In reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Joachim Loew has maintained his impressive record of consistently steering Germany to the final stages of major tournaments — yet is still facing criticism at home.

Germany’s Mario Gomez has been ruled out of the rest of Euro 2016 through injury while Sami Khedira and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger are doubts for Thursday’s semi-final, the German Football Federation (DFB) said yesterday.

Germany missed more penalties in 10 minutes on Saturday than in their six previous shootouts spanning 40 years yet still found a way to emerge victorious and end a 54-year tournament jinx over Italy to reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals

In Taipei, Spain’s Carlos Pigem claimed his first professional title after beating Japan’s Shunya Takeyasu in a play-off at the $500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.

World number one Jason Day found only three fairways off the tee but battled to a one-under par 69 to share the lead after Saturday’s third round of the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.

Defending champion Brooke Henderson fired a two-under par 70 on Saturday to seize a two-stroke lead after the third round of the LPGA Portland Classic.

Roger Federer spent a calm preparatory weekend at his rented home and on the practice courts easing into the fourth round at the Wimbledon Championships.

Rod Laver admitted yesterday he was saddened by Novak Djokovic’s failure to break his 47-year long Grand Slam record.

The governance of new FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his lifestyle have drawn criticism in an internal memo of world football’s governing body, published online by the Swiss weekly SonntagsZeitung.

Kelechi Iheanacho will miss the Olympics because new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants him to stay at the English club for pre-season training instead of.

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that they have to prove themselves all over again following his arrival at the club.

Poland international midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak has signed for French champions Paris Saint-Germain from Sevilla on a five-year deal, both clubs confirmed yesterday.