The job for the United States soccer team was simple, really: Win. The stakes and the stage and the politics all made things harder going into their game against Iran on Tuesday night at the World Cup. The own goal by their federation’s social media team, the Iranians’ great umbrage at the perceived insult to their flag, the chatter and the threats and the intrigue all added to th...Full Story »

A typically belligerent Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal took issue with criticism of his side’s World Cup performances so far despite them topping Group A.A 2-0 win over hosts Qatar saw them finish with seven points, having previously beaten runners-up Senegal by the same scoreline and drawn 1-1 with Ecuador.But even though they had very few alarms in their opening three matches, Van...Full Story »

Casemiro came to Brazil’s rescue as they left it late to secure their passage to the World Cup knockout stage with a 1-0 Group G victory over Switzerland.The Swiss, who held the Brazilians to a 1-1 draw in Russia four years ago, looked set to repeat the feat until the Manchester United midfielder struck seven minutes from time to claim the points.Defeat was perhaps harsh on Murat Yakin&rsq...Full Story »

Barnsley first-team coach Martin Devaney praised the performance of Devante Cole as his side cruised to a 3-0 victory over Crewe to seal a place in the FA Cup third round.Cole scored Barnsley’s first, with Adam Phillips netting after the break and Josh Benson adding a third from the penalty spot.Devaney said: “We played some good football, we had to stay patient. Crewe are a good sid...Full Story »

Stevenage boss Steve Evans revealed a dose of the hairdryer treatment inspired his side to a 3-0 FA Cup second-round victory over Kings Lynn.The sixth-tier Linnets, who dumped out Doncaster in the first round, were desperate to reach the third round for the first time in their history.But three quick-fire goals in five minutes shortly after half-time did the damage at The Walks.Luke Norris bagge...Full Story »

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was caught on camera making an X-rated remark to his wife as she visited the Netherlands' training session on Tuesday Louis van Gaal has told his wife she can come to his hotel room and "get laid" (Image: De Telegraaf) Sex-mad Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has been filmed telling his wife she can come to his hotel room "to get laid". The Du...Full Story »

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said questions must be asked over whether FIFA has behaved correctly in the row over anti-discrimination armbands at the World Cup in Qatar.The Dutch, who opened their Group A campaign with a 2-0 victory over African champions Senegal, were one of seven European nations who dropped plans to wear the rainbow-coloured ‘OneLove’ bands after FIFA threaten...Full Story »

Reece James appears to have fired a dig at England manager Gareth Southgate on Ivan Toney’s Instagram post. Toney continued his fine form this season by netting a brace against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. His goals secured Brentford a crucial three points in an emphatic finish for the Bees. The forward made headlines this week after being a notable omissi...Full Story »

Exeter staged a rousing late comeback to claim a narrow 3-2 League One victory over Peterborough at St James Park with Jevani Brown haunting his former club with an injury-time winner.Exeter started well and Archie Collins forced a superb save from Lucas Bergstrom after 28 minutes, but from Brown’s resulting corner, Tim Dieng rose highest to glance the ball into the net and give Exeter the...Full Story »

Brentford boss Thomas Frank held out hope there could yet be room on the plane to Qatar for Ivan Toney after the striker scored both goals in the stunning 2-1 win at champions Manchester City.Toney shrugged off his disappointment at missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad on Thursday as he scored the winner in the eighth minute of 10 added on at the Etihad to seal what...Full Story »

Ivan Toney responded to his World Cup omission by scoring both goals as Brentford claimed a stunning 2-1 win at Premier League champions Manchester City.The Bees forward, left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Qatar this week, netted a stoppage-time winner at the Etihad Stadium to condemn City to a shock loss in their final match before the break.Toney, outstanding throughout, had put Br...Full Story »

Giovanni van Bronckhorst found himself again with his Rangers future in sharp focus after a 1-1 draw with St Mirren saw more dropped points in the cinch Premiership title race.The 1-0 midweek home win over Hearts appeared to give the under-fire Rangers boss some respite but it was back to square one in Paisley.Returning Saints striker Jonah Ayunga drove the home side into the lead two minutes af...Full Story »

Juventus are reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign Chelsea’s Jorginho as the Serie A giants look to capitalise on the free-agent market. That’s according to Todofichajes, who report that Juve are set to beat Barcelona to the Italy international as the 30-year-old will not sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge due to his broken relationship with the new Chelsea board. Jorginho...Full Story »

Giovanni van Bronckhorst recognised the importance of three cinch Premiership points after Malik Tillman’s second-half strike gave Rangers a narrow 1-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox.The Rangers boss came under fire following the away defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday and there was little to cheer about for the home fans until the 66th minute when Tillman, on loan from Bayern Munich, prodded...Full Story »

Malik Tillman’s second-half strike gave Rangers a narrow 1-0 cinch Premiership win over Hearts at Ibrox and eased some pressure on Giovanni van Bronckhorst.The under-fire Gers boss came in for further scrutiny following the away defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday with improvement demanded by fed-up Light Blues fans.A first-half performance bereft of confidence and creativity ended goall...Full Story »

Ivan Toney’s final audition for a World Cup place could hardly have been more authentic after Brentford crashed out of the Carabao Cup 6-5 on penalties to Gillingham.Brentford were leading the League Two strugglers through England hopeful Toney’s early goal, but then sat back and allowed their opponents to come at them in the second half.The Gills duly hauled themselves back int...Full Story »

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is back from suspension for the Carabao Cup visit of Gillingham.Christian Norgaard could make his return to action after an Achilles injury.Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Pontus Jansson and Thomas Strakosha are out injured.League Two strugglers Gillingham have fitness concerns over Stuart O’Keefe and Olly Lee.Captain O’Keefe came off with a quad injury du...Full Story »

England striker Ivan Toney is at the centre of a shock match betting probe by the FA just weeks before the World Cup gets underway. Toney was handed his first Three Lions call-up in October as Gareth Southgate included the Brentford ace in his pre-World Cup squad. But former Liverpool ace Emile Heskey wouldn't take the attacker on the plane to Qatar. However, the 26-year-old's got bigger worri...Full Story »

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst acknowledged the increasing pressure he is under after the 2-1 defeat by St Johnstone left them seven points behind Celtic at the top of the cinch Premiership.The Light Blues made unwanted history on Tuesday night when their 3-1 home defeat to Ajax saddled them with the worst-ever record in the Champions League – finishing Group A with six straight def...Full Story »

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is back from suspension for the Carabao Cup visit of Gillingham.Christian Norgaard could make his return to action after an Achilles injury.Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Pontus Jansson and Thomas Strakosha are out injured.League Two strugglers Gillingham have fitness concerns over Stuart O’Keefe and Olly Lee.Captain O’Keefe came off with a quad injury du...Full Story »