Новости за 18.11.2018

Michael O'Neill wants Northern Ireland to "forget the Nations League was ever invented" after Sunday's last-gasp loss to Austria left them without a point from all four games. A fine Valentino Lazaro goal three minutes into stoppage time ensured a poor campaign ended on a low note for O'Neill's men as Austria ran out 2-1 winners at Windsor Park.  Corry Evans had levelled after Xaver Schlager's opener, but the hosts could not hold on and O'Neill just wants his side to put the whole competition firmly behind them. Читать дальше...

Riyad Mahrez scored twice in Algeria's 4-1 victory over Togo on Sunday to seal his country's place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Gambia's 3-1 win over Benin on Saturday meant victory for Algeria in Lome would guarantee them a top-two place in Group D, and Mahrez ensured they achieved that. The Manchester City winger opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a superb volleyed lob before doubling his tally on the half-hour with a rasping drive - that coming soon after Youcef Attal had made it 2-0. Читать дальше...

Kylian Mbappe believes a member of France's World Cup-winning squad deserves to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or next month. The winner of France Football's annual award will be announced on December 3, with six of Didier Deschamps' squad from Russia 2018 in the running. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – who have both won the award five times in the last decade – are also in contention, although many expect their duopoly to come to an end. Belgium and Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been praised by some... Читать дальше...

Ronald Koeman rejected suggestions Netherlands will be favourites for their Nations League clash with Germany, despite the 2014 world champions having already been relegated from their group. Germany's miserable 2018 campaign has continued after their group-stage exit at the World Cup, Joachim Low's side failing to win any of their opening three Nations League matches. With France and Netherlands both beating Germany, it meant their relegation from League A has already guaranteed no matter what happens in Monday's clash in Gelsenkirchen. Читать дальше...

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic felt fatigue was a key factor as England's late comeback condemned his team to Nations League relegation. Andrej Kramaric's opener in Sunday's decisive meeting at Wembley looked set to give the World Cup finalists another victory over the Three Lions. But Harry Kane's effort ran for Jesse Lingard to equalise before the hosts' captain converted a Ben Chilwell cross in the 85th minute to instead book England's place in the Finals. Croatia were without key midfielder Ivan... Читать дальше...

Harry Kane was described by England manager Gareth Southgate as "the best goalscorer in the world" after his dramatic winner against Croatia earned his side a Nations League Finals berth. Kane's late impact turned Sunday's Group 4 meeting at Wembley on its head, the England captain involved in substitute Jesse Lingard's equaliser before scoring the 85th-minute winner himself from close range. England will now compete with Portugal and two other teams, who are yet to be decided, for the inaugural... Читать дальше...

Kylian Mbappe is confident Edinson Cavani and Neymar will have no problems playing together at Paris Saint-Germain despite their clash in Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to Brazil. Neymar's 76th-minute penalty settled the friendly at Emirates Stadium on Friday, but a late challenge on the Brazil captain by his club-mate left him writhing in agony. As he kept possession on the left flank, Neymar was hacked down by Cavani with a clumsy tackle that earned the Uruguay striker a yellow card. The pair exchanged... Читать дальше...

Sadio Mane is certain Naby Keita will achieve greatness at Anfield despite a stuttering start to his Liverpool career. Keita showed flashes of promise in the opening weeks of the season but is yet to find the form that won him widespread admiration at RB Leipzig. The Guinea midfielder's adjustment has been stalled by a hamstring strain which sidelined him for a month. Mane, who played alongside Keita at Austrian side Salzburg, believes the 23-year-old will in time prove his talent in the Premier League. Читать дальше...

Jose Mourinho needs time to implement his ideas at Old Trafford if the glory days of Alex Ferguson are to return to Manchester United, according to Juan Sebastian Veron. During his 26 years at Old Trafford, Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League crowns. The Scot retired in 2013 and United have only won three trophies since then – the 2015-16 FA Cup and the EFL Cup and Europa League in the following campaign. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho have all... Читать дальше...

Gareth Southgate feels England's 2-1 Nations League triumph over Croatia demonstrated how his side have continued to improve since the 2018 World Cup. Andrej Kramaric's deflected strike 12 minutes into the second half put Croatia on course for qualification from a tough group that also included Spain, only for the hosts to produce a late rally at Wembley. Substitute Jesse Lingard tapped home an equaliser before Harry Kane stabbed in an 85th-minute winner, securing top spot in the table and a place in the knockout stages of the competition. Читать дальше...

Harry Kane praised England's togetherness as the Three Lions came from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 and qualify for the Nations League Finals. England went into Sunday's clash at Wembley needing a win to progress to the last four of the international competition or a goalless draw to avoid relegation, with the latter option wiped out when Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring. That left Gareth Southgate's side needing two goals and substitute Jesse Lingard levelled things up after 78 minutes, before... Читать дальше...

Critics of the Nations League were handed healthy helpings of humble pie after England and Croatia served up a thriller in their Group 4 decider, Harry Kane's late winner booking the Three Lions a place in the Finals. The last 15 minutes at a raucous Wembley on Sunday matched anything international football has to offer with Kane knocking in his first goal since the World Cup - where his side lost to Croatia in the semi-finals in extra-time - to send Gareth Southgate's side through and the visitors down into League B. Читать дальше...

Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels will remain valued leaders for Germany with Joachim Low resisting the temptation to make wholesale changes following Nations League relegation. Die Mannschaft's miserable year plunged into deeper disappointment when they were confirmed as finishing bottom of Group 1 in League A by Netherlands' win over France on Friday. Some pride had been restored the previous day with a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory against Russia, a youthful starting XI flourishing as regulars... Читать дальше...

Guillermo Barros Schelotto confirmed Carlos Tevez could be handed a starting role in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final as Boca Juniors look to grab victory at El Monumental against bitter rivals River Plate. Tevez was a second-half substitute in the first leg at La Bombonera, the clash ending 2-2 as River twice came from behind to leave the final evenly poised heading into the reverse fixture next weekend. The 34-year-old played from the start in Saturday's 1-0 Superliga victory over Patronato... Читать дальше...

Harry Kane scored an 85th-minute winner as England fought back from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 and secure a place in the Nations League Finals. A repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final seemed set to end in heartbreak for England again when they fell behind to Andrej Kramaric's deflected strike in the 54th minute. However, substitute Jesse Lingard poked home a close-range equaliser with 12 minutes remaining, setting up a frantic finish as qualification was suddenly up for grabs again. Captain Kane completed the turnaround... Читать дальше...

Former Brazil international Dida believes Alisson can continue his rapid rise and establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Alisson rose to prominence at Internacional in his homeland after inheriting the starting job from Dida, who has monitored his compatriot's development ever since they worked together. The 26-year-old initially had to bide his time for first-team opportunities after joining Roma in 2016, eventually taking over as first choice for the Italian club at the start of the 2017-18 season. Читать дальше...

Gareth Southgate has revealed how he had to overcome the mental scars left from his first taste in management at Middlesbrough to prosper at international level with England. Having played for the club for five years, Southgate was surprisingly appointed Middlesbrough's new boss following the departure of Steve McClaren in 2006. They finished 12th and 13th in his first two seasons in charge before suffering relegation from the top flight at the end of the 2008-09 campaign, with Southgate losing... Читать дальше...

Tianjin Quanjian are threatening to take legal action against Anthony Modeste and Cologne after the German club announced they had re-signed the striker. Cologne released an official statement on Saturday to confirm Modeste, who had been training with their under-21 team, had rejoined on a contract spanning until 2023. The 30-year-old initially left in July 2017 for a reported fee of €35million, signing a deal scheduled to run until the end of 2020. However, Modeste has been in a contract dispute... Читать дальше...

Wayne Rooney is excited for England's future under Gareth Southgate - but insists other former internationals are not so forthcoming in their support of the current squad. Thursday's substitute appearance against the United States marked Rooney's 120th and final appearance for the national team, having announced his retirement last year. The former Everton and Manchester United forward came off the bench in his swansong outing and nearly marked his farewell at Wembley with a goal towards the end of a comfortable 3-0 triumph. Читать дальше...

Tom Rogic and Robbie Kruse will miss Australia's friendly against Lebanon on Tuesday as they deal with minor injuries. Rogic (knee) and Kruse (groin) were left out of a 24-man squad for the clash, which will be Tim Cahill's 108th and final appearance for the Socceroos. The duo started Australia's 1-1 draw against South Korea on Saturday, when Graham Arnold's men needed a 94th-minute equaliser from Massimo Luongo in Brisbane. In-form Adelaide United attacker Craig Goodwin and Sydney FC defender Rhyan Grant are part of the squad... Читать дальше...

Italy coach Roberto Mancini was unhappy with supporters who jeered Leonardo Bonucci during the nation's 0-0 draw with Portugal in Milan on Saturday. Bonucci, 31, spent last season at AC Milan after a move from Juventus, only to secure a return to Turin in August. The move back to Juve has left a sour taste for some supporters, who targeted Bonucci during the Nations League clash. Mancini criticised the fans and said there should never be a repeat when players are representing their nations. "It... Читать дальше...

Cristiano Ronaldo is still part of the Portugal squad despite his recent absence, according to coach Fernando Santos. Ronaldo, 33, last played for his nation at the World Cup in Russia, where they were eliminated by Uruguay in the round of 16. Without him, Portugal have managed to reach the Nations League Finals, becoming the first side to qualify after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Italy in Milan. But Santos said there should be no questions that the Juventus star is still an important part of his squad. Читать дальше...

Portugal coach Fernando Santos was left satisfied after his team moved into the Nations League Finals following a 0-0 draw with Italy. A point in Milan on Saturday was enough for the Euro 2016 champions to become the first side to qualify for next year's Finals, which they are set to host. While not particularly happy with Portugal's performance, Santos was glad to secure top spot in Group 3. "I am satisfied. To be present in the final phase of this competition is always important for Portugal... Читать дальше...

Scotland deserve to be "super confident" of securing Nations League promotion following their crushing 4-0 victory over Albania, according to manager Alex McLeish. James Forrest's double and one apiece from Ryan Fraser and Steven Fletcher secured a morale-boosting away result on Saturday. Mergim Mavraj's first-half dismissal for headbutting Ryan Christie swung all the initiative away from Albania and the visitors went on to secure the largest winning margin of either of McLeish's two spells in charge. Читать дальше...

Luis Enrique has branded criticism of David de Gea "unfair" but declined to reveal whether the under-pressure goalkeeper will remain a starter for Spain. De Gea was closely scrutinised for his part in Tin Jedvaj's late winner in the costly 3-2 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League on Thursday. The Manchester United man is struggling to find form on the international stage, saving less than half of the shots he has faced since the start of La Roja's disappointing World Cup campaign. Chelsea's... Читать дальше...