Belgium will meet Wales in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals after running out 4-0 winners over Hungary on Sunday. Thibaut Courtois believes Hungary made a "mistake" by coming out to play against Belgium after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat in their round-of-16 tie at Euro 2016. Belgium ran out big winners in Toulouse on Sunday, with Toby Alderweireld, Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard and Yannick Carrasco all finding the net. However, Hungary took the game to Belgium as they pushed for an equaliser up until the last 12 minutes, when Marc Wilmots' men scored three times to claim their passage to the quarter-finals. Courtois was forced into a number of crucial saves as the Hungary forwards peppered, but ultimately that attacking intent cost them on the … [Read more...]

Antoine Griezmann’s quickfire double was enough to see France progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland. The formal Chelsea target second-half brace, which came inside three crucial minutes, helped his side avoid an almighty scare as they eventually showed their class at the Stade de Lyon. However, for almost an hour, Ireland, who ended the game down to 10 men after central defender Shane Duffy was dismissed for a professional foul on the Atletico Madrid star, had threatened to gatecrash the party. They took a second-minute lead through Robbie Brady’s nerveless penalty after Paul Pogba’s rash challenge on Shane Long, and France were booed off by a section of their own support at the break as they failed … [Read more...]

Belgium trampled Hungary 4-0 with their best performance of Euro 2016, firing on all cylinders, getting a world class performance out of their stars, and most importantly, showing that notoriously stubborn manager Marc Wilmots has the ability to learn from his mistakes and do what's best for his team. If they continue to improve at the rate they have so far, they have to be considered one of the favorites to raise the European trophy. Belgium struggled early on in the tournament, slumping to a 2-0 loss against Italy before bouncing back against the Irish, and finishing their group stage strong with a win against Sweden. Marc Wilmots had to change his team after his mistakes against Antonio Conte's Azzuri, and his Belgium were absolutely unstoppable … [Read more...]

Ex Chelsea player Ricardo Quaresma headed in a 117th-minute winner as Portugal reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Croatia after extra time in Lens. It was the first time either goalkeeper had been remotely threatened by either side who both struggled to create chances and the fact the Portuguese are into the last eight having not yet won a match in 90 minutes speaks volumes about the quality on show. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a peripheral figure throughout until a quick counter-attack immediately after Ivan Perisic headed against the foot of a post saw his shot – the first on target all evening was saved by Daniel Subasic only to pop up to Quaresma two yards out. Even the goal had an element of luck as it looked like it was a … [Read more...]

Cesc Fabregas has warned that England’s decision to quit the European Union will “damage” the Premier League . The Spaniard moved to Arsenal as a 16-year-old from Barcelona thanks to an exemption in Fifa regulations that allows transfers to take place within the territory of the EU if the youngster is aged between 16 and 18. Clubs outside the EU are prohibited from signing overseas players under the age of 18, meaning the likes of Fabregas would not be able to move to England at such an early age. Fabregas is also considered a ‘homegrown’ player, irrespective of nationality, because he was registered with Arsenal for three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday. Current Premier League rules state that clubs must include eight ‘homegrown’ … [Read more...]