
Italy gives winning sendoff for Spalletti in World Cup qualifying. De Bruyne saves Belgium
With a parting gift for Luciano Spalletti , Italy beat Moldova 2-0 on Monday for its first points in the beleaguered national team's attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
There was also a significant victory in World Cup qualifying for Belgium, with Kevin De Bruyne demonstrating his enduring class by scoring in the 88th minute to snatch a 4-3 win against Wales after his team squandered a 3-0 lead after 27 minutes.
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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ireland aim to 'turn big results into series wins'
Ireland assistant coach Gary Wilson says the team are aiming to turn big one-off wins into series successes as they prepare to face the West Indies in three T20 internationals at Bready. The teams drew their ODI series in May, with Ireland winning the first match, the second ending in a draw after a lengthy rain delay and the tourists running out convincing winners in the third game. Advertisement The Irish side has won three and lost three of their previous T20Is against the West Indies and triumphed by nine wickets in the last meeting between the sides in the T20 format in a World Cup encounter in Hobart in 2022. Ireland also secured a shock nine-wicket win on the last occasion the West Indies visited the north west, after bowling their opponents out for just 25 runs at Sion Mills back in 1969. "We have had a decent record against the West Indies over the past number of years and it's a great place to play cricket here. The locals really get behind it. It's a hotbed of Irish cricket," observed Wilson. "Obviously we know how good they are in this form of cricket - it's definitely the format they feel most comfortable in but we're looking forward to the challenge and hopefully the weather plays ball. Advertisement "We've shown a big ability to get big results, especially on the global stage over the last number of years, now we're looking to put that into series wins rather than one-off games." The T20 games take place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 'We'll get after it' - Adair West Indies lost all three of their T20Is against England in recent days, but returning pace bowler Mark Adair knows they will be formidable opposition. Adair returns to the squad after missing the ODI series through injury but Craig Young, Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany have been ruled out. "They're one of the best teams in the world in my opinion. I think they've got some of the most exciting cricketers and are one of the most entertaining teams to watch," observed Adair. Advertisement "This is a fresh challenge and we'll get after it. Hopefully we can do the business." "The aspiration is to win the series. I think we match up pretty well and I'm looking forward to getting back out there." In addition to Adair's return, Tim Tector, younger brother of experienced batter Harry, comes into the squad for the triple header, along with Stephen Doheny and spin bowler Gavin Hoey. "Mark is a big player for us and has been for the past 24 months, if not longer," said assistant coach Wilson. "He's plying his trade around the world now and it's great that he's getting that recognition because he has put in some match-winning performances for us. Advertisement "Tim is here on merit and he's shown over a period of time in interpro cricket that he's got good run-scoring ability in this form of the game and I'm sure he's looking forward to the opportunity."

13 minutes ago
US concedes 4 first-half goals, falls to Switzerland 4-0 for first 4-game losing streak since 2007
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Forbes
24 minutes ago
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Coach Flick Chooses Surprise Transfer Target
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has picked a surprising player as a potential transfer target ... More this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has picked a surprising player as a potential transfer target this summer according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources. The German is the man of the hour in Catalonia after leading Barca to an impressive domestic treble in his maiden term. Had the Catalans managed to hold on for a few more minutes at the San Siro with a 3-2 lead, after trailing by two goals, he would have also taken them to a first Champions League final since 2015. That wasn't to be, as Inter Milan equalized in the 93rd minute and then scored in extra time to secure a 4-3 win on the night and dramatic 7-6 aggregate victory as part of what many called the best UCL last four tie of all time. Reacting to the loss, and the amount of goals conceded against an outfit that didn't manage to put a single strike past Paris Saint-Germain in a 5-0 thrashing that was the European competition's final, Barca is already closing in on a goalkeeper talked up as potentially world class in Joan Garcia. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old's controversial switch from crosstown rival Espanyol to don Blaugrana should be completed by depositing his $28.5 million (€25 million) release clause, which could turn out to be a bargain in the long run. After that deal has been wrapped up and announced, Barca will then move on to trying to buy an attacker that is capable of playing primarily on the left wing and other positions across the frontline. Top targets in that respect are Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, who Flick gave his thumbs up to in January, and Liverpool's Luis Diaz. On Tuesday night, though, Mundo Deportivo reported that Flick has highlighted another potential signing that is 'not incompatible' with a Colombian international in Luis Diaz who is now an 'absolute priority' according to the newspaper. That's none other than Ivan Perisic, with whom Flick won the Champions League in 2020 and is fancied to strengthen Barca's attack 'due to his versatility and experience'. Unlike Diaz, who is expected to cost at least $97 million (€85 million) to buy from a Premier League giant that has lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid but is expected to sign German wonderkid Florian Wirtz, Perisic would cost nothing. The 36-year-old, who has just won the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, also wouldn't have high salary demands and wants to continue competing at the highest level to arrive at the World Cup in peak shape next year. It goes without saying that born winner Perisic would give FC Barcelona more options moving forward. Not only able to give the likes of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha a rest when needed, he would be sure to become a fan favourite for his work rate and intensity.