Scotland came back to earth as France recover from early fright
Scotland gave France an early fright before suffering a chastening 4-1 loss to their classy hosts in Lille. The Scots went into the friendly knowing they had qualified for the 2024 European Championships at the weekend after Spain beat Norway to ensure Steve Clarke’s side a top-two finish in Group A. Clarke took the opportunity to utilise his squad, giving a debut to Liam Kelly among eight changes from last week’s game in Seville and they stunned the home side when midfielder Billy Gilmour guided in the opener after 11 minutes – his first ever senior goal. However, France defender Benjamin Pavard scored twice with headers by way of a rapid response and skipper Kylian Mbappe added a third from the spot before the break. Substitute Kingsley Coman hammered in a fourth in the 70th minute to seal a commanding win for the superior home side. After winning their first five Euro qualifiers, Scotland have lost three games in a row and Clarke will want to get that winning feeling back in the final two qualifiers against Georgia and Norway next month. In addition to Kelly’s introduction to international football in The Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre Mauroy, Clarke also brought in defenders Nathan Patterson, Greg Taylor and Liam Cooper, midfielders Kenny McLean, Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson and striker Che Adams. It was always going to be a tough test against Les Blues, who qualified comfortably for Euro 2024 by winning their first six qualifiers. Boss Didier Deschamps also freshened his side up from the 2-1 win over the Netherlands last Friday. Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann kept their places while Ousmane Dembele and all-time leading scorer Olivier Giroud came back into the side. The kick-off was delayed for around 10 minutes due to the long queues at the stadium amid extra security measures put in place after two Swedish nationals were shot dead in Brussels the previous evening. There was a minute’s silence before the game to commemorate that incident and it was a low-key start to the game on a pitch still showing markings from its use in the Rugby World Cup, before the Scots took an unexpected lead. France defender Eduardo Camavinga cut out a pass from Gilmour inside the box but with a poor touch gave it straight back to the unmarked Brighton midfielder, who curled the ball low past goalkeeper Mike Maignan. However, there was little time for the Tartan Army to enjoy the landmark goal as a Griezmann corner from the left five minutes later was all too easily glanced past Kelly by Inter Milan centre-back Pavard. A refocused France side took control of the game and Mbappe skipped past Jack Hendry before crossing for Pavard again to head past Kelly from close range. The visitors were struggling to get up the pitch and in the 40th minute France were awarded a penalty after referee Tobias Stieler went pitchside at the behest of VAR and judged Cooper had held Giroud inside the penalty area, with Mbappe stepping up to send the penalty past the diving Kelly, who got close but not close enough. The Motherwell keeper did not look great moments later when he fumbled a shot from Dembele but the lurking Mbappe could not capitalise. Hearts keeper Zander Clark replaced Kelly at the start of the second half to make his debut and Jacob Brown and John Souttar would take over from Adams and Cooper. Giroud and Dembele made way for Marcus Thuram and Coman and in the 70th minute the latter thrashed a shot high past Clark after Griezmann had volleyed against the bar. A low drive from Brown in a rare Scotland attack was pushed past the post by Maignan and the corner came to nothing before Ryan Christie and Stuart Armstrong came on for Gilmour and McLean. Thuram rattled Clark’s crossbar with a drive and at the other Maignan made saves from Armstrong’s volley and Brown’s header but the game was already well gone for Scotland. Read More How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 – and why Germany will be different England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it England player ratings as Marcus Rashford shines but Kalvin Phillips struggles in Italy comeback Scotland come back to earth as France recover from early fright Shea Charles dismissed as Northern Ireland lose at home to Slovenia Jordan Henderson has ‘no regrets’ over Saudi Arabia move despite being booed
2023-10-18 05:25
England secure Euro 2024 berth, Denmark survive San Marino scare
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2023-10-18 05:22
R29’s Shopping Team Reviews Free People’s Previously Sold-Out Puffer
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2023-10-18 05:14
England player ratings as Marcus Rashford shines but Kalvin Phillips struggles in Italy comeback
England have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare after coming from behind to defeat Italy thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and a brilliant Marcus Rashford strike. Former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca punished some slack England defending to fire Italy into an early lead, in what was a rematch of the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. But England hit back as Kane converted a 32nd-minute penalty, which was won by Jude Bellingham following a bursting run into the Italy box. And Bellingham was heavily involved again as he led an England counter-attack after the break, creating space for Rashford to slam a powerful strike into the corner. Kane made sure of the victory with another breakaway goal late on - his 61st for England - and it means Gareth Southgate’s side can now begin their preparations for Germany next summer. Here are how the England players rated at Wembley Jordan Pickford, 7 The goalkeeper made some key stops with the match level in the first half, particularly from Destiny Udogie’s run shortly before the break. Italy were poor in the second half and Pickford was barely troubled from there. Kyle Walker, 6 The experienced right back was assured and steady and barely let Stephan El Shaarway have a sniff. John Stones, 6 The centre-back is still working his way up to full fitness but his class on the ball was apparent. Perhaps caught a yard short of Scamacca for Italy’s opening goal - but England were also second-best throughout the pitch at the time. Harry Maguire, 6 There were spells in the first half where England needed to move it quicker and Maguire was left looking culpable with his ponderous style in possession. Italy certainly punished some slack defending with the opening goal, but Maguire also grew into the game and made some key blocks. Given the outside noise, this was a decent performance from the centre-back. Kieran Trippier, 5 Seemed outnumbered at times with Domenico Berardi and Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s partnership on the Italian right, while he certainly doesn’t look as comfortable on the opposite side. Kalvin Phillips, 4 Looked sluggish from the opening 10 minutes, where he was late to a couple of challenges and it resulted in an early yellow. There were big gaps in midfield, which were the areas Phillips was in the team to fill in his double-pivot with Rice, and he was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a second yellow after another mistimed challenge. Brought off for Jordan Henderson. Declan Rice, 6 It was rare to see Rice so exposed in midfield and there were a couple of moments where Italy were able to play around him - Italy’s Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Barella were certainly a handful - but it’s a measure of Rice’s authority that he soon got the situation under control. Phil Foden, 8 Made some thrilling bursts from central positions and was also heavily involved in England’s brilliant second goal on the counter-attack. Perhaps still isn’t as threatening on the right wing as Bukayo Saka often is, but shows brilliant flashes of quality in those dangerous inside channels. Jude Bellingham, 9 If there was only one England player who looked sharp in the sluggish opening half hour, it’s no surprise to say it was Bellingham. Helped bring England level with his burst into the box to win Kane’s penalty and then repeated the trick with a lovely flick and drive forward in the move that led to Rashford’s strike. England’s main man, at 20 years old, and his display received a standing ovation. Marcus Rashford, 8 It’s amazing what a goal can do. Looked short of confidence in the first half, even as he almost forced a couple of openings in his battle with Di Lorenzo. But Bellingham’s break allowed Rashford to cut inside from the left and smash a brilliant strike past Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a sudden flash of last season’s form. Harry Kane, 9 Brought up his 60th England goal from the spot with a typically cool penalty. There were times early on where he looked a little more isolated up front than in previous appearances, but from there the quality link-up play with his fellow forwards flowed, with clever touches and booming switches to both Foden and Rashford. His second goal of the night, as he eased Alessandro Baston away and finished, simply oozed the class of an elite striker. Read More England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes Jude Bellingham once again proves he is the key for England’s Euro 2024 hopes England have qualified for Euro 2024 — now it’s about winning it Kyle Walker eyes ‘little bit of payback’ as England host Italy
2023-10-18 05:13
Hedge Fund Sculptor Sued by Billionaire Founder Over Rithm Deal
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Oneview Healthcare and Baxter Announce Connected Care Collaboration During Meeting with Enterprise Ireland
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2023-10-18 05:10
Eagles sign wide receiver Julio Jones to add veteran depth to receiving corps
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Lions fans travel well: Dan Campbell doesn't believe in road games
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Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence feels optimistic about playing at the Saints despite sprained knee
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Rockets are trading Kevin Porter to Thunder, AP source says, and Oklahoma City will waive him
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