Men's National Teams

Criticized As A ‘Parasite’ In Spanish Media, Gareth Bale Goes On The Offensive

Gareth Bale hit back at "malicious" criticism from Spanish media on Friday, saying an article in Madrid-based paper Marca was a "piece of slanderous, derogatory and speculative journalism."

Marca called the Welsh captain a "parasite" and accused him of faking a back injury that kept him out of Real Madrid's humiliating loss to Barcelona at the weekend, four days before he scored both goals in Wales's win over Austria in their World Cup playoff game.

Every Angle Of And All The Reactions To That Incredible Gio Reyna Run vs. Mexico

Thursday night’s 0-0 draw between the U.S. and Mexico was probably a fair result, one both teams will contentedly take as another point on the path toward World Cup qualification. Though both teams will lament missed chances — the Americans and Jordan Pefok perhaps a bit more so — the truth is neither team did enough to find the back of the net.

CONMEBOL Adds Two More Countries To The World Cup, But Was This A Goal For Perú?

Uruguay and Ecuador secured the last two CONMEBOL direct tickets to the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday, joining already qualified Brazil and Argentina. The only thing left up for grabs now on the continent is the slot in the inter-confederation playoff against AFC (Asia). Those in contention are Perú, Colombia and Chile.

Gio Reyna's Reaction To Jordan Pefok Miss Illustrates Only Remaining USMNT Worry

The United States earned a massive point at the Azteca on Thursday night to make its path to the 2022 World Cup that much clearer, but there's a lingering feeling that the team could've returned home with all three had it been more clinical in the final third.

Memo Ochoa Le Puso Candado A Su Arco Y Evitó Un Aztecazo De Estados Unidos

No es por andar presumiendo, pero de algún modo sospechaba que el partido entre México y Estados Unidos terminaría empatado 0-0.

Canada Given Harsh Lesson In Concacafy-ness After Controversial Red Card

Canada could have clinched an outright berth in the World Cup for the first time since 1986 with a draw or win against Costa Rica on Thursday (and in the process helped give the USMNT a little breathing room in its quest to return to soccer’s showcase event). Instead, the Canucks got a little lesson in Concacafy-ness, with a controversial Mark-Anthony Kaye red card vs. Costa Rica resulting in a 1-0 defeat to Los Ticos on Thursday.

After Summer Of 'Most Beautiful Joy,' Italy Experiences 'The Greatest Disappointment'

Italy broke English hearts last July as they won the European Championship final but after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second straight tournament they have left fans thinking their Wembley triumph was a flash in the pan.

For a country who have won the World Cup four times, Italy's recent record is a national embarrassment.

Since lifting their fourth World Cup trophy in 2006, they have not played a knockout game in the showpiece event, having only won one group stage match at the finals in that time. Their recent World Cup record is even more distressing.

Italia Es Un Mar De Lágrimas: Macedonia Del Norte Dejó A La Azzurra Fuera Del Mundial

Sorpresa e incredulidad son los sentimientos que mejor resumen lo vivido hoy en el Estadio Renzo Barbera. Porque Italia, actual campeón europeo, cayó inesperada y agónicamente ante Macedonia del Norte y con ello se perderá su segundo mundial consecutivo.

North Macedonia Just Pulled Off The Greatest Upset In Soccer History To Deny Italy From World Cup

North Macedonia pulled off one the biggest upsets in sporting history on Thursday when the minnows took on European champions Italy in a World Cup playoff and somehow pulled off a 1-0 victory in Palermo.

This game could've been played 100 times and Italy wins 99 times.

But I watched this game from start to finish and I must say the North Macedonia win was absolutely deserved. I don’t know if I've ever seen a more valiant display of defending in my life. Italy recorded 32 shots but only five ended up on target. 

Ball Don’t Lie: Turkey Misses Soft Penalty To Help Portugal, Ronaldo Eke Through

Sometimes, the ball knows more than the referee and video replay.

With Portugal nursing a one-goal lead late in its UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff, Turkey was awarded a Charmin-soft penalty. Burak Yılmaz stepped up to the spot, but the ball knew what had to happen.

Yılmaz skied his penalty over the crossbar, Portugal scored a late insurance goal and Cristiano Ronaldo’s side advanced to the qualifying final with a 3-1 victory on Thursday. 

Portugal now will play North Macedonia, which stunned Italy 1-0, on Tuesday for the right to go to the World Cup in November. 

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