Bruno Fernandes said the criticism that followed Portugal s 2-1 defeat by Croatia at the weekend was a reflection of fans elevated expectations ahead of Euro 2024.

The Selecao das Quinas concluded their preparations for the tournament with a disappointing display in Lisbon, with Luka Modric s penalty and Ante Budimir s second-half strike cancelling Diogo Jota s equaliser, giving the visitors their first win over their opponents in their history.

Portugal won all 10 of their qualifiers, but prior to travelling to Germany this week, have suffered defeats to Croatia and Slovenia in recent friendlies.

The 2016 champions have since failed to go beyond the quarter-finals of an international tournament, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Fernandes says…

Marcel Sabitzer s stunning effort ensured Austria finished as winners of Euro 2024 Group D following an enthralling encounter against the Netherlands in Berlin.

Ronald Koeman s side twice came from behind thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay, but the Austria captain had the final say on Tuesday.

Austria opened the scoring in the sixth minute as Donyell Malen s attempt to cut out Alexander Prass cross ended up in his own net.

Malen almost atoned for his earlier error but could only scuff his shot wide of Patrick Pentz s far post.

But it took the Oranje just 71 seconds to restore parity after the break as Xavi Simons laid the ball off for Gakpo to curl home his 11th international goal.

However, the Dutch joy was short-lived as Austr…

Lionel Messi is a Paris Saint-Germain player. It may still seem a bit hard to take in, particularly as such a scenario looked so unlikely as recently as last week, the deal is complete.

Messi has signed a two-year deal at the Parc des Princes and will form probably the most-feared front three in world football alongside Kylian Mbappe and his old friend Neymar.

Barcelona s dire financial situation meant they could not bring their greatest ever player back under LaLiga s salary restrictions.

Messi s contract expired at the end of June and, although Barca president Joan Laporta confirmed the two parties had reached an agreement, the numbers made a deal impossible. The Blaugrana chief confirmed at a monumental press conference that the deal to keep the talismanic f…

Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini scoffed at the lack of patience afforded to the Bianconeri following their slow start to the Serie A season under new head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

After opening their 2021-22 Serie A campaign without a win in four matches, Juve finally opened their account by edging Spezia 3-2 midweek, moving the Italian giants out of the relegation zone.

Juve have just five points from five games to start the season under Allegri, who returned to Turin to replace Andrea Pirlo after being dethroned by rivals Inter last term.

In a period of change following Cristiano Ronaldo s exit, veteran Juve defender Chiellini bemoaned the impatience.

We must be able to keep the ship steady in a stormy sea, Italy international Chiellini told Sky …

Cristiano Ronaldo said Old Trafford has always been a magical place after he marked his second debut for Manchester United with a double.

Ronaldo, who last month completed a sensational return to the club he left for Real Madrid in 2009, was named in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s starting XI for Saturday s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

Fresh from becoming the leading international goalscorer of all time, Ronaldo gave the eager Old Trafford crowd exactly what they wanted when he tucked in on the rebound just before half-time.

Javier Manquillo s equaliser threatened to derail the day, yet Ronaldo slotted through Freddie Woodman s legs to put United back in control, with Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard rounding off a fine win to take United to the top of th…

Pele had Ghana in mind when he predicted a team from Africa would eventually win the World Cup, the country s president said on Friday.

As the Black Stars set off for Qatar, hopes are high at home that the 2010 quarter-finalists can have another strong tournament.

Brazil great Pele forecast in the 1970s that a team from Africa would win football s greatest global title before the end of the century.

That did not come to fruition, and Africa has yet to produce a World Cup semi-finalist. Few would expect that to change in Qatar 2022, and Ghana enter the tournament as long shots.

The opening game for Otto Addo s team comes on November 24 against Portugal, who should have superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said: A lo…

Glenn Murray has extended his contract with Brighton and Hove Albion until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The striker, who has scored six times in the Premier League this season, would have seen his previous deal expire next year.

We are delighted to have extended Glenn s contract. He has proved a vital member of the team and his goals have been crucial to us, said Brighton manager Chris Hughton, via the club s official website.

Glenn has scored consistently for us, first in helping us win promotion, and now in the Premier League as we seek to establish ourselves at the top level. 

He s proved himself at the very top late in his career, and his professionalism and approach on and off the pitch is a big factor in why he s still doing it now.

…

Gareth Southgate should stay on as England manager for Euro 2024 despite their World Cup quarter-final exit, says Gary Neville.

Having been in charge of the Three Lions since 2016, Southgate has already cemented himself as the best boss to take the reins since 1966 World Cup winner Alf Ramsey, reaching the Russia 2018 semi-finals and Euro 2020 final.

A last-eight defeat to France at Qatar 2022 has left Southgate pondering his future, though, having told the Football Association he would like time to consider his next steps.

Neville believes he should remain for England s next major tournament campaign, however, and suggested he could spend the year-and-a-half interim to help find a successor to follow in his steps.

There will be those who are listening, …

With Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year stint at officially coming to close, the Premier League giants will get a new era underway at Anfield next season.

With now the main man in the red half of Merseyside, it has been suggested that Liverpool face what is a crucial summer behind the scenes ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Watching both Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara leave Anfield on respective free transfers this summer, there has been plenty of speculation over who could be heading in the other direction.

Expected to have a small treasure chest at their disposal, we have taken a look at Slot’s reported Premier League targets.

Ollie Watkins Aston Villa

While Liverpool might have made it clear that attacking talisman will not be leaving Anfield this summer…

Gareth Southgate says Felix Zwayer s much-discussed appointment for England s Euro 2024 semi-final is not even a consideration , despite the referee s history with Jude Bellingham.

England midfielder Bellingham, then of Borussia Dortmund, was fined €40,000 for his comments relating to Zwayer s background after a controversial defeat to Bayern Munich in 2021.

You give a referee that has match-fixed before the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect, Bellingham said, seemingly referring to the German official s six-month ban for match-fixing.

Zwayer was given a six-month ban in 2005 after he was investigated for taking a £250 bribe from official Robert Hoyzer, who was subsequently banned for life.

Southgate has no issues with Zwayer s appointment in…