France Shine, Germany Moan and Ronaldo Rattles Spain in Europe
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Friday 39 Sports Friday, October 9, 2020 France shine, Germany moan and Ronaldo rattles Spain in Europe El Shaarawy nets brace as Italy crush Moldova 6-0 PARIS: France’s 7-1 thrashing of Ukraine was used a friendly with their Iberian rivals Spain to the pick of the European friendlies on Wednes- warm up. Cristiano Ronaldo and Renato Sanchez day as Spain clung on for a draw in Lisbon and both struck the woodwork for Portugal, who Turkey saved pride with a late goal against then should have won it in injury-time only for Germany in Cologne. At the Stade de France it Joao Felix to miskick at the back post. was teenager Eduardo Camavinga and veteran Spain were the better team early on at the Olivier Giroud inflicting much of the damage Jose Alvalade stadium and also went close. “I for Didier Deschamps’ world champions on think we were better than Portugal,” said Spain Covid-19 hit Ukraine. The 17-year-old Ca- coach Luis Enrique. “For sure they had two shots mavinga put himself on the map becoming the on the break that hit the bar and one that Kepa youngest man to score for France in over a saved but we had chances as well.” Both sit top century with an audacious overhead flick for of their Nations League groups, Portugal with the ninth minute opener. maximum points after beating Croatia and Swe- Deschamps made Giroud captain for his den while Spain have four after thrashing 100th appearance and in return the Chelsea for- Ukraine and drawing with Germany. ward scored a first-half brace that left him on 42 international goals, just nine short of Thiery ‘I’m disappointed’ Henry on 51. “Well that’s two more in the bag and Germany coach Joachim Loew bemoaned his it was already quite a significant haul wasn’t it,” side’s inability to hold on to a lead after they said Deschamps, who has persisted with Giroud conceded a last-gasp equalizer in a thrilling 3-3 over the years when France seemed to be com- draw against Turkey. Stuttgart-born Kenan FLORENCE: Italy’s forward Stephan El Shaarawy (center) scores a goal during friendly football match between Italy and ing down with top strikers. “I’ll just carry on and Karaman bundled in a late leveller against the Moldova on October 7, 2020. —AFP see how far it goes,” said Giroud, 34. PSG’s country of his birth as Turkey fought back from Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich’s Corentin behind three times to snatch a draw and leave Francesco Caputo scored on his Italy debut with tended Mancini’s unbeaten run to 17 consecu- Tolisso and Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann Loew scratching his head. “I’m disappointed and Stephan El Shaarawy adding a brace as an ex- tive games, with 14 wins and three draws. “I’ve were also on the mark with fine strikes. frustrated. We have had this problem for a while, perimental Azzurri side crushed Moldova 6-0. seen so many interesting things,” said Mancini, Ukraine’s team had been so ravaged by injury and the same thing happened in other games,” Roberto Mancini lined out with Italy’s ‘B’ whose side were five goals up at the break. and the coronavirus they included a 45-year-old the Germany coach told broadcaster RTL. The side without their stars as the Italians build to- Italy, top of their Nations Leagues group with coach as second ‘keeper for the night. European draw was Germany’s third in three games, and wards next year’s European championships, four points, play in Poland on Sunday and the champions in 2016 Portugal return to the Stade the third time in a row that they have failed to having failed to reach the 2018 World Cup. Netherlands in Bergamo next Wednesday, with de France in the Nations League on Sunday and win after taking the lead. Veteran striker Against the modest Moldovans the Italians ex- both on three points. — AFP Scottish Government and other authorities to fully understand Arsenal, Celtic question the self-isolation procedures for those players who continue to Infantino praises Qatar deliver negative test results, as Ryan has.” Tierney and Christie also expressed their frustration at the self-isolation rules as measures. “I’m so disappointed and frustrated to be in this sit- for defying pandemic uation. I have adhered to all regulations and made sure I was DOHA: FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday praised Qatar for trio miss Euro play-off socially distancing from my team mates in the hotel. I’ve also pushing ahead with 2022 World Cup preparations despite the coronavirus tested negative,” said Tierney. In Celtic’s statement, Christie pandemic, while the rest of the world “stood still”. On a visit to Doha, during added: “I am so disappointed by the events of today and the which he got into football kit to play a seven-a-side-match at the striking LONDON: Arsenal and Celtic questioned self-isolation rules potential effects this could have on my country and club tent-style Al Bayt stadium, Infantino said he was “very pleased” with Qatar’s for their players after Stuart Armstrong’s positive test for “As I have operated within these protocols for such a long progress ahead of the tournament. coronavirus ruled him and teammates Kieran Tierney and time now, I am well aware of all the rules and social distancing “We have seen the plans, but when you see the reality, it is even more im- Ryan Christie out of Scotland’s crucial Euro 2020 play-off from team mates has become the norm and something I have pressive,” he said in a statement which added that all eight venues will be com- semi-final against Israel yesterday. The Scottish Football As- observed. “The situation is very frustrating, particularly as I pleted “well in advance” of the event. “Qatar has been able to continue to sociation (SFA) said on advice from the Lothian Health Pro- don’t believe I have done anything wrong.” Arsenal boss Mikel advance during the last six months while the world stood still-from infrastruc- tection Team, Arsenal defender Tierney and Celtic midfielder Arteta had voiced his fears over releasing players on interna- ture preparations to important developments such as the recent labor reforms Christie would be forced to self-isolate for 14 days after being tional duty and more battles between clubs and national asso- announced by the government,” he said. Qatar has made a series of reforms to in close contact with Southampton’s Armstrong, who would ciations are expected for November’s international break. its employment regulations since being selected to host the 2022 World Cup, be quarantined for 10 days. which has required a vast program of construction dependent on foreign work- All three will also miss Scotland’s Nations League clashes Disarray ers. However, rights campaigners say that widespread abuses persist. The Gulf with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. On top of that Tierney Scotland manager Steve Clarke admitted his plans had been state will kick off the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium, which takes its shape would be absent for Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City in the Pre- thrown into disarray with three key players ruled out the day from the traditional tents used by nomadic peoples in the Gulf region. mier League on October 17, while Christie would miss the first before one of Scotland’s biggest matches in years. Clarke’s men The timings of the competition, due to be held in November and Decem- Old Firm game for 10 months against Rangers the same day in are two games away from a first major international tournament ber of 2022, remains unchanged by the coronavirus pandemic which has al- the Scottish Premiership. for 22 years. Beat Israel and they will face Norway or Serbia in ready forced the postponement of the European football championships and “Our medical team have confirmed that Kieran was socially November for a place at next year’s postponed Euros. “We were the Tokyo Olympics. Qatar has had one of the highest per capita coronavirus distant at all times from the player who tested positive and has working towards one team and now we have to change that,” infection rates in the world although infection rates have now fallen sharply. broken no rules regarding COVID-19 protocols,” Arsenal said added Clarke. “We moved the training back to this afternoon. Work continued at 2022 sites this year-even as Doha imposed wide-ranging in a statement. “We are currently seeking further advice and We have a little bit of time to work on one or two different closures including on shops, restaurants, and mosques-but was slowed to clarification of the details. Celtic also issued a statement saying: things, one or two different players coming into the team that allow virus containment measures including screening and social distancing “Celtic confirmed today that it aims to open dialogue with the maybe didn’t expect to play. — AFP to be observed. — AFP.