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Wales are heading to the Euro 2024 play-offs after drawing 1-1 with Turkey on a dramatic night in Cardiff. Neco Williams’ seventh-minute goal – his third for Wales – offered hope they could bridge the two-point gap between them and Croatia for the second automatic qualifying spot. But Yusuf Yazici’s controversial penalty 20 minutes from time – awarded after Wales had three stronger spot-kick appeals rejected – handed Turkey a share of the spoils and the point required to top Group D. In the end, Yazici’s leveller did not matter in denying Wales qualification as Croatia kept their side of the bargain by beating Armenia 1-0 at home. Wales go into the March play-offs where a home semi-final against Finland, Iceland and Ukraine awaits. Thursday’s draw will determine who Wales will play, with Poland and Estonia contesting the other semi-final. Wales had lost control of their destiny by drawing in Armenia on Saturday, with a performance that was as poor as the result. Boss Rob Page reacted to that disappointment by making three changes, one of which was enforced with Chris Mepham suspended and Luton defender Tom Lockyer making his first competitive appearance for Wales since September 2021. Brennan Johnson and Nathan Broadhead were also introduced on the back of Wales’ makeweight attack in Yerevan. Turkey skipper Hakan Calhanoglu, the Inter Milan midfielder, was absent through illness but Vincenzo Montella had started his managerial reign with three victories – including taking the scalps of Croatia and Germany – and their travelling support was as noisy as ever. Wales showed an intensity that was missing in Yerevan as Broadhead seized on a mistake and curled wide of the far post. But Wales did not have to wait long for the breakthrough as Harry Wilson found Williams in space on the left. Williams cut inside on his favoured right foot and with perfect placement found the corner of Ugurcan Cakir’s net from 16 yards. Turkey were visibly rattled, losing Lockyer at a corner and letting discipline slip with some unnecessary shoving as tempers threatened to boil over. Wales had no fewer than three penalty appeals in a frantic nine-minute spell. Wilson went down in a tangle of legs with with Abdulkerim Bardakci and Johnson was floored by a sliding Samet Akaydin tackle when the defender did not make contact with the ball. Akaydin then flattened Johnson from behind in a crowded goalmouth, the challenge somehow escaping the notice of Slovenian referee Matej Jug and VAR. Turkey sent on Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir for the injured Cakir and fashioned their first opening three minutes before the interval when Kerem Akturkoglu fired over. Bayindir was forced into action from Johnson, who was proving far more lively than his limp second-half showing in Armenia. Johnson brought another full-stretch stop from Bayindir after the break, but Turkey should have been level after 58 minutes. Akaydin met an Akturkoglu corner from six yards but planted his header straight at Danny Ward in the Wales goal. Ethan Ampadu saw his header held by Bayindir before Turkey equalised in contentious circumstances. Ben Davies was adjudged to have fouled Kenan Yildiz, an incredibly soft decision that was capitalised on by Yazici in nonchalant fashion. It was Turkey’s first goal in four visits to Wales. Yusuf Sari skimmed the Wales crossbar and Johnson had the ball in the net from an offside position. There were heated scenes at the final whistle and a rash of yellow cards. Wales had extended their unbeaten run to six games, but that will be of scant consolation as the disappointment of missing out on automatic qualification sinks in. Read More Clubs must be punished for failure to meet diversity requirements – Kick It Out Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s deadline to respond to FA charge extended to Friday Rob Page ‘absolutely’ adamant he will lead Wales into Euro 2024 play-offs James McClean backs Republic to enjoy ‘glory days’ after calling time on career On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win

Mikel Arteta has been given until Friday to respond to his Football Association charge for comments he made after Arsenal’s defeat by Newcastle earlier this month. The Gunners boss branded the VAR decision not to rule out Anthony Gordon’s goal in his side’s 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park “an absolute disgrace”. Arteta has been charged with a breach of FA rule E3.1 and initially had until Tuesday to offer his response. However, that deadline has now been extended until Friday at the Gunners’ request, the PA news agency understands. VAR made a triple check to see whether the ball had gone out of play before Joe Willock’s cross, whether Joelinton had fouled Arsenal defender Gabriel and whether Gordon had been offside. Arteta could not hide his anger after the match, saying: “You have to talk about how the hell did this goal stand up? Incredible. I feel embarrassed. “I have to now come in here and try to defend the club and please ask for help because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed. An absolute disgrace.” Read More Rob Page ‘absolutely’ adamant he will lead Wales into Euro 2024 play-offs James McClean backs Republic to enjoy ‘glory days’ after calling time on career On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban

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Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has returned to training after a long stint out with a muscle injury. The left-back sustained the problem in August, making only two appearances this season, but is back in full training ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Everton. Shaw’s absence has created a problem at left-back as Tyrell Malacia has also been injured, with United signing Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon on loan while also using Sofyan Amrabat, Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof as cover. The England international was a key part of United’s success last season and he has been missed as Erik ten Hag’s side have endured an erratic start to the campaign. They are on the verge of Champions League elimination and have lost five of their first 12 Premier League games, sitting in sixth position. United’s injury situation is still not great, though, ahead of the trip to Goodison Park. Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund were added to a lengthy injury list before the international break, with goalkeeper Andre Onana picking up a problem while away with Cameroon. Read More Rob Page ‘absolutely’ adamant he will lead Wales into Euro 2024 play-offs James McClean backs Republic to enjoy ‘glory days’ after calling time on career On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban

Lionel Messi said there “could have been a tragedy” after police clashed with fans during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against rivals Brazil at the Maracana in Rio. The match was delayed by half an hour following crowd trouble in the stands, which started before kick-off and during the national anthems. In response, Brazilian police charged at the Argentina fans, with the fighting taking place in a section of the stadium that contained the visiting players’ families and friends. Some Argentina supporters ripped up seats to throw at the police, who were wielding batons, while others attempted to escape the scene. Led by Messi, the Argentina players went over to try and calm the situation. Images showed the Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez trying to grab a baton from a police officer’s hand as the Argentina players appealed for the fighting to stop. The World Cup winners then left the pitch and returned to the dressing room for more than 10 minutes. When the match eventually resumed, Argentina won a bad-tempered qualifier 1-0 to leave Brazil in crisis after suffering their third straight defeat. The clashes in the stands occurred just two weeks after similar scenes at the Copa Libertadores final between Brazilian side Fluminense and Argentine giants Boca Juniors, which was also held at the iconic Maracana stadium. “It was bad because we saw how they were beating people,” Messi told reporters after the match. “The police, as happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks. “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy. “You think about the families, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we were more concerned about that than playing a match that, at that point, was of secondary importance.” The Argentina players were joined by Brazil captain Marquinhos as they appealed for calm in the stands. The defender said: “We were worried about the families, women and children that we were seeing in panic up there in the stands. “Down on the pitch it was hard for us to understand what was going on, it was a very scary situation.” On the pitch, Argentina took a huge step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as Nicolas Otamendi’s header secured a 1-0 win, but the match was littered with fouls, skirmishes and cards. Brazil finished with 10 men after Newcastle’s Joelinton was sent off for hitting Argentina’s Rodrigo de Paul in the face. Brazil have now lost successive matches to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina and are eight points behind the world champions in the qualifying table. The five-time World Cup winners sit sixth, which is the last spot that guarantees qualifying for the finals, after six rounds.

James McClean has backed the Republic of Ireland’s new generation to fulfil their potential after calling time on his international career. The 34-year-old won his 103rd and last Ireland cap in Tuesday night’s 1-1 friendly draw with New Zealand and bade an emotional farewell to team-mates and fans alike after a 11 and a half years in the green shirt during which he played at the finals of two major tournaments. McClean may not be the only man whose time in the international set-up has drawn to a close, with manager Stephen Kenny now out of contract and not expecting an extension after a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, although the Wrexham defender is convinced the foundations he has put in place will pay dividends. Speaking after the game, he said: “I’m going to call it how I see it. There is so much ability here. These lads are young – that’s not making excuses for them. International football is a whole different level. “These will get better with experience and with that experience, I’ve no doubt that down the line, these lads will bring the glory days back – and when I say glory days, I mean qualifying for major tournaments. “They just need to believe in themselves because the ability is there, it’s just getting that consistency and doing it every single game, and I’ve no doubt that will come with experience.” McClean knows what it takes to qualify for tournaments having represented Ireland at both Euro 2012 and ast France 2016, too. It was at the latter that the Republic secured one of their most significant victories, a 1-0 win over Italy in Lille which set up a last-16 clash with hosts France. McClean said: “That night in Lille when we beat Italy was… I’ve said this before, I wish you could bottle that because if you could bottle that and sell it, you’d be laughing. Absolutely phenomenal. “It’s been absolutely amazing. From the second I stepped on the pitch against the Czech Republic in 2012, the fans here in the stadium have been absolutely phenomenal, home and away. “That was something again that was very special. I pride myself on how your nearest and dearest, your team-mates, view you as a person and tonight that showed how they viewed me. “I’ve struck up some great relationships with the lads over the years and it’s something that I will miss, the camaraderie around the squad and going into battle with these lads.” McClean announced his decision to step back from international football last month and had no regrets about doing so after his final appearance. He said: “I think this is the right time to go. Not many people get to go out on their terms. I’ve had the absolute time of my life. I’ve achieved so much. Beyond my wildest dreams. I’ve had my time. “The lads were saying tonight, ‘why didn’t you cry? I would have cried’. But I don’t see the need to cry because like I said, I had the time of my life. I’ve had so many happy memories and it’s been an absolute honour.” Read More On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification Stephen Kenny admits dream job is probably over James McClean’s Republic of Ireland farewell ruined by New Zealand friendly draw

World champions Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil was marred by crowd trouble at the Maracana Stadium. Kick-off was delayed by half an hour in Rio de Janeiro after rival fans and police clashed, with both sets of players trying to calm the situation down before eventually returning to the dressing room before the game could commence. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was filmed trying to climb the hoarding to stop a police officer wielding a baton before being pulled away by team-mates. Once the order was restored, Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half header gave Argentina an historic World Cup qualifying victory, with Joelinton sent off for the hosts. Lionel Messi said on Argentina’s X feed: “This group continues to achieve historic things. Although today was not the most important, it is something very nice. “We needed this victory after the defeat against Uruguay. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, similar to the one in the Copa America final. They pressed a lot, they went to look for us high up and it was difficult for us to have long possessions. These games are defined by details.” It was Brazil’s first-ever home defeat in a World Cup qualifier and their third in a row after previous losses to Uruguay and Colombia, with their path to the 2026 World Cup looking decidedly shaky. The hosts were the better side in the first half and could have taken the lead just before the break but Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli saw his shot cleared off the line by north London nemesis Cristian Romero. Martinelli missed another key chance after the break, with Martinez denying him from close range. The defending champions took a 63rd-minute lead when former Manchester City defender Otamendi headed home Giovani Lo Celso’s corner with their only effort on target of the night. Newcastle’s Joelinton saw red in the last 10 minutes when he struck out at Rodrigo De Paul to compound a miserable night for the hosts, with the inquest to their poor form and the ugly scenes in the stadium set to rumble on. Read More Football rumours: Giovani Lo Celso may help solve Barcelona’s Gavi problem On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification Stephen Kenny admits dream job is probably over

What the papers say The Daily Mail says Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has emerged as a loan option for Barcelona to fill their Gavi-shaped gap. The Spanish side are reportedly unlikely to look for a permanent replacement after they received £6million in compensation from FIFA following the Spain international’s knee injury. According to the Mirror, Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira could get the green light from Arsenal to join Marseille on loan. Chelsea are keen to part with Romelu Lukaku in the summer transfer window, with Italian side Roma eager to make the 30-year-old’s loan move permanent, the Evening Standard reports. Social media round-up Players to watch Gleison Bremer: The Juventus and Brazil centre-back is reportedly keen to move to the Premier League, as per the Telegraph. Dusan Vlahovic: The 23-year-old Serbian striker is looking to sign a contract extension at Juve, 90min reports, even though there is rumoured interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. Read More On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success

Everton striker Oumar Niasse became the first Premier League player to be hit with a retrospective suspension for diving on this day in 2017. The Senegal international was handed a two-match ban by the Football Association after winning a controversial penalty, under pressure from Scott Dann, in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Niasse’s punishment came six months after the FA voted in favour of introducing new laws in an attempt to clamp down on players diving or feigning injury. Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth felt a “dangerous precedent” could be set by the sanction. “I think these people (the FA) will be very busy,” he said. “He (Niasse) was shocked and I was shocked (by the charge). “It’s a dangerous precedent that could be set if decisions are given against you which are debatable.” Niasse denied he had “committed an act of simulation” which led to a spot-kick being awarded in the fifth minute of the game in south London. But he was found guilty by the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission, which includes former players. Leighton Baines converted the contentious penalty to cancel out James McArthur’s early opener before Niasse earned Everton a point by equalising following a goal from Eagles forward Wilfried Zaha. Palace boss Roy Hodgson said: “My only satisfaction is that the FA and the people who make those decisions have sided with me rather than the player.” Read More Performing under pressure – remembering England’s dramatic 2003 World Cup win Jason Robinson has yet to watch a rerun of England’s World Cup success Rob Page draws on play-off experience after Wales miss out on Euro qualification

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In the end, Wales’ destiny was decided not in Cardiff, but 1,200 miles away in Zagreb. For 35 minutes, they dared to dream. They could imagine the virtual table, showing them ahead of Croatia, propelling them to Euro 2024. Yet by the end of the night, Wales had lost a lead against Turkey and, more pertinently, Croatia had gained one against Armenia. Ante Budimir’s goal for Croatia condemned Wales to the play-offs, regardless of their own result. Which, as it happened, was a draw. It probably ought to have been a victory, both in terms of Wales’ performance and the manner in which Turkey levelled, with a distinctly dubious penalty. But in a sense, it was an irrelevant one: Wales’ fate was not in their own hands. They had required a favour, needing an Armenia side ranked 95th in the world to get a result against the World Cup semi-finalists. And while Armenia have exerted a huge impact on Group D, it was only as Wales’ nemesis, by holding them in Yerevan on Saturday and, crucially, winning in Cardiff in June. A draw against Turkey was far more forgivable: if Wales had played with this verve throughout a decidedly mixed campaign, they would surely have secured one of the top two spots. Salvation – courtesy of Uefa and the byzantine workings of their baffling formula – could come from failure, with a play-off place that stems from a Nations League group where Wales drew one and lost five of six games. If that defies logic, they now have Finland, Iceland or Ukraine in a semi-final in March, with a final then to negotiate. If they are to get to Germany for Euro 2024, they will have taken the long route and done it the hard way. That, some would say, is the Welsh way: few things have come easily to them over the years. Their tales of misfortune have been pockmarked by infamous decisions and the Slovenian referee Matej Jug awarded Turkey the most generous of penalties, Yusuf Yazici rolling it in after Ben Davies was adjudged to have nudged the substitute Kenan Yildiz over. Wales could feel doubly aggrieved: Jug had been rather less receptive to their own penalty appeals, including a clumsy push by Samet Akaydin on Brennan Johnson. The same defender’s challenge on the Tottenham forward did not yield a spot kick either. Ultimately, Yazici’s leveller only altered the equation for Turkey, the point meaning they won the group, but it left a sour taste for Wales. Because they were terrific. Neco Williams was a worthy scorer, a dynamic force on the left as Wales forever looked to switch play to him. Harry Wilson was influential and impressive. Johnson had one of his best games in a Wales shirt: twice denied a penalty, he twice came close to a goal, with a shot that Altay Bayindir tipped wide and a dinked finish that was chalked off because he was offside. But Wales required a performance and got one. A side who were subdued on Saturday were roused. There was a spine-tingling Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau before kick-off. Suitably inspired, a stirring display followed. There was a boldness to Wales’ start. Turkey had beaten Germany in Berlin but Wales attacked them from the off. Slow starters in Yerevan, they brimmed with speed on home soil. Page had added energy to his attack, bringing in Johnson and Nathan Broadhead. The Ipswich winger came close to a fourth-minute opener. Wales instead led after seven. Wilson’s perceptive pass allowed Williams the chance to burst forward. The wing-back cut inside, placed a shot past Ugurcan Cakir and Wales believed. This, it seemed, could be a worthy sequel to October’s win over Croatia. Johnson’s eager bursts into the channels showed what he offers, and the dropped and totemic Kieffer Moore cannot. Ethan Ampadu, who could have doubled the lead with a header when unmarked, was another to flourish. Their qualification already assured, Turkey had less need to excel. Yet they were initially insipid in the face of the Welsh verve. By the start of the second half, Vincenzo Montella had made three changes, only one seemingly enforced by injury. That effected an improvement: one replacement won the penalty and another scored it. Yusuf San, one of the starters, then clipped the bar from long range and belatedly, Turkey showed their quality. Their fractiousness, too: a total of nine yellow cards and a melee after the final whistle were indications of a certain needless niggly streak. But Montella can argue his side, who have won in Croatia and Germany, have steel. The Italian extended his unbeaten start as Turkey manager, but only after surviving a Welsh onslaught. They had to hope that it would be combined with an Armenia equaliser. Ultimately, Wales got neither of the goals they needed: not in Cardiff and not in Zagreb. And now, for the first time since Euro 2012, there may be a European Championships without them. Read More Is Wales vs Turkey on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euros qualifier Wales relying on a Croatia slip-up after only drawing in Armenia What do Wales need to qualify for Euro 2024?

The Premier League has been defeated in its bid to ban loan transfers between associated party clubs in January. The move was designed to prevent a club like Newcastle loaning a player from another club owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – they have been linked with a temporary switch for Ruben Neves from Saudi club Al-Hilal. The Premier League needed 14 out of 20 clubs to vote for the ban at the shareholders’ meeting in London on Tuesday afternoon. But the PA news agency understands the vote finished 13-7 in favour of a ban, short of the threshold to push the motion through. Injury-hit Newcastle will now, if they wish, be able to bring in former Wolves midfielder Neves on loan to replace Sandro Tonali following his 10-month ban for breaking rules on gambling. Similarly, Manchester City would be able to loan players from other clubs owned by the City Football Group. In another blow to the Premier League, the clubs were unable to approve the terms of the so-called ‘New Deal’, a £900million settlement between it and clubs in the English Football League. The Premier League had hoped to confirm the package at Tuesday’s meeting, but it is understood no vote took place. Despite a three-hour discussion there remains a sticking point surrounding new cost control measures for both Premier League and EFL clubs. The Premier League wants the matter resolved before the new independent regulator in English football is put in place. Read More Man Utd takeover reaches one-year mark with Ratcliffe set for stake Saracens issue Ben Earl Six Nations injury update Gareth Southgate reveals what he learned from England’s November double-header