Inter Milan confirm interest in Yaya Toure

Internazionale Milano general director Marco Fassone has confirmed the club’s interest in Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.  The Côte d’Ivoire international, 31, is contracted to the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2017, but reports in Italy have suggested the Nerazzurri are preparing a €60 million bid for the former Barcelona star.  “Who doesn’t dream of having a player like him? Toure would give our midfield line something that we are lacking,” Fassone said.  “But his wages and City’s asking price might be a big obstacle.”
Regarding the futures of Mauro Icardi, Mateo Kovacic and Samir Handanovic, Fassone added: “We are almost there with respect to Icardi’s contract extension. We want to keep him just as we want to keep Kovacic. We will evaluate with great care [their] eventual offers.  “It’s clear that if we want to sign three players [this summer] we will need to evaluate those that will depart.  “Handanovic’s renewal is an issue that we must resolve at once. We need to understand what he wants. We cannot go into next season knowing that our goalkeeper’s contract expires.”  In other news, Internazionale are prepared to offer Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic a four-year deal worth €3.5 million per year (after tax).  The Nerazzurri could face competition from the likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus for the Montenegro international, who has tallied five goals and three assists in 17 English Premier League appearances for City this term.


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Mohamed Salah set for permanent Fiorentina deal

The Express understands that Mohamed Salah is on the verge of making his loan switch from Chelsea to Fiorentina permanent, with the Italian side preparing at £13m bid for the winger.  The Egypt international moved to the Florence side earlier this year after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge, and has since played for them eleven times in all competitions, scoring six goals.  Prior to his move to Serie A, the 22 year old played for the Blues just eighteen times, having signed from Basel in January 2014 – six months after clinching the Swiss Super League title.  While Fiorentina sit in sixth place in the Italian top flight – twenty-one points behind leaders Juventus, Salah’s parent club are well on course to win their first league title in five years.

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BET TIPS:SATURDAY FOOTBALL TIPS

England - Premier League

12:45 Arsenal ? - ? Liverpool =HOME WIN

15:00 Everton ? - ? Southampton =BTS

15:00 Leicester City ? - ? West Ham United =AWAY WIN OR DRAW

15:00 Manchester United ? - ? Aston Villa =HOME WIN

15:00 Swansea City ? - ? Hull City =HOME WIN OR DRAW

17:30 Chelsea ? - ? Stoke City=HOME WIN

Italy - Serie A
Roma ? - ? SSC Napoli =BTS

14:00 Atalanta ? - ? Torino =AWAY WIN OR DRAW

14:00 Cagliari ? - ? Lazio=AWAY WIN OR DRAW

14:00 Hellas Verona ? - ? Cesena =HOME WIN

14:00 Inter ? - ? Parma =HOME WIN

14:00 Palermo ? - ? AC Milan= AWAY WIN OR DRAW

17:30 Fiorentina ? - ? Sampdoria=HOME WIN OR DRAW

 20:00 Juventus ? - ? Empoli=HOME WIN

Spain - Liga BBVA
15:00 Sevilla ? - ? Athletic Bilbao =BTS

17:00 Cordoba ? - ? Atletico Madrid =AWAY WIN

Germany - Bundesliga

14:30 Bayer Leverkusen ? - ? Hamburger SV =HOME WIN

14:30 Hoffenheim ? - ? Borussia Moenchengladbach =AWAY WIN OR DRAW

14:30 Werder Bremen ? - ? Mainz 05 =BTS

14:30 Wolfsburg ? - ? VfB Stuttgart =HOME WIN

17:30 Borussia Dortmund ? - ? Bayern Munich=AWAY WIN

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Stoke city ready to make a shock move for Hernandez

Stoke City are ready to make a shock bid for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, according to the Mirror.  The Mexico international is currently on loan at Real Madrid, though he has started just five games in all competitions, with just one of those starts coming in the league.  Prior to his temporary switch to the European Champions, the 26 year old racked up over one hundred and fifty-four appearances for United, scoring fifty-nine goals while internationally he has been capped seventy-one times for Mexico.  Louis van Gaal is now set to move Hernandez on, with Stoke ready to offer him the chance to reignite his Premier League career though Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg are ready to battle them in the race to secure his services.

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Israel 0 Belgium 1

Israel 0 Belgium 1

Marouane Fellaini’s hot streak continued as his early goal secured Belgium’s vital 1-0 victory in Israel, despite Vincent Kompany being dismissed midway through the second half.  Manchester United midfielder Fellaini scored twice in Saturday’s 5-0 thumping of Cyprus, and made the difference again in Jerusalem – his ninth-minute strike putting Belgium top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B.  Captain Kompany picked up a second yellow card 26 minutes from time to ensure the visitors endured a tense end to the game, but they held on to move above Wales on goal difference.  However, Kompany’s dismissal means Belgium will be without their skipper when they travel to Cardiff for a key clash with Wales in June.  Belgium were on the front foot from the start and it came as little surprise to see Marc WIlmots’ men break the deadlock.  There was little craft about the goal, as Kompany latched on to a sliced volley at the back post and saw his effort parried on to Fellaini, who bundled over the line.  Despite their control, Belgium struggled to craft clear-cut opportunities for the rest of the first period and Israel improved after the interval.  Thibaut Courtois was forced into a couple of fine saves by Eran Zahavi with the hour mark approaching, but Israel’s biggest boost came a few minutes later, as Kompany picked up a second booking.  Courtois was again called into action to deny Ben Sahar shortly after Kompany’s departure, but Belgium withstood late pressure to claim all three points.

Kompany picked up a second yellow card 

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Ghana 1 - 1 Mali

New Mali coach Alain Giresse watched on from the touchline as Bakary Sako’s penalty secured a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s friendly aganist Ghana.  Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu’s goal early in the second half had put Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Ghana on course for a deserved victory at Stade Sebastien Charlety.  But Wolves winger Sako struck from the spot 19 minutes from time after Richmond Boakye hauled down Molla Wague to ensure Mali avoided defeat.  Giresse officially starts his second spell in charge of Mali on Wednesday and was given plenty to ponder, as Ghana had much the better of the game but were wasteful in front of goal.  Avram Grant must have wondered how his side failed to secure victory as he prepares for the start of AFCON qualification in June.  Agyemang-Badu was included in the Ghana starting line-up as one of six changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Senegal on Saturday and the Udinese midfielder spurned an early chance to open the scoring when he fired over the crossbar at the back post.  The tricky Christian Atsu also lacked composure when he blazed off target after 17 minutes in an encouraging start for the Black Stars.  Mali had not looked a threat going forward until Sambou Yatabare unleashed a fine left-foot strike that beat Fatau Dauda but rattled the crossbar after 27 minutes.  It was Ghana who continued to have the upper hand, though, and Atsu was presented with another chance when the ball arrived at his feet in the penalty area, but once again the on-loan Everton winger failed to hit the target three minutes before half-time.  Ghana continued where they left off after the break and they were in front only seven minutes into the second half, with a goal that had been coming.  Boakye was the architect, picking out Agyemang-Badu with a clever pass with the outside of his boot and the midfielder nipped in front of goalkeeper Soumbeila Diakite before prodding into the empty net.  Diakite’s evening was cut short midway through the second half when he bravely raced out to deny Boakye, but was injured in the process.  And Mali were level after 71 minutes against the run of play, when Boakye brought down Wague from a corner and Sako finished from 10 yards with a cheeky chipped spot-kick down the middle.  Boakye could have made amends when he raced clear following a dreadful defensive error, but his finish came back off the post and Mali snatched a draw.

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Italy 1-1 England

England maintained their unbeaten run since their early World Cup exit as Andros Townsend’s stunning effort secure a draw against Italy.  England’s 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening game of last year’s World Cup set the tone for a disappointing campaign for Roy Hodgson’s men, crashing out ignominiously at the group stage.  And, after Graziano Pelle scored a 29th-minute header in Turin, the Three Lions looked set to be heading for another defeat at the hands of the Azzurri.  Italy coach Antonio Conte had his own point to prove having been subjected to death threats for the alleged role played by his training methods in a knee injury suffered by Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio – later found to be not as serious as first thought.  However, the match was to end in disappointment for the ex-Juve coach on his old stomping ground, as Townsend’s thunderous 79th-minute strike from the edge of the area extended England’s unbeaten run to nine matches.  Eder and Harry Kane were rewarded for their debut goals at the weekend with starts for Italy and England respectively, but it was Marco Parolo who got the first sight of goal after 10 minutes – forcing Joe Hart to tip over his crossbar with a dipping effort from 20 yards.  Brazil-born Eder’s inclusion in the squad had been the subject of fierce debate in the build-up to Sunday’s 2-2 Euro 2016 qualifying draw in Bulgaria and, while he scored a vital equaliser in that clash, his first real contribution on home soil was to nearly find the corner flag with a free-kick from a promising position.  Phil Jagielka slid in to deny the Sampdoria frontman in the six-yard box moments later, before Wayne Rooney, who struck the woodwork twice in Saturday’s 4-0 demolition of Lithuania, saw an effort from the edge of the box deflected against the crossbar.  Rooney then found Theo Walcott with a sublime long-range pass, but the Arsenal winger was unable to make the most of the opportunity, as the ball wound up in the arms of Gianluigi Buffon – a starter when England last visited Turin in 2000.  However, after the visitors had shown signs of promise at one end, Giorgio Chiellini danced past a ponderous Phil Jones at the other and chipped the ball into the box for Pelle to glance home.  Chris Smalling left the field injured before half-time and the England defence came under pressure at the beginning of the second – Eder drawing a good save from Hart before Pelle drilled wide.  Kane struggled to make an impact on his full international debut and saw his best effort deflected wide, before Rooney fired straight at Buffon.  Substitutions by both coaches interrupted the flow of the match in the second half, but one of those replacements, Townsend, rifled in the equaliser from 20 yards to rescue a draw for the visitors.
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Netherlands 2-0 Spain

Netherlands recorded a morale-boosting 2-0 friendly victory over Spain on Tuesday night to ease the pressure on coach Guus Hiddink. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Turkey in Euro 2016 qualifying led to calls for the coach to resign, but two goals in the space of three first-half minutes gave the Oranje a second successive win over Spain to help restore some confidence. Stefan De Vrij broke the deadlock after 13 minutes with a well-placed header, before Davy Klaassen netted his first international goal at his home stadium. Spain were denied a way back into the game when David Silva saw an effort ruled out as they slipped to third friendly defeat in a row. Hiddink will hope his side can now take some momentum from the win as they look to fight back in Group A given they trail leaders Czech Republic by six points and second-placed Iceland by five. Having snatched a draw in stoppage time against Turkey, Hiddink’s side – which included five changes – seemed to take momentum forward and started in superb fashion. Memphis Depay brought the first save out of David de Gea with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area, but the Manchester United goalkeeper could do nothing about De Vrij’s opener. The Lazio defender found space inside the area to guide home Wesley Sneijder’s inviting cross after 13 minutes for his third international goal. The hosts doubled their advantage three minutes later as Klaassen punished some slack Spain defending, with the midfielder converting at the second attempt after good work from Depay and Jetro Willems. Spain – who fielded nine new players from Friday’s qualifying win over Ukraine – had flattered to deceive for much of the first half and they found Kenneth Vermeer in fine form when they did pose a threat. The Feyenoord goalkeeper was alert to deny Gerard Pique after 28 minutes and he reacted well soon after to clear before Pedro could convert after a jinking run into the penalty area. Netherlands made another swift start after the break and should have been further ahead after 53 minutes, but Bruno Martins Indi inexplicably failed to convert Sneijder’s cross from three yards out. With both sides utilising their squads, the game lost some momentum but Spain nearly found a way back into the match as substitute Silva saw a 69th minute effort ruled out. The Manchester City forward was penalised after an Alvaro Morata shot struck him in an offside position before he fired past Vermeer. Late pressure from the visitors – including a Cesc Fabregas effort – failed to produce the desired effect and Netherlands clung on to what could be a crucial win for Hiddink’s future.

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Switzerland 1-1 USA

Jozy Altidore received his first red card in international soccer as 10-man United States drew 1-1 with Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday. Jurgen Klinsmann’s men went into the clash at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich in need of a confidence boost having lost four of their last five games – including last week’s 3-2 reverse to Denmark. And they looked to be on their way after Brek Shea opened the scoring just before halftime, with the Orlando City man bending home an excellent free kick. But the game turned in the 66th minute when Toronto striker Altidore was dismissed. Altidore was shown a straight red card for aiming abusive language towards referee Luca Banti following an innocuous foul. Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland pushed on to try to capitalize on its numerical superiority, and the pressure duly told as Valentin Stocker prodded home an 80th-minute equalizer from close range.  Both sides struggled to create chances in the early going but USA would have taken the lead had Michael Bradley been more accurate when presented with a simple chance in the 27th minute. The midfielder shot over the crossbar from point-blank range with the goal gaping following good work from Alejandro Bedoya to get to the byline and pull the ball back. Bedoya then raced into the box to meet a left-wing cross from Shea, but could only direct his header straight at Switzerland goalkeeper Roman Burki. And the visitors were almost punish for their profligacy in the 39th minute, with forward Admir Mehmedi unfortunate not to make turn home Xherdan Shaqiri’s ball across the face of goal. Yet USA got the goal its play perhaps merited on the stroke of halftime as Shea netted a superb left-footed curling free kick that left an unsighted Burki helpless. Gyasi Zardes went close to doubling the visitors’ advantage as he headed wide after outjumping Burki to a high ball shortly after the restart. However, the momentum shifted in favor of Switzerland when Altidore was given his marching orders for a petulant show of dissent. Pajtim Kasami sent a free header over the bar at the far post, but Switzerland eventually made the extra man count, with Stocker leveling with a simple finish after USA failed to deal with a ball into the box.

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John Terry has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract with Chelsea

John Terry has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract with Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.  Aside from a brief loan spell with Nottingham Forest, the 34 year has spent his whole career at Stamford Bridge, racking up six hundred and fifty-three appearances in all competitions scoring fifty-nine goals.  During his time with the London club, he has won a whole host of major honours including three Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League.  Internationally, he was been capped seventy-eight times for England over nine years but hasn’t played for his country since announcing his retirement in September 2012.  This season has he played every minute of the Blues’ Premier League campaign, and his form has helped his side to the top of the table.  With just nine games to play, Jose Mourinho’s men sit six points clear of Champions Manchester City with a game in hand.
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Arsenal and Roma battle for Cech

Arsenal and Roma have been linked with a bid to sign out-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, according to the Telegraph.  The Czech Republic international, who moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004, is likely to seek a new challenge next season after losing his place in Jose Mourinho’s starting line-up to Thibaut Courtois.  The 34 year old has made fourteen appearances in all competitions so far this season, including the League Cup final at Wembley earlier this month where he kept a clean sheet against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but he is very much second fiddle to Courtois, who has developed into on the most hotly tipped shot stoppers over the past few years.  Arsenal have previously been linked with a move for the former Rennes man and are set to throw their hat into the ring again, though they are likely to face competition from Serie A side Roma.

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Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves has agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

Radio Marca is reporting that Barcelona full-back Daniel Alves has agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.  The Brazilian reportedly accepted a three-year contract worth €27 million gross on 10th March, although he has been given 20 days to cancel the deal for a fee of €1 million.  This is enough to suggest that Alves is expecting a counter offer from Barcelona, but chances are the Catalans will allow him to leave the club after all, even if they are short of quality options at right-back.  Despite the heavy interest from abroad, the Brazilian has always made it clear that he was perfectly happy to remain at Camp Nou, but he has been disappointed by the lack of respect shown towards him by the club chiefs.  As a result, his seven-year spell with Barcelona is set to end, with Alves having won four La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies in the process.

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BET TIPS:MONDAY FOOTBALL PICKS AND TIPS

International - Friendly

15:00 Oman VS Algeria=AWAY

20:00 Macedonia VS Australia=AWAY

International - Friendly (Under 21)

14:00 Slovenia U21 VS Macedonia U21 = HOME

15:00 Greece U21 VS Croatia U21 =OVER 1.5

16:30 Slovakia U21 VS Ukraine U21=BTS

19:30 Spain U21 VS Belarus U21 =HOME

19:45 England U21 VS Germany U21 =BTS

20:00 France U21 VSNetherlands U21 =BTS

20:00 Italy U21 VS Serbia U21=HOME




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Portugal 2 Serbia 1

Fabio Coentrao scored the winner as Portugal saw off Serbia 2-1 to go top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group I in Lisbon on Sunday.  Fernando Santos’ men took the lead after just 10 minutes at Estadio da Luz thanks to a header from veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho.  Carvalho was forced off soon after through injury, and Portugal looked set to be in for a frustrating night when Nemanja Matic equalised for Serbia.  Matic found the net with a superb acrobatic finish in the 61st minute, although the Chelsea man looked to be in an offside position as he scored.  Any grievances Portugal may have had were swiftly forgotten, however, as Coentrao netted what proved to be the decisive goal following a wonderful ball into the box from Joao Moutinho.  Serbia – competing in their first qualifier under Radovan Curcic – could not muster a late rally – as Portugal saw the game out to go two points clear of second-placed Denmark.  Carvalho broke the deadlock following a quick start from the hosts as he capitalised on poor Serbia defending to convert Coentrao’s precise right-wing delivery.  However, just seven minutes later Carvalho was withdrawn from the action. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid man limped off to be replaced by Jose Fonte, making his competitive international debut.  Serbia responded to falling behind with a good spell of possession but Portugal would have doubled their lead if not for the reflexes of Vladimir Stojkovic.  Stojkovic flew to his right on the half-hour mark to turn a long-range drive from Cristiano Ronaldo over the crossbar.  Instances in which Serbia threatened the Portuguese goal were rare but striker Aleksandar Mitrovic should have done better when presented with a simple chance in the 52nd minute.  Mitrovic rose highest to meet Dusan Tadic’s left-wing cross but could only direct his point-blank header over the frame of the goal.  His profligacy mattered little as Matic levelled in magnificent fashion, the midfielder turning home Radosav Petrovic’s header across the box with a stunning bicycle kick at the far post.  Yet parity lasted all of two minutes for the visitors, with Coentrao tapping home a simple finish at the end of an excellent attack, following a demonstration of vision and accuracy from Moutinho.  Serbia displayed plenty of endeavour thereafter, but that did not translate into any meaningful opportunities as Portugal put themselves in a commanding position in the battle for qualification.
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Georgia 0 Germany 2

Marco Reus and Thomas Muller were on target as Germany cruised to a routine 2-0 victory over Georgia in Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier.  The world champions recalled Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger – making his first appearance since last year’s World Cup final – Toni Kroos and Mats Hummels to their starting XI, having rested the quartet for a 2-2 friendly draw with Australia on Wednesday.  Germany travelled to Tbilisi knowing they could ill-afford to come away with anything other than victory and the gap in quality was evident throughout at the Boris Paitschadse Stadium as the visitors dominated from start to finish.  After spurning a host of early chances, Germany moved ahead through Reus in the 39th minute following excellent work from Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze.   And it was another Bayern star in Muller who subsequently doubled the advantage with a drilled strike from just inside the penalty area, allowing the visitors to take their foot off the pedal.  Reus struck the woodwork – for the second time – during a largely uneventful second half, but that was as close as Joachim Low’s men came to a third goal as they moved alongside Scotland and Poland on 10 points at the top of Group D ahead of the latter’s clash with the Republic of Ireland.  Georgia suffered a setback in the fourth minute when centre-back Alexander Amisulashvili was forced with an injury.  And the home defence soon came under considerable pressure, Reus smashing an effort against the crossbar after being played in by Muller in the sixth minute.  Muller then turned an effort narrowly wide of the left-hand post following a well-worked corner from Toni Kroos.  Germany continued to display profligacy in front of goal despite dictating matters, Mesut Ozil failing to take advantage of Giorgi Loria’s inability to deal with a Muller cross as he sent a tame volley straight into the goalkeeper’s grasp.  Reus shot wide at the end of another free-flowing move on the half-hour mark. However, nine minutes later he atoned for that miss.  The Borussia Dortmund forward curled home a low, close-range shot after former team-mate Gotze had twisted his way past four defenders with a jinking run into the box.  Loria performed heroics to deny Reus and then Kroos before Gotze had a goal disallowed for offside.  Yet Georgia’s defence was breached for a second time a minute before the interval, Muller collecting Ozil’s pass and firing into the bottom-right corner.  Reus shot against the bar from Sebastian Rudy’s right-wing delivery on the hour mark to briefly light up a second half that had until that point only been noteworthy for a pitch invasion from one supporter, which was replicated in injury time.  Schweinsteiger and Jaba Kankava picked up yellow cards following an altercation, but Germany kept cool heads thereafter as they saw out the game with comfort to boost their hopes of topping a tightly contested group.

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Scotland 6 Gibraltar 1

Scotland survived a brief scare against Gibraltar before Steven Fletcher’s hat-trick helped them to a comfortable 6-1 win in Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifier at Hampden Park.  Gordon Strachan’s men came into the clash as strong favourites against the minnows, but became the first side to concede a competitive goal to Gibraltar when Lee Casciaro cancelled out Shaun Maloney’s earlier penalty.  Casciaro, a policeman back in his homeland, placed a low shot beyond the advancing David Marshall as Gibraltar’s wait for a first goal in qualifying was ended.  Gibraltar were level for less than 10 minutes, however, as Scotland found another gear and netted three times in quick succession prior to the interval.  Fletcher scored his first international goal in almost six years with a scrappy header, before hero Casciaro turned villain with a foul on Steven Naismith and Maloney successfully converted his second spot-kick.  Naismith got in on the act soon afterwards with a first-time finish as Scotland pulled further clear, and Fletcher rounded off the scoring with two more goals in the second half as Strachan’s side made it 10 points from five Group D games.  Gibraltar, meanwhile, will at least be buoyed by breaking their competitive goal duck, which was almost ended in the eighth minute when Marshall clawed the ball away as Joseph Chipolina’s cross from the left threatened to drift in at the near post.  Scotland nerves were briefly settled 10 minutes later as Maloney calmly converted a spot-kick having been felled by goalkeeper Jamie Robba.  It was a needless foul by Robba with Maloney running towards the byline, and the winger punished him by sending his kick into the bottom left corner.   Scotland’s lead lasted just a minute, however, as Aaron Payas released Casciaro, who showed great composure to drill a low finish through the legs of Marshall, sparking scenes of jubilation among the Gibraltar players and fans in the crowd.  Stunned by that equaliser, the hosts went back on the attack and scored three times in 10 minutes before the break.  Fletcher restored their lead in the 29th minute as his header crept in after Gibraltar failed to deal with Ikechi Anya’s cross and then Casciaro’s clumsy challenge on Naismith allowed Maloney to double his tally with another penalty, which also went to the keeper’s right.  The post kept out Fletcher’s clever flick before Anya got in down the left and cut the ball back for Naismith to sweep home as Gibraltar wilted under the pressure.  Fletcher ought to have netted his second on the hour mark, but he failed to get a telling touch on Alan Hutton’s inviting cross from the right.  The Sunderland striker made no mistake 17 minutes later, however, rising to nod in substitute Jordan Rhodes’ delivery from the same flank. A calm left-footed finish a minute from time sealed his hat-trick.  It marked a welcome return to form for the forward, who had not found the net in any competition since November, as Scotland completed a convincing victory.
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France 2-0 Denmark

Alexandre Lacazette scored his first France goal as the Euro 2016 hosts eased to a routine 2-0 friendly victory over Denmark at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Sunday. The Lyon striker earned an international recall in November and, on his sixth appearance for France, netted the opener before Olivier Giroud joined him on the scoresheet. Giroud’s first international goal since the World Cup win over Switzerland doubled the lead before half-time, while a cross from Michael Krohn-Dehli struck the post prior to half-time for the visitors. It was a brief respite in a first half dominated by the hosts, although Denmark did keep goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier busy after the interval. The Saint-Etienne man coped with what Lars Jacobsen and Nicklas Bendtner had to throw at him on his home ground, as Didier Deschamps’ men saw out a relatively comfortable victory. Having seen his first-choice side beaten convincingly 3-1 by Brazil on Thursday, Deschamps handed chances to some of his fringe players. And the France coach saw his much-changed XI make a bright start in Saint-Etienne as Lacazette broke the deadlock. Antoine Griezmann – who retained his starting spot from the Brazil defeat – had his chipped effort saved by Schmeichel before Lacazette fired in the rebound. At the other end, Ruffier was quiet early on in only his third France start, with Lacazette almost doubling his tally before the half-hour, only for Schmeichel to save his prodded effort. The barrage continued, with Dimitri Payet the next to go close as France’s attacking quartet of Lacazette, Griezmann, Payet and Olivier Giroud caused no end of problems. Denmark looked to have steadied themselves before the break, but France doubled their advantage when Giroud slipped Geoffrey Kondogbia’s throughball underneath Schmeichel. Krohn-Dehli’s teasing delivery struck the post prior to the interval and it offered a sign of things to come in the second half, as Morten Olsen’s men began to control proceedings. Despite enjoying greater possession, Denmark struggled to ask questions of Laurent Koscielny and Raphael Varane at the back, although Ruffier was troubled when he could only parry Jacobsen’s long-range drive precariously over. Ruffier then flung himself to save Bendtner’s strike as Denmark showed glimpses of why they appear on course to return to France for next year’s European showpiece. The only sour point for Deschamps was the injury that forced full-back Christophe Jallet off late in the game.
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South Africa 1-1 Nigeria

Drama ensued at the Mbombela Stadium as Bongani Zungu’s injury-time strike rescued a 1-1 draw for South Africa in Sunday’s friendly against Nigeria. It appeared as though South Africa would rue Andile Jali’s missed penalty when Ahmed Musa’s excellent strike put Nigeria into a 1-0 lead with five minutes left on the clock. But Zungu pounced to earn a share of the spoils in the fourth minute of additional time in Nelspruit. A draw was the least South Africa deserved, but their hoodoo against Nigeria continued with their last victory against the Super Eagles coming in 2004. Shakes Mashaba’s side started the brighter and Zungu forced Daniel Akpeyi into a fine fingertip save with an accurate drive from the edge of the penalty area after good work by Thulani Hlatshwayo. The hosts continued to probe and Tokelo Rantie’s excellent work rate was causing problems for the Nigeria defence, the striker providing one particularly menacing cross that Sibusiso Vilakazi glanced wide of the left-hand post. Matthews Manyisa was the next to try his luck for South Africa with a free-kick that narrowly cleared the crossbar. Nigeria’s attacks had largely been repelled by the home team, although Aaron Samuel’s left-footed bending effort beat Itumeleng Khune in the South Africa goal but went narrowly wide. The visitors were dangerous on the counter-attack after the break, but it was South Africa who fluffed their lines with the game’s best chance in the 61st minute. Thulani Serero was chopped down in the penalty area by Godfrey Oboabona and from the resulting spot-kick Jali saw his effort saved by Akpeyi. It appeared as though that would be a costly miss in the 85th minute when Musa cut in from the left-hand side before bending his strike into the far top corner. Nigeria were unable to see out the win, though, as Zungu capitalised on uncertainty in the Nigeria area to hook home with his left foot on the rebound.
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Brazil 1-0 Chile

Roberto Firmino came off the bench to net the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Chile at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. In a battling affair, the Hoffenheim man replaced the ineffective Luiz Adriano on the hour-mark and struck the winner with a coolly-taken finish 11 minutes later. The clash saw two of the modern game’s biggest superstars in opposition, but neither Neymar nor Alexis Sanchez – on his home ground – had a significant impact. Sanchez did show some touches of brilliance, while Neymar was involved in the game’s most controversial moment in the first half when Chile midfielder Gary Medel stood on his leg in an off-the-ball incident which went unseen. The two sides’ previous meeting came in the round of 16 in last year’s World Cup, a game which saw Brazil prevail on penalties. This encounter had none of that drama, but that will be of little concern to Brazil, who extended their perfect start to Dunga’s second stint in charge, with eight victories from as many games since those fruitless finals on home soil. After an uneventful opening 20 minutes, Medel was fortunate to remain on the field after standing on Neymar as the pair tangled. In getting back to his feet, Medel trod on the calf of the Brazil man, leaving Neymar writhing on the ground in apparent agony, but referee Martin Atkinson seemed not to see the incident. Brazil went close to an opener in the 26th minute when Neymar’s free kick from the left eluded everyone and had to be tipped round the post by Barcelona colleague Claudio Bravo. Eight minutes prior to the interval, Marcelo’s diagonal ball picked out Douglas Costa unmarked at the back post but, after chesting the ball down, his volley was wayward. Chile felt they should have had a penalty 11 minutes into the second period when Mauricio Isla went down under Marcelo’s challenge, but Atkinson waved away their appeals. Sanchez, having been hauled down by Miranda, curled a 25-yard free kick narrowly over the bar in the 64th minute before firing another set-piece straight at Jefferson as Chile looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. However, somewhat against the run of play, it was Brazil who went in front as Danilo’s pass picked out Firmino, who rounded Bravo and slotted home – cheekily looking away in the process of scoring. Chile were unable to force an equaliser in the closing stages, as Brazil held on and gave themselves a boost in their final game before the deadline to announce squads for the Copa America in June, with Firmino looking increasingly likely to be involved.

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Mexico 1 Ecuador 0

Javier Hernandez moved a step closer to overhauling Jared Borgetti on Mexico’s all-time goalscoring list after helping Miguel Herrera’s men to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Saturday’s international friendly at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  Hernandez scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute – moving second alongside Cuauhtemoc Blanco on 39 goals.  The 26-year-old – on loan at Real Madrid – is just seven goals adrift of Borgetti.  Mexico goalkeeper Corona also played a key role, denying Miller Bolanos on three occasions, including from the penalty spot in the 71st-minute.  Ecuador – playing their first match since October last year – settled quickest of the two teams in front of a vocal Los Angeles crowd and the South Americans should have taken an early lead, if not for Corona.  Corona – the Mexico number one with 2014 World Cup hero Guillermo Ochoa struggling for game time at Malaga in Spain – denied Bolanos twice, including from close range in the sixth minute after the Ecuador midfielder was played in by Felipe Caicedo.  Mexico slowly began to find their rhythm and it was not long before Hernandez gave his side a 14th-minute lead in spectacular fashion.  Hernandez won possession outside the penalty area and beat two defenders before curling the ball past goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez and in off the post.  Corona was on hand to thwart Ecuador again, this time denying Jefferson Montero, who was replaced two minutes before half-time, from close range with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.  The second half was another end-to-end contest, but neither side really created any clear-cut chances up until the 71st minute when referee Christopher Reid controversially pointed to the spot.  Reid awarded a penalty after Angel Mena – the first-half substitute – fell to the floor as Diego Reyes attempted to shield the ball.  But Bolanos missed the spot-kick, Corona diving low to preserve Mexico’s advantage and ultimately their victory.
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Netherlands 1 Turkey 1

An injury-time strike from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar proved just enough to spare the blushes of under-fire Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink, as his side drew 1-1 with Turkey in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A to avoid an historic home defeat.  Burak Yilmaz’s deflected first-half strike had looked set to inflict the World Cup semi-finalists’ first-ever home reverse in a European Championship qualifier, and leave their automatic qualification hopes in tatters.  Defeat in Amsterdam would have been the third for Hiddink’s side in their opening five matches of this campaign, but Huntelaar’s late intervention saved them.  Without leading lights Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Kevin Strootman, Netherlands failed to break down Fatih Terim’s well-drilled visitors until the closing moments of the match.  Hiddink – who had said he would quit if his side failed to beat Latvia in their previous qualifier, a match they won 6-0 – must have been wondering how long his second spell in charge of the national team was likely to last when Huntelaar got a decisive touch on Wesley Sneijder’s long-range shot in the 93rd minute.  For long periods on Saturday, even a point had looked beyond the Dutch.  The absence of their talismanic attacking trio did not prevent the hosts from enjoying almost exclusive possession in the opening 15 minutes, but it was Turkey who created the best early chance.  Caner Erkin showed a fine turn of pace to burst down the left and cut back for Yilmaz, only for the striker’s placed effort to be blocked on the line by a retreating Bruno Martins Indi.  That chance knocked Netherlands out of their rhythm and they failed to create an opening of note for the remainder of the first half, despite enjoying more than 70 per cent possession.  They were punished for that lack of cutting edge in the 37th minute, when Turkey took the lead.  Terim’s side had been growing into the game before Volkan Sen pulled down Gokhan Tore’s hanging cross and squared for Yilmaz. The striker shifted the ball out of his feet before unleashing a powerful drive from 15 yards, which beat Jasper Cillessen with the aid of a deflection.   Netherlands went close to equalising before half-time, but Babacan did well to pluck Stefan de Vrij’s flick-on off the line before Huntelaar was denied by a block in the area.  Hiddink introduced Luciano Narsingh at the break and the midfielder had a great chance to pull his team level just eight minutes after coming on.  He could only drag his shot wide from the edge of the box, though, with Babacan out of position having failed to get enough distance on a clearing punch.  Ibrahim Afellay forced a more convincing save from the goalkeeper after 60 minutes with a stinging half-volley from 25 yards.  That seemed to inject some life into the Netherlands’ attack, and Sneijder almost marked his 112th cap – a record-equalling total for a Dutch outfield international – with a goal from a long-range free-kick, but his 30-yard drive finished just outside the post.  But just as the hosts appeared to be running out of ideas, launching high balls into the box, they finally got their breakthrough.  Sneijder was teed up 20 yards from goal and took aim from distance, with his shot taking a deflection off the head of Huntelaar before finding the net to rescue Hiddink’s side.

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Bulgaria 2 Italy 2

Eder put the controversy over his first Italy call up firmly to one side as his late strike earned the Azzurri a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria in their Euro 2016 Group H qualifier.  The Brazil-born striker was always likely to be under the spotlight on Saturday, after coach Antonio Conte’s decision to include the 28-year-old in his squad sparked a furious reaction from some quarters.  Inter coach Roberto Mancini was among those to publically voice their opposition in the build-up to the idea of calling up players born outside of Italy to play for the national team.  But Eder, on as a 58th-minute substitute, had the last word when he grabbed a decisive leveller with six minutes remaining to spare his side’s blushes.  All eyes were on Conte’s men as they looked to keep pace with Croatia at the summit of the group, and they began in style when going ahead through Yordan Minev’s fourth-minute own goal.  But Bulgaria found a superb riposte, Ivelin Popov restoring parity before Iliyan Mitsanski completed the quick reversal by heading home in the 17th minute.  Such a frenetic start did not set the tone, however, as an impressive Bulgaria rearguard kept the 2006 World Champions at bay until Eder curled home with Italy staring down the prospect of a first qualifying loss for nine years.  Despite his surpri 0000104A se selection’s crucial intervention, the result still cranks up the pressure on Conte, with his men – now two points adrift of leaders Croatia – having been far from convincing in this campaign.  Italy flew out of the blocks like a team looking to silence their critics and almost took the lead in the second minute.  Ciro Immobile got in behind the home backline, only to see an onrushing Nikolay Mihaylov keep out his effort from close range.  The goalkeeper did not cover himself in glory moments later, however, as Italy took the lead.  Mihaylov could only get a fingertip to Andrea Bertolacci’s threatening cross, with the ball subsequently ricocheting off Minev and into the empty net.  Unfortunately for Conte, his men looked as susceptible at the back as their hosts.  Having been given a warning when Mihail Aleksandrov scuffed a volley after being given too much space in the area, Italy conceded a leveller.  Popov found himself unmarked 20 yards from goal and punished the visitors by unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom corner.  A second came for Bulgaria moments later – Mitsanski nodding Georgi Milanov’s pin-point cross into the corner after the visitors were undone by another counter-attack.  An equaliser almost came immediately, with Immobile missing the simplest of chances when heading a Marco Verratti free-kick wide.  Italy enjoyed a spell of possessional dominance thereafter, although they were fortunate not to fall further behind when Popov’s curling free-kick skimmed the bar.  The game followed a similar pattern at the beginning of the second period, only for Italy come up against a dogged Bulgaria resistance.  A chance did finally come midway through the second period, yet Immobile’s effort was beaten away by Mihaylov before Bertolacci hammered the follow-up wide.  Yet his poor finishing was not replicated by Eder, with the Sampdoria striker brilliantly curling home from just outside the area.  Italy continued to press forward in search of a decisive third, but a Manolo Gabbiadini effort that snuck wide was as close as they came.
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Morocco 0 Uruguay 1

Edinson Cavani’s penalty was enough to secure a 1-0 victory for Uruguay against Morocco on Saturday in a game that represented Oscar Tabarez’s last chance to assess his options before selecting his squad for this year’s Copa America.  Uruguay – defending Copa America champions after victory in 2011 – were once again without Barcelona star Luis Suarez, still banned from competitive international duty following his bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, and they had to withstand sustained Morocco pressure in the first half.  Karim El Ahmadi and Nordin Amrabat both went close for the hosts before Abderrazak Hamdallah hit the post on the stroke of half-time.  But it was the visitors who took the advantage from the penalty spot in the 51st minute after Diego Rolan had been fouled by Nabil Dirar.  Morocco pushed hard late on for an equaliser, and Medhi Benatia spurned a gilt-edged chance to level, but Cavani’s strike proved enough.  Despite the absence of Suarez – who will also miss the entirety of this year’s Copa America as he continues to serve his suspension – Tabarez’s side went into the game having won all but two of their friendlies since the World Cup.  However, they struggled early on in Agadir, with Cavani largely anonymous up front as the hosts, coming into the clash on the back of six consecutive victories, began well.  Badou Zaki’s side went closest to opening the scoring when former Aston Villa midfielder El Ahmadi’s long-range drive flew just wide.  Amrabat squandered a golden opportunity soon afterwards, when, following a swift counter-attacking move, he was played through by Omar El Kaddouri, but the Malaga man could only poke his effort wide under pressure from Fernando Muslera.  The visitors did manage to gain a foothold in the game as the half wore on, but they were still lucky to go in at the interval level when Hamdallah’s neat near-post flick clipped the right-hand upright.  Uruguay started the second half reinvigorated, and they were rewarded for their efforts when referee Diedhiou Malang deemed that Dirar had pulled the shirt of Rolan as the striker bore down on goal.  Cavani made no mistake from the resulting penalty, dispatching it powerfully into the left-hand corner and sending debutant goalkeeper Munir Mohand Mohamedi the wrong way.  Muslera almost gifted Morocco an equaliser just after the hour mark, spilling El Kaddouri’s curling effort at the feet of Benatia, but the Bayern Munich defender failed to convert the rebound.  Cavani could have doubled his tally with 15 minutes remaining, but the PSG striker was unable to connect with substitute Alvaro Gonzalez’s whipped cross.  Muslera then pulled off a superb point-blank save to deny Zakaira Labyad, before fellow substitute Mouhssine Lajour went close with a powerful header but Uruguay’s defence – organised excellently by Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin – remained solid.
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Ghana 1 Senegal 2

Moussa Konate netted a brace from the bench as Ghana failed to bounce back from their Africa Cup of Nations final defeat in a 2-0 loss to Senegal on Saturday.  A sudden-death penalty from Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry last month denied a first continental title since 1982 to Avram Grant’s men, who progressed to the last act despite a 2-1 defeat to Senegal in the group stage.  And Ghana failed once again to get the better of a Senegal team now under the leadership of new coach Aliou Cisse.  Both sides had chances to go in front in an even first half, but it was Senegal’s Demba Ba who came closest when he hit the post from a promising position.  The match looked to have lost its spark at the beginning of the second period but a moment of magic from Konate earned Senegal a 66th-minute lead.  And the substitute – who had only been on the pitch five minutes when he opened the scoring – wrapped up the win with his second 10 minutes later, before Richmond Boakye headed a late consolation.  Asamoah Gyan was excused from international duty as he continues his recovery from an injury, and replacement Jordan Ayew dragged wide of the target when he got the first sight of goal after six minutes.  Senegal should have gone ahead soon after, with Ba slotting against the base of the left-hand upright having been sent one-on-one with goalkeeper Brimah Razak, before Wakaso Mubarak drew an excellent save from Abdoulaye Diallo at the other end.  Kwesi Appiah saw appeals for a penalty turned down as he went down just inside the box after 19 minutes, and Ghana looked destined to go ahead when the ball fell to John Boye in a dangerous area, only for the defender drill wide of the right-hand post.   Ghana were dealt a blow when Jonathan Mensah limped from the field after taking a knock 10 minutes before half-time and, with both sides playing attacking football, it was a wonder the tie remained goalless at the interval.  A series of substitutions contributed to the stop-start nature of the second period, with chances few and far between for both sides.  However, it was to be a spectacular strike that eventually broke the deadlock, with Konate – on as a replacement for Ba – controlling a ball from deep on his chest before looping a volley over a helpless Brimah from the edge of the box.  Konate was at it again 10 minutes later when he lifted over Brimah having been teed up by Sadio Mane.  Boakye pulled one back with a header six minutes from time, but it was too little too late as Grant was left with much to ponder ahead of Tuesday’s friendly clash with Mali.
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Israel 0 Wales 3

Gareth Bale put his Real Madrid struggles to one side as he scored twice and set up the other in Wales’ superb 3-0 victory against 10-man Israel that sent them top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B.  Bale has found himself the main scapegoat for Real’s struggles in 2015, with Spanish media and supporters alike criticising the forward, who had his car damaged following the recent Clasico defeat to Barcelona.  However, Bale showed no ill-effects in Saturday’s clash in Haifa as he set up Aaron Ramsey to head home the opener and give Wales a deserved first-half lead.  The former Tottenham man doubled the lead after the break with a superb free-kick, before Israel’s hopes were all but ended when Eitan Tibi was sent off for fouling Bale – having also committed the foul that led to his first goal.  Bale capped a fine outing by sweeping home the third, as Wales inflicted Israel’s first defeat of their qualifying campaign and maintained their own unbeaten record to boost their chances of reaching a first major tournament since 1958.  Bale signalled his intentions early and was at the heart of Wales’ efforts going forward, including a wasted gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the 19th minute.  A superb low cross from the left found James Collins free at the back post, but the centre-back produced a finish befitting his position, getting the ball trapped under his foot with the goal gaping.  Israel almost punished that miss with their first meaningful effort, but Wayne Hennessey saved smartly from Eran Zahavi.  The hosts lost Group B’s top scorer Omer Damari to injury and they were dealt a double blow on the stroke of half-time.  Hennessey’s long punt down field was missed by home defenders and Bale nodded into the path of Ramsey, who timed his run into the area to perfection to loop his header over Ofir Marciano.  Joe Ledley hobbled off shortly after the restart, but the Welsh fans were celebrating again in the 50th minute.  Tibi chopped down Bale on the edge on the area and the Real man picked himself to curl a superb effort beyond a motionless Marciano.  A minute later Tibi’s bodycheck on Bale resulted in a second booking as Israel began to unravel.  Despite a brief Israel rally, the visitors continued to make the better chances and substitute Sam Vokes – making his first international appearance in 12 months due to a serious knee injury – forced a smart stop from Marciano.  A third goal duly arrived in the 77th minute, dazzling footwork from Ramsey left the Israel defence bamboozled and he teed up Bale to drill home into the right-hand corner – giving the 25-year-old a much-needed confidence boost before returning to Madrid.
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El Salvador 0-2 Argentina

Argentina triumphed in the absence of Lionel Messi as they beat El Salvador 2-0 at the FedEx Field on Saturday night.  The 27-year-old was left on the bench and wasn’t risked after missing training on Thursday with a foot injury, while Javier Mascherano was also named among the substitutes. It had no bearing on the result, though, as Neston Renderos put through his own net before Federico Mancuello enjoyed a goal-scoring international debut with a free-kick from an acute angle. For all their possession, Argentina rarely impressed before the break, producing a laboured and largely toothless display. They improved in the second half, though, and shortly after Carlos Tevez had fired an effort just wide, Ever Banega found the net from distance with a little help from Renderos’ deflection. El Salvador, ranked 87 places below Argentina in the world rankings, offered little from an attacking perspective and had to rely on goalkeeper Derby Carrillo to keep the score down. Carrillo continued to catch the eye in the final stages, but he was ultimately beaten in spectacular fashion with time running out, as Independiente ace Mancuello stepped off the bench to make an almost immediate impact on the international stage. Despite Lionel Messi’s omission from the starting XI due to a reported foot knock, Argentina looked purposeful during the early exchanges and they should have broken the deadlock as early as the third minute. Mateo Musacchio met Ezequiel Lavezzi’s right-wing delivery at the near post, flicking it to the far side of the goal for what appeared to be a simple chance for Gonzalo Higuain, who headed wide of the unguarded net. Argentina struggled to build upon that early promise, though, as El Salvador’s defensive tactics allowed little room for manoeuvre in the final third for Martino’s attackers. Higuain did eventually force El Salvador goalkeeper Carrillo into action in the 29th minute, cutting in from the left and seeing his powerful drive palmed away. Carrillo was tested again five minutes before the break but this time he comfortably turned Angel Di Maria’s free-kick around the post. Argentina looked a little more fluid once again after the break and Tevez went close to breaking the deadlock in the 52th minute, but his 20-yard effort was deflected agonisingly wide. Luck went Argentina’s way just a few moments later, however, as Banega’s hopeful long-range effort struck Renderos and flew past the helpless Carrillo to give the World Cup finalists the lead. It would have been 2-0 shortly afterwards if not for Carrillo, who acrobatically tipped a Tevez attempt over the crossbar. Carrillo looked set to keep the score down as he denied Tevez again 18 minutes from time, but he was rendered helpless two minutes from the end. Mancuello, who replaced Di Maria with 17 minutes left, stepped up and struck a looping delivery that dropped into the far corner, capping a memorable day for the midfielder.

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