October 2023 – Football Flame

Month: October 2023

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LALIGA

Vinicius Jr extends Real contract

 Vinicius Junior left winger of Real Madrid and Brazil prior the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 28, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has extended his contract until 2027.The Brazil international, 23, has scored 63 goals in 235 games and won nine trophies with Real, including the 2022 Champions League.Vinicius, whose contract was set to expire next year, joined for £38m as an 18-year-old from Flamengo in 2018."Hello Madrid fans, I am very happy to renew my contract. It is a dream for me," he said in a video clip on Real's social media."I hope I can continue here for many years, scoring many goals and winning many titles. Thank you very much for the love. Hala Madrid!"On Monday Vini...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Newcastle boss Howe plays down Manchester United revenge mission

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe gestures during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on October 21, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said revenge is not on his mind ahead of Wednesday's League Cup trip to Manchester United for a repeat of last season's final.Howe's side were beaten 2-0 at Wembley in February as Newcastle's agonisingly long wait for a first domestic trophy, stretching back to 1955, was extended for atleast another season.Erik ten Hag's team have been disappointing this season and were brushed aside 3-0 in the Manchester derby at the weekend.But Howe was adamant that rubbing salt into United's wounds and gaining vengeance was not top of his priority list."That's not our emotion as I sit here ...
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NEWS

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for a record 8th time

 Lionel Messi and sons Thiago Messi, Mateo Messi Roccuzzo and Ciro Messi Roccuzz attend the 67th Ballon D'Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet on October 30, 2023 in Paris, France. Major League Soccer star Lionel Messi has become the first player based in the league to grab the coveted Ballon d'Or trophy. The Inter Miami CF star beat out Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to win the prize for a record eighth time. The 36-year-old MLS-based player led the way for Argentina in the World Cup in 2022, which played a large part in his win this time. Barcelona player Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d'Or Féminin award for a record-setting year, leading Barca to win Liga F and the Champions League.Even before his latest win, no player had garnered the Ballon d'Or prize in more ...
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SERIE A

Thuram goal sends Inter top with a 1-0 win over Roma

 Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates with his teammates L after scoring opening goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 29, 2023 in Milan, Italy. On a night when Romelu Lukaku was the focus of Inter Milan fans' ire, Marcus Thuram - who replaced the departed Belgium striker at San Siro - scored in a 1-0 win over Roma to send the Nerazzurri back to the top of Serie A.Thuram redirected a cross from Federico Dimarco from close range in the 81st minute on Sunday to finally break through Jose Mourinho's massed defence.With Mourinho suspended from the dugout and watching from the stands, Roma sat back and absorbed attack after attack from high-flying Inter.In the first half, Roma conceded 12 shots without a s...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool show support for absent Diaz in Forest win

Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest and Diogo Jota of Liverpool battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England.Liverpool's players applaud as Diogo Jota celebrates his goal by holding up a shirt with the name of team-mate Luis Diaz on itLiverpool's players applaud as Diogo Jota celebrates his goal by holding up a shirt with the name of team-mate Luis Diaz on itLiverpool's players showed their support to absent team-mate Luis Diaz during a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield.Diaz missed the match following reports his parents had been kidnapped in Colombia, with officials still searching for the winger's missing father after his mother was rescued.Diogo Jota, surrounded by his team...
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LALIGA

3 Real Madrid players who must step up the most after Aurélien Tchouaméni injury

 08 Toni Kroos of Real Madrid during the La Liga "el clasico" match between FC Barcelona v Real Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on October 28th, 2023.Real Madrid fans were in jubilation after their late 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona on the road in El Clásico, courtesy of two very different but equally important goals from new superstar Jude Bellingham.However, Bellingham wasn’t the only player who had a strong influence on the match. Defenders David Alaba and Dani Carvajal had goal-saving interventions, while Toni Kroos and Aurélien Tchouaméni were their usual stalwart selves in midfield against a very talented Barcelona trio.Unfortunately, Madridistas joy has turned to concern the day after the massive match, as Los Blancos officially announced Tchoua...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool ‘aware’ of ongoing Diaz family situation

 Luis Diaz of Liverpool at AXA Training Centre on October 25, 2023 in Kirkby, England. Liverpool say they are "aware of an ongoing situation" involving the family of Luis Diaz after reports his parents had been kidnapped in Colombia.Colombian president Gustavo Petro said on social media that the 26-year-old's mother had been found in Barrancas but his father was still missing.Liverpool said Diaz's welfare "will continue to be our immediate priority"."It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity," the club said.The Colombian Football Federation also offered support to the forward and his family."We express our solidarity with him and his entire family and we call for the relevant authorities to act as quickly as possible to res...
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Ligue 1

Loanee Wilson-Esbrand sends Reims fourth in France

 Reims' defender #19 Joshua Wilson-Esbrand (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal for his team during the French L1 football match between Stade de Reims and FC Lorient at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, northern France on October 28, 2023.Substitute Josh Wilson-Esbrand has struck late as Reims edged Lorient 1-0 to move into fourth place in the French league.In Saturday's other Ligue 1 clash, last season's runners-up Lens continue to recover from their shaky start to the new campaign.Franck Haise's side climbed to ninth with a 4-0 thumping of Nantes helped by two goals and an assist from Florian Sotoca.On loan from Manchester City, Wilson-Esbrand opened his scoring account for Reims by curling into the far corner in the 84th minute."It was a no-brainer to come here...
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SERIE A

After three-year wait, Juventus back on top of Serie A

 Marco Baroni Head coach of Hellas Verona walks past as Juventus players celebrate the 1-0 victory with goalscorer Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus following the final whistle of the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and Hellas Verona FC at on October 28, 2023 in Turin, Italy. Embattled Juventus are on top of Serie A for the first time in more than three years.Substitute Andrea Cambiaso scored seven minutes into stoppage time to earn the 36-time Italian champions a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona in Turin on Saturday.Juventus, who won nine straight titles between 2012 and 2020, were most recently top of the pile on August 1, 2020 - 1183 days and nearly 125 matches ago."These are three important points that add continuity after the game in Milan," Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said, ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Nketiah scores hat-trick as Arsenal thump Sheff Utd

 Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England.Eddie Nketiah scored his first Premier League hat-trick as Arsenal extended their unbeaten start to the season with victory over Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium.He opened the scoring with a deft touch and swivelled finish after Declan Rice's threaded ball caught out the United defence.Nketiah's thumping effort into the roof of the net increased Arsenal's lead against bottom-of-the-table United.A sensational strike from 25 yards completed a perfect afternoon for the England forward Nketiah, who has five league goals this season, all of which have come at home.Fa...
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BUNDESLIGA

Bayern scores 8 goals in 2nd half against Darmstadt. Kane strikes from own half and Neuer returns

 Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SV Darmstadt 98 at Allianz Arena on October 28, 2023 in Munich, Germany.Harry Kane scored from inside his own half on the way to a Bundesliga hat trick and Manuel Neuer played for Bayern Munich for the first time this year as the German defending champions routed Darmstadt 8-0 Saturday, with three red cards in the first half and eight goals after the interval.The three first-half reds — including two for Darmstadt — were a first in Bundesliga history. Bayern then scored all eight goals in under 40 minutes in the second half. Kane got the fifth with a spectacular long shot from the Bayern half after spotting the goalkeeper was off hi...
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LALIGA

El Clasico: Late Bellingham winner helps Real Madrid beat Barca

 Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates 1-2 with Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, Joselu Mato of Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Real Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.Jude Bellingham scored an incredible equaliser and a 92nd-minute winner to help Real Madrid come from behind to beat rivals Barcelona on his first El Clasico appearance.Ilkay Gundogan’s first Barca goal had put the hosts ahead after six minutes.But Bellingham smashed a sensational leveller in the 68th minute, finding the top corner from 30 yards out.The England midfielder then netted an injury-time volley to continue his fairytale start to his Real career.He now has 13 ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Brentford punish wasteful Chelsea

 Ethan Pinnock of Brentford scores the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Brentford FC at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2023 in London, England.Brentford held on for their third Premier League win of the season as goals from Ethan Pinnock and Bryan Mbeumo sank a wasteful Chelsea in the West London derby at Stamford Bridge.The Blues were largely the better side but were punished through Pinnock's thumping header from Mbeumo's wicked cross.With Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez up the field for a late corner, Neal Maupay led a Brentford counter-attack and set up Mbeumo for the Bees' second.Chelsea, who went closest in the first half when Noni Madueke struck the woodwork, slipped to a ninth home defeat this year thanks to some poor finishing.Brentfo...
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LALIGA

Robert Lewandowski on course to play in Clasico against Real Madrid, says Xavi Hernandez

 Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona with coach Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at the Estadio Do Dragao on October 4, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez is cautiously optimistic that he will be able to count on his top player, forward Robert Lewandowski, for Saturday’s Clasico against arch-rivals Real Madrid.After facing serious injury problems in the last few weeks with up to seven players out, Xavi got good news on Friday as Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Pedri participated in training before the big game.Defender Joules Kounde and midfielders Pedri and Sergi Roberto have been ruled out, but Lewandowski, De Jong and Raphinha are ahead of schedule in ...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: Casemiro could miss derby with injury

  Carlos Henrique Casemiro of Manchester United laments during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg match between Real Betis and Manchester United at Benito Villamarin Stadium on March 16, 2023 in Sevilla, Spain. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that Casemiro is facing a race against time to be fit for the derby against Manchester City on Sunday.The midfielder missed the 2-1 win over Sheffield United because of an ankle injury picked up while playing for Brazil during the international break and was suspended for the 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.He had been expected to return against City at Old Trafford but Ten Hag said the 31-year-old remains a doubt."Case [Casemiro] is a race against the clock," Ten Hag said. "He's not 100%."Alejandro Garn...
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta calls for increased squad sizes as Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow

 Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks dejected following the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. Mikel Arteta has called on the Premier League to increase squad sizes as the Arsenal boss lost another two key players through injury.Both Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey face “a few weeks” on the sidelines after Arteta confirmed the pair have suffered setbacks.Arsenal, who remain unbeaten in the league so far this season, host winless Sheffield United on Saturday but Jesus will miss out with a hamstring issue suffered in the midweek Champions League win at Sevilla.Partey is absent having pulled up in training with a muscular injury which the PA news agency understand...
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NEWS

Hammers see historic European run end in Greece

 Ola Solbakken and Kostas Fortounis of Olympiakos embrace after the team's victory during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Olympiacos FC and West Ham United FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Piraeus, Greece. There was to be no Greek triumph for West Ham United in the deafening atmosphere of the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.Instead, it turned out to be more of a Greek tragedy for the Hammers and their 1600 travelling fans, who saw their team’s record-breaking, 17-match unbeaten European run finally come to an end in this UEFA Europa League tie.First-half goals by skipper Sotiris Fortounis and Rodinei – with the help of an Angelo Ogbonna deflection - put the hosts firmly in control before substitute Lucas Paquetá fired home a late, late consolation for Da...
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NEWS

Villa cruise to Conference League win at AZ Alkmaar

 John McGinn of Aston Villa FC celebrates after scoring his teams fourth goal, Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa FC, Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa FC during the Group E - UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 match between AZ Alkmaar and Aston Villa FC at AFAS Stadion on October 26, 2023 in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Aston Villa climbed to the top of Group E in the Europa Conference League after a classy victory against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion.Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans got Villa off to the perfect start with a goal apiece in the space of 10 first-half minutes.Alkmaar spurned several good opportunities before the break, included a guilt-edged chance for top scorer Vangelis Pavlidis when he was clear through on goal.Ollie Watkins then further strengthened the visitors' g...
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Champions League

Lee Kang-in scores as PSG eases to 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League

 Kylian Mbappé of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan at Parc des Princes on October 25, 2023 in Paris, France. Lee Kang-in scored his first goal for Paris-Saint Germain, Kylian Mbappé scored again and 17-year-old midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery caught the eye with two assists as the Parisian club beat a lackluster AC Milan 3-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday.Mbappé opened the scoring late in the first half following Zaïre-Emery’s fine run and pass. After Mbappé’s France teammate Randal Kolo Muani made it 2-0 early in the second period, Zaïre-Emery capped an excellent performance by setting up Lee Kang-in near the end.It was Lee's first for the club and a welcome win for PSG after it was routed 4-1 at Newcastle in...
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Champions League

Barca and Man City wins give them dominating leads in UCL groups

 Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona, Taras Stepanenko of FC Shakhtar Donetsk during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on October 25, 2023 in Barcelona Spain.First-half goals from Ferran Torres and Fermin López steered Barcelona to victory despite Georgiy Sudakov pulling one back for the visitors with a neat strike after the hour mark. It was Barcelona’s third win in three matches to maintain a perfect record in the group. They will face Donetsk in the return leg on November 7.Belgium champions Antwerp remain at the bottom of the group after a 4-1 defeat at home to Porto. Yusuf handed the hosts the lead in the 37th minute, but Antwerp, in a repeat of their defeat to Donetsk, collapsed after the break to concede...
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