2023 – Page 7 – Football Flame

21Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

World Cup qualifiers: Nothing to lose, Igor Stimac’s India ready ‘to go for it’ against Qatar

India's football coach Igor Stimac (L) gestures during the men's round of 16 football match between India and Saudi Arabia in the 2022 Asian Games at the Huanglong Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 28, 2023.Igor Stimac, head coach of India’s national football team, was in a relaxed mood on the eve of the Group A match of the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier against Qatar scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium here on Tuesday.“This is a match where we have nothing to lose and a hell of a lot to gain. Obviously, we will go for it,” he said at the pre-match news conference on Monday.This was after rival coach and journeyman Carlos Queiroz, during his interaction with the media, heaped praise on India’s improvement in the ...

21Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium to host final for 2024 Copa América

View of Conmebol's new logo for the Copa America 2024 during the press conference to present it in Luque, Paraguay on July 17, 2023. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was awarded the 2024 Copa América opener and South Florida's Hard Rock Stadium will host the final of the tournament, held outside of its home continent for only the second timeA joint announcement was made Monday by soccer's governing bodies of South America and of North and Central America and the Caribbean. Other sites and the schedule for the 16-team tournament were not revealed.The tournament is set to begin on June 20 at 71,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Major League Soccer's Atlanta United has set numerous attendance records. Defending Copa América champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will presumab...

21Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Northern Ireland end poor Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with Denmark win

Northern Ireland's midfielder #14 Isaac Price (2L) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group H qualifying football match between Northern Ireland and Denmark at Windsor Park stadium, in Belfast, on November 20, 2023.Northern Ireland saved their best until last as they ended a miserable Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high note with a 2-0 win over Group H winners Denmark.Second-half goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles got Windsor Park roaring again as Northern Ireland recorded only their third win of the year, and the first against anyone other than San Marino.The match was effectively a dead rubber - Northern Ireland's hopes of progressing to Euro 2024 were over by the summer while Denmark booked their ticket with a 2-1 win over Slovenia on Friday nig...

21Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Gareth Southgate hails Rico Lewis after strong England debut in North Macedonia

England's Rico Lewis shakes hands with manager Gareth Southgate after the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Group C match at Todor Proeski National Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. Picture date: Monday November 20, 2023. Gareth Southgate praised Rico Lewis after the teenage debutant bounced back from a contentious penalty call made against him during an impressive first England appearance away to North Macedonia.An unbeaten year that started with victory in Italy ended with a 1-1 draw away in chilly Skopje as the Euro 2020 runners-up rubberstamped their place among the top seeds for next year’s finals.Monday’s trip to Skopje represented England’s final match on foreign soil before Euro 2024 gets under way in June, and Southgate’s side had to dig deep after falling behind to a team they...

21Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Wales set for night of nerves against Turkey

Head coach Robert John Page (C) of Wales attends a training session ahead of the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024) Qualifier Group D match between Wales and Turkiye in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom on November 20, 2023. Wales host Turkey in their final Euro 2024 qualifier on Tuesday night knowing their dreams of a direct route to next summer's finals will be decided both in Cardiff and Croatia.Wales' 1-1 draw in Armenia on Saturday saw them lose control of their own destiny in Group D.It means Rob Page's side must beat already-qualified Turkey in Cardiff and hope Croatia drop points at home to Armenia in Zagreb.Should a sellout Cardiff City Stadium crowd not get the two results they desire to reach the finals in Germany, Wales do have the relative luxury of being assured o...

21Nov

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Defending champions Italy qualify for Euro 2024 after goalless Ukraine draw

20 November 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leverkusen: Soccer: European Championship qualifier, Ukraine - Italy, group stage, Group C, match day 10, in the BayArena. Ruslan Malinovskyi (l) from Ukraine and Italy's Bryan Cristante (M) and Gianluca Scamacca (r) fight for the ball. Defending European champions Italy qualified for Euro 2024 after a goalless draw against Ukraine in Germany.The point ensured Italy finished second in Group C, level on 14 points with third-placed Ukraine but with a better head-to-head record after a tense affair that could have gone either way.Ukraine, who have never beaten Italy, had strong claims for a stoppage-time penalty after Bryan Cristante's clumsy challenge on Mykhailo Mudryk but nothing was given.Ukraine can still book a spot at a fourth consec...

20Nov

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Portugal beat Iceland to secure 100% record

Portugal players celebrate after the second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Portugal and Iceland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 19, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.Portugal ended their Euro 2024 qualification campaign with 10 wins out of 10 as Bruno Fernandes set them on the way to victory over Iceland.The Manchester United captain fired a shot into the bottom corner from Bernardo Silva's flick in a game which the 2016 European champions controlled.Ricardo Horta added a second after Cristiano Ronaldo's shot was saved.Portugal have won every match they have played in 2023 after appointing Roberto Martinez in January.France are the only other team who could finish qualifying with a 100% record, provided they win in Greece on Tuesday.

20Nov

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Euro 2024 qualifiers: Lukaku scores four in Belgium win

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates after scoring his teams second goal, Leandro Trossard of Belgium, Aster Vranckx of Belgium, Timothy Castagne of Belgium, Arthur Theate of Belgium during the Group F - UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers match between Belgium and Azerbaijan at King Baudouin Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.Romelu Lukaku scored four first-half goals as Belgium thrashed 10-man Azerbaijan in Euro 2024 qualifying.The 30-year-old now has 83 goals in 113 Belgium games, making him the seventh-highest scorer in men's international football history.He headed in Jeremy Doku's cross before Eddy Israfilov was sent off, then smashed in a second from Timothy Castagne's knock down, nodded in Wout Faes' cross, and scored from Orel Mangala's ball, all before being re...

20Nov

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LALIGA

Barcelona reportedly determined to make Joao Cancelo deal permanent

Joao Cancelo of Fc Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish league, La Liga EA Sports, football match played between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company on September 16, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.Barcelona are reportedly determined to sign Manchester City's Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.The right-back is spending this season with Xavi's side after securing a loan switch from Pep Guardiola's Citizens on the final day of the summer transfer window.Cancelo has been a regular figure for Barca so far as they challenge Real Madrid and surprise package Girona for the La Liga title, starting nine league matches.The 29-year-old is also a key cog for his national side, playing 87 minutes in each of Portugal's Euro...

19Nov

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LALIGA

Barcelona sensation Gavi breaks down in tears as he hobbles out of Spain Euros qualifier

Pablo Gavi of Spain reacts after injury during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Spain and Georgia at Jose Zorrilla on November 19, 2023 in Valladolid, Spain. Barcelona wonderkid Gavi was left in floods of tears after suffering a serious injury while on Spain duty.The talented playmaker appeared to jar his knee badly as he brought the ball down during the Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia without another player anywhere near him. Gavi seemed to know it was serious straight away, wincing in pain and then tearing up as he was treated and hobblied off the field.A spokesperson for the Spanish Football Federation told ESPN that the 19-year-old had suffered a “significant knee injury”. He will reportedly undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury on Monday.Lat...

19Nov

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SERIE A

Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms talks over Milan return

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 04, 2023 in Florence, Italy.Former Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has confirmed that he has held talks with Milan over a role at the club.The Swede had retired from the game at the end of the previous season, bidding a tearful farewell to the sport. But he has been linked with a return to the club in a management capacity, with the Swede expected to be the Rossoneri’s external consultant.Talks have been held regarding his return to the club and the former striker confirmed it. Zlatan spoke to Sky Italia (via TMW) when he was attending the Grand Prix in Las Vegas and he was asked about the return to his former club and talks with Geoffrey Monc...

19Nov

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NEWS

Sadio Mane celebrates 100th Senegal appearance with two goals

Sadio Mane of Al Nassr FC during the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej at King Saud University Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sadio Mane celebrated his 100th Senegal appearance by scoring twice in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over South Sudan in an empty stadium near Dakar on Saturday.The Saudi Arabia-based forward, who has been voted African Footballer of the Year twice, also created a goal in the Group B first round match before being substituted. Success took reigning African champions Senegal to the top of the group, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo on goal difference, as they seek a third straight World Cup appearance in 2026.The only disappointment for Mane and his teammates was that the match had to be staged behind clo...

19Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

France smash record in 14-0 win as Dutch, Swiss and Romania qualify for Euro 2024

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates his second goal between Theo Hernandez and Antoine Griezmann during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between France and Gibraltar at Allianz Riviera stadium on November 18, 2023 in Nice, France.Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick in France's record-breaking 14-0 thrashing of 10-man Gibraltar as the Netherlands, Switzerland and Romania all booked their places at Euro 2024 on Saturday.Les Bleus set a new record margin of victory in European qualifying and a national record in Nice.Ethan Santos' own goal and Marcus Thuram had already opened the floodgates before 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery scored.That was Zaire-Emery's last contribution as the PSG midfielder was forced off with an ankle injury but a red card for Santos after just 18 minutes ...

18Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Vinicius to miss Argentina World Cup qualifier due to injury

Vinicius Junior of Brazil reacts the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Colombia and Brazil at Barranquilla on November 16, 2023 in Barranquilla, Colombia.Brazilian attacker Vinicius Junior will miss Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Argentina with an injury to his left thigh, national team officials said after he limped off against Colombia.The 23-year-old Real Madrid star "underwent imaging exams that confirmed an injury to his posterior left thigh muscle," the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Friday in a statement.It said Vinicius, a key piece of Brazil's attacking arsenal, had been ruled out of next week's match against arch-rivals and 2022 World Cup champions Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.Vinicius had earlier said the outlook was not good for him to be fit ...

18Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Denmark edge out Slovenia to book Euro 2024 spot; Albania also qualify

Denmark's defender #05 Joakim Maehle (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Denmark's forward #19 Jonas Wind during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group H qualification football match between Denmark and Slovenia in Copenhagen on November 17, 2023. Denmark booked their spot in the Euro 2024 finals with a 2-1 win in their crunch match against Slovenia. Albania also qualified on Friday, drawing 1-1 in Moldova to ensure they would finish in the top two in Group E. The Czech Republic drew 1-1 in Poland to leave the second qualifying place from Group E undecided. Italy moved to second in Group C with a 5-2 home win over North Macedonia. England, who have won the group, eased to a 2-0 home win over Malta.In Group H, both teams were able to qualify with a win in Copenhagen ...

18Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

England ‘not where we need to be ‘ – Gareth Southgate

Cole Palmer of England shakes hands with Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, as he prepares to enter the pitch as a substitute during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Malta at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2023 in London, England. Manager Gareth Southgate said his England side are "not where we need to be" after Friday's 2-0 win over Malta - but refused to criticise the players because of the gruelling schedule.Enrico Pepe's own goal and Harry Kane's 62nd strike gave the Three Lions victory in the Euro 2024 qualifier.But Southgate's team, who had already qualified for next summer's tournament, produced an underwhelming performance."We didn't hit the heights we have done this calendar year," said Southgate.England have won six of their seven games ...

18Nov

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Italy beats North Macedonia, needs just a point against Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024

Matteo Darmian of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during with his teammate Federico Dimarco and Federico Chiesa of Italy the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Italy and North Macedonia at Stadio Olimpico on November 17, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Federico Chiesa scored two first-half goals and defending champion Italy beat North Macedonia 5-2 Friday to gain a measure of revenge and move closer to qualifying for the European Championship.Italy now needs only a draw against Ukraine on Monday to secure a spot at next year’s tournament in Germany.North Macedonia kept Italy from qualifying for last year’s World Cup with a 1-0 playoff win over the Azzurri in Palermo.“The important thing is that we won the game. Unfortunately, we conceded two goals that ove...

18Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Poland drop chance to qualify to EURO 2024 directly from group

Tomas Soucek of Czechia is challenged by Damian Szymanski of Poland during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Poland and Czechia at PGE Narodowy on November 17, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek cancelled out a first-ha1lf opener by Poland's Jakub Piotrowski to earn an 1-1 away draw in their Euro 2024 Group E qualifier on Friday, with both the Czechs and Moldova still able to seal qualification.Poland took the lead in the 38th minute through Piotrowski, who netted from close range for his debut goal in his second appearance for the national team.Midfielder Soucek equalized for Czech Republic after the break with a low shot towards the far post, prompting Poland to search for a winner but despite some good chances, the hosts were unab...

17Nov

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton receive immediate 10-point deduction

General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on November 04, 2023 in Liverpool, England. Everton have received an immediate 10-point deduction after being found to have breached the Premier League's financial rules.English top-flight clubs are permitted to lose £105m over three years, and an independent commission found Everton's losses to 2021-22 amounted to £124.5m.The punishment is the biggest sporting sanction in the competition's history and leaves Everton 19th in the table.The club said they were "both shocked and disappointed" and would appeal.The Premier League referred Everton to an independent commission in March but did not reveal the specifics of the club's alleged breach.That mon...

17Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona will bring in €5 million from friendly vs Club America in Dallas next month

Xavi Hernandez during the match between FC Barcelona and Deportivo Alaves, corresponding to the week 13 of LaLiga EA Sports, played at the Olympic Stadium Lluis Companys, in Barcelona, on 12th November 2023.It has been speculated for quite some time now that Barcelona will be arranging a friendly match next month in order to generate some revenue in the lead-up to the January transfer window.Even though some details about the friendly had emerged in the media, nothing was set in stone as reports suggested that Barça were yet to fully decide whether to play the match in the USA or the Middle East.Dallas selected as location, Club America the opponentsHowever, as per the latest update from Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will be facing Mexican outfit Club America in the fri...