Netherlands 2-3 France (De Jong 47, Afellay 86; Griezmann 6, Giroud 13, Matuidi 88)France: Mandanda; Evra (Digne 46), Koscielny, Varane, Jallet; Matuidi, Diarra (Kanté 46), Pogba (Sissoko 87); Payet, Giroud (Gignac 73), Griezmann (Martial 46).In a match halted in the 14th minute for 60 seconds of applause as a tribute to Johan Cruyff, Blaise Matuidi clinched a thrilling victory for the UEFA EURO 2016 hosts. A brilliant 20-minute free-kick and Olivier Giroud's volley following a Matuidi header had put France 2-0 up just ahead of the mark of respect for Cruyff. It seemed that a second-half recovery from a Netherla...
Tag: portugal
Sweden face Portugal in World Cup play-off
Updated: Monday, 21 Oct 2013 15:18 | Comments Sweden must get past Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo if they are to make the party in Brazil next summer One of football's superstars is certain to miss out on the World Cup next year after Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal side were drawn against Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden in the European play-offs for next year's finals. Portugal v Sweden is the pick of the four ties, which will be played over two legs, while unseeded France will face a tough battle against Ukraine. Portugal will go into the play-offs as favourites with stars such as Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Manchester United's Nani, but they struggled in what had looked a straightforward qualifying group, finishing runners-up to Russia. Sweden recorded