2022 – Football Flame

Year: 2022

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Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, PREMIER LEAGUE

Dropped Rashford comes off bench to score winner

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring a disallowed goal with Antony & Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 31, 2022 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.Marcus Rashford turned from villain to hero as he came off the bench to score the only goal against Wolves and move Manchester United into the Premier League top four. Manager Erik ten Hag left Rashford out of his starting line-up for “internal disciplinary” reasons. But after a disappointing opening period, in which Rashford’s replacement Alejandro Garnacho wasted the visitors’ best chance when his shot was saved by Jose Sa, the England man scored 14 minutes from time. Rashford picked the ball up outside the Wolves area, then, after ...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Marcos Alonso

Barcelona held by Espanyol in chaotic derby

Barcelona's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso reacts during the Spanish League football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on December 31, 2022.Barcelona were held to a draw by local rivals Espanyol in a chaotic New Year’s Eve derby at the Nou Camp. Marcos Alonso gave Barca the lead after seven minutes, however they were pegged back by a Joselu penalty. Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba received a second yellow card in the final minutes, while Vinicius Souza was also dismissed for the visitors. The referee also sent off Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera, although that was overturned by VAR. Despite failing to win, Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Real Valladolid 2-0 on Friday. On Saturday, Alonso nod...
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Karim Benzema, LALIGA, Real Madrid, Real Valladolid

Late Benzema double sends Real Madrid top

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's second goalduring the LaLiga Santander match between Real Valladolid CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on December 30, 2022 in Valladolid, Spain.Karim Benzema has scored a late double to hand Real Madrid a 2-0 win at Real Valladolid and move them a point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Ballon d’Or winner Benzema returned to the starting lineup after missing the World Cup for France having suffered a thigh injury the day before the start of the tournament. Both teams had several chances to open the scoring in the first half but superb goalkeeping from Valladolid’s Jordi Masip and Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois kept the game goalless at the break. As the game entered its closing stages, Real Madri...
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Cristiano Ronaldo, TRANSFERS

Cristiano Ronaldo joins ‘very inspiring’ Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr until 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the World Cup match between Morocco v Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar.Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on a 2-1/2 year contract after leaving Manchester United to become a free agent. Al Nassr on Friday announced the signing of the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar, ending speculation about Ronaldo’s future. “I am eager to experience a new football league in a different country. Al Nassr Club’s vision is very inspiring,” the club quoted Ronaldo as saying. Al Nassr posted a picture on social media of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner holding up the team’s jersey, with the club hailing the deal as “history in the making”. “This is a signing that will not...
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Lionel Messi, NEWS, Real Madrid

Real Madrid boss explains why he won’t call Lionel Messi the GOAT

Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy as he celebrates with the Argentina fans following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Lionel Messi is a World Cup winner. Argentina went on to end a 36-year wait this time around to lift the coveted trophy for the third time in their history, following arguably the greatest final of all-time. And many have hailed the PSG star as the greatest of all time following his recent success on the international stage, filling the only void left in his trophy cabinet. Real Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti, is not still sure about those claims though. Despite of his storied past with Barcelona, even most Real Madrid fans would admit that Messi is ...
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Enzo Fernandez, NEWS, TRANSFERS

Liverpool target Enzo Fernandez says yes to Chelsea move

Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina presents his Young Player trophy during the award ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, who has been linked with a host of sides including Liverpool, has given his nod of approval to a move to Chelsea, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.The midfielder won the Young Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded World Cup and played a key role in Argentina winning in Qatar. Fernandez joined Benfica last summer but the club could already lose him in the winter window with clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool chasing him. Chelsea are now going ahead with an attempt to get a deal o...
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NEWS, Pele

Football legend Pele has died aged 82

A banner of former brazil player Pele displayed during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea at Stadium 974 on December 5, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Football legend Pele has passed away. He was 82. Pele passed away at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday following a long battle with cancer. The Brazilian, whose full name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time and won the World Cup for Brazil three times. He was a prolific goal scorer, banging 77 into the net in 92 games for his country and 643 in 659 games for his Brazilian club, Santos. In 1999, he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people o...
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Liverpool FC, Mohamed Salah, PREMIER LEAGUE

Mohamed Salah out to break Robbie Fowler goalscoring record against Leicester

 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on December 26, 2022 in Birmingham, England. Mohamed Salah could break Robbie Fowler’s record for the most left-footed goals in Premier League history when Liverpool face Leicester City on Friday evening. The man affectionately referred to as ‘God’ by supporters of the red side of Merseyside scored 105 goals with his left foot in his multiple stints in the Premier League. The Egyptian has scored four goals in the last four games, and is sat on 104 left-footed goals, just one behind the former England international. One goal would equal the record, while two would leave Salah as the new record-holder to add to the multiple compe...
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Mykhaylo Mudryk, Shakhtar Donetsk, TRANSFERS

Shakhtar Donetsk executive reveals Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer fee amid Arsenal talks

Mykhaylo Mudryk in action for Shakhtar Donetsk during a UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Shakhtar Donetsk at Celtic Park, on October 25, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland.Shakhtar Donetsk executive Carlo Nicoloni insists the club are looking for the kind of money Jack Grealish generated if they are to sell Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Ukraine international is Mikel Arteta’s top target ahead of the January transfer window and the Premier League leaders have already seen an opening offer worth around £55m rejected. Arsenal are expected to return with another bid as talks continue, with Mudryk himself indicating he would be keen on the move by watching the Gunners in action against West Ham. An injury to Gabriel Jesus has prompted Arsenal into action, though their interest stret...
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Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1, PSG

Mbappe to the rescue after red card spoils Neymar’s return to PSG duty

Kylian Mbappe #7 of Paris Saint-Germain controls the ball against Jean Ricner Bellegarde #17 of RC Strasbourg Alsace during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and RC Strasbourg at Parc des Princes on December 28, 2022 in Paris, France.Kylian Mbappe scored an injury-time penalty to seal a 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain over Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Wednesday before admitting he will never get over France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina. Mbappe was back in action 10 days after scoring a hat-trick in the final but then seeing the South Americans win in a penalty shootout. PSG had Neymar sent off for two yellow cards as the Brazilian made an unhappy return to action following his country’s elimination in the World Cup quarter-finals. Captain Marquinhos had put the hosts ahead...
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Erling Haaland, Leeds United, Manchester City, PREMIER LEAGUE

Haaland sets record as Man City beat Leeds

Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-2 during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester City at Elland Road on December 28, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom.Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals as Manchester City overcame a stubborn Leeds to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to five points. Frustrated by a disciplined and determined home side and their own profligacy for much of the first half at Elland Road, City snatched the lead just before the break through Rodri’s follow-up finish and then sped into the distance in a one-sided second half. Having seen a couple of efforts saved early in the game, Haaland – playing in the city of his birth against the side he supports – did not cel...
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NEWS, PREMIER LEAGUE, Wembley

Wembley fence plan after Euro final chaos

Fans arrive at Wembley Stadium for the UEFA Women's Euro football final match, with England playing against Germany.New gated perimeter fencing could be erected at Wembley as part of the Football Association’s response to the chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final. Fans without tickets stormed the stadium entrance before the match between England and Italy on July 11, 2021. A review conducted by Baroness Casey last year found there were more than 20 ‘near-misses’ which could have resulted in serious injury or death connected to the chaos An application was submitted to Brent Council last week by Wembley National Stadium Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the FA. The application was stated to include “installation of fencing and roller shutters, external alterations to existing Club Wembley, ...
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Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola sends Man City warning ahead of Leeds United fixture

Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola holds the ball during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 22, 2022 in Manchester, England.Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that they cannot suffer from a World Cup hangover at Elland Road tonight when they face “the most aggressive team” in the Premier League. The Blues are in Premier League action for the first time in 47 days when they face Leeds United and the pressure has been nudged up after Arsenal went eight points clear of them with a win on Boxing Day. City lost their last Premier League fixture before the World Cup, beaten 2-1 by Brentford at the Etihad, but they were impressive in beating Liverpool six days ago in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Even more of...
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Kai Havertz, PREMIER LEAGUE

Comfortable Chelsea win boosts top-four hopes

Lloyd Kelly of AFC Bournemouth is challenged by Kai Havertz of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on December 27, 2022 in London, England.Chelsea boosted their top-four hopes as they resumed their Premier League season with a comfortable victory over Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. Having failed to score in three consecutive matches prior to the break for the World Cup it took Chelsea less than 16 minutes to get up and running with Kai Havertz sliding in an effort at the back post from Raheem Sterling's low cross. With the hosts dominant, Mason Mount celebrated his 150th appearance for Chelsea in style, curling a superb effort into the bottom right corner of the Bournemouth net from the edge of the penalty area. It drew a nod o...
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Benoît Badiashile, CHELSEA FC, Graham Potter, TRANSFERS

Chelsea closing in on Badiashile signing from Monaco in £35m deal

Benoit Badiashile Mukinayi #5 of AS Monaco controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League group H match between AS Monaco and Crvena Zvezda at Stade Louis II on November 3, 2022 in Monaco, Monaco.Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has placed emphasis on bolstering his side’s defensive options in the January transfer window.Monaco central defender Benoit Badiashile has two caps for France and is the subject of £35m move to Stamford Bridge.Head coach Philippe Clement has said of the prospect of losing the likes of Badiashile next month: “As a coach, we’re always happy when the transfer window shuts. “We’ll see. It depends on the situations, if they’re interesting for the club or not. The most important thing for me is that the players have their minds here, and that’s the case.” The 6ft 4in F...
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Eddie Nketiah, PREMIER LEAGUE

Nketiah helps Arsenal net win over West Ham United

Eddie Nketiah of Arsenel celebrates after scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on December 26, 2022 in London, England.Eddie Nketiah scored on his first start for Arsenal this season as the Premier League leaders completed a 3-1 comeback win over West Ham. The hosts dominated possession in the first half but were frustrated as Said Benrahma’s spot-kick was the only goal at the break. But the Gunners regrouped and Bukayo Saka struck the equaliser eight minutes after the restart before Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead. Nketiah’s goal in the 69th minute ensured the Gunners secured all three points and equalled their longest-ever Premier League home winning streak with their 10th straight victory at the Em...
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Cody Gakpo, TRANSFERS

Liverpool agree deal to sign Qatar World Cup sensation Cody Gakpo

Netherlands' forward #08 Cody Gakpo jumps for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between the Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. Liverpool appear to have won the race to sign Dutch international forward Cody Gakpo after PSV Eindhoven announced an agreement with the English giants on Monday. Gakpo, who scored three goals at the World Cup for the Netherlands, had previously been linked with a move to Liverpool’s rivals Manchester United. “PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo,” PSV said in a statement. “The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer.” PSV ...
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Lei, Newcastle United, PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle power past Leicester to go second

Newcastle United's Joelinton during the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Monday December 26, 2022.Newcastle United cruised past Leicester City with three first-half goals to claim a sixth consecutive Premier League win and move up to second in the table. Chris Wood kickstarted a dominant performance by smashing the opener from the penalty spot before Miguel Almiron glided past the Leicester defence to tuck away the second. Joelinton headed the third from a Kieran Trippier corner for his second goal of the season as the Magpies demonstrated the clinical edge that the hosts were missing. With England midfielder James Maddison out of the Leicester squad, as he continues to recover from a knee issue sustained before the World Cup, Brendan Rodgers’ side w...
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Brentford, Harry Kane, PREMIER LEAGUE

Kane scores as Spurs fight back to draw with Bees

Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur has a headed shot whilst under pressure from David Raya of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Brentford Community Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Brentford, England.England captain Harry Kane scored in the first Premier League match since the World Cup as Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to draw with Brentford. The Bees were on course for their first win over Spurs since 1948 after goals from Vitaly Janelt and Ivan Toney, before Spurs netted twice in the last 25 minutes. Kane, who scored one penalty and missed another in England’s 2-1 quarter-final loss to France, pulled one back in the 65th minute with an excellent header from Clement Lenglet’s cross. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made it 2-2 with a curling fi...
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CHELSEA FC, Declan Rice, Manchester United, TRANSFERS

Chelsea lead race to sign Manchester City, Manchester United midfield target

Declan Rice of England disappointed during the World Cup match between England v France at the Al Bayt Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Al Khor Qatar.Chelsea leading the race for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, also a target for Manchester United and Manchester City. As per The Athletic, Chelsea are in the pole position to re-sign their academy product as Declan Rice, who is open to joining a club which matches his conviction in near future. The West Ham United captain is also a target for Manchester United and Manchester City. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly must have taken note of Rice’s intention as the American businessman has been bankrolling huge funds into Chelsea’s revival since the departure of Roman Abramovich. Declan Rice has already rejected a number of contract extensions ...
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