CRISTIANO RONALDO has reacted angrily after Portugal had a last-minute goal ruled out in Serbia.
Meanwhile Liverpool are still pursuing a transfer move for Dutch forward Donyell Malen, along with the two Milan clubs.
And Thierry Henry has received wide support for quitting social media over the treatment of athletes who have been targeted by racism.
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Stay up to date with all the latest football news in our rolling blog…
STERLING EFFORT
Raheem Sterling will have to wait to put the finishing touches to a new £320,000-a-week deal.
The Manchester City winger has held initial discussions on fresh terms but they have now been put on hold.
Raheem Sterling’s contract talks are on holdCredit: Getty RON RAGE
Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband away in disgust after his late goal was disallowed in Portugal’s 2-2 draw in Serbia.
The Juventus star thought he had netted a dramatic winner but the linesman claimed it did not cross the line.
Cristiano Ronaldo makes his thoughts very clear after being denied a late winner against SerbiaWith no VAR in use, the goal was not awarded and Ronaldo was left frustrated after his side squandered a 2-0 lead.
Diogo Jota scored twice to put Portugal in charge but Serbia fought back to deny them.
NO LUX OF THE IRISH
The final whistle has gone and the Republic of Ireland have lost 1-0 at home to Luxembourg. Yes you read that one correctly.
It looked bad enough with the game petering out at 0-0 but Gerson Rodrigues’ 85th minute effort has delivered one of the most embarrassing nights for Irish football.
Stephen Kenny’s worst night as Ireland bossCredit: PA Stephen Kenny is still waiting for his first win as Ireland manager after a disastrous start to his reign.
Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign already looks ruined. Where do they go from here?
LUX OVER
Incredible scenes as Luxembourg take a 1-0 lead over the Republic of Ireland.
Gerson Rodrigues smashes the ball home from long range and Ireland are facing a humilating defeat.
OUT OF LUX?
Less than half an hour remaining and it is still Republic of Ireland 0-0 Luxembourg.
The hosts are desperately short on inspiration but surely this would be a new low?
Republic of Ireland are being held by LuxembourgCredit: Getty Can Ireland find a winner to avoid an embarrassing draw?
MOORE THE MERRIER
Wales have taken the lead in their friendly at home to Mexico with Kieffer Moore neatly finishing off an attack from close range.
Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland are still being held 0-0 at home to the mighty Luxembourg in their World Cup qualifier.
Kieffer Moore opens the scoring for WalesCredit: AP POPE BLESSING
England boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed Nick Pope will start their next two World Cup qualifiers.
The Burnley goalkeeper was barely used during England’s rout against San Marino but is likely to be busier against Albania and Poland.
Nick Pope will start England’s next two gamesCredit: Reuters It means Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson will again be on the bench for the next two matches.
Pope has the chance to hold on to the jersey and put pressure on Jordan Pickford when the Everton keeper returns from injury.
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
Chelsea are reportedly pushing for this summer’s Premier League transfer window to be extended into September.
The Blues have proposed the window opens a week later, in the middle of June, allowing it to remain open until September 7.
Chelsea boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Rex There has also been talk of another domestic-only window, which allows transfers between English clubs, being held.
A domestic-only window was held last year between October 5 and 16.
Do you think the transfer window needs to be open for longer this summer?
GAB’S GIFT
Martin Odegaard has picked out Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli as the club’s most talented youngster.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have excelled this season but teenager Martinelli has caught the eye of the Norway star.
Gabriel Martinelli has impressed Martin OdegaardCredit: Getty Odegaard said: “Obviously we have Bukayo and Emile and they are already playing so much.
“But I think one guy who hasn’t played that much lately is Martinelli.
“He’s such a big talent, you see him in training every day and you see it.
“He’s a really talented player with a lot of qualities.
“So I think definitely he’s one for the future. And he’s so young still, so I will go with him.”
Which Arsenal youngster gets your vote as the most talented?
BALE OUT
Gareth Bale’s future remains up in the air with the attacker not part of Real Madrid’s plans next season.
Bale is currently on loan at Tottenham but insisted he was heading back to Spain at the end of the season.
Gareth Bale is on loan at SpursCredit: Getty Do you think Spurs should try and get Bale back again next season? Has he shown enough back in London?
FIRST DYBS
Arsenal are mulling over a move for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
The Gunners are focused on holding on to Martin Odegaard but are making alternative plans in case Real Madrid refuse to play ball.
Paulo Dybala is out of favour at JuventusCredit: Getty Dybala has struggled for game time at Juve this season and only has just over a year left on his contract.
Arsenal are not the only club to express an interest in him with Chelsea and Spurs also recently linked with the Argentina forward.
JORGIN-GO?
Chelsea star Jorginho has raised doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge by admitting he ‘misses’ Naples.
The 29-year-old, who was signed from Napoli in 2018, has also complained about the ‘cold’ London weather.
He said: “There are no words to describe how much I miss Naples.
“‘Who wouldn’t miss Naples? It’s so cold in London, they don’t even know what the sun is.”
Jorginho has played 126 times for Chelsea since arriving at the club in 2018Credit: EPA REMINDER
A reminder of one of the big stories of the last couple of days.
Manchester United have reportedly made a £68.5million enquiry for Atletico Madrid winger Marcos Llorente.
What do we make of that?
Llorente could be involved in a big money move this summerCredit: AFP PIERRE-SHAPED
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has shocked fans by getting a new hair style on international duty.
The Arsenal forward was sporting the fresh look on social media after Gabon qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Aubameyang shared his new hair style on InstagramCredit: Instagram @willy.aubameyang The 31-year-old shared an Instagram story by Willy Aubameyang, his half-brother and former international colleague, featuring his new box braids.
The 34-year-old tagged recording artists Travis Scott and Sean Paul in the post, who are believed to be the inspiration behind the fresh trim.
The older sibling was also sporting the braids, posting the caption: “New song coming soon.”
JESUS INTEREST
Chelsea are reportedly looking to secure a deal for Porto midfielder Jesus Corona this summer.
According to The Mail, the Blues are hoping to reach an agreement for the 28-year-old before June.
Corona has scored three times in 40 games for the Portuguese side so far this season.
Corona could find himself at Stamford Bridge this summerCredit: Getty
WILL-ING TO IMPROVE
Arsenal star Willian has admitted that he is enduring the worst spell of his career this season in North London.
But the Brazilian, 32, is determined to show Gunners fans his best form.
Willian has failed to score in 30 appearances so far for ArsenalCredit: Getty Asked if this is the ‘worst professional moment to date, he said: “I think so.
“I feel ready to reach the level I reached at Chelsea.
“That is my goal, what I hope for, especially at the end of the season.
“I will try to do my best to help Arsenal in the best way possible, and reach the level I had when I was playing at Chelsea.”
AL NOT WELL ON TYNESIDE
Newcastle striker Miguel Almiron has said he wants to play for a team that ‘fights more’ amid speculation over his future.
The Magpies forward has struggled since arriving at the club and could well leave this summer.
And recent comments to Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal, he made a bizarre set of comments.
He said: “I would like to play in a team that fights more,” before then adding “Here I am happy and I feel comfortable.”
Almiron has netted just 13 times in 78 games for NewcastleCredit: AP WE WANT KOU
Liverpool have reportedly made an ‘informal offer’ of around £34.2million for Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Senegalese defender has been with the Serie A side since 2014, impressing throughout his stint with the club.
But he has frequently been linked with a move to several European giants.
And now The Express believe Liverpool have put a proposal to Napoli for Koulibaly to sign for them this summer.
Koulibaly could finally move away from Napoli this summerCredit: Getty SHOPPING HAAL
Real Madrid are reportedly set to sell six first team stars in a bid to bring in either Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.
Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Gareth Bale, Isco, Vinicius Jr and Raphael Varane could all be on their way out of the Bernabeu in order to free up funds for a superstar signing.
Marcelo and Varane are two of six players who could be forced out this summerCredit: Getty There is no doubt a clear-out is needed at Madrid.
However, is spending a huge amount on just one or two players really the way forward?
DON OF ANFIELD
Liverpool are eyeing a move for PSV forward Donyell Malen this summer, according to The Star.
The 22-year-old Dutchman left Arsenal in 2017 as a teenager, but has thrived ever since.
Malen has scored 51 goals in 110 games for PSV and is now on the radar as a target for some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Liverpool have struggled for goals recently and Malen is reportedly seen as someone who could arrest that issue for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Malen could fix Liverpool’s woes in front of goalCredit: Getty LUKING BACK
Chelsea will consider a sensational swoop to re-sign Romelu Lukaku if they fail in their transfer pursuit of Erling Haaland, according to reports.
But the Inter Milan striker doubts he will make a return to the Premier League.
Lukaku officially left Chelsea for Everton way back in 2014Credit: Getty The Blues are desperate to bring in a new No9 when the summer window opens with Haaland their first choice.
But with the Borussia Dortmund man wanted by plenty of Europe’s top clubs, it is thought Chelsea are preparing a list of back-up options.
And according to The Telegraph, Thomas Tuchel is considering going for Lukaku.
KEANE ON JUDE
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has labelled Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham ‘the complete midfielder’ after his performance for England against San Marino on Thursday.
The former Red Devil said: “Bellingham looks like a complete midfielder.
“He’s still a kid playing regularly in Germany.
“He’ll be disappointed with missing the chance, but at 17 he has nice composure, happy to break forward, very good night’s work.
“He will be disappointed with the chance, he tries to complicate it when he should just side-foot it.”
Bellingham was superb for England earlier this weekCredit: Getty NO TIME TO BE SAD
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has vowed to ‘keep fighting’ despite the Premier League champions’ difficult run of results.
The Reds are currently down in seventh place, five points off the top four, but Mane remains passionate in his belief they can turn things around.
Mane’s form has dropped off this season following a stellar spell with the RedsCredit: Getty He told The Mirror: “We have to deal with the situation and not stop believing, but keep fighting, keep our motivation and go again.
“When you are a fighter you never try to make excuses, we are here to find solutions. Being together with my teammates always gives me high energy.
“In football – and in life in general – you can’t expect anything and for years and years this complicated situation has not happened.
“We have always been successful, but now this has happened and we can see it is like how life is.”
FINAL PLEA
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made one final plea with the owners of the club to agree a new deal with Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Dutch midfielder’s contract runs out this summer and he has been linked with a number of clubs including Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Wijnaldum has been a crucial player for Klopp’s side for the best part of five yearsCredit: AFP or licensors But, according to 90Min Klopp has tried to make a last ditch play to keep him at Anfield.
Wijnaldum joined Liverpool from Newcastle back in 2016 and has played 226 times for the Premier League champions, scoring 22 goals.
ERL OF CATALUNYA
Erling Haaland could be set to join Barcelona in the summer, according to The Express.
The Norwegian superstar has been linked with a move to several Premier League sides including Manchester United and Manchester City.
Haaland has been linked with a host of the European superpowersCredit: Getty But despite the Catalan giants’ financial difficulties, they are now being rumoured as potential suitors for the Borussia Dortmund striker.
Haaland has scored 39 goals for club and country already this season and is now widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the world.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
