Italy, Czechia and Slovenia
seal Euro 2024 qualifications
New Delhi, Nov 21: Italy, Czechia and Slovenia became the latest teams to secure their places at UEFA EURO 2024 as 20 of the 24 teams that will be playing at the EURO 2024 finals are confirmed. EURO holders Italy reached the finals ahead of Ukraine by sealing second spot in Group C with a point in Leverkusen. Luciano Spalletti’s side had the majority of the chances during an end-to-end opening period, Federico Chiesa and Nicolò Barella among those going close, while Davide Frattesi was denied by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin after breaking clear inside the area. Ukraine repeatedly threatened from counterattacks, Georgiy Sudakov seeing his drive tipped away by Azzurri No1 Gianluigi Donnarumma. In an intense but less frenetic second half, Donnarumma’s vital save prevented Mykhailo Mudryk from changing the course of qualification. Ukraine now enter the play-offs. Notably, Ukraine became the first side since Northern Ireland in 2010 to stop Italy from scoring in EURO qualifying – a run of 34 matches. On the other hand, Czechia claimed second place in Group E after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over ten-man Moldova and qualified for their eighth successive EURO finals. David Doudera put the hosts ahead with a deft close-range finish after just 14 minutes, having collected Tomas Chory’s pinpoint pass. Moldova’s hopes of a comeback were dented when Vladislav Baboglo was sent off in the 55th minute for a second bookable offence. Czechia took full advantage in the closing stages, adding further goals via Chorý’s emphatic near-post header and Tomas Souček’s precise effort. Slovenia defeated Kazakhstan 2-1 to qualify for the UEFA EURO finals for just the second time, previously doing so in 2000. (IANS)
Brazil beath Equador to reach U17 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal
Jakarta, Nov 21: Thanks to two goals from Estevao Willian and one from Luighi Hanri, Brazil beat Ecuador 3-1 here to enter the Under-17 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. At the Manahan Stadium in Central Java province, Brazilian players made 21 shots, as compared to Ecuador’s 15. reports Xinhua. Michael Bermudez scored a goal for Ecuador during the first half. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” said Brazil’s elated captain, Vitor Reis, at the final whistle. “We’ve had four matches against them and four straight draws,” added the defender. “They’ve all been very tough games, especially away to them. We took our chance today and came away smiling.” In another round of 16 match held at the same venue on Monday, Spain tamed Japan 2-1, thanks to goals made by Quim Junyent and Marc Guiu. Barcelona star proved the hero as Spain edged past a stern Japan defence to book a quarter-final date with Germany or USA. Guiu was the hero again for Spain as the Barcelona star netted a 74th-minute winner to sink a stubborn Japan side. Spain, who continue their 100 per cent record at the last-16 stage, will now face either USA or Germany in the last 16. Meanwhile, Japan head home at this stage for a fourth successive tournament. (IANS)
Venues named for opening, final matches of Copa America 2024
Atlanta, Nov 21: The final of the 2024 Copa America will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as the CONMEBOL announced the venues for the opening and final matches of the tournament. The 48th edition of the oldest national team tournament in the world will begin on June 20, 2024 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and will end on July 14 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The opening match, scheduled June 20, 2024, will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. A world-class venue that seats more than 71,000 spectators. The final match will be played on July 14, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Copa America 2024 will include 10 CONMEBOL teams and 6 guest teams from Concacaf. This will be the second time in the tournament’s history that it will host 16 teams – having hosted the same number of teams in its 2016 edition, also held in the United States. The Quarterfinals will be played from November 16 to 21, and the winner of the aggregate score of each match will qualify for the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024. The other two Concacaf participants will be confirmed after a Play-In between the losers of the quarterfinals. This Play-In will take place in March 2024. The tournament schedule and other host venues were not disclosed. The Copa America draw will be held in Miami on December 7. (IANS)
Argentina mulling Di Maria
return for Brazil clash
Buenos Aires, Nov 21: Veteran winger Angel Di Maria could return to Argentina’s starting lineup for the team’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Brazil, Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni said. Di Maria, 35, showed that he had fully recovered from a leg muscle injury with a lively second-half cameo in Argentina’s 2-0 home defeat to Uruguay last Thursday. Di Maria has been touted as a possible replacement for Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez for the match at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium on Tuesday. Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez could also earn a start for the reigning world champions in the place of Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez. But Scaloni stressed that he did not intend to send any negative messages to his players, reports Xinhua. Argentina remains top of the 10-team South American qualifying group with 12 points from five games, two points ahead of second-placed Uruguay. Brazil is fifth, having lost two and drawn one of its past three qualifiers. Scaloni said his players would not underestimate the five-time world champion despite their erratic form under manager Fernando Diniz, who was appointed manager in July following the departure of Tite. The qualifier will mark Argentina’s return to the scene of their 2021 Copa America triumph, a result that ended a 28-year title drought. Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the final at a Maracana stadium that had no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (IANS)