SPAIN and France are through to the last four of EURO 2024 and will meet to decide who goes through to the July 14 final in Berlin. Spain overcame Germany after extra time with a spectacular goal from Mikel Merino, whose free header caught everyone by surprise. Spain took the lead in the 51st minute through Dani Olmo but Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz equalised for Germany in the last minute of normal time. Spain won through but there was a blow for them when Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 120th minute. The defeat of Germany casts a shadow over the remainder of the competition for the hosts but Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a keen football fan, said both teams could be proud of their performance. France ended the European Championship hopes and possibly the international career of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo when they won the penalty shoot-out after a dire 0-0 draw. CR7 was anonymous for most of the game although he did score his penalty. France’s Kylian Mbappé, still playing with a face mask, was substituted and also struggled to find his form. England play Switzerland and the Netherlands face Turkey in the remaining quarter-finals.
MANCHESTER United have announced they will cut around 250 jobs as the club looks to trim its bloated administration. Although it has been recognised that United need to rationalise behind the scenes, there were shocks at an all-staff meeting held ahead of the arrival of a new CEO, Omar Berrada, who was hired from neighbours City. The cuts will save £ 10 million per year. Meanwhile, manager Erik ten Hag has signed a new deal with United that will take him through to 2026.
PLENTY of action in the WSL transfer market. Manchester City have signed Arsenal’s Vivienna Miedema on a free transfer. The 27 year-old Dutch international scored 125 goals in 172 games for Arsenao, including 80 in the WSL. She has scored 95 goals in 118 games for the Netherlands. Fran Kirby, whose contract expired at Chelsea, has joined Brighton. The 31 year-old, whose career has been blighted by injury and illness, scored 108 goals in 195 games for Chelsea, where she won five WSL titles.
ARGENTINA and Canada will meet in the semi-finals of the Copa America after both countries won penalty shoot-outs to win through in the last eight. Argentina beat Ecuador after a 1-1 draw, with Lautaro Martínez putting them ahead on 35 minutes before an added time header from Kevin Rorquiguez sent the game to penalties. Lionel Messi’s spot kick struck the crossbar but Argentina eventually won 4-2. Venezuela went a goal down to Jacob Shaffelburg’s 13th minute goal, but Salomón Rondón levelled just past the hour mark. Canada held their nerve and won the penalty contest 4-3. Colombia play Paraguay and Uruguay meet Brazil in the other quarter-finals.