Lewandowski scores five goals in nine minutes for Bayern Munich

Lewandowski scores five goals in nine minutes for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich were struggling as they played Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg on Tuesday - until Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to score five times.

The Polish striker had been left on the bench by Pep Guardiola for the clash against the third-placed side in Germany, and was called on for Thiago at half-time with Bayern trailing 1-0.

And what a stroke of genius it turned out to be: Lewandowski scored on 51 minutes, added another within seconds of the restart, scored his hat trick two minutes after that - in three minutes 22 seconds, one of the fastest ever - before adding a fourth in the 57th minute and then rifling another in the 60th minute.

The last of those goals was by far the best: a staggering bicycle kick volley from almost 20 yards out.
That fifth goal came nine minutes to the second after the first one went in.

Bayern coach Guardiola couldn't believe what he was seeing - this was clearly new territory even for a man who spent several years managing Leo Messi.
Lewandowski's amazing sequence beat the old record for the Bundesliga's fastest hat-trick, held by Michael Tonnies, who scored three goals in five minutes for MSV Duisburg against Karlsruher in August 1991. Tonnies, like Lewandowski, went on to score five.

Unlike Lewandowski, he'd never scored in the German top flight before, ended up with 13 goals that season, and never scored in the Bundesliga again for the rest of his career.

As far as Eurosport's initial checks show, no player in world football has ever scored five goals as quickly.

Lewandowski is no stranger to fast-scoring antics. Just a few months ago he scored a hat-trick in three minutes 59 seconds for Poland in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Georgia, turning a nervy 1-0 win into a 4-0 thumping.

Jose Mourinho dismisses talk of rift with John Terry after Maccabi Tel Aviv rout

Jose Mourinho dismisses talk of rift with John Terry after Maccabi Tel Aviv rout

Jose Mourinho rounded on his critics and Steven Gerrard after Chelsea's first home win of a season which has had a miserable opening.

The Barclays Premier League champions began their Champions League Group G campaign with a 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Willian, Oscar, Diego Costa - his first for Chelsea in the Champions League - and Cesc Fabregas.

"I forgot the feeling. For so long we don't win a game, so good, a good feeling," Mourinho said.

"I am a fantastic manager when I win matches and I am a fantastic manager when I lose matches."

Mourinho received the acclaim of the home faithful and, while he prefers it when they support the players and team, he welcomed the adulation.

"I prefer that than they say 'Mourinho out' and they boo me and so on," he said.

"It shows they don't read papers or they don't have short memories. If they don't read papers they support me. If they don't have short memories, they support me.

"We won four Premier Leagues, three with him and one with his team. This guy is not bad. Let's support the guy. We have a chance to win the fifth."

Mourinho also dismissed former Liverpool captain Gerrard's suggestion that there must have been a rift with skipper John Terry - one of six changes from the loss at Everton and an unused substitute against the Israeli side.

"Steven is wrong," the Blues boss said. "I have a very good relationship with him. Sometimes we contact by SMS (text message). But he's wrong, because we have no problems."

Speaking during his work as a BT Sport pundit, the former Liverpool captain had said: "There's certainly a bit of friction behind the scenes because for me, you play John Terry week in, week out, he's your captain.

"He's such an important figure in the dressing room and if Chelsea want to be successful this season, they need him in there.

"Chelsea were champions three months ago, they were the best team in the league, the PFA player of the year in Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas was on fire.

"Something's clearly happening behind the scene that we're not clued up on. You can't have that many problems in an 11 so quickly."

Despite all Chelsea's domestic troubles, they were the only English team to begin the Champions League with a win after Arsenal joined Manchester United and City in making a losing start.

"It's bad news for English football," the Portuguese said.

"I'm not happy with that. I want Man City, Man United and Arsenal to lose in the Premier League - not in the Champions League."

The Gunners visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League and Mourinho will be happier to prepare after a win.

"For all of us to wake up (on Thursday) after a defeat, to go to Cobham again, to train again after a defeat, two days before a derby against Arsenal, I could imagine how difficult it would be for everyone," he added.

Willian picked up a hamstring injury and joins Pedro in missing the Arsenal game, while Radamel Falcao missed the Maccabi contest injured and Oscar may also be absent after recently returning from a knee problem.

Mourinho praised Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was among those to come into the starting XI and might have had a penalty towards the end of the first half before Oscar converted from the spot.

"He's potentially a very good player, but we have to feed these young players and choose the right moment," Mourinho added.

Chelsea had already missed from the spot by then as Eden Hazard blazed a sixth-minute penalty over the bar.

Mourinho praised the response of his side and says Hazard can continue taking spot-kicks if he wishes - as it is unlikely his side will be awarded one in the Premier League.

"It's up to him. If he wants, yes. If he doesn't, no," Mourinho said.

"How many times we have a penalty in the Premier League? I don't think it's a problem, to be fair.

"You start a game that you have to win and after five minutes you miss a penalty, it's a great test of the character of the team.

"It's good we had an extra negative episode and the reaction was very good."

Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Slavisa Jokanovic was not too downbeat with his side's loss.

"Welcome to Champions League. This is a different level," the former Chelsea midfielder and ex-Watford boss said.

"We've been waiting 11 years to arrive here. First game we play away against one of the most important teams in the world.

"They dominated us, they deserved to win the game. We must learn, we must be more solid. I expect in the next five games we can show better face."

Chelsea ease to emphatic win over Maccabi Tel Aviv

Chelsea ease to emphatic win over Maccabi Tel Aviv

Champions League, Stamford Bridge – Chelsea 4 (Willian 15, Oscar 45, Costa 58, Fabregas 78) Maccabi Tel Aviv 0

Goals from Willian, Oscar, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas saw Chelsea coast home in a largely forgettable game at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues should have taken the lead inside five minutes when 19-year-old Maccabi goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic needlessly rushed out of his goal to upend Willian inside the penalty area. Chelsea’s misery was to be prolonged, however, when Eden Hazard ballooned his spot-kick high over the bar.

The Israeli champions’ respite was not to last long, however, when Rajkovic watched a chipped Willian free-kick from the left-hand touchline evade everyone in the box and nestle in his far corner. Chelsea doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when substitute Diego Costa, on for the injured Willian, won another penalty for the hosts. This time Oscar stepped up and made no mistake.

Costa added an improvised third just before the hour mark, meeting a dinked through ball from Cesc Fabregas and hooking it over his shoulder into the far corner. Fabregas then added a fourth ten minutes shy of full-time when he tapped into an empty net after Loic Remy's shot was palmed into his path six yards out.

KEY MOMENTS

5’: HAZARD MISSED PENALTY! Ridiculous goalkeeping from Predrag Rajkovic as he clatters into Willian on the edge of the penalty box and it's a clear spot kick. Eden Hazard steps up... and he fires it over! A dreadful penalty from the Belgian. His poor run of form continues, and a let off for the visitors.

14’: WILLIAN GOAL! Willian opens the scoring but there's more than a hint of fortune about this. The Maccabi goalkeeper is not covering himself in glory tonight. His in-swinging free-kick from the left-hand touchline has a good amount of whip on it, but it shouldn't be strong enough to beat Rajkovic who's rooted to his line and flaps as he watches the ball fly into his net after missing the crowd of players in the box.

45+2’: OSCAR SCORES PENALTY! Diego Costa uses his strength well and brings a foul from Tal Ben Haim. Clear penalty, the Spanish international was through and the Israeli went straight through the back of him. Oscar steps up this time and sends the goalkeeper the wrong way.

58’: COSTA GOAL! Easy for Chelsea. Too easy. Diego Costa gets his name on the scoresheet with a wonderful flick over his shoulder with his right boot to connect with a Cesc Fabregas cross. The old duo are back and firing again. Can they rack up some more now? They're in cruise control.

78': FABREGAS GOAL! Clinical counter-attacking from Chelsea. Hazard feeds Remy on the right hand side, his left footed strike is well saved but the ball falls for Fabregas, who held his run and has a very easy finish.

MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS

KEY STATS

Diego Costa scored his first Champions League goal for Chelsea at the eighth time of asking.

Chelsea won their first opening home match of a Champions League campaign under Jose Mourinho since a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen in September 2006.

TALKING POINT

Will the real Eden Hazard please stand up? After shanking an early penalty into the stands last season’s double player of the year shrank from the game. The Belgian looks a long way short of the player who dazzled last season, who ran games with his twinkling toes and electric movement. He improved in the second half against limited opposition, but there wasn’t enough tonight to suggest that he’s even close to regaining last season’s form. How Chelsea need him.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Oscar (Chelsea): The Brazilian looked lively on his return to the first-team and took his penalty very well. Ran the tempo of the game against limited opposition.

PLAYER RATINGS

CHELSEA: Begovic 6, Azpilicueta 6, Zouma 6, Cahill 7, Baba Rahman 7, Loftus-Cheek 7, Fabregas 6, Willian 7, Oscar 7, Hazard 6, Remy 6

SUBS: Costa 7, Ramires 6, Traore 7

MACCABI TEL AVIV: Rajkovic 4, Shpungin 5, Tibi 5, Ben Harush 5, Ben-Haim I 4, Alberman 5, Zahavi 6, Rikan 5, Mitrovic 5, Igiebor 5, Ben-Haim II 5

SUBS: Miha 5, Radonjic 5, Peretz 5

Manchester United slump to defeat at PSV

Manchester United slump to defeat at PSV

Champions League Group B, Philips Stadion - PSV Eindhoven 2 (Moreno 45+2, Narsingh 57) Manchester United 1 (Depay 41)

Memphis Depay struck against his old club but Manchester United's Champions League campaign started with a disappointing 2-1 loss at PSV Eindhoven in a match that was overshadowed by a serious injury to Luke Shaw.

The England defender was stretchered off taking gas and air following a lengthy delay after he was involved in a leg-breaking challenge with Hector Moreno on 15 minutes.

The Mexican defender lunged in on Shaw inside his own penalty but somehow escaped without punishment.

[STORY: Luke Shaw suffers horror leg injury]

United eventually recovered their composure to snare the lead when Depay showed bewitching footwork to jink in from the left and coolly fire under Jeroen Zoet.

But ironically it was Moreno, who perhaps should not have been on the pitch, who levelled in first-half stoppage time when his header from a left-wing corner was deflected into the net by Daley Blind.

United dominated the second period with Depay and full debutant, Anthony Martial looking dangerous, but their misery was compounded when they were caught on the break just before the hour.

Luciano Narsingh finished off a lovely move with a firm header into the corner on 57 minutes and despite creating enough chances to snare a point, Louis van Gaal's men came up empty-handed on what was an all-round wretched night in Eindhoven.

KEY MOMENTS

15' - SHAW INJURY! - The 20-year-old England left-back is being treated with gas and air after a terrible challenge by Hector Moreno. He's going to be stretchered off. It could easily have been a penalty and a red card! It looks like it could be a broken leg.

41' - GOAL! PSV 0-1 United. Memphis Depay comes back to haunt his old club! The forward surges in from the left onto Blind's pass, bewitches two with some sublime footwork before slotting home through the legs of Zoet.

45+2' - GOAL! PSV 1-1 United. PSV are level!!! Blind diverts Moreno's header into the net after the defender won the battle to meet Lestienne's left-wing corner.

57' - GOAL! PSV 2-1 United. PSV have turned it around!!! A brilliant first-time cross from the left from Lestienne is met by a fine header from Luciano Narsingh.

62' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Huge chance for Mata. The Spaniard lays it off to Schweinsteiger and continues his run into the area. The German dinks a sublime pass into Mata who must score but doesn't do anything and his touch takes it out for a goal kick! That was a simple tap-in, wasn't it!?

83' - PSV CHANCE! It should be 3-1. Hendrix slips a clever pass into the area for De Jong who crashes a shot from eight yards out past the near-post upright.

KEY STATS

Four of Manchester United's last five Champions League goals were scored by a Dutch player (Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay).

PSV name their second youngest side ever to feature in this competition.

Both Manchester teams lose on the same Champions League matchday for the first time in history.

The last time PSV scored at least two goals in the Champions League against English opposition was 13 matches ago. This was also  Manchester United on 26 September 2000 when they won 3-1.

Manchester United lose their Champions League opener for only the second time. On 11 September 1996, they lost 1-0 against Juventus in Turin.

MAN OF THE MATCH.

Jeffrey Bruma (PSV): The former Chelsea defender was a rock at the back for the hosts. He put in countless tackles and produced a series of blocks as they kept United at bay despite being on the back foot for much of the game.

PLAYER RATINGS

PSV Eindhoven: Zoet 6, Arias 7, Bruma 8, Moreno 5, Brenet 6, Hendrix 6, Propper 6, Guardado 6, Narsingh 7, De Jong 6, Lestienne 6. Subs: Schaars 6, Locadia n/a.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Darmian 6, Smalling 6, Blind 6, Shaw 6, Schweinsteiger 6, Herrera 6, Young 6, Mata 5, Memphis 7,

Florenzi wonder goal earns Roma draw with Barcelona

Florenzi wonder goal earns Roma draw with Barcelona

Champions League, Stadio Olimpico - Roma 1 (Florenzi 31) Barcelona 1 (Suarez 21)

Alessandro Florenzi's extraordinary 64-yard shot earned Roma a draw with Champions League holders Barcelona.

Barcelona opened the scoring through Luis Suarez, who headed in at the far post after Ivan Rakitic's deflected cross found the unmarked Uruguayan, with the goal standing despite Roma's claims of a foul by Lionel Messi in the build-up.

With Barca on top but some way off their fluid best, Roma hit back in remarkable fashion. Florenzi raced down the right flank and, spotting Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen off his line, unleashed a stunning shot from a wide area just inside Barcelona's half that flew over the German's head and crashed in off the post.

Roma, who lost Wojciech Szczesny to a hand injury early in the second half, could have been awarded a 68th-minute penalty when Edin Dzeko was hauled to the ground.

Barcelona survived and threatened to win it themselves late on as Messi went close with a dipping effort on his 100th Champions League appearance. But Roma picked up a point as they seek to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in five seasons.

KEY MOMENTS

5' - CLOSE! Messi goes close! The forward again drops off the Roma defence to collect the ball and out of nothing, lashes a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box. An early warning for Roma.

17' - VITAL BLOCK! De Rossi throws himself at the feet of Messi, who was about to pull the trigger from a few yards out. De Rossi will be relieved as it was he who gave the ball away in the first place.

21' - GOAL! Roma 0-1 Barcelona: Suarez heads in from under the crossbar after Rakitic got to the byline and clipped a cross to Suarez at the far post. Roma complaining that Messi fouled Digne in the build-up to the goal - and they may have a point.

23' - PENALTY? Suarez goes down in the box under a challenge from Szczesny. It was a stupid challenge but, despite Suarez's protests, he had poked the ball out of play and it was not a penalty.

31' - GOAL! Roma 1-1 Barcelona: What a goal! Florenzi, on the run, hits a stupendous shot over Ter Stegen's head from just inside the Barcelona half. One of the great Champions League goals.

42' - CHANCE! Important stop by Ter Stegen low to his left. Falque digs out a cross that is cleared to Nainggolan, whose powerful drive was sneaking into the bottom corner.

49' - INJURY: Szezcesny has picked up an injury after that clash with Suarez and he will have to go off.

68' - PENALTY? Dzeko is manhandled to the ground in the box but nothing is given - and Rudy Garcia is going ballistic on the touchline.

77' - CLOSE! Messi goes as close as anyone with a tremendous dipping effort that doesn't quite dip enough to go under De Sanctis's bar. Great effort though.

MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY & STATS

KEY STATS

This was Lionel Messi's 100th Champions League appearance, becoming the youngest player to achieve the milestone at 28 years and 2 months old.

Roma started the game with players of 10 different nationalities. It equals their own Italian record for most nationalities in a Champions League match.

TALKING POINT

Was Florenzi's goal the best Champions League goal of all time? It's a definite contender! On the run, 64 metres out and against the reigning European champions. It was an extraordinary goal and one that will be played over and over for years to come.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Alessandro Florenzi (Roma) - Would have been a leading candidate even he had not scored one of the goals of the decade. Combative defensively and lively offensively, Florenzi was Roma's standout player in a game that will be remembered for his truly stunning strike that will be a leading contender for the Puskas award this year.

PLAYER RATINGS

Roma: Szczesny 7, Rudiger 8, Digne 7, Manolas 7, Nainggolan 7, Falque 8, De Rossi 8, Keita 6, Florenzi 9, Dzeko 7, Salah 7. SUBS: De Sanctis 8, , Torosidis n/a, Iturbe n/a.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5, Pique 7, Alba 7, Mathieu 7, Rakitic 5, Busquets 7, Iniesta 7, Sergi Roberto 6, Suarez 7, Messi 6, Neymar 7. SUBS: , Mascherano n/a, Rafinha n/a

body of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi at the Turkish beach resort of Bordum went viral

As mortifying images of the lifeless body of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi at the Turkish beach resort of Bordum went viral on Thursday, 
Joining Erdogan in critiquing the international response to the burgeoning humanitarian crisis of war refugees trying to enter Europe in tens of thousands per day, was Germany's labour minister Andrea. She said, "The failure to handle the migrant crisis effectively could adversely affect the idea of Europe," and called for a fair distribution of refugees within the European Union.

Nahles warned that Europe had "come to a crossroads", and that poor handling of asylum seekers Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, even North Africa and Pakistan, was fueling anger and skepticism towards the EU. Erdogan said migrants are dying while attempting to sneak into Europe because the latter would not accept them legally.

Turkey's state-owned Anadolu news agency said apart from Aylan, at least 12 more refugees fleeing the war in Syria, including two young boys, had drowned while trying to reach the Greek island of Kos from Bodrum.

The mass migration in Europe has already surpassed the levels of World War-II with migrants flee unending wars: of President Assad's retaliation against rebels in Syria, of IS expanding its bloodied footprints in Iraq and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The refugee influx began four years ago, but has turned deathly in recent weeks with increasing European resistance, evident from long queues at the gates of Hungary, Greece, Macedonia and other central-east European countries.

The numbers are staggering. Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon have taken in four million refugees since 2011 when the flow started. Turkey says it has spent $6.5 billion on refugees with its "open door" policy.

Now, as these countries are saturated and governments begin to put Syrians in refugee camps, the latter are turning to Europe in greater numbers, lured by claims of "human traffickers" promising automatic refugee status and welfare in prosperous Europe, just across the sea.

Andy Murray recovers to defeat Adrian Mannarino at the US Open

US Open
Andy Murray recovers to defeat Adrian Mannarino at the US Open

Andy Murray has booked his place in the US Open third round with a stunning comeback from two sets down against Adrian Mannarino.

Andy Murray has rallied from two sets down in the heat and humidity of New York to see off a spirited challenge from France's Adrian Mannarino For two sets, the French challenger confounded Murray with brilliant shotmaking and smart serving.

The uncompromising aggression was simply too much for Murray to handle, as the diminutive tore holes through Murray's famous defence. Such was the Frenchman's dominance, by the time the third set rolled around, Mannarino had accumilated ten times as many forehand winners as Murray.

However, the Scot kept his composure and waited the Frenchman out. As the third set came around, the searing heat and humidity began to take its toll on the small Frenchman. Whilst the challenger hit the wall, the former US Open champion soared and never looked back.

In each of the final three sets, the Scot broke his opponent's serve within Mannarino's first two service games of each set. It was as convincing a recovery from such a score can be, and he happily marched to victory.

Murray will face Brazilian clay court specialist Thomaz Bellucci in the third round.

Paper Round: De Gea will get fresh start at Man United

Premier League
Paper Round: De Gea will get fresh start at Man United

David De Gea will get worked back into the team even if he doesn't sign a new contract. That and more from Friday's papers.

De Gea will play even if he doesn't sign new deal - David De Gea's playing time will not be determined by whether he signs a new contract at Manchester United. The Mirror understand that Louis van Gaal will hand De Gea a fresh start and that his status in the team won't be affected by whether he signs a new contract or not. De Gea was concerned he'd be ostracized at United and lose his spot as Spain's goalkeeper, but van Gaal is ready to bring him back into the team and keep him there all season.

Paper Round's view - Starting Sergio Romero instead of De Gea because De Gea would like to leave on a free transfer after the season would be the height of stupidity. De Gea is so much better than Romero and it's not as if there's reason to think that he's not going to give the Red Devils his best effort. He should be their starting goalkeeper and van Gaal will ensure he is given the chance to be.

Man United beat out Europe's heavyweights to Martial -
Why did Manchester United spend so much money on Anthony Martial? Sources tell The Mail that the Red Devils had to because Barcelona, PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea were all chasing the 19-year-old. Man United paid £36 million for Martial, with add-ons potentially taking it up to £57.6m. Had Man United not signed Martial, the player could have signed a pre-contract in January with anyone he pleased. 'We paid a premium to get him now. It is similar to what we did with Ronaldo - and that turned out OK," the source said.

Paper Round's view - Martial is one of Europe's best young talents and he's not just a bundle of potential. He's proven himself to be capable in Ligue 1 and the Champions League already. If he makes good on his considerable potential, the Red Devils will have done well, but they're still paying an enormous price. It's tough to imagine that they had to pay all that money when everyone else was trying to sign him to a pre-contract months from now, but Man United aren't exactly efficient on the transfer market.

Justin Bieber Explains Why He Cried At VMAs & Reveals New Album Release Date

Justin Bieber Explains Why He Cried At VMAs & Reveals New Album Release Date

While chatting with Jimmy, Justin explained his strong emotions at the awards show, saying, “It was just so overwhelming for me — everything, just the performance. I missed some cues, so I was a little disappointed at that. Just everyone and their support. Honestly, let me breathe for second…I just wasn’t expecting them to support me in the way they did. The last time I was at an awards show, I was booed. I think it’s just like I’ve worked so hard at this album and at becoming the man I want to become, and then stepping into situations, you just can’t help but feel judged. So I was just feeling judged and wanting to win so badly, and wanting to do what I love so badly that I just put everything on the line. And I think that that was what was so special about the emotional moment at the end, that it was authentic. It was real. I was really just wanting it so bad.”

Justin Bieber Reveals Why He Cried At MTV VMAs 2015

Then Jimmy joked that Justin’s junk was also being pulled by the harness so maybe that had something to do with it. And later in their conversation, after Justin said a lot of his bad behavior in the past stemmed from hanging out with “knuckleheads,” he revealed that his new album will be coming out on November 13! No title was given.

Later in the show, Justin sang a country version of “What Do You Mean?” and participated in a drum off with a member from The Roots. Justin, who’s wildly talented on the drums, won, but that shouldn’t be a surprise.

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As HollywoodLife.com previously reported, Justin’s last TV appearance was on Sunday, Aug. 30, when he performed “Where Are U Now?” and “What Do You Mean?” during the MTV Video Music Awards. Justin dubbed it his “comeback” performance.

What did you think of Justin’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, HollywoodLifers? Tell us how you feel!

Netherlands 0 iceland 1

Euro 2016 Qualifying
Netherlands at risk of qualification disaster after shock defeat to Iceland

Euro 2016 qualifying Group A, Amsterdam Arena: Netherlands 0 Iceland 1 (Sigurdsson pen 51)

Iceland struck another blow at the Netherlands' hope of qualification for Euro 2016 with a slender 1-0 win in Amsterdam.

Iceland came closest to scoring in the first half with a chance that fell to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, in space in the middle of the box, and he could not make enough contact from close range.

The Netherlands lost their iconic striker Arjen Robben with what looked like to be a groin injury on the half-hour, and replaced him with Luciano Narsingh.

Two minutes later, things went from bad to worse when Bruno Martins Indi was sent off after a tussle with Kolbein Sigthorsson in which the Netherlands player appeared to swing out an arm across his opponent's throat while entangled on the ground. Danny Blind immediately sacrificed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to bring on a substitute defender, Jeffrey Bruma.

Iceland finally took the lead in the 51st minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a penalty after Birkir Bjarnason was brought down by Gregory van der Wiel.

Observers may question Blind's choices of substitution, opting to leave Robin van Persie on the bench even when his side were chasing a goal.

In return, he may point to the chances his side created, with Memphis and stand-in captain Wesley Sneijder linking up well.

However, despite the Netherlands' pressure, Iceland made the most of their extra man and clung on for the win.

KEY MOMENTS

7' CHANCE! Great ball in from Skulason, cut back at the far post and how does Bodvarsson miss that in the centre? The goalkeeper is off his line and he just needed a touch on that!

26' INJURY! Robben seems to be struggling - he's limped off to the sidelines to have some treatment.

32' RED CARD! I have no idea what's going on here. Martins Indi has been shown the red card after some slapping on the ground in a challenge with Sigthorsson, who grabs his face. It's all a bit pathetic, and the Iceland player gets a booking for his part in this nonsense.

51' GOAL! Cillessen gets his hands to Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty but doesn't do well enough.

54' POST! Gudmundsson curls his shot which hammers off the upright.

76' CHANCE! Oh, and Gudmundsson is in so much space at the far post, but he volleys high at an acute angle.

KEY STATISTICS

Jasper Cillessen had kept a clean sheet for 604 minutes (club and country) before conceding his 25th penalty.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored three of the seven goals the Netherlands conceded in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

The Netherlands have won only one of their last nine games in which they had a player sent off (vs Andorra in 2005).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland) - Three goals against the Netherlands in this qualifying campaign, they must be sick of the sight of him.

RATINGS

Netherlands - Cillessen 6, Van der Wiel 6, De Vrij 6, Martins Indi 4, Blind 6, Klaassen 5, Wijnaldum 5, Sneijder 7, Depay 7, Huntelaar 6, Robben 5. Subs - Krul, Zoet, Tete, Bruma 6, Riedewald, Kongolo, Anita, Promes 6, Narsingh 6, de Jong, van Persie.

Iceland - Halldórsson 7, R Sigurdsson 7, Árnason 7, B Skúlason 7, Bjarnason 7, G Sigurdsson 8, Bödvarsson 6, Gunnarsson 7, Gudmundsson 7, Sigthórsson 7. Subs: Kristinnsson, Gunnleifsson, Jonasson Jónsson, Ottesen, Sigurjónsson, Bjarnason, Gíslason, O Skúlason 6, Finnbogason 6, Kjartansson, Gudjohnsen 6.

Wales on the brink as Gareth Bale header sinks Cyprus

Euro 2016 Qualifying

Wales on the brink as Gareth Bale header sinks Cyprus

Euro 2016 Group B Qualifier, GSP Stadium, Nicosia - Cyprus 0 Wales 1 (Bale 82)

Wales are on the brink of qualifying for their first major tournament since 1958 after Gareth Bale's header secured a 1-0 win in Cyprus.

The Real Madrid forward rose at the back post to thump home his sixth goal in seven qualifiers to move Chris Coleman's side to within touching distance of next summer's finals in France.

The Dragons had the better of the chances in Nicosia but looked to be heading for a frustrating stalemate after Neil Taylor saw a rebound brilliantly blocked by Antonis Georgallides and David Edwards had a header harshly ruled out for a push.

But Bale was once again his country's saviour as his magnificent header eight minutes from time means that a victory at home to Israel on Sunday will see them qualify for Euro 2016.

KEY MOMENTS

11' - WALES CHANCE! It should be 1-0 to Wales. Georgallidis makes a real meal of Bale's low, dipping free kick and spills it straight to Taylor who can't beat the keeper with a simple follow up from six yards. The full back should have lifted it but side-footed straight into the Cyprus stopper's body.

27' - WALES GOAL RULED OUT! Edwards nods home Bale's sublime right-wing cross - but the referee disallows it for a push! That looked very harsh.

51' - WALES CHANCE! Great goalkeeping from Giorgallides as he comes rushing out to the edge of his area to get a hand on the ball after Robson-Kanu had threatened to round him as he rampaged onto Bale's superb through pass.

79' - WALES CHANCE! Taylor cuts it back from the left for Ramsey who sees his first-time shot beaten away by the goalkeeper. If the Arsenal man had gone either side of him he'd have scored.

82' - GOAL! CYPRUS 0-1 WALES. It's Bale - it had to be him! Richards gets free on the right and dinks a great cross to the back post for Bale to rise and thump a header into the net.

89' - GREAT SAVE! Hennessey palms away a low shot from the edge of the area that nearly squeezes past him at his left-hand corner.

KEY STATS

Wales have lost only once in the past 12 matches.

This was the Dragons' first win in Cyprus since 1992.

Wales have kept four consecutive competitive clean sheets for the first time since 1981.

Only Robert Lewandowski (7) has scored more goals in Euro 2016 qualification than Gareth Bale (6).

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Matchcast: Full match stats and commentary

TALKING POINT

Is Bale Wales' best ever? Ahead of the match Robbie Savage stated that the Real Madrid man is his choice as Wales' greatest ever player. It's a controversial subject given the likes of John Charles of yesteryear. But Savage makes a good point when he suggests Bale is dragging his country over the qualifying line - something the likes of Ryan Giggs never achieved. It's certainly one for debate, but if the ex-Spurs forward keeps this up in the years to come he could well cement his place as his country's all-time number one.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gareth Bale (Wales). Showed glimpses of his brilliance but looked to be frustrated until he popped up with another match-winning contribution.

PLAYER RATINGS

Cyprus: Giorgallides 6, Dossa Júnior 6, Demetriou 6, Antoniades 7, Laifis 6, Economides 6, Charalambides 6, Makridis 6, Nikolaou 6, Mytidis 7, Makris 7. Subs: Kolokoudias 6, Englezou 6, Kolokoudias n/a.

Wales: Hennessey 7, Richards 7, Gunter 7, Williams 8, Davies 6, Taylor 7, Edwards 7, King 7, Ramsey 6, Bale 8, Robson-Kanu 7. Subs: Vokes 6, Church n/a, MacDonald n/a

Belgium fight back for win over Bosnia, Italy edge Malta

Belgium fight back for win over Bosnia, Italy edge Malta

Belgium got their Euro 2016 qualification back on track with a 3-1 victory over Bosnia in Group B on Thursday, with Manchester City's new record signing Kevin De Bruyne among the scorers.

Belgium, who lost away to group leaders Wales in June, had a wealth of possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Bosnia side, who also threatened on the break with the ever menacing Edin Dzeko.

Indeed, it was Dzeko who opened the scoring, floating in a header after Mensur Mujdza had been allowed to advance unchallenged. It was Dzeko's fifth goal against Belgium.

Marouane Fellaini's thundering header from a corner and a sharp turn and shot from De Bruyne gave Belgium a one-goal cushion halftime.

But Belgium needed keeper Thibaut Courtois in top form to save a cracking drive from Haris Medunjanin until Eden Hazard won and converted a penalty in the 78th minute to calm home nerves.

Italy needed 69 minutes to break down a stubborn, tenacious Malta before Graziano Pelle struck to give them a 1-0 win in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Thursday.

Italy, without a win in their previous four matches, struggled to find a way through a massed Maltese defence in front of a sparse crowd at the Artemio Franchi stadium.

The win took them top of Group H with 15 points from seven games, one more than Croatia who drew 0-0 in Azerbaijan earlier on Thursday.

Pelle, who scored the only goal when Italy won by the same score in Malta earlier in the group, was in the thick of the action for Italy as he had a shot deflected over the crossbar and headed over from a corner early on.

Malta, bottom of the group with one point, nearly took a sensational lead just before the half hour when Alfred Effiong curled a shot just wide of Gianluigi Buffon's far post.

Norway's Vegard Forren struck early in the second half to earn a 1-0 win over lacklustre Bulgaria to improve their chances of reaching the finals.

The Czech Republic snatched a 2-1 come-from-behind win against Kazakhstan thanks to two late second-half headers from substitute Milan Skoda

Group A

Czech Republic 2 - 1 Kazakhstan

Netherlands 0 - 1 Iceland

Turkey 1 - 1 Latvia

Group B

Belgium 3 - 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Cyprus 0 - 1 Wales

Israel 4 - 0 Andorra

Group H

Azerbaijan 0 - 0 Croatia

Bulgaria 0 - 1 Norway

Italy 1 - 0 Malta

OMG!!!Tvd girl caaroline pregnacy

Vampire Diaries' Candice King Teases 'Badass' Caroline in Season 7, Talks 'Funny' Steroline Baby Theories

It’s been two days since The Vampire Diariesstar Candice King announced her pregnancy onInstagram — two days which the fans have used to craft some pretty interesting theories about how it might affect the CW drama’s seventh season.
King has no idea whether or not a Stefan-Caroline baby will be written into Season 7, though she admits it was “very funny to see” the fans’ reactions, particularly those who jumped to the immediate conclusion of a Stefan (or Caroline) Jr.

“Production has known about our exciting news and there’s been a lot of support,” she tells TVLine. “They already knew where this season was going, and it’s kind of the same as every other year: We start the beginning of the season asking the writers a lot of questions about what’s going to happen. then halfway through the season, it’s completely different. … Julie [Plec] and Caroline [Dries] are the best people to ask about [whether or not her pregnancy will be written into the show.] To be honest, I’m along for the ride just like the viewers are.”

And while there’s a chance King, like countless other pregnant actresses before her, might have to hide behind a few counters as her pregnancy progresses, she assures us we won’t be seeing any less of Caroline Forbes this fall.

“Caroline’s not always in every episode anyway, so that helps a little bit, but Caroline has, so far, been a really big part of the season,” she says. “Every single season, we think we know the way it’s going to go, but it always changes by the end. It could really go anywhere.
What we can expect, however, is a more fully realized Caroline Forbes, one who has changed a great deal after a tumultuous sixth season.

“We’re going to see Caroline get her bite back,” King says. “We’ll see her coming in as a badass, and sometimes she might act without thinking things totally through.” This specifically applies to Caroline’s stance against the Heretics, whom she “doesn’t like or trust very much.”

Lastly, King confirms that Caroline, along with several other characters, will make good on the promise to Elena to keep diary entries of what she’s missing during her 60(ish)-year slumber.

“It is The Vampire Diaries, so the diaries will live on,” she explains. “The flash-forwards and the diary moments are a really beautiful addition to the season.

We’ll have more scoop about TVD‘s seventh season as we approach the Oct. 8 premiere — including what to expect from Stefan and Caroline’s slow-burning romance — but for now, drop a comment with your hopes for Caroline below: Are you keeping your fingers crossed for a Steroline baby?

Selena Gomez gets a kiss from best pal Taylor Swift as they celebrate Video Of The Year win with Bad Blood squad at MTV VMAs afterparty

Selena Gomez gets a kiss from best pal Taylor Swift as they celebrate Video Of The Year win with Bad Blood squad at MTV VMAs afterparty

She's part of Taylor Swift's squad who helped bring her Bad Blood video vision to life.

And as Taylor celebrated her Video of the Year Moonman at the MTV VMAs on Sunday night, her best pal Selena Gomez partied into the night with her.

Selena looked gorgeous in a racy double split dress as she got a kiss from her superstar pal at the Republic Records afterparty at Ysabel in Los Angeles.

Does TeenWolf's Hellhound Mean Good Or Bad News For Beacon Hills???

Does ‘Teen Wolf”s Hellhound Mean Good Or Bad News For Beacon Hills?
While it’s been well over a week since the “Teen Wolf” summer finale, we still can’t get that episode out of our heads! Luckily, there’s a fancy lil illustrated recap if your memory sucks.

We’ve addressed the insanity surroundingTheo’s new pack of chimeras, but what’s up with this Hellhound business?! Lydia has correctly identified Parrish as a Hellhound, a creature of the “Wild Hunt” who both bears death and protects the supernatural. (So we weren’t too far off in calling him “an angel” of sorts!)

According to Jeff Davis in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Hellhound will be a major focal point in the second half of Season 5. “We always start a season talking about different mythologies, and this was one of those more fascinating ones — the story of the ghost riders and the idea that the Hellhound, or the black dog, is part of it all the way back to Woden’s Hunt,” Davis says. “You don’t know whether [Parrish is] a good guy or a bad guy but that he serves a function, that he is definitely there for a reason, that he was drawn to Beacon Hills for a purpose. And the purpose of a Hellhound is they’re a guardian of a supernatural place, and that’s what he is. And we’re going to find out just what that role entails in season 5B and how dangerous it’s going to become for the rest of the characters.”

So you mean to tell us that our friends could be in even more danger? Beyond that of theDread Doctors? Sigh. Davis also reveals that one of the creatures depicted in the Dreads’ painting is indeed a Hellhound. So the evil MDs are definitely tied to the Wild Hunt, but as for how… time will tell.
Do you think Parrish-Hellhound is a good guy or a bad one? What do you think could be in store for Scott & Co.? Comment with your thoughts, and keep checking MTV News for more “TW” updates!

Kanye West decided against MTV VMAs performance 10 MINUTES before acceptance speech

Kanye West decided against MTV VMAs performance 10 MINUTES before acceptance speech

Kanye West's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last week was certainly a surprise to fans - and it appears producers of the show were just as shocked.

The rapper won the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard prize at the annual ceremony, andjoked he was running for the United States presidency in 2020 as he collected his trophy.

It seems even those in charge of organising the event were also taken aback by the speech - because Kanye's plans for the ceremony changed 10 MINUTES before he was due to go on stage.

"Then, about two acts into the show, we thought he would do a couple-song medley. This is after the show started.

"Then, about an act before, we found out that he might not do music and just speak - but we had to be prepared for both, so we had a track cued up. We were in the truck and we heard this 10 minutes before he was to accept the award."
Kanye's slot was left open by organisers of the VMAs, who "decided to be open to whatever" he wanted to do, with Toffler admitting even the rapper's own team didn't know what to expect.

He added: "I'm not sure the speech was ready! He didn't rehearse. I saw him on the red carpet beforehand, but he didn't tell me what direction he was going to go in. We've learned to expect the unexpected.

"Someone from his camp was with us in the truck and he was surprised too. Nobody knew what he was going to do - or announced that he was going to run for president. We were all surprised Even Taylor Swift."

MTV Producer Says Nicki and Miley Were 'Not Playing' About Onstage VMA Beef

MTV Producer Says Nicki and Miley Were 'Not Playing' About Onstage VMA Beef

Feud or fiction? 

An MTV exec has weighed in on Miley Cyrus andNicki Minaj's onstage beef at the VMAs and insists it wasn't staged. 

Van Toffler, who served as executive producer of the MTV awards Sunday, told Billboard the pop stars were "not playing," adding: "We had no idea what either of them was going to say, and we didn't anticipate that. Clearly, from Miley's reaction, it was genuine." 

The Internet went crazy when Minaj threw some shade at Cyrus after accepting her best hip-hop video Moonman, calling the "Wrecking Ball" singer "this bitch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press ... Miley, what's good?" (In a walkup interview to the VMAs with the New York Times, which Cyrus hosted, she commented on Minaj and Taylor Swift's Twitter feud and called the rapper "not too kind.") 

Neither Minaj nor Cyrus has directly addressed the controversy, which some believe was staged for buzz. However, Minaj did take to Twitter, posting "Lmfaooooooooooooo" shortly after the onstage barbs, then retweeting an Atlantic article about the drama the next day. 

'I want to apologise to my nation' - returning Mohammad Amir begs forgiveness

Cricket

'I want to apologise to my nation' - returning Mohammad Amir begs forgiveness

Mohammad Amir has begged for forgiveness as he begins what he hopes is his journey back to international cricket with Pakistan.

The fast bowler, now 23, burst on to the world scene as a teenager and starred on his country's 2010 tour of England - until he put his career in jeopardy by bowling deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test as part of a spot-fixing plot.

Amir, fellow paceman Mohammad Asif and captain Salman Butt served five-year bans for their part in the deception and also spent time in jail, as did their agent Mazhar Majeed, after they were exposed by a News of the World undercover investigation.

All three players are eligible, as of Wednesday, to return to international cricket and have begun a reintegration process with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Amir, who unlike his team-mates pleaded guilty to the charges ahead of the 2011 trial at Southwark Crown Court, has been playing domestic cricket for Rawalpindi having been granted an early return in January by the International Cricket Council, after he participated in educational programmes and showed remorse for his actions.

He continued to do so as he told the Daily Mail: "I just want to say sorry to everybody who has supported me throughout the last five years and to those who were disappointed in me, but above all I want to apologise to my nation.

"I let everybody down but I will return with honesty and dignity. I want to make it up to them by representing Pakistan again. It will not be easy and I'm not expecting it to be but I am confident I can become the bowler I was.

"The last five years have been a huge loss and of course a huge source of regret. My life was torn apart but I know it was my fault."

Amir is highly unlikely to be involved when England face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October, with the PCB's reintegration plan specifying " sessions with bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and team Pakistan members to foster acceptability for probable future congenial environment in the dressing room" which will run until the end of February.

It has been reported that he could be part of a Pakistan A team for a warm-up match, though, while he says he has the support of the players he has spoken to - " they have all been like family members", he claimed.

Having only played four Twenty20 games since his return to domestic action, taking five wickets, he accepts international cricket is still a long way off.

He added: "I need to thank the ICC because they have been very fair with me. They allowed me to start playing again in January and that gave me the boost to think that I really could return to the game and reach the highest level again.

"I can't focus on international cricket. I need to play for Rawalpindi and I need to play first-class cricket. If and when I come back will totally depend on the selectors and the PCB.

"I just have to bowl as well as I can and prove to people that I am good enough and deserve a second chance. I want to be loved by the fans again."

Djokovic clicks into gear to race into third round

#Tennis

Djokovic clicks into gear to race into third round

Novak Djokovic took a while to warm up against Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer but shifted into gear to close out the first set and then raced to a 6-4 6-1 6-2 win that closed Wednesday's play of the U.S.

Open.

World number one Djokovic, who lost only three games in his opening-round victory, led 5-4 in an indifferent first set that went with serve before suddenly snapping into focus to break the Austrian to love.

Flicking winners off his forehand and burying backhands deep into corners, the Serb dropped only three more games as he sailed to victory and a place in the third round.

The reigning Australian and Wimbledon champion registered 27 winners and did not face a single break point in his demolition of 28-year-old Haider-Maurer, a winner of nine career Challenger titles but none on the ATP World Tour.

Djokovic next plays Italy's Andreas Seppi, a 3-6 6-3 7-6(3) 6-1 winner against Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili.

United's reputation in tatters after De Gea's deadline day debacle

Premier League
United's reputation in tatters after De Gea's deadline day debacle

The David De Gea episode was very damaging for Manchester United, who must hope they can get the keeper back to top form after his move to Real Madrid collapsed.

Manchester United’s reputation as a club is in tatters over the farcical events which stopped David De Gea joining Real Madrid.

Given how things fell apart on Spanish deadline day, I imagine De Gea will be feeling quite bitter now. Two of the biggest clubs in the world have made a horrible mess of a transfer and it is the player who will suffer. De Gea was ready to return home to play for arguably the biggest club in the world – he was in Madrid ready to be unveiled – and now he has to come back into a very awkward scenario.

Making that move with his family, staking a claim for a starting role for Spain for Euro 2016 and representing Madrid… that has all been ripped away from him by two clubs failing to do their jobs properly. It is incredibly selfish of both Real Madrid and Manchester United and he has done nothing wrong.

Neither club has treated him well at all. United kicked him out of the team while the interest was there and Madrid waited until so late in the window to get things done. It hardly sent out a message that they were desperate for him to come. If they had his best interests at heart they would have done the deal weeks ago.

But for two clubs as well versed in elite football as Manchester United and Real Madrid – with all the staff they employ and expertise they have – to let a huge transfer fall apart because they can’t complete and upload files properly at the last minute is frankly unbelievable.

The fall out has been embarrassing with both clubs issuing statements in an attempt to transfer the blame, and I can’t believe United have got themselves caught up in it. Sometimes, silence is golden. Let other people shout and rant and just keep your counsel. But United aren’t good at keeping their mouths shut at the moment.

There’s only one noisy neighbour now and that’s Manchester United. They keep airing all their linen in public, keeping the press well informed about what is going on. Meanwhile, Manchester City do things reasonably quietly and effectively.

One thing is obvious: Manchester United have to bring him back into the team. David De Gea was the player who got United into the Champions League and they will need him this season. The back four are doing okay but Sergio Romero was found wanting against Swansea. Louis van Gaal can’t afford to bear a grudge.

De Gea also needs to play his way back into form and prove again what a great keeper he is. Perhaps he will join Madrid in January, perhaps he won’t, but either way Euro 2016 is at the end of the season and he needs to be there. Both men need to put their differences aside and work together for the benefit of the club.

The most important thing is that Manchester United have the best players available as they try and get over this debacle and get on with their season.

Caroline Dries Talks The Vampire Diaries Season 7 with THR

Caroline Dries Talks The Vampire Diaries Season 7 with THR

                                                                         

When the series returns this fall, life will move on for Elena’s loved ones.

“Obviously the big thing for us is we lost the main character of the show,” The Vampire Diaries executive producerCaroline Dries tells The Hollywood Reporter. “We had the privilege of Nina gifting us with the knowledge that we’d be losing her midway through season six. And so, once we knew we were losing a main character, we could build the main infrastructure for a show that could exist without her. Not just Elena Gilbert, but Katherine Pierce — who had already left. … We had been looking at this for a while, ever since Katherine left: how do we fill that voice of the very confident, sultry, sexy woman who is a villain? How do we keep the love and heart and soul that is Elena? And that’s what our task was as employed writers [was] to go, ‘Let’s pull this off.'”

The series will dive deeper into the characters it already established.

Though a whole group of new faces have joined the show in light of Dobrev’s exit, Dries shared the plan is to explore the characters fans already know and love in season seven.

“Our show has 500,000 cast members on it, so we have gotten to know them, watch them mature as characters for 130 episodes,” she says. “So to fill the void of a main character, it just means seeing people we already know very well a little bit more. This season, the guts of the show is really the Salvatore brothers. And it’s really Stefan’s relationship with Caroline. … The show feels like it’s stillVampire Diaries, but there’s this level of maturity to it now. Especially with the presence of Lily and Caroline’s character now. She just feels like she’s getting more mature and more self-assured of herself. Damon and Stefan are dealing with way more adult problems. The show feels the same, but feels new.”