Riccardo Calafiori’s own goal handed Spain a 1-0 victory over defending champions Italy as they booked their place in the last 16 at Euro 2024. The defender’s misfortune 10 minutes after the break ultimately settled the Group B contest in Gelsenkirchen, although had it not been for the heroics of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a string of fine saves the Spaniards would have prevailed in some comfort.
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Holders Italy battled back for a hard-earned opening victory after Albania scored the fastest goal in a European Championship match. Nedim Bajrami made history after just 23 seconds when he thrashed a strike into the top right corner but Albania’s jubilation was not long-lasting with Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella firing Italy to victory.
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Italian club Juventus have appointed former Bologna boss Thiago Motta as their new manager. The 41-year-old, who played for Italy and Juve’s Serie A rivals Inter Milan as a midfielder, has signed a three-year deal until June 2027. He replaces Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked two days after he led the side to the Italian Cup.
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Napoli have appointed Antonio Conte as manager, the Serie A club announced on Wednesday, with the Italian signing a contract until 2027. Conte will be coming back from a one-year break following his departure from the position of head coach at Tottenham. He will take charge of a Napoli team that endured a lacklustre season, finishing in 10th place as they sought to defend their title as champions of the 2022-23 season.
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Ayoub El Kaabi struck four minutes from the end of extra time as Olympiakos beat Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final to become the first Greek side to win a European trophy. The Moroccan striker, hero of Olympiakos’ run to the final, stooped low to head in Santiago Hezze’s cross and spark pandemonium in the AEK Arena in Athens. A lengthy video assistant referee check confirmed El Kaabi’s 11th goal of the competition and their place in Greek footballing history.
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