Abby Wambach defended the United States after the reigning Women s World Cup champions routed Thailand 13-0 amid criticism over their merciless performance and celebrations.

USA put Thailand to the sword in Tuesday s record-breaking win as titleholders showed no mercy in their World Cup opener.

Alex Morgan scored five goals in Reims, where USA claimed the largest margin of victory ever at a World Cup in both the men s and women s tournaments.

However, some criticised USA s relentless pursuit of goals and celebrations while holding a substantial advantage, which frustrated former star Wambach – the team s all-time leading scorer with 184 goals.

For all that have issue with many goals: for some players this is there first World Cup goal, and they should …

Market: Fulham win

Odds: 10/11 @

Desperate to make a return to winning ways this weekend, Fulham will make the trip across the capital on Saturday afternoon when they face off against Luton.

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a thumping return to winning ways with a 3-0 romp against Blackpool last weekend, there is no doubt that Luton will be desperate to build off of that result. However, while the Hatters might still find themselves hanging onto their spot in the top-half of the Championship table, Nathan Jones men will know that they face a stern test on home soil here. Bringing an end to what was a worrying four-match winless run on either side of November s international break, Luton will still be worried by their recent issues at Kenilworth Road. In…

Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has hinted that he would be open for a return to France, but reiterated his primary choice is to remain in the Premier League.

Giroud left France in 2012, signing with Arsenal on the back of scoring 21 goals for Montpellier as they claimed the Ligue 1 title.

The 32-year-old moved across London 12 months ago but has struggled to hold down a regular spot under Maurizio Sarri, the striker only starting six league games under the Italian.

Marseille have been heavily linked with a move for Giroud, although the club have brought in former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in the January transfer window, while Lyon are also rumoured to be interested.

4 Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in his last three Europa League appea…

Ivan Rakitic believes Croatia s blend of talent and experience gives them the opportunity to make a major statement at Euro 2016.

Barcelona midfielder Rakitic was one of a number of Croatia stars who came to prominence during their Euro 2008 run to the quarter-finals progress that was halted by a penalty shootout defeat to Turkey, who they face in their opening Group D encounter in Paris.

Rakitic is now 28 and stands alongside international team-mate Luka Modric, 30, as one of the most accomplished midfielders in Europe and with plenty of flair alongside that impressive fulcrum, the former Sevilla man believes now is the time to shine.

It is true that we have a lot of years together, Rakitic told reporters at a news conference. 

I was talking to Luka […

Best Odds: 5/7

Bookmaker:

Two nations who are looking to extend on their Olympic adventure out in Japan, Germany and the Ivory Coast will meet at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on Wednesday morning.

Germany U23

Starting with Germany, after opening this summer s delayed Olympic Games with a dreadful display against defending champions Brazil, the 2016 silver medalists would have been glad to have got their first victory on the board. Opening up their Group D run with a 4-2 drumming at the hands of the South American giants, Stefan Kuntz s side just about managed to avoid what would have been a real banana skin over the weekend. Eventually watching Augsburg s Felix Uduokhai bag a late winner in their action-packed 3-2 victory against Saudi Arabia, The Whites did once…

Miralem Pjanic has praised Massimiliano Allegri for making everything work in the best way during his time in charge at Juventus.

Allegri will take charge of Juve for the final time on Sunday when the Serie A champions travel to Sampdoria, bringing the curtain down on his hugely successful tenure in Turin.

The former AC Milan boss has won the league five times and also the Coppa Italia on four occasions since taking over in 2014.

Pjanic arrived from Roma two years into Allegri s reign but has been impressed by the way the Italian has continually pushed a star-studded squad to get better.

We are a fantastic group and I have to congratulate our coach, who has always managed to make everything work in the best way, he said at a club event on Thursday at t…

Roberto Mancini will be searching for answers after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, and his mother has helpfully provided one: Mario Balotelli should have been called up.

Speaking on Rai Radio 1 on Friday, Marianna Puolo said Mancini s Azzurri would have benefited from Balotelli s power, and his inclusion could have staved off what played out in Palermo, where Italy lost 1-0 to North Macedonia.

Balotelli, a one-time teenage wonder who now plays for Adana Demirspor in Turkey s Super Lig, has long been a favourite with Mancini, dating back to their time together as player and coach at Inter and Manchester City.

Now 31, Balotelli earned a recall for an Italy training camp at the beginning of this year. He had not been capped by Italy since head coach Man…

Everton are interested in signing Motherwell’s  forward and Scotland’s under-21 player James Scott, The People reports (as relayed by ).

The 19-year-old played for the Scottish Motherwell’s under-20s team in the Scottish Challenge Cup, where he made his debut in 2015, at the age of 15.  He made his senior debut for the club in April 2018, when he came in as a late substitute during the team’s away game against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. This year Scott was called to Scotland’s under-21 squad for the European under-21 Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Croatia and made his international debut against San Marino, coming in as a substitute.

Last season Scott made twelve appearances for his club and scored one goal, but this year has be…

Soon-to-be free agent Stephan Lichtsteiner revealed he will leave Italian champions Juventus and the Serie A as the Swiss full-back seeks a new challenge.

Lichtsteiner – out of contract in June – has won six successive Serie A titles since arriving from Lazio in 2011 and the 34-year-old is on the cusp of a seventh following Saturday s
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3-1 victory over Bologna.

After Juventus moved seven points clear of Scudetto rivals Napoli – who are due to play Torino Sunday – Lichtsteiner told reporters: These are my last 14 days at Juventus. I need new challenges and motivation.

I have improved in my mentality. I didn t know what it meant to play at Juventus when I arrived, as there is pressure and obsession for the victory, Lichtsteiner – who could add…

Luis Suarez is out for an indefinite period after injuring his right calf in Barcelona s LaLiga loss to Athletic Bilbao on Friday, the club have confirmed.

The 32-year-old striker had to be replaced before half-time at San Mames after receiving treatment following a shot that hit the post.

Lionel Messi missed the match with a calf issue of his own suffered shortly before Barca travelled to the United States for two friendly matches against Napoli last week.

Their absences were felt as Ernesto Valverde s men succumbed to a stunning late winner from Athletic veteran Aritz Aduriz.

Tests carried out on Saturday morning have confirmed Luis Suarez has an injured right calf, Barca said in a statement.

His recovery will dictate his return to action.