November 2022 – Football Flame

30Nov

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Antoine Griezmann, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Tunisia upset France but fail to qualify

Antoine Griezmann of France helps up Wajdi Kechrida of Tunisia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at Education City Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory. However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup. Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi’s brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner. However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia’s hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann’s goal was rul...

30Nov

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Mathew Leckie, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Australia stun Denmark to reach World Cup last 16

Mathew Leckie of Australia scores the first goal to make it 1-0 during the World Cup match between Australia v Denmark at the Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah Qatar.Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark. The Danes, needing victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark. Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant counter attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel. Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference. Denmark meanwhile exit Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion, with just one point from three games, sitting bott...

30Nov

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Germany, Hansi Flick, NEWS

German coach Hansi Flick isn’t going anywhere, even if team is eliminated

Hansi Flick, Head Coach of Germany, interacts with Leon Goretzka of Germany during the Germany Training Session at Al Shamal Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Ruwais, Qatar.Germany coach Hansi Flick has no plans to step down if the four-time world champions crash out of the World Cup early for the second straight tournament, he said on Wednesday. Flick, who took over last year after Joachim Loew’s 15 years at the helm, has seen his team lose their Group E opener to Japan before rescuing a 1-1 draw with Spain thanks to a late equalizer. The Germans were eliminated in the first round at the 2018 World Cup, at that time their earliest exit in more than 80 years. “I can confirm it (I will be staying on) from my side but I have a contract until 2024 and I look forward to the home Euros (in 202...

30Nov

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Marcus Rashford, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Rashford stars as England sink Wales to set up Senegal clash

Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Callum Wilson and Kalvin Phillips of England celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Al Janoub Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.England booked a World Cup last 16 clash against Senegal as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden inspired a 3-0 win against Wales that sent their neighbours crashing out of the tournament on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate’s side sealed first place in Group B thanks to key contributions from Rashford and Foden after they were restored to the team by the England boss. Foden showed why there has been such a clamour for him to start as he won the free-kick that Rashford converted to break the deadlock early in the second half at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. Fo...

29Nov

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Kalidou Koulibaly, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Koulibaly sends Senegal into World Cup last 16

(L-R) Alan Franco of Ecuador, Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal during the World Cup match between Ecuador v Senegal at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha Qatar. Kalidou Koulibaly’s nerveless volley sent Senegal into the World Cup’s knockout stages for only the second time in their history as they eliminated Ecuador at a rowdy Khalifa International Stadium. All three goals came from players based in England as Ecuador’s Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo cancelled out a penalty by Watford’s Ismaila Sarr before Chelsea defender Koulibaly’s side-footer won it. Ecuador needed just a point to progress but paid the price for a passive display as Senegal were spurred on by an almost non-stop cacophony of drumming from their supporters in Al Rayyan. Watford winger Sar...

29Nov

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Cody Gakpo, Netherlands, World Cup 2022

Gakpo nets again as Dutch beat Qatar to top group

Cody Gakpo of Netherlands scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.In-form Cody Gakpo scored again as the Netherlands finished top of Group A, ending Qatar’s miserable involvement at their home World Cup with a third consecutive defeat. Qatar’s dismal showing means they became the first host nation to exit the tournament with three group-stage losses, finishing bottom with no points. The Dutch, who failed to qualify four years ago, progress to the last 16 with an unbeaten record and face the team that finishes second in Group B – those games kick-off at 19:00 GMT. African champions Senegal beat Ecuador to clinch second place and face the team that finishes top of G...

29Nov

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Andre Onana, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Onana leaves World Cup after Cameroon suspension

Andre Onana of Cameroon in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon at Al Janoub Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has left their World Cup squad and is set to play no further part in the tournament after being suspended by the country’s football federation. Onana departed the team hotel and travelled to the airport on Tuesday, with Paris his initial destination before he travels on to Cameroon capital Yaounde. “I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side,” Onana said in a statement posted on Twitter. “However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pur...

29Nov

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Cristiano Ronaldo, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Brazil, Portugal reach World Cup last 16

Joao Felix of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Bernardo Silva of Portugalcelebrates goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal v Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Brazil and Portugal secured their places in the round of 16 on a thrilling ninth day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Monday. Casemiro struck late as Brazil outlasted Switzerland with a 1-0 win in their Group G match at Stadium 974 in Doha. The Manchester United midfielder put his side ahead in the 83rd minute when his first-time shot deflected in off Manuel Akanji following Rodrygo’s flicked pass. Brazil have now won their past nine matches and will progress to the last 16 of football’s showpiece tournament irrespective of the result of their fi...

28Nov

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Casemiro, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Casemiro hits winner as Brazil seal last-16 spot

Thiago Silva, Casemiro, Marquinhos, Eder Militao of Brazil celebrates victory after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Casemiro scored a stunning winner as five-time champions Brazil edged past Switzerland to reach the World Cup knockout stage. An otherwise drab encounter was brought to life seven minutes from time as Manchester United midfielder Casemiro fired a first-time effort into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Yann Sommer standing. Brazil backed up their opening victory over Serbia to top the group with maximum points and will guarantee top spot with a point against Cameroon in their final game. Tite’s men thought they had broken the deadlock after the hour mark when Vinicius Jr kept his co...

28Nov

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Mohammed Salisu, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Ghana edge out South Korea in gripping game

Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Daniel Amartey, Denis Odoi, Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku of Ghana celebrate following the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.Ghana won an exhilarating match packed with twists and turns against South Korea in front of a vibrant crowd at Education City Stadium in Qatar. A 10-minute spell in the first half by the African nation gave them a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus. However, noisy celebrations by Ghana fans at half time were dampened by a South Korea comeback after the break. Two stunning headers in three minutes from Cho Gue-sung, the top scorer in his domestic league, leve...