Italian Football Serie A News and Stories in English
Euro 1984 is fondly remembered by many avid viewers of the game as one of the greatest international tournaments to date. This was in no small way attributed to Michel Platini’s heroics. The Frenchman went on to score in every single game his side took part in, leading host country France to the title and tallying an impressive nine goals in the process.
Come on, Italy, there is hope for the future. Coach Paolo Nicolato’s Azzurrini lost an incredibly entertaining Under 19 Championship Final in Seinajoki, Finland, succumbing 3-4 to Portugal after extra time. A double by Moise Kean and a header by Gianluca Scamacca were not enough for Italy to conquer the European throne again, 15 years after their last Under 19 win.
Edinson Cavani put together an impressive performance last night in Sochi, sealed by a killer brace, to push Uruguay ahead of Portugal and into the Quarter Finals. Cristiano Ronaldo found himself trapped into coach Oscar Tabarez’s spider web, and ultimately had to bid farewell to World Cup 2018, just like Leo Messi had to do earlier in the afternoon.
The beauty of the last round of matches in the World Cup Group Stage lies in simultaneity, something not seen very often in modern football. In a thrilling swing of last minute emotions, Portugal saw the first place in Group B slipping out their hands tonight, as they conceded a penalty kick to Iran during stoppage time, just as Spain leveled their game with Morocco.
We were just writing about Cristiano Ronaldo making it to our Top 11 of the first round, and – bang! – here he is, again. Cristiano scored another one and made poker: It’s 4 goals in two games for him, and his first victim is done: Mehdi Benatia’s Morocco are out of World Cup 2018. It took just 4 minutes for the Champion of Madeira to tear the North Africans down.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain set the World Cup on fire last night as they staged a spectacular 3-3 tie in the opening match of Pool B. CR7 brought Portugal ahead twice, but in both cases Diego Costa made it even, before Nacho could give Spain the lead. It took a free kick by Real Madrid’s star to equalise again, and wrap up an unforgettable match in Sochi.
Maybe Paris Saint Germain didn’t need to spend 200 million euro for Neymar. They already had Portuguese winger Goncalo Guedes, born in 1996, who went over the top while on loan in Valencia during the past season, confirming that Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos – who had made him debut with the National side at only 19 – was right in believing in him.