2023 – Page 52 – Football Flame
Latest Football News

Year: 2023

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Champions League, Karim Benzema, NEWS

Real Madrid dump Liverpool out of Champions League

 Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Liverpool’s Champions League hopes ended at the hands of Real Madrid for a third consecutive season as they failed to overcome their first-leg Anfield demolition. The Reds, who lost the first leg 5-2, lined up with four forwards at the Bernabeu as they looked to add another famous comeback to their fabled European history. But that rarely looked on the cards and legendary Real striker Karim Benzema put the tie beyond doubt when he tucked in from Vinicius Jr’s cutback late on. Jurgen Klopp’s side would have lost this game by more if not for Alisson. The Reds goalkeeper denied Vin...
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NEWS, Sweden, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, called up to Sweden squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan in action during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro in Milano, Italy, on February 26 2023.AC Milan’s veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was named on Thursday in Sweden’s squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, when he could break Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s age record. Ibrahimovic, 41, last featured for his country 12 months ago and will beat Zoff’s Euro qualifier milestone of 40 years and 90 days set in 1983 if he features in games against Belgium on 24 March or Azerbaijan on 27 March. He has played just three games for Milan this season after recovering from a knee issue. “Zlatan has made three slightly longer substitutions now in Milan and feels fit and in decent shape even thoug...
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Champions League, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool FC

Liverpool will try to beat Madrid with one per cent chance – Klopp

 Liverpool FC Head Coach Jurgen Klopp talks during the Press Conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 14, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.  Jurgen Klopp said Tuesday his Liverpool team might only have a one per cent chance of beating Real Madrid to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, but they will try to use it. The coach had admitted, after his team’s 5-2 first leg defeat by the European champions at Anfield in February, that his side’s hopes of progress were extinguished. However Klopp said he had changed his mind a little, and even if nobody else believed in his side, they were looking forward to the clash in the Spanish capital, a repeat of last season’s final. “I said three weeks ago, Madrid with...
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Champions League, Edin Dzeko, Inter Milan, Porto

Inter reaches Champions League quarters after 0-0 draw at Porto

 Edin Dzeko of Internazionale runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between FC Porto and FC Internazionale at Estadio do Dragao on March 14, 2023 in Porto, Portugal.Heroic defending and the woodwork helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade. Inter managed a 0-0 draw at Porto on Tuesday to progress 1-0 on aggregate and join city rival AC Milan in the final eight. Napoli could become the third Italian team in the quarterfinals when it plays Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. All the drama was saved for the fifth minute of stoppage time as a goalline clearance, the post and the crossbar prevented Porto from snatching the goal that would have taken the match to extra time. “In soccer, luck ma...
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Erling Haaland, Manchester City, UCL

Haaland breaks City single-season record

 Erling Haaland of Manchester City talks with Pep Guardiloa after being substituted in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at Etihad Stadium on March 14, 2023 in Manchester, England. Erling Haaland broke Manchester City’s single-season scoring record with his fifth goal of the game in their Champions League round-of-16 second leg win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday. Haaland, 22, now has 39 goals in all competitions for City this season, surpassing the mark of 38 set by Tommy Johnson during the 1928-29 season. The Norway international became the fastest player to reach 30 goals in the competition – he ended the night on 33 from 25 UCL goals – when putting the English champions 2-0 up in the first half. “I’m blurry in my head. I remember...
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FIFA, World Cup

FIFA enlarges 2026 World Cup to 48 teams with 104 matches to be played

 FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Norwich City at The Den on March 4, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.FIFA on Tuesday confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be played with 48 teams divided into 12 groups, and will have 104 matches up from 64. “… the FIFA Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026 competition format from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four with the top two and eight best third-placed teams progressing to a round of 32. “The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams,” FIFA said in a statement. The FIFA Council on Tuesday met before the 73rd ...
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Aaron Ramsey, NEWS, Wales

Ramsey named new Wales captain

Aaron Ramsey of Wales on the pitch during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Aaron Ramsey will replace Gareth Bale as Wales captain with Ben Davies becoming vice-captain.Wales men’s record scorer and top appearance-maker Bale announced his retirement from football in January. Wales boss Rob Page has selected four uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia. Jordan James, Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Cooper could win first caps, as could 17-year-old forward Luke Harris. Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw’s fine form sees him called up for the first time in five years. Nice midfielder Ramsey, now the most-capped outfield player in the squad, is fit and a...
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Declan Rice, PREMIER LEAGUE, TRANSFERS

Arsenal are one step closer to meeting condition for Declan Rice transfer

 West Ham United's Declan Rice during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at London Stadium on March 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Arsenal’s win over Fulham was significant for many reasons in addition to keeping their five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table intact. First-half goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Odegaard were enough to secure a 3-0 win for the Gunners at Craven Cottage and the fixture also marked the return to action for Gabriel Jesus following three months on the sidelines with a knee injury. And aside from responding to Man City’s win over Crystal Palace, Arsenal took another step towards sealing a top-four finish. Now on 66 points, if last season is any indic...
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ARSENAL FC, Folarin Balogun, TRANSFERS

Arsenal ready to sell 17-goal ace for €20-25 million

 Folarin Balogun of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021 in London, England.Premier League leaders Arsenal are ready to sell 21-year-old striker Folarin Balogun for €20-25 million ahead of next season. According to Sport Witness, Arsenal are ready to let go of Folarin Balogun ahead of next season. The 21-year-old who is on loan at Stade Reims has been on fire in the Ligue 1. His performances have attracted a lot of attention of late and the parent club are willing to sell him for €20-25 million. The England Under-21 star is an Arsenal youth product who has been a part of the club since 2011. He has gone up the ranks at the club but is yet to get an extended run in their first team. Balogun has been s...
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Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City, PREMIER LEAGUE

Pep Guardiola urges Kevin De Bruyne to get back to basics in hunt for form

 Kevin De Bruyne and manager Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Pep Guardiola has challenged Kevin De Bruyne to raise his game by going back to basics as Manchester City’s season prepares to enter a defining period. City face RB Leipzig in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie at the Etihad Stadium tonight and then play Vincent Kompany’s Championship leaders Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals four days later. Whereas De Bruyne has long been indispensable to Guardiola, there have been signs over the past two months of that beginning to change. The Belgium midfielder has failed to start in six of t...
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Alvaro Morata, Atletico Madrid, LALIGA

Late Morata goal gives Atletico key La Liga win

 Alvaro Morata of Atletico Madrid celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Girona FC and Atletico de Madrid at Montilivi Stadium on March 13, 2023 in Girona, Spain.It took Alvaro Morata and his Atletico Madrid teammates more than three minutes to be able to celebrate the striker’s important winner against Girona in Spain’s La Liga. Morata’s goal early in second half added time on Monday was confirmed only after a lengthy video review, but it finally counted to give Atletico the 1-0 win and sole possession of third place. Atletico entered the match level on points with Real Sociedad, who on Sunday were held 1-1 at Mallorca. Diego Simeone’s team are still eight points behind second-placed Real Madrid, and 17 behind league le...
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Juventus, Paul Pogba, SERIE A

Juve’s Pogba set for another injury lay-off

 Paul Pogba of Juventus during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match against Sport-Club Freiburg at Juventus Stadium on March 8, 2023 in Turin, Italy.Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is set for another lay-off after suffering a thigh injury while taking free-kicks. The 29-year-old will be out for about three weeks and will miss the start of France’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. After being dropped for Juve’s Europa League win over Freiburg last week, he missed Sunday’s 4-2 win over Sampdoria. “This morning Pogba was taking free-kicks and felt a twinge in his adductor,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri said after Sunday’s game. A club statement said that Pogba underwent a medical test on Monday and that he has suffered “a low-grade tear to his ri...
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Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola era ‘will be judged’ on European success

 Pep Guardiola of Manchester City celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on March 11, 2023 in London, England.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his reign will “absolutely” be judged on whether he leads the club to a first Champions League title, although he “doesn’t agree” with it. City have won nine major trophies since Guardiola took charge in 2016. But he was asked whether his spell will be defined by success in Europe’s premier cup competition. “It doesn’t mean I agree with it but, absolutely, I’ll be judged on that,” said the 52-year-old Spaniard. “Before my first game in the Champions League [with City], people said I was here to win it. “I said ‘what?’ I don’t know, but I accept it. As much as I go...
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BAYERN MUNICH, BUNDESLIGA, Joao Cancelo

Sadio Mane urges Bayern Munich to sign Joao Cancelo permanently

 Joao Cancelo of Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2023 in Munich, Germany. Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane has hailed Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo as “one of the best in the world” and urged club bosses to sign him on a permanent deal. Cancelo had an impressive performance during Bayern’s 5-3 home victory over Augsburg, contributing a goal and an assist. The 28-year-old right-back had not started for the Bavarians since February but proved his worth during the match. In January 2023, Cancelo was loaned to Bayern for the remainder of the league season. “What a player! Today you saw again that Joao is one of the best in the world. So good, really, we are very happy that he is playing...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Raphinha

Barcelona win amid refereeing controversy

 Raphinha (22) of Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during La Liga week 25 match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on March 12, 2023.Still mired in controversy over payments to the company of a former refereeing committee official, Barcelona have restored their lead over Real Madrid to nine points in the Spanish league after a late VAR decision went their way. Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday after video review disallowed an 87th-minute goal by Bilbao forward Inaki Williams for a handball in the buildup. VAR also was used to confirm Barcelona’s winning goal by Raphinha after it was initially disallowed for offside. The review of Williams’ goal took nearly three minutes. When the decision was announced, it dre...
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, SERIE A

Kvaratskhelia magic moves Napoli 18 points clear

 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates with team mates after scoring during the Serie A TIM match between SSC Napoli and Atalanta BC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona Naples Italy on 11 March 2023.Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped move Napoli another step closer to a first Serie A title in more than three decades with a wonder goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Atalanta to push his team 18 points clear. Georgia winger Kvaratskhelia lashed in the opening goal on the hour mark after spellbinding dribbling left Atalanta’s defence wondering which way to look before the ball finished in the back of the net. His 11th league strike of the campaign set Napoli on their way to stretching their lead on Inter Milan who fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Spezia on Friday. Lazio could have risen t...
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ARSENAL FC, Gabriel Martinelli, PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal beat Fulham to restore five-point lead

 Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal has a shot saved by Bernd Leno of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England.Arsenal restored their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League in outstanding fashion with a ruthless victory at Fulham. Mikel Arteta’s side responded to Manchester City’s narrow victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday night by wrapping up this win by half-time as they opened up a 3-0 lead with a devastating attacking display. Gabriel Martinelli had already had a goal narrowly ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), before defender Gabriel headed in Leandro Trossard’s corner after 21 minutes – the first of a trio of assists for the Belgian. Trossard then crossed fo...
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Ollie Watkins, PREMIER LEAGUE, West Ham

West Ham move out of bottom three with Villa draw

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at London Stadium on March 12, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. West Ham earned a point against Aston Villa which saw David Moyes’ struggling side move out of the Premier League relegation places on goal difference.Villa striker Ollie Watkins continued his impressive form as he broke the deadlock with a 17th-minute header from left-back Alex Moreno’s sublime cross for his sixth goal in seven games. The lively Said Benrahma took his opportunity to respond for the hosts from the penalty spot nine minutes later, firing his spot-kick out of reach of World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez after Leon Bailey’s foul on Lucas Paqueta. Benrahma was the standout attacking threa...
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BARCELONA FC, LALIGA, Real Madrid

Real Madrid back corruption charges against Barca

 The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, during the first presentation of the 'El Debate' awards, at the Thyssen-Bornemisz National Museum, on 27 February, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid say they will support the corruption charges faced by Barcelona over money paid to the vice-president of Spain’s referees’ committee. Real are prepared to “defend their interests” when proceedings are opened. On Friday, a court heard Barcelona have been indicted for “corruption”, “breach of trust” and “false business records”. Prosecutors allege Barca paid 8.4m euros (£7.4m) to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira and his company in return for favourable refereeing decisions. Barcelona, who deny any wrongdoing, acknowledged the payments were made to Dasnil 95 between 2001 and 2018. The Catalan club...
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BAYERN MUNICH, Benjamin Pavard, BUNDESLIGA

Pavard double sends Bayern three points clear

 Benjamin Pavard of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and FC Augsburg at Allianz Arena on March 11, 2023 in Munich, Germany.Two goals from Benjamin Pavard and a first in Bayern Munich colours for Joao Cancelo saw the Bundesliga leaders romp to a 5-3 home victory over Augsburg, placing the onus back on challengers Borussia Dortmund who play later on Saturday. Four of Bayern´s five goals came from defenders, calming fears the side may be toothless up front after the pre-game scratching of striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Augsburg hit the lead after just two minutes through Mergim Berisha, who scored the only goal in his team´s surprise 1-0 win over Bayern in September. Sensing a potenti...
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