France in semifinals

France captain Kylian Mbappe said his side "didn't do enough" in Tuesday's 2-1 semi-final loss to Spain and admitted he was disappointed after underperforming at Euro 2024.

"We didn't do enough to get to the final," Mbappe told reporters. "They (Spain) played better than us, they deserved to go to the final and we are going home."

Mbappe set up Randal Kolo Muani's ninth-minute opener, but Spain hit back to take the lead with two strikes in four minutes midway through the first half.

"I had the ambition of becoming European champion. I had the goal of having a good Euros. I did neither. It's a disappointment," said Mbappe.

France scored just four goals at the tournament, with Mbappe's only strike coming from the penalty spot.

The haul was in stark contrast to France's run to the World Cup final in Qatar, where Mbappe scored eight of Les Bleus' 16 goals.

Mbappe had a late chance to level the scores when he cut inside from the left flank with just goalkeeper Unai Simon to beat, but blasted over the bar.

"I got past the defender and it went well. Afterwards, I thought I just have to score or at the very least get it on target.

"It went over the bar. That's the harsh reality of football. 2-1 and we're going home."

The France captain had played in a protective mask after breaking his nose in the opening match against Austria, but removed it for the semi-final, saying he was "fed up".

"I couldn't see well with it. I spoke to the doctor to see if I could play without it.

"He told me to make the decision like a man. And there you go, I played without it and I don't regret it.

 A bloodied nose, a booking for unsportsmanlike conduct and an unfathomable miss that silenced a stadium - France's Kylian Mbappe underlined his troubled relationship with the European Championship on Monday amidst uncertainty over his injury.

The France captain, to his credit, was sublime in creating the goal that beat Austria 1-0, but his failure to score at a Euros will weigh heavily on a player who has found the net 12 times at World Cups, including a hat-trick in the 2022 final.

Mbappe's last match at a European Championship ended in acrimony for France, with his miss in a shootout the trigger for their shock second-round exit to Switzerland at Euro 2020 after his side squandered a two-goal advantage late in the game.

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Goal droughts do not come often for Mbappe but France's opening Group D match on Monday marked his fifth successive Euros game without scoring after a combined 18 goal attempts.

The 25-year-old was impressive and involved in just about every France move, but it just was not his night.

He ended it with a bloodied nose after a nasty collision with the shoulder of Austria's Kevin Danso while attempting to head home an Antoine Griezmann free kick, which Mbappe had won when he took a blow to the face moments earlier.

After receiving treatment he left the field initially but in a bizarre move Mbappe returned minutes later then sat down on the pitch, prompting boos and jeers from the Austria fans and a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"It's very bad news for us tonight," France manager Didier Deschamps said. "If you had Kylian who is in a difficult situation... Obviously, the French team with or without him, this is not the same thing. I hope he can be there."

Given Mbappe's performance on Monday France will be hoping it won't be long before he is firing again and that he recovers in time for France's next game with Netherlands on Friday.

Mbappe was the standout French player, reeling off perfectly weighted passes, coolly spreading the ball around and injecting bursts of lightning pace to leave his markers for dead.

He threatened to score after nine minutes with a fierce low shot from an angle that tested goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

Mbappe then created a goal from nothing near halftime with a quick shimmy to skip around three players before delivering a cross that was headed into his own net by Maximilian Wober.

The forward chased everything, starting one move in his own half with a pass before sprinting two-thirds of the way down the field to try to finish off the move.

He stunned the crowd in the 54th minute when he accelerated past an opponent at the halfway line before darting into the area and uncharacteristically firing a shot wide with time, space and only the goalkeeper to beat, prompting a cheeky grin.

Luciano Rodriguez scored in the 86th minute as Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup final in La Plata, Argentina on Sunday.

The Celeste's maiden Under-20 World Cup crown ended a streak of four consecutive titles for European teams.

Uruguay lost the final of the tournament in 1997 and 2013. Brazil was the last winner from South America in 2011.

More than 40,000 people, mostly cheering for Uruguay, attended the match at the Diego Maradona Stadium. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present.

"This is crazy, crazy, crazy and we deserve it," a tearful Rodríguez said after the match. "We are living a dream."

Italy's Cesare Casadei, the top tournament's top scorer with seven goals, had a disappointing performance in the final.

Italy coach Carmine Nunziata recognised Uruguay played better, but said the pitch condition affected his players.

"The pitch has penalised any player who has more skills," Nunziata said. "We had an incredible run. This match doesn't cancel what we have done, playing all these matches is not easy. They were better than us today."

Neither Uruguay nor Italy were among the favorites when the U20 World Cup kicked off on May 20, but unlike Brazil, Argentina and England they faced less resistance from clubs about releasing players for the tournament.

The title for the Celeste came in the wake of Argentina's World Cup title in December, which also ended a sequence of wins of European teams.

Earlier, debutant Israel beat South Korea 3-1 to secure third place in the same stadium in La Plata.
 

Halloween is creeping up fast! Have you made your plans or are you still wondering where to go? Your options will vary from legendary castles to catacombs to adventure parks, depending on whether you are looking for costume parties, ghost tours, or aiming for deeper exploration into tradition and history.

So, if you are ready to spice up your spooky seasons, here is a guide to some of the best Halloween experiences around the world. No matter your Halloween style, each destination mentioned offers a unique way to celebrate the spooky season, combining tradition, thrill, and festivity. Pick your adventure and be prepared for a Halloween like no other!

Edinburgh, Scotland

The city ranks among Europe's most haunted cities to celebrate Halloween. For thrill-seekers, Edinburgh offers an experience like no other. Starting from tours in underground vaults and closes, to lantern-led walks into graveyards, the city will take you to a shadowy world where the line between the living and the dead blurs. 

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For a more family-friendly affair, Dalkeith Country Park, located just outside the city can be a good option for soft-scare offering pumpkin picking, ghostly storytelling, and outdoor movie screening of Halloween classics.

Even when it is about a modern celebration, Conifox Adventure Park will not let you down with twists like a witches' labyrinth, broomstick flying school, and a monster disco, perfect for the young (and the young at heart!).

Photo: Collected / Pascal Bernardon / Unsplash

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, often called 'Witch City,' comes alive as a haunting wonderland each October. Wondered what it would be like to walk the streets of a town known for one of America's darkest episodes, the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s.

With moonlit ghost tours into places like Gallows Hill Park and the Witch House serving as reminders of the grim past, the city will not disappoint you. If you are not much into history and rather looking for Halloween enthusiasm, you can just stroll through the vendor-lined street, enjoy carnival rides, or join fellow Halloween enthusiasts costumed in parades. 

Kawasaki Halloween Parade, Japan

Unlike other Halloween parades, Kawasaki Parade is highly organised and requires participants to apply months before. The parade is usually held on the last Sunday in October ensuring every costume is nothing short of an extra-ordinary. Participants put in great effort and for good reason — the best costume gets a 500,000-yen prize. 

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Besides the costume competition, Kawasaki hosts a range of Halloween activities like street performances, live music, dance parties, etc. Even if you are not into parades or dance parties, Kawasaki will offer you horror film screenings and family-friendly events.

Whether you are a participant or a bystander, the parade will offer you an experience which blends traditional Halloween elements with Japanese pop culture, making it a one-of-a-kind event in Japan.

Bran Castle, Romania 

Do you remember the haunting stories of Count Dracula from the iconic novels and films? Have you ever imagined stepping into that world? Well, Halloween at Bran Castle gives you that chance for an authentic adventure.

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Bran Castle, a medieval fortress in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania is known as "Dracula's Castle" to the outside world. The castle, with cobwebbed stone walls and haunting shadows, creates the absolute setting for a spooky experience inspired by the famous tale of Bram Stoker.

The annual Halloween party typically takes place on the Saturday closest to 31 October, with live performances, gothic decorations, and guests showing up in creative costumes, to match the haunting atmosphere.

Photo: Collected / Emilio González / Pexels

Día de los Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico

If you are looking for a vibrant celebration this Halloween, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Oaxaca, Mexico can be your go-to destination. Though this festival in Oaxaca is typically celebrated on the first two days of November just like the rest of Mexico, in reality, the celebrations start on the night of 31 October 31with the spirits returning at midnight. 

This festival honours the deceased, loved ones through vibrant parades, rituals, and traditional dance. The families clean and decorate the graveyard of their loved ones with flowers, candles, and favourite foods to invite their spirits for a reunion. 

Photo: Collected / Asso Myron / Unsplash

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, Singapore

Featuring haunted houses, scare zones, and live performances, Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights is one of the premier Halloween attractions in Asia. Every year Universal Studios partners with horror franchises, creating new themed haunted houses inspired by classic horror characters, twisted folklore, popular films, and TV shows.

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Besides haunted houses, scary zones and scary shows are arranged where costumed actors participate leaving no room free from the terror. And for those looking for a break from scares, the park offers night-time rides, themed dining and movie screenings, creating intense adrenaline-filled events. If you want to immerse yourself in such an unforgettable experience, book your tickets urgently as the month-long Halloween Horror Nights will continue until 4 November.

Catacombs of Paris, France

A hidden world known as the Catacombs of Paris, lies down the lively streets of the city, as a labyrinth of tunnels with the bones of over six million people. Although only a few tunnels are open for public exposure, the whole catacomb covers a vast area, stretching over approximately 280 kilometres.

The Paris Catacombs was originally built in the 18th century to address the city's overflowing cemeteries, and since then this underground ossuary has become one of Paris's most haunting attractions. If you are looking for a spooky experience, Paris Catacombs will offer you a glimpse into the past through special guided tours that dive into the history of revolutions and plagues.

In the narrow corridors, surrounded by bones and skulls, the silence is interrupted only by the echo of footsteps. 

France were 2-1 ahead against Croatia at halftime in the World Cup final after a pulsating opening 45 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

France took the lead when Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic, who scored the extra-time winner over England in the semi-final, inadvertently headed home an Antoine Griezmann free-kick in the 18th minute for the first own goal in a World Cup final.

Croatia's Ivan Perisic, who had also scored in the semi-final, levelled with a powerful shot 10 minutes later after France had failed to clear a Luka Modric free-kick.

But Perisic was then responsible for conceding a penalty for handball that was give following a VAR decision and Griezmann coolly converted the spot-kick in the 38th to put the French back in front.

More to follow..