Getafe will play against Valencia and Real Betis will face Espanyol in the other ties in the round. The first leg games will take place from Jan. 23, with the deciding fixtures being played from Jan. 30. * Formula One saw a rise in worldwide audience figures across television and digital platforms in 2018, the Liberty media-owned sport reported on Friday. The global cumulative television audience was put at 1.758 billion, of which 1.59 billion were in the top 20 markets - a rise of three percent compared to 2017 and the second consecutive year of growth. * Brazil will meet the Czech Republic in a March friendly as part of their preparations for the Copa America. The match will be played at Prague's Eden Arena on March 26, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Friday. * Leon Goretzka's brace helped Bayern Munich down Hoffenheim 3-1 at the curtain raiser of the second half of the season on Friday. With the result, runners-up Bayern Munich reduced the arrears to Bundesliga front … [Read more...] about Barca handed Copa final re-match with Sevilla, Madrid to face Girona in quarters
Brazil friendly matches 2018
Rashford shines as England cruise past Costa Rica
Viet Nam News Football LEEDS — England manager Gareth Southgate admitted Marcus Rashford had given him a difficult decision to make ahead of the World Cup with a stunning strike in a 2-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica on Thursday. In England’s last match before their tournament opener against Tunisia in 11 days time, Manchester United’s Rashford was the star of a much-changed side in Leeds. Danny Welbeck was also on target as England extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, stretching back nearly a year. "What pleased me most is that Marcus Rashford enjoyed his football tonight. He played with a real swagger," said Southgate. Rashford made the most of the absence of England captain Harry Kane as he started up front alongside Jamie Vardy, and showed what he is capable of with a fiercely struck shot from 25 yards that dipped perfectly into the top corner. "You work on them (goals) in training every day and when one comes up in a game it’s a reward," … [Read more...] about Rashford shines as England cruise past Costa Rica
Germany crash to Austria on Neuer’s comeback
KLAGENFURT: Manuel Neuer looks set to go to the World Cup, but Germany's goalkeeper was unable to prevent his team crashing 2-1 to Austria on his comeback on Saturday (May 2). Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (C) fails to save the ball during the international friendly footbal match Austria v Germany in Klagenfurt, Austria, on Jun 2, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Joe Klamar) Neuer has proven his fitness after eight months sidelined by a fractured foot in timely fashion, with four names to be cut ahead of Germany naming their final 23-man World Cup squad on Monday. But the 'keeper was powerless to stop second-half goals by Martin Hinteregger and Alessandro Schoepf after Mesut Ozil gave the Germans an early lead. The result is a big concern for Germany head coach Joachim Loew with the World Cup to kick off in less than a fortnight. The world champions are now winless in their last five games since suffering back-to-back defeats after losing 1-0 to Brazil in Berlin last … [Read more...] about Germany crash to Austria on Neuer’s comeback
South Americans enjoy warm-up wins over Haiti, Scotland
South Americans enjoy warm-up wins over Haiti, Scotland Argentina's Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Lionel Messi at La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 29, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Two South American sides warmed up for next month’s World Cup in Russia with easy wins on May 29 as Argentina hammered Haiti 4-0 in Buenos Aires and Peru overcame Scotland 2-0 in Lima. Beaten finalists four years ago in Brazil, Argentina struggled in the qualifiers, only securing their ticket with a win in their final match, but they were far too strong for a Haiti side 103 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Lionel Messi took on his usual role as the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick and setting up the fourth for Sergio Aguero, who came off the bench to combine well with the Barcelona striker and Christian Pavon, another second half substitute. Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 17 minutes before doubling … [Read more...] about South Americans enjoy warm-up wins over Haiti, Scotland
World Cup hosts Russia suffer more misery in loss to Austria
World Cup hosts Russia turned in another unconvincing display as Austria extended their winless run stretching back to October with a 1-0 victory in a friendly on Wednesday. Russia's Igor Akinfeev makes a save during the match against Austria at Tivoli Stadion Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria, May 30, 2018 - Photo: Reuters The home side, who have not qualified for the finals, exposed defensive frailties in Stanislav Cherchesov’s team with Alessandro Schopf sending a neat finish past Igor Akinfeev following a fine run from Marko Arnautovic after 28 minutes. Shorn of competitive football due to qualifying as hosts, Russia have spent the last two years playing friendlies against some of the world’s leading sides, but their preparations have been far from ideal. Cherchesov’s spluttering team faced a barrage of criticism in the Russian media after suffering heavy home defeats by Brazil and France in March and the coach’s negative tactics were also questioned. … [Read more...] about World Cup hosts Russia suffer more misery in loss to Austria