
Former France striker Bernard Lacombe dies aged 72
Lacombe began his career with hometown club Lyon and had a brief spell at Saint-Etienne before joining Bordeaux, scoring 255 goals in total in the French top flight in 497 matches.
Only Argentine Delio Onnis (299) has scored more goals in Ligue 1.
Lacombe returned to Lyon after his playing career and served as manager between 1996 and 2000.
'It's with immense sadness that we learned of the death of Bernard Lacombe,' the club wrote in a statement.
'Farewell Bernard, you were our legend, the greatest of all.'
Lacombe scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for France and started his country's 2-0 win over Spain in the 1984 European Championship final in Paris.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Tottenham slams racist abuse targeting forward Tel after Super Cup defeat
UDINE: Tottenham Hotspur said on Thursday that they are "disgusted" by the online racial abuse aimed at French forward Mathys Tel after their UEFA Super Cup loss against Paris Saint-Germain. Europa League winners Spurs squandered a 2-0 lead as they lost to European champions PSG 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic Super Cup in Udine, Italy, on Wednesday. Tel and Dutch defender Micky van de Ven had missed their spot-kicks for Spurs during the shootout. "We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat," Spurs said in a statement. "Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views. "We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify. We stand with you, Mathys."


New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Alonso's Real Madrid start La Liga with fresh energy
MADRID: Real Madrid, featuring several new signings, approach the new season with fresh hope under recently-appointed coach Xabi Alonso, looking to turn the page on a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era with "ambitious" football. Former Liverpool and Los Blancos midfielder Alonso saw at the Club World Cup in the United States this summer there is plenty of work to do, as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Madrid 4-0 in the semi-final. "Things are going to be different... we are starting from scratch," said Alonso, although some of his findings from the tournament will undoubtedly influence his approach. Madrid fans also got their first glimpse of the Basque tactician's plans, and also of England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Alonso showed tactical flexibility, utilising both a four-man and three-man defence, whereas his predecessor Ancelotti tended to stick with four at the back and was criticised for not being adaptive enough in games. By contrast Alonso was keen to adjust things during matches if he could, including the positioning of his players, and keen to impress on his squad they must all help defensively and with pressing. "We need and want everyone to defend – the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved defensively," said Alonso during the tournament, asked specifically about star forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. "They have to know how we want to press, and without that, things will be very complicated," continued Alonso. "Vini, Jude (Bellingham), Fede (Valverde), Kylian, those up front, the defence has to push forward too." Alonso is looking to obtain the balance that Ancelotti failed to achieve last season following Mbappe's arrival from PSG. Although the French superstar struck 43 goals under Ancelotti it was not enough to inspire a Madrid side that finished the season without a major trophy, while Barcelona reclaimed La Liga as part of a domestic treble. Mbappe's illness with a stomach bug kept him out of Madrid's group matches at the Club World Cup, but on his first start was in the destruction by PSG. "We have to be self-critical, but it will also serve us as a guide for where we need to improve," said Alonso. If Alonso can find the formula for Mbappe and Vinicius to work together without sacrificing too much out of possession remains to be seen, while winger Rodrygo Goes does not appear to be part of the coach's plans, playing a bit-part role in the States. Madrid go into the season without Luka Modric in the squad for the first time in over a decade, with the Croatian's experience and quality a big miss for a side lacking some guile in midfield. Los Blancos' hope is for Turkish playmaker Arda Guler to be able to thrive there and become a player who can control the tempo of a game. "The coach is trying to make us have more control of the game, and that's better for me," said Guler. The 20-year-old should get plenty of chances to play at the start of the season with Jude Bellingham sidelined until around mid-October after shoulder surgery to solve a long-running issue. By then new arrival and fellow England international Alexander-Arnold may have established himself in the side. The full-back, who joined from Liverpool before the end of his contract so he could play at the Club World Cup, adds further attacking quality to a Madrid squad brimming with it. Madrid hope Dean Huijsen could help solve some issues at the back, while Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono also join, with Los Blancos spending over €170 million ($200 million) this summer. Dani Carvajal's return from a long-term knee injury is another piece of good news for a Madrid side who need it after their 2024-25 campaign was more noteworthy for the club's attacks on referees than for success on the field. Alonso, who hopes to play an "ambitious" game with "emotion and energy", wants the world to be talking about Real Madrid's football once again. — AFP


New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PSG snatch Super Cup in stunning late fightback, heartbreak for Spurs
UDINE: European champions Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware on Wednesday as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2. Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank as they led 2-0 just after half-time at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy. Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winners the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got their second goal three minutes into the second half. However, PSG were rescued by two substitutes as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equaliser four minutes into injury time. That meant a penalty shoot-out, although it started badly for PSG when Vitinha put their first kick wide. New Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier then saved from Van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG. Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up. It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, have lifted the Super Cup, as they take their tally of trophies won in 2025 to five. "I am proud. We have hadn't much preparation but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect -- it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus. "They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that." It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique's team, who had a shortened off-season break having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago. They only began pre-season training a week ago and played no friendly matches before this game. PSG now begin the new Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday away to Nantes, while Spurs will turn their attentions to the start of the Premier League season as they take on Burnley at home on Saturday. "I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world -- maybe the best in this moment in time," Frank told TNT Sports. "I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes until the 2-1 goal. Then of course that shifted a little bit the momentum, but there was so much positive. "I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shoot-out." As well as Frank making his debut on the bench, new signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha both started for Spurs. Chevalier made his debut in goal for PSG following his arrival from Lille, a move which has sidelined Italy 'keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Luis Enrique's team. The 23-year-old was called into action to tip over a Richarlison shot midway through the first half but he could not prevent Van de Ven giving the Premier League side the lead as the interval approached. Chevalier did tip a Palhinha shot onto the bar after Spurs sent a ball into the Paris area, but there was nothing the goalkeeper could do to stop Dutch defender Van de Ven scoring the follow-up. The new signing was then culpable as Tottenham scored again just after the break, with Chevalier too easily beaten by a header from the unmarked Romero. It looked like it would not be PSG's night as Bradley Barcola had an effort disallowed for an offside midway through the second half, but they saved the day with a remarkable late show. Lee controlled a Vitinha pass before firing low into the far corner from the edge of the box, and Ramos then equalised in the 94th minute by heading in a driven ball across the face of goal by Dembele, setting PSG up for penalties. -AFP