March 2023 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: March 2023

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Super Eagles star suffers another injury setback, set to miss Sassuolo, Roma clashes

  Ola Aina of Torino FC reacts during the Serie A match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 19, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Super defender Ola Aina could be out of action for some time after he sustained a lesion on his left soleus. Aina spent most of the World Cup break recuperating from a hamstring injury. And he just returned from his three-month layoff on the 6th of March. Upon his return, the Super Eagles star featured as a substitute in his first three games for Torino. However, he was not called up to Nigeria’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Guinea-Bissau as he had a one-game suspension. It was expected that Aina would be fully fit and ready to find his way back into the starting eleven after the internation...
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NEWS, Richarlison, Tottenham Hotspur

Richarlison ‘sorry’ for not delivering for Conte

 Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur is embraced by Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Southampton,Tottenham forward Richarlison has denied that he led a player “mutiny” against former manager Antonio Conte. Conte, 53, left Spurs by mutual consent on Sunday after 16 months in charge. Brazil international Richarlison, who joined Spurs from Everton for £60m in July, criticised a journalist for the “awful lie” and apologised to Italian Conte for his performances this season. “I wasn’t a mutiny leader against him, it was quite the opposite,” Richarlison, 25, wrote on Twitter. “I’m sorry I didn’t deliver as much as he e...
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Jack Diamond, NEWS, Sunderland

Sunderland forward Jack Diamond charged with rape and sexual assault

 Lincoln City's Jack Diamond during the Sky Bet League One between Lincoln City and Peterborough United at LNER Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Lincoln, United Kingdom.Sunderland winger Jack Diamond has been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The 23-year-old’s loan at League One club Lincoln City has been terminated after charges were brought against him on Thursday. Diamond was arrested after an alleged sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear in May 2022 and he has been suspended by Sunderland pending the outcome of legal proceedings. A Northumbria Police investigation has led to him being charged and a brief statement from Lincoln confirmed his loan spell had been cut short “with immediate effect”. Diamond is due to appear in South Tyneside Magistrates’...
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NEWS

Arsenal, Barcelona progress to UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals

  A view of the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League 2022/23 Quarter-finals and Semi-finals Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on February 10, 2023, in Nyon, Switzerland. Arsenal and Barcelona qualified Wednesday for the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. England’s Arsenal beat their German opponents Bayern Munich 2-0 at London’s Emirates Stadium as home team players Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius scored in the first half of the quarterfinals’ second leg. Maanum, who scored a spectacular goal outside the box, was named the player of the match. Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate. Meanwhile Barcelona thrashed Roma 5-1 at Spotify Camp Nou to cruise into the semis in the Women’s Champions Le...
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Fabio Paratici, NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici handed worldwide FIFA ban

 Tottenham Hotspur Director of Football, Fabio Paratici looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on January 19, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici has been given a worldwide ban by FIFA that could end his time with the north London club. Paratici was handed a 30-month ban from Italian football in January after his former club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting. The 50-year-old Italian was sporting director and managing director at Juventus before joining Tottenham in June 2021. His initial ban only applied to his homeland, meaning he was free to continue working at Tottenham, where he was involved in Sunday’s departure of manager Antonio Conte and the...
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Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS

Messi passes 100 goals for Argentina with hat-trick

 Lionel Messi of Argentina jumps over Roshon van Eijma of Curaçao during an international friendly match between Argentina and Curaçao at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on March 28, 2023 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Argentina captain Lionel Messi passed 100 international goals as he scored his seventh international hat-trick in a friendly win at home to Curacao. The 35-year-old forward reached the landmark when he opened the scoring on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero. He added two more before the break to complete a quickfire treble. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez also scored, before Argentina paraded the World Cup trophy in front of more than 42,000 supporters. It was Argentina’s second match on home soil since beating France in Qatar on penalties in December to win ...
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EURO 2024, Mateo Kovacic, NEWS

Turkey lose in first home game since earthquakes

 Mateo Kovacic of Croatia celebrates goal with Luka Modric of Croatia, and Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Turkey and Croatia at at Bursa Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu on March 28, 2023 in Bursa, Turkey.Turkey played their first home international fixture since two powerful earthquakes in the country claimed 50,000 lives. A giant banner paying tribute to those affected was unveiled before kick-off in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Istanbul. Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic scored twice to secure the win for the visitors. The midfielder struck from close range before firing in from a rebound on the stroke of half-time. It was a little harsh on Turkey, who had started the game as the better side. Kerem Akturkoglu saw an exce...
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Belgium, Kevin de Bruyne, NEWS

De Bruyne scores as Belgium edge Germany

 Niclas Fullkrug of Germany in action with Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium during the international friendly match between Germany and Belgium at RheinEnergieStadion on March 28, 2023 in Cologne, Germany. Belgium made it two wins from two under new coach Domenico Tedesco as they beat Euro 2024 hosts Germany in a friendly. The visitors outclassed their opponents in the first half and took the lead when Yannick Carrasco fired in. Romelu Lukaku then converted from Kevin de Bruyne’s pass to make it 2-0 before Niclas Fullkrug reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. However, De Bruyne made it 3-1 after a swift Belgium attack before Serge Gnabry added a late consolation. The victory was Belgium’s second in four days after a Lukaku hat-trick beat Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier...
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Kieffer Moore, NEWS, Wales

Moore’s header sees Wales beat Latvia

 Kieffer Moore and Neco Williams of Wales celebrate after the team's victory during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Wales and Latvia at Cardiff City Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales.Wales maintained their good start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Kieffer Moore’s header gave them a 1-0 win over Latvia and put them top of Group D. Wales took the lead shortly before the break as Moore’s powerful header from Daniel James’ cross nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Neco Williams rattled the crossbar as Wales pushed for a second goal. Wales gave record scorer Gareth Bale a guard of honour before the match as he said goodbye to the home supporters. It proved a night to celebrate for Wales as they moved top of their group thanks to their away goal scored...
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EURO 2024, NEWS, Scott McTominay

Terrific Scotland stun Spain in seismic victory

Scott McTominay of Scotland celebrates scoring his second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group A match between Scotland and Spain at Hampden Park on March 28, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sensational Scotland took a seismic leap in their bid to reach consecutive European Championships by stunning Spain in a heroic triumph. Scott McTominay crashed in a deflected opener after just seven minutes, triggering an explosion of noise inside a charged Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s team rode their luck to stay ahead at the break, only for McTominay to repeat his earlier feat just after the restart to cause chaos in the stands as well as in the bamboozled Spanish defence. Scotland, in their first competitive victory over Spain for 39 years, now top Group A – three points above the ...
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Benjamin Pavard, EURO 2024, FRANCE, NEWS

Pavard hits superb winner as France beat Republic

 Benjamin Pavard of France celebrates with teammates Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between Republic of Ireland and France at Dublin Arena on March 27, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. The Republic of Ireland made a losing start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Benjamin Pavard’s superb second-half goal gave France victory in Dublin. Having held the French in a first half of few chances, the Republic fell behind five minutes after the restart when Pavard intercepted a Josh Cullen pass and fired past Gavin Bazunu. The Republic put the beaten World Cup finalists under severe pressure late on but fell short as Mike Maignan’s stunning save denied Nathan Collins a late leveller. The Republic’s next qual...
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ANTONIO CONTE, PREMIER LEAGUE, TOTTENHAM

Tottenham manager Conte leaves by mutual consent

 Antonio Conte, head coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 11, 2023 in London, England.Manager Antonio Conte has left Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent after 16 months in charge. Conte called the Spurs players “selfish” and criticised the club’s culture in a remarkable news conference after their recent draw at Southampton. Tottenham are fourth in the top flight but are out of all cup competitions. Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini will step up as head coach for the rest of the season, with former midfielder Ryan Mason his deputy. “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place,” chairman Daniel Levy said. “We all need ...
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Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo double helps Portugal thrash Luxembourg

 Maxime Chanot of Luxembourg and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group J match between Luxembourg and Portugal at Stade de Luxembourg on March 26, 2023 in Luxembourg.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal thrash Luxembourg 6-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying. Ronaldo, 38, broke the deadlock after nine minutes before Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva pulled Portugal further clear. The Al Nassr forward sent his side in with a 4-0 lead at half-time, with substitutes Otavio and Rafael Leao scoring late in the second period. Portugal top Group J after winning their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers. After scoring two against Liechtenstein on Thursday, Ronaldo further extended his record as Portugal’s leading scorer in European Championship qua...
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Kane and Saka on target as England beat Ukraine

 Bukayo Saka of England celebrates with team mates Harry Kane and Declan Rice after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and Ukraine at Wembley Arena on March 26, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. England maintained their winning start to Euro 2024 qualifying with a comfortable victory over Ukraine at Wembley.Gareth Southgate’s side built on the foundation of their first away win against Italy since 1961 with an efficient performance that was more than enough to see off the visitors. England struggled to build any momentum until record scorer Harry Kane made it 55 international goals when he bundled in Bukayo Saka’s cross at the far post eight minutes before half-time. The second arrived three minutes later and was ...
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EURO 2024, NEWS, Phil Foden

Foden ruled out after surgery to remove appendix

 Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish of England celebrate victory after the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between Italy and England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 23, 2023 in Naples, Italy. Phil Foden has been ruled out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Sunday after having surgery to remove his appendix. Gareth Southgate has chosen not to call up a replacement for the 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder, meaning he has 20 players available for the game at Wembley. Chelsea full-back Reece James withdrew on Saturday with an “ongoing issue”. Luke Shaw is suspended after a red card in the 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope initially dropped out,...
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Askhat Tagybergen, Denmark, Kazakhstan, NEWS

Denmark stunned by Kazakhstan in Euros qualifier

Kazakhstan's midfielder Askhat Tagybergen (C) and Denmark's midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg (L) vie for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group H qualification football match Kasakhstan v Denmark in Astana, Kazakhstan on March 26, 2023.Kazakhstan scored twice late on as they came back from two goals down to stun Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifier.Rasmus Hojlund, who scored a hat-trick against Finland on Thursday, scored twice in the first half to put the Danes in control. Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov got one back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. Askhat Tagybergen and Abat Aymbetov then scored two goals in three minutes to put Kazakhstan ahead with a minute of normal time remaining. Aymbetov was sent off deep in stoppage time for a second bookable offence but Kazakhstan held on for a hugely...
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EURO 2024, Lawrence Shankland, Scotland

Scotland call up for Shankland as Adams drops out

 Lawrence Shankland during a Heart of Midlothian training session at the Oriam, on March 10, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Scotland call up Lawrence Shankland for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Spain after fellow striker Che Adams and right-back Anthony Ralston pulled out of the squad. Shankland, 27, has scored 21 times for Hearts this term and has one international goal from four caps. Southampton’s Adams, 26, started Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus but came off injured in the second period. Celtic’s Ralston, 24, was not in Saturday’s squad. Spain also opened Group A with a 3-0 home win, against Norway, on Saturday evening. Scotland squad Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly Defenders: Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Ryan P...
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Croatia, EURO 2024, Nathan Broadhead, NEWS, Wales

Broadhead scores on Wales debut to shock Croatia

 Wales' Nathan Broadhead celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualifying match at the Stadion Poljud, Split. Picture date: Saturday March 25, 2023. Wales debutant Nathan Broadhead secured a stunning 1-1 draw for Robert Page’s side as they scored with their only shot on target in Split. Andrej Kramaric’s sweetly struck shot on 28 minutes gave the hosts a deserved half-time lead. Wales improved after the interval and might have levelled on the hour, but Dan James’ volley missed the target. Ivan Perisic hit the bar as Croatia sought a second, but Broadhead levelled from close range in injury-time. The goal, after a long throw caused chaos in the Croatian penalty area, came totally against the run of play, but Wales will not care a jot a...
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Dani Olmo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Spain

Joselu scores twice on debut as Spain beat Norway

 Joselu Mato of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's second goal with his teammate Yeremy Pino of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group A match between Spain and Norway at La Rosaleda Stadium on March 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain.Former Newcastle and Stoke striker Joselu scored twice in two minutes on his international debut as Spain beat Norway in Euro 2024 qualifying.Dani Olmo scored the opener at Malaga’s La Rosaleda Stadium, turning home Alejandro Balde’s cut-back. Joselu, 32, scored two late goals in under two minutes to seal victory for Luis de la Fuente in his first outing as Spain boss. Spain top Group A alongside Scotland, who beat Cyprus 3-0 on Saturday. Espanyol’s Joselu struggled in a two-season spell at Newcastle, scoring only seven times. He has sinc...
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EURO 2024, Scotland, Scott McTominay

Scotland start Euro campaign with win over Cyprus

 Scott McTominay of Scotland celebrates scoring his second goal and Scotland's third during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group A match between Scotland and Cyprus at Hampden Park on March 25, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland.QScott McTominay’s late double secured Scotland a comfortable winning start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign at home to Cyprus. John McGinn’s close-range finish – the Aston Villa midfielder’s 16th goal for his country – was reward for a dominant first-half display. Substitute McTominay eased increased nervousness around Hampden with a clinical 87th-minute finish. And the Manchester United midfielder added his second moments later. Steve Clarke had billed it as a must-win game against Group A’s lowest seeds, who ended the game with 10 men after a late red car...
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