Barcelona‘s Thiago Alcantara scored a first-half hat-trick as Spain outclassed Italy to retain the European Under-21 Championship today.
The Spanish captain was left unmarked to head in early on before Ciro Immobile scored a wonderful equaliser from Giulio Donati’s pass.
Thiago restored the lead with a crisp shot and added a third from the spot. In a flat second half, Isco’s penalty sealed the win before Fabio Borini added a late consolation for Italy.
Some interesting comments by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that he he is motivated by the challenge of adhering to the Financial Fair Play rules at Chelsea.
Mourinho told the club’s official website:
“It’s very motivational and demands more from you. You have to think more about every decision and every move.
“Every wrong move you make has an influence on the future. You need to work more closely with the board in the financial area, you have to have a different perspective and a different look at the players on loan and youth football.
Former Manchester United chairman, and current United director, David Gill has been appointed chairman of UEFA’s extremely influential Club Licensing Committee.
The Club Licensing Committee essentially decides which clubs are entitled to licences to play Champions League and Europa League football. This will become increasingly important as UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules shape the landscape of European football in the coming years.
Gill is a known proponent of FFP, and he was one of the leaders behind the Premier League adopting similar rules in English domestic football back in January.
For Queens Park Rangers fans, the reality of life in the Championship hit them today.
Instead of looking forward to the release of the 2013-14 Premier League fixtures on Wednesday, and planning trips to Anfield and Old Trafford, QPR fans are instead trying to figure out where Exeter City play.
That ie because QPR have been drawn away to League Two side Exeter City in the first round of the Capital One Cup on 5 August.
Teams that have qualified for Europe, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Wigan and League Cup holders Swansea, all enter the competition in the third round, while Reading, who were also relegated from the Premier League, enter the competition in round two.
Twenty minutes into the New England Revolution game against Vancouver on Saturday and everything was going according to Jay Heap’s script.
The Revs had got off to the perfect start when Agudelo scored after 10 minutes. Chris Tierney delivered a pinpoint 50-yard pass, which the Whitecaps defence failed to deal with and Agudelo made no mistake, drilling his shot past Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton.
Ten minutes later it was 2-0. Some nice play involving Sene and Fagundez, freed up Rowe inside the box and he calmly slotted his shot inside the far post.
After one round of matches in the Confederations Cup, Spain and Brazil are on a collision to meet in the final on June 30th.
Brazil kicked off the tournament in style on Friday with a 3-0 win over Japan. Any nerves that Brazil had about performing in front of their friends, were eased when Neymar scored a brilliant opening goal after only three minutes.
From the left wing, Marcelo hit a long cross-field pass towards Fred. The No9′s chest control was met by Neymar, whose perfect half-volleyed effort flew past Eiji Kawashima and into the Japanese goal. A stunning goal.
Technically the summer transfer window does not open until July 1, but that has not stopped teams getting a jump on that date, by lining up deals early. With the Premier League sides armed with money from their record TV deal, this is shaping up to be the most summer transfer window in history.
Last summer the transfer of Robin van Persie to Manchester United won them the title. Who will be the big deal this summer?
Updated: June 14
Arsenal
Incoming:
Outgoing:
Andrey Arshavin (released)
Denilson (released)
Sebastien Squillaci (released)
Martin Angha (Nuremberg, undisclosed)
Craig Eastmond (Colchester, free)
Conor Henderson (released)
Jernade Mead (released)
Sanchez Watt (released)
Spain should complete a sweep of national team trophies when the Confederations Cup begins this weekend. They already are European and World Champions, and the Confederations Cup will complete their trophy cabinet.
Spain come into the competition on a terrific run of form, as they are unbeaten in their last 25 competitive matches, having not lost a game that mattered since their opening group match of the 2010 World Cup against Switzerland.
Montreal Impact tops the MLS power rankings, while somehow the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls maintain top 10 rankings. How is that possible?
Here is how MLS Soccer ranks the teams. Do you Agree or disagree with the rankings from mlssoccer.com? Let us know in the comments below.
1: Montreal Impact
They’re getting used to the view at the top. You know what view we want to get a little bit used to? That of Justin Mapp in a US national team uniform. There’s not a better winger in the league at the moment.
After weeks of expectation, Manchester City have finally officially announced Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager, as City’s impressive summer continues.
“I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity,” said Pellegrini, who will begin his new job on 24 June.
“The club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution.”
Brian Kidd will remain on the coaching staff, with Ruben Cousillas joining as assistant manager and goalkeeping coach Xabier Mancisidor and fitness coach Jose Cabello also part of the new backroom set-up. The trio worked under Pellegrini at Malaga.