January 2022 – Page 4 – Football Flame

17Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Real Madrid lift Super Cup with 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao

The Real Madrid squad celebrates after the game against Athletic Bilbao at King Abdullah Sports City on January 16, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Real Madrid won the Spanish Super Cup by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on Sunday as Luka Modric, and a Karim Benzema penalty secured a comfortable victory in Saudi Arabia.Modric's curling finish towards the end of the first half and Benzema's strike early in the second sealed the win for Madrid, who claimed their first trophy in Carlo Ancelotti's second spell as coach.Athletic had beaten La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to reach the final but were well beaten this time at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by a slick, organized Real Madrid side that has now lost only once in 20 matches.They had brief hope in the 87th minute when they we...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Europe-chasing Frankfurt held by Augsburg

Arne Maier (R) of FC Augsburg challenges Daichi Kamada of Eintracht Frankfurt during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt at WWK-Arena on January 16, 2022 in Augsburg, Germany.Missing key players isolating with the coronavirus, Eintracht Frankfurt's ambitions to fight for European qualification have been dented as they were held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Augsburg.With Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and winger Filip Kostic both unavailable after positive virus tests, an otherwise drab game on Sunday was enlivened by two moments of individual skill for the goals.Playmaker Daichi Kamada gave Frankfurt the lead in the 22nd minute when he ran onto a through ball and leaped over goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz before stretching to tap the ball into the net u...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Sierra Leone snatch late draw against Ivory Coast

Sierra Leone's forward Musa Noah Kamara (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 16, 2022.Sierra Leone scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser to grab a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations in Douala.The Elephants had been coasting but an astonishing mistake from Badra Sangare allowed Alhadji Kamara to tap in.Keeper Sangare fumbled a back-header and could only watch helplessly as Kamara secured a second successive draw for the Leone Stars in Group E.It means they have every hope of going through to the last 16.Sierra Leone have two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.Ivory ...

16Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Harrison’s hattrick gives Leeds win at West Ham in EPL

Jack Harrison of Leeds United celebrates after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Leeds United at London Stadium on January 16, 2022 in London, England.Jack Harrison scored a hat trick as Leeds overcame a long list of absentees to beat West Ham 3-2 in the Premier League on Sunday.West Ham hit back twice through Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals, but Harrison’s well-taken third goal ended the London club's four-match winning streak.Leeds traveled to West Ham without nine first-team players — and two others went off injured before halftime — and had seven teenagers, including 15-year-old Archie Gray, on the bench.But unlike Arsenal, which got Sunday's game at Tottenham postponed due to a player shortage, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said ...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Nigeria 3-1 Sudan: Super Eagles cruise into AFCON last-16

Sudan's midfielder Walieldin Khidir (R) fights for the ball with Nigeria's forward Samuel Chukwueze during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Nigeria and Sudan at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 15, 2022.Nigeria cruised past Sudan 3-1 at the Africa Cup of Nations to guarantee their place in the last-16 with a match to spare.Building on their impressive win over Mohamed Salah and seven-time champions Egypt in a heavyweight Group D opener in midweek, the Super Eagles brushed aside limited opposition on Saturday evening thanks to goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Moses Simon.Walieldin Khedr Safour Daiyeen got Sudan off the mark at their first AFCON tournament for a decade with a consolation penalty in the second half after a foul by Ola Ai...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Bundesliga: Robert Lewandowski hat-trick takes Bayern Munich six points clear

Robert Lewandowski (R) of Munich celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Leroy Sane (L) of Munich during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Köln and FC Bayern München at RheinEnergieStadion on January 15, 2022 in Cologne, Germany.Robert Lewandowski bagged a hat trick as Bayern Munich scored for a record 66th Bundesliga game in succession to beat Cologne 4-0 and restore its six-point lead on Saturday.Robert Lewandowski, no stranger to breaking scoring records for Bayern, claimed the opening goal in the ninth minute off a pass from Thomas Müller — after a video review check for offside — to make it 66 league games in a row since Bayern was last shut out in February 2020 by Leipzig in a 0-0 draw. The previous record of 65 games was also set by Bayern in 2014.Corentin Tolisso tight...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

De Bruyne strike lifts Man City 13 points clear

Antonio Ruediger of Chelsea tackles Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Manchester, England.Kevin de Bruyne produced a moment of world-class quality to tighten Manchester City's stranglehold on the Premier League title race with victory over Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.The former Chelsea player broke the deadlock in a tight game with a superb curling drive past keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with 20 minutes left to extend City's lead at the top of the table to an imposing 13 points.Pep Guardiola embraces Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City after he is substituted during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Manchester, England.Ch...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid close in on Super Cup title

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti (L) of Real Madrid watches the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Fahad International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 12, 2022.Real Madrid will be chasing their first trophy in Carlo Ancelotti's second spell as coach when they face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday, but criticism continues to surround the Spanish federation's decision to stage the tournament in Saudi Arabia.Madrid scraped past Barcelona 3-2 after extra-time in Riyadh on Wednesday before Athletic sprung a surprise by coming from behind to defeat Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Thursday.The annual competition, which includes the top two in La Liga from the previous season, as well as the most recent Copa del Rey finalis...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard reveals he is ready to make more signings

Steven Gerrard head coach of Aston Villa in action during a training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on January 13, 2022 in Birmingham, England.Steven Gerrard says Aston Villa are ready to make further signings this month, following the capture of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.Villa have made the most waves in the January transfer window so far by bringing in Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate on loan from Barcelona before paying £25million to sign Digne from Everton. Ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester United, in which both players could make their debut, Gerrard said he is keen to add a central midfielder and a centre back before the window closes.There might be opportunities again,’ he said. It is steel and style we are looking for. Can we find that level...

15Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Doctors find heart lesions on Gabon and Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected after the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 6, 2021 in Liverpool, England.Gabon and Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been diagnosed with heart lesions at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after contracting coronavirus.This ruled Aubameyang out of Friday’s game against Ghana and put the rest of his role in the Africa Cup in doubt.The “cardiac lesions” were found in a check by Confederation of African Football medical officials, who had examined Aubameyang to ensure he was good to play after returning following a positive Covid-19 test, the Gabon federation said in a statement.After two games, Morocco has qualified for the knockout rounds with six points, Gabon is on four points, ...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Sadio Mane fails to fire Senegal in AFCON draw

Senegal's forward Sadio Mane reacts during the Group B Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Senegal and Guinea at Stade de Kouekong in Bafoussam on January 14, 2022. Pre-tournament favourites Senegal failed to impress again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations but the result all but ensures both teams' progress to the knockout stages.Senegal, heavily impacted by COVID-19 infections, share top spot in Group B on four points with west African rivals Guinea after both teams won their respective opening games on Monday.With the top two in each group, plus the four best third-placed finishers to advance, four points is expected to be enough for a place in the last 16.Senegal, however, have done little to live up to their tag as the team ...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Messi to miss another PSG game, says COVID recovery slow

Lionel Messi during the French championship Ligue 1 football match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain on August 29, 2021 at Auguste Delaune stadium in Reims, France.Lionel Messi will miss another game for Paris Saint-Germain after acknowledging that his recovery from COVID-19 has been slower than expected.The Argentina forward won't be available for Saturday's game against Brest at Parc des Princes, PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said Friday.The 34-year-old Messi missed PSG's 1-1 draw at Lyon last Sunday when the French league returned from its winter break. Messi had become infected while home in Argentina. He later tested negative and returned to Paris.Messi said in a social media post on Thursday that “it has taken me more time than I had expected to get better” but that he's...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Alphonso Davies ruled out after heart inflammation diagnosis

07 January 2022, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich - Borussia Mönchengladbach, Matchday 18, Allianz Arena. Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann (r) gives an interview before the start of the match.Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that left-back Alphonso Davies is set for a spell on the sidelines after he was diagnosed with a slight heart inflammation.Davies missed his side's first game in 2022 - a 2-1 defeat to Gladbach - because of Covid-19, but he has since tested negative and was scheduled to return to training after a routine check-up from the Bayern medical officials.Unfortunately, during those exams, an irregularity with Davies' heart was discovered and he will now be kept away from football while he undergoes treatment.“Yesterday, during our foll...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Northern Ireland announce friendly with Hungary

Conor Washington of Northern Ireland sees his late effort blocked by Francesco Acerbi during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Northern Ireland and Italy at Windsor Park on November 15, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Northern Ireland will play Hungary in a friendly in March as part of their preparations for the upcoming Nations League campaign.The match will take place at Windsor Park in Belfast on March 29, four days after Ian Baraclough's men are due to face Luxembourg in another friendly away from home.While the match in Luxembourg will pit Northern Ireland against a fellow side due to compete in League C when Nations League play gets under way in June, Hungary were last year promoted to League A - where they have been drawn against England, Italy and Germany.Domenico B...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Jurgen Klopp accepts Liverpool ‘truth’ with blunt admission after Arsenal draw

Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal is congratulated by Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool after the final whistle during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on January 13, 2022 in Liverpool, England.Jurgen Klopp accepts his Liverpool side struggled for creativity in their goalless draw with Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.And the Reds boss has called on the players to respond at the Emirates next Thursday when they are entertained by the Gunners with a place in the final up for grabs against Chelsea.Granit Xhaka was sent off for Arsenal at Anfield after less than half an hour, but a Liverpool team without top scorer Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Naby Keita were unable to take full advantage.A disappointing performance saw the Reds registe...

14Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Egypt wait for Salah lift-off after poor AFCON start

Egypt's captain Mohamed Salah speaks during the pre-match press conference in Garoua on January 10, 2022.Egypt will expect more from star man Mohamed Salah against Guinea-Bissau as the record seven-time champions attempt to bounce back from an opening loss to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.The Liverpool forward cut an isolated and frustrated figure as Egypt lost 1-0 to the Super Eagles in Garoua, suffering their first group stage defeat at the continental tournament since 2004.It could be argued there is no better player in the world right now than the 29-year-old forward, who has scored 54 times for Liverpool since the start of last season.But Salah has struggled to hit those same heights of late for his country, and is without a goal for Egypt in his last six appearances having dra...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Cameroon power into AFCON knockout rounds

Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon scoring their second goal during Cameroon against Ethiopia, African Cup of Nations, at Olembe Stadium on January 13, 2022.Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi have both scored twice as the hosts beat Ethiopia 4-1 to become the first team through to the knockout stages at the African Cup of Nations.Cameroon recovered from going 1-0 down in just the fourth minute before overwhelming their visitors on Thursday to earn two wins from their first two games.Ethiopia's Dawa Hotessa Dukele had stunned the Olembe Stadium into silence with the opening goal.But having come from behind to win their opening game against Burkina Faso, Cameroon again shook off that early blow, Ekambi equalising four minutes later before they really took control.Aboubakar pu...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Aston Villa sign Lucas Digne from Everton

New signing Lucas Digne of Aston Villa poses for a picture at Bodymoor Heath training ground on January 13, 2022 in Birmingham, England.Aston Villa announced the signing of France international Lucas Digne from Everton on Thursday in a deal reportedly worth up to £25 million ($34 million).The left-back is manager Steven Gerrard's second signing in the January transfer window after Philippe Coutinho's loan arrival from Barcelona."When Lucas became available we jumped at the opportunity to bring him to the club," said Gerrard."To sign a player of his pedigree and quality in the January window is a great addition to our squad and his arrival excites me and everyone associated with Aston Villa."The 28-year-old fell out of favour at Everton under manager Rafael Benitez, who last week revealed t...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid: Madrid wins the clash in Spanish Super Cup against old rival

Federico Valverde of Real Madrid celebrates during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the King Fahad International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 12, 2022.Real Madrid won the first El Clasico of 2022, beating rival Barcelona 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup.It was Federico Valverde’s goal in the 98th minute that gave Los Blancos the win in Saudi Arabia, sending them into Sunday’s final, where they will play either Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao.Carlo Ancelotti’s team entered the day as the favorites, and they managed to put themselves in the lead twice, only to blow their leads, including conceding the 2-2 equalizer with seven minutes to go on a fine finish by Ansu Fati.Barca started ...

13Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

‘Caged lion’ Sanchez wins Inter Italian Super Cup

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale lifts the trophy as players and staff celebrate following the 2-1 victory in the Italian SuperCup match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 12, 2022 in Milan, Italy. Alexis Sanchez said he felt like a "caged lion" after his last-gasp striker won the Italian Super Cup for Inter Milan in Wednesday's dramatic 2-1 extra-time triumph over old rivals Juventus.With penalties looming at the San Siro Sanchez poked home from close range in the 121st minute of a gruelling contest to hand Simone Inzaghi his first trophy since arriving at Inter to replace Antonio Conte in the summer.Chile forward Sanchez, who has started just four matches this season, was submerged by celebrating teammates as he charged to the sidelines to...