SOCCER

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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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Merih Demiral’s (26) first-ever international career brace led Turkey to a first UEFA European Championship quarter-final in 16 years as the Crescent-Stars beat Austria 2-1 in Leipzig. A pulsating start gripped this round of 16 tie as Austria launched a promising attack from kick-off and conceded before one minute was even on the board.

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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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France rubber stamped their ticket to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, leaving it late to bag their fifth successive win against today's opponents at a major tournament.

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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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A feisty goalless draw with 10-man Chile in Orlando was enough to see Canada into the quarter-finals in their first ever Copa América, becoming the first debutants to reach the knockout stages in over 20 years. However, Chile - winners of this competition in 2015 and 2016 - bow out at the first hurdle without even scoring a goal.

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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.

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Jude Bellingham (21) became the youngest player to score for England in a European Championship knockout match, as his stunning stoppage-time finish helped the Three Lions come from behind to beat Slovakia 2-1 and advance to the quarter-finals of EURO 2024.