POR  

CIARÁN FAHEY

Actualizado a las 4:34 p.m. CDT, 24 de junio de 2024

LEIPZIG, Alemania (AP) — El suplente italiano Mattia Zaccagni anotó en el último minuto del tiempo adicional para que Italia avanzara a la fase eliminatoria de la Eurocopa 2024 después de empatar 1-1 con Croacia el lunes.

El gol de Luka Modric en la segunda mitad pareció darle a Croacia el segundo puesto del Grupo B, pero Zaccagni disparó brillantemente al segundo palo en el octavo minuto del tiempo añadido para coronar un furioso final de los campeones defensores.

Italia necesitaba un punto para avanzar, mientras que Croacia necesitaba, de manera realista, una victoria para permanecer en el torneo. Los croatas tienen dos puntos en sus tres partidos y estaban a merced de otros resultados para ver si son suficientes para pasar a ser uno de los mejores terceros clasificados.

Italia se enfrentará a Suiza en los octavos de final el sábado en el Estadio Olímpico de Berlín, donde la final será el 14 de julio.

Modric anotó 33 segundos después de que el portero italiano Gianluigi Donnarumma detuviera un penalti para convertirse en el goleador de mayor edad en la historia del torneo.

Modric, con 38 años y 289 días, batió este lunes el récord de Ivica Vastic, que tenía 38 años y 257 días, cuando marcó con Austria ante Polonia en la Eurocopa de 2008.

Tras el penalti fallado por Modric, Croacia volvió a atacar inmediatamente y Donnarumma tuvo que detener un disparo de Ante Budimir. Modric aprovechó el rebote en el minuto 55.

El gol envió lluvias de cerveza al cielo mientras los extasiados fanáticos croatas arrojaban por la borda las copas que sostenían en las celebraciones.

Alessandro Bastoni cabeceó ligeramente en respuesta cuando los italianos de repente se vieron necesitados de un gol. La derrota podría haber dejado al campeón defensor eliminado dependiendo de los resultados de otros juegos.

Modric dedicó sus habilidades a la defensa hasta que recibió una gran ovación a los 80 minutos.

Pero Italia mantuvo la presión y finalmente dio sus frutos en el último momento posible con un disparo con efecto de Zaccagni.

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AP Eurocopa 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

POR  

JAMES ELLINGWORTH

Actualizado a las 4:31 p.m. CDT, 24 de junio de 2024

DUSSELDORF, Alemania (AP) — España cambió casi toda su alineación y aun así mantuvo su victorioso inicio de la Eurocopa con un triunfo por 1-0 sobre Albania, que quedó eliminada el lunes.

Con su equipo ya asegurado de ganar el Grupo B, el técnico Luis de la Fuente cambió a 10 de sus titulares y España ganó los tres partidos del grupo en una Eurocopa por primera vez desde 2008, cuando ganó el torneo.

Un gol de Ferran Torres en el minuto 13 y una parada del portero David Raya en el tiempo añadido a Armando Broja aseguraron que España completara la fase de grupos sin encajar un gol.

Italia fue el segundo clasificado del Grupo B tras empatar con Croacia 1-1.

Albania necesitaba al menos un empate para tener alguna esperanza de clasificarse por primera vez para los octavos de final, incluso siendo uno de los mejores terceros clasificados. La derrota significó que quedara último.

El fracaso de Albania al derrotar a España significó que Inglaterra, Francia y Holanda tenían asegurada su clasificación para las fases eliminatorias, independientemente de lo que sucediera en sus últimos partidos del grupo.

Todos esos equipos tienen cuatro puntos en dos partidos y se clasificarían al menos como uno de los mejores equipos en tercer lugar.

España hizo el trabajo, pero esta victoria por 1-0 fue mucho menos convincente que la victoria por el mismo margen sobre Italia en su último partido . El defensa Aymeric Laporte fue el único jugador que inició ambos.

Durante gran parte de la primera mitad, España parecía encaminada a una gran victoria, pero Dani Olmo y Mikel Merino en particular desperdiciaron buenas oportunidades. Albania no disparó hasta el minuto 45.

Albania finalmente empezó a presionar a España mediada la segunda parte. El delantero Broja salió desde el banquillo y forzó una buena parada de Raya.

De la Fuente respondió enviando a los delanteros Álvaro Morata y Lamine Yamal desde el banco mientras España comenzaba a perder el tiempo siempre que era posible. Broja volvió a poner a prueba a Raya en el tiempo adicional mientras España resistía.

Albania fue rugida en Düsseldorf por una multitud mayoritariamente albanesa ansiosa por ver lo que podría haber sido una de las sorpresas de todos los tiempos en la Eurocopa. Sin embargo, Albania no contó con la delantera Mirlind Daku, quien fue suspendida por la UEFA el domingo después de unirse a los cánticos nacionalistas de los aficionados con un megáfono tras el empate 2-2 contra Croacia el miércoles.

La federación de fútbol de Albania fue multada por incidentes en sus dos primeros partidos. Parece que enfrentará aún más cargos después de que los fanáticos encendieron bengalas en el partido de España y un seguidor entró corriendo al campo.

Los cambios de De la Fuente mantuvieron al lateral derecho Dani Carvajal y al central Robin le Normand, ambos a una tarjeta amarilla de ser sancionados, a salvo para los octavos de final. El mediocampista Rodri cumplió una suspensión de un partido por dos amonestación previas.

España jugará su partido de octavos de final el domingo en Colonia contra uno de los equipos terceros.

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AP Eurocopa 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Actualizado a las 3:32 p.m. CDT, 24 de junio de 2024

LEIPZIG, Alemania (AP) — El veterano croata Luka Modric anotó contra Italia para convertirse en el goleador de mayor edad en la historia de una Eurocopa.

Modric, de 38 años y 289 días, marcó el primer gol en un rebote en el minuto 55, un minuto después de que el portero italiano Gianluigi Donnarumma detuviera un penalti.

El récord anterior lo ostentaba Ivica Vastic, que tenía 38 años y 257 días cuando marcó con Austria contra Polonia en la Eurocopa de 2008.

Croacia realmente necesita vencer a Italia para permanecer en el torneo.

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AP Eurocopa 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

BY  GRAHAM DUNBAR

Updated 6:12 PM CDT, June 23, 2024

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — They all jumped for the ball in a frantic late push for the goal that would save Germany from its first loss at the European Championship, against an impressive Switzerland team.

Defender Nico Schlotterbeck leaped up, next to the even more imposing center-back Antonio Rüdiger, who reached highest of all. In front of them both was substitute Niclas Füllkrug.

The German trio was circled by three Swiss opponents trying to protect a 1-0 lead two minutes into stoppage time. Six pairs of feet off the ground in unison, straining to be the one to head the ball.

It was Füllkrug who won the contest, guiding the ball crossed from another substitute David Raum back across Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer into the top corner of the net. The match ended 1-1.

“We risked a lot in this phase because we could have conceded a second goal,” Germany coach Julian Nagelesmann said about throwing his defenders into attack. “Who doesn’t dare to risk, doesn’t get to draw.”

Germany had already advanced to the round of 16 before kickoff Sunday, but a draw felt like a win in the circumstances and kept the momentum of impressive wins against Scotland and Hungary.

“When you see how the Germans celebrated their goal that says everything,” said Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, named player of the match.

Switzerland impressed while protecting a 28th-minute goal from Dan Ndoye’s clever volleyed shot, and chasing a bigger lead. A second goal was denied by a marginal offside ruling against Ruben Vargas and a fine save by Manuel Neuer from Xhaka’s shot.

The point for each team ensured Germany finished top and Switzerland second in Group A. Hungary took third place in the standings with an even later stoppage-time goal to beat Scotland 1-0 in Stuttgart.

Germany now goes to Dortmund for a round of 16 game Saturday against the runner-up in Group C. That opponent can be any of the four teams — England, Slovenia, Denmark or Serbia — playing their final round of Group C games on Tuesday.

Nagelsmann acknowledged Germany’s opponent might not like having two fewer days of rest, though added: “We have to prepare for four teams, they only have to prepare for one team.”

Switzerland heads to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin to open the round of 16 on Saturday against the runner-up in Group B, likely Italy or Croatia. They meet Monday in their decisive group game.

Coach Murat Yakin suggested Switzerland had earned the right to make a higher-ranked opponent concerned about his unbeaten team.

“I think we have a certain standing which we worked hard for. We‘re on a good path,” Yakin said, “without a defeat, with a very good style of play. We like being the dark horse.”

Switzerland’s goal was made in Bologna, the upstart Italian club that has qualified for its first Champions League entry next season.

Ndoye timed his run to meet a floated pass across the goalmouth from his Bologna teammate Remo Freuler. The attack began when Fabian Rieder, making his first start since the 2022 World Cup, won the ball in the German half and then fed Freuler.

A video review had denied Germany taking the lead in the 17th. Robert Andrich’s long-range shot bounced up and over the dive of Sommer, but the VAR team alerted Italian referee Daniele Orsato to an earlier foul in the goalmouth by Jamal Musiala.

The much-criticized Waldstadion playing surface behaved better Sunday and the roof stayed closed to protect it though no more rain is forecast for at least five days.

The turf cut up during both previous Euro 2024 games in Frankfurt. It has seemed not to bed in properly since being laid in November after the stadium hosted two NFL games.

Frankfurt will host two more games, finishing with a round of 16 match that will include Group F winner Portugal perhaps facing Hungary, which faces a three-day wait to learn its fate.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Updated 6:07 PM CDT, June 23, 2024

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — A dramatic stoppage-time goal saw Hungary beat Scotland 1-0 at the European Championship on Sunday to wreck its opponent’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time in its history.

Late substitute Kevin Csoboth scored his first international goal in the 10th minute of stoppage time as Hungary secured third spot in Group A, behind first-place Germany and Switzerland.

The match was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Barnabás Varga midway through the second half. The Hungary forward was taken to hospital and will likely need an operation after fracturing several bones in his face.

Varga will take no part in the rest of the tournament should Hungary’s three points be enough to reach the round of 16 at Euro 2024 as one of the four best third-place teams — which it might not know until Wednesday when the final round of group games finishes.

“It was terrible. Was a terrible moment to see Barnabás like that,” Hungary midfielder Roland Sallai said. “Fortunately, he’s in a much better condition … We cross our fingers for him, that he can return quickly.

“Naturally, it was a terrible incident. Of course, we were fighting for him in the remaining 15-20 minutes, and we would have liked to win for him and we were very happy we could achieve that. And yes, this we dedicate to him.”

The whole stadium looked on in concern after Varga collided with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. His teammates held up blankets to shield the player as he was tended to by medical staff and both sets of fans applauded when Varga was stretchered off after a delay of around 10 minutes.

Germany topped the group after a late goal saw it rescue a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

Scotland was eliminated after finishing last in the group, with just one point from a draw against Switzerland. It was humiliated 5-1 by Germany in the Euro 2024 opener.

The Scottish players were furious as they had penalty appeals waved away late on when Stuart Armstrong was sent crashing to the ground by Willi Orbán but Argentinian referee Facundo Tello played on.

“100% penalty. Somebody somewhere has to explain to me why that’s not a penalty,” Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. “It’s 100%. And like I say, it’s a one-goal game, we get a penalty, can be a different night. I’ve got other words, but I’m not going to use them.

“European competition might have been better to have a European referee, but we had European VAR. And maybe the referee didn’t see the challenge clearly on the pitch so what’s the purpose of the VAR if they’re not going to come in on something like that. It was a penalty.”

Despite both teams needing the win in Stuttgart, chances were few and far between.

Scotland was dominating possession but not doing much with it and struggling to break Hungary down.

But Hungary started to get a foothold in the match and almost took the lead four minutes from the break, although the flag might have gone up for offside had Orbán’s header — from a clever Dominik Szoboszlai free kick — not hit the crossbar and gone out for a goal kick.

Scotland ended the half with 64% possession but no attempts on goal whatsoever. Hungary had five.

Clarke’s side finally had a shot in the 53rd but Ché Adams curled his effort way over the bar.

Csoboth was brought on in the 86th minute and he almost had an immediate impact as he hit the far post from a tight angle.

Both goalkeepers had to make saves in a chaotic 10 minutes of stoppage time before Csoboth snatched the win.

Csoboth started the counterattack and, with Scotland outnumbered, picked out an unmarked Roland Sallai before sprinting into the area to receive the return pass and slot into the near corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Hungary players and fans.

The Scotland players fell to the ground in disappointment.

“Tonight and for a long time we have to get over this,” Scotland captain Andy Robertson told the BBC. “It’s a tough one. It’s devastating. All the lads are absolutely gutted. I will say thank you to all the supporters; sorry for letting you all down.”

Fuente: https://apnews.com/article/scotland-hungary-euro-2024-score-c617b92738249fbcde8fd44e2deb0780

BY  SCHUYLER DIXON

Updated 8:48 PM CDT, June 23, 2024

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Christian Pulisic spread his arms wide with a big smile, then wanted to find the coach in the stands who drew up the fastest goal for the U.S. against a South American team.

Plenty of emotion against an overmatched opponent, in a tournament the Americans call their biggest test ahead of co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Pulisic scored in the third minute and assisted on Folarin Balogun’s goal in the 44th as the United States cruised past Bolivia 2-0 in their Copa America opener on Sunday night.

“I feel like I’m always pretty excited after I score,” Pulisic said. “This is a big moment. It’s a major tournament.”

Pulisic joined Clint Dempsey as the only U.S. players with a goal and an assist in a Copa America match and reached 30 goals in 69 international appearances, the fewest among Americans.

“We came out flying with a lot of intensity. Obviously, that early goal helped us a lot,” Pulisic said. “All around, a pretty dominant performance. I think we could have put it away and had more goals there.”

Among six invited guests to South America’s championship, the U.S. is expected to advance from Group C to the quarterfinals along with Uruguay.

“It’s a start that’s massive for us. Build the confidence,” American defender Antonee Robinson said. “If we were being picky, we could have been a lot more clinical. We could have put another two, three goals away.”

Bolivia lost its 13th straight Copa America match dating to 2015 and has one win in its last 31.

“I’m not happy because I think we can deliver more. We had a match against an opponent that had a better physical performance,” Bolivia coach Antônio Carlos Zago said through a translator. “Minute three there was a goal, and it was downstream from there.”

The 11th-ranked U.S. plays Panama on Thursday at Atlanta and closes the group against Uruguay on July 1 at Kansas City, Missouri. No. 84 Bolivia meets Uruguay on Thursday at East Rutherford, New Jersey, then plays Panama on July 1 at Orlando, Florida.

A crowd of 47,873 attended the match under the retractable roof at 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium, which will host a World Cup semifinal in 2026. It was 97 degrees Fahrenheit outside (36 Celsius) the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys at kickoff but air-conditioned inside.

Playing a day before his 30th birthday, goalkeeper Matt Turner had three saves in his 25th international shutout. The U.S. improved to 6-0 at AT&T as the Americans opened their fifth Copa America appearance, the first since reaching the semifinals as host in 2016.

The U.S. had 18 touches inside the attacking penalty area in the first half to Bolivia’s none.

“I’m happy with the performance,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said. “A lot of guys got their first Copa America game, first Copa America win, first Copa America shutout. And we’re in a good position.”

Pulisic put the U.S. ahead 2:23 in, the fastest American goal in 34 competitive matches against South American opponents. He played a short corner kick to Tim Weah and ran toward the penalty area. Weah returned the ball to Pulisic, who took a touch and from just inside the area curled a right-foot shot off the outstretched fingertips of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra and into the far upper corner.

As he approached the bench, Pulisic wanted to slow down the celebration and have someone help him find Gianni Vio, hired as U.S. set piece coach after the Americans’ restarts were largely ineffective during the previous World Cup cycle. Mission accomplished, Pulisic pointed with both arms into the stands.

“He set up our set-piece play,” Pulisic said. “He told me before, if I get in that situation, basically shoot to the back post. So I just wanted to give him some credit.”

Balogun doubled the lead when he received a pass from Pulisic, took several touches and threaded a low, left-foot shot along the ground, past defender Jesús Sagredo and inside Viscarra’s far post for his fourth goal in 13 appearances.

Balogun put the ball in the net again in the 53rd off a pass from Weah, but Weah was whistled for offside when he received the ball from Weston McKennie in the buildup, a decision confirmed in a video review.

Midfielder Tyler Adams, regaining fitness after a back injury, played the first half in his first start for club or country since March 30. Adams and Bologun were inserted into the starting lineup in place of Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi in the two changes from the lineup for the 1-1 exhibition draw against Brazil on June 12. Musah replaced Adams at the start of the second half and Pepi entered in the 65th.

Viscarra pushed Pepi’s 79th-minute shot over the crossbar, then stopped Pepi in the 90th on a point-blank initial attempt and another off the rebound.

Fuente: https://apnews.com/article/us-bolivia-copa-america-score-afc4a8cfc391668bbaaf555bf879c455