Naomi Layzell enjoyed a dream Women s Champions League debut as her goal and assist helped Manchester City stun holders Barcelona 2-0 on Wednesday.
Layzell was playing her football in the Women s Super League last season with relegated Bristol City, but was the star of the show at the Joie Stadium.
City were making their first appearance in the competition since falling to a 4-2 quarter-final loss to the Catalan side in March 2021, and exacted their revenge with a plucky display.
The hosts, however, almost found themselves a goal behind with just three minutes on the clock when Caroline Hansen took aim and saw her effort cannon off the post, shortly before Lauren Hemp struck the woodwork with a strike of her own.
City grew into the contest and almost g…
Canada must produce the performance of their lives to have any chance of upsetting holders Argentina to reach the Copa America final, acknowledges Jesse Marsch.
Marsch s team will face the World Cup winners for a final berth at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, having overcome Venezuela in a penalty shoot-out in the last eight.
They are just the fourth CONCACAF team to reach the Copa semi-finals and the third to do so on their debut, after Mexico (1993 runners-up), Honduras (third in 2001) and the United States (third in 1995).
They face the sternest of tests next up, however, having already lost to Lionel Messi and the rest of Argentina s stars in their opening group-stage game.
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez were on target in that match as Lionel Sca…
Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin is certain his country can qualify for the 2014 World Cup as they prepare to begin their campaign on Friday.
Having finished third in Japan and South Korea in 2002, Turkey have failed to participate at the last two major international tournaments.
Speaking ahead of Turkey s first qualifier against the Netherlands, Sahin said his team had been given a sense of direction by new coach Abdullah Avci, and are more than equipped to book their place in the showpiece event.
We are on the right path, I m certain we ll be there in 2014, the midfielder told reporters.
Competition is necessary in every team, we would all like to have starting positions. However, it s up to the coach.
As well as the Dutch, Turkey have also been…
Daley Blind is embracing playing a more supportive role for the Netherlands, despite his lack of playing time at Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old is appearing at his fourth major tournament with the Oranje, who he represented at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups, as well as Euro 2020.
However, his playing involvement has been far more limited this time around, with the defender only appearing for the final minute of the 3-0 victory over Romania in the round of 16.
Blind was made aware this would be the case ahead of the tournament following a discussion with head coach Ronald Koeman, who encouraged him to use his vast experience to benefit the younger players in the squad.
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024)
It s different, and it takes some getting u…
Austria coach Marcel Koller says Wales were lucky on their run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Chris Coleman s men reached the last four in France before missing out on a place in the final thanks to a 2-0 defeat to eventual champions Portugal in Lyon.
But Koller, whose side were eliminated at the pool stage without registering a win and face Wales in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, says there was an element of fortune to the nation s remarkable run in their first major tournament since 1958.
Discussing his preparations for this week s match, he said: We will not rearrange everything. Sometimes you need to be lucky as well. That is what we could see at Euro 2016 Wales were lucky sometimes.
And Koller revealed Gareth Bale would be subject to special…
The 2014 FIFA World Cup ended on Sunday as Germany toppled Argentina in Rio de Janeiro. We look back at the tournament in numbers.
136 Goals scored in the group stage; the best of any tournament since expanding to 32 teams and the best goals-per-game average since 1958
8 Knockout games decided in extra time or by a penalty shoot-out; more than any tournament since expanding to 32 teams
35 Goals scored in the knockout stages
10 Red cards; fewer than any World Cup since 1986 with the record of 28 having been set in 2006
1 Yellow cards shown for diving; the first one was handed out to Brazil midfielder Oscar in the third-place play-off
4 Months Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was banned after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. He was also s…
UEFA have announced their Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament, with Rodri and Lamine Yamal among six Spain players named in the star XI.
La Roja claimed their record-breaking fourth European Championship crown on Sunday, as Mikel Oyarzabal s late strike sealed a 2-1 victory over England in Berlin.
Luis de la Fuente s side won all seven of their matches, and their efforts have been recognised in UEFA s team of the tournament.
Rodri was named Player of the Tournament and Yamal scooped the Young Player award, while team-mate Dani Olmo edged a six-way tie in the race for the Golden Boot having also claimed two assists.
The trio are joined by Nico Williams, who opened the scoring in the final, along with Marc Cucurella and Fabian Ruiz.
France s duo of Mik…
Arsene Wenger is an extraordinary guy who still has Arsenal in his bones but he should have left after winning a seventh FA Cup, says Bob Wilson.
Monday marks the two-year anniversary of Wenger announcing he would be departing the Gunners at the end of the 2017-18 season.
Wenger masterminded one of the greatest periods in Arsenal s history during his near 22-year stay in north London, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups – including two doubles.
The Frenchman also oversaw Arsenal s Invincibles , who incredibly went unbeaten during the 2003-04 campaign.
However, factions of supporters turned against him towards the later years of his tenure and there was an ever-growing Wenger Out brigade at the Emirates Stadium.
Legendary Arsen…
The Steelers welcome the Broncos to Heinz Field with both teams having unexpectedly contrasting records. Pittsburgh has struggled so far this season with Ben Roethlisberger a shadow of his former self and enter Week 5 with a 1-3 record, whereas the Broncos are 3-1 and are in the thick of a very competitive AFC West.
NFL betting lines have this as a pick’em and it really feels like a must-win for both teams — the Steelers need to start climb from the basement of the AFC North and the Broncos need to keep winning in a division that features the Chargers, Raiders, and Chiefs.
Here are our best free NFL picks and predictions for Broncos vs. Steelers on Sunday, October 10.
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The Carolina Panthers could have the pieces to make a move in the NFC South. That’s a pretty loaded “could”, though.
A deep young defense is the backbone of this team, but questionable coaching, a star running back made of tissue paper, and the curious quarterback case of Baker Mayfield has divided bettors on the Panthers’ potential. At least Carolina’s NFL odds are projecting progress from its five wins in 2021.
Should football bettors keep pounding the point spreads considering this team was the worst bet in the NFC at 5-12 ATS last year? We find out in our Carolina Panthers 2022 betting preview.