Everton manager David Moyes is relishing the midfield battle between Italy and Spain in Sunday s Euro 2012 final.

Andrea Pirlo has been widely tipped to claim the player of the tournament prize following a string of dominant displays for italy and Moyes believes he has been key to his national team s revival.

The 49-year-old boss also highlighted the talents of Spain midfielder Xavi as central to one of the best teams in history, with the 32-year-old again instrumental for his country in Poland and Ukraine.

Pirlo, at 33, is an example of Italy s tradition for getting great performances from older players, Moyes wrote in his column for The Times.

You think of Paolo Maldini, Dino Zoff and Fabio Cannavaro, and how they kept going. Pirlo will be Italy s ke…

Defending champions Portugal have been eliminated from the Euros. Having barely navigated their way through an extremely difficult group, their journey ended on Sunday with Belgium getting the better of them in the round of 16. The only goal of the game came from a tricky shot executed nicely by Borussia Dortmund winger Thorgan Hazard.

Just the one goal, but it was enough

Looking ahead at this match, it seemed likely that if the deadlock is broken early enough, the remaining part would be extremely interesting with both sides boasting notable attacking quality. However, the one goal, though scored in the 42nd minute, was all in terms of hitting the back of the net. You wouldn t have expected a team led by a five-time Ballon d Or winner, a joint-record holder in the number of i…

Jordi Alba felt Barcelona produced their best performance of 2020 in their 2-1 LaLiga victory over Real Sociedad.

The Catalans fell behind to a Willian Jose goal at Camp Nou on Tuesday after dominating the opening 25 minutes without managing a shot on target.

However, they responded well, Alba blasting home a fine equaliser before setting up Frenkie de Jong to make it 2-1 before half-time.

La Real improved after the break, restricting Barca to just 38.6 per cent possession after the hosts had enjoyed two-thirds of the ball in the first half, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen s only save of note came late on when he blocked an effort from Alexander Isak.

Barca, who have beaten Sociedad 23 times in a row in home league games, are now six points off the top of the t…

Maintaining an unbeaten start as Costa Rica coach is not a priority for Paulo Wanchope ahead of Tuesday s friendly with Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez.

Former international striker Wanchope oversaw a six-game unbeaten spell following the World Cup having been placed in interim charge following the departure of Jorge Luis Pinto.

Wanchope then marked his first game in permanent charge with a goalless draw against Paraguay in San Jose on Friday and will continue his preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Panama City.

Costa Rica are well placed to begin their bid for a first Gold Cup success but Wanchope who could be without striker Marco Urena (Achilles) urged the need for continued improvement.

I would want us to score three or four goals …

Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed Mauricio Isla is close to completing a move to Premier League club QPR.

The Chile international has been with the Italian champions for the last two seasons having moved from Serie A rivals Udinese in June 2012.

However, the versatile full-back has struggled to feature regularly at the Juventus Stadium, and caught the eye of potential suitors with his performances at the World Cup in Brazil.

With QPR eager to further strengthen ahead of their return to the top flight, Marotta confirmed a deal had been agreed between the two clubs.

Tomorrow, Isla will have his medical in England, as a deal has been reached with QPR, the Juve director confirmed on Saturday.

In June, the 26-year-old spoke o…

Danish footballer Thomas Gravesen has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 32.

I have spent some extraordinary years abroad, I have played and lived in four countries, said the midfielder. But I m 33 in March, so before age and health force my hand I have opted to take the decision to stop myself.

During his career, which lasted 13 years, Gravesen played for Vejle Boldklub, Hamburger SV, Everton, Real Madrid and Celtic before returning to Everton in 2008.

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Mark Clattenburg successfully appealed on Wednesday against his dismissal as one of England s elite referees.

However, he has still been banned for eight months.

The 33-year-old was axed following a disciplinary inquiry held by the Professional Game Match Officials limited the body in charge of top-flight referees last month for issues relating to his private business affairs .

But the Premier League said that, following an appeal by Clattenburg, a panel ruled he should be handed a less severe punishment.

He has therefore been banned for eight months from August 6, 2008 the date of his original suspension.

A PGMO statement said: Mark Clattenburg has been reminded of his responsibilities and contractual obligations as a select group official, part…

After winning the Champions League, Chelsea are looking to add a goalscorer. 

With Borussia Dortmund s Erling Haaland seemingly no longer a possibility, the Blues could look elsewhere in Germany.

Robert Lewandowski has become the name to watch. 

TOP STORY CHELSEA LINE UP LEWANDOWSKI BID

Robert Lewandowski has moved to the top of Chelsea s wish list, according to the Sun. 

The Poland international scored a record 41 league goals for Bayern Munich last season and is under contract through 2023.

But Thomas Tuchel wants a prolific scorer and Lewandowski would certainly fit the bill, should Bayern accept a £50million offer for the 32-year-old.

Chelsea to swoop for £50m Lewandowski from Bayern after failing to sign Haa…

Inter have cancelled their plans to travel to the United States for the Florida Cup as a precautionary measure amid growing concerns surrounding coronavirus.

The Nerazzurri s announcement follows Arsenal s statement on Tuesday as both clubs made the difficult decision to alter their pre-season plans.

The two sides were due to meet on July 25 before facing either Everton or Millonarios on July 28 in Orlando.

A club statement on their official website on Wednesday said: FC Internazionale Milano announce that they will not be travelling to the USA for the Florida Cup due to the current risks involved in international travel as a result of the spread of the pandemic, risks that have already caused Arsenal F.C. to withdraw from participation.

Last season s Sc…

s Gareth Bale has added some fuel to the already burning speculations about his possible departure this summer, saying that he feels honoured by the links that have emerged, speaking of a possible move to .

Since his at the time world-record transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, the Welshman has been extremely valuable to Real, scoring some vital, trophy-winning goals. However, his five-year stint at the Bernabeu has been riddled with injuries, and lately, he s been out of favour with manager Zinedine Zidane.

With the likes of Eden Hazard and Bayern s Robert Lewandowski continuously linked with a move to Real, it seems that Bale s time there is coming to an end.

Speaking to Bild, the winger said he s happy playing for Real right now, but in anything is possible in f…