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International Football

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Four things we learnt as Cristiano Ronaldo's last-gasp winner seals victory for Portugal over Scotland

Scotland suffered late heartbreak when they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Portugal in the Nations League.

The Tartan Army took a surprise early lead when Scott McTominay headed home a Kenny McLean cross from the left flank.

Portugal probed Steve Clarke's side for the remainder of the half, enjoying 69% possession and having a total of 16 attempts at goal; however, they went into the break trailing.

A few minutes into the second half the hosts levelled thanks to a speculative strike from...
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Didier Deschamps insists France 'have backing' against Portugal despite recent criticism

France manager Didier Deschamps and talisman Kylian Mbappe made no secret of their respect for the Portuguese national team and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo in their pre-match press conference.

Mbappe alluded to his appreciation for 'footballing legend' Ronaldo, meanwhile Deschamps reflected on the pain of Euro 2016 and the criticism of his side following recent performances, insisting it is 'part and parcel of the game.'

Les Blues are ready to take on a Seleção das Quinas on Friday evening...
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Pre-Match Analysis: Direct Romania look to stun unpredictable Netherlands

Romania will have hopes of reaching a first European Championship quarter-final in 24 years when they take on the Netherlands tomorrow evening, where a shock result could be on the cards.

The Tricolorii stunned Ukraine in the opening game of Group E with an emphatic 3-0 victory over the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists. It was the nation's biggest-ever win at the Euros.

Despite a strong start, they then suffered a 2-0 defeat to the side third in the FIFA World Rankings, Belgium.

With the tight nat...
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Switzerland vs Italy: UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 Preview

Switzerland will have hopes of replicating the success they enjoyed three years ago versus France to reach the quarter-finals, when they take on Italy in the first tie of the knockout stages.

The Swiss will be desperate to avoid a similar fate to Euro 2016 when Nati exited the tournament on penalties against Poland after a Xherdan Shaqiri wonder strike gifted them a lifeline and drew the score level.

In the biggest shock of Euro 2020, Switzerland progressed from the knockout rounds for the fir
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Julian Nagelsmann remains tight-lipped on striker debate and fitness of key player ahead of knockout tie

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann gave a complimentary assessment of Denmark, while remaining tight-lipped on the team news ahead of their all important knockout tie against the Danes tomorrow evening.

Die Mannschaft will have hopes of righting the wrongs of Euro 2020 when they exited the tournament in the round of 16 at the hands of England.

However, this new-look DFB could not be further from Hansi Flick's stagnating side that fell short against the three lions and departed with a whimper.

So
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Ralf Rangnick tempers expectations, but is not settling for third place

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick and striker Marco Arnautovic were in a jovial mood as they addressed the world's media ahead of their nation's all-important tie versus the Netherlands tomorrow evening.

The Austrian manager laughed and joked with the veteran forward, with the pair relishing the challenge that lay ahead.

Das Team require one point against Oranje, which would likely see them progress as a best third-placed team. However, with Group D still wide open, victory could mean they top the gr
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Switzerland vs Germany: UEFA Euro 2024 Group A Preview

Switzerland face Germany in the final match of Group D as they search for at least a draw to make sure of qualification for the knockout rounds.

Following their stalemate with Scotland on Wednesday in Cologne, victory could see the Swiss top the group; however, defeat could mean curtains for Murat Yakin's side depending on how the Tartan Army get on against Hungary.

Yakin's team got off to a brilliant start when they comfortably beat the Magyars 3-1 last Saturday.

Despite this, the Swiss took
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Steve Clarke insists: "We go there to win" ahead of must win clash with Switzerland

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson gave an honest assessment of Friday's heavy defeat to hosts Germany as the Liverpool fullback was put on trial for the Tartan Army's humiliating display.

In a bit of a shack up, manager Steve Clarke addressed the media after the 31-year-old. Clarke kept it extremely short and sharp but did appear more jovial towards the end, sharing a laugh or two.

The Scots suffered their heaviest defeat in the European Championships as they succumbed to a 5-1 thrashing by ho...
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Portugal 2-1 Czechia: Post-Match Player Ratings

From the get go, the Czech game plan was extremely obvious, sit back in a low block, frustrate Portugal and play out a draw, if they nick a goal following a successful counter-attack, that is a bonus.

And, that was almost how it played out.

Roberto Martinez's side launched a handful of promising attacks inside the first ten minutes with Cristiano Ronaldo coming the closest with a header wide of the post.

Portugal continued to probe the Czech backline, enjoying the majority of the possession.
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Julian Nagelsmann insists "unique successes can be luck, but if you want to repeat it, it's not luck anymore"

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann struck an emotional figure in his press conference this evening, recognising the success of this new-look DFB in reigniting the passion for international football in Deutschland.

For the first time in a long while, it really feels as though the German national team and the fans are united together, with the 36-year-old encapsulating the mood perfectly.

In the game, there were warning signs from the get-go for Die Mannschaft when Hungary had an early sight at g
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Scotland vs Switzerland: UEFA Euro 2024 Group A Preview

Scotland will be desperate to right the wrongs of Friday's heavy defeat to hosts Germany when they face Switzerland tomorrow in Cologne.

The 5-1 thrashing was the nation's worst result in four UEFA European Championship appearances, which have all ended in group-stage exits.

In slightly more positive news, the Scots have already matched their goal tally from Euro 2020 with two games remaining in Group D.

However, it was an evening to forget for anyone wearing a kilt.

Die Mannschaft's fearsom
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Germany 5-1 Scotland: Post-Match Player Ratings

Germany got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a flying start, putting five past Scotland as they ran riot in Munich.

Julian Nagelsmann's side did not waste any time, as Florian Wirtz became Die Mannschaft's youngest-ever goalscorer at the European Championships following a first-time shot from the edge of the box.

Soon DFB found themselves two up, and Jamal Musiala doubled the lead inside 20 minutes following a fantastic line-breaking pass from Ilkay Gundogan in the build-up.

The final nail in
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An intriguing tactical battle: Fierce France ready to face aggressive Austria

France begin their pursuit of European glory with a trip to Düsseldorf to face an Austrian team reborn under disgraced former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick.

Despite Les Blues being touted as favourites to lift their third Euros trophy, Das Team will prove a tougher test than perhaps you might expect.

Finishing second in their qualifying group to FIFA-ranked No. 3 Belgium, Burschen enjoyed victories over Germany, Turkey, and Serbia in the build-up to the finals.

That being said, Didier
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Hungary vs Switzerland: UEFA Euro 2024 Group A Preview

Hungary take on Switzerland in both side's opening game of Euro 2024, with both nations keen for a strong start to the tournament.

Hungary enjoyed an excellent qualifying campaign. Marco Rossi's side topped Group G and did so with ease, finishing on 18 points from eight fixtures, above the likes of Serbia.

The Magyars were one of six teams to go undefeated alongside European powerhouses such as Portugal, England, France, and Belgium.

Despite the Republic of Ireland ending their 14-match unbea
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Julian Nagelsmann praises "very good" Scotland as he insists "there's no point in talking about the past"

Hosts Germany kick start Euro 2024 when they face Scotland in the opening game of the tournament tomorrow evening in Munich.

Die Mannschaft’s new-look team under Julian Nagelsmann clash with a Scotland side that recently dispatched Spain 2-0, and who are not to be underestimated.

In front of a home crowd, DFB will be overwhelming favourites; however, with thousands of the Tartan Army expected to be in attendance, Steve Clarke will have hopes of an early shock.

A tough group that also includes
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Pre-match analysis: Hosts Germany kick off Euro 2024 against Scotland

Hosts Germany kick off their highly anticipated Euro 2024 campaign when they face Scotland on Friday evening.

Die Mannschaft are bidding to lift their first European Championship since 1996 and will be desperate to put their poor performances at recent tournaments behind them.

The dismissal of Hansi Flick has given rise to a new era for DFB, stewarded by the former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann.

It took a while for Germany to get going under the 36-year-old when he was appointed in
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A new era beckons, but can the hosts go all the way? Germany's UEFA Euro 2024 Preview

The hosts of Euro 2024, Germany enter with the hopes of making amends for their poor performance at the 2022 World Cup and previous tournaments by winning their first UEFA European Championship in nearly three decades.

Since their 2014 World Cup triumph and Euro 2016 semi-final finish, the national team have reached the knockouts just once in three major competitions.

However, a home tournament could not have come at a better time for Die Mannschaft, as the dawn of a new era beckons for German
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Hungary vs Israel: International Friendly Preview, 2024

Hungary will enter their final Euro 2024 warm-up match against Israel with the hopes of securing a momentum-building victory, with just one week until the commencement of the finals.

The Magyars saw their long 14-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end on Tuesday when John O’Shea’s Republic of Ireland side inflicted defeat on the visitors in Dublin.

When Hungary take to the pitch at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne to face Switzerland, the Magyars will be making their third consecutive Eur
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Ireland vs Hungary: International friendly preview, 2024

The Republic of Ireland will be searching for their first win under interim boss John O’Shea when they take on Hungary on Tuesday evening in Dublin.

The former Ireland international was appointed in February following the dismissal of Steven Kenny, after he failed to qualify Ireland for this summer's Euros, placing fourth in their group with a mere six points.

A respectable draw against FIFA-ranked No. 5 side Belgium and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Switzerland earned the 43-year-old a contract exte