July 2023 – Football Flame

Month: July 2023

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Fabinho makes move to Al-Ittihad from Liverpool

 Liverpool's Fabinho during the pre-match warm-up to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Anfield on February 21, 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.  Brazil midfielder Fabinho has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad from Liverpool on a three-year deal. The 29-year-old did not travel with the Reds to a recent training camp in Germany after the Saudi side made a £40m bid for him. Fabinho was also left out of the club’s current trip to Singapore as the move was finalised. Capped 29 times by his country, he joined Liverpool in July 2018 from Monaco for a fee in the region of £39m. Fabinho said he was leaving his “home” after representing Liverpool “with the greatest honour and happiness possible” for five years. He ...
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NEWS

Nigeria advance in World Cup after draw with Ireland

 Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria is tackled by Niamh Fahey of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Brisbane / Meaanjin, Australia.Nigeria are through to the round of 16 after a 0-0 draw with Ireland in their Women’s World Cup clash at Suncorp Stadium. The Super Falcons finished second in Group B on five points after Australia went one point ahead of them to top the group following their 4-0 win over Canada in Melbourne. Nigeria will be back at Suncorp Stadium to play the winner of Group D in the knockout phase on Monday. Ireland secured their first point in the competition in what was their debut World Cup. Captain Katie McCabe shot just wide in the fifth minut...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd to make Greenwood decision before season starts

 England and Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood leaves Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on November 21, 2022.Manchester United will decide striker Mason Greenwood's future before their opening Premier League game of the season against Wolves on 14 August.A number of serious charges against Greenwood, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped on 2 February.The Crown Prosecution Service said key witnesses had withdrawn and new material had come to light.It meant there was "no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".At the time, a statement released on 21-year-old Greenwood's behalf said he was "relieved".However, United then said they were launching their own investigation.Greenwood has been unavailable for selection ever since and has not been involved at...
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Chelsea agree deal to sign Monaco defender Disasi

 Axel Disasi of AS Monaco during the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg two match between AS Monaco and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Stade Louis II on February 23, 2023 in Monaco, Monaco.Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign defender Axel Disasi from AS Monaco for 45m euros (£38.57m). France international Disasi, 25, will give Chelsea another right-sided centre-back option following the injury to Wesley Fofana. Fofana has been ruled out for several months after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Benoit Badiashile is also currently injured and will not be fit until after the Premier League season starts. Chelsea have Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill, who has interest from Brighton, as their options in the centre of defence as things stand. Disasi has...
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LALIGA

Report: Barcelona could terminate Sergino Dest’s contract

 Sergiño Dest of FC Barcelona looks on during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at AT&T Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.Barcelona are reportedly considering terminating Sergino Dest’s contract, with the Catalan outfit struggling to find a buyer for the United States international. The 22-year-old is back at Camp Nou this summer following an unsuccessful loan spell at AC Milan last season. Dest only featured on 14 occasions for Milan during the 2022-23 campaign, with just eight of those appearances coming in Serie A, and the Italian outfit turned down the chance to sign him permanently. The American has another two years left to run on his contract at Barcelona, but he is not in the plans of the Catalan outfit’s head coach Xavi. Dest pl...
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NEWS

Colombia stun Germany with famous late win at World Cup

Manuela Vanegas (L) of Columbia scores the second goal of Team Columbia during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Germany and Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.Manuela Vanegas scored a 97th-minute winner as Colombia stunned Germany at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Linda Caicedo netted a wondergoal to give the South Americans the lead, before Germany equalised with an 89th-minute Alexandra Popp penalty. Vanegas then headed Leicy Santos’ corner past Merle Frohms to send the vast numbers of Colombia supporters at Sydney Football Stadium wild. It condemned Germany to a first World Cup group stage defeat since 1995. A manic ending came after Caicedo, 18, had brilliantly curled into the top corner on 53 min...
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Morocco beat South Korea as Benzina makes history

 Park Eunsun of Korea Republic controls the ball against Nouhaila Benzina of Morocco during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Korea Republic and Morocco at Hindmarsh Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. Morocco gained a shock win over South Korea as defender Nouhaila Benzina made history by becoming the first player to wear a hijab at a World Cup. Ibtissam Jraidi scored Morocco’s first ever goal at the tournament with a sixth-minute header as the side ranked 72nd in the world took the victory. Sixteen-year-old substitute Casey Phair fired wide for South Korea late on. South Korea lost for the second time and will be eliminated if Germany avoid defeat against Colombia on Sunday. Benzina, 25, wore the Islamic headscarf as ...
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Man Utd agree £72m deal to sign Atalanta’s Hojlund

 Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund during the pre-season friendly match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Saturday July 29, 2023.Manchester United have agreed a £72m deal to sign Denmark international striker Rasmus Hojlund from Serie A side Atalanta. The 20-year-old will move to Old Trafford for a fee of £64m, plus a potential £8m in add-ons. Hojlund joined Atalanta in August 2022 and scored 10 goals in 34 appearances last season. His United contract will be for five years, with the option of an additional season. Hojlund will be United manager Erik ten Hag’s third signing of the summer after midfielder Mason Mount joined from Chelsea for £55m and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana was signed for £47.2m. Although United had been attempting to keep the fee below £60m, Hojlun...
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Jamaica record first-ever Women’s World Cup win to knock out Panama

 Emily Cedeno of Panama controls the ball against Allyson Swaby of Jamaica during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and Jamaica at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Perth / Boorloo, Australia. Jamaica won their first-ever Fifa Women’s World Cup match as Allyson Swaby’s goal gave them victory over Panama in Perth. Swaby rose highest to head home from a Trudi Carter cross in the 56th minute as the Reggae Girlz recorded a historic win – and in the process knocked Panama out of the tournament. France and Jamaica are joint top of Group F and now face final decisive group matches against Panama and Brazil respectively on Wednesday, 2 August. Lorne Donaldson’s side, who were without captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw after she...
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Renard heads late winner as France beat Brazil

 Wendie Renard of France and Lauren of Brazil compete for the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between France and Brazil at Brisbane Stadium on July 29, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. Captain Wendie Renard headed a late winner as France beat Brazil in a thrilling game in Brisbane at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Eugenie le Sommer put the French ahead after 17 minutes, before Debinha pulled Brazil level in the second half. There was end to end action as two of the pre-tournament favourites delivered a game which lived up to expectations. But it was Renard – who had been an injury doubt – who headed in the decisive goal with seven minutes to go. “She is the leader of the team,” France manager Herve Renard said of his captain. “I...
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SERIE A

UEFA bans Juventus next season, Chelsea fined 10 million euros

 General view of the Allianz Stadium during the Serie A match between Juventus and US Cremonese at Allianz Stadium on May 14, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Juventus will not play in Europe next season after being banned over breaches of UEFA’s Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play rules, while Premier League side Chelsea will pay 10 million euros for submitting incomplete financial information, Europe’s football governing body the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said on Friday. “Juventus violated UEFA’s regulatory framework…and it was decided to exclude Juventus from the 2023/24 UEFA men’s club competition,” said a UEFA statement. UEFA said the 10-million-euro additional fine will only be applied if the 2023, 2024 and 2025 financial years do not meet their accounting requ...
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Man Utd reject £20m West Ham bid for Maguire

Harry Maguire of Manchester United reacts during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Real Madrid and Manchester United at NRG Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas.Manchester United have rejected a £20m bid from West Ham for England defender Harry Maguire. Hammers boss David Moyes is keen on Maguire and has funds to spend following the £100m sale of England midfielder Declan Rice. Maguire’s Old Trafford future is uncertain after he was stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag earlier this month. The Dutchman has said the move could help the 30-year-old regain his form. United would be prepared to listen to offers that matched their valuation – if Maguire indicated a willingness to leave. However, the centre-back is believed to currently be earning £200,000-a-week at Old Trafford, w...
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NEWS

Knee injury fears over England midfielder Walsh

 Keira Walsh of England receives medical treatment after an injury during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia.England midfielder Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 38th minute during the World Cup match against Denmark in Sydney. The Barcelona player, 26, appeared to hurt her knee and looked in distress before signalling to the bench that she could not carry on. She was comforted by team-mates and appeared to mouth: “I’ve done my knee.” Manager Sarina Wiegman said afterwards: “Of course I’m concerned because she couldn’t walk off the pitch.” She added: “But we don’t know yet so we can’t make any assumptions. Let’s wait unti...
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Paris St-Germain bid for Man Utd target Hojlund

 Rasmus Hojlund in action during the Serie A football match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milano, Italy, on May 27 2023.Paris St-Germain have made a take-it-or-leave-it bid of 50m euros (£42.8m) for Atalanta forward and Manchester United target Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark striker is top of the Red Devils’ wanted list this summer. Manager Erik ten Hag is desperate to conclude a deal, with United convinced they can sign the 20-year-old before their Premier League opener against Wolves at Old Trafford on 14 August. However, PSG have now made their interest known. Their move is not thought to be connected to the uncertainty around Kylian Mbappe. PSG officials are convinced Mbappe has no intention of leaving the club during the current transfer win...
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Superb Argentina comeback earns South Africa draw

 Tiisetso Makhubela of South Africa (L) fights for the ball with Romina Nunez of Argentina (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between Argentina and South Africa at Dunedin Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Dunedin, New Zealand.Argentina manager German Portanova told his team to “play with the love that optimises our football” before they produced a stunning comeback from two goals down to draw with South Africa. South Africa were on course to pick up a first ever Women’s World Cup victory in a pulsating encounter in Dunedin but in the end they had to settle for their first point after Argentina scored twice within five second-half minutes. Knowing defeat would take Argentina to the brink of elimination, they threw everything at Desiree Ellis...
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Kylian Mbappe ‘Refuses to talk’ to Al Hilal over 300-million-euro move

 Kylian Mbappé (L) of Paris Saint-Germain during a gym session at the PSG training center on July 17, 2023 in Poissy, France.Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has refused to meet officials from Al Hilal, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the Saudis’ ambitious hopes of completing a world record 300-million-euro ($333 million) swoop. The French star has refused “any discussion with the representatives of the Al-Hilal club, present in Paris this Wednesday,” reported L’Equipe sports daily. According to the report, a delegation from the Saudi club came to Paris to finalise the transfer of Brazilian Malcom from Zenit Saint Petersburg. They also wanted to present their project to Mbappe while in the French capital. “This approach will not succeed,” added L’Equipe because the entou...
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Horan denies Netherlands famous World Cup win

Lindsey Horan of USA (L) fights for the ball with Jill Roord of Netherlands (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Netherlands at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 27, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. Captain Lindsey Horan came to the rescue of defending champions the United States after the Netherlands had threatened an upset at the Women’s World Cup. New Manchester City signing Jill Roord put the Dutch on course for a famous win after a clinical finish from the edge of the box. The Stars and Stripes have been a superpower on the world stage, winning their previous 13 matches spanning three tournaments, but they struggled to breakdown a resolute Netherlands defence until Horan equalised with a header from a corner. In a ...
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Canada knock Republic of Ireland out of World Cup

Jayde Riviere of Canada and Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland compete for the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Canada and Ireland at Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Perth, Australia. Canada fought back from a goal down to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 and knock the debutants out of the Women’s World Cup. Irish captain Katie McCabe scored the Republic’s first World Cup goal when her superb corner flew into the net after just four minutes. The Irish had chances to add a second against the Olympic champions, but they were undone in first-half injury time as Julia Grosso’s cross took a touch off defender Megan Connolly and nestled in the bottom corner in torrential conditions. Adriana Leon poked Canada into th...
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Spain progress to knockouts after win over Zambia

 Jennifer Hermoso of Spain (L) dribbles Margaret Belemu of Zambia (R) during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Spain and Zambia at Eden Park on July 26, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.Jenni Hermoso and Alba Redondo scored twice as Spain underlined their credentials as potential Fifa Women’s World Cup winners by thrashing Zambia to progress to the last 16 with a game to spare. The Spanish opened their Group C campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win against Costa Rica last week, having a total of 46 shots on goal. They picked up where they left off against Zambia, racing into a ninth-minute lead when Teresa Abelleira drove in a stunning strike from distance. Hermoso doubled the lead just four minutes later, heading home a cross on her 100th app...
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Uncategorized

Japan on brink of last 16 after beating Costa Rica

 JULY 26: Naomoto Hikaru #8 of Japan celebrates her goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C match between Japan and Costa Rica at Dunedin Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Dunedin / Ōtepoti, New Zealand. Japan are on the verge of qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup round of 16 after a routine win over Costa Rica. Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino both scored in the space of three first-half minutes to ease the 2011 champions to three points. Japan will be the first side to secure their place in knockout stages, if Spain earn at least a point against Zambia later. Costa Rica will be eliminated from the World Cup if Spain avoid defeat. Since stunning the football world by beating the United States in the 2011 final, Japan have underwhelmed on th...
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