Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Spain U21s 4 – Italy U21s 2 (Under 21 European Championship Final, June 18, 2013) (Alternative highlights.) Thiago Alcantara finished a lovely move to give Spain an early lead. Ciro Immobile equalised for Italy 3 minutes later with a deft finish over David De Gea. Thiago Alcantara netted again to restore Spain’s one goal lead. Thiago Alcantara netted from the spot to complete a perfect hat-trick. Isco ended any lingeing Italian hopes from the spot to make it 4-1. Fabio Borini pulled one back for Italy with a fantastic strike.

GIF: Morata puts it on a plate for Thiago to head Spain in front

GIF: Ciro Immobile chips Italy level 3 minutes later

Florenzi almost pulls off a Gazza v Spain, thwarted by De Gea

GIF: Thiago’s stock rises as he fires in his second v Italy

GIF: Dubious penalty decision given to Spain U21s for ‘foul’ on Tello

Tello’s ridiculous pace gives Isco a great opportunity, shoots just wide of the post

Hat-trick man Thiago shows off his silky skills v Italy U21

GIF: Fabio Borini fires in an, ultimately meaningless, long range strike for Italy U21s

Spain U21s celebrate at the final whistle of European Championships

Spain U21′s lift the trophy following a fantastic tournament

Celebrations in full: Spain U21s celebrate becoming European Champions

Thiago Alcantara on scoring a hat-trick v Italy in Euro 2013 final (English).

Monday, June 17th, 2013

Tahiti 1 – Nigeria 6 (Confederations Cup, June 17, 2013) (Alternative highlights.) Uwa Echiejile scored early for Nigeria to dampen Tahiti’s bright start. Nnadmdi Oduamadi doubled their lead minutes later. Nnamdi Oduamadi grabbed his second and Nigeria’s third after a poor mistake from the goalkeeper. Jonathan Tehau scored a memorable goal for Tahiti to pull one back. Jonathan Tehau then scored in his own goal to make it 4-1 Nigeria. Nnadmdi Oduamadi grabbed his hat-trick. Uwa Echiejile struck in his second for 6-1.

GIF: Jonathan Tehau scores a memorable goal for Tahiti

GIF: Tahiti perform an awesome team celebration following their shock goal

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Spain 2 – Uruguay 1 (Confederations Cup, June 16, 2013) (Alternative highlights.) Pedro’s long range shot was deflected into his own goal by Diego Lugano. Roberto Soldado showed great composure to fire in for 2-0. Luis Suarez scored a wonderful free kick to pull one back but it was only a consolation goal.

Andres Iniesta (Spain) wonderful skills v Uruguay

Cesc Fabregas strikes the post v Uruguay

GIF: Pedro’s deflected shot gives Spain the lead

GIF: Roberto Soldado finishes well for 2-0 Spain

Class! Andres Iniesta wonderful turn and shot

Spain produce some of their famed tiki-taka football

GIF: Luis Suarez free kick beauty v Spain

Sunday, June 16th, 2013

Mexico 1 – Italy 2 (Confederations Cup, June 16, 2013) (Alternative highlights.) The Italians broke the deadlock courtesy of a wonder free-kick from Andrea Pirlo on his 100th international appearance. Mexico hit back soon after as Dos Santos won a penalty which Javier Hernandez dispatched with aplomb. Mario Balotelli showed great strength to restore Italy’s lead with a fine goal.

GIF: Mario Balotelli air shot, falls the ground v Mexico.

GIF: Andrea Pirlo’s sublime free-kick on his 100th Italy appearance v Mexico.

GIF: A behind the goal angle of Andrea Pirlo’s amazing free-kick v Mexico.

GIF: Giovani Dos Santos wins a penalty for Mexico v Italy.

GIF: Javier Hernandez scores Mexico’s penalty v Italy.

GIF: Mario Balotelli throws his shoe in anger.

GIF: Balotelli also kicks his shoe away in anger.

GIF: Mario Balotelli shows his strength to fire Italy back in front against Mexico.

Forza Italia! Tiziano Crudelli’s mental reaction to Mario Balotelli’s winner v Mexico.

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Brazil 3 – Japan 0 (Confederations Cup, June 15, 2013) (Longer highlights.) Three minutes into the match, Neymar lashed home a beauty for Brazil. Paulinho made it 2-0 early in the second half. Jo added a third late on thanks to a delicious pass from Oscar.

GIF. Golazo! Neymar v Japan.

GIF. 2-0 Brazil: Paulinho v Japan.

GIF. Jo (Brazil) goal v Japan (Great Oscar assist).

Brazilian President Dilma booed before Brazil-Japan, Blatter calls for respect, booed as well!

GIF. Ouch! LOLZ! Marcelo takes one in the bread basket v Japan.

Neymar v Japan [Individual Highlights].

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

China 1 – Thailand 5 (International Friendly, June 15, 2013) Pokkhao Anan gave Thailand the lead with a nonchalant curler into the top corner from fully 25 yards. Adisak Kraisorn put Thailand 2-0 in front with great feet and finish inside the box.  Wang Yongpo pulled one back for China from the spot. Kraisorn added his second to make it 3-1, before Songkrasin scored Thailand’s fourth. Masuk scored the fifth for Thailand to round off the thrashing.

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

France U20 2 – Colombia U20 2 (International Friendly, June 14, 2013)

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Guatemala 0 – Argentina 4 (International Friendly, June 14, 2013) Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a pinged golazo from 20 yards. Augusto Fernandez got the second, before Messi scored from the spot to overtake Diego Maradona’s goals record with his 34th international goal. Messi made it a hat-trick with a simple finish after receiving a perfect square ball from Fernandez. Lionel Messi now shares the second position with Hernan Crespo with 35 goals, behind the record holder Gabriel ‘Batigol’ Batistuta 56).

Saturday, June 15th, 2013

Chile U20 4 – Spain U20 4 (Exhbition Pinatar Arena Cup), June 14, 2013)

Friday, June 14th, 2013

Ghana 1 – Ivory Coast 1 (International Friendly, June 14, 2013)  Godbless Asamoah gave Ghana the lead. Bareze Gloudoud equalised for Ivory Coast with a golazo into the top corner.