All posts by h716a5.icu

Lee Carsley's team held out under intense second-half pressure to seal a 1-0 win on Sunday and set up a game against Israel for a place in the final

England Under-21s booked their place in the semi-finals of the European Championship as they held on to secure a 1-0 quarter-final win over Portugal following Anthony Gordon's first-half strike.

Gordon fired home from just inside the penalty area after a fine low cross from Morgan Gibbs-White as England cut through the Portugal defence with some incisive passing and dribbling from midfield.

The goal was just reward for Lee Carsley's team, who dominated possession, though they did need James Trafford to make a fine near-post save to deny Pedro Neto at the start of the half, and an excellent block from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to keep Tiago Dantas from equalising shortly before half-time.

The tables turned after the break, however, as Portugal dominated the ball and pushed the Young Lions back. Substitute Henrique Araujo went closest to equalising as he headed against crossbar, but Chelsea's Levi Colwill led a fine resistance from the England backline to secure a meeting with Israel on Wednesday in the final four.

GOAL rates England's players from the Ramez Shengelia Stadium in Kutaisi, Georgia…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

James Trafford (6/10):

Fine near post save denied Neto early on before a couple of more straightforward stops after the break. Confident with the ball at his feet. Still to concede in the tournament.

James Garner (5/10):

Struggled at times to deal with Neto in his unfamiliar right-back role. Better in possession than out of it.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (7/10):

Dominant in the air and made a couple of crucial last-ditch blocks as Portugal eyed an equaliser. Some sloppy passes the only negative in his performance.

Levi Colwill (9/10):

Ensured England rarely lost composure as they came under pressure in the second half and increasingly dealt with more and more balls into the box. Carried the ball out of defence with the confidence of a seasoned professional.

Max Aarons (5/10):

Conceicao got the better of him on a number of occasions. Booked so will miss the semi-final.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Noni Madueke (6/10):

Lacked cutting edge despite some dangerous dribbles cutting inside from the right. Replaced for the final 20 minutes.

Angel Gomes (8/10):

Outstanding in the first half as England controlled possession. Game passed him by a little after the break, but continues to impress in this competition.

Curtis Jones (6/10):

Energetic in pressing high and tidy on the ball, but rarely incisive. Fired wide with an early effort when he maybe should have done better.

Jacob Ramsey (7/10):

An elite ball-carrier, as he showed in the build-up to Gordon's opener. Tried to get England up the pitch in the second half before being forced off with an ankle injury.

Getty ImagesAttack

Morgan Gibbs-White (7/10):

Linked up play well from his role as the second striker. Superb first-time cut-back provided the assist for Gordon to open the scoring.

Anthony Gordon (8/10):

The match-winner with a fine finish to round off a superb team move. Growing into the No.9 role, and tracked back well in the second half.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Subs & Manager

Emile Smith Rowe (6/10):

Almost teed up Gordon for second goal to seal it after replacing Ramsey.

Ben Johnson (5/10):

Booked after coming on for Aarons for the final 20 minutes.

Cole Palmer (6/10):

Spent most of his time on the pitch tracking back, but did his best to drag England forward on the rare occasions he picked up possession.

Oliver Skipp (6/10):

Added a bit of robustness in midfield after replacing Gomes for the final 10 minutes.

Lee Carsley (7/10):

Might have been better off playing full-backs in their natural roles given Portugal's dangerous wingers, but otherwise set his team up well and identified the right players to replace so his team could hold on.

William Bosisto, the Western Australia batsman and part-time offspinner, has been suspended from bowling in Cricket Australia competitions

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2014William Bosisto, the Western Australia batsman and part-time offspinner, was found to have an illegal action and has been suspended from bowling in Cricket Australia competitions.He was reported by the on-field umpires at a Futures League match at home against Victoria on October 30 and was tested in Brisbane under the board’s Doubtful Action Procedure.”Analysis conducted at the Bupa National Cricket Centre found that all of Bosisto’s tested offspin deliveries were in excess of the allowed 15-degrees of elbow extension and therefore the bowler was deemed to have an illegal bowling action,” a CA press release said.Bosisto, 21, can resume bowling only after passing another analysis, which he can request for in another 90 days. However, he can continue playing as a batsman. That was how he had caught they eye during the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 when he led Australia to the final and was their top-scorer in the tournament. He made his first-class debut in the last Sheffield Shield season and has played three matches, in addition to a List A game.Cricket Australia has been stringent against suspect actions and had suspended Cameron Gannon in April 2013, however the Queensland seamer cleared a subsequent test and has since returned to bowling.

Kylian Mbappe would reportedly contemplate a potential move to Arsenal as he is drawn by the opportunity to emulate his idol Thierry Henry.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Mbappe would hit free agency in summerReportedly remains open to joining ArsenalGunners might not break wage structure to sign forwardWHAT HAPPENED?

With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain nearing its conclusion, Mbappe has become the subject of intense transfer speculation. In 2022, despite persistent pursuit from Real Madrid, Mbappe opted against a move to the Bernabeu. While Madrid remain interested this term, some reports suggest Mbappe is exploring alternative options, with a recent edition mentioning a potential move to the Premier League.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

According to , Arsenal have emerged as a viable destination for Mbappe as the goalscorer would "willingly join" the north London club to follow in the footsteps of Henry, Arsenal's legendary striker and all-time leading goalscorer. However, the offices at Parc des Princes continue to believe that a move to Real Madrid remains the most plausible option.

DID YOU KNOW?

The financial package already offered by Real Madrid reportedly falls short of Mbappe's expectations as it is less lucrative than the one presented in 2022.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

According to the report, Liverpool were approached by the player's entourage but the Reds did not want to break their wage structure. Arsenal may similarly choose to go down the same route which would leave Mbappe with fewer options, if he does indeed choose to snub Madrid after leaving PSG.

Bangladesh are virtually out of their home World T20 tournament but Mushfiqur Rahim, as he has done since the Sri Lanka ODI series, hoped for a better tomorrow

Mohammad Isam in Mirpur28-Mar-2014Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh captain, has been the team’s mouthpiece for much of their slump, turning up after pretty much every defeat to sum up how badly they have done, defending a selection or two, and appealing to the fans to stay with the team. He has used the word “alarming” a number of times and expressed exasperation at the dropped catches. Even more worryingly, he has been frank on a few occasions about being a bit lost in trying to find out a way to improve his team.After yet another insipid performance, one wondered just what else could he say.Against India, Bangladesh made 40 runs more than they did in the last game (98 all out against West Indies). Anamul Haque made 44, Mahmudullah returned to some form with an unbeaten 33 and Mashrafe Mortaza finished his quota of overs without getting injured. But to post 138 for 7 against India’s batting line-up was never enough. The team’s senior batsmen Mushfiqur, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal once again failed to contribute significantly. It has been six games now that the No 3 batting position has hardly put a dent to the team’s score.Bangladesh are virtually out of their home World T20 tournament but Mushfiqur, as he has done since the Sri Lanka ODI series, hoped for a better tomorrow.”We wanted to start well, but we didn’t do it in these two games,” Mushfiqur said. “There was a bit of improvement today, but we still have lots of areas to work on. We are playing against top teams, we need to play smarter cricket. Hopefully we will come up with good plans tonight and do better in the next two matches.”Given the lack of good starts from the openers and the continued struggle of the middle-order, Mushfiqur said that there is going to be a shuffling of the batting order in the next match. “Our plan was for Shakib to play at three, and myself at four,” he said. “But because Nasir [Hossain] and [Mahmudullah] Riyad were not in good form and Sabbir is a new guy, we didn’t want to risk Shakib going in very early and expose the middle and lower-order. Shakib plays his shots and could get out early too. The same could have happened with me. But we are going to think about it again.”On March 26, the BCB president had said the team could undergo changes after the World T20. He didn’t elaborate on which areas, but Mushfiqur has made it clear that he won’t be leaving the job of captain.”No one wants to leave the captaincy at a bad time, leaving your responsibility,” he said. “I enjoy captaincy, it is a big honour. If we do well, nobody thinks of us. But when we do badly, you have to work and come back to good form. The change is up to the administrators. If they make 20 changes and it helps the team, it is going to be good for the team.”

All the squads as they are announced for the women's soccer tournament at Tokyo's Olympic Games this summer

The women’s football tournament at this summer’s Olympic Games gets under way on July 21, with squads of 22 players to be selected by the 12 participating nations.

The rosters for the Games are usually of 18, but have been increased in size this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike in the men’s tournament, the squads have no age restrictions, which means the Olympics are recognised as second only to the World Cup when it comes to major international tournaments in the women’s game.

Goal brings you all the confirmed squads as they are announced.

GettyCanada

Bev Priestman, who was named head coach of Canada in October 2020, announced her 22-player roster on June 23.

Thirteen players in the squad were involved in the team that won a bronze medal in Rio five years ago.

Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who has over 200 caps, and 20-year-old starlet Jordyn Huitema, who ranked second in Goal's 2020 NXGN list, were initially among the surprise absentees, named among the reserves when the squads were still limited to 18 players. Both, however, are now part of the main squad.

Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe, Kailen Sheridan, Erin McLeod.

Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Shelina Zadorski, Allysha Chapman, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Gabrielle Carle.

Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Quinn, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt.

Forwards: Janine Beckie, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Deanne Rose, Christine Sinclair, Evelyne Viens, Jordyn Huitema.

AdvertisementGettyChile

Chile head coach Jose Letelier announced his 22-player squad for this summer's tournament on July 2.

After guiding the nation to their first ever Women's World Cup in 2019, the 55-year-old will coach the team at their first ever Olympic Games this summer too.

Seven players on the roster play their football abroad, including Christiane Endler, who recently signed for seven-time European champions Lyon. Antonia Canales, Universidad Catolica's 18-year-old goalkeeper, is the only uncapped player in the team.

Goalkeepers: Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales.

Defenders: Carla Guerrero, Camila Saez, Daniela Pardo, Javiera Toro, Valentina Diaz, Fernanda Ramirez.

Midfielders: Francisca Lara, Yanara Aedo, Karen Araya, Yessenia Lopez, Francisca Mardones, Nayadet Lopez, Yastin Jimenez.

Forwards: Daniela Zamora, Maria Jose Urrutia, Fernanda Pinilla, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Grez, Yenny Acuna.

GettyGreat Britain

Great Britain's final squad for this summer's Olympic Games was announced on May 27.

Head coach Hege Riise has named 19 players from England, two from Scotland and one from Wales to her roster, with no one from Northern Ireland making the cut. Kim Little and Caroline Weir helped Scotland reach their first Women's World Cup in 2019, while Wales' Sophie Ingle was part of the Chelsea side that won the league, cup and reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final last season.

Karen Bardsley pulled out of the squad due to injury on June 12, with Carly Telford announced as her replacement six days later.

Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck, Carly Telford, Sandy MacIver.

Defenders: Steph Houghton, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles.

Midfielders: Kim Little, Jill Scott, Sophie Ingle, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, Ella Toone.

Forwards: Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyJapan

Hosts Japan named their final squad for this summer's Games on June 18.

Head coach Asako Takakura has called upon 16 players who play their club football at home, with Saki Kumagai, who recently swapped Lyon for Bayern Munich, and Mana Iwabuchi, who has also transferred from Aston Villa to Arsenal this summer, the only two players that remain from the team that won a silver medal at London 2012.

Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda, Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao.

Defenders: Saki Kumagai, Risa Shimizu, Asato Miyagawa, Moeka Minami, Nanami Kitamura, Saori Takarada, Shiori Miyake.

Midfielders: Emi Nakajima, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Narumi Miura, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Jun Endo, Honoka Hayashi, Momoka Kinoshita.

Forwards: Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Mina Tanaka, Yuka Momiki.

Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted he fully enjoyed celebrating in front of the Manchester City fans after grabbing a late equaliser at the Etihad.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Liverpool draw with Manchester CityAlexander-Arnold snatches equaliserCelebrates in front of home fansWHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester City played out a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday in the Premier League. Erling Haaland put the hosts in front but the defending Premier League champions were pegged back when Alexander-Arnold struck an equaliser in the 80th minute. The England international pulled out a "shoosh" celebration in front of the City fans after rescuing a point for the Reds.

AdvertisementWHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

“It’s always good to celebrate in front of away fans. Seeing all of the faces is really funny," he told Sky Sports after the draw.

"I got the ball from Darwin. I could sense that there were bodies and I tried to get it across goal. Thankfully it found the bottom corner and it’s one we needed. It was about getting over the line and getting that point."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The draw means City remain a point ahead of Liverpool in the table but they have missed the chance to extend their lead over Jurgen Klopp's side. Arsenal can jump over both City and Liverpool in the table and move into top spot with a victory over Brentford on Saturday.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool have avoided a defeat in 10 of their last 11 Premier League games in which they’ve fallen behind (W4 D6). Indeed, the Reds have rescued 12 points from losing positions in the top-flight this season, the most of any side.

Birmingham City have opened the door for Wayne Rooney to join Tom Brady at St. Andrew’s, with manager John Eustace surprisingly sacked.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Blues riding high in the second tierHave parted company with bossLinked with ex-England captainWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues currently sit sixth in the Championship table, with an 18-point haul from 11 games enough to have them perched inside the play-off places. The Blues enjoyed a 3-1 derby win over West Midlands rivals West Brom last time out, but Eustace has now been axed as the club prepares to head in a different direction.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT THEY SAID

Birmingham have said in a statement on the club’s : “It is essential that the Board of Directors and the football management are fully aligned on the importance of implementing a winning mentality and a culture of ambition across the entire Football Club. With this in mind, Birmingham City has today parted company with Head Coach, John Eustace. Eustace departs after 15 months in charge, having helped to stabilise and strengthen the Club on the pitch following his appointment in July 2022.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Blues have also said that “a new First Team Manager will be announced in the coming days who will be responsible for creating an identity and clear ‘no fear’ playing style that all Birmingham City teams will adopt and embrace". It may be that Manchester United legend Rooney is charged with the task of guiding the second tier club forward.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Rooney has walked away from his role at MLS side D.C. United, with the ex-England captain and former Derby boss planning a return to his homeland. His profile would fit the bill at St. Andrew’s, with Birmingham drawing up ambitious plans after already seeing NFL icon Brady invest in the club alongside Knighthead Capital Management LLC.

Though their Blaugrana home kits are iconic, Barca have also delivered some tasty alternative strips over the years

Barcelona's red and blue stripes may be famous, but the Catalan club has shown throughout its history that it can still put together an impressive away shirt. Indeed, the Blaugrana have been toying with creative and colorful designs for nearly 50 years, coming up with some absolute beauties at various points.

From the bright yellow donned by the famous "MSN" attacking trio, to the classic Cruyff diagonal stripe shirt of the 1970s, Barca have donned some classics.

And so following the release of Barcelona's new away kit for the 2023-24 season, GOAL takes a look at some of the best away and third kits to have ever been worn by the Spanish giants…

Getty Images10Ronaldinho's toe poke genius (2003-05)

Ronaldinho loved a long-sleeved Barcelona kit. He had plenty of memorable moments in them, highlighted by a now-famous Man-of-the-Match performance at Santiago Bernabeu that brought Real Madrid fans to their feet.

This shirt, meanwhile, was associated with another iconic moment, the Brazilian's toe-poke finish from outside the box against Chelsea in the 2005 Champions League last 16. Although Jose Mourinho's Blues would go on to win, this kit is associated with one of great European goals.

Advertisement9Catalan stripes (2013-14)

This strip was a special one for local Barca fans. For the first time in the club's history, Barcelona donned a kit based on the Catalan flag. There were other details that connected it to the club's local roots, too, including the "Mes que un club" motto stitched onto the back of the neck lining.

Outside of the local area, the kit split opinion. And as some publications pointed out, the Blaugrana enjoyed limited success in the shirt, going winless in their first five contests wearing it.

Still, its homage to Barcelona's Catalan heritage made the kit important in its own right.

Getty Images8Soon to be a classic? (2022-23)

Can a kit released so recently be considered among the best ever? This gold strip from the most recent season certainly makes a case.

It's one of the best shirts Nike has designed for Barca for some time, with its bold colourway paying homage to some of Barcelona's memorable kits of the early 2000s (more on that later), as well as the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Olympic Games that were held in the city.

And it will be associated with success, too. The Blaugrana won back the Liga title in 2023, an achievement that will forever immortalise this kit.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images7R9 in a Kappa classic (1996-97)

Ronaldo only played for Barcelona for one year. And in those 12 glorious months, he donned some memorable kits. The home shirt, an effortlessly cool reimagination of the classic 80s strip, is one of the best ever. And the away one wasn't bad, either.

The Brazilian wore it while playing out one of the best individual seasons in Barcelona's history. Ronaldo scored 47 times in 49 appearances, including 34 in the league. And although his time in Catalunya ended after one year, he will forever be associated with breathtaking goals and classic kits.

Leicestershire supporters at Grace Road endured a frustrating day where, for the second time in three days, Steven Croft proved a game adversary

Alex Winter at Grace Road17-May-2015
ScorecardSteven Croft finished the day two runs short of a century (file photo)•Getty ImagesSports fans in Leicester had a good weekend. On Saturday, Leicester City confirmed their survival in the Premier League and Leicester Tigers beat local rivals Northampton to qualify for rugby’s Premiership playoffs. So it was perhaps a little too much to ask the county’s cricketers to join the upbeat mood of the city and supporters at Grace Road endured a frustrating day where, for the second time in three days, Steven Croft proved a game adversary.Croft’s 70 in 39 balls saw Lancashire to victory in the opening NatWest T20 Blast encounter between these sides on Friday. Here, against the same opposition with a red ball, Croft again lifted his side from trouble to steer Lancashire to a healthy total on a day of tricky batting conditions.Generous cloud cover, a green-tinged wicket and a temperature warm enough to help the ball swing produced plenty of help for the bowlers and Leicestershire should be disappointed at having missed a chance to dismiss their opponents cheaply. They did not bowl well enough.From 156 for 5, Lancashire more than doubled the score for the next three wickets, chiefly thanks to Croft who made a dashing fifty in 76 balls before playing carefully with the tail to end the day on the brink of a first century of the season. His sixth-wicket partnership of 73 with Jordan Clark was made at 4.33 runs an over and turned the day towards the visitors in 17 overs before tea. Clark’s loose drive ended the stand first ball after the break.Croft was busier than his coach Ashley Giles, who was pacing around the ground. He took three boundaries in three balls of Ben Raine, all square on the off side despite the presence of a sweeper, and was then squared up to a fuller straighter ball and got a thick edge fine of third man for a couple more to bring up a second half-century of the season. Just before the new ball, he showed his one-day touch by late cutting Tom Wells fine of third man.In former Leicestershire bowler Nathan Buck, who biffed two fours down the ground off Rob Taylor, he found steady company to add the third fifty partnership of the day, for the eighth wicket. Lancashire have a very handy total indeed.Ahead of this game Leicestershire’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, said his side had to start winning the key moments to turn their competitive start to the season – including a battling response to draw at home to Glamorgan and almost winning at Kent – into something more tangible. The first morning here, with a swinging new ball, could be considered such an event. That Leicestershire only had two wickets by lunch would be concluded as defeat.But success was within their grasp. Quite literally. Three catches were dropped in the first session, all at first slip. Raine was the unlucky bowler all three times. Mark Cosgrove, Leicestershire’s captain, put down a sitter that should have removed Paul Horton for 20. Cosgrove then replaced himself with Taylor, only for Taylor to shell just as easy a chance from Ashwell Prince, and another tougher chance by his left shoulder from Prince again.Taylor completed his hat-trick by missing his most difficult chance, low to his left with one hand, as Charlie Shreck took the second new ball in the gloaming. At least Leicestershire took full bowling bonus points just before the close.They nibbled the ball around all day but without the consistency to put their visitors under consistent pressure. It was perhaps indicative of their attack’s inexperience. And perhaps its modest pace too. The new ball swung and seamed – one from Clint McKay nibbled down the slope plumb into Clark’s box and sent him crawling painfully towards square square leg.McKay took the opening wicket, in the 13th over, as Karl Brown edged a drive behind, but the bowling was thereafter a little short and the second breakthrough only came when Alviro Petersen – one of three Kolpaks in the Lancashire side with Test match experience – played a very weak dab just outside off to also nick to the keeper. One of the better balls of the day, an inswinger from Shreck, trapped Prince lbw and Taylor, the left-armer, moved one back into Tom Bailey who played on.

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes fired Portugal ahead against Iceland on Sunday with a beautiful strike from the far corner of the box.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Portugal host Iceland in Euro 2024 qualifier Fernandes scores first-half openerPerfect response to Man Utd criticsWHAT HAPPENED?

Iceland were holding Portugal at 0-0 with half-time fast approaching in the Euro 2024 qualifying clash, only for Fernandes to pop up with a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock. He controlled a back-heel pass from Bernardo Silva out in front of him before unleashing a superb shot that flew into the far corner of the net, with Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson unable to get near the ball despite a full-stretch dive.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Portugal were already safely through to next summer's European Championship, having won all of their opening nine games in Group J. Fernandes is now up to six goals and seven assists in qualifying outings, and appears to be saving his best performances for the international stage. The 29-year-old midfielder has faced criticism for his performances at Manchester United this season, with Erik ten Hag's side having slipped way off the pace in the Premier League – but supporters will hope he can transfer his form for Portugal back to his club ahead of a busy festive period.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT'S NEXT FOR FERNANDES

Fernandes will likely return to Ten Hag's starting XI when United take on Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. The Red Devils will then turn their attention to the Champions League, with a must-win encounter against Galatasaray on the cards.