France 1-0 Spain: Remy belter sees off Del Bosque's men

The new Chelsea signing finished a fine team move midway through the second half to earn Didier Deschamps' side an impressive friendly win

France recorded an impressive 1-0 friendly win over Spain on Thursday thanks to a fine second-half goal from Loic Remy.

Remy moved across London from QPR to Chelsea last Sunday and celebrated the move by coming off the bench to clinically secure victory for his national side.

The 27-year-old's path to Jose Mourinho's first team is likely to be blocked by Diego Costa, who has enjoyed a prolific start to life in the Premier League - quite at odds with his tough baptism on the international stage.

Costa made it five goalless appearances for Spain, largely isolated and starved of service as Vicente del Bosque's team made a tentative start to their new era.

Spain's dismal World Cup defence in Brazil was followed by three stalwarts of their golden era - Xavi, Xabi Alonso and David Villa - retiring from international football.

Del Bosque also sent out a side with one eye apparently on Monday's opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia and his men lacked cohesion throughout.

It was left to France to provide the game's eye-catching moments, with the impressive Karim Benzema wrongly having an effort chalked off for offside before Remy settled matters.

Dani Carvajal was one of three debutants in the Spain line-up and the right-back was alert to scramble the ball away from Antoine Griezmann after Moussa Sissoko enjoyed an early burst down the visitors' left.

David de Gea was kept busy, first denying Benzema after he was played onside by Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos before comfortably saving from Paul Pogba.

Pogba looked on as Benzema failed to make clean contact with his wonderfully judged 25th-minute ball into the box, while a deflected drive from Cesc Fabregas that looped gently over Hugo Lloris' crossbar was the closest Spain came in the opening half.

Benzema connected cleanly to send a rasping 20-yard effort goalwards six minutes before half-time but De Gea was equal to the task once more.

France thought they had the lead in the 50th minute when Benzema crowned a crisp team move with an impudent flick, only to be adjudged offside. Replays suggested the striker was level with the ball as Sissoko provided a low cross.

Raul Garcia's debut ended after an hour with David Silva's introduction and the Manchester City playmaker finally lent a touch of cohesion to Spain's attacks, although Mathieu Valbuena's shot past the near post in the 64th minute was a clearer opening than anything the visitors had enjoyed.

The winning goal arrived in pleasing fashion with 17 minutes remaining. France's build-up play was incisive once more and Valbuena darted onto Sissoko's clever flick to unselfishly cut back for Remy to rifle past De Gea.

Silva glided beyond a challenge to shoot narrowly past the far post with seven minutes to play - a fleeting reminder of the mesmerising style Spain must rediscover as they rebuild.

However, Benzema capitalising on slack late defending to draw a sharp stop from De Gea perhaps demonstrated how much work must be done.

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Sunderland draw 1-1 with Manchester United

Jack Rodwell's header cancelled out a Juan Mata goal as Manchester United drew 1-1 at Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

Antonio Valencia made United's 17th-minute opener at the Stadium of Light, getting space away from Patrick van Aanholt on the right edge of the box before firing in a low cross that Mata was able to tap home from four yards out.

But on the half-hour mark, Sebastian Larsson's corner was met with a firm downward header by £10million summer-signing Rodwell for the Sunderland equaliser, with Valencia at fault due to his lacklustre marking.

After the break, Ashley Young was booked for diving seconds after a Robin van Persie penalty appeal had been waved away by referee Martin Atkinson, and Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone later ventured outside his area to tackle Young after he was played into space by Danny Welbeck.

The Black Cats are 11th in the early table after starting the season with two draws, whlile United - who again played with three centre-backs and Young and Valencia as wing-backs - are 13th after Louis van Gaal collected his first point as manager.

Sunderland head coach Gus Poyet made two changes to the team which started the 2-2 draw at West Brom, as Santiago Vergini and Will Buckley replaced Valentin Roberge and Adam Johnson.

Van Persie was one of three changes to the United side which lost 2-1 at home to Swansea last weekend, with he, Valencia and Tom Cleverley replacing Javier Hernandez, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera.

United's fragile back three of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Tyler Blackett was further reduced in terms of experience when Smalling limped off before the break to be replaced by Michael Keane.

But it was not only at the back that the visitors struggled, with Sunderland clearly carrying the momentum of last season's two victories over United, and skipper Wayne Rooney and strike-partner Van Persie saw little of the ball where it mattered most.

Nevertheless, it was United who took the lead, although they did so at a time when the breakthrough looked more likely to come at the other end.

Young had already put his defence under pressure with an aimless crossfield pass and Lee Cattermole unleashed two long-range efforts when winger Buckley, making his full debut for the Black Cats, cut inside Blackett and cross for Connor Wickham, who wastefully scuffed his shot straight at keeper David de Gea.

Sunderland were made to pay within seconds as Valencia managed to ease past full-back van Aanholt and cross low to the far post, where Mata ran off the back of Larsson to score from close range.

The goal visibly settled United and they enjoyed a sustained period of possession as they threatened to take control.

However, they allowed their hosts back into the game on the half-hour when, after Buckley's direct play had earned his side a corner, Larsson delivered the resulting set-piece to the near post and Rodwell headed firmly home with Valencia having done little to impede his progress.

United's response was lukewarm, and there was little doubt that Poyet would have been the happier of the two managers as their respective teams left the pitch at the break.

Indeed, the home side might have taken the lead six minutes after the restart when Wickham was given time to work himself into a shooting position inside the box and Blackett somehow blocked his effort with De Gea beaten.

But Van Gaal's men gradually assumed control as they dominated possession, although with Sunderland defending deep, space was at a premium even with Rooney dropping ever deeper.

They almost found a way through with 62 minutes gone when Van Persie surged into the box only to be halted by Vergini's last-ditch challenge, and Young was booked for simulation after going over Wes Brown's leg as the pair close don the rebound.

Van Persie departed seconds later as he and Darren Fletcher were replaced by Welbeck and Adnan Januzaj, but Larsson failed to make the most of Wickham's fine 68th-minute through-ball as United lived dangerously once again.

Larsson passed up a good opportunity when he curled a free-kick well wide with 15 minutes remaining with Sunderland hunting all three points.

To that end, Poyet attempted to pile the pressure on the visitors' rearguard with the introduction of battering-ram frontman Jozy Altidore, although defensive confusion inside the Sunderland penalty area very nearly cost them on more than one occasion in a frenetic finish.

United travel to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup second round on Tuesday and then Burnley in the league on Saturday, while Sunderland go to Birmingham in the cup on Wednesday before heading for QPR next weekend.

Watch United's Capital One Cup clash at MK Dons live on Sky Sports 1HD on Tuesday night, with coverage underway from 7.30pm.

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Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign Xabi Alonso?

Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso, left, is the latest player to be linked with the task of filling Manchester United’s midfield void. Photograph: Rex

Have the trampolines ready; the fireworks too. Something big is happening, something glorious, and it’s happening at Liverpool, who are on the verge of replacing Luis Suárez with Mario Balotelli. Yes, it seems that Liverpool have had enough peace and quiet this summer after losing their lovable Uruguayan and are looking to do a loan deal with Milan for Balotelli, who must be itching to get back to these shores after having such a great time at Manchester City. It was all lies, he really did love us, he really did love England, despite always suggesting otherwise. And if the Balotelli deal falls through, Liverpool will turn their attention back to Monaco’s Radamel Falcao.

Chelsea officials have hypnotised Roma officials and are close to duping them into taking Fernando Torres off their hands and sendingMattia Destro to Stamford Bridge in return. The only stumbling block is thought to be whether Torres remembers to take his passport to the airport with him. Meanwhile Monaco are the latest club to show an interest in Petr Cech. Think about it Petr: sun, money, one of the finest stadiums in the world, Dimitar Berbatov.

Samuel Eto’o has turned down a move to Ajax because he wants to go to Everton or Liverpool. He’s not fussy, he just really wants to live on Merseyside as he’s a huge fan of Brookside. Speaking of which, is that show still running?

Newcastle are trying to keep a straight face as they demand £14m forCheikh Tioté, a target for Lokomotiv Moscow.

Manchester United are trying to keep a straight face as they pretend they would really, really, really, really, really like to sign a midfielder. Xabi Alonso is the latest player to be googled by Ed Woodward.

Hull City were commended for their negotiating skills after selling Shane Long to Southampton for £12.5m. Now they want to spend £12m on Blackburn’s Jordan Rhodes, a striker who has never played above the Championship. Figure that one out.

Lukas Podolski will soon be taking selfies in Istanbul, with Arsenal – who are battling Everton for PSG midfielder Clément Chantôme – ready to sell him to Galatasaray.

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Ángel Di María asks for transfer as Sami Khedira also rejects new deal

Ángel Di María wants to leave Real Madrid, and has rejected a new contract. Photograph: Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP

Ángel Di María has told Real Madrid he wants to leave the club and has rejected the offer of a new contract, coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.

Di María has been heavily linked with a move to England, with reports suggesting Manchester United are willing to spend up to £100m on the fee and wages needed to take the Argentina winger to Old Trafford.

Ancelotti has previously given little away about Di María’s future but on Thursday confirmed that the 26-year-old has asked to leave.

“Di María asked to go in the summer and has rejected an offer from the club,” Ancelotti said. “The player has to look for a solution. If when the market closes he’s still here, he will work with us like last season and there will be no problem.”

Ancelotti, speaking ahead of Friday’s Supercopa second leg against Atlético Madrid, added: “He’s a Real Madrid player and until 31 August, as I’ve already said, anything can happen.

“I’m surprised to read that there seems to be some disagreement [about Di Maria] between the club and me. There’s no disagreement and we both think the same.”

Ancelotti also revealed that midfielder Sami Khedira has rejected the offer of a new contract, although the World Cup winner has not said he wants to leave.

Arsenal are reportedly keen on the 27-year-old, who has seen competition for a place in the Madrid midfield increase this summer with the signings of his Germany team-mate Toni Kroos and Colombia’s James Rodríguez.

Ancelotti said of Khedira: “It’s a different situation to Di María. He’s not asked to go. He’s rejected an offer to renew, but has a year of contract. We’ll see what happens.”

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Javi García seals Zenit transfer

Javi García has left Manchester City FC for FC Zenit in a reported €15m transfer, the midfielder saying he wants "to help my new team as soon as possible".FC Zenit have made Javi García their second signing of the summer, agreeing a reported €15m fee with Manchester City FC for the midfielder.The two-cap Spanish international has penned a five-year deal with the Russian club, who play R. Standard de Liège in the UEFA Champions League play-offs. "I am happy to be a Zenit player and want to help my new team as soon as possible," he said. "I had several calls from [coach] André Villas-Boas, and he is one of the main reasons I am in St Petersburg."

The 27-year-old will link up once again with Ezequiel Garay – Zenit's other summer recruit – and Axel Witsel, having played alongside both in three seasons at SL Benfica. The former Real Madrid CF academy product and CA Osasuna man scored two goals, including one on his debut against Stoke City FC, in 53 Premier League appearances for Manchester City following his switch from Benfica in August 2012.

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31 Of The Hottest Soccer Fans From The 2014 World Cup

31 of the hottest soccer / football fans from the 2014 Brazilian World Cup

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Wenger wants Joel Campbell at Arsenal this season, says Galatasaray chief

Unal Aysal, the Turkish club's president, is keen on the Costa Rica international, but the Gunners boss will not sanction a loan move for the striker this summer

Galatasaray have had a move for Arsenal's Joel Campbell knocked back because Arsene Wenger wants to keep the striker at the Emirates this season, according to the Turkish club's club president Unal Aysal.

Campbell joined the Gunners in 2011 and has spent three seasons on loan at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos respectively.The 22-year-old impressed while at the Greek club last season, scoring eight league goals and notching in a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the Champions League, before catching the eye at the World Cup with Costa Rica.

Campbell's performances have attracted interest from Galatasaray, but Aysal says Wenger will not part ways with the forward.

"Yes, I want him for our team," he said, according toSporx. "But Arsene Wenger wants to keep him in the squad this season and benefit from him.

"Nothing's happening at the moment. Wenger won't allow this transfer."

Campbell could feature for Arsenal in the pre-season Emirates Cup clash with Benfica on Saturday afternoon.

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Valencia 2-2 Monaco - Report

By Max Jones

Valencia and AS Monaco kicked off the 2014 Emirates Cup with a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

It took the Spanish side eight minutes to create the first chance when Antonio Barragan breezed past Anthony Martial and centred to Rodrigo De Paul, who blazed his shot over Danijel Subasic’s crossbar.

Subasic was made to work six minutes later from Sofiane Feghouli’s header, but the Croatian goalkeeper easily dealt with the Algerian’s tame attempt.

Monaco came close in the 23rd minute after Anthony Martial found Valere Germain, who could only smash wide of Diego Alves’s left-hand post before Geoffrey Kondogbia had his drive blocked a minute later.

In the end it took a large slice of misfortune to break the deadlock. Joao Moutinho’s 30th-minute corner cannoned off Ruben Vezo’s head before flying into the defender’s own net to put Monaco ahead.

And the teams’ luck reversed seven minutes later when Barragan’s low cross was met by Ricardo Carvalho, who could only divert it into his own net, keeping the game and fortune balanced going into the break.

Valencia had clearly grown in confidence after their equaliser and had the first attempt five minutes after half time. De Paul left two players in his wake and fed Pablo Piatti, whose shot was well held by Subasic.

After a 14 minutes of dominating the midfield battle, the French side threatened again when Nabil Dirar’s cross found Germain, but the captain’s header flew well over.

But then Valencia attacked in the 69th minute through Aly Cissokho, who played it first time for substitute Paco Alcacer to give his side the lead from two yards.

Falcao was introduced with 15 minutes left but it was his fellow substitute, Lucas Ocampos, who equalised. Following another fine Subasic save, the Argentine winger fired home from 18 yards to level in the 80th minute.

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Official: Valbuena completes Dinamo Moscow switch

No fee has been revealed for the attacking midfielder's switch to Russia, though it is believed to be in the region of £5.6 million as he signs a two-year deal

France international Mathieu Valbuena has completed his move from Olympique de Marseille to Dinamo Moscow.

The attacking midfielder was entering the final year of his contract at Stade Velodrome and Marseille chose to cash in on the 29-year-old, who has spent the last eight seasons with the Provence outfit.

Although there was interest from the Premier League - with QPR reportedly particularly keen on the winger - as well as a rumoured pursuit from Fiorentina, he has chosen to sign a three-year deal with the Russian outfit. 

No details of the fee have been revealed, though it is believed to be in the region of £5.6 million (€7m).

In a statement on their official website, Marseille praised the 37-time capped Les Bleus star, saying: "He fought with all his abilities, his assets: they became his strength, his trademark.

"For all those moments shared, Mathieu deserves thanks. Good luck..."

Amongst his most memorable moments for Marseille was a stunning goal in the Champions League against Liverpool at Anfield in October 2007, which helped the French club to a famous win. In total, he would make 325 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa's club, scoring on 37 occasions.

Dinamo Moscow, who will take part in the Europa League this season, will become his third senior club, having moved to OM from Libourne in 2006 aged 21.

The Russian outfit have already signed Alexander Buttner from Manchester United and William Vainqueur from Standard this summer.

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Pardew confirms Newcastle closing in on Ferreyra

Goal exclusively revealed the Shakhtar Donetsk striker is on the verge of completing a loan move to the Premier League side, but the manager is not as confident regarding Loic Remy

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has confirmed the club are in talks to sign Facundo Ferreyra on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.
As exclusively revealed by Goal, the striker is set to head to the North East after Newcastle agreed a €2 million [£1.6m] loan fee with the option of making the deal permanent for a further €8m [£6.4m].

The 23-year-old is one of a host of players who have grown increasingly concerned at the ongoing violent unrest in Ukraine, and Newcastle are understood to be confident of sealing the loan in the coming days.

"It's something that is not done, but we're working to see if that can happen," Pardew told BBC Newcastle.

"Facundo is a good presence on the pitch, a big guy at six foot two inches, a player who has gone to the Ukraine and has been okay.

"If we manage to secure him, he would be a player who we'd expect to do a lot better here."

As exclusively revealed last week, Newcastle are also montoring a return for former loanee Loic Remy but Pardew has now hinted that the player is not keen on the switch and possibly abandoning the pursuit.

"We've not really had much contact with Loic and I don't see that evolving if I'm honest," he said. "Whatever happened at Liverpool is irrelevant really, because he's had plenty of chances to come to us.

"We've made it clear we'd want to have him but it hasn't really happened and therefore you sometimes have to say where is the line drawn? Maybe that one has gone away."

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Liverpool v Man City: Reds beat Premier League champions

After a scoreless first half in the friendly at baseball's Yankee Stadium in front of almost 50,000 fans, striker Stevan Jovetic gave City the lead.

Midfielder Jordan Henderson equalised before Jovetic struck again, but winger Raheem Sterling levelled.

The Reds won 3-1 on penalties after City missed their opening two attempts.

The top two in last season's Premier League met in the International Champions Cup, a friendly tournament featuring eight European clubs.

Liverpool next face Italy's AC Milan - a win for Brendan Rodgers's side could see them reach the final in Miami - while City face Greek side Olympiakos.

Liverpool: Jones (Mignolet), Kelly (Robinson), Toure, Coates (Sakho), Enrique (Johnson), Gerrard (Lucas), Henderson, Allen (Can), Coutinho, Lambert (Sterling), Sturridge.

Manchester City: Caballero (Hart), Clichy (Richards), Kolarov, Boyata, Nastasic, Fernando, Navas, Zuculini, Milner (Iheanacho), Jovetic (Toure), Dzeko (Sinclair).

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