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      in Soccer

      Mbappe ‘was ready to QUIT international football after missing France penalty that sent them crashing out of Euro 2020’

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      FRENCH Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has claimed that Kylian Mbappe was on the verge of QUITTING international football.Le Graet admitted Mbappe, 23, was “angry” as he felt that the FFF had not defended him enough after his crucial missed penalty.
      Mbappe had the crucial spot kick saved by Switzerland’s Sommer to send France out of Euro 2020Credit: AFP
      Tournament favourites France crashed out of Euro 2020 after the striker had a spot kick saved in the last-16 shootout.
      Le Journal du Dimanche spoke to the French chief about the PSG star having second thoughts on representing the nation.
      He said: “I heard from Mbappe after the Euros, he found that the Federation had not defended him after his missed penalty and the criticism on the networks. 
      “We had seen each other for five minutes in my office.
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      “He was angry, he no longer wanted to play in the France team – which he obviously did not think. 
      “You know what it is, he is a winner, he was very frustrated, like all of us, by the elimination [from Euro 2020].
      “He is so publicised. He’s a great guy, much more collective than you think.”
      Mbappe expressed immense sadness as he apologised to Les Bleus fans for his penalty miss last year.
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ALARMING admission, Frenkie de Jong a PRIORITY
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      Yann Sommer was the hero, saving from the superstar to send Switzerland through to the quarter final.
      Mbappe – who did not score at the tournament – took to Instagram to say sorry to the millions watching on at home in an emotional message.
      He wrote: “The sadness is immense after this elimination, we could not reach our goal.
      “I’m sorry for this penalty. I wanted to help the team but failed.
      “Getting to sleep will be difficult but unfortunately it is the ups and downs of this sport that I love so much.
      “I know you fans have been disappointed, but I still want to thank you for your support and for always believing in us.
      “The most important thing will be to get up even stronger for the next upcoming deadlines. Congratulations and good luck to Switzerland.”
      France have qualified for this winter’s 2022 World Cup and are in group D with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia. More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal star enjoys seeing England kept on their toes as Wiegman pushes for perfection before Euros squad update

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      BETH MEAD says Sarina Wiegman is keeping the Lionesses on their toes with the England chief set to name her Euros squad.And the forward, 27, is relishing the possibility of going up against her club team-mates on the national stage should she make Wiegman’s final cut.  
      Beth Mead and Ellen White are among the players training at St George’s Park ahead of England’s clash with BelgiumCredit: Getty
      A close family bereavement kept the head coach away from the camp for her provisional 28-strong Lionesses group last week.
      Her planned Euros squad announcement was delayed as a result.
      All eyes will be on the squad list released with Wiegman expected to reveal a trimmed-down total of 23 players on Wednesday, a day before England’s pre-tournament duel with Belgium.
      Mead, who was voted Arsenal’s Player of the Season by Gunners’ fans, said: “Sarina is keeping us on our toes and she’ll always expect more.
      “No team is perfect but she’s striving for perfection and that’s what we want as well.
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      “She’s given me a lot of confidence on the pitch and in training.
      “It’s just been easy for me to go on the pitch and do what I know I can do and have the backing of my manager.”
      Last term Mead put on some eye-catching performances for her country as well as the Gunners.
      The forward netted 12 goals in eight of England’s World Cup qualifying matches with the team yet to lose a match since Wiegman’s commenced her role in September.
      Mead’s efforts include a history-making hat-trick against Northern Ireland at Wembley last October.
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Goals that saw her become the first England Women’s international player to net three times at the stadium.
      And the Arsenal ace, who was left out of the Team GB’s squad ahead of the Tokyo Olympics last August, believes her game has evolved under Netherlands-born boss   
      Mead added: “For me, I’ve known where I’ve stood and what she’s expected of me. I’ve been a lot freer.
      “I guess I’ve figured out a little bit how to channel my anger and energy into my football a little bit better now.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}A HAAL NU BALL GAME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}How Haaland & Nunez compare with stars set to go head-to-head in Prem
      “I’m a bit more confident and I’m in a good headspace, my football has been good so I’m just trying to channel that energy in the right way.”
      On July 6 England will face Austria in their European Championship opener at Old Trafford
      That match could see Mead potentially go up against her Gunners’ team-mates Laura Weinrother and goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger should the trio be selected for Euros duty.
      The last clash between the sides ended in a slim 1-0 victory for the Lionesses in a World Cup qualifier clash at the Stadium of Light with Ellen White on the scoresheet.
      Mead has thrived in England’s attack under WiegmanCredit: Getty
      Mead said: “It’s sometimes weird going against your club team-mates because you always have an expectation of each other that you know what they’re all
      “When we played Austria last year Manu (Zinsberger) was adamant that she wasn’t going to let me score and she didn’t that day. She made some great saves.
      “I’m excited for the Euros in general and that first game against them.
      “There’s nothing better than the possibility of playing in a game like that in your own country and going up against familiar faces.”
      Alongside Demi Stokes Mead has been backing a campaign to get more children involved in the grassroots game via the McDonald’s Fun Football programme.
      Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger is likely to be among the players the Lionesses will face in their opening Euros game against AustriaCredit: Getty
      The scheme aims to provide free football coaching to one million five to 11-year-olds across the UK over the next four years.
      It comes as a report published in May claimed the rising cost of living has led 2,600 grassroots clubs to fold in the past year.
      In addition, 58 per cent of parents say affordability had gotten the way of play.
      Mead said: “It’s sad to think there are parents who are stressed about whether their kids will be able to play football or if they will have to miss out because of costs.
      Mead has been supporting a McDonald’s grassroots football scheme providing free coaching sessions to children
      “We have got the next generation (of players) to think about as we’re not going to last forever as professional athletes.
      “We need them to be doing better than us and there could be a diamond in the rough at a grassroots level who has the potential to be the next England captain.
      “It’s important we provide them with initiatives to keep them involved in the game.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘I grabbed him good’ – Laughing Chiellini relives blatant shirt pull on ‘wriggling’ Saka from Euro 2020 final

      by

      A LAUGHING Giorgio Chiellini has relived his dirty foul on Bukayo Saka from the final of Euro 2020, admitting: I grabbed him good.It was one of the key moments from the Wembley showpiece and possibly denied the Three Lions their first tournament win since the 1966 World Cup.
      Giorgio Chiellini blatantly pulled Saka’s shirtCredit: BBC
      The Italian laughed about the incidentCredit: reddit u/alaslipknot
      It denied England a golden chance to bag a late winnerCredit: PA
      It came with just seconds left on the clock and the scores level at 1-1.
      Arsenal man Saka broke free of the Italian veteran and was set to bear down on goal.
      But Chiellini had other ideas and outrageously pulled the England man’s shirt to haul him down.
      Looking back at the moment, the Italian said: “This became the symbol of Euro 2020 as whole. The most heavily used meme of summer 2021.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}ENGLAND 0 ITALY 0 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Southgate’s side BOOED off by kids on free tickets in Nations League
      “It was probably one of the only mistakes I made during the Euros.
      “It was in the 90th minute and I’d read the flight of the ball, thinking I could shepherd it out of play when really I could have controlled it.
      “But I was convinced I could put my body between Saka and the ball and let it go out of play.
      “But he wriggled round me.”
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      A laughing Chiellini continued: “When he wriggled round from behind and had that space to run into my reaction was to grab him.
      “And I grabbed him good!”
      Chiellini escaped with just a booking and the match would go to extra-time and eventually penalties in which Italy triumphed 3-2.
      Saka refused to shake his hand after the match.
      The sides met again last night for the first time since that match as the sides laboured to a 0-0 draw in the Nations League. More

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      in Soccer

      England vs Italy: Three Lions have chance for revenge after Italians sang ‘It’s Coming Rome’ after Euro 2020 final

      by

      LESS than a year ago Italy broke English hearts.With the Three Lions in their first major final since 1966, they came agonisingly close to ending the wait for a trophy.
      England were left heartbroken after losing 3-2 on penaltiesCredit: Getty
      Italy were the ones celebrating at Wembley that nightCredit: PA
      But it was the Azzurri who won the Wembley penalty shoot-out on that July evening last summer.
      And boy did they enjoy it.
      The Italian team and their supporters memorably turned England fan’s national anthem into their own as they belted out ‘It’s Coming Rome’.
      Images of Leonardo Bonucci singing the bastardised version of the song under the Wembley arch are seared onto the minds and hearts of every England fan.
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ENGLAND.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}ACE’S SHAME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England star booted out by partner after splashing £55k on escort
      So tonight, when England face Italy in the Nations League, there is undoubtedly an edge.
      Few Three Lions fans would have failed to take some pleasure in seeing Italy fail to qualify for this winter’s World Cup so soon after winning the Euros.
      But now comes a chance to stick it to them directly.
      Italy’s expected line-up will be very different to the side that triumphed last summer – possibly just Giovanni di Lorenzo and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will retain their places from that night.

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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But seeing the Italian shirts will still be like a rag to a bull – and England fans will hope it can spark the Three Lions to go for the kill after two lacklustre performances in the Nations League so far.
      Not only can England get some sort of revenge – they badly need a result to boost their Nations League campaign after a loss to Hungary and draw in Germany.
      It won’t be easy though – Italy have lost just two of their last 15 games against England.
      Italy manager Roberto Mancini denies revenge is what England are looking for, saying in the build up: “This is a different match in the Nations League.
      “For them it’s important to try something new for the World Cup and England may change many players for this game.
      “In the future maybe they will want revenge… but not now.
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      “It’s always a difficult match against them because they have a good team.”
      It’s hard to believe Mancini is correct – this England team were badly wounded that night at Wembley and tonight’s game gives them a chance to help put it behind them.
      Bonucci in particular revelled in Italy’s successCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Scotland 2 Armenia 0 – Anthony Ralston & Scott McKenna’s first goals for county lift gloom in ideal Nations League start

      by

      THERE may not have been any trains running to get supporters home.But at Hampden last night Scotland got back on track.
      Scotland’s Anthony Ralston celebrates scoring their side’s first goal
      A week on from the World Cup campaign hitting the buffers and being derailed, it was all aboard the Nations League.
      And never mind ScotRail.
      It was Scott-Ral who were just the ticket for the Tartan Army.
      Steaming in at the back post like two locomotives. 
      Arriving bang on time.
      Tony Ralston and Scott McKenna were just the ticket in this 2-0 victory over Armenia.
      And this much-needed win gave Steve Clarke a platform to build on now ahead of games against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Armenia again next week.
      This was the comfortable night he needed on his third anniversary as Scotland boss.
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      After last week’s dismal display against Ukraine, his players simply had to perform.
      Anything less than a victory here and his critics would have been lining to annihilate him.
      But it was clear from early on that Scotland would be winning all three points.
      Let’s get it right, Armenia are a poor, poor side.
      It beggars believe how on earth they managed to beat the Republic of Ireland last weekend.
      Yet Scotland still had to turn up. They still had to find ways through a team that had ten men behind the ball virtually at all times.
      Scotland’s Scott McKenna celebrates his goal
      That’s often been the downfall of our national teams in years gone by.
      Scotland tend to struggle to break weaker teams down when they’re so defensive.
      Yet the way Clarke’s side handled this game was worthy of real credit.
      There was no-one in dark blue feeling sorry for themselves after last week’s World Cup misery.
      Of the ones who started against Ukraine – like John McGinn, Callum McGregor and skipper Andy Robertson – there was a real intend.

      While fresh legs like Stuart Armstrong, John Souttar and scorers McKenna and Ralston brought added energy.
      Chances are there will be more changes to the line-up for this weekend’s clash with the Irish in Dublin.
      But this team did everything asked of them here.
      Scotland could have been two or three goals to the good inside the first 15 minutes.
      Stand-out performer Armstrong struck the post with an early shot before Robertson had a drilled shot saved. Next Jack Henry and McGinn came close to hitting the net.
      There was a lull after that.
      Stuart Armstrong rattled a post early on
      Armenia had so many bodies back defending that Scotland had to keep the ball moving quickly to carve them open.
      But there was always the right balance between patience and urgency.
      It just felt inevitable that the team would take the lead.
      What was maybe surprising, right enough, was where the opening goal came from.
      Big Ralston had had a sensational, fairytale season for Celtic and did score a handful of important goals. 
      But even he wouldn’t have been expecting to mark his first Scotland start a goal. Yet didn’t he just.
      With 28 minutes on the clock he timed his run perfectly to get on the end if a superb cross from Armstrong.
      Planting his header down into the ground, and back across the goalkeeper, it was 1-0 Scotland.
      ❌ “He’s a lucky boy to be on the pitch.”The frustration was evident for the Armenian players as a bottle seemingly gets thrown in the direction of the linesmen! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/9rfTjXJeXa— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 8, 2022

      Everyone could settle after that.
      The way Armenia were set up, there was virtually no chance of them getting back in the game.
      If there were any fans still concerned, Scotland’s second goal certainly made sure of the victory.
      It came after 40 minutes with another unlikely scorer.
      Towering McKenna just wasn’t going to be stopped from powering a McGinn corner into the net.
      It was his ball from the moment it left the Aston Villa midfielder’s boot and there wasn’t an Armenia player capable of getting in his way.
      It was dreamland stuff for the Nottingham Forest centre-back who went into this game on the back of his promotion to the Premier League.
      It could have been even better too.
      McKenna had the ball in the back of the Armenia net deep into stoppage time at the end of the first-half.
      Only this time when the VAR took a look at it the goal was disallowed for off-side. 
      The second half was a foregone conclusion in many respects.
      The game was won and the points in the bag.
      The only question was whether Scotland would add to their goals tally.
      Che Adams had certainly enough sights of goal to get on the scoresheet.
      But this was a night when his best efforts came to nothing.
      The Southampton striker got himself into some great position and put a shift in for the team.
      But his finishing wasn’t sharp enough when opportunities came.
      The closest Scotland came to adding a third goal came in the final ten minutes.
      McGinn looked desperate to score and he unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot which was heading for the roof of the net before the Armenian keeper got his fingernails to it. 
      The Scotland fans’ favourite had another go in the dying moments but curled an effort which was just too high.
      McGinn just wasn’t going to get his goal despite his desire.
      In the end, though, the 2-0 victory was more than enough to send the supporters home happy. Albeit not on the train.
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