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[ad_1] PARIS: Hungary and Slovakia booked their tickets for Euro 2024 on Thursday while 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal scored again for already-qualified Spain. The Hungarians guaranteed their place at the finals in Germany when an own goal from Bulgaria's Alex Petkov deep in stoppage time gave them a 2-2 draw in Sofia. The visitors only needed a point to qualify but were 2-1 down before Petkov allowed a cross to skid off the top of his head and into his own net in the 97th minute in the most dramatic of finishes. The Hungarian players exploded in joy at the end of a match played in an empty stadium because of fears of protests against the head of the Bulgarian football federation. Instead, Bulgarian fans mounted protests outside the ground. Ten supporters and five police officers were injured in clashes and police also used water cannon to disperse crowds of fans angry at the lack of their national team's progress. The draw gave Hungary 15 points from seven

[ad_1] LONDON: Life after Gareth Bale appeared bleak for Wales, but Rob Page's men have the chance of a third consecutive appearance at the European Championship in their own hands after a remarkable turnaround in Euro 2024 qualifying. Page's job was reportedly in danger after a damaging 4-2 home defeat to Armenia was followed by a 2-0 loss away to Turkey in June. However, a famous 2-1 win over World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in Cardiff last month has given Wales new hope they can make it to Germany next year and fuelled optimism for the future. Wales still need two wins from their final two games in Group D, away to Armenia and home to already-qualified Turkey, to guarantee qualification. But they do have the safety net of being virtually assured of a playoff place thanks to their ranking in the Nations League. "We want to win both games to qualify as it's in our own hands," said Page. "We didn't like what we saw in June. We put things r

[ad_1] BERLIN: A number of newcomers will feature in the Germany squad for the international matches against Peru and Belgium in March, coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday as the team rebuild with an eye on the Euro 2024 tournament on home soil. The Germans, who suffered their second consecutive group-stage World Cup exit in Qatar in December, will be hoping to lay the foundations this year for a successful tournament in Germany in 2024. "We will make sure to have some new players with us," Flick said. "It will be interesting to see some of the youngsters." "We want to use the team from now until the Euros to test young players," he said. Germany host Peru on March 25 and then Belgium three days later. Several young players have already earned their Germany caps and are almost certain of a spot in the 2024 squad, including Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko among others. Many more are expected to showcase their