COLOGNE, Germany: England manager Gareth Southgate was met with boos and thrown beer cups by his own fans despite topping Group C as Slovenia also progressed to the knockout stages thanks to a 0-0 draw in Cologne.
The Three Lions were already assured of a place in the last 16 but can expect more criticism after failing to improve on underwhelming performances in edging past Serbia and drawing with Denmark.
England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16.
But more questions will be asked over one of the favorites’ ability to end a 58-year wait for major tournament glory as a star-studded forward line was snuffed out by Slovenia.
“That was the aim before the start of the tournament. Come top of the group and control our destiny,” said England captain Harry Kane.
“I thought we played a lot better than the other games. We couldn’t just find that finish but we look forward to the next one.”
Southgate made a statement with his team selection, resisting the calls to make mass changes as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in the only alteration from the opening two games.
If the England boss was looking for a reaction by showing faith in the other 10 who have started all three matches in Germany, he was left disappointed.
Slovenia are now nine games unbeaten, which included beating Portugal 2-0 in a pre-tournament friendly.
Declan Rice had highlighted Benjamin Sesko as their big threat on Monday.
Sesko could have been lining up alongside Rice at Arsenal next season had he not shunned interest to extend his contract at RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old shrugged off a thigh injury to start and had the first chance of the game when he tamely headed straight at Jordan Pickford four minutes in.
It took 20 minutes for England to pose a serious threat and only the offside flag denied them a slick opening goal.
Rice picked out Phil Foden’s run but the Manchester City midfielder had strayed beyond the Slovenian defense before squaring for Bukayo Saka to tap in.
England’s lack of attacking threat down the left had been pinpointed as a major weakness against Serbia and Denmark.
Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier has had to deputise on the left side of defense due to Luke Shaw’s lack of match fitness, while Foden tends to drift inside.
However, it was down that side that Southgate’s men looked most threatening as a teasing Trippier cross just evaded Gallagher and Harry Kane at the back post.
Southgate took action at the break as Gallagher was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old added some much needed thrust to the England midfield but they still struggled to turn dominance in possession into chances.
Kane saw a header cleared by Sesko from a corner and Rice flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box.
Southgate answered the call to give Cole Palmer his first minutes of the tournament in the final 20 minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder, who scored 26 goals at club level this season, had England’s only shot on target of the second half but failed to seriously test veteran goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
A point was jubilantly celebrated by the Slovenians as it did enough for them to progress as one of the best third-placed sides thanks to three draws from their three games.
Matjaz Kek’s men missed out on second place in the group solely due to Denmark’s superior record in qualifying as the sides had the same points, goal difference and goals scored.
By contrast, Southgate had to endure a barrage of abuse as he saluted the England fans at the end.
England top Euros group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate
https://arab.news/zxj5c
England top Euros group but disappoint again in Slovenia stalemate
- England will have to wait until Wednesday’s final group games to find out which of the four best third-placed teams they will face in the last 16
Inter Milan reach Italian Cup quarterfinals after Asllani scores direct from corner kick
- Marko Arnautovic and Kristjan Asllani netted in the first half to help Inter set up a quarterfinal match against Lazio
- Teenage defender Mike Aidoo came on two minutes from time for Inter for his professional debut
MILAN: A much-changed Inter Milan side eased to a 2-0 victory over Udinese in the Italian Cup on Thursday.
Marko Arnautovic and Kristjan Asllani netted in the first half to help Inter set up a quarterfinal match against Lazio — the team they routed 6-0 in the league on Monday. Inter coach Simone Inzaghi made eight changes to that side.
The match was briefly halted shortly before halftime when a spectator collapsed in the stands. The fan was immediately treated as the stadium fell into silence and the players looked on, clearly concerned.
A defibrillator had to be used before the fan was carried out on a stretcher to the applause of the San Siro crowd. The fan was reportedly stable in the hospital.
When play resumed after a delay of more than five minutes, the Udinese players still seemed distracted as Asllani’s corner from the left evaded everyone and went in off the far post.
That put Inter 2-0 up as it had broken the deadlock in the 30th minute following an Udinese error. A hideous pass from visiting midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was straight at Mehdi Taremi and he fed in Arnautovic, who slotted into the bottom right corner.
Taremi hit the post in the second half, while Inter also had an early penalty revoked on review.
Teenage defender Mike Aidoo came on two minutes from time for Inter for his professional debut.
Guiu hat trick helps Chelsea rout Rovers 5-1 to extend Conference League dominance
- Guiu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona this summer, has scored six goals in six games in the third-tier competition
- Rolando Mandragora netted for Fiorentina three minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw at Vitoria
LONDON: Marc Guiu’s first-half hat trick helped Chelsea ease past Shamrock Rovers 5-1 on Thursday to complete the league phase of the UEFA Conference League with a 100 percent record.
The 18-year-old forward, who netted twice in a 3-1 win over Astana in the previous round, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a header from close range at Stamford Bridge.
Markus Poom equalized for the Irish visitors, but Guiu restored Chelsea’s lead with an angled shot from the left in the 34th.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it 3-1 six minutes later before Guiu completed his first hat trick for the Blues with a header in stoppage time.
“I’ve never seen anyone press like him,” Dewsbury-Hall told TNTSports about Guiu. “He doesn’t slow down, he’ll keep working hard. You forget how young he is. He’s only 18. I’m happy that he got his hat trick, he deserves it.”
Guiu, who joined Chelsea from Barcelona this summer, has scored six goals in six games in the third-tier competition.
Marc Cucurella finished off the rout in the second half.
It’s now eight straight wins in all competitions for Enzo Maresca’s team, which equals the club’s record set in December 2016.
Of the 36 clubs involved in the revamped competition, the top eight in the standings go directly to the round of 16 in March. Teams ranked ninth to 24th go into the knockout playoffs in February. The bottom 12 teams are eliminated.
Unlike the new-look Champions League and Europa League, teams in the Conference League face six opponents, not eight, in the league phase that replaced the traditional group stage.
Chelsea was the only team that stayed perfect, the only team that qualified to the round of 16 with a game to spare, and it scored 26 in six games, by far the most goals.
Despite its first defeat in the competition, Rovers finished 10th and became the first Irish club to advance to the knockout stage of a European competition.
Top eight
Rolando Mandragora netted for Fiorentina three minutes from time to salvage a 1-1 draw at Vitoria, a result that gave the Portuguese team second place with 14 points. Fiorentina, runner-up in the previous two editions, was a point back in third.
Rapid Vienna beat Copenhagen 3-0 to advance from fourth place on 13 points. Djurgarden was fifth with 13 points after a 3-1 win over Legia Warsaw, which was seventh place.
Lugano finished sixth after being held 2-2 at home by Pafos from Cyprus.
Cercle Brugge’s 1-1 draw against Basaksehir was enough to finish eighth.
Sharjah shine again as UAE Pro League takes break ahead of Gulf Cup start
- Cosmin Olaroiu’s team lead the table after 10 rounds as reigning champions Al-Wasl struggle
DUBAI: A lull in play for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup provides an opportune moment to assess a burgeoning 2024-25 ADNOC Pro League.
Superstar signings, such as Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club’s Sardar Azmoun, and surprise packages — leaders Sharjah were nowhere close to being pre-season title favorites — have lit up the opening 10 rounds.
We have also seen holders Al-Wasl afflicted by the usual champions’ curse, while there has been mixed fortunes for promoted Al-Orooba and Dibba Al-Hisn.
Before an upwardly mobile UAE under Paulo Bento begin their regional campaign in Kuwait this weekend, here is a chance to reflect on domestic matters.
King out to reclaim the crown
We should have known not to discount serial trophy hoarder Cosmin Olaroiu.
A dismal 2023-24, following an unprecedented quartet of silverware the campaign prior, featured a distant fourth-placed finish for fractious Sharjah and no realistic shots at further success.
This time, the team known as The King is living up to its ostentatious moniker. Rejuvenated attackers Firas Ben Larbi and Caio — with a remarkable 11 goal contributions in 10 run-outs — have helped produce a defiant 27-point tally from the opening 30 available, with strength of character being shown by a perfect response to Oct. 27’s 2-1 defeat at a raucous Rashid Stadium for the summit clash with Paulo Sousa’s Shabab Al-Ahli.
Olaroiu has lifted 19 trophies during 17 stellar years across Asian football. Criticism weathered last term has, seemingly, increased focus at an unfancied club whose unpretentious pre-season business was highlighted by Brazil Under-23 prospect Guilherme Biro, unheralded ex-Croatia youth midfielder Darko Nejasmic and Dutch journeyman forward Tyrone Conraad filling the void left by an underwhelming Moussa Marega.
Star-studded Shabab Al-Ahli lead chasing pack
There was no lack of glamour, however, in second-placed Shabab Al-Ahli’s preparations.
Manager Sousa was one of the 1990’s most-celebrated midfielders. Powerhouse Iran centre forward Azmoun arrived on the back of Bundesliga glory at Bayer Leverkusen and has staked a strong claim to be last summer’s standout addition.
Resident stars already included UAE flyers Yahya Al-Ghassani and Harib Abdalla, plus ex-Crystal Palace stalwart midfielder Luka Milivojevic. A perfect return of 18 points from the opening six games hinted at a title procession, but things are kept interesting by recent draws with seventh-placed dark-horses Kalba and mid-table Khor Fakkan.
Joy in an epic Emaar Super Cup against sorry Wasl, and salt thrown on the same opponents’ wounds four-days later in one-sided 3-0 top-flight triumph, shows the pedigree of a team who can narrow the lead to an uncomfortable one point with victory in their game in hand.
Elsewhere, sleeping giants Al-Nasr have built on significant 2023/24 momentum gained under Alfred Schreuder to sit third on 19 points. Evergreen veterans Adel Taarabt and Ali Mabkhout — dramatically recruited to positive effect from boyhood club Al-Jazira — head their charge.
Anything could happen at fourth-placed Al-Wahda after this week’s stunning call to dispense with ex-Celtic, New York City FC and Club Brugge manager Ronny Deila. Neighbors Jazira in sixth will hope to see more from France playmaker Nabil Fekir, if he can get clear of injury worries.
Fifth-placed Al-Ain, meanwhile, are enduring an abject defence of their AFC Champions League crown, yet could go on a top-flight charge now Shabab Al-Ahli’s 2022/23 title-winning tactician Leonardo Jardim is at the helm and one of UAE football’s leading hitmen is roaring back to his best.
Never count out Kodjo
Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba was an afterthought when Al-Ain stunned the continent.
With manager Hernan Crespo gone by October, he is now experiencing one of the great league campaigns. The Togo center forward’s pacesetting 14 strikes are coming at a breakneck average of one every 43.7 minutes.
This imposing tally has included smashing through the 100-goal ADNOC Pro League barrier with an opening round hat-trick versus Khor Fakkan, while also usurping Ghana megastar Asamoah Gyan.
Such merciless excellence has thrust him into a bracket of his own this season. This is despite the bravura campaigns being undertaken by electric Iran attacker Mehdi Ghayedi at Kalba, Sharjah’s impactful Caio and a refreshed Mabkhout hitting the heights once more expected of the UAE, and its top flight’s, record scorer.
Tough at the top for Wasl
It has been a campaign of contrast for defending double-winners Al-Wasl.
Serene progress to AFC Champions League Elite’s knockout stages contrasted with a penalty shootout defeat in a Super Cup temporarily lit up by midfielder Nicolas Gimenez’s back-heel volleyed Puskas Award contender. Plus, finding themselves in the mid-table mire from eighth along with the likes of Ajman, Khor Fakkan and Baniyas.
Dejected manager Milos Milojevic virtually ceded the title after this week’s defeat to Shabab Al-Ahli. This is no shock after the runaway champions degenerated into a frustrated side with only three league wins, plus a draining five draws from six run-outs in all competitions from Oct. 26-Dec. 2.
The wait for the UAE’s next back-to-back league winner will stretch past a 12th year.
Can Dibba Al-Hisn end promoted pain?
It was a foregone conclusion throughout the entirety of last term that promoted Emirates Club and Hatta would be relegated.
Orooba have gone from First Division League winners, to bottom spot. But, there are signs of fight this time from Dibba Al-Hisn.
Hulking four-goal Tunisia striker Haithem Jouini, experienced compatriot Oussama Haddadi and three-goal Midana Cassama have shown fight.
They prepare for January’s restart outside the drop zone, albeit only by one point and one place. Several near misses since October’s hire of head coach Hassan Al-Abdooli have cost them greater security.
Dembele nets 2 and Donnarumma injured as PSG beat Monaco to increase French league lead
- Ousmane Dembele scored a brace and striker Goncalo Ramos put PSG back in the lead with seven minutes left as he headed in a corner
- The match was brought forward because of a scheduling conflict with the Trophee des Champions between the two clubs on Jan. 5 in Doha
MONACO: Runaway leaders Paris Saint-Germain opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league standings before the yearend break with a 4-2 defeat of Monaco on Wednesday in a match marred by Gianluigi Donnarumma’s injury.
Ousmane Dembele scored a brace and striker Goncalo Ramos put PSG back in the lead with seven minutes left as he headed in a corner after coming in as a substitute in the lively encounter at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-place Marseille, who have one match in hand.
Donnarumma’s face was bloodied after being hit by an opponent’s cleat. The Italy international took the studs of Wilfried Singo’s cleat in the 17th minute. Singo, whose shot had been blocked, tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but instead struck his face.
Pictures showed that Donnarumma was cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card.
Donnarumma was left lying on the pitch while receiving treatment. He finally stood up and walked away to be replaced by Matvey Safonov.
Desire Doue had put PSG in front in the first half before Eliesse Ben Seghir leveled from the penalty spot after the interval and Breel Embolo gave Monaco the lead at the hour mark.
Dembele then scored his first goal of the evening from a rebound in the 64th minute. He added more luster to PSG’s win deep in stoppage time when he completed his brace.
The match was brought forward because of a scheduling conflict with the Trophee des Champions between the two clubs on Jan. 5 in Doha during the weekend that the French league resumes.
Atalanta dominant again with 6-1 win over Cesena in Italian Cup, Roma rout Sampdoria
- Roma also eased through against lower-league opposition, beating Sampdoria 4-1 to secure a last-eight match against AC Milan
- The quarterfinals will be played in February
MILAN: Serie A leaders Atalanta continued their domination of domestic soccer this season with another hefty victory in the Italian Cup albeit against second-division Cesena.
Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic both scored twice as Atalanta cruised to a 6-1 win to book a place in the quarterfinals against Bologna.
Roma also eased through against lower-league opposition, beating Sampdoria 4-1 to secure a last-eight match against AC Milan.
The quarterfinals will be played in February.
Fresh from a club record 10th straight league victory, Atalanta — which lost the cup final to Juventus last year — showed no signs of easing up, even against lower league opposition.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini opted for a surprisingly strong starting lineup and Atalanta was 2-0 up in less than 10 minutes and 4-0 up by halftime following goals by Davide Zappacosta, De Ketelaere’s double and Samardzic’s first.
Marco Brescianini added a fifth early in the second half and Atalanta finally eased off the gas, although Samardzic doubled his tally in the 71st.
Substitute Joseph Ceesay netted a consolation goal in the final minute for Cesena.
Ranieri beat former club
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri steered his side to a morale-boosting victory over one of his many former clubs and avoided a potential upset against Sampdoria, who had already knocked out two Serie A teams.
Roma had lost in the league 2-0 at Como, who were one of the top-flight teams Samp had beaten on its cup run — the other being city rivals Genoa.
However, an early double from Artem Dovbyk and a delightful solo effort from Tommaso Baldanzi had Roma 3-0 up inside 25 minutes.
Gerard Yepes pulled one back for Samp in the 61st but Roma restored its three-goal advantage through substitute Eldor Shomurodov, moments after he replaced Dovbyk.
