Blackstenius the hero as Sweden stun Germany to reach World Cup semis

Rennes (France) (AFP) – Stina Blackstenius stabbed home from close range in the second half to send Sweden into the last four of the women’s World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Rennes on Saturday, ending a 24-year winless streak against their rivals at major tournaments. 

The Swedes had last claimed a tournament win over Germany at the 1995 World Cup but here they came from behind to triumph in an enthralling game played in ferocious heat. 

Lina Magull gave Germany the lead, but the Swedes ran the German back line ragged for much of the match. Sofia Jakobsson got their equaliser before the front three of Fridolina Rolfo, Jakobsson and Blackstenius combined for the winning goal just after half-time. 

Once the dominant force in European women’s football, two-time world champions Germany have now failed to reach the semi-finals in two of their last three World Cups. 

Defeat also robs them of the chance to defend their gold medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. 

Germany won the title at the Rio Olympics three years ago, beating Sweden in the final, but still needed to finish among the top three European teams at this World Cup to book their ticket to Tokyo. Sweden will join the Netherlands and Great Britain at the Games instead.

The Germans looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges, and they took the lead on 15 minutes through Magull.

A darting run and a neat through ball from Sara Daebritz unleashed Magull in the box, and she swept in from point-blank range after a deft first touch.   

Sweden took just seven minutes to respond, though, Jakobsson leaving the German centre-backs in the dust as she chased down a long ball and slotted it past goalkeeper Almuth Schult.

The German goalkeeper kept her side in the game with several more saves in the first half, but could do nothing to stop Sweden’s winner just after the break. 

After parrying away a Rolfo header from Jakobsson’s cross, Schult lay helpless as Blackstenius prodded the ball in from close range. 

It was a deserved lead for Sweden, despite the Germans’ protests that Magull had been lying injured when the goal was scored.

Despite bringing on star player Dszenifer Marozsan, who had missed the previous three games with a broken toe, Germany remained blunt as the clock ticked down.

Lena Oberdorf came agonisingly close with a header in the dying minutes, but Sweden held on to set up a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands in Lyon next Wednesday. 

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2LpNAAQ

France wonders where next for women’s game after World Cup heartache

Paris (AFP) – France faces the challenge of continuing to grow women’s football after the bitter disappointment of elimination from the World Cup by the United States.

“Back to Earth” was how sports daily L’Equipe put it after the host nation lost 2-1 to the holders in a quarter-final played out before a feverish crowd in Paris.

L’Equipe talked of “the disappointment of a shattered adventure” because coach Corinne Diacre’s team had dreamt of emulating the men, World Cup winners in Russia last year and also winners as hosts in 1998.

The team had been desperate to make it to Lyon, where the semi-finals and final will be played and where seven of those who featured for France on Friday play their club football for Europe’s top side.

Instead, France find themselves out of a fifth straight major tournament in the quarter-finals. To rub salt into the wounds, Friday’s defeat had the knock-on effect of denying them a place at next year’s Olympics.

Diacre had been set the objective of reaching the final, which always looked a daunting challenge once the draw raised the likelihood of an early meeting with the USA.

Amid the dejection on Friday, Diacre stated her wish to continue, and on Saturday French Football Federation (FFF) President Noel Le Graet confirmed she would stay.

“She will be in charge until the end of her contract, if not longer,” Le Graet told AFP.

That means until Euro 2021 in England at least, and the aim in France is to keep developing the women’s game to give them a chance of one day going all the way.

The FFF hope the number of registered female players will reach 200,000 next year, an increase of almost 10 percent from present figures, but far from the two million registered male players.

– ‘Keep putting money in’ –

They have also promised to invest 15 million euros ($17 million) into a post-World Cup “legacy” fund.

The interest in the women’s game is there, as shown by television audiences during the World Cup, with 11.8 million watching the USA game on terrestrial TV.

However, translating that to an increased following in the women’s domestic league will be a bigger challenge.

France games have drawn sell-out crowds at the World Cup, but in general attendances in domestic competition are modest at best, even if almost 26,000 saw powerhouses Lyon beat closest rivals Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2YidSZo

Angola, Mauritania flop in first goalless Cup of Nations match

Suez (Egypt) (AFP) – Angola and Mauritania drew 0-0 in Suez Saturday, a result which lessened the chances of either team reaching the last 16 in the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was the first goalless match so far at the African football showpiece in Egypt, and the 35 degree celsius (95 fahrenheit) mid-afternoon heat was a contributing factor.

However, neither side showed much urgency and there were hardly any clear-cut scoring chances.    

After holding Group E top seeds Tunisia, Angola were favourites to win and did get the ball in the net in the final minute only for Hermenegildo Geraldo to be ruled offside.

Mali top the table with four points after two rounds, Tunisia and Angola have two each and debutants Mauritania one.

After a 4-1 hiding from Mali, France-born Mauritania coach Corentin Martins made three changes.

But he kept faith in goalkeeper Brahim Souleimane, who had a shocker against the Malians, standing still as several shots found the net.

Back at the Cup of Nations after a six-year absence, Angola exceeded expectations in their opening outing by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Tunisia.

But Serb coach Srdjan Vasiljevic still made two changes while once again keeping star winger Geraldo from top African and Egyptian club Al Ahly on the bench.  

The countries met in qualifying for this tournament with Angola winning 4-1 in Luanda and Mauritania turning the tables with a 1-0 win in Nouakchott.

In a goalless first half, the best chance to end the stalemate fell to Angolan Djalma Campos, who scored against Tunisia.

Gelson Dala dribbled down the left flank and passed to Campos who rounded Souleimane but his angled, goal-bound shot lacked pace and was cleared by Khassa Camara.

Bruno Gaspar then had a penalty appeal correctly ignored by the Egyptian referee as big-screen replays showed him losing his footing when challenged by Aly Abeid.

Both captains were replaced early in the second half with Angolan Wilson Eduardo coming in for Mateus da Costa and Mauritanian Sounkhasso Diarra replacing Ba Abdoul.

Geraldo also came off the bench, in place of Fredy Ribeiro, but was unable to make an immediate impact on a match offering the small crowd little excitement.     

Eduardo had been on the pitch just seven minutes when he wasted a great chance to give his team the lead by poking the ball wide with an open goal in front of him.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2FIvrdM

Netherlands beat Italy to reach first ever women’s World Cup semi-final

Valenciennes (France) (AFP) – The Netherlands reached the semi-finals of the women’s World Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday after Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Gragt scored in a 2-0 win over Italy in Valenciennes.

Appearing at just their second World Cup, the Dutch will travel to Lyon to face one of Germany or Sweden, who play later in Rennes, in the last four after fine headers from record goal-scorer Miedema and Van der Gragt in the last 20 minutes of this quarter-final.

The result also means they have qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as one of the three best performing European sides in France.

“The most important thing is that we won against Italy,” said Sherida Spitse, who set up both goals with stunning set-piece deliveries.

“That I can be important with my free-kicks I know that, but the most important thing is that we are going to the semi-finals and Tokyo.”

Both teams had complained about the scheduling of the match in the middle of the afternoon during a punishing early summer heatwave that is sweeping Europe.

However it was the Dutch who responded best to the on-pitch humidity, with temperatures creeping over 30 degrees Celsius, completely dominating the second half in an impressive display that will give whoever wins later on Saturday pause for thought.

“It was really, really warm out there, but I’m just trying to tell myself that it’s not hot,” said Dominique Bloodworth, one of four Arsenal players in the Dutch team.

“The second half I felt much better and that we were going to score a goal and win the game so that gives you wings.”

– Out of luck –

The Dutch struggled initially to get behind Italy’s tenacious back line despite being gifted the the ball on countless occasions, and the ‘Azzurre’ had the best opportunities of a cagey opening half through Valentina Bergamaschi and her AC Milan teammate Valentina Giacinti.

However, they took control of the match early in the second half, with Lieke Martens twice forcing Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani into action and Miedema just failing to connect with Desiree Van Lunteren’s fizzing low cross seven minutes after the break.

Danielle van de Donk then hit the bar just before the hour mark with a dipping effort before Spitse saw her powerful free-kick flick out off the post. 

Italy’s luck ran out in the 70th minute when Spitse whipped in a perfect cross from the left flank that Arsenal striker Miedema glanced home with her head to make it 61 goals in 80 international matches.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2xh2y3Y

Dutch beat Italy to reach first ever women’s World Cup semi-finals

Valenciennes (France) (AFP) – The Netherlands reached the semi-finals of the women’s World Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday after beating Italy 2-0 in Valenciennes.

The Dutch will travel to Lyon to face one of Germany or Sweden, who play later in Rennes, in the last four thanks to fine headers from Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Graght in the final 20 minutes.

The United States and England will face off in the other semi-final on Tuesday after the Americans beat France 2-1 in a pulsating encounter on Friday.

Both teams had complained about the scheduling of the match in the middle of the afternoon during a punishing early summer heatwave that is sweeping Europe.

However it was the Dutch who responded best to the on-pitch humidity, with temperatures creeping over 30 degrees Celsius, completely dominating the second half in an impressive display that will give the Germans and Swedes pause for thought.

The best chance of an error-strewn opening period fell to Italy’s Valentina Bergamaschi, who found herself with enough time to bring down and finish Barbara Bonansea’s flick on in the 18th minute but instead poked a weak half-volley straight at Sari van Veednendaal.

Bergamaschi then turned provider for the Italians seven minutes before the break, laying on Valentina Giacinti only to see her AC Milan teammate scuff a presentable opportunity wide.

The Dutch meanwhile struggled initially to get behind Italy’s tenacious backline despite the ‘Azzurre’ gifting them the ball on countless occasions.

They took control of the match up early in the second half however, with Lieke Martens twice forcing Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani into action and Miedema just failing to connect with Desiree Van Lunteren’s fizzing low cross seven minutes after the break.

Danielle van de Donk then hit the bar just before the hour mark with a dipping effort before Sherida Spitse saw her powerful free-kick flick out off the post. 

However Italy’s luck ran out in the 70th minute when Spitse whipped in a perfect cross from the left flank that Miedema glanced home with her head to make it 61 goals in 80 international matches.

Italy wilted and 10 minutes later the Dutch sealed their place in the last four, Spitse again putting in a precision cross that van der Graght nodded home at the far post to end the discussion and Italy’s dream run in France.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2XHwt3S

Where to find Uruguay vs. Peru Copa America on US TV and streaming

If you’re trying to find out how you can watch Uruguay vs. Peru in Copa America 2019, we have all of the details for you about the quarterfinal for both nations.

For viewers in the United States, there are two main choices. You can watch the game in Spanish via Telemundo. Or you can watch the game in English (and Portuguese) via ESPN’s new streaming service, ESPN+.

Here are all of the details of where you can watch it on television and via legal streaming:

League: Copa America

Genre: Sports

Looking to watch Copa America matches online from your office, home or on the go? If you live in the USA, there are several options to catch all the action.

We Recommend:

US Only.

 

Who: Uruguay vs. Peru
What: Copa America
When: Game kicks off at 3pm ET / Noon PT; Saturday, June 29, 2019
Where: Live on Telemundo, ESPN+, fuboTV and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

With ESPN+, you can watch Uruguay vs. Peru and every other Copa America live and on-demand. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, smartphone, tablet, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 and XBOX One.

Now with ESPN+, you can stream Serie A, Euro 2020, UEFA Nations League, Championship, League One, League Two, FA Cup, League Cup, Copa America, US Open Cup, International Champions Cup, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Eredivisie, Danish Superliga, Chinese Super League, Indian Super League, Australian A-League, Sweden’s Allsvenskan, MLS out-of-market games and USL.

ESPN+ is only $4.99/month.

In addition to all of the soccer coverage, ESPN+ also includes a selection of live games from MLB, MLS, NHL, select PGA TOUR golf, Top Rank Boxing and Grand Slam tennis from Wimbledon to the US Open and Australian Open. Plus you get instant access to your favorite college sports like football, basketball, lacrosse, softball and more.

There’s also the daily ESPN FC show, 30 For 30 documentaries, exclusive access to studio programs and more.

ESPN+ also is broadcasting every Copa America game in Portuguese.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2JdUUgk

Who is Man Utd’s £50 million man Wan-Bissaka?

London (AFP) – Aaron Wan-Bissaka has become the most expensive defender in Manchester United’s history after completing a deal worth up to £50 million from Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Despite the huge fee, the 21-year-old made just 46 senior appearances for the Eagles and has yet to be called up by England.

AFP Sport looks at why have United splashed such a huge fee to kick off a major rebuild at Old Trafford after missing out on Champions League qualification last season.

Converted winger

Wan-Bissaka grew up in the surroundings of Palace’s Selhurst Park before joining the club’s academy at the age of 11. However, having started out as a winger, he did not stand out.

Indeed, his talent may have gone unspotted had he not been pitted against Palace’s star player Wilfried Zaha one day in training when he impressed coaches with his ability to nullify the Ivorian.

“I can remember watching the session and thinking afterwards, ‘He did all right at right-back,'” said Kevin Keen, who was Palace’s first-team coach at the time.

“The following week I took Aaron again, and he was playing against Wilf. Wilf didn’t get past him once.”

It still took an injury crisis to clear a path for Wan-Bissaka’s development. As fourth-choice right-back just 18 months ago he sought a loan move to League Two in January 2018, but was told to stay put.

A month later, Palace’s mounting injury list gave Roy Hodgson little option but to throw in the youngster for a baptism of fire.

In his first three Premier League games, Wan-Bissaka came face-to-face with Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard and impressed as Palace lost out narrowly to Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea respectively.

Last season he established himself as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League with his pace, strength and anticipation attracting interest from a host of top clubs.

‘The spider’

Those performances are born out by the statistics with club’s ever more reliant of data when it comes to scouting the next big talent.

Wan-Bissaka completed the third most successful tackles in the Premier League last season and the highest number of any defender. His telescopic long legs earning him the nickname “spider”.

He also made more clearances, interceptions and take-ons than any other full-back in England’s top flight last season.

England future

That begs the question why Wan-Bissaka has not yet broken into the England squad given Gareth Southgate’s willingness to throw young talent into the full international fold.

from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2Xj6bWz