March 2023 – Page 2 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Month: March 2023

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England, EURO 2024, NEWS, Reece James

James withdraws from England squad

 England's defender Kyle Walker (L) and England's defender Reece James attend a team training session at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on March 21, 2023 ahead of of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier football match against Italy.Chelsea defender Reece James will miss England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday through injury. The 23-year-old has returned to the Premier League club for what the Football Association says is “assessment of an ongoing issue”. James came on for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after 85 minutes of Thursday’s 2-1 win over Italy in Naples. Manager Gareth Southgate has decided not to call up any replacements. James missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury and picked up another knee problem in December which kept him out f...
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Manchester United, NEWS, Old Trafford

Manchester United receive a second Qatari bid to buy the club

 General View of Old Trafford prior to the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 25, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United have received a second Qatari bid to buy the Old Trafford club, according to UK media reports. Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, placed his second-round offer overnight. A source close to the bid say the Qataris remain confident of completing a takeover despite rival interest from Jim Ratcliffe and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus. A deadline for offers had been set for 9pm on Wednesday, but that was extended. The first round of bidding took place last month and it has been reported there are as many as eight separate pot...
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EURO 2024, FRANCE, Kylian Mbappe, NEWS

Mbappe scores twice as France thrash Netherlands

 Antoine Griezmann celebrates his goal on the back of Kylian Mbappe, right Adrien Rabiot during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between France and Netherlands at Stade de France on March 24, 2023 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. Kylian Mbappe scored his first goals as France captain as the World Cup finalists began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a comfortable win against the Netherlands. The hosts were ahead after just two minutes when Antoine Griezmann curled in from Mbappe’s pass. Defender Dayot Upamecano made it 2-0 six minutes later as he bundled in. Mbappe then got his 37th goal for France when he drove in, before powering home his second late on. Griezmann had reportedly been unhappy at being overlooked for the captaincy role given to Mbappe, but th...
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EURO 2024, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku scores hat-trick as Ibrahimovic returns

 Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates with teammate Arthur Theate of Belgium after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group F match between Sweden and Belgium at Friends Arena on March 24, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick to lead Belgium to victory against Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifier and upstage Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his international return. Lukaku headed in a first-half opener before turning in from close range, and then slotted in late on. Ibrahimovic, 41, came on in the 73rd minute to a standing ovation from the Swedish fans. It was his first international appearance for almost a year. At 41 years, five months and 21 days, Ibrahimovic had initially been hailed as breaking the the record, held by Italian goalkee...
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BUNDESLIGA, NEWS, Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich sack Nagelsmann and appoint Tuchel

 Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, looks on during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea FC at Stadion Maksimir on September 06, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. Bayern Munich have sacked manager Julian Nagelsmann after less than two years in charge and appointed Thomas Tuchel as his replacement until 2025.The German side have won the last 10 Bundesliga titles and sit second in the table this season - one point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.They beat Paris St-Germain to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Manchester City. Tuchel, 49, was sacked by Premier League club Chelsea in September. He replaces Nagelsmann on a contract until 30 June 2025 and will take training for the first time on Monday. Bayern chief executive...
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Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo scores twice as he sets men’s caps record

 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Group J - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round match between Portugal and Liechtenstein at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 23, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.  Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men’s international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener. The 38-year-old has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals. He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups. Ronaldo added to his goals tally with a second-half penalty before finding the top corner with a free-kick. The forward – now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr – had been frustrated in front of...
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England, Harry Kane

Kane breaks record as 10-man England beat Italy

 Jorginho of Italy competes for the ball with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England during 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. Harry Kane became England’s all-time record goalscorer as they opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a first victory in Italy since 1961. Kane wrote his name into the history books in the 44th minute when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from the penalty spot for his 54th goal, overtaking previous record holder Wayne Rooney. Declan Rice gave England an early lead when he scored from close range after Kane’s shot was blocked before the captain put memories of his penalty miss against France in the World Cup quarter-final in Qatar aside with an ...
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Eric Garcia, NEWS

Barcelona looking to part ways with four players to coup with Financial Fair Play

Eric Garcia centre-back of Barcelona and Spain during the warm-up before the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are currently heavily restricted with a lot of problems going on off the field rather than on it. Whereas the Catalans seem to be going from strength to strength in terms of their form on the pitch, they have other urgent matters to tend to as well, looking ahead to the future. The Financial Fair Play matter, for instance. Has become a massive thorn for the club’s potential plans. Heavily inclined to cut both current salaries as well as limit spending to an extreme, the Blaugrana outfit has thus started to realize that departures may just be a necessity at this point to ens...
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CHELSEA FC, Romelu Lukaku, TRANSFERS

Chelsea ‘resigned to losing Romelu Lukaku for cut-price fee’

  Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 19, 2023 in Milan, Italy.Chelsea are reportedly resigned to having to sell Romelu Lukaku for a cut-price fee in one of the future transfer windows. In August 2021, the Blues completed the club-record addition of Lukaku from Inter Milan fee in a £97.5m deal, the belief being that they had found a long-term solution down the middle of their attack. However, despite scoring 15 goals from 44 appearances in all competitions, the Belgium international never settled under Thomas Tuchel and was allowed to return to Inter on a loan deal. At the time of his return, it was anticipated that a second temporary spell or permanent switch would follow,...
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Mesut Ozil, NEWS

Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Ozil retires

 Mesut Oezil of Istanbul Basaksehir during the UEFA Europa Conference League group A match between Istanbul Basaksehir and ACF Fiorentina at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on September 15, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has retired from football at the age of 34. Ozil won nine trophies during his club career including four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012. He also won 92 caps for Germany and was part of the team that lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions,” Ozil said in a statement on social media. “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. “But in...
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Aston Villa, Diego Carlos, PREMIER LEAGUE

Diego Carlos closes in on Aston Villa return

 Diego Carlos of Aston Villa in action during training session at Bodymoor Heath training ground on March 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England.Villa defender Diego Carlos will further step up his recovery from serious injury this week in a behind-closed-doors friendly. The £26million summer signing has not played since rupturing his Achilles more than seven months ago, though he has been an unused substitute in Villa’s last two Premier League matches while being eased gradually back into the first-team fold. Friday’s planned fixture with Bristol Rovers at Bodymoor Heath represents another step with the 30-year-old hoping to feature for Villa before the end of the season. Midfielders Boubacar Kamara (ankle) and Leander Dendoncker (hand) will also be assessed ahead of the next Premier League...
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Frenkie de Jong, NEWS

Netherlands lose De Jong for Euro 2024 clash with France

 Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.The Netherlands will face France in their Euro 2024 qualifying clash this week without injured playmaker Frenkie de Jong or winger Steven Bergwijn, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Monday. They have been replaced by PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman and Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen as the Frenkie de Jong take on Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Friday, before playing Gibraltar on Monday, March 27, in Rotterdam. De Jong featured 90 minutes for Barca in Sunday’s El Clasico win over Real Madrid. “The Barcelona player has upper leg complaints from the game with Real Madrid and is not available for ...
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Lionel Messi, NEWS

Lionel Messi pictured reuniting with his Argentina team-mates ahead of friendlies

 Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during a training session at Julio H. Grondona Training Camp on March 21, 2023 in Ezeiza, Argentina. Lionel Messi has been pictured training alongside his Argentina team-mates ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Panama and Curacao. The Argentina squad reconvened on Tuesday afternoon for their first training session back together after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 35-year-old was already a national hero before the tournament in the Middle East but their success cemented his status. Messi guided his country to World Cup glory after beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw. The Argentina captain wanted to give his team-mates a personal memento to remembe...
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England, Marcus Rashford, NEWS

Rashford ruled out of England Euro qualifiers

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United in action during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. England will be without Marcus Rashford for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after the in-form Manchester United forward picked up a knock in Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Fulham. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount have also pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad. Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster is the only replacement called up by Southgate, who named a 25-man squad last week. Rashford’s absence is the most serious blow given his scintillating form since the World Cup. The 25-year-old has scored a career-high 27 goals for United this season, 19 of whi...
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BUNDESLIGA, Rani Khedira, Union Berlin

Khedira leads Union Berlin to third in Bundesliga

 Rani Khedira of 1. FC Union Berlin celebrates with teammates after scoring their team's first goal during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadion an der alten Försterei on March 19, 2023 in Berlin, Germany.Bayern Munich have won the last ten Bundesliga titles but, while few would bet against them not winning an eleventh, a defeat at Bayer Leverkusen has left them trailing Borussia Dortmund with nine games remaining in Germany. Bayer was indebted to VAR, defeating Bayern with the aid of two penalties both given by the technology-assisted referee. “It was the perfect example today of great collaboration with the video assistant,” referee Tobias Stieler said. “He gets a lot of complaints and is always very harshly criticised. Today it was a lif...
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BARCELONA FC, El Clasico, LALIGA, Real Madrid

Barca snatch Clasico win to strike La Liga title blow

 Franck Kessie of FC Barcelona celebrates with Ferran Torres and Sergi Roberto of FC Barcelona after scoring the team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a thrilling El Clasico on Sunday to dash the Whites’ title hopes. Visitors Real Madrid took an early lead in a fortunate way at Spotify Camp Nou as Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior crossed from the left but the ball deflected off Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo’s head and went into Barca’s net. Barcelona leveled the match before the break as Sergi Roberto was in the box when Real Madrid could not clear the ball. Roberto took advantage of a rebound to unleash a ...
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ARSENAL FC, Crystal Palace, PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal Cruise past Palace to go eight points clear

  Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (Obscured) celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on March 19, 2023 in London, England. Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a routine home victory over managerless Crystal Palace. The Gunners, aiming to become champions for the first time since 2003-04, went ahead at Emirates Stadium through Gabriel Martinelli's left-footed strike - his sixth goal in six league matches. Bukayo Saka doubled the lead when he collected Ben White's pass and curled an effort past 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Whitworth. Granit Xhaka made it 3-0 with a first-time finish from Leandro Trossard's assist, before Jeffrey Schlu...
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Borussia Dortmund, BUNDESLIGA, Marco Reus

Six of the best as Dortmund surge to top of Bundesliga

 Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund dribbles with the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Koln at the Signal Iduna Park on March 18, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany.Borussia Dortmund have powered to the top of the Bundesliga – for a day at least – after four well-worked team goals set up a 6-1 home thumping of faltering Cologne. Bayern Munich can reclaim first place on Sunday with a point at Bayer Leverkusen, but Dortmund made sure they headed into the international break in great spirits thanks to first-half goals from Raphael Guerreiro, Sebastien Haller, Marco Reus and Donyell Malen. In the second half, Haller had a tap-in before Reus struck the sixth. “We started well and had good control of the game,” Reus told Sky after his 150th Bundesliga goal on Saturda...
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AC Milan, SERIE A, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic is oldest Serie A scorer in AC Milan loss

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan has an attempt at goal with a header during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at the Dacia Arena on March 18, 2023 in Udine, Italy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become the oldest scorer in Serie A history at age 41 but had little else to celebrate after defending champions AC Milan were beaten 3-1 at Udinese. Saturday’s result extended Milan’s winless streak to three matches in the Italian league. Roberto Pereyra, Beto and Kingsley Ehizibue scored for Udinese. Milan were beaten by Fiorentina and held to a draw by Salernitana in their previous two Serie A matches, while advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Tottenham. They missed the chance to jump to second and remained fourth with 48 points, a...
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LALIGA, Oscar Trejo, Rayo Vallecano

Rayo botch trick penalty in Spanish league draw

 Oscar Trejo of Rayo Vallecano during a match between Rayo Vallecano v Girona FC as part of LaLiga in Madrid, Spain, on March 18, 2022.Where soccer greats Lionel Messi and Johan Cruyff succeeded, the talented but mortal midfielders of Rayo Vallecano have come up short. The modest Madrid-based club were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Girona in the Spanish league after failing with back-to-back penalties – including a botched trick penalty kick -in a sequence that will go down as one of the oddest in recent memory for Spanish soccer. Isi Palazon and Oscar Trejo had already scored to put their team ahead 2-1 when Rayo had a penalty call in their favour just before halftime. Goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga saved Trejo’s spot kick, but he got another chance after the referee ordered the penalty ...
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