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EURO2024: Spain Defeats France, Advance To Final

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Lamine Yamal, 16, became the tournament’s youngest-ever goalscorer as Spain came back to beat France 2-1 in Munich on Tuesday and reach the Euro 2024 final.

Trailing after Randal Muani headed in a Kylian Mbappe cross in the 9th minute, Spain turned the match around in four minutes, scoring twice against a side that had only conceded once in five previous games in this tournament.

Yamal, who turns 17 a day before Sunday’s final against either the Netherlands or England in Berlin, equalised with a superb strike from outside the box, curling a long-range effort into the top corner and past the fingertips of an airborne Mike Maignan.

Spain took the lead on 25 minutes as Dani Olmo expertly gathered a loose ball and fired a low shot into the net with the aid of a deflection off Jules Kounde.

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Masters of midfield game management, Spain, shut up shop after taking the lead, frequently holding possession rather than attacking on the counter, controlling the match and claiming the win.

Three-time champions Spain became the first team to win six games at a Euros and are one game away from a record-breaking fourth crown.

Finalists in three of the past four major tournaments, questions will be asked of how France failed to click up front despite boasting enviable attacking riches.

France had only scored three goals heading into the match, none of which were scored by a French player from open play and coach Didier Deschamps reacted, benching forward Antoine Griezmann for Ousmane Dembele.

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Yamal created the first chance of the match four minutes in, lofting a curling cross to an unmarked Fabian Ruiz, who headed over from point-blank range.

Four minutes later, Mbappe skated down the left flank and sent in a carbon copy of Yamal’s cross, but Kolo Muani’s header was on target to give France the lead.

While the pre-match doubts focused on Spain veterans Jesus Navas, 38, and Nacho, 34, who replaced suspended duo Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, the younger Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella were at fault for Kolo Muani’s opener.

France’s strike seemed to take the wind out of Spain’s sails but it was the youngest player on the pitch who produced a piece of sublime brilliance to level the scores.

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Collecting the ball well outside the box, Yamal cut inside, took one look at the goal and unleashed a perfect curling strike into the top left corner.

The goal made Yamal, who already has three assists at Euro 2024, the youngest scorer in the competition’s history, beating the previous record by a year and a half.

Lamal’s goal, 13 minutes after France’s opener, ignited Spain’s attack and La Roja took the lead four minutes later through Olmo.

Olmo leapt acrobatically to collect a cleared cross, shed a defender and smashed goalwards, his shot taking a deflection off Kounde before bouncing in.

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France’s best chance to force extra time fell to their captain with five minutes remaining, but Mbappe blasted well over with only goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat.

AFP

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NPFL: Enyimba fined N1m for misconduct

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The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has fined Enyimba one million naira for misconduct capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

Enyimba were also charged with breaching the NPFL Framework and Rules in the course of their matchday nine fixture against Ikorodu City at the Enyimba Stadium on Sunday.

The People’s Elephant have also been reprimanded for publishing disparaging comments against match officials on their X handle.

NPFL stated that Enyimba published comments that were capable of bringing the game into disrepute.

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The club was warned to desist from similar acts in future and advised to use appropriate channels to make their complaints, as a recurrence will lead to stiffer sanctions.

Enyimba have been availed the right to appeal the sanctions within 48 hours of the date of the notice.

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Osimhen rules out January move to Chelsea

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Victor Osimhen has confirmed he will not be joining Chelsea during the January transfer window, stating his commitment to remain with Turkish giants Galatasaray until the end of his loan spell, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 25-year-old striker, who was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window, made his intentions clear after netting his fourth goal for Galatasaray in their 2-1 victory against Besiktas in Monday’s Turkish Super Lig Istanbul Derby.

“Yes, I am here,” Osimhen responded when asked about his plans for the second half of the season, as revealed by Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.

The Nigeria striker has been in scintillating form since joining the Turkish Super Lig leaders on loan from Napoli in September, scoring in three consecutive league games, including a spectacular overhead kick against Antalyaspor last weekend, upon his return from injury.

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His latest goal came in the 67th minute against Besiktas, when he expertly headed home Gabriel Sara’s cross to double Galatasaray’s lead before the visitors pulled one back in stoppage time.

Despite Chelsea’s continued interest in securing his services and Nicolas Jackson’s improved form, the Blues are still in the market for a striker that is capable of guaranteeing at least 20 goals per season, with Osimhen viewed as the ideal candidate to fill that void.

The former Lille forward’s performances in Turkey have caught the attention of Chelsea legends John Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba, who have both endorsed him as an ideal signing for their former club.

Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray have benefitted significantly from Osimhen’s presence, with the striker contributing four goals and four assists in just six appearances. The team currently sit atop the Turkish Super Lig standings with 28 points from 10 matches, maintaining an impressive run of eight wins and two draws in their last 10 games across all competitions.

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The victory over Besiktas has helped Galatasaray open a six-point gap ahead of second-placed Samsunspor, while the defeated remain fourth with 20 points.

With Osimhen confirming his commitment to Galatasaray until the summer, Chelsea may have to wait until 2025 to secure the services of the former Lille player, who continues to enhance his reputation in Turkish football.

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Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka ‘Disappointed’ After Liverpool Draw

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Bukayo Saka became the youngest Arsenal player to score 50 Premier League goals when he returned from a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool, but the winger was disappointed to drop two points after being on the verge of a crucial win.

Saka, who was injured during England’s loss to Greece earlier this month, scored early to become the league’s seventh youngest player to reach 50 goals at 23 years and 52 days, eight days older than when England’s top scorer Harry Kane netted his 50th Premier League goal.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler remains the youngest to reach the milestone at 20 years and 252 days, ahead of fellow strikers Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku, with Cristiano Ronaldo the fifth youngest.

“I hate to miss games, so I was buzzing to be back. I had this game in mind to come back for and I was feeling good out there, and I was happy to get an early goal,” Saka told Arsenal’s official website.

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“We are disappointed. I feel like we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes and it cost us in the end. We believe we should have won it.”

Mikel Arteta also praised Saka’s consistency as one of the positives in the match that saw key players Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurien Timber leave the field with injuries.

“After a few weeks off, the way he played and competed was exceptional. I think we had some big, big individual performances in the team,” Arteta said.

Third-placed Arsenal, who lost all Bournemouth last weekend, now trail leaders Manchester City by five points. Arsenal continue their league campaign at Newcastle United on Saturday.

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