Italy beat the Netherlands 3-2 in the Nations League third-place play-off in Enschede.
Roberto Mancini’s side, who sealed Nations League bronze for the second tournament running, made a flying start as Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi put them 2-0 up in 20 minutes.
Steven Bergwijn reduced the deficit for the Netherlands midway through the second half, but Federico Chiesa struck Italy’s third four minutes later.
The Azzurri seal third place
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024)
Georginio Wijnaldum ensured a nervy finale with the Netherlands’ second goal in the 89th minute, but it was not enough to prevent a third defeat in four games under boss Ronald Koeman, in his second stint in charge.
Croatia face Spain in the final at Feyenoord…
Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi has declared he was never worried about Lautaro Martinez, after his return to goalscoring form.
The Argentina striker endured a five-match scoreless streak in Serie A before he was on target against Salernitana in midweek, having also found the back of the net in a 3-3 Champions League draw with Barcelona.
He claimed a double to make it four goals in three games and contributed an assist in Inter s dramatic 4-3 victory at Fiorentina on Saturday.
Martinez was the catalyst for Nicolo Barella s opening goal, then weaved his way through the defence to double his side s lead and showing composure from the spot to put Inter 3-2 up in the second half after the Viola had got back on level terms.
Luka Jovic s late strike then looked…
World football s governing body FIFA have announced a plan to pump more than 17 million pounds into a new anti-corruption program.
The governing body will invest 17.5 million pounds to help abolish match fixing and illegal betting by helping to educate players, referees and officials.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it was important for the sport s integrity that there were no behind-the-scenes activities going on.
The threat of match fixing is a major one and we are committed to doing everything to tackle it, he said.
In the fight against illegal betting and match-fixing, the preventive measures that can be taken and the protection of the players and the integrity of the game are of the utmost importance.
Joint work with the authorities and…
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has targeted a win at home to Wigan Athletic on Sunday to seal a top 10 finish.
Pulis’ men finished a respectable 11th last season and he wants to go at least one better this term.
We have had a fantastic season and we want to go out on a winning note to better last season s points tally and finish in the top 10, he said.
We have a responsibility to the Premier League and to this football club to do our very best to win that final game.
As it is the last game of the season, we are keeping our fingers crossed that we can get Jermaine Pennant, Matthew Etherington and Kenwyne Jones back from injury.
But I am not sure about Robert Huth. He has shown tremendous character to play through injury but whether he will b…