October 2021 – Page 6 – Football Flame

Month: October 2021

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Cristiano Ronaldo scores hat-trick for Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is tackled by Moris of Luxembourg during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Luxembourg at Estadio Algarve on October 12, 2021 in Loule, Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Portugal recorded an emphatic World Cup qualifying win over Luxembourg at the Estadio Algarve.The victory leaves Portugal second in Group A, a point behind Serbia who they host in their final game.Ronaldo knocked in two penalties and rounded off the scoring with a header as he recorded his 58th hat-trick for club and country.Bruno Fernandes and Joao Palhinha added the other goals.Bruno Fernandes of Portugal celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Portugal and Luxembourg at E...
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Italy preparing Euro 2028 hosting bid

UEFA Euro 2024 (2024 UEFA European Football Championship) logo is seen on a smartphone. UEFA have published the procedure to apply for hosting duties of the 2028 European Championship and Italy are expected to propose their candidacy.EURO 2024 will be staged in Germany, their second major tournament in recent years after the 2006 World Cup.Today the requirements for the EURO 2028 bidding process were confirmed, with the decision to be made in September 2023.This in itself could cause some tension, seeing as FIFA are trying to push through the proposal of a World Cup every two years, which would clash with this competition.UEFA Euro 2024 (2024 UEFA European Football Championship) logo is seen on a smartphone and a pc screen.There will be 51 matches involving 24 teams and any nation – or nat...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Diogo Jota sent home by Portugal, could miss Watford game

Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Burnley at Anfield on August 21, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Diogo Jota is a doubt for Liverpool's trip to Watford on Saturday after he was sent home early from international duty.The 24-year-old returned to Merseyside before Portugal's World Cup Qualifier against Luxembourg on Tuesday.He had not trained with the squad since being left out of the weekend friendly win over Qatar due to a muscle injury.Portugal's forward Diogo Jota in action during the FIFA World Cup 2022 European qualifying round group A football match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland, at the Algarve stadium in Faro, Portugal, on September 1, 2021.The Portuguese Football Federation said: "Diogo Jota was d...
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SERIE A

Mertens ready to play for automatic renewal with Napoli

Dries Mertens of Belgium during a press conference before a training session of the Belgian national football team "The Red Devils" ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 Quarter-final match against Italy, at the Proximus Basecamp on June 30, 2021 in Tubize, Belgium. Dries Mertens has put the shoulder injury behind him and is working hard to re-claim a place in the line-up of Luciano Spalletti’s unbeaten Napoli.The Belgian striker has one appearance of six minutes towards the end of the 2-1 win against Fiorentina, as Napoli sit first in Serie A with seven wins from seven games.Mertens underwent a shoulder surgery in July and has worked hard to recover and hopes to contribute for Napoli in the coming months.The 34-year-old has entered the last year of his deal with the Partenopei worth €4m a season, a...
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Germany qualify for Qatar 2022 but Belgium made to wait

Timo Werner of Germany celebrates with Thomas Muller after scoring their team's second goal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between North Macedonia and Germany at National Arena Todor Proeski on October 11, 2021 in Skopje, Macedonia. A Timo Werner double on Monday helped Germany stamp their ticket for the 2022 World Cup with a 4-0 win over North Macedonia, but Belgium will have to wait until next month after Wales carved out a narrow win in Estonia.Hansi Flick's men avenged a shock 2-1 home loss to the Macedonians earlier this year to claim their seventh win in eight qualifiers and take an unassailable eight-point lead at the top of Group J, with two matches remaining."We now have five wins from five this season," Germany coach Hansi Flick told RTL. "You have to compliment t...
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LALIGA

Aguero and Dembele return to Barcelona training

Presentation of Sergio Kun Aguero as a new FC Barcelona player after signing a contract till 2022/2023 season. In Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona, 31 of May, 2021. Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Aguero were a welcome sight on the Barcelona training ground on Monday as the two attackers worked out with the rest of the squad for the first time this season.Both players are finally closing in on a return to action after missing the start of the campaign due to injury and undertook some light training as the squad got back to work after a few days off.The return of Dembele and Aguero will be a big boost to Ronald Koeman after a tough start to the campaign and, along with fit-again Ansu Fati, will increase the Dutchman’s attacking options.Welcome back @Dembouz & @aguerosergiokun!Both started trainin...
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TRANSFERS

Juventus open talks with Van De Beek’s agent

Donny van de Beek of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford on October 02, 2021 in Manchester, England. According to La Stampa newspaper, Juventus have opened talks with Donny Van De Beek’s agent ahead of a possible January move.The Dutch midfielder has been struggling with playing time at Manchester United and Juventus are long time admirers of the former Ajax midfielder.With both Inter and Juventus looking for midfield reinforcement in the summer, Serie A is considered a possible destination for the 24-year-old.La Stampa reports that Juventus director Federico Cherubini has ‘made contact’ with the player’s agent ahead of a possible move in the winter transfer window.Van De Beek is a close friend of Matthijs de Lig...
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Courtois: Players not robots, we need rest

Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santader match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid at RCD Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Barcelona. Belgium and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing criticism of UEFA and FIFA for scheduling more and more matches at the expense of player welfare.Courtois hit out at the growing football calendar after his side's 2-1 defeat by Italy in the UEFA Nations' League third-place play-off on Sunday, labelling the match, in which both teams rotated their squads, a "money game"."We are not robots. It's just more and more games and less rest for us and nobody cares about us. When will we get a rest? Never," Courtois said.The football calendar has been squeezed in the last 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Cham...
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Messi’s Argentina thrash Uruguay, Brazil lose 100% qualifying record

Lionel Messi of Argentina fights for the ball with Federico Valverde of Uruguay during a match between Argentina and Uruguay as part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on October 10, 2021 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbors Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday.Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez rounded off a successful night for Lionel Scaloni's team in Buenos Aires as they maintained their unbeaten start to the qualification campaign and closed the gap at the top of the single South American table to six points behind Brazil, who drew 0-0 with Colombia."We played a great match, I think we're improving a lot," said Messi. "It was a tough match ...
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Karim Benzema delights as France triumph in Nations League final

Karim Benzema of France celebrates the victory following the UEFA Nations League 2021 Final match between Spain and France at Stadio San Siro stadium aka Stadio Giuseppe Meazza stadium on October 10, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Didier Deschamps heaped praise on Karim Benzema after the once-exiled forward played a key role in France's Nations League triumph.Benzema scored France's equaliser in a 2-1 win over Spain which handed the world champions the trophy, and Deschamps was delighted with his striker."Karim is a crucial player and he has proved over two matches that he has very obvious talent, it's there for all to see," said the coach."He has improved in different areas, he's clinical, he plays his part in the build up."Real Madrid forward Benzema had been banished from the national team for m...
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Mbappe strikes late as France best Spain to win Nations League

Antoine Griezmann of France lifts The UEFA Nations League Trophy following their team's victory in the UEFA Nations League 2021 Final match between Spain and France at San Siro Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Milan, Italy. Kylian Mbappe fired a contentious winner as France came from behind to beat Spain and become the second team to win the Nations League.Kylian Mbappe of France Jordan Veretout of France celebrating the victory during the UEFA Nations league match between Spain v France at the San Siro on October 10, 2021 in Milan Italy.Mbappe was adjudged to be onside when he slid the ball under Unai Simon after Karim Benzema's stunning equaliser at Milan's San Siro. Spain had taken the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, who shrugged off defender Dayot Upamecano to beat Hugo Lloris.Lloris deni...
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NEWS

Barella brace secures third for Italy in Nations League

Nicolo Barella of Italy celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League 2021 Third Place Match between Italy and Belgium at Juventus Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Turin, Italy. Nicolo Barella's thunderous strike and a penalty converted by Domenico Berardi earned hosts Italy a 2-1 victory over Belgium on Sunday and third place in this year’s Nations League.It offered some consolation for the European champions, whose semi-final loss to Spain in Milan on Wednesday ended their record 37-match unbeaten run.They returned to winning ways as Barella volleyed a poor corner clearance into the net one minute into the second half and Berardi added the second from the spot in the 65th minute, after Timothy Castagne had brought down the tricky Federico Chiesa.B...
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Mike Ashley interested in immediate return to football – and has new club in sights

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley during the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Oxford United and Newcastle United at Kassam Stadium on February 4, 2020 in Oxford, England.Mike Ashley is already eyeing his next move in football, fresh from selling Newcastle United for £300m to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.Chaired by the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Magpies have become the wealthiest club in the world overnight.It comes after a long battle with the Premier League to authenticate a sale with piracy issues at the centre of the saga.But after Saudi Arabia allowed beIN Sports to broadcast in their country, that red tape was cut and a deal went through surprisingly swiftly.And now, according to the Mirror, Ashley is looking to snap up Derby County, who are current...
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Portugal manager insists Man Utd have been using Cristiano Ronaldo incorrectly

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and Portugal celebrates after scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between Portugal and Qatar at Estadio Algarve on October 9, 2021 in Loule, Portugal.Portugal manager Fernando Santos has insisted that Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been using Cristiano Ronaldo incorrectly.The 36-year-old forward was benched for last weekend's Premier League clash with Everton at Old Trafford, despite scoring a stoppage time winner against Villarreal just days earlier.Solskjaer's gamble failed to pay off as United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the Toffees, with Ronaldo introduced in the second half as the Red Devils' laboured to a point.Now Ronaldo's national team boss has questioned the decision as he revealed prior to toni...
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England cruise to victory over Andorra to move closer to World Cup qualification

England's defender Ben Chilwell (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2022 qualifier football match between Andorra and England at Estadi Nacional stadium in Andorra la Vella, on October 9, 2021.England took another step towards confirming qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a predictably easy victory in Andorra.Gareth Southgate's side dropped their first points in qualifying when they drew in Poland in their last game but there was no threat of anything other than a very comfortable win against the country ranked 156th in the Fifa rankings.England rested big guns such as captain Harry Kane but, with Phil Foden outstanding, they had far too much for Andorra and quickly established their superiority.Foden played in Jadon Sancho to set up ...
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Lukaku & Hazard have ‘muscle overloads’

Belgium's forward Romelu Lukaku (L) chats with Belgium's forward Eden Hazard during a training session in Tubize on October 5, 2021 in preparations of their UEFA Nations League semifinal football match against France.Belgium pair Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard will miss the Nations League third-placed play-off with Italy because of "muscle overloads".Chelsea striker Lukaku will go back to Belgium, rather than London, first from Italy and boss Roberto Martinez does not know when he will be fit.Lukaku played all of Thursday's 3-2 semi-final defeat by France and scored."They're not in best conditions to play," said Martinez of Lukaku and Real Madrid's Eden Hazard."They're leaving the national team camp due to these problems - I don't know how long it will take for them to recover."Belgium's Ro...
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McTominay’s stoppage-time winner gives Scotland crucial World Cup qualifying victory

Scotland's midfielder Scott McTominay (C) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F qualification football match between Scotland and Israel at Hampden Park in Glasgow on october 9, 2021.Scott McTominay sparked bedlam at Hampden as his stoppage-time winner against Israel kept Scotland on course for the World Cup qualifying play-offs.The Manchester United midfielder bundled in his first Scotland goal after Eran Zahavi's brilliant free-kick and a Munas Dabbur finish twice had the visitors ahead in a thrilling contest.John McGinn briefly levelled with a superb strike before Lyndon Dykes - having had a weak penalty saved - volleyed an equaliser belatedly awarded after a VAR check after the break.Scotland's concerted pressure looked set to fall short ...
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Maurizio Sarri makes Chelsea transfer decision on Kepa Arrizabalaga after failed Lazio move

Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea in a training drill during the Chelsea Training Session at Chelsea Training Ground on October 01, 2021 in Cobham, England.Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has admitted he would be keen on making a move to bring Kepa Arrizabalaga to Lazio.The Italian initially brought Kepa to Stamford Bridge in summer 2018 for around £71million, which was a club-record fee at the time.In his only season under Sarri, the Spain goalkeeper made 54 appearances across all competitions as he helped the Blues to win the Europa League.Now Sarri apparently wants to reunite with the 26-year-old in Rome, despite their public falling out during the infamous Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in 2019, as veteran shot-stopper Pepe Reina is set to depart when his contract expires at t...
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Messi says still lost in France but joining PSG was no mistake

Lionel Messi controls the ball during an Argentina training session at Julio H. Grondona Training Camp on October 06, 2021 in Ezeiza, Argentina.Lionel Messi has admitted he still feels a little lost in France but also insists that he made no mistake by joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a stunning summer transfer.The 34-year-old added that having to leave Barcelona came as a shock but familiar faces have helped him to settle at PSG.Messi, who started his professional career with Barca and is their record scorer with 672 goals, joined PSG on a two-year deal in the summer transfer window after being told by the Catalan club they could not afford to keep him.“I came back to Barcelona [from the Copa America in July] to prepare for the season, after taking advantage of the extra days of vacat...
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Barcelona considering January swoop for Tottenham midfielder

Tanguy Ndombele of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 03, 2021 in London, England.Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Tottenham Hotspur and France midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in the January transfer window.According to a report from Catalan publication SPORT, Barcelona have set their sights on Tottenham Hotspur’s much-maligned central midfielder Tanguy Ndombele ahead of the upcoming winter transfer window.Ndombele has been with Tottenham since the summer of 2019 when he made the switch from Olympique Lyon in a deal worth close to €60 million. Two years into his stint at the north London club, it would be safe to say that the move has not worked out as per plans for either part...
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