Up-and-coming Players

With two matchdays already complete, England's footballing template has been executed perfectly so far at Euro 2020.

First: infinite pre-tournament hype, especially in connection to a burgeoning young star — in this case, Phil Foden. Then, earn some decent results in the group stage without looking overly encouraging on the pitch. Finally, get through to the next round, provide some hope, then lose in heartbreaking fashion late in the game or on penalties.

It's a pattern so often repeated that any England fan worth his salt has put it to memory.

Luxembourg is rarely a country that is mentioned in discussions of European football. A victory over the Republic of Ireland and a good performance against Portugal during World Cup qualifiers back in March made a few headlines, but few people outside of Luxembourg understand how far football has come in the country in the last decade.

As the world heals from the pandemic, pick-up matches are on their way back as well. Pick-up matches exemplify all the best parts of soccer: intense rivalries, healthy competition and the opportunity to sharpen your skills.

After Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both suffered season-ending injuries within the span of two weeks this past fall, Liverpool's title defense appeared to be over.

Joel Matip was left as the only healthy first-team center back, but soon the Cameroonian — who himself battled his share of injuries in the first half of the campaign — succumbed to a season-ending groin injury in January.

Not long ago, Central Scotland was home to a generational footballing talent. Scouts from across Europe descended on the coastal city of Dundee to watch teenage sensation Ryan Gauld as he slalomed past Premiership defenders and picked apart backlines with his inch-perfect passes.

Standing 5-5 (he has since grown to 5-7) with an innate quickness and a deft left foot, Gauld quickly drew comparisons to Lionel Messi — gaining him nicknames such as: "Baby Messi," "Mini Messi" and "Aberdeen Messi" (the last one a tribute to the youngster's hometown).

LONDON - Last November, players of Venezuelan first division football team Trujillanos took to the pitch with a banner demanding their long unpaid salaries and then stood still for a minute in protest once the game kicked off.

Since then, the head coach has left to manage the U-20 national team and their three best players moved to clubs in Brazil, Colombia and Canada for next to nothing.