France beat Portugal on penalties after a goalless draw to set up a semi-final with Spain at the ongoing Euro 2024 soccer tournament.

Defender Theo Hernández struck the winning penalty in a 5-3 shootout win against Portugal to reach the semifinals after João Félix missed for Portugal after the match ended 0-0 at extra time.

Both teams missed a string of chances in 120 minutes of open play at the Volksparkstadion, the best chance falling to Cristiano Ronaldo in the first period of extra-time when he skied over from close range.

France’s Kylian Mbappé looked uncomfortable in a mask he was wearing for a broken nose and was substituted during extra-time.

France will play Spain in Munich on Tuesday for a chance to reach the July 14 final of the continental showpiece.

Chelsea FC have appointed former Super Eagles and Stoke City midfielder, Seyi Olofinjana, to a newly created Talent Identification role for Africa.

The position aims to promote and support emerging talent across the continent.

Olofinjana, a former Super Eagles player, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played for several clubs, including Wolves and Stoke City.

Most recently, he served as the sporting director at Grasshoppers, after leaving his position at Wolves.

Chelsea’s decision to create this role underscores their commitment to discovering and nurturing young talent in Africa, with Olofinjana at the forefront of this initiative.

Mikel Merino’s goal in the last moments of extra time gave Spain a dramatic 2-1 win over hosts Germany in an enthralling Euro 2024 quarterfinal clash between the tournament’s two most successful nations on Friday.

The eagerly anticipated match hit fever-pitch as the teams slugged it out at a raucous Stuttgart Arena filled by a majority of German fans who were left heartbroken after the hosts’ gritty display fell short by the narrowest of margins.

Spain were the better side for the first hour and wasted several opportunities before Dani Olmo gave them a deserved lead six minutes after the break, drilling home a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Reuters reports that Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made five substitutions in a desperate attempt to find the equaliser, which paid dividends in the 89th minute as substitute Florian Wirtz, the Bundesliga’s player of the year for champions Bayer Leverkusen, hammered home a shot from Joshua Kimmich’s header to force extra time.

The game was into the 119th minute and looked set for a penalty shootout when substitute Merino rose to head home the winning goal from Olmo’s cross.

“The heart is always more important than the legs,” Olmo said after the match. “Let’s take it easy and calmly, because in four days we have the semifinals.”

The hosts Germany pushed hard for a late leveler, and full-back Dani Carvajal was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for tackling Jamal Musiala to avoid a counter attack.

He and centre-back Robin Le Normand will miss the semifinal, as Spain held out to advance to the last four and a meeting with either Portugal or France.

“Well, I’m exhausted, to be honest,” Merino said. “The adrenaline is taking its toll on me now. It’s been a unique moment.

“There’s a lot of work behind it, especially from my teammates, who were doing a great job, and for them to equalise in the 90th minute is a setback, but it’s a reward for perseverance and I think we deserve it … We have shown that we know how to suffer, that we have a great team.”

Midfielder Michael Ibe is attracting interest from Remo Stars and Enyimba, DAILY POST reports.

The two clubs are keen to add the player to their squad.

Ibe is currently a free agent after leaving Katsina United last season.

According to reports, Remo Stars have opened talks with the former Katsina United player.

Enyimba have also contacted the player’s representatives.

He is expected to sort out his future before the start of next season.

Chidera Eze has agreed to move to Nigeria Premier Football League side Enyimba.

According to reports, the former Katsina United right-back will sign a two-year deal with the former NPFL champions.

He turned down a contract extension with the Chanji Boys for a move to Aba.

Eze’s performance in the NPFL last season caught the eye of Enyimba’s technical crew.

The defender previously played for the current NPFL champions, Rangers.

He is expected to be a key player for Enyimba next season.

Falconets head coach Chris Danjuma has invited 32 players to camp ahead of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

Danjuma called up four goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and 12 strikers to the training camp in Abuja.

The gaffer is expected to reduce the squad to 22 before the start of the competition.

All the invited players are expected at Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja, on Sunday, July 7.

The Falconets will face Germany, Korea Republic and Venezuela in Group D at the World Cup.

Colombia will host the competition from August 31 to September 22, 2024.

Former Golden Eaglets forward Funsho Bamgboye has joined Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor.

Bamgboye, who joined Hatayspor on a free transfer, signed a two-year contract with the option of another year.

The Nigerian passed his medical at the Acıbadem Fulya Hospital in Istanbul on Friday.

The 25-year-old last played for Romanian club Rapid București.

The versatile striker scored eight goals and provided nine assists in 54 games across all competitions for Rapid Bucuresti last season.

Bamgboye was a member of the Golden Eaglets side that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015.

Three Spain players will be unavailable for selection when they play their Euro 2024 semi-final clash

La Roja qualified for the last four after they defeated Germany 2-1 in the first quarter-final game.

The win came at a cost, as Pedri picked up a knee injury in the first half and will not feature again at the tournament.

However, three of his team-mates picked up cards that would rule them out of a game against either Portugal or France.

Dani Carvajal was sent off for picking up two yellow cards (he was suspended anyway on one yellow).

Fellow defender Robin Le Normand was suspended for breaching the yellow card limit.

Alvaro Morata was also booked for celebrating the winner and breached the yellow card limit.

Spain have knocked out Germany from Euro 2024 thanks to a 2-1 win in Stuttgart on Friday.

La Roja took the lead in the second half after Dani Olmo slammed home Yamine Lamal’s low cross.

But the hosts levelled with one minute left in regulation time, thanks to Florian Wirtz’s smart volley.

With the game heading to penalties, Mikel Merino rose highest to head in Olmo’s cross.

The victory has cemented a spot for the three-time Euros winner in the semi-finals.

They will now face either France or Portugal for a place in the final.

Turkey defender Merih Demiral has revealed Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo congratulated him after he netted a brace against Austria.

Demiral scored twice against Austria at the ongoing Euro 2024 on July 2.

Ronaldo and Demiral were teammates at Juventus and played 25 times together in Turin from 2019 to 2021.

The defender helped his nation book a place in the quarterfinals of the competition alongside Ronaldo’s Portugal.

He scored twice for Turkey in a 2-1 win over Austria.

Demiral told Turkish publication Fanatik after the match: “Ronaldo called me and congratulated me on the victory and the goals.

“My dream is to be the champion of Europe, and with the victory over Austria, the dream has turned into a possible reality.”