2016-17 is the season of the scorpion, apparently. The new yearย may be fewer than 12 hours old (on American shores), but the Premier League goal of the (calendar) year may have already been scored.
[ RECAP: Gunners grab 2-0 win, go 3rd ]
Step aside,ย Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and make way for Olivier Giroud.ย Alexis Sanchez provided the cross, Giroud provided the scorpion-kick finish, and thatโs really all that needs to be said about that.
[ FOLLOW: All of PSTโs PL coverage ]
Antonio Conteโs belabored but seemingly inevitable exit from Tottenham Hotspur was just that, as Spurs announced the Italian legendโs exit late Sunday.
Conte went off on everyone at the club following a 3-3 draw with Southampton in Premier League Matchweek 28, and the international break did nothing to calm or rectify the situation.
โI see selfish players, I see players that donโt want to help each other and donโt put their heart [into the game],โ Conte said at one point, later criticizing ownership, coaches, and staff. See the full press conference atop this post.
Cristian Stellini will stay on and oversee the season as โActing Head Coachโ with longtime Spurs man Ryan Mason assisting the Italian.
[ MORE: Saka, Kane scored as England cruises past Ukraine ]
Conte, 53, was appointed Spurs boss on Nov. 2, 2021 following the firing of Nuno Espirito Santo, and helped Tottenham to a top-four finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Spurs went unbeaten in their first seven matches to open the 2022-23 season, only losing away to West Ham and Chelsea, but a 3-1 loss at Arsenal in the North London derby started a run of ups and downs not normally associated with Conte teams.
After beating Brighton and Everton, Spurs failed to win consecutive Premier League matches between October 19 and late January, when Spurs beat Fulham and Man City on consecutive match days.
Tottenham was on a 5W-1D-2L Premier League run when Conte launched into his incredible rants following the Southampton draw. That, combined with a lifeless Champions League exit against AC Milan, was far too much to sustain him at the club.
โWe can announce that Head Coach Antonio Conte has left the Club by mutual agreement. We achieved Champions League qualification in Antonioโs first season at the Club. We thank Antonio for his contribution and wish him well for the future.
โCristian Stellini will take the team as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the season, along with Ryan Mason as Assistant Head Coach.
Daniel Levy, Chairman: โWe have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters.'โ
Itโs very strange that Spurs would wait one week into the international break and then announce that Conte was leaving without a new coach in place (Stellini was a long time Tottenham assistant).
Spurs are currently in fourth place on the table with 49 points, one point behind Manchester United, but Newcastle (47 points) and Liverpool 42 points) both have two matches-in-hand on Stelliniโs men. Brightonโs also on 42 points and has three matches-in-hand on Spurs.
Stellini actually may have a pretty easy task presuming he didnโt follow up Conteโs comments about the players by yelling, โYeah, I agree!โ
There are points to be had along the way as Spurs return from break to meet Everton, Brighton, and Bournemouth, but the relatively soft landing ends with Newcastle, Manchester United, and Liverpool in the following three PL matches.
Palace, Villa, Brentford, and Leeds wind down the fixture list, so itโs reasonable to think Spurs will return to the Champions League if they can get through Liverpool on April 30 with a look at the top four.
EURO 2024 qualifying is here, and youโre in the right spot for groups, fixtures, and results.
Italy outlasted England in penalty kicks to win EURO 2020 and is bidding to become the first repeat winner since Spain in 2008 and 2012.
[ MORE:ย Breaking down Premier League title raceย ]
England is still seeking its first European Championship and will be favored to emerge from Group C with aforementioned Italy as well as Ukraine, North Macedonia, and Malta.
Gareth Southgateโs Three Lions started off 2024 qualifying well as Harry Kane snapped a tie with Wayne Rooney atop Englandโs all-time goals list with a 2-1 win in Italy, the nationโs first in the country since 1961, and then Bukayo Saka led the Three Lions to a 2-0 win over Ukraine on Sunday.
Netherlands and France are also in a spicy group that has dark horse Republic of Ireland and former champions Greece, as well as Gibraltar.
[ MORE: Live scores, updates, standings from EURO 2024 qualifying ]
A number of nations have guaranteed themselves no worse than a playoff spot due to their performances in the UEFA Nations League: Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Georgia, Croatia, Turkey, Serbia, Kazakhstan.
Thursday, March 23
Kazakhstan 1-2 Slovenia
Slovakia 0-0 Luxembourg
Italy 1-2 England โ Video, player ratings as Kane breaks Rooney record
Denmark 3-1 Finland
Portugal 4-0 Liechtenstein
San Marino 0-2 Northern Ireland
North Macedonia 2-1 Malta
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 Iceland
Friday, March 24
Bulgaria 0-1 Montenegro
Gibraltar 0-3 Greece
Moldova 1-1 Faroe Islands
Serbia 2-0 Lithuania
Austria 4-1 Azerbaijan
Sweden 0-3 Belgium
Czech Republic 3-1 Poland
France 4-0 Netherlands
Saturday, March 25
Scotland 3-0 Cyprus
Israel 1-1 Kosovo
Armenia 1-2 Turkey
Belarus 0-5 Switzerland
Spain 3-0 Norway
Croatia 1-0 Wales
Andorra 0-2 Romania
Sunday, March 26
Kazakhstan 3-2 Denmark
England 2-0 Ukraine โ Video, player ratings as Saka leads Three Lions
Liechtenstein 0-7 Iceland
Slovenia 2-0 San Marino
Slovakia 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Northern Ireland 0-1 Finland
Luxembourg 0-6 Portugal
Malta 0-2 Italy
ABAT AIMBETOV MAY HAVE JUST SCORED THE GAME-WINNER FOR KAZAKHSTAN! ๐ฐ๐ฟ pic.twitter.com/FHMk8xbhZA
โ FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 26, 2023
Monday, March 27
Montenegro vs Serbia โ 2:45pm ET
Netherlands vs Gibraltar โ 2:45pm ET
Poland vs Albania โ 2:45pm ET
Austria vs Estonia โ 2:45pm ET
Sweden vs Azerbaijan โ 2:45pm ET
Moldova vs Czech Republic โ 2:45pm ET
Hungary vs Bulgaria โ 2:45pm ET
Republic of Ireland vs France โ 2:45pm ET
Tuesday, March 28
Georgia vs Norway โ Noon ET
Wales vs Latvia โ 2:45pm ET
Romania vs Belarus โ 2:45pm ET
Switzerland vs Israel โ 2:45pm ET
Kosovo vs Andorra โ 2:45pm ET
Turkey vs Croatia โ 2:45pm ET
Scotland vs Spain โ 2:45pm ET
Spain โ 3 pts, +3 GD
Scotland โ 3 pts, +3GD
Georgia
Norway โ 0 pts, -3 GD
Cyprus โ 0 pts, -3 GD
France โ 3pts, +4 GD
Greece โ 3 pts, +3 GD
Republic of Ireland
Gibraltar โ 0 pts, -3 GD
Netherlands โ 0 pts, -4 GD
England โ 6 pts, +3 GD
Italy โ 3 pts, +1 GD
North Macedonia โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Ukraine โ 0 pts, -2 GD
Malta โ 0 pts, -3 GD
Turkey โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Wales โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Croatia โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Latvia
Armenia โ 0 pts, -1 GD
Czech Republic โ 3 pts, +2 GD
Faroe Islands โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Moldova โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Albania
Poland โ 0 pts, -2 GD
Austria โ 3 pts, +3 GD
Belgium โ 3 pts, + 3GD
Estonia
Azerbaijan โ 0 pts, -3 GD
Sweden โ 0 pts, -3 GD
Serbia โ 3 pts, +2 GD
Montenegro โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Hungary
Bulgaria โ 0 pts, -1 GD
Lithuania โ 0 pts, -2 GD
Slovenia โ 6 pts, +3 GD
Northern Ireland โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Denmark โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Finland โ 3 pts, -1 GD
Kazakhstan โ 3 pts, 0 GD
San Marino โ 0 pts, -4 GD
Switzerland โ 3 pts, +5 GD
Romania โ 3 pts, + 2 GD
Israel โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Kosovo โ 1 pt, 0 GD
Andorra โ 0 pts, -2 GD
Belarus โ 0 pts, -5 GD
Portugal โ 6 pts, +8 GD
Slovakia โ 4 pt, +2 GD
Iceland โ 3 pts, +4 GD
Bosnia and Herzegovina โ 3 pts, +1 GD
Liechtenstein โ 1 pt, -7 GD
Luxembourg โ 0 pts, -10 GD
After reaching the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the USMNT have a big 2023 coming up as they aim to build off a successful showing on the worldโs biggest stage.
For the next few months CONCACAF Nations League takes center stage, while the program is very much in transition as Anthony Hudson takes temporary charge and both the general manager (Brian McBride) and sporting director (Earnie Stewart) left in recent months.
[ MORE: USMNT roster for Nations League features Gio Reyna, no Tyler Adams ]
As for now, here is the USMNTโs upcoming schedule for 2023, with plenty more games to be added based on their potential qualification for the 2023 Gold Cup on home soil.
TV channels in English: HBO Max, TNT
TV channels en Espaรฑol: Universo, Telemundo Deportes
Streaming en Espaรฑol:ย Peacock
* Friendly | ** CONCACAF Nations League | *** 2022 World Cup
2023
vs. Serbia* โ Jan. 25, 10 pm ET โ Loss 2-1 | Recap & highlights
vs. Colombia* โ Jan. 28, 7:30 pm ET โ Draw 0-0 | Recap & highlights
at Grenada** โ March 24, 8 pm ET โ Won 7-1 | Recap & highlights + Player ratings
vs El Salvador** โ March 27, 7:30pm ET โ Orlando, Florida
vs Mexico* โ April 19, 10:22pm ET โ Glendale, Arizona โ More details
2023 Gold Cup from June 16 to July 19 (USMNT yet to qualify)
vs. Morocco* โ June 1 โ Win 3-0
vs. Uruguay* โ June 5 โย Draw 0-0
vs. Grenada** โ June 10 โ Win 5-0
at El Salvador** โ June 14 โ Draw 1-1
vs Japan* โ Sept. 23 (in Dusseldorf, Germany) โ Loss 2-0
vs Saudi Arabia* โ Sept. 27 (in Murcia, Spain) โ Draw 0-0
Group B
vs. Wales*** โ Nov. 21, 2 pm ET โ Draw 1-1
vs. England*** โ Nov. 25, 2 pm ET โ Draw 0-0
vs. Iran*** โ Nov. 29, 2 pm ET โ Win 1-0
Last 16
vs. Netherlands*** โ Dec. 3, 10 am ET โ Loss 3-1
at El Salvador โ Sept. 2 โ Draw 0-0
vs. Canada โ Sept. 5 โ Draw 1-1
at Honduras โ Sept. 8 โย Win 4-1
vs. Jamaica โ Oct. 7 โ Win 1-0
at Panama โ Oct. 10 โ Loss 0-1
vs. Costa Rica โ Oct. 13 โ Win 2-1
vs. Mexico โ Nov. 12 โ Win 2-0
at Jamaica โ Nov. 16 โ Draw 1-1
vs. El Salvador โ Jan. 27 โ Win 1-0
at Canada โ Jan. 30 โ Loss 0-2
vs. Honduras โ Feb. 2 โ Win 3-0
at Mexico โ March 24 โ Draw 0-0ย
vs. Panama โ March 27 โ Win 5-1
at Costa Rica โ March 30 โ Loss 0-2ย
Canada โ 28 points โ (QUALIFIED) GD +16 โ automatic qualification
Mexico โ 28 points (QUALIFIED) GD +9 โ automatic qualification
USMNT โ 25 points โ (QUALIFIED) GD +11 โ automatic qualification
Costa Rica โ 25 points (PLAYOFF) GD +5
Panama โ 21 points (ELIMINATED)
Jamaica โ 14 points (ELIMINATED)
El Salvador โ 10 points (ELIMINATED)
Honduras โ 4 points (ELIMINATED)
Bukayo Saka scored a goal and set up Harry Kane for another as England beat Ukraine 2-0 in a UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.
That gives England six points from six to start qualifying and Ukraine barely got a sniff of goal after an early chance didnโt go its way. The Three Lions out-attempted Ukraine 18-3 and led the xG battle 2.05-0.12.
England was without Phil Foden, who had his appendix removed, and several others but was minimally troubled over 90 minutes.
[ LIVE: EURO 2024 qualifying scores โ England vs Ukraine ]
It was an extremely emotional atmosphere in London as the war rages on across Ukraine following the Russia invasion just over a year ago. The English Football Association gave away close to 1,000 free tickets to Ukrainians who were forced to flee their country and resettle with families in the UK.
The United Kingdom have been one of Ukraineโs key partners in the fight against Russian forces. Over 4,200 Ukraine fans were estimated in the away end at Wembley. This match was Ukraineโs first of 2023, as they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup after losing to Wales in a playoff last summer.
[ MORE: Full EURO 2024 qualifying schedule, standings ]
England beat Italy 2-1 in Naples on Thursday as Harry Kane became their all-time leading goalscorer with his 54th goal for the Three Lions and they held on after going 2-0 up as Luke Shawโs red card with 10 minutes to go complicated matters.
Bukayo Saka
Ben Chilwell
Jordan Henderson
Georgiy Sudakov
Harry Kane is simply lethal from close range! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/OQYM5J0wvW
โ FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 26, 2023
You can only admire brilliance when it comes in the form of a finish from Bukayo Saka ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/meu2FmLix2
โ FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 26, 2023
Kick off: 12pm ET, Sunday (March 26)
Updates: Via NBCSports.com
Stadium: Wembley Stadium, London
Stream: Fubo
The last time this nations met England ran out 4-0 winners in the quarterfinals of EURO 2020. They will be the heavy favorites in this game but Ukraine should not be underestimate as the No. 26 ranked team in the world have the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Vitalii Mykolenko all playing in the Premier League.
Englandโs forwards ran riot in the first half against Italy with Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka sensational, plus Jude Bellinghamโs driving runs from midfield give this Three Lions side an extra dimension. There is more creativity and cutting edge about this England side compared to recent years and it feels like they are ready to win something. There will be a ceremony before this game to honor Harry Kane becoming Englandโs all-time goalscorer as he passed Wayne Rooney with his goal in Italy on Thursday.
Luke Shaw will be suspended for this game after his red card in Italy, so Ben Chilwell comes in at left back. Jordan Henderson enters for Kalvin Phillips in midfield, while Phil Foden misses out after undergoing appendix surgery. Reece James is also out, but Jude Bellingham perseveres through an injury to start and James Maddison is also in the XI.
Your #ThreeLions to play Ukraine! ๐ pic.twitter.com/egZwmgW3bq
โ England (@England) March 26, 2023
Andriy Yarmolenko (three goals away from equalling Andriy Shevchenko as Ukraineโs all-time leading scorer) has been struggling with a hamstring injury and misses out, while Bournemouthโs Ilya Zabarnyi and Shakhtarโs Oleksandr Zubkov are both out. Roman Yaremchuk offesr real quality in up top while Arsenalโs Oleksandr Zinchenko is the heartbeat of this Ukraine side and Chelseaโs Mykhailo Mudryk will drive the left side in front of Evertonโs Vitalii Mykolenko.
Our line-up ๐ฅ๐๏ธ pic.twitter.com/ERHTdSLoSn
โ Ukrainian Association of Football (@uafukraine) March 26, 2023
