SOCCER

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Manchester United have appointed their former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (48) as an assistant to manager Erik ten Hag in another move they hope will restore the record 20-time English champions to former glories. Rene Hake was also hired in an assistant role to complete an all-Dutch managerial team.

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Spanish international midfielder Thiago Alcantara announced his retirement on Monday at the age of 33, through a message on his social networks. "Thank you, football. And to all who accompanied me and made me a better player and person along the way," he wrote on X.

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Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa said his side had more talent in their ranks than Colombia and therefore he should be the one taking responsibility for Wednesday's Copa América semi-final defeat.

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Emiliano Martinez was at his trademark best as Argentina reached the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa América in dramatic fashion, saving two penalties as the holders saw off Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Texas. Having kept six clean sheets in eight matches heading into this clash, the notoriously stable Argentina defence was given its fair share of tests in a tricky opening period in Texas.

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England's last-gasp victory over Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semi-final showed their character and resilience and the team are ready to take the final step and lift their first major trophy in almost 60 years, manager Gareth Southgate said. Substitute Ollie Watkins scored in the 91st minute to send England through to their second successive European Championship final with a 2-1 win.

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Liverpool's new manager Arne Slot (45) insists he can cope with the pressure of following in the footsteps of Anfield icon Jurgen Klopp (57). Slot has the daunting task of trying to emulate Klopp's remarkably successful nine-year reign at Liverpool. Before his shock decision to step down at the end of last season, Klopp led Liverpool to a host of major trophies, including their first Premier League title in 30 years and the Champions League crown in 2019.

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When the bitter disappointment of Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final defeat to England fades, the Netherlands will look back on a satisfying campaign at the European Championship after few gave them any chance of going so deep at the tournament.

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Soccer star Kylian Mbappé has expressed his dismay over the results of the first round of French elections, describing them as “catastrophic.” Last Sunday’s vote saw the anti-immigration party National Rally (RN) leading in first place, pushing France towards a
far-right political stance.