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      Ex-Wales star Allen expected to resist calls to come out of international retirement

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      JOE ALLEN has no current plans to come out of Wales retirement.The Swansea midfielder, 33, called time on his international career in February following last year’s World Cup.
      Allen played a key part for Wales, helping them qualify for two Euros and a World CupCredit: Reuters
      Swansea midfielder Allen decided to hang up his Wales boots after revealing ‘time and injuries’ had taken its toll
      Wales have picked up just four points from their opening four Euro 2024 qualifiers without the 74-cap star – including the embarrassing 4-2 home loss to Armenia.
      Ex-team-mate Owain Tudur Jones has called for Dragons boss Robert Page to try and convince Allen to reverse his decision before their hopes of qualifying for Germany evaporate completely.
      But SunSport understands ex-Liverpool ace Allen is focusing on his club career for now ahead of a new start under Swansea chief Michael Duff at the Championship outfit.
      Allen was a key player in Wales squads which qualified two Euros finals and then last November’s global finals.
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      Unfortunately for Allen, he wasn’t fully fit for Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 following a serious hamstring injury.
      He missed the opening 1-1 draw with USA, came off the bench in the 2-0 loss to Iran and started in the final group match – the 3-0 defeat to arch rivals England.
      But Allen then quit international football following the disappointment of Qatar as the Dragons collected just one point and scored once in three group games.
      Allen was one of four players to retire post-World Cup, talisman Gareth Bale, Jonny Williams and Chris Gunter being the others.
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      Calls for Allen to return have surfaced since the recent international break where Wales’ midfield were overrun and torn apart in the Armenian humiliation on June 16.
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      Joe Morrell was then brought in to help Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey and offer the defence more protection in Turkey three days later.
      But the Portsmouth midfielder got sent off in the 41st minute before a 2-0 defeat piled on more misery on under-fire boss Page.
      Wales’ automatic hopes are all but over as the Dragons lie fourth in Group D ahead of the September 11 fixture away to Latvia.
      But there could be a lifeline for Page’s side with a play-off semi-final against Estonia next March a possibility. More

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      Germany’s top newspaper Bild begs Jurgen Klopp to QUIT Liverpool and take over national side as Hansi Flick slammed

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      GERMANY’S top newspaper have called on Jurgen Klopp to QUIT Liverpool.Because they want him to take over from Hansi Flick as the German national team boss.
      Bild want Jurgen Klopp to take over as Germany national team bossCredit: PA
      Flick is feeling the heat from the country’s public, fans and media following a torrid run of form.
      Since getting dumped out of the World Cup in the group stages, Germany have won just ONE of their five matches.
      That was a 2-0 win over Peru in March followed by a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.
      During the recent international fixtures, they drew 3-3 with Ukraine then lost 1-0 to Poland and 2-0 to Colombia.
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      That took Flick’s dire record to three wins in his last 11 and 12 in 24 overall since replacing his World Cup-winning predecessor Joachim Low.
      And it prompted Bild’s sports editor to put out an emergency call for Klopp to rescue the DFB-Team – a year before they host Euro 2024.
      Matthias Bruegelmann begged sporting director Rodi Voller to ensure ex-Bayern boss Flick is replaced before the next international break in September.
      He said: “The DFB must immediately deal with national coach alternatives – anything else would be negligent!
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      “The premium solution: Jurgen Klopp!
      “The DFB has to fight for him with all its might. Klopp would put Germany in Euros euphoria from now on.
      “His popularity would help create a mood swing.”
      The newspaper suggests Klopp was proposed as an option after the Qatar 2022 debacle but he “felt it was his duty” to help Liverpool through their struggling campaign.
      The German, 56, is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League, taking over at Anfield way back in October 2015.
      In his seven-and-a-half seasons, Klopp has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
      But after a disappointing campaign last season, Bild believe now is the chance to land him – Klopp himself admitted “it’s not out of the question” – and get Flick out to prevent an embarrassment in their home Euros.
      Bruegelmann added in a blistering attack: “Bankruptcies against Belgium, Poland and Colombia followed. The trend is as clear as it is frightening and would have already cost the club coach of a top team their job.
      Flick mostly does the opposite of the logicalMatthias Bruegelmann, Bild
      “They have only won four of the last 16 games and only kept two clean sheets. Against Oman and Peru – our footballing par in 2023.
      “Totally puzzling what’s going on in Flick’s head. There is no discernible plan.
      “Apparently, he thinks he knows everything better because he won six historic titles with Bayern in his first season – incidentally only the championship in his second season.
      “He mostly does the opposite of the logical.
      “EVERYBODY sees we need a No9. EVERYONE sees that we need filling jugs. Just not Flick.
      “EVERYBODY sees that we can’t back three. Just not Flick.
      “EVERYONE sees that the team needs security and that an eleven has to get used to it. Just not Flick.
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      “Instead, experiments, experiments, experiments that we can’t even afford! It’s unbelievable how we’re driving the Euro 2024 at full throttle against the wall.
      “If the coach doesn’t take the games seriously, the fans should at least get free entry.”
      Hansi Flick is feeling the heat ahead of hosting Euro 2024Credit: EPA More

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      SunSport assesses where it has all gone wrong for the Dragons and Robert Page in Euro 2024 qualifiers

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      WALES’ disastrous back-to-back Euro 2024 defeats have all but ended their hopes of automatic qualification for Germany.Successive June losses to Armenia (2-4) and Turkey (2-0) has left the dismal Dragons fourth in Group D with furious fans now calling for under-fire boss Robert Page to be sacked.
      Wales midfielder Joe Morrell was sent off in Monday’s 2-0 qualifying defeat to TurkeyCredit: Viaplay
      The Dragons lost twice this month, starting with the shambolic 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff last FridayCredit: Rex
      At the halfway stage of qualification, Wales are five points behind leaders Turkey with Armenia and Croatia also above them despite the World Cup semi-finalists playing two matches less.
      Here, SunSport’s Phil Cadden assesses where it has all gone wrong for Wales and Page…
      RESULTS
      Wales had a positive start to this Euros campaign with four points in March but that only papered over widening cracks.
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      The Dragons have won just once – a 1-0 home victory over Latvia – in their last 12 matches.
      That Cardiff win was also their only clean sheet in this alarming slump.
      Since a 4-0 hammering to Denmark at Euro 2020 two summers ago, Wales have won just six of their subsequent 24, the other wins coming against Belarus twice, Estonia, Austria and Ukraine. 
      To Page’s credit, he took over in difficult circumstances following Ryan Giggs’ arrest in 2020 and guided Wales to last November’s World Cup – a first global appearance since 1958.
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      Another factor for some of the recent woeful run has been fixtures against superior opposition after being promoted to League A of the Nations League.
      But, in truth, results and performances have been on the slide for some time and without the retired superstar Gareth Bale and Joe Allen there are major concerns over the quality and strength in depth of the team.
      TACTICS
      Page’s flops picked up just one point and scored once – a Bale penalty versus USA – in three group matches in Qatar.
      The 48-year-old made changes as Nick Davies and Eric Ramsay replaced Tony Strudwick and Kit Symons on the coaching staff while Aaron Ramsey replaced Bale as captain.
      But little has changed.
      The shambolic 4-2 defeat to Armenia exposed Welsh weaknesses of defensive vulnerability and being overrun in midfield. 
      In Wales’ success under Chris Coleman, Giggs and Page’s early tenure, they played with a five-man defence and were difficult to beat through graft and team spirit plus Bale’s brilliance. 
      Page’s side must be better defensively to compete with Europe’s elite, they lack leaders and the age-old issue of not enough players playing in the Premier League.
      While Brennan Johnson has impressed in the top-flight, he doesn’t have the X-factor all-time record goal scorer and cap-holder Bale had.
      DISCIPLINE
      Three red cards in Wales’ last six internationals points to ill-discipline. Wayne Hennessey was dismissed against Iran for a karate-kick on Mehdi Taremi.
      Kieffer Moore was red carded after he kicked out at Armenia goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich,
      And then Joe Morrell was sent off for an ugly studs-up challenge on Turkey’s Ferdi Kadioglu.
      All three red cards were naive and poor decision-making.
      QUALIFICATION
      Page is spinning the line Wales must win all of their four remaining matches – Latvia away, Croatia home, Armenia away, Turkey home, to secure a top-two finish.
      But that seems impossible based on their rank form. 
      The Dragons have not put four victories together since Giggs’ side in September 2020.
      Wales started that run with wins over Azerbaijan and Hungary in November 2019 to reach Euro 2020.
      Then success followed in the Nations League over Finland and Bulgaria 11 months later behind closed doors during Covid.
      Remarkably, Wales could still qualify for Germany via a play-off courtesy of their previous Nations League record.
      A home semi against Estonia next March is a possibility.
      However, Wales aren’t winning enough matches to generate confidence.
      PAGE’S FUTURE
      The Football Association of Wales rewarded Page with a four-year deal last September after booking their World Cup place.
      But Dragons fans have had enough and hammered chief executive Noel Mooney with ‘Page Out’ posts in reply to his tweet from the stands in Samsun on Monday night.
      Coleman and Giggs also received criticism after poor results but former FAW chief Jonathan Ford stood firm.
      Now Mooney as well as the FAW board and council members have a big decision to make.
      Stick with Page or make a change ahead of the autumn?
      Ex-Wales defender Danny Gabbidon reckons Page should be given the chance to finish off the campaign.
      Coleman’s former-assistant Osian Roberts was asked after the Turkey defeat if he would consider a return should a vacancy arise and he said: “Who knows. In the future, you can never tell.”
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      SunSport understands the ex-Crystal Palace No2 plans to follow Patrick Vieira in his next managerial post, with Leeds keen on the France World Cup winner.
      Ex-Wales skipper Ashley Williams could also be a short-term option if the FAW axe Page. More

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      Forgotten ex-Arsenal star leaves Griezmann covered in blood with wild boot to face in France clash

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      FORMER Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos left France forward Antoine Griezmann covered in blood after KICKING him in the HEAD during a Euro 2024 qualifier.France and Greece were locked in a stalemate four minutes into the second half when the incident occurred.
      France’s forward Antoine Griezmann was kicked in the face by Konstantinos MavropanosCredit: AFP

      France were awarded a penalty for the dangerous challengeCredit: Rex
      Griezmann suffered a nasty gash on his head from Mavropanos’ bootCredit: Rex
      After five minutes of treatment, Griezmann was able to continueCredit: Rex
      A cross swung in from the left by Theo Hernandez looked set to find the head of Griezmann, before Mavropanos’ wildly high boot came flying in to clatter the Atletico Madrid man.
      Both players hit the deck – with blood immediately streaming from the face of the ex-Barcelona man.
      Referee Matheu Lahoz’s first course of action was to point to the penalty spot, before he swiftly ushered medical staff onto the pitch to treat Griezmann.
      Some of Mavropanos’ team-mates appeared to be protesting the decision despite the blatant nature of the spot kick.
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      Lahoz then walked over to the ex-Gunners man and booked him – with Mavropanos accepting of the call.
      Griezmann’s head injury was treated for five minutes before he was bandaged up and continued playing.
      Kylian Mbappe’s penalty was saved, but he was then given another chance after a re-take was ordered due to encroachment.
      The Paris Saint-Germain forward, 24, made no mistake second time around as he dispatched what proved to be the only goal of the game.
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      Mavropanos, who played eight times for Arsenal before leaving in 2022, was perhaps fortunate to get away with just a yellow card for the challenge on Griezmann.
      But 20 minutes later the Stuttgart centre-back was given his marching orders when he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity by hauling down Randal Kolo Muani.
      The result maintains France’s 100 per cent record in Euro 2024 qualifying as they move on to 12 points from four games.
      Greece remain second with six points from three matches, with Republic of Ireland and Netherlands three points adrift and Gibraltar rock bottom.
      Mavropanos played eight games for Arsenal before he left the club last yearCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Why are England playing at Old Trafford and not Wembley for their Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia?

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      ENGLAND are hoping to continue their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying against North Macedonia.The Three Lions have won all three of their qualifiers so far and sit top of Group C with nine points.
      Harry Kane was on the scoresheet against MaltaCredit: GETTY
      Most recently, Gareth Southgate’s brushed aside Malta, putting four past the Group C strugglers.
      To keep up to date with England’s clash with North Macedonia you can follow SunSport’s live blog.
      Why are England playing at Old Trafford and not Wembley tonight?
      England have had to temporarily move homes for their Euro 2024 qualifying clash with North Macedonia this evening.
      This is due to Wembley playing host to four nights of Harry Styles’ huge UK tour.
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      But despite the last night of the tour being two days ago, the pitch is still covered and the stadium is configured for a concert, not a football match.
      This has meant that England will host North Macedonia at Manchester United’s Old Trafford this evening.
      It will be the 18th time Old Trafford has hosted an England game, with only Wembley hosting more.
      What are England’s remaining Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures?
      Here are all of England’s remaining Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures:
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      England vs North Macedonia – Monday, June 19, 2023 – 7.45pm
      Ukraine vs England – Saturday, September 9, 2023 – 5pm
      England vs Italy – Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – 7.45pm
      England vs Malta – Friday, November 17, 2023 – 7.45pm
      North Macedonia vs England – Monday, November 20, 2023 – 7.45pm

      How do England qualify for Euro 2024?
      The Three Lions must finish in the top two of Group C to qualify for Euro 2024.
      Gareth Southgate’s side will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start as they currently sit top of Group C.
      Germany are granted automatic qualification as they are hosting Euro 2024.
      The prestigious championship gets underway on Friday, June 14, 2024. More

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      Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey says forget Armenia shocker ahead of crunch Euro 2024 qualifier in Turkey

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      AARON RAMSEY has called for unity as Wales try to dig themselves out of Euro 2024 trouble.Friday’s shambolic 4-2 defeat to Armenia was greeted with boos from Dragons fans as the pressure increases on under-fire boss Robert Page ahead of tonight’s qualifier in Turkey.
      Aaron Ramsey urges Wales to stick together as they bid to bounce back from Armenia shocker which included a red card for striker Kieffer Moore in TurkeyCredit: Rex
      Wales’ players were left shell-shocked by the embarrassing 4-2 home loss to Armenia last FridayCredit: Rex
      The embarrassing home loss was a major blow to Wales’ hopes of qualifying for the finals in Germany next year.
      And it triggered a team meeting on Saturday in a bid to address the crisis.
      Page’s lads lie third in Group D behind the Turks and Croatia.
      Captain Ramsey said: “Everybody is disappointed.
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      “The boys have been low but there’s a chance for us to make things right. It’s about how we respond.
      “We have to stick together as a team and nation. We have to work hard and believe in each other that we can go on and qualify and get to Germany. That’s the goal.
      “We don’t need any outside noise or negativity. We all need to be on the same page. If we do, we will get there.”
      Page’s tactics came under scrutiny as the humiliation against a side ranked 71 places below in 97th exposed defensive vulnerability and big holes in midfield – both weaknesses at last year’s World Cup.
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      Nice midfielder Ramsey, 32, called Friday’s shock defeat in Cardiff ‘naive’ and is desperate for his team-mates to learn from their mistakes in Samsun.
      Ramsey added: “We realised what we did wrong. The distances were too big. We need to be more compact.
      “It’s not just the midfield. Everyone has to take responsibility for that, whether it’s the back line or the front line dropping off. It’s up to the players to do that.
      “Hopefully we can show we can learn and become a better team from it. We want to show what we’re capable of and make the nation proud.”
      Page branded the Armenia defeat ‘a bump in the road’ but defended his side’s woeful record of just one win in their last 11 matches.
      Page said: “Look at the opposition we’ve been playing. If we were playing England, Holland or Belgium six or seven years ago it might have been more than the close defeats in the 95th minute.
      “We’re a team in transition so we have to put our foot on the ball and remind ourselves where on the journey we are.
      “We’re still a young group and there’s going to be inconsistencies and bumps in the road. Friday was a massive bump. We’re not turning now.
      “We had a group meeting and addressed what needed to be said.
      “We have to get both sides of the game spot on because if we don’t then we run the risk of results and performances like Friday.

      “I want a positive reaction from the players and that’s in the level of the performance. If we don’t win then I want a performance that gives the supporters something to be proud of.”
      Wales are without striker Kieffer Moore, who is banned following his red card for an off-the-ball clash with Armenia’s keeper Ognjen Chancharevich.And Spurs defender Ben Davies did not travel to Turkey due to thebirth of his first child. More

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      Martin Odegaard fumes over Scotland win as Arsenal star insists Norway were the ‘better team’

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD has taken aim at Scotland after the Tartan Army produced a stunning comeback to beat Norway in Oslo. Steve Clarke’s men maintained their perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in style despite Erling Haaland opening the scoring with just half an hour left to play at the Ullevaal Stadion.
      Martin Odegaard played the full 90 minutes in OsloCredit: Getty
      The Man City superstar scored from 12 yards after being fouled by Ryan Porteous in the box and it looked like the Scots were going home empty handed.
      But Lyndon Dykes stepped up with a sensational leveller on the 87th minute – moments after the Norwegian striker was subbed off.
      It was then Kenny McLean who sealed the win for the travelling Scots less than two minutes later and Clarke’s heroes held out until the final whistle.
      It puts the Tartan Army on nine points after three games and they’re now in the driving seat to qualify for next year’s tournament in Germany.

      But Arsenal playmaker Odegaard reckons Scotland “didn’t create anything” during the match in Oslo and believes his side should have won the tie.
      Speaking on Viaplay after the match, the midfielder said: “To be honest, I didn’t think they played a great game.
      “But, as you say, they have a good team spirit, they fight for each other and they stick together and they fight until the end, so, credit to them. But, I think today we were the better team so it’s a tough one to take.”
      The 24-year-old added: “It’s hard to sum up, to be honest. We didn’t play a great game but I thought we controlled everything defensively without the ball, they didn’t create anything.
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      “We had the lead with a few minutes to go so it shouldn’t happen.
      “Yeah, very, very tough one to take so it’s hard to explain.”
      When asked what it meant for his side’s qualification hopes, he wasn’t too hopeful: “It’s looking very difficult now at the moment, we have to be honest with ourselves.
      “But, the only thing we can do is stick together and fight together, we have a new game on Tuesday and we have to be ready and win that game and take it from there.
      “But it looks difficult now.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Wales 2 Armenia 4: Rob Page’s boys booed off after first Euro Qualifier home defeat for TWELVE years

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      ROBERT PAGE saw ten-man Wales suffer their first home Euros qualifying loss in 12 years with an embarrassing defeat to Armenia.Grant-Leon Ranos and Lucas Zelarayan both struck twice to severely dent the Dragons’ hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Germany.
      Wales suffered a humiliating defeat in Cardiff on Friday nightCredit: Rex
      Kieffer Moore was shown a red card in the 78th minuteCredit: Rex
      It was a night to forget for the men in redCredit: PA
      A disappointed Wales boss Rob Page watched on from the touchlineCredit: PA
      The Dragons had been unbeaten on home soil in their past 12 home Euro qualifiers since losing 2-0 to England in March 2011.
      But, after Dan James’ opener, terrible defending allowed Armenia – who are ranked 97th in the world and had lost nine of their last ten matches – to inflict a crushing Group D blow in one of Wales’ most humiliating international losses.
      Ranos made it 3-1 to Armenia in a chaotic second half before Harry Wilson reduced the deficit to one goal.
      Zelarayan scored his second for the visitors and then Kieffer Moore was sent off for kicking out at keeper Ognjen Chancharevich following a tangle of legs.
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      Page’s shell-shocked side dropped to third in the table and next up is a tough trip to group leaders Turkey in Samsun on Monday night without the suspended Bournemouth striker Moore.
      Defeat there and the hopes of Wales qualifying for a third successive Euros will be in tatters.
      Wales, who would have gone top of the group above Croatia with a win, had taken a tenth minute lead through James’ sixth international goal.
      But Page’s decision to pick a bold and attacking 4-4-2 line-up backfired as Armenia came from behind.
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      Wales had been coasting early on, Moore heading a good chance wide following Brennan Johnson’s cross from the byline before James put the home side ahead.
      Armenia complained of a foul by Rodon on Tigran Barseghyan in the build-up but Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov played on.
      Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Johnson combined and the Nottingham Forest forward, the subject of a £30million rejected bid from Brentford on Wednesday, supplied James, who smashed home at the back post.
      It was a fast start by Wales but they looked vulnerable to Armenia’s slick attacks.
      The alarming space between defence and midfield was exposed as Armenia stunned the Cardiff City Stadium through Zelarayan and Ranos.
      Zelarayan was left unmarked as he volleyed past keeper Danny Ward from Nair Tiknizyan’s cross.
      Then Ranos headed home to capitalise on Joe Rodon losing possession to Ugochukwu Iwu.
      The Borussia Mochengladbach-bound striker eased in between Chris Mepham and Connor Roberts to nod home a fine centre by Zelarayan.
      Ranos, who was born in Germany to Armenian parents, then added his fourth goal for his country in just two games after the interval.
      The 19-year-old striker joined Bayern Munich in 2018 – a time when he changed his surname from Mamedova-Ranos to Ranos – and plays for the German giants’ second string.
      But his accomplished finishes showed just why Bundesliga outfit Monchengladbach have snapped him up on a free transfer next month.
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      Wales winger David Brooks came off the bench for his first cap in two years following his cancer battle.
      Although Wilson scored from close-range, Zelarayan sealed a famous Armenian win on a horror night for Page’s men with a few boos from the home fans at the final whistle. More