Belgium became the first team to qualify for Euro 2020 as Romelu Lukaku scored twice in a 9-0 thrashing of San Marino. Roberto Martinez’ side have an unassailable 11-point lead over third-place Cyprus in Group I.
Advertisements
Boxer Errol Spence Jr in intensive care after car crash….
Boxing world champion Errol Spence Jr has been involved in a serious car crash in Dallas, Texas. A 29-year-old man was ejected from a Ferrari he was driving at high speed, when it veered over the centre of the road and flipped multiple times, Dallas Police said.
Petr Cech switches career to Ice Hockey….
Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has swapped grass for ice by signing for National Ice Hockey League team Guildford Phoenix as a goaltender. The Czech, a big fan of the sport, has got his skates on after working on his game since retiring from football.
Iran win Cambodia 14-0 as women attend first game in decades….
Iranian women have attended a World Cup qualifier in Tehran after being freely allowed to enter a stadium for a men’s match for the first time in decades. They were elated to see Iran win Cambodia 14-0.
Messi says he considered leaving Barca in 2013….
Lionel Messi has said that in 2013 he wanted to leave Barcelona but now plans to end his career at the Nou Camp. The 32-year-old forward told Barcelona-based radio station RAC1 he felt “very badly treated” by Spain at that time as he and his father were investigated for filing fraudulent tax returns. “Sincerely, at that time, I thought about leaving,” he said.
Ibrahimovic statue unveiled in Sweden….
A statue of former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been built in his hometown in Sweden. The bronze structure, commissioned by the Swedish FA, was unveiled in front of hundreds of fans outside Malmo’s stadium on Tuesday.
UEFA charges Celtic over fireworks….
Celtic have been charged by UEFA for fans setting off fireworks just over two weeks after being fined for the use of flares and throwing objects. The offence relates to pyrotechnics at Celtic Park during Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Cluj.
AC Milan sack coach Marco Giampaolo….
AC Milan have sacked manager Marco Giampaolo after only three and a half months in charge because of a poor start to the season. Milan are 13th in Serie A, three points above the relegation zone, after three wins in their first seven games. Giampaolo, 52, succeeded Gennaro Gattuso in June after the former Italy midfielder quit because Milan missed out on Champions League qualification.
Bastian Schweinsteiger calls time on football career….
Former Germany, Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has retired. The 35-year-old announced his decision two days after the end of the Major League Soccer season. His club, Chicago Fire, finished 17th. “The time has now come,” he said. “To the fans, you made this unbelievable time possible for me.”
Hugo Lloris to miss rest of 2019….
Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set to miss the rest of 2019 with a dislocated elbow but does not need surgery, the club said. Lloris, injured during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, is not expected to train again until next year.
Tim Howard calls time on football career….
Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has hung up his gloves after playing his final game for Colorado Rapids.
de Gea says Man Utd’s performances are unacceptable….
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea said the team’s performances this season have been “unacceptable” and this is the “most difficult” period he has experienced since joining the club. The Red Devils lost 1-0 at Newcastle on Sunday to extend their worst start to a league season for 30 years.
Carlos Vela breaks MLS goal scoring record….
Los Angeles FC striker Carlos Vela hit a hat-trick against Colorado Rapids to break Josef Martinez’s Major League Soccer record for goals scored in a single season. Ex-Arsenal forward Vela began the match level with Orlando City’s Martinez, who registered 31 goals in 35 games to win the MLS Golden Boot last season.
Pep Guardiola still believes his side can catch Liverpool….
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says “the distance is big” but still believes his team can catch Liverpool in the Premier League title race. City’s 2-0 defeat by Wolves means they are now eight points behind Liverpool. It is the biggest lead any side has had after eight games in the Premier League era – the previous biggest was Chelsea in 2014, who went on to win the title.
Marc Marquez wins sixth MotoGP title….
Marc Marquez has won his sixth MotoGP world title – and his fourth in a row – after victory in Thailand on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who was taken to hospital after a crash in practice at Chang circuit in Buriram, sealed his latest crown with four races to spare.
Gennady Golovkin reclaims vacant IBF middleweight title….
Gennady Golovkin beat Sergiy Derevyanchenko by unanimous decision to reclaim the vacant IBF middleweight title at Madison Square Garden. Kazakh Golovkin, 37, was fighting for just the second time since losing to Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas in September 2018.
1500m World Champion Sifan Hassan insists she is clean….
An emotional Sifan Hassan defended herself after winning 1500m World Championship gold, saying she is a clean athlete despite her coach being banned for doping violations. Alberto Salazar, who has been Hassan’s coach since 2016, was given a four-year ban earlier this week.
Leganes appeal for match replay after VAR failure….
La Liga side Leganes have appealed for their match against Levante to be replayed after claiming the video assistant referee system failed. Leganes believe they wrongly conceded a first-half penalty for a foul by Dimitris Siovas on Roger Marti that appeared to occur outside the area.
Israel Adesanya dethrones Robert Whittaker in UFC 243….
New Zealand’s Israel Adesanya extended his perfect professional record to 18-0 as he dethroned UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in spectacular fashion at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. The Nigerian born Adesanya, 30, arrived in the arena to an acrobatic choreographed dance routine and produced a near-punch-perfect performance to finish Whittaker after three minutes and 33 seconds of the second round and capture the undisputed UFC middleweight title in front of nearly 60,000 fans at Marvel Stadium.
Iran sell 3500 tickets to Women for World Cup qualifier….
Female fans have bought 3,500 tickets for Iran’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in Tehran on Thursday. Women have effectively been banned from stadiums when men are playing since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Sahar Khodayari died last month a week after setting herself on fire while awaiting trial for trying to attend a match disguised as a man.
