Brazil head coach Dorival Junior insists his team is yet to find the right balance and consistency but is hoping to discover the right mix against Costa Rica in their Copa America opener on Monday.

The 62-year-old, who succeeded interim boss Fernando Diniz in January, is yet to taste defeat in his four games in charge (W2 D2), identified areas of improvement as they look to claim their 10th tournament success.

I have to find a balance for a team that was put together only three months ago, and after a certain period of 15 or 20 days of work they have to find themselves again, Junior said.

In football you don t skip preparation phases in training, but that s why we try to accelerate each one of them to have a consistent and confident squad that can then use th…

England wrapped up qualification for Euro 2024 with two matches to spare as Harry Kane’s brace helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 3-1 comeback win against Italy.

Having kicked off Group C with an impressive victory in Naples, it has long been a case of when rather than if the unbeaten Euro 2020 runners-up would seal their spot in Germany.

Italy stood in their way of early progress as these nations met at Wembley for the first time since they pipped Southgate’s men to European Championship glory on penalties.

England have come a long way in the intervening 27 months and emphatically bounced back from former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca’s early gut punch under the arch.

Kane struck from the spot after Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought down bril…

Luka Modric believes Real Madrid are well-equipped to thrive in the aftermath of Casemiro s move to Manchester United, as he praised Los Blancos midfield options.

Casemiro left Madrid to join United in a £60million (€70m) move last month, but his departure has not stopped Carlo Ancelotti s men from making a strong start to the new season.

Ahead of Sunday s home clash with Mallorca, Madrid have won all four of their games in LaLiga and began their Champions League defence with a 3-0 thrashing of Celtic on Tuesday.

Madrid are the only team with a 100 per cent record in the top five European leagues this season, and are now bidding to win their opening five league matches for just the second time in the 21st century, having also done so in 2009-10.

The …

New York Red Bulls will be out to defend the only remaining unbeaten home record in MLS when they host road strugglers CF Montreal.

Sandro Schwarz s side were held to a 1-1 draw with Colorado Rapids last time out, keeping them fourth in the Eastern Conference.

New York are still 11 points adrift of conference leaders FC Cincinnati but will hope to make up ground when Montreal visit, with the away side 10th in the East standings.

Excitement remains around the Red Bulls and another post-season push, with defender Noah Eile relishing the chance to play in New York and under Schwarz.

I m very grateful for the opportunity that he and the coaching staff have in me, Eile said.

They gave me the chance to come here first and it s a big thing for me to be…

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says it is a credit to their academy players that his side have emerged unscathed from a difficult January to lead the Premier League by five points.

The 4-1 victory over Chelsea was the Reds’ sixth win in seven matches in the month, with the other a draw in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Fulham having gone into the game with a lead from the home tie.

During that period the side have been without three senior full-backs, as well as the likes of midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister at varying times and, of course, Mohamed Salah.

Deputy right-back Conor Bradley has impressed hugely and put in his second successive man-of-the-match display with his first Liverpool goal and two assists in the victory…

The Netherlands head to Finland on Tuesday knowing a win would go a long way towards guaranteeing them a Euro 2012 berth.

The Dutch, flawless so far with 21 points from their seven games in Group E, lead Sweden and Hungary by six points with three games left to play, although Hungary have only two games left in their campaign.

Should the Netherlands win on Tuesday, and Sweden drop points from their visit to San Marino the same day, Bert van Marwijk s side would be sure of their place in Poland and the Ukraine.

The Dutch head to Finland in good scoring form, having struck 11 past the hapless San Marino on Friday, with Arsenal front man Robin van Persie scoring four, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder scored two apiece.

Hungary journey to Moldov…

Portugal ramped up their Euro 2024 preparations as Bruno Fernandes was twice on target to stave off a late Finland fightback in Tuesday s 4-2 friendly victory.

Roberto Martinez s side were on course for a routine win in their first of three warm-up matches as captain Ruben Dias and Diogo Jota – the latter from the penalty spot – scored in the first half on Tuesday.

Fernandes furthered the hosts lead after the break at Jose Alvalade Stadium, only for Finland to threaten a comeback just two weeks before Portugal s Euros opener against Czech Republic.

Former Norwich City forward Teemu Pukki twice fired past Jose Sa late on, though his efforts were not enough to salvage an unlikely draw after Fernandes made sure of victory six minutes from time.

Tu escolh…

Under-fire Erik ten Hag says misfiring Manchester United have to “step up” and find a modicum of consistency after Nottingham Forest inflicted their 14th defeat of a chastening season.

A year that began with positivity and silverware ended with the Red Devils under intense scrutiny given they are already out of Europe, the Carabao Cup and Premier League title race.

United have been infuriatingly inconsistent throughout the campaign, epitomised by the thrilling 3-2 Boxing Day turnaround against Aston Villa being followed up Saturday’s limp 2-1 loss at Forest.

“One thing is clear we are not consistent,” boss Ten Hag said. “We can beat the best teams in the league, but we also lose games we should win, and I think today was one of them.

“We alw…

Real Madrid and Barcelona are, of course, always seen as the favourites for the crown in Spanish football. Ahead of each season, the supporters of the two giants discuss which lot would own the bragging rights in the end, and even neutral football enthusiasts rarely give anyone else a look in that aspect.

But having disrupted this setup in 2014, Atletico Madrid came in and stole the show once more, leaving their city rivals empty-handed and forcing the Catalans to settle for the Copa del Rey trophy.

Giant struggles

There is always a narrative around Real and Barcelona, occasionally supported by stars themselves, that every player dreams of playing for either for one or the other at some point in their career. However, it cannot be disputed that these clubs, for all the…

Competition: Euro 2016
Market: Bale to score anytime
Odds:

Wales forward Gareth Bale is expected to be deployed in a central attacking midfield role against Portugal in tonight’s Euro 2016 semi-final clash at the Stade des Lumières, and could well be the difference in what’s expected to be a tight affair.

Bale has enjoyed a fine tournament with Wales this summer, scoring three goals in five games so far. The Real Madrid man has been a standout performer in the national team, having scored more goals, taken more shots and made more dribbles that the rest of the side.

With Wales missing their chief playmaker for the Portugal clash, Bale will be under even more pressure to create chances and ensure the Dragons pose a threat going forward. The 26-ye…