Sport (Page 142)

THE World Cup play-offs are almost here and we now know that one of football’s giants will not make it to Qatar. European champions Italy surprisingly failed to qualify for the tournament as qualifying group winners following a 0-0 draw in Northern Ireland. And if they triumph at home to North Macedonia, they will meet Euro 2016 winners Portugal, or Turkey, in the play-off final. 3 Cristiano Ronaldo will need to guide Portugal to the Qatar World Cup via the play-offsCredit: AFP 3 European champions Italy will also have to brave the play-offs.Credit: AFP Meanwhile Scotland will have to go the play-off route if they are to qualify for the World Cup. But their tie against Ukraine has been POSTPONEDContinue Reading

Good morning Man Utd fans Mauricio Pochettino is set to reject a move to Manchester United and stay at PSG, according to reports. Man Utd have been considering him as a potential replacement for Ralf Rangnick when he leaves his post as manager at the end of the season. However, L’Equipe have reported that he is willing to stay in Paris, but only under certain conditions. Pochettino wants the club to be in the best position to go on and win the Champions League in future. And for this to happen, he wants more of an input on certain decisions regarding the club’s strategy. In more bad news, Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United. TheContinue Reading

WILFRIED ZAHA and Jack Grealish could meet on the pitch at Wembley next week – but both players could easily be wearing national shirts of other countries. The two stars may go head-to-head when England take on Ivory Coast in a friendly. 12 Wilfried Zaha will be hoping to down England at Wembley next week with Ivory CoastCredit: Getty The best XI of players to swap nationalities during their career, includes some superstar names But those two men are not the only ones to have represented their countries and later switched allegience. In fact, some of the greatest players on the planet – past and present have done the same. Players can swap nations if they are under the ageContinue Reading

THE FA Cup is heading into its last four as teams dream of the final in May. Chelsea are already through after a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough in front of a small portion of away fans due to government sanctions on Roman Abramovich. Getty – Contributor Fans are eagerly awaiting the FA Cup semi-final draw[/caption] And title challengers Liverpool and Man City will be looking to join them as they play their quarter-final ties. When is the FA Cup semi-final draw? The FA Cup semi-final draw takes place on Sunday, March 20. It commences before the match between Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool. Most read in Sport FIGHT NIGHT Latest reaction as Thor says Hall is welcome to rematch after FLOORINGContinue Reading

EDDIE HALL and Hafthor ‘Thor’ Bjornsson are finally doing battle in the boxing ring TONIGHT. The strongmen rivals will settle a long-term grudge in their rescheduled heavyweight boxing clash in Dubai. 2 How the fighters compare for the huge fight The bout was originally set to take place last September, before Hall had to pull out with a bicep injury. Thor has been busy with exhibition boxing bouts for his preparation, while Brit Hall has instead trained with current world champions. And Hall has said he believes Thor has lost TOO much weight, with the Game of Thones actor showing a far more defined body now as he prepares for the fight. The two former World’s Strongest Man winners have both shedContinue Reading

Boss Arteta hails Ramsdale reaction Mikel Arteta has praised Aaron Ramsdale for the manner in which he has reacted to the mistake that gifted Liverpool their opener in Wednesday’s defeat at the Emirates. The England goalkeeper allowed Diogo Jota’s shot to beat him at his near post early in the second half, and the visitors went on to add a second soon afterwards. Speaking at his Friday press conference, Arteta paid tribute to the 23-year-old for the manner in which he has bounced back – and warned him that many more setbacks lie ahead in his career. The Spaniard said: “[Aaron] was gutted after the match and it’s normal because he’s such a competitive boy, but he needs to realiseContinue Reading

MAURICIO POCHETTINO paid tribute to Paul Jiggins following the death of SunSport’s much-loved reporter. Millwall fan ‘Jiggo’ was one of the sharpest football journalists in the business. 4 SunSport are mourning the death of our much-loved reporter Paul JigginsCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun 4 PSG’s former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has paid tribute to JiggoCredit: Getty 4 Spurs also paid tribute to our beloved Jiggo at this morning’s press conferenceCredit: Twitter Just talking about Jiggo and remembered this moment from a few years ago. He was the journalist caught yawning by Poch. https://t.co/DS6v4zgIKm — Jonathan Veal (@jonathandveal83) March 18, 2022 He covered Tottenham’s rollercoaster ride in the last 10 years, including their run to the 2019 Champions League final.Continue Reading

Good evening from the London stadium Welcome to SunSport’s live coverage of this evening’s nicely poised Europa League second leg tie between West Ham and Sevilla. The Spanish side, who sit second in La Liga, got the better of the Hammers last time out, winning 1-0 after an excellent strike from Munir. West Ham were wasteful in front of goal but managed to keep Sevilla out from scoring any more. After an encouraging first half for Moyes’ side, Sevilla looked the far more dangerous in the second, creating a series of chances. However, West Ham will look to take advantage of a packed London stadium, and become the first English team in History to beat the Spanish side. Since theContinue Reading

MARC GUEHI has been named in England’s squad by Gareth Southgate for the very first time – but there was no place for Marcus Rashford. And his Manchester United team-mate Jadon Sancho and Man City defender Kyle Walker also miss out. 3 Marc Guehi has been called up to the England squad for the very first timeCredit: Getty 3 Marcus Rashford has been left out of the Three Lions squadCredit: Getty The Three Lions boss has name his latest squad as he begins preparations for the World Cup in Qatar. And the Crystal Palace star, 21, has been handed his first senior international call up for the upcoming friendlies. The defender has impressed since moving to Selhurst Park from ChelseaContinue Reading

TOTTENHAM have announced the death of former captain Tony Marchi. The midfielder had two spells at the north London club making 232 appearances. 1 Marchi made 232 appearances for TottenhamCredit: REX FEATURES Marchi played a key role in Spurs’ 1961 Football League triumph as well as their 193 European Cup winners’ Cup success. On Marchi, who started his career at Spurs as a junior, Tottenham said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Tony Marchi. “A former captain of the Club in the 1950s and part of our 1961 Football League and 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup-winning squads, Tony passed away at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford on Tuesday evening (15 March).Continue Reading