Gareth Bale believes Wales Euro 2016 exploits will earn them more respect from other nations and the Real Madrid star is keen for further experiences of major international tournaments.

Wales sensational run in France ended in a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday, with two goals in the space of three second-half minutes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani proving decisive.

Bale was unable to find his fourth goal of the competition as he battled to haul Chris Coleman s side back into the match, but he believes his team-mates will now be viewed differently having claimed victories over Slovakia, Russia, Northern Ireland and Belgium during a memorable campaign.

I think we ve grown in confidence and grown in stature, he said. We ll be more respected…

Chelsea kicked off their 2024-25 Women s Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory at home to Real Madrid in Group B.

The victory puts the Blues in second in their group after one match, while it was a perfect start for manager Sonia Bompastor, who was taking charge of her first Champions League game for the club.

Bompastor led Lyon to the Champions League final in two of the last three seasons, winning it in 2021-22. She will be hoping to do the same in west London this season and things got off to the perfect start for her and Chelsea in this game.

Sjoeke Nusken s second-minute goal put the home side ahead unsurprisingly, that is the quickest goal in the Champions League this season.

In miserable weather at Stamford Bridge, things got even better for…

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A heavyweight South American showdown takes center stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, as Uruguay clash with Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America.

The winners of this eagerly awaited contest will meet either Colombia or Panama in the semifinals.

Uruguay

Uruguay have arguably been the standout performers at the Copa America so far this summer after winning three games out of three by an aggregate score of 9-1 to secure top spot in Group C.

La Celeste kick-started the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Panama before putting Bolivia to the sword 5-0 on matchday two; they then preserved their perfect record by beating the USA 1-0 on Tuesday courtesy of a 66th-minute strike from Mathias Oli…

Spanish legend Raul hopes Qatar qualify for Brazil 2014 and says improving the national team should be the priority for the 2022 World Cup hosts.

The 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Schalke striker penned a one-year contract with 2011 Asian champions Al Sadd earlier this month, becoming the biggest name to currently play in Qatar s Stars League (QSL).

Speaking to Doha Stadium Plus, Raul revealed he had no doubts Qatar could host a successful 2022 event and believed developing the current crop of youth for the future national team needs to be made a priority.

Qatar has everything in place to host a successful World Cup in 2022, Raul said.

The priority should be to improve its national team in 10 years time to first become the top side in Asia and th…

Ivan Toney remains confident of grasping his England opportunity at Euro 2024 when that arrives, though acknowledged the frustrations over a lack of minutes in Germany.

The Brentford striker came off the bench against Slovakia in the last 16 with a minute of normal time remaining, as Jude Bellingham s stunning overhead kick forced an additional 30 minutes in Gelsenkirchen.

Toney provided the assist for Harry Kane s winner just 50 seconds into extra time, the fastest such goal in Euros history, with a smart flick-on after Eberechi Eze s scuffed volley.

Yet that was Toney s first appearance at the competition, and a maiden outing of his career at a major tournament, with Gareth Southgate admitting the forward was disgusted with the late introduction.

It s …

Real Madrid s performance in the Supercopa de Espana confirms them as favourites to defend their LaLiga title this season.

Zinedine Zidane s men claimed a 5-1 aggregate victory over Barcelona, whose attempts to overcome the loss of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for €222million look set to define their season.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid begin life at their new Wanda Metropolitano home, while two players arrive in the Spanish top flight looking to revive their careers.

Here we take a look at five men to watch out for during the coming season.

LIONEL MESSI

Barcelona face a transitional season following the break-up of the attacking trident formerly known as MSN.

Much of the responsibility for ensuring Barca do not feel the abs…

An eight-year journey concluded in the Maracana as Germany s transformation from efficient machine to attacking force was complete.

Famed for a defensive style, ruthless brilliance at penalties and a little good fortune in their early years, the European nation had always been the ugly sisters with Brazil leading the way as Cinderella.

Yet the foundations laid by Jurgen Klinsmann in 2006 have been expertly built upon by Joachim Low, who has finally cleansed Germany of their clichéd reputation.

In truth, that quest probably ended in the semi-final, when they annihilated the renowned guardians of attacking football at their own game, in their own backyard.

But history does not remember runners-up and, as impressive as that 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in Belo Ho…

Spain dominate Opta s Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament after Sunday s 2-1 final victory over England, a result that clinched a record-breaking fourth European crown.

Five Roja players find themselves in Opta s stats-based XI, but they also contribute the most surprising omission, with Player of the Tournament Rodri missing out.

England only have one representative despite reaching their first tournament final on foreign soil, with Harry Kane s share of the Golden Boot and Jude Bellingham s stunning overhead kick versus Slovakia not enough to warrant a place.

Here, we run through those that did make the cut, highlighting a couple of standout stats for each player.

11 This is Opta Team of the Tournament for the , with the presence of five players from Spai…

Mauricio Pellegrino was axed as Southampton boss following a bad run of form on this day in 2018.

The Argentinian was only appointed as manager the previous summer but the Saints hierarchy opted for another change with eight games remaining as they attempted to cling onto their Premier League status.

Southampton had won just one of their previous 17 league matches – against bottom club West Brom – and a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle, which left Saints languishing just one place and one point above the relegation zone, proved to be the final straw.

Former Liverpool defender Pellegrino had been under increasing pressure as the season progressed, with fans frustrated by his perceived defensive tactics and pundits accusing the players of not playing for him.

Pe…

The Arizona Cardinals will look to stay perfect in Week 5 as they host the San Francisco 49ers, who have dropped two straight after opening the season 2-0. The 4-0 Cards could be facing rookie QB Trey Lance, as Jimmy Garoppolo is dealing with a leg injury but has yet to be ruled out.

The Cardinals are 7-3 SU in the last 10 meetings, with each team splitting a pair of road games last season. Arizona is a 5-point home favorite with the total set at 50 on the NFL betting board.

Here are our free picks and predictions for 49ers vs. Cardinals for Sunday, October 10.

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