Tabarez praises competitive Uruguay after qualification

Following his side s 4-2 win over Bolivia to secure qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez was full of praise.

Despite two own goals in the victory, Uruguay were dominant on Tuesday and eventually made it count, via goals from Martin Caceres, Edinson Cavani and a Luis Suarez brace.

With the win, Uruguay finished second in the CONMEBOL standings, 10 points adrift of winners Brazil.

We are very satisfied, Tabarez said. Today we came to play for us, for the people and to try to get what we wanted to win.

I think because of how well our young players in Europe have adapted, we have a promising outlook.

Tabarez maintained that in response to losses against Chile and Brazil midway through the qualification campaign, Ur…

Feyenoord snap up Vejinovic

Feyenoord have announced the signing of Vitesse midfielder Marko Vejinovic on a four-year contract.

The former Netherlands youth international arrives for an undisclosed fee after passing a medical.

I ve gotten a good and warm feeling very quickly at Feyenoord, said Vejinovic.  I ll do everything I can to succeed here. 

I can not wait for Sunday when I can complete my first training session with Feyenoord.

Vejinovic made 67 Eredivisie appearances during two seasons with Vitesse and previously played with Heracles and AZ.

The 25-year-old was part of the AZ side that won the league title in 2009.

Meanwhile, Ajax have confirmed the return of full-back Mitchell Dijks in a move previously announced by Willem II.

Roma 1 Inter 1: Late Nainggolan strike saves hosts

Inter ended Roma s eight-match winning streak in Serie A, but a late equaliser from Radja Nainggolan meant they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico.

A cool finish from Ivan Perisic, who netted for the fourth consecutive match, early in the second half looked to have brought an abrupt end to the hosts stunning run of domestic form and thrown the race for Champions League qualification wide open.

But Roma bombarded the Inter goal in search of an equaliser and duly got one with six minutes remaining through Nainggolan s low strike.

The draw means Roma remain five points clear of Inter in Serie A s third and final Champions League spot. Both sides will eagerly await the result of Fiorentina, who drop to fifth as a result of Inter s point, when they play …

Real Madrid v Barcelona: Who can succeed Clasico maestro Iniesta?

Andres Iniesta didn t manage an hour on his comeback game against Deportivo La Coruna, but it was 56 minutes featuring some of the finest midfield play you are likely to see.

The Barcelona captain, who missed the win over Villarreal, played a brilliant pass to help his side to their first goal in the 4-0 win and created chances for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba during his impressive outing.

He was substituted to a standing ovation – hardly a rarity at home, but something he has also received at the hands of Juventus and Valencia fans in away matches this season, not to mention the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2016. As Catalan daily Sport wrote after the Depor match: When he s on the pitch, the sun shines at Camp Nou .

These days, though, that …

Xavi ready for ‘difficult test’ against Real Sociedad after El Clasico loss

Barcelona boss Xavi admits he and his players are “raging inside” after losing El Clasico, but is determined to get back on track against Real Sociedad.

Jude Bellingham scored twice – including a dramatic stoppage-time winner – as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Barca 2-1 last weekend.

The England midfielder struck a stunning equaliser after 68 minutes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium and then settled his first El Clasico with a close-range volley in the dying moments.

The home side had led at the interval through former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan’s early goal, but the defeat dropped them four points behind their fierce rivals, who top LaLiga on goal difference from Girona.

Xavi’s men face a tough task to return to winnin…

Leicester City sign Tielemans on permanent deal from Monaco

Leicester City have signed Belgium international Youri Tielemans from Monaco on a permanent basis following his impressive spell on loan last season.

Tielemans has put pen to paper on a four-year contract for what is reported to be a club-record deal worth in the region of £40million.

The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season at the King Power Stadium, playing a direct part in seven goals in 13 Premier League appearances, scoring three times along with four assists.

Brendan Rodgers declared Leicester would do everything possible to land the midfielder, who also attracted rumoured interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.

Youri

— Leicester City (@LCFC)

But despite facing competition for his signature, the 2015-16 Englis…

Prediction: Juventude vs Atletico-MG

Best Odds: 1/2

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Desperate to make up some ground in the top-six chase late on Tuesday night, Atletico-MG will travel to Juventude in midweek.

Juventude

Starting with the hosts, while Juventude might have only made their Serie A return this season, the Verdao have continued to receive a string of plaudits. Last seen putting in a stellar performance as they extended on their Copa do Brasil adventure as they clinched a 2-1 victory away at Internacional, Roger Machado’s men will be looking to claim another heavyweight scalp here. Likewise, storming their way to a 3-0 romp against Gremio earlier in the month, the former Fluminense boss has seen his squad clinch consecutive domestic victories for the first time since opening up the 2024 campaign. With the…

Scotland call-up Josh Doig, Anthony Ralston and Robby McCrorie for qualifiers

Josh Doig, Anthony Ralston and Robby McCrorie have been included in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers away to Georgia and at home to Norway as a batch of key players struggle for fitness.

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn, captain Andrew Robertson, plus fellow defenders Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey – all of whom have been regular starters when fit – miss out through injury.

Verona left-back Doig earned a maiden call-up from Steve Clarke a year past September but is yet to win his first cap.

Steve Clarke has named his Scotland squad for our final two matches of 2023.

Read more:

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT)

However, he will have the opportunity to stake a claim for a place at left-wing-back in the absence of…

Madrid ´in a better position´ than last year as Ancelotti talks up Tchouameni impact

Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid are in a better position than at the start of their double-winning campaign last year, although he does not see any favourites for the Champions League at this early stage.

Madrid won LaLiga and the Champions League in 2021-22 after signing David Alaba on a free transfer and Eduardo Camavinga from Rennes.

Los Blancos transfer activity has been similar again this year, bringing in Antonio Rudiger in defence and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.

But Madrid are also playing with the confidence of having achieved great success last season, starting the new campaign with a Super Cup win over Eintracht Frankfurt and three straight LaLiga victories.

I think we re in a better position at the start of this season because of all…