2023 – Page 21 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Year: 2023

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Nigeria vs São Tomé and Príncipe: Osimhen Hat-Trick Powers Nigeria to Thumping Win in AFCON Qualifier

 Victor Osimhen of Nigeria on action against Sao Tome and Principe in AFCON qualifier.Victor Osimhen grabbed a hat-trick as Nigeria signed off their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a thumping 6-0 win over Sao Tome on Sunday.The Super Eagles were dominant from the outset and Osimhen headed them in front after just 13 minutes.Ademola Lookman added a second with a neat finish before Osimhen netted a penalty after the break to put the result beyond doubt.Taiwo Awoniyi and Samuel Chukwueze also got in on the act as Nigeria ran riot.Osimhen completed his treble late on to cap a sensational individual display.The Napoli striker ends qualifying as Nigeria's top scorer with ten goals from just five appearances.Following the win the Super Eagles sealed their place a...
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Republic’s Euro hopes all but over after Dutch loss

 Wout Weghorst of Netherlands scores his side's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Republic of Ireland and Netherlands at Dublin Arena on September 10, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2024 qualification hopes are all but over after the Netherlands came from a goal down to edge an entertaining qualifier in Dublin.Adam Idah gave the Republic a dream start with a fourth-minute penalty after Virgil van Dijk's handball.But the Dutch hit back with a spot-kick of their own through Cody Gakpo.Substitute Wout Weghorst's winner then condemned the Republic to a fourth defeat in five qualifiers.It leaves manager Stephen Kenny's side six points adrift of the second-placed Dutch having played a game more, with a home match against Greece an...
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Hansi Flick sacked as Germany boss following poor run

 10 September 2023, Lower Saxony, Wolfsburg: Soccer: National team, after the international match against Japan, public regeneration training of the DFB team. National coach Hansi Flick (M) gives instructions.Hansi Flick has been sacked as head coach of Germany following a meeting with shareholders, just nine months before Euro 2024.The former Bayern Munich manager had a hugely unsuccessful stint in charge of the national team, with a 4-1 loss to Japan appearing to be the final straw.The former Bayern Munich manager had a hugely unsuccessful stint in charge of the national team, with a 4-1 loss to Japan appearing to be the final straw.In a statement released by the national side, it was confirmed that following a 'shareholders meeting', Flick was dismissePresident of the German Footba...
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Euro 2024 qualifiers: Italy held by North Macedonia on Luciano Spalletti’s debut

Italy's head coach Luciano Spalletti reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 group C qualification football match between North Macedonia and Italy, in Skopje, on September 9, 2023. Italy's chances of defending their European Championship crown suffered a blow on Saturday after a 1-1 away draw at North Macedonia in Euro 2024 qualifying. Enis Bardhi smashed in a free-kick for the hosts with nine minutes remaining in the Group C clash in Skopje on Luciano Spalletti's debut as Azzurri coach. Spalletti took charge of the national team last month following Roberto Mancini's shock resignation and his team flopped against the side which dumped Italy out of the last World Cup in the play-offs.Italy, who scored through Ciro Immobile, sit third in the group on four points following the third matc...
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Pressure mounts on Flick as Germany lose to Japan

 (l-r) Pascal Gross of Germany, Germany coach Hansi Flick during the friendly Interland match between Germany and Japan at the Volkswagen Arena on September 9, 2023 in Wolfsburg, Germany.Germany manager Hansi Flick is under serious pressure after a dismal 4-1 defeat against Japan in a friendly.Junya Ito opened the scoring for Japan after 11 minutes, but Bayern Munich forward Leroy Sane struck back for the hosts.Ayase Ueda tucked in from close range to restore Japan's advantage midway through the first half at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg.Takuma Asano and Ao Tanaka then put the game to bed in the closing moments.Germany's fourth defeat in their last five outings was also their heaviest setback since a 6-0 loss in the Nations League against Spain in 2020.Former Bayern Munich boss Flick...
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Southgate wants England focus in pro-Ukraine crowd

 England trainer Gareth Southgate during the European Championship qualification 2024 match Italy-England at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. Naples (Italy), March 23rd, 2023 .England boss Gareth Southgate is expecting his side to come up against a passionate pro-Ukraine atmosphere when the two sides meet for a Euro 2024 qualifier at Poland's Tarczynski Arena.Ukraine have not been able to play at home since Russia launched an invasion of the country in February 2022.They are expected to be backed by 40,000 fans in Wroclaw for Saturday's game, which kicks off at 17:00 BST."We know there are thousands of Ukrainians here," Southgate said.England are top of Group C with 12 points from four matches and know another win will all but secure a place at next year's European Championship in ...
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Fernandes scores as Portugal beat Slovakia

Bruno Fernandes of Portugal celebrates after scoring opening goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Slovakia and Portugal at Tehelne pole on September 8, 2023 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes marked his birthday with a goal as Portugal beat Slovakia to make it five wins from five in Euro 2024 qualifying.Fernandes, who turned 29 on Friday, struck just before half-time with a superb low finish into the far corner.He almost got an assist when he set up Cristiano Ronaldo, but the veteran forward fired off target.The win means Portugal are top of Group J with 15 points from a possible 15.Slovakia are second in the standings on 10 points as they suffered defeat for the first time in qualifying.Lukas Haraslin went closest for the hos...
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Brazil’s Neymar overtakes Pele goals record

 Brazil's forward Neymar celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Brazil and Bolivia at the Jornalista Edgar Proença 'Mangueirao' stadium, in Belem, state of Para, Brazil, on September 8, 2023. Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil's male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia.The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance."I never imagined reaching this record. I'm no better than Pele or any other player for the national team," he said.Marta has scored a record 122 goals in 189 matches for Brazil's women's team.Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goal...
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Yamal becomes Spain’s youngest player and scorer

Spain's Lamine Yamal (L) and Georgia's Georgia's midfielder Luka Gagnidze fight for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying first round group A football match between Georgia and Spain in Tbilisi on September 8, 2023. Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal became the youngest player and goalscorer for the Spanish national team in a thumping Euro 2024 qualifying win against Georgia.Yamal, aged 16 years and 57 days, came on for Dani Olmo just before half-time.He got Spain's seventh in the 74th minute when fired in a cross.Alvaro Morata scored a hat-trick while a Solomon Kvirkvelia own goal and strikes from Olmo and Nico Williams completed the win.Winger Yamal took the youngest-player record from Gavi, who was 17 years and 62 days old when he made his Spain debut in 2021.It continues a st...
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SERIE A

Jenny Requirez joins Hellas Verona on loan

 The Roma player Romelu Lukaku during the match Roma v Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), September 01st, 2023.Inter legend Javier Zanetti hopes they will be back in the Champions League Final soon, noting Simone Inzaghi and Lautaro Martinez bring a sense of ‘stability’ to the project, something Romelu Lukaku did not.The Nerazzurri had not been up for the trophy since winning the Treble under Jose Mourinho in 2010, but gave Manchester City a very tough game in Istanbul, decided only by a single goal.They have started the new season strong too, winning all three Serie A matches and sitting joint top of the table with rivals Milan.“We are happy, because although strong players have left that we will always thank, we brought in new players who are eager to get things done and do...
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Neymar claim Saudi League could top Ligue 1 already

 Brazilian football star Neymar (L) and Al-Hilal's president Fahad bin Nafel (R) pose for a photo with an Al Hilal jersey as Neymar joins Al-Hilal with a two-year contract in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 15, 2023. Saudi Arabia's football league could already be stronger than France's Ligue 1, says Brazil captain Neymar.The 31-year-old forward moved to the Saudi Pro League from Paris St-Germain in August for about £77.5m and add-ons.Neymar joined Al-Hilal in a transfer window that saw Saudi clubs spend more than £700m on overseas players."For the names that went to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be surprised if the Saudi league is better than the French," he said.Saudi clubs' spending this summer on international transfers was second only to the Premier League, whose teams spent just ...
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Liverpool’s Gakpo Scores as Netherlands beat Greece

 (L-R) Konstantinos Tsimikas of Greece, Cody Gakpo of Holland during the EURO Qualifier match between Holland v Greece at the Philips Stadium on September 7, 2023 in Eindhoven Netherlands.Liverpool's Cody Gakpo was on the scoresheet as the Netherlands beat Greece in Euro 2024 qualifying.Marten de Roon opened the scoring from eight yards out with his first international goal before Gakpo chested down a Denzel Dumfries cross and smashed home.Wout Weghorst, on loan at Hoffenheim from Burnley, headed in a third from another Dumfries cross.The Netherlands move above Greece into second place in Group B.France, who beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Paris, are nine points clear at the top - albeit having played two games more.
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Tchouameni & Thuram score as France beat Ireland

 Marcus Thuram of France, left, scores his side's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between France and Republic of Ireland at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. The Republic of Ireland's slim hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 were further dented as France ran out comfortable winners at Parc des Princes.Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni's stunning 19th-minute goal put the hosts ahead at the break.Substitute Marcus Thuram ensured a home victory early in the second half as the French made it five wins from five.For the Republic, however, it is a third defeat in four games, leaving them fourth in the group.Stephen Kenny's side's chances of qualifying for next summer's finals in Germany are remote, but they must regroup quickly and lo...
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LALIGA

Bojan to get new Barca role, will work with youngsters

 Bojan Krkic during the farewell ceremony for Sergio Busquets after having played 722 games during the 15 seasons he has played for FC Barcelona, in Barcelona, on 31th May 2023. Barcelona’s old pal Bojan Krkic returned to the club this week for the first time since his move away from the club a decade ago.The striker was an amazing player for Barca when he first burst onto the scene at the age of 17, which was a record at the time, but never really managed to live up to expectations.He went on to transfer to Stoke City and then played for a host of other clubs and hasn’t returned to Barcelona since. However, now that he is back, the club are reportedly looking at creating a role for him in management.The reports say that he’ll be part of Deco’s new team and will work with the clu...
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Owen Hargreaves backs Chelsea to make huge move for Brighton forward Evan Ferguson

 Evan Ferguson of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United at American Express Community Stadium on September 02, 2023 in Brighton, England.Owen Hargreaves believes Chelsea are the most likely destination for Brighton’s in-form striker Evan Ferguson.The 18-year-old scored his first Premier League hat-trick before the international break, in Brighton’s comfortable win over Newcastle, and the forward has unsurprisingly been linked with a big-money move away from the Seagulls.Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has claimed it will be “at least five years” before the club consider selling Ferguson, though it has recently been reported that Manchester City are lining u...
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Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi nominated for Ballon d’Or 2023

 Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF waves to the fans after a draw during a match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on August 30, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Inter Miami CF superstar Lionel Messi is one step closer to an eighth Ballon d'Or award.The Argentine forward was part of the 30-player shortlist announced Wednesday in advance of the award being granted Oct. 30 in Paris. The annual award will recognize the world's best male soccer player in the 2022–23 season – potentially making Messi the first active MLS winner.Messi, whose seven Ballon d'Or awards are two more than his closest competitor (Cristiano Ronaldo; five), won a much-coveted World Cup title last December with La Albiceleste. He then formally signed with Inter Miami in mid-July after two y...
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Hermoso files legal complaint over Rubiales kiss

 President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales (R) kisses Jennifer Hermoso of Spain (L) during the medal ceremony of FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.Jenni Hermoso has filed a legal complaint over the kiss by Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales.Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain's World Cup final win, which she says was not consensual.Rubiales claims the kiss was "mutual and "consensual", but has been provisionally suspended by football's world governing body Fifa.The complaint means the 46-year-old could face criminal charges.On 29 August, Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incide...
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Saka wins England Men’s Player of the Year again

 England's Bukayo Saka during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between England and North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. Bukayo Saka, the talented forward from Arsenal, has once again clinched the title of England Men's Player of the Year, according to the English Football Association's announcement on Tuesday.Saka, aged 22, received overwhelming support from fans who voted him as the standout player of the 2022-23 season, marking his second consecutive win. In a nod to his exceptional performance, he left competitors Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in second and third place, respectively.Over the past year, Saka has made a significant impact on the national team, with seven goals in ten appearances for England. Among his notable...
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BUNDESLIGA

Frimpong and Leverkusen are thriving with coach Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen trainer Xabi Alonso and Roma trainer Jose Mourinho during the match between Roma and Bayer Leverkusen at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), May 11st, 2023.Bayer Leverkusen's perfect start to the season has rivals taking notice.Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel, whose team is the only other one to have started the Bundesliga with three wins, says Leverkusen could even challenge his Bavarian powerhouse for the title.For that to happen, much depends on Jeremie Frimpong, a defender who has started every Leverkusen game this season and already set up three goals in the Bundesliga. He also scored in both the league and German Cup.Speeding up and down the right flank in a wing-back role, Frimpong is a key part of the eye-catching style coach Xabi Alonso favors at Leverkusen. It t...
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SERIE A

Roma Europa League squad missing Azmoun and Kristensen

The Roma players Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Pellegrini during the match Roma v Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. Rome (Italy), September 01st, 2023.Roma have left new signings Sardar Azmoun and Rasmus Kristensen out of their Europa League squad, but included injured Tammy Abraham and Marash Kumbulla, because of Romelu Lukaku.The Giallorossi reached the Final of this tournament last season, capitulating to Sevilla only after a penalty shoot-out, as they drew 1-1 over 120 minutes.This time around, they have been drawn in a group with Slavia Prague, Sheriff and Servette.For several years now, Roma have had to deal with the tight restrictions of the settlement agreement with UEFA over Financial Fair Play.That includes the ‘transfer balance’ – so the current squad must be worth the same or less than...
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