a 25-yard strike. Messi provided the assist for Ezequiel Lavezzi’s opener, then scored his stunner before Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain fired in to make it 3-0. Higuain scored with a tap-in in the 85th minute to complete the rout. “I am happy to have surpassed Batistuta’s record and I want to thank my team-mates, it’s theirs as well,” said Messi, who turns 29 on Friday.

Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi will miss Sunday’s Copa America final against Colombia or reigning champions Chile, because he fractured his left elbow after tumbling over the advertising boards. The incident happened in the second half when the former Paris St-Germain player fell over backwards, trying to control a pass with his chest.

Continue reading →

Lionel Messi scored a record-equalling 54th international goal as Argentina beat Venezuela 4-1 to reach the Copa America semi-finals. Messi’s fourth goal of the tournament puts him level with Gabriel Batistuta. The Barcelona forward, 28, also created goals for Gonzalo Higuain, who scored twice, and Erik Lamela to set up a last-four meeting with hosts USA. Holders Chile will face Colombia in the other semi-final after inflicting a record 7-0 defeat on Mexico. Four goals for Eduardo Vargas helped Chile top Mexico’s previous record loss at a major tournament – a 6-0 defeat by West Germany in the 1978 World Cup. Edson Puch also scored twice for the defending champions, with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez completing the rout. The competition’s centenary edition gives Argentina, also runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, a chance to avenge last year’s final loss and win a first trophy in 23 years. “For us to be back in another semi-final of a big tournament like this one is a great achievement for these players,” said Messi. “I’m happy for what it means and it’s nice to be next to ‘Batigol’ [Batistuta], but for me the most important thing is the result.”

Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named in his country’s provisional 35-man squad for the Olympic Games. The 34-year-old, who is currently at Euro 2016, has said he will not make a decision on his participation until after the competition is over. Hakan Ericson – Sweden’s coach at the Rio Games – said he wants to keep the chance Ibrahimovic will compete “open” but admitted his “hopes are not huge”. The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan striker ended his four-year stay at Paris St-Germain at the end of the season. He has remained quiet on his future but speculation on a link-up with his former Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford has been widespread. Ibrahimovic – who created Sweden’s goal in their opening draw with Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016 – has scored 62 goals in 114 appearances for his country. Ericson has said it would be “fantastic” to have Ibrahimovic at his disposal at the Games and Sweden will select their final 18-man squad next month. They have been drawn against Colombia, Nigeria and Japan at the Olympics. The men’s football tournament – won by Mexico at London 2012 – begins on 3 August in Brazil, two days before the official Olympic opening ceremony.

Rio 2016 organisers have revealed the medals that will be competed for at this summer’s Olympics. A total of 2,488 medals, each weighing 500g, have been produced – with 812 gold, 812 silver and 864 bronze. They were made with “sustainability at their heart”, say organisers. The gold medals are free from mercury, the silver and bronze medals are made from 30% recycled materials, and half of the plastic in their ribbons is from recycled plastic bottles.

Continue reading →

Dunga has been sacked as Brazil head coach after their shock exit from the Copa America. Dunga, who captained Brazil to World Cup success in 1994, was named national coach for a second time in 2014. But the team were knocked out in the group stage of the Copa America for the first time since 1987 as they lost 1-0 to Peru in Massachusetts on Sunday. Dunga, 52, had previously been in charge from 2006 to 2010, winning the Copa America in 2007.

Tuesday 14th June, 2016:

Austria 0 – 2 Hungary

Portugal 1 – 1 Iceland

West Ham have signed winger Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old Algeria international spent six seasons at the Spanish club, scoring 42 goals in 243 appearances. The 2012 Algerian Footballer of the Year, Feghouli has 40 caps and has played in three major tournaments. He is the Hammers’ second signing this summer following Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Havard Nordtveit, who joins on 1 July. Feghouli told the West Ham website: “I am very happy to sign for the Hammers and for Slaven Bilic. The history of the club is important for me in my decision.”

Manchester derby:

Manchester United v Manchester City 10 September 2016

Manchester City v Manchester United 25 February 2017

Merseyside derby:

Everton v Liverpool 17 December 2016

Liverpool v Everton 1 April 2017

North London derby:

Arsenal v Tottenham 5 November 2016

Tottenham v Arsenal 29 April 2017

A.F.C. Bournemouth vs Manchester United

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Burnley vs Swansea City

Chelsea vs West Ham United

Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion

Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

Hull City vs Leicester City

Manchester City vs Sunderland

Middlesbrough vs Stoke City

Southampton vs Watford

All fixtures are scheduled for 3pm Nigerian time on Saturday 13 August, but are subject to change.

Monday 13 June, 2016:

Spain 1 -0 Czech Republic

Republic of Ireland 1 – 1 Sweden

Belgium 0 – 2 Italy

Five-times World Cup winners Brazil lost 1-0 to Peru to exit the Copa America at the group stage for the first time in nearly 30 years. Brazil had not been beaten by Peru in 16 previous meetings and needed just a point to reach the quarter-finals. But substitute Raul Ruidiaz scored a 75th-minute winner at Foxborough Stadium in Massachusetts, with Brazil complaining it went in off his hand. Ecuador beat Haiti 4-0 to make the last eight for the first time since 1997. Brazil failed to score against Peru or Ecuador either side of an emphatic 7-1 victory over Haiti. Asked if he feared for his job, Brazil boss Dunga said: “I am only afraid of death, I am not afraid of that. “When you work for the Brazil national team you have to know the criticism will mount when you don’t get results, but internally we know what we are doing.”

Continue reading →

Monday 13 June, 2016:

Spain vs Czech Republic 2pm

Republic of Ireland vs Sweden 5pm

Belgium vs Italy 8pm

Tuesday 14 June, 2016:

Austria vs Hungary 5pm

Portugal vs Iceland 8pm

Continue reading →

Saturday 11 June, 2016:

Albania 0 – 1 Switzerland

Wales 2 – 1 Slovakia

England 1 – 1 Russia

Sunday 12 June, 2016:

Turkey 0 – 1 Croatia

Poland 1 – 0 Northern Ireland

Germany 2 – 0 Ukraine

Saturday 11 June, 2016:

Albania vs Switzerland 2pm

Wales vs Slovakia 5pm

England vs Russia 8pm

Sunday 12 June, 2016:

Turkey vs Croatia 2pm

Poland vs Northern Ireland 5pm

Germany vs Ukraine 8pm

*Time = Nigerian (GMT+1)

Dimitri Payet’s spectacular late winner gave hosts France victory over Romania in the opening match of Euro 2016 amid a huge security operation at the Stade de France. On an emotional evening at the same venue where suicide bombers struck in the November attacks that killed 130 people across the city, Payet ensured the game ended on a high note with a sensational 20-yard strike. France, who triumphed in their last two major tournaments on home soil – Euro ’84 and the 1998 World Cup – are favourites to win this time too. But after hitting the post early on through an Antoine Griezmann header, they struggled to find any fluency against a resolute Romania side, who also created good chances.

Continue reading →

Former Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has died at the age of 58, the national football federation has announced. Nigeria’s technical director, Amodu, who had four spells as coach of the Super Eagles, had complained of chest pains on Friday. Amodu led Nigeria to qualification for the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, but was sacked before the tournaments started. His death comes three days after that of ex-Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Keshi, who died aged 54. Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick said: “This is another tragedy too many. We are still talking about Keshi’s death, and now Amodu is gone. I’m short of words.” Amodu was to have replaced Sunday Oliseh, who resigned as the country’s coach in February, but he declined on health grounds. He rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1991. He also coached top South African club Orlando Pirates between 1996 and 1997. Amodu  qualified the Super Eagles for the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2010, but did not lead the team to the finals. He also qualified the Beach Soccer National Team for the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but did not lead the team at the finals as he refused to travel to Brazil.

Sunderland defender Patrick van Aanholt has signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League club. The 25-year-old Netherlands international helped the Black Cats avoid relegation last season. “Patrick was an outstanding performer last season, contributing not only solid defensive performances, but also assists and vital goals,” said Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce. The left-back arrived at the Stadium of Light from Chelsea in 2014. He has scored five goals in 69 appearances, including four in the Premier League last season. “It is fantastic to be able to secure the long-term services of such a talented footballer and athlete, who will hopefully continue to improve here for many years to come,” added Allardyce.

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke says he may have to consider his future if it becomes clear that he does not feature in Jurgen Klopp’s plans. Since October, Benteke started just 13 of 52 matches and was used sparingly as a substitute having fallen behind compatriot Divock Origi. “At 25 years old, I’m neither old nor young but it’s important to play,” the Belgium striker said. “I still have a contract at Liverpool and I’d like to stay there, if I remain in the coach’s plans. “If that’s not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I’ll think about if after the Euros.”

Maria Sharapova has responded to her two-year ban on her Facebook page and says she will appeal. She wrote:

“Today with their decision of a two-year suspension, the ITF tribunal unanimously concluded that what I did was not intentional. “The tribunal found that I did not seek treatment from my doctor for the purpose of obtaining a performance-enhancing substance. The ITF spent tremendous amounts of time and resources trying to prove I intentionally violated the anti-doping rules and the tribunal concluded I did not. “You need to know that the ITF asked the tribunal to suspend me for four years – the required suspension for an intentional violation — and the tribunal rejected the ITF’s position.” “While the tribunal concluded correctly that I did not intentionally violate the anti-doping rules, I cannot accept an unfairly harsh two-year suspension. “The tribunal, whose members were selected by the ITF, agreed that I did not do anything intentionally wrong, yet they seek to keep me from playing tennis for two years. I will immediately appeal the suspension portion of this ruling to CAS, the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “I have missed playing tennis and I have missed my amazing fans, who are the best and most loyal fans in the world. I have read your letters. I have read your social media posts and your love and support has gotten me through these tough days. “I intend to stand for what I believe is right and that’s why I will fight to be back on the tennis court as soon as possible.”