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Wales’ hopes of Euro 2024 qualification were seriously damaged by a humiliating 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff. Lucas Zelarayan and Grant-Leon Ranos both scored twice as Armenia – ranked 97 in the world and 71 places lower than Wales – secured one of the greatest victories in their football history. Daniel James had given Wales an early opener and Harry Wilson cut the deficit to 3-2 after Armenia had seized control, aided by some truly desperate home defending. But Armenia responded in style and Welsh misery was completed by the dismissal of Kieffer Moore, who was adjudged to have committed foul play by Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabadov after tangling with goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich. Moore will miss Monday’s trip to Turkey that now takes on extra significance for Wales after this setback. It was a sweet success for Armenia coach Olesksandr Petrakov, 12 months on after his Ukraine side were beaten in a World Cup play-off final in Cardiff. Wales had not lost in 12 home European Championship qualifiers – the last defeat being against England in March 2011 – but Armenia joined the likes of Belarus, Cyprus, Macedonia and Moldova in inflicting embarrassing defeats on them down the years. Vice-captain Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson were welcomed back after missing the two qualifiers in March when Wales had picked up four points. David Brooks was among the substitutes after rejoining the squad for the first time since being diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021. Wales applied early pressure with Connor Roberts’ long throws posing problems and Moore going close from one of them. Moore had just headed wide when Johnson’s delicious 10th-minute cross set James up for a simple sixth Wales goal. If the hosts thought that early breakthrough would deflate Armenia then they were in for a rude awakening. Captain Eduard Spertsyan headed inches wide and Danny Ward had to stretch every sinew to hold Nair Tiknizyan’s cross at the second attempt. But Ward had no chance when the rampaging Tiknizyan again centred from the left for Zelarayan to send a sweet volley past him. It got worse for Wales as Joe Rodon lost possession in his own half and Spertsyan’s perfect ball arced over Chris Mepham for the unmarked Ranos to head home. Tigran Barseghyan almost embarrassed Wales further, but – in a half when it appeared that a goal would arrive from every attack – the Armenia goal suddenly came under siege. Moore sidefooted the ball traight at Chancharevich after Wilson had sprung the offside trap and Rodon’s header drifted the wrong side of a post from a Welsh perspective. James drove wide after the restart, but Wales became increasingly stifled and frustrated by Armenia’s time-wasting tactics before Ranos supplied another unpleasant surprise with a wonderful finish. Wales were back in it 18 minutes from time when Moore headed down at the far post and Wilson stabbed home from close range. But Armenia responded again for Ranos to thump a post and be denied a hat-trick. Wales failed to make the most of their good fortune as substitute Joe Morrell lost possession to Ugochukwu Iwu and Zelarayan smashed home his second. Brooks came on for a late cameo to provide Wales with some cheer. But Moore’s red card – that appeared harsh on first glance – confirmed Armenia’s first win in 10 games on a crazy night at Cardiff City Stadium. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Trent Alexander-Arnold stars as England cruise to Malta win Matt Fitzpatrick makes ace at US Open as Rory McIlroy stays in contention Aston Villa appoint Monchi president of football operations

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunner and sparkled in midfield as England continued their march to Euro 2024 with a comprehensive victory against minnows Malta. The talented full-back has rarely looked like the player that shines for Liverpool when donning a Three Lions shirt, with the immense competition at right-back also restricting his opportunities. Alexander-Arnold won just his 19th England cap on Friday night against Malta and impressed in a midfield role, helping to inspire Gareth Southgate’s side to a straightforward 4-0 victory. The 24-year-old made an impact from outset at the sold-out Ta’ Qali National Stadium, with this exceptional early pass putting Bukayo Saka behind to produce a cross that Ferdinando Apap turned into his own goal. Alexander-Arnold continued to star and produced a moment of magic in the 28th minute, taking aim from 23 yards as he curled home just his second England goal. The midfielder also had a hand in England’s third goal, winning the ball high up the pitch at the start of a move that ended with Harry Kane scoring a penalty. There was a far better mood in the away section than the last trip to Malta in 2017, when Southgate’s side were jeered off after a scoreless first half as many travelling fans made an early exit. Large numbers of England fans again departed at half-time this time around, but it was to toast a job well done rather than to grumble over beers like six years ago. In truth, they missed little aside from substitute Callum Wilson converting a late penalty as Southgate’s men continued their 100 per cent start in Group C. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Looking at which teams are using youth to their advantage, we find an interesting story in the details.Proven MLB superstars, or youthful players with their ceilings yet to come? That's the question for every MLB general manager, among other things (like how much to pay the guys!).These...

The Chicago Bears still have a lot of work to do, but a few veterans on the team could be relegated to the bench because of rookies. For a team like the Chicago Bears that went 3-14 in 2022, there are still several holes to fill and opportunities to be seized. That includes the division and seve...

Rumors are circulating about DeAndre Hopkins soon becoming a New England Patriot, and a former Patriots star is only adding to that fire.The latest news on former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins pertains to his recent visit to Foxborough to meet with the New England Patriots....

In the latest NBA Draft rumors, three contenders are trying to get back into the first round, the Mavs want out and Ausar Thompson cancels on the Pacers.NBA Draft rumors: 3. Dallas Mavericks want to trade first-round pickAccording to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavs want to trade the...

San Diego State has informed the Mountain West that it intends to resign from the conference.As it turns out, conference realignment is not over, as San Diego State may leave the Mountain West after this season.ESPN's Pete Thamel broke this bombshell on Friday afternoon in somewhat of a...

After discovering offensive posts on his social media account from 2021, the Boston Red Sox have released pitcher Matt Dermody.Boston Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom expressed regret regarding his decision to call up Matt Dermody in the first place for a spot start after the team (and Red Sox fans...

Look for Oklahoma and Texas to potentially have a rude awakening once they join the SEC.As expected, the SEC was not about to make things any easier for the Oklahoma Sooners or the Texas Longhorns upon joining their league in 2024.While it still doesn't make much sense to only have an e...

England resume their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Friday night as they face Malta away from home with the plan of maintaining their winning start. Gareth Southgate’s side defeated both of their most likely rivals for a top-two finish, Ukraine and Italy, in their opening two matches in this qualifying campaign while Malta have lost to Italy as well as North Macedonia - who the Three Lions will face next week. This round of fixtures is quite forgiving for England, especially after such a long season, and Southgate will be expecting his side to take a big step closer to qualifying for the next summer’s finals in Germany. The England boss will need to make some key decisions in terms of personnel, especially when it comes to his Manchester City stars who only ended their season last week. Eberechi Eze is in mind to make his debut and many of the squad’s fringe or inexperienced players could get the nod in a game England should dominate. Follow all the action as Malta host England: Read More Gareth Southgate facing ‘complicated’ decision on Man City stars for Malta game England’s future is about to be defined – and it’s out of Gareth Southgate’s control Marcus Rashford reveals pain that is ‘relighting the flame’ inside him

The G League offers players more than just a controlled environment to develop their skills. For certain players, it's their ticket to the NBA.Yes, players from the G League can be selected in the NBA draft. Per their website, "If a player from high school, college or overseas enters t...

If Eddie Rosario and these two other Atlanta Braves players improve going forward, this title-contending team will be even tougher to beat than it already is right now.The Atlanta Braves still haven't seen the best baseball out of the likes of Eddie Rosario this year.Rosario is in the m...