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      Wales trio Roberts, Robson-Kanu and Matondo sent home from World Cup qualifying squad after breaking hotel curfew

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      WALES descended into further chaos after Tyler Roberts, Hal Robson-Kanu and Rabbi Matondo were sent home for breaking a curfew in the team hotel.The Dragons trio are believed to have been caught out of their rooms after the set time curfew imposed at their Vale of Glamorgan HQ following the 1-0 friendly win over Mexico on Saturday night.
      Tyler Roberts is one of three players sent home by Wales after breaking their hotel curfewCredit: Alamy
      Hal Robson-Kanu has also been axed following the breach of rulesCredit: Rex
      Now Roberts, 22, Robson-Kanu, 31, and Matondo, 20, are on their way back to Leeds, West Brom and Stoke respectively.
      And all three will miss Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic. 
      Leeds forward Roberts apologised for his ill-discipline on Monday.
      He said: “Gutted to be leaving the camp early but rules are rules and I shouldn’t have been up in the hotel later than the set time.
      “Sorry to the team, staff and Wales fans. I will continue to work as hard as I can to earn my place in the squad for the Euros.”
      It is understood the players did not break any Covid-19 protocol or bring anyone into the team hotel on the outskirts of Cardiff.
      A Football Association of Wales statement read: “Three members of the Cymru senior national squad – Hal Robson-Kanu, Rabbi Matondo and Tyler Roberts – have been released from the Welsh camp today after breaching FAW protocol.
      “The three players will be returning to their respective clubs this afternoon. The FAW will not be making any further comment.”
      Rabbi Matondo will play no further part in the current international breakCredit: Getty

      It is the latest blow to hit Wales, who face the Czechs in a crunch World Cup qualifier in the Welsh capital following last week’s defeat in Belgium.
      The Dragons are without boss Ryan Giggs, who is on special leave from the Welsh FA following his arrest in November, with Robert Page in caretaker charge.
      And chief executive Jonathan Ford leaves his post on Wednesday following a vote of no confidence from the FAW council.
      Rob Page reacts to Wales’ heartbreaking loss against Belgium in World Cup qualifying opener More

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      Switzerland vs Lithuania World Cup qualifier delayed because goal too big with POLICE called to fix embarrassing gaffe

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      SWITZERLAND and Lithuania’s World Cup qualifier was delayed by 15 minutes on Sunday because one of the goals turned out to be too big.The two nations met at the Kybunpark in St Gallen but both teams had to wait once a major error came to the match officials’ attention.
      Switzerland and Lithuania’s World Cup qualifier had to be delayed due to a gaffe with the goalpostsCredit: AFP
      According to several media reports, one set of the goalposts was between five and 10cm too high on one side.
      It was claimed that the imbalance came as a result of the left-hand post not being sunk correctly into the ground.
      According to France24, ground staff worked feverishly to fix that embarrassing gaffe but their efforts weren’t enough.
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      And that is why they actually had to call in a police officer to help them remove the outsized posts.
      They were eventually replaced by a spare set, which matched the necessary requirements to start the game and save the hosts from further embarrassment.
      Switzerland went on to beat Lithuania at home with a score of 1-0 thanks to Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri’s winner.

      Shaqiri wasn’t the only Premier League ace on the pitch as Arsenal player Granit Xhaka also captained Vladimir Petkovic’s side.
      The Swiss are now second in Group C below Italy on goal difference.
      Petkovic’s men have won both of their World Cup qualifiers as they also beat Bulgaria 3-1 away on Thursday.
      Lithuania have a game in hand and are currently third ahead of Northern Ireland and Bulgaria, who are also still looking for their first points in the group.
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      Watch Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s outrageous backheel assist for Sweden as Poland’s Robert Lewandowski gets 25TH goal of 2021

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC’S international comeback continued in style as the veteran striker produced an outrageous backheel assist for Sweden on Sunday.The superstar, 39, set up his country’s winner in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Georgia last week after five years away from the international scene.

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic bagged two assists for Sweden – including a brilliant backheel flickCredit: EPA
      And AC Milan icon Ibrahimovic was at it again in Sunday night’s 3-0 victory against Kosovo.
      His incredible backheel assist set Sweden on their way to victory, with Ludwig Augustinsson latching on to it in the 12th minute for the first goal.
      Ibra doubled his assist tally by setting up Andre Isak in the 35th minute, before Seb Larsson’s 70th minute penalty sealed the result.
      Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski scored his 24th and 25th goals of 2021 in Poland’s 3-0 win against Andorra, with Karol Swiderski also netting.
      Bayern Munich star Lewandowski has now hit the target in his last ten games for club and country.
      And he has six more goals this year than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues, with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi next on 19.
      Elsewhere, Anthony Martial got an assist for France in their 2-0 win against Kazakhstan.
      But the Manchester United star limped off injured to give his club another headache.
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      Robert Lewandowski scored his 24th and 25th goals of 2021 playing for PolanCredit: Getty
      ⚽️🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski has now scored in each of his last 10 games for club & country, his second such run in the last year— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 28, 2021

      Martial set up Ousmane Dembele in the routine win, with Sergiy Maliy scoring an own-goal as Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty.
      Fellow giants Spain survived a scare against Georgia as Dani Olmo’s 92nd minute strike earned a late 2-1 win.
      Georgia were leading 1-0 before Ferran Torres equalised in the 56th minute.
      Anthony Martial set up Ousmane Dembele for France but later came off injuredCredit: Reuters
      Dani Olmo’s 92nd minute strike secured a comeback win for SpainCredit: Getty
      And RB Leipzig’s Olmo popped up at the death to complete the comeback before Georgia were reduced to ten men.
      Germany beat Romania 1-0 thanks to Serge Gnabry’s 16th minute strike, making it 15 goals in 19 international games for the Bayern ace.
      And Italy overcame Bulgaria 2-0, with goals coming from Andrea Belotti and Manuel Locatelli.
      Serge Gnabry kept his fine international form going with another goal for GermanyCredit: Getty
      Andrea Belotti was on target as Italy recorded a routine winCredit: AFP
      Awkward moment Declan Rice is left hanging by all his England team-mates More

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      Luke Shaw is giving Gareth Southgate a left-back headache.. but England MUST have settled defence to win Euro 2020

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      LUKE SHAW had managed just 60 minutes of international football in four-and-a-half years under Gareth Southgate.Along with James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he was a member of the England Misfits Club. Players who Southgate did not appear particularly keen on.
      Luke Shaw staked his claim for England’s left-back spot at the Euros, getting an assist in an impressive performance against AlbaniaCredit: Getty
      But Grealish took his opportunity when it finally came and now it is up to the Manchester United defender to do the same.
      Shaw’s 90-minute run-out in Tirana served as a warning to Ben Chilwell that he has a major fight for the left-back spot at Euro 2020.
      The best performing full-back in the Premier League, Shaw, 25, has been handed tougher tests than yesterday against Albania’s limited attack.
      Yet in only his ninth appearance for England, the Manchester United defender still delivered some class moments, the highlight being the terrific cross for Harry Kane to end his mini drought for the national team.
      It was Shaw’s third assist in three successive competitive matches for England, albeit over a period of SIX YEARS.
      This illustrates that Shaw’s England career has not exactly got off to a flier. This has partly due to injuries but also his love of a few too many trips to the Golden Arches.
      Every manager who has managed Shaw, from Mauricio Pochettino to Roy Hodgson and Louis Van Gaal to Jose Mourinho have complained about his lifestyle.
      So credit to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who has got the best out of his player. The United boss is the reason why Shaw was out there yesterday and has now been added to England’s full-back options.
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      Shaw’s arrival in the squad – his last appearance was against Spain in 2018 – has indirectly screwed over Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Right-footed Kieran Trippier has been the back-up to Chilwell on the left but with Shaw deservedly getting the call, Southgate had too many right-backs along with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Trippier.
      As so it was Alexander-Arnold who got the bullet and it is difficult to see a way back for him.
      England are likely to switch between a back four and central three with wing-backs over the next few months.
      So whether it is right-back, right wing-back, left-back or left wing-back. The opportunities are there. 
      Chelsea defender Chilwell did well at home to San Marino but it was, of course, against the worst team in the world. Equally, Chilwell did not help himself in the autumn by making himself unavailable due to breaking lock down restrictions.
      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations
      Yet Shaw could still be a good option when Southgate names his team for the visit of Robert Lewandowski’s Poland at Wembley on Wednesday although Chillwell will consider himself as the favourite to get the nod.
      After playing with a back four in the last two games, including this 2-0 win, England could switch to a back three.
      Trippier or James could play at right wing-back with Walker likely to move into the central three.
      Even though Southgate claims he knows his best team, England’s defence is neither settled or particularly experienced.
      Everyone is getting excited about the options in midfield and beyond but as Portugal proved at Euro2016 – even though they failed to win a game in the group stages – it is all about a solid defence.
      Until the situation is sorted – and this includes the keeper problem – it is unrealistic to expect England to progress too far in Euro 2020.

      Gareth Southgate says England should have scored more after their victory against Albania More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo blasted as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘setting bad example’ by ex-Portugal star for strop vs Serbia

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO ‘set a bad example’ with his ‘unacceptable behaviour’ against Serbia, according to former Portugal international Fernando Meira.Ronnie threw his captain’s armband to the ground as he stormed off the pitch having had a late winner disallowed in the 2-2 draw.
      Cristiano Ronaldo’s strop against Serbia ‘set a bad example’Credit: AFP
      The Portugal skipper stormed off the pitch and threw his captain’s armband to the groundCredit: AFP
      Ronaldo, 36, was left furious with Danny Makkelie and his Dutch team of officials when he failed to allow the clear winner.
      The Juventus forward tucked home under the goalkeeper and the ball clearly rolled over the line before Serb skipper Stefan Mitrovic hooked it away – and then saved the rebound.
      But with no goal-line technology, the goal did not stand.
      Ronaldo let rip at the assistant who did not flag – and was duly booked.
      But Portugal were left to settle for a 2-2 draw in their World Cup qualifier in Belgrade.
      And the Juve ace lost his head, gesticulating and throwing his armband of the floor as he steamed down the tunnel.
      Ronnie had every right to feel aggrieved and ref Makkelie even apologised for the gaffe.
      But former Portugal international Meira was not impressed.
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      He said: “It’s clearly a goal, but Ronaldo can’t throw the armband on the ground like that.
      “Cristiano’s reaction is natural, but it’s not acceptable from the national team captain.
      “You can’t throw the armband on the ground and head into the dressing room while the game is still going on.
      “It’s not acceptable behaviour for a player of his stature.
      “I understand his frustration and I agree with him because his goal should have counted, but the referees need to make a decision without VAR and he has to set an example.
      “But the example he set last night wasn’t good enough.”
      Ronaldo defendeded his actions after the game when he wrote online: “Being Portugal captain is one of the biggest privileges and honours of my life.
      “I give and always will give everything for my country and that will never change.
      “But there are sometimes difficult moments we have to face, above all when we feel the whole nation is being affected.
      “It’s time to pick ourselves up and look forward to the next challenge. Come on Portugal!”
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      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
      Cristiano Ronaldo makes his thoughts very clear after being denied a late winner against Serbia More

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      Chelsea starlet Armando Broja says England snub was an ‘easy decision’ as Albania striker prepares for Three Lions clash

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      CHELSEA starlet Armando Broja claims the decision to snub England for Albania was ‘easy’.The hotshot Blues striker, 19, will line up against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Tirana.
      Chelsea striker Armando Broja has no reservations snubbing England for AlbaniaCredit: Getty
      The starlet, 19, is currently on loan at Vitesse Arnhem where he has ten goalsCredit: Getty
      Broja, currently on loan at Vitesse Arnhem where he has ten goals in 26 games, was born in Slough to Albanian parents.
      And he chose to represent them in 2019 after being called up to Albania’s U19s squad.
      Broja made his senior international debut last year and has picked up three caps.
      He is looking to earn his fourth against England on Sunday.
      And Broja says it was an ‘easy decision’ to turn down the Three Lions in order to represent Albania at the highest level.
      The teen, who made his senior Chelsea debut last season under former boss Frank Lampard, told Goal: “It is a big decision when you choose your country to play for.
      “I went for it because I have got Albanian blood in me, I am Albanian, my parents are Albanian so it was an easy decision.
      “I thought I would love to make the people there proud and make my parents proud.
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      “I wanted to lift Albania up as a country to get us to the World Cup or Euros. That’s the biggest thing for them.
      “If we got to the World Cup, it would be crazy and we would make history.
      “We have never got there before so it would be something crazy as a country.
      “I have a lot of family in Albania and I visited there every year so it is really a big part of my life.”

      Chelsea named best Premier League club of past decade More

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      Roy Keane hails Man Utd transfer target Jude Bellingham as ‘complete midfielder’ aged 17 after San Marino showing

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      ROY KEANE has labelled England star Jude Bellingham as the ‘complete midfielder’ after his second half showing against San Marino.The 17-year-old dazzled on his second international cap as he came off the bench in the World Cup qualifier during the 5-0 win on Thursday.
      Jude Bellingham impressed for England in their 5-0 win against San Marino on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      Roy Keane was full of praise for Bellingham as he hailed him as a ‘complete midifelder’Credit: ITV
      Bellingham almost became the Three Lions’ youngest-ever goalscorer, but his acrobatic effort narrowly went wide of the post.
      And Keane has waxed lyrical over the teenager who opted to join Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham last summer instead of Manchester United.
      Keane – who has held talks with Celtic about the vacant manager’s job – told ITV Sport: “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.”
      Ian Wright added: “Some players want to move it quickly and he has a nice calmness to him, and we’re going to need it.”
      Bellingham has become a key player for BVB this term, where he has scored once and provided four assists in 35 games in all competitions.
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      And the youngster revealed that it was an easy decision to join the German outfit, despite being chased by the Red Devils.
      He told Sky Sports: “The hardest thing about leaving Birmingham was because I had been there so long.
      “It felt like they were a massive part of me, being a fan and then working all the way through the academy and playing for the first team.
      “I think in life you have to take opportunities, and this is a huge one for me to come and play for such a big club.
      “It wasn’t a hard decision for me to come here.”
      Gareth Southgate says England vs San Marino was a game they expected to win comfortably after England’s 5-0 victory More

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      Chelsea whizkid Mason Mount almost breaks Xavi’s 13-year-old playmaking record in just 45 mins for England vs San Marino

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      NO PLAYER in a European World Cup qualifier since Xavi has created more chances than Mason Mount did in England’s win over San Marino.Gareth Southgate handed the Chelsea star the central playmaking role in the 5-0 win on Thursday.
      Mason Mount put on a dynamic display versus San MarinoCredit: Getty
      And Mount took advantage of the minnows’ inevitable inability to control the Three Lions’ attacks, creating eight chances in open play.
      Not since Barcelona legend Xavi’s nine-chance performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina for Spain back in 2008 had a single player created more in a match at this level.
      What’s more, 22-year-old Mount came within touching distance of the record before being taken off at half-time.
      As defined by Opta, all four of his crosses met their men and were statistically deemed ‘good’ balls in.
      The midfielder also provided one assist at Wembley, winning the ball deep in San Marino territory and playing in Raheem Sterling for his goal.
      While fans may have been hoping for more than the five-goal rout, the statistics do underline England’s very attacking display.
      Behind Mount, Ben Chilwell and first goalscorer James Ward-Prowse each created five chances in open play.
      A whopping 32 shots were fired off, 24 of which came inside the San Marino box to force ten saves from impressive goalkeeper Elia Benedettini.
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      Jesse Lingard was unable to hit the back of the net from his ten efforts with Sterling notching once from seven.
      Three Lions boss Southgate praised Mount for his first-half display ahead of Sunday’s trip to Albania.
      He said: “Mason Mount in the first half was excellent and set the tone.
      “It was good to see Jesse Lingard looking like he’s enjoying his football again. There were a lot of good things.
      “There were lots of good individual performances. The midfield players moved the ball around really well.”

      ITV pundit Roy Keane was also effusive in his praise, and said of Mount: “He’s an outstanding player, he’s proven it week-in, week-out.

      “There were question marks, people were quick to criticise him, but I can’t talk highly enough of him.
      “I think he seems a really good pro, he affects the game, he’s got a goal in him, he seems an honest pro, the most important thing for any manager is to have options.
      “Gareth is a lucky manager, he’s got great options.”
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      England prepare for San Marino World Cup qualifier More