Mexico grabs third place but fail to convince
June 18 – Mexico, with a goal by Jesus Gallardo, ended their five game no-win streak to take third place in the Concacaf Nations League with a 1-0 win over Panama.
World Football
Italians cruise past Dutch for Nations League third place
June 18 – The Netherlands are no match for the European elite. After shipping four goals against Croatia in the last four, the Nations League hosts also lost the third-place match 3-2 against Italy.
Mediapro and IMG renew Concacaf media rights deal for outside the Americas
June 17 – Concacaf have renewed their deal with Mediapro and IMG for international broadcast sales representation for their national team tournaments and their rebranded Champions League, from 2024 to be called the Champions Cup.
Croatia eye-up first major title, Spain hunt return to winning elite
By Samindra Kunti in Rotterdam
June 17 – On Sunday, the third edition of the Nations League will reach its climax with both finalists Spain and Croatia seeking the win the tournament for the first time.
Concacaf open ‘urgent’ probe into Mexican fans’ puto chants as US match boils over
June 16 – Concacaf have wasted no time issuing a statement “strongly condemning” the discriminatory chanting by Mexican fans in the CNL semi-final against the United States.
Manchester political blames UEFA for being political over Istanbul travel chaos
June 16 – The mayor of England’s Greater Manchester area, Andy Burnham (pictured), says it was a “disgrace” that Manchester City fans had to walk miles to get to the stadium for last Saturday’s Champions League final in Istanbul.
De la Fuente says the ‘process’ is working as Croatia final nears
June 16 – Luis de la Fuente said he felt vindicated by Spain’s Nations League semi-final win against Italy after a stuttering start to his tenure.
Zinchenko calls for sport-wide ban for all Russian and Belarussian athletes
June 16 – Arsenal’s Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko says Russian and Belarusian athletes should all be banned from high-level sport as a result of Russia’s invasion of his country.
UEFA and UNHCR commit to second edition of Euro Unity Cup
June 16 – UEFA and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will stage the second edition of the Euro Unity Cup June 28-29 in Frankfurt Germany.
Perisic says Croatia’s advantage is they have beaten Spain before
June 18 – Ivan Perisic has said that Croatia have nothing to fear because of their experience against Spain.
Spain fear Modric and extra time, but nothing else
June 17 – Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said that facing Luka Modric alarms Spain, but that his team as well as midfielder Rodri are at their best to encounter Croatia.
Mancini says no player change needed after Spanish defeat
June 15 – Italy coach Roberto Mancini denied that he needs to bring in the next generation of players faster following his team’s 2-1 defeat in the semi-finals of the Nations League.
Spain edge Italy to set up final with Croatia
By Samindra Kunti in Enschede
June 15 – Spain reached their second consecutive Nations League final with a late strike from Joselu to defeat Italy 2-1 in an absorbing semi-final.
Canada beat Panama as Davies’ star cameo announces his arrival in Vegas
June 15 – Canada brushed Panama aside for a spot in the final with a 2-0 win that saw the return of Alphonso Davies.