Eduardo Vargas believes Chile s come-from-behind win over Panama on Tuesday will give them the confidence boost they need in their Copa America title defence.
Vargas scored twice in the first half to overturn an early deficit at the Centenario tournament, after Miguel Camargo gave Panama the lead in Philadelphia.
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez scored a double of his own in the second half, either side of an Abdiel Arroyo header, to seal Chile s passage to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win.
Vargas acknowledged Chile s performances have been severely lacking in quality compared to their 2015 title win, but believes the victory over Panama will provide the push they need.
It s been a very important game not just for me but for the team as well, the 26-…
Russian newspaper that Anzhi winger Mbark Boussoufa has been placed on the transfer list.
The Moroccan midfielder has established himself as a key member of Guus Hiddink’s squad, but he is, nonetheless, expected to leave the club in the near future.
Anzhi officials are willing to part ways with the 28-year-old in order to accommodate new signing Willian.
Lifesports understands that a €20 million price tag has been placed on the Morocco international, with Anzhi chiefs hoping Boussoufa will leave before the transfer window in Russia closes.
Liverpool and Zenit have so far been keeping tabs on the experienced midfielder, but it remains to be seen whether they will be prepared to splash the cash on the Moroccan.
Mbark Boussoufa joined Anzhi in …
Aston Villa youngster Ashley Westwood has hailed Charles N Zogbia s recent performances as the club continue to fight against relegation.
Aston Villa youngster Ashley Westwood has hailed Charles N Zogbia s recent performances as the club continue to fight against relegation.
The Frenchman has failed to replicate his form for Wigan which prompted the Villa Park outfit to part with nine million pounds to sign the winger in 2011.
However, a goal and an assist from N Zogbia in the recent 2-1 win over West Ham pushed Villa out of the Premier League relegation zone, and Westwood has backed the winger to continue to shine for the rest of the season.
I have been really impressed with Charles, Westwood said.
You just give him the ball and even if he s…
Pep Guardiola remains convinced Phil Foden has the ability to become the heartbeat of the Manchester City team after David Silva leaves the club.
Silva, 33, has already confirmed his intention to depart City at the end of the season when his contract expires, bringing a 10-year spell at the club to a close.
The Spaniard has become a City icon, with many of the opinion he has been the Premier League s greatest foreign import, enjoying great success and consistency.
He has mostly been kept back for Premier League action this term, making only two appearances in the Champions League, and he will be missing again for Wednesday s trip to Dinamo Zagreb, with Sergio Aguero and John Stones also absent.
All three are injured, Guardiola confirmed to reporters on …
Nemanja Matic is set to play for Manchester United against AZ in the Europa League on Thursday but Paul Pogba is not yet ready to return, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Matic, 31, has been sidelined with injury since a 0-0 draw with the Eredivisie side back in October.
The former Chelsea midfielder has been tipped to leave United in January, having found his place in Solskjaer s first-team plans come under threat during the opening weeks of the season, with Serie A clubs including Milan and Inter said to be interested.
Matic is due to be given a chance to impress at Old Trafford, though, as United go in search of the draw they need to secure their place as winners of Group L.
He s fit, Solskjaer said on Wednesday. He s due to be involved. <…
Morata linked with Real return
Spanish daily newspaper that Real Madrid officials are keeping close tabs on former player Alvaro Morata.
The 22-year-old only left Santiago Bernabeu in the summer as he joined Juventus in a €22 million deal, but los Blancos also included a buy-back clause.
Under the terms of the agreement, Real Madrid can purchase Morata for €30 million in the summer or €35 million a year later, while they also have the right of first refusal.
That appears to have been a good piece of business considering that the youngster has largely impressed in Turin and los Blancos are seriously thinking about luring him back to Madrid.
Alvaro Morata has scored 5 goals in as many Serie A starts and appears on the verge of nailing down a…
Serbia caretaker coach Ljubinko Drulovic believes Lazar Markovic s transfer to Liverpool can help him become one of Europe s elite players.
Markovic, 20, is tipped join Liverpool from Portuguese champions Benfica after the Premier League club reportedly activated his release clause.
The Serbia international winger, who made his debut as a 17-year-old against Armenia in 2012, only arrived in Portugal at the start of the 2013-14 season after joining Benfica on a five-year deal from Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade.
Despite spending just one season in the Primeira Liga, Drulovic interim coach of the national team following Sinisa Mihaljovic s decision to take charge of Sampdoria in November said Markovic s proposed move to Anfield was the right decision for his …
Carlos Vela has signed a four-year deal with La Liga side Real Sociedad, bringing to an end his seven-year stay with Arsenal.
The Mexican striker was on loan with the Spanish outfit last season, finishing as Real s top scorer with 12 goals and making seven assists in 35 appearances.
Vela has previously played on loan at Salamanca, Osasuna and West Bromwich Albion after failing to nail down a place in the Arsenal first team since joining the club in 2005.
The 23-year-old is expected to put the finishing touches to the deal on Tuesday, though Sociedad have already announced an agreement, with an official presentation set to take place on Thursday.
Vela has represented Mexico at every youth level, playing at the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups, and was a …
Twice-champions FC Porto sneaked into the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 2-1 win at Turkey s Fenerbahce, Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez netting a first-half brace.
The Portuguese, European champions in 1987 and 2004, stood two points behind Group G leaders Arsenal at start of play after winning two and losing two of their opening four outings and with the Gunners edging Kiev in London Porto could not afford to lose ground.
Lopez s two goals inside ten minutes midway through the opening period were just enough to see off a Kazim Kazim consolation as the Portuguese moved onto nine points two adrift of their English Premiership rivals but comfortably ahead of the Turks and Ukrainians.
Fenerbahce, coached by Spain s Euro 2008 architect Luis A…
But that s what I told them [the squad] at midday: what happened at the weekend and before is no longer on the agenda. We have to focus on Russia and Colombia. That s part of our job as coaches.
Obviously, this is a situation he won t appreciate in relation to everything he s done. There can be many, varied reasons. He can t be happy with what he s going through with his club.
Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele earned a recall to Deschamps set-up following a run of good displays under Ernesto Valverde in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old was not involved for his country towards the end of last year, initially being left out while Barca tried to secure his transfer from Borussia Dortmund last August, before a serious hamstring injury saw him miss the final World Cup…