Dribble Diaries

Following Alyssa Naeher's retirement, the United States Women's National Team will be in need of a replacement goalkeeper. The 36-year-old broke the news on Monday, as the United States prepares for friendlies against England and the Netherlands in the coming week. Naeher, an icon in the organization and the worldwide women's game, retires from the international stage after 11 years with the senior USWNT. During that time, she won two FIFA Women's World Cup crowns and an Olympic gold medal. Furthermore, she is the only goalkeeper in history to record a shutout in both a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal game. "Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honor," Naeher told reporters. "When I started this adventure, I had no idea where it would lead me, and today I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful teammates I've shared the field with; teammates who have become lifetime friends. ...

Barcelona have revealed that midfielder Fermin Lopez has signed a new contract with the club until 2029, with a release clause of €500 million (£419 million). Fermin had a breakout 2023/24 season despite Barcelona's struggles under previous manager Xavi Hernandez. The 21-year-old scored 11 goals across all competitions, trailing only top striker Robert Lewandowski with 26. Manchester United reportedly had a summer proposal turned down for the midfielder, whose previous contract was set to expire in 2027. The club's statement reads: "FC Barcelona and Fermin Lopez have agreed to extend the player's contract until June 30, 2029. The teenage midfielder's buyout clause has been set at €500 million. "Pen was put to paper this Thursday at midday in the company of Barca president ​​Joan Laporta; first vice-president Rafa Yuste; the director responsible for youth football Joan Soler; and director of sport Anderson Luis de Souza 'Deco'." Fermin is one ...

The USWNT's keys to victory in the Paris 2024 Olympics gold medal match put pressure on Emma Hayes' world-class players to execute one final outstanding performance in France. Since Emma Hayes came in the United States two months ago, the U.S. Women's National Team has witnessed a much-needed comeback. After a few disappointing years filled with performances unworthy of a gold medal or a World Cup, the Stars and Stripes have reestablished themselves as one of the powerhouses in women's soccer at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The USWNT won all five of their matches in France this summer, including a tough semi-finals encounter against Germany, and will now face Brazil for the gold medal on Saturday, August 10. If Hayes' team wants to leave Paris with the ultimate prize, they must overcome the Selecao, which France and Spain failed to do in the knockout stage. Here's a summary of four keys to victory for the USWNT ahead of their gold medal match. USWNT's keys to ...

Exactly 36 years after Vinnie Jones, Dave Beasant, Lawrie Sanchez, and others ripped up the rulebook to propel Bobby Gould's Wimbledon to a storied FA Cup victory, Thierry Henry's France fell agonisingly short of capturing an emotional Olympic gold medal in front of a sold-out Parc des Princes in Paris. Henry, who gave his young French team the nickname the 'Crazy Ones' due to their fun-loving nature, won nearly everything as a player, and despite the stars appearing to align for a historic gold medal on home turf, the Arsenal legend was overshadowed by Santi Denia's slick Spaniards in a dramatic 5-3 extra-time defeat. Sergio Camello of Rayo Vallecano was their unexpected late nemesis, dunking French goalkeeper Guillaume Restes with 100 minutes on the clock to startle a stunned capacity crowd. And he delivered a virtual carbon copy of that finish with the game's final kick, charging in on goal as the French flung bodies forward to slot past Restes and cruelly ...

On Friday, Spain competed against Germany for a bronze medal in women's football at the Olympic Games. This is what occurred. Cata Coll's error becomes costly as Germany wins bronze medal. Germany won the bronze medal in the Olympics, 1-0, despite a late penalty granted to Spain. Horst Hrubesch's team started brightly, with attempts from Jule Brand and Klara Bühl, but Spain had the better chances in the first 45 minutes. Germany's Ann-Katrin Berger made some stops in the first half, but there was nothing she could do about a stunning curling attempt from Aitana Bonmatí, which dropped a fraction too late and slammed against the bar. Only a huge deflection prevented Jenni Hermoso from scoring with the follow-up, and Spain may count themselves unlucky not to be ahead at halftime. Germany unexpectedly had a penalty as Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll collided with Giulia Gwinn instead of punching the ball clear. Gwinn appeared anxious when she walked up to take her own penalt...

"When you see everyone collecting medals left and right, you say to yourself: 'Now, it's our turn'," said France head coach Thierry Henry after his team qualified for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament final for the second time in their history. Henri Michel's squad won gold in the Los Angeles Games 40 years ago. Henry's team hopes to replicate this success on home grounds. Spain stands in their way; they are one win away from winning the country's second gold medal in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament. This would be a huge feat, similar to their predecessors' success in Barcelona in 1992. In the women's competition, the United States will look to win a record-extending fifth Women's Olympic Football Tournament gold medal when they face Brazil in Paris on Saturday. Emma Hayes' squad has won all of their games, but they have faced strong competition in the knockout rounds against Japan and Germany to keep their title dre...

The top leagues of European football begin next week, but there's enough of football to whet the appetite this weekend for what's in store in 2024-25. The Olympics, Football League, and Community Shield are among the appetizers coming up, and we've selected five must-see games for this weekend. Wrexham Vs Wycombe Wanderers Wrexham, the EFL's version of FC Hollywood, moves up the English football pyramid this season, returning to the third tier for the first time in two decades. Wrexham's high-profile ownership by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has created a whirlwind for the club, which is entering League One following two consecutive promotions. Five of the club's six summer acquisitions have moved down a division to join The Red Dragons, who will be confident of at least retaining their status. Given competition from big-spending Birmingham City, the addition of former Charlton captain George Dobson is a coup, while Dan Scarr has promoted from this divisio...

Morocco earned the bronze medal in men's football at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, defeating Egypt 6-0. Morocco won its first Olympic football medal after dominating Egypt for 90 minutes. The encounter began on a terrible note for the Pharaohs, when midfielder Zizo was pulled off after 10 minutes due to a hamstring injury. Knowing their opponents lacked a star player, Morocco increased the pressure, and two goals in three minutes put them in command. Abde Ezzalzouli hit a magnificent curling attempt into the top right corner from the top of the box, before Soufiane Rahimi created an Olympic record by becoming the first player to score in six straight games. After the intermission, Egypt struggled to get through the Atlas Lions defense, with only two shots on goal by the 70th minute. ACHRAF HAKIMI WITH A STUNNING FREE KICK IN THE BRONZE MEDAL MATCH 🔥  MOROCCO LEAD 6-0 OVER EGYPT 😱 Meanwhile, Morocco's excellent finishing continued as they scored four more goals from ...

All four remaining teams in the Women's Olympic event will compete on Tuesday evening.   This is what occurred. Brazil triumphs over defensively frail Spain. Brazil advanced to the Olympic final against the United States with a wild 4-2 victory over Spain. Disaster struck Spain early on as the ball was returned to goalkeeper Cata Coll, who mishit her clearance into Brazil's Priscilla, which rebounded off Irene Paredes and into the net. Spain gradually recovered and gained a footing in the game, but just as Brazil surprised them at the start of the first half, they did it again at the conclusion. Gabi Portilho headed home a wonderful cross from Yasmin deep into additional time, giving Spain enough to think about at halftime. In the second half, Spain was not looking like themselves, and they were punished by a powerful Brazil when Adriana ultimately nodded home after her initial attempt had hit the bar and pinged about the penalty area. Salma Paralluelo headed home from a ...

Hervé Renard has officially stepped down as head coach of the France women's team. Les Bleues were unhappy in their Olympic debut on home soil, falling 1-0 versus Brazil in the quarterfinals. Corinne Diacre is leaving after the 2023 World Cup, thus France is seeking for their third manager in as many years. Renard's managing career has been diverse, having previously managed Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Renard's appointment in March 2023 restored optimism to a team that had been divided and broken under coach predecessor, Corinne Diacre. Renard managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup and the Nations League final during his brief reign. Despite the players' praise for his hard work and professionalism, he was ultimately unsuccessful in transforming Les Bleues into one of the world's most powerful teams. And another quarter-final exit for France will undoubtedly be viewed as a significant disappointment for both the country and its now-former ma...

On Monday night, France hosted two Olympic semi-finals. This is what occurred. France advances to the final following a fierce clash with Egypt. In a tense contest, France rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 2-1 in extra time. After a poor start, France improved just before the interval, with Loïc Badé hitting the post after Joris Chotard's pass. Alexandre Lacazette had a golden opportunity to score in the second half, but he hesitated and ultimately missed the shot. After absorbing all of France's pressure, Egypt proceeded to the other end, where Mahmoud Saber smashed a powerful attempt into the roof of the net. The goal ignited the game, and Hamza Alaa made a wonderful save on a Jean-Philippe Mateta header. France then hit the post twice in quick succession, with Lacazette's shot and Badé's follow-up hitting the woodwork. Les Bleus equalised thanks to a brilliantly weighted ball from Michael Olise, which Mateta converted decisively. France requested for ...

Two Olympic semi-finals will take place in France on Monday night. This is what occurred. Spain makes a second-half comeback and advances to the Olympic final. An exhilarating first half saw both teams play plenty of attacking football, and Morocco was awarded a penalty after Spain's Pablo Barrios was ruled to have kicked the back of Amir Richardson's calf in the penalty area. Soufiane Rahimi converted the penalty kick with ease, moving him to the top of the scorers' chart. In the second half, Spain tied the game after Fermín López scored from a loose ball on the edge of the box. Just as the game appeared to be heading into extra time, López's pass found Juanlu Sánchez, who hammered his shot past the goalkeeper to put Spain ahead with little time for Morocco to respond. Morocco had a chance to equalize in extra time, but Richardson's header flew over the crossbar.

  The men's football quarter-finals of the 2024 Olympic Games begin on Friday in France. France defeats Argentina to keep home hopes alive. France advanced to the semi-finals against Egypt following a tight and dramatic 1-0 victory over Argentina, thanks in large part to Thierry Henry's team's excellent defensive effort. Les Bleus seized the early lead at the noisy Stade de Bordeaux, thanks to an old Crystal Palace connection: Michael Olise's corner was met by a stunning header from his former club teammate, Jean-Phillippe Mateta. Argentina struggled to find their rhythm as the hosts maintained their fast start to the delight of their fans. Mateta nearly turned provider just before the 20-minute mark, sending the ball into the area, but the Argentines scrambled it away. Javier Mascherano's team's first chance came from Kevin Zenón, whose left-footed shot dribbled wide from the right side of the box. Giuliano Simeone had a fantastic opportunity to equal things up...

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad hoc division for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has denied Canada Soccer's appeal against a six-point deduction imposed on its women's team. The points were deducted after Canada was caught spying on a New Zealand training session prior to their match on July 25. Coach Bev Priestman was also banned from the sport for a year and barred from attending games, while CSA officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were also suspended, and the Association was fined £175,720. However, a statement issued by the CAS on Wednesday revealed that the appeal was dismissed and the points reduction upheld. The 2021 Gold Medalists face Colombia in their third Group A encounter later on Wednesday, having previously defeated New Zealand and France, both 2-1. They still have a tiny chance of qualifying if New Zealand defeats France and goal differential goes in Canada's favour.