Sports

Mario Gomez struck as world champions Germany beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Paris on Tuesday to qualify for the Euro 2016 knockout phase as winners of Group C.

Ukraine lost 2-0 to both Germany and Northern Ireland, the latter defeat coming as a bitter disappointment against a team ranked six places below them.

The French police have arrested 557 fans since the start of the Euro football championship for taking part in violent acts, with 21 expelled from the country, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Monday.

France ended the group stage of Euro 2016 in the position they wanted but with their coach still looking for the right formula to bring the best out of a team with high expectations.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina was the hero as Colombia slayed their penalty shoot-out jinx to defeat Peru and advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America Centenario on Friday.

Croatia were leading 2-1 when English referee Mark Clattenburg halted proceedings so the flares could be extinguished.

Clint Dempsey's 52nd international goal, five behind Landon Donovan's American record, put the U.S. ahead in the 22nd minute and Zardes guided Dempsey's cross into the net in the 65th for a 2-0 lead.

Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge rose from the bench to score as England came from behind to defeat neighbours Wales 2-1 in Thursday's all-British Euro 2016 clash in Lens.

French police fired tear gas and charged England supporters during troubles in central Lille on Wednesday which left at least one injured, AFP reporters said.

Nani praised Iceland who were physically strong and troubled Portugal with long balls.

Belgium can not afford any mistakes against Ireland in their second Euro 2016 Group E match on Saturday if they are to make up for the disappointment of their opening loss to Italy, striker Divock Origi has said.

Italy, who have been keeping a low profile, beat Belgium 2-0 here on Monday night to kickstart their campaign in style.

Sepp Blatter said no draw for a FIFA event had been fixed during his 18 years at the helm of world football's governing body, but also said that he had seen it done for European competitions.

Goals in either half from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle ensured Italy hit the ground running at Euro 2016 as the Azzurri confined highly-fancied Belgium to a 2-0 defeat on Monday.

India hockey team's coach Roelant Oltmans was pleased with the fine performance of the young Indian players, who pulled off a 2-1 upset win over Great Britain in the Champions Trophy.

During the practice, Bale's free-kick struck a man sitting behind the goal square on the face.