Rodrigo de Paul says Argentina were born to suffer after celebrating his side s remarkable World Cup victory over France in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni s side held a two-goal lead at the interval against the defending champions, but a second-half brace from Kylian Mbappe turned the tie on it s head, with further drama to follow.
Lionel Messi scored his second of the game to hand Argentina the lead again in extra time, but a second Mbappe penalty clinched the forward his hat-trick, sending the game to penalties – where Gonzalo Montiel tucked home the deciding effort.
Having fallen at the final hurdle in 1990 and 2014, the win handed Argentina their first World Cup crown since 1986 and will result in a third star on their shirt – only Brazil (five), Germany and Italy…
Jonas Olsson fears Chris Brunt s knee injury could shatter his dreams of representing Northern Ireland at a major international competition.
Brunt suffered the setback during last weekend s 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace, the 31-year-old leaving the field on a stretcher after falling awkwardly when challenging Wilfried Zaha.
While the full extent of his injury has yet to be revealed, Olsson says the prospect of missing Euro 2016 would be a huge blow to his team-mate, who was struck by a coin thrown by one of his own fans in last month s FA Cup loss to Reading.
It is a shattered dream for him not to be able to represent his country in the Euros, said the Sweden international.
I think that coin incident is not on his mind at all when you have an injur…
Former Barcelona captain Xavi believes England can pull off a surprise and win their first European Championship in 2016.
Much has been made of the fact England have failed to win silverware since lifting the World Cup in 1966, reaching the semi-final of the Euros on two occasions in 1968 and 1996.
However, Xavi, who won back-to-back European Championships with Spain in 2008 and 2012, can see similarities between that side and England s young team.
I think England have a real chance, the 36-year-old told The Mirror.
Before we [Spain] won our first title I believe it was the pressure that meant we never progressed past the quarter-finals. Because of our quality there was so much pressure on us and it got to us.
England when they had …
Harry Kane produced a special display against Manchester City that will be tough to match in the Premier League this season, says Jamie Carragher.
Tottenham stunned City with a thrilling 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, a result that gave Liverpool fresh hope in the title race.
Kane scored twice and had another goal ruled out by VAR but it was his creative play against a City team who tried to sign him last year that delighted Liverpool great Carragher.
The England captain s pass sparked the move that saw Dejan Kulusevski open the scoring and his link-up play with Son Heung-min – who racked up two assists – was sublime throughout.
That was one of the best performances I have seen this season, it really was, Carragher said to Sky Sports abo…
Neymar has been acquitted of fraud and corruption charges stemming from his 2013 transfer to Barcelona from Santos.
A Spanish court also exonerated Neymar s father and the two clubs, while ex-Barca presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell were also found not guilty, as well as former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues.
The trial in October examined the Brazil international s move in 2013 after complaints by DIS, a Brazilian company that owned 40 per cent of Neymar when he was playing for Santos.
The case was brought by Spanish prosecutors, with DIS citing lost income after the real value of the transfer was understated by the other parties.
DIS were seeking a five-year jail term for Neymar as well as a fine of up to €149million, while the prosec…
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has revealed he signed £52million midfielder Sandro Tonali after he “fell in love” watching his play for AC Milan last season.
The 23-year-old Italy international made a stunning Premier League debut in the Magpies’ 5-1 rout of Aston Villa on Saturday evening, announcing himself in English football in style with the opening goal and a commanding engine room display.
Asked if Tonali had exceeded his expectations, head coach Howe said: “I don’t know. I wouldn’t say so because that would be disrespectful to his ability.
A dream debut!
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC)
“We pursued him for a long, long time, paid a big fee for him because I fell in love watching him play the game last year.
“He’s an …
Manchester City took the Premier League title race into their own hands with a 4-1 demolition job of leaders Arsenal on Wednesday.
Three straight draws saw Arsenal hand City the initiative before the Gunners trip to the Etihad Stadium, and Pep Guardiola s side showed little mercy in a stunning display of dominance.
Kevin De Bruyne came to the fore, scoring either side of John Stones header, which City s playmaker teed up.
Rob Holding snatched a consolation late on, but Erling Haaland ensured he had the last word with a goal that saw him break the record for goals in a 38-game Premier League season, as City made their point.
City were convinced they should have had a penalty inside three minutes, yet De Bruyne was adjudged to have fouled Thomas Partey afte…
Luciano Spalletti lauded the hunger of Napoli to not rest on their sizeable Serie A lead after a 4-0 hammering of Torino on Sunday.
Victor Osimhen s brace came alongside goals for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Tanguy Ndombele that sent Napoli 21 points clear at the Serie A summit after a dominant performance in Turin.
Inter could cut that significant advantage when they host Juventus later on Sunday, although the Partenopei are within touching distance of their first Scudetto since 1990.
Spalletti continues to be impressed by Napoli s fight and refusal to let their march towards the title stall, embodying the hunger and pride of the Partenopei support.
The Napoli coach told DAZN: It s the umpteenth time that I go to talk to the boys before a game, having the …
Raphinha scored one goal and assisted another as Barcelona restored their 11-point lead at the LaLiga summit with a comfortable 4-0 victory over 10-man Real Betis.
Real Madrid cut the gap at the top to eight points with a 4-2 victory over Almeria before Saturday s kick-off at Camp Nou, but Barca reclaimed their significant advantage in style.
Andreas Christensen s early header from Raphinha s delightful cross set the Blaugrana on their way before Robert Lewandowski struck after a mindless first-half dismissal for Betis substitute Edgar Gonzalez.
Raphinha added a third goal soon after, before a Guido Rodriguez own goal sealed a dominant victory for Barca, who introduced 15-year-old debutant Lamine Yamal in the closing stages.
Max AC
— FC Barcelo…
Unai Emery backed Ollie Watkins to make England’s Euro 2024 squad after his two goals helped Aston Villa to a 3-2 win against Luton.
The 28-year-old took his tally for the season in all competitions to 21 at Kenilworth Road, first heading in from a Leon Bailey corner then finishing via a post following Douglas Luiz’s quick free-kick.
It is now his best Premier League season in terms of goals scored, with 16 in the top flight as Villa have emerged as surprise contenders to qualify for the Champions League.
MOOD.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial)
Gareth Southgate has less than three months to decide which forward players to take to Germany alongside captain Harry Kane, with Watkins staking a claim as a leading contender.
Brentford strike…