Late Welbeck goal gives England draw with Spain

 
A late Danny Welbeck equaliser gave England a share of the points in their opening Group B qualifying clash against Spain at the European under-21 soccer championship on Sunday.

Spain had the upper hand in the first half and took the lead with an Ander Herrera header in the 14th minute, though television replays suggested the ball might have struck him on the arm.

England clawed their way back into the game in the second half and both sides created several chances before Manchester United's Welbeck fired an 88th-minute equaliser past David De Gea, a transfer target for Welbeck's club.

Earlier, the Czech Republic beat Ukraine thanks to two second-half goals from Boreck Dockel.

The Slovan Liberec midfielder fired home an exquisite first-time shot to give the Czechs the lead in the 49th minute before slotting home a second goal seven minutes later.

Ukraine pulled one back through substitute Biliy late in the game but the Czechs held on to take the three points and top Group B after the first round of matches. 

Read More

Ronaldo plays last game for Brazil

SAO PAULO — Former world footballer of the year Ronaldo ended his international career here on Tuesday with a 15-minute appearance as a substitute in Brazil's 1-0 win over Romania in a friendly match.
Watched by a 30,000 crowd, the 34-year-old striker came on for the last 15 minutes of the match with the home side already ahead through a goal from Fred after 21 minutes and he had several goal chances in that time.
"I had three goal opportunities but did not manage to score which would have been a nice present to give back to those who gave me so much," he said afterwards to fans in a chilly Pacaembu stadium.
Fred's match-winning goal was set up by the latest Brazilian golden boy Neymar, who has been linked to a move into the English Premier League.
Ronaldo announced his retirement in February citing recurring injury and health problems.
During a glittering 14-year spell in Europe, Ronaldo scored goals at a prolific rate for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan, before returning to Brazil in 2009.
He won the World Cup with Brazil as a youngster in 1994 and then in 2002 and became the leading scorer in World Cup finals tournaments when he scored his 15th goal at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
He was twice named European Footballer of the Year, in 1997 and 2002, FIFA world footballer of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002 and finished his international career with 62 goals in 97 appearances.

Read More