January 2024 – Page 2 – Football Flame

Month: January 2024

TRANSFERS

Hernandez completes an emotional transfer

 Javier Hernandez Balcazar of Leverkusen controls the ball during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany on March 10, 2017.Manchester United fan favourite Javier Hernandez has completed an emotional transfer back to his hometown club Chivas, where his professional career began.It was confirmed today that Chicharito is returning to Guadalajara as a free agent after recovering from a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury with MLS side LA Galaxy last June.The transfer represents a homecoming to Mexican football for the ‘Little Pea’, who graduated from the Chivas youth set-up and hails from a proud sporting family; both his grandfather and father represented their beloved country at World Cups i...
TRANSFERS

Bayern Munich Set To Improve Offer For Kieran Trippier

 Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on January 13, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Bayern Munich are likely to improve their offer for Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier with Thomas Tuchel pushing to land the England international, according to talkSPORT.Trippier’s future at Newcastle has continued to remain on the scanner despite the club making it clear that he is not for sale.The Magpies rejected a bid from the German champions for the right-back on Tuesday and are insistent that they will not sell him.However, Bayern Munich are not willing to take no for an answer from Newcastle in their pursuit of the 33-year-old right-back.It has been claimed that the Bavarians are s...
NEWS

Algeria dumped out of Afcon by minnows Mauritania

 Algeria's forward #9 Baghdad Bounedjah fights for the ball with Mauritania's defender #21 El Hassen Houeibib during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group D football match between Mauritania and Algeria at Stade de la Paix in Bouake on January 23, 2024. Algeria crashed out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as minnows Mauritania claimed a famous first ever win at the finals to snatch a spot in the last 16.Centre-back Yali Dellahi swept home the winning goal late in the first half to stun the two-time Afcon winners.Defeat means 2019 champions Algeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second successive edition.They finish bottom of Group D while Mauritania will definitely progress as one of the best third-placed teams.Mauritania will face surprise Group B winners C...
PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham agree Phillips loan deal with Man City

 Kalvin Phillips defensive midfield of Manchester City and England controls the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 match between Urawa Reds v Manchester City FC at King Abdullah Sports City on December 19, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. West Ham have agreed a deal with Manchester City to sign England midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan for the rest of the season.Phillips, 28, signed a six-year contract when he arrived at City from Leeds in a £45m deal in July 2022.However, he has struggled under Pep Guardiola and has only started twice this term in all competitions.Phillips, who is also interesting Juventus, now appears set to have a medical in London later this week.Personal terms are not expected to be a problem, with the Hammers set to cover Phillips' salary a...
LALIGA

Torres hat-trick helps Barca see off spirited Betis

 Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona Joao Felix of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona at the Benito Villamarin Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Sevilla SpainFerran Torres netted a clinical hat-trick as Barcelona stayed in touch with La Liga's top two with victory over a spirited Real Betis.Torres scored with two finishes from close range in the 21st and 48th minutes before Betis fought back.Isco struck twice in three minutes to stun Xavi's third-placed side.But Joao Felix's stylish 90th-minute strike put Barca ahead, before Torres claimed his third to seal the success when he broke clear to fire home.Barcelona remain eight points adrift of leaders Girona, who beat Sevilla 5-1, and seven behind second-placed Real Madrid.Defending champions ...
LALIGA

Bellingham inspires Real comeback win over Almeria

 Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and UD Almeria at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Jude Bellingham inspired Real Madrid as they came from two goals down to beat La Liga bottom side Almeria in a breathless encounter.The winless visitors took a shock lead at the Bernabeu with goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez.England midfielder Bellingham scored a 57th-minute penalty, before Vinicius Jr equalised 10 minutes later.In the ninth minute of added time, Bellingham headed across for Dani Carvajal to poke in the winner.The dramatic late victory helped Real leapfrog Girona and move two points clear at the top of La Liga.Girona, though, could return to the summit later this evening i...
BUNDESLIGA

Bayern lose ground in Bundesliga after home defeat

 Harry Kane, Mathys Tel, Thomas Mueller and teammates of Bayern Munich look dejected following the team's defeat during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and SV Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on January 21, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Bayern Munich lost ground on leaders Bayer Leverkusen after they suffered their first home Bundesliga defeat of the season against Werder Bremen.Former Bayern defender Mitchell Weiser scored in the 59th minute and Werder held on to clinch their first away win over their opponents since 2008.Harry Kane had a subdued game with a shot over the bar his best effort.Bayern are seven points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who beat RB Leipzig 3-2 on Saturday, with a game in hand.Want to know more about football flame check out our article
TRANSFERS

Arsenal and Liverpool monitoring Wolves defender

Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers poses for a portrait in the Wolverhampton Wanderers 2023/24 Third Kit on July 23, 2023 in Faro, Portugal. Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently top of the Premier League table, two points clear of reigning champions Manchester City, rivals Arsenal, and surprise package Aston Villa.The German will be hoping to see his side extend their advantage at the top of the table, although the Reds will have to do it without talisman Mohamed Salah who is currently on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.With the transfer window now in full swing, it appears that Liverpool could be set to battle Arsenal off the pitch in the race to sign a Premier League defender.In total the left-back has made 97 appearances for the Midlands club across ...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Arsenal reignite title bid with big Crystal Palace win

 Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal holds off Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on January 20, 2024 in London, England. Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge by thrashing struggling Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium.The Gunners' fight at the top had faltered towards the end of last year as they lost three of their past five Premier League games.But, after heading off to Dubai for a week-long winter break, Mikel Arteta's side returned reinvigorated as a Gabriel header, Dean Henderson own goal, a Leandro Trossard finish and two late Gabriel Martinelli strikes sealed the three points.The first two goals came from corners, with the opener coming in the 11th minute when Gabriel nodded in ...
NEWS

Cristiano Ronaldo says Saudi League ‘More competitive’ than French

 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the Group J - UEFA EURO 2024 European Qualifiers match between Portugal and Iceland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 19, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Friday that the often derided Saudi Pro League was "more competitive" than French Ligue 1. "To be honest, I think the Saudi championship isn't worse than the French championship.I think it's more competitive," five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo told the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. Ronaldo was the first major star to move to Saudi Arabia when he penned a deal with Al-Nassr last January.The likes of France's Karim Benzema, Brazilian star Neymar and Senegalese striker Sadio Mane have also left Europe behind for bumper pay packets in the Gulf kingdom.Asked about t...
PREMIER LEAGUE

Klopp’s ‘shock’ at Salah injury that could end Liverpool title bid

 Mohamed Salah of Egypt sits on the floor with an injury during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations group stage match between Egypt and Ghana at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on January 18, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.Jurgen Klopp said he was shocked to discover Liverpool star Mohamed Salah had suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.Salah has missed just 10 Premier League matches in six and a half seasons with Liverpool.The 31-year-old’s impressive fitness record meant Liverpool boss Klopp was surprised to learn his forward had been forced off during Egypt’s 2-2 draw with Ghana on Thursday.The German is now sweating on the extent of Salah’s injury and how long he will be sidelined.“In the moment it was a shock. He felt it and we all kn...
NEWS

Inter sweep past Lazio to reach Italian Super Cup final

 Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale in action during the Italian EA Sports FC Supercup Semifinal match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazioat Al-Awwal Stadium on January 19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Goals from Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi, along with a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, have propelled Inter Milan to a 3-0 victory over Lazio in the Italian Super Cup semi-final.Friday's impressive victory secures a place for the Nerazzurri in the final against Napoli.After 17 minutes of continuous Inter pressure, Federico Dimarco conjured up a moment of magic with a skilful heel flick, setting up Thuram, who effortlessly tapped in the ball to break the deadlock.Inter continued to press after the break, with Calhanoglu doubling the lead five minutes in from the penalty spot after Lazio...
TRANSFERS

Tottenham Hotspur’s Ivan Perisic rejoins Hajduk Split on loan

 Ivan Perisic of Croatia arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Armenia and Croatia at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium on September 11, 2023 in Yerevan, Armenia. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ivan Perisic has re-signed for Hajduk Split on loan for the remainder of the season.The 34-year-old came through the youth system of the Croatian club between 1995 and 2006, but he failed to make a single first-team appearance before embarking on a well-travelled European career.Perisic turned out for Sochaux, KSV Roeselare, Club Brugge, Inter Milan, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan before joining Spurs on a free transfer in 2022, where he was a fundamental player in Antonio Conte's system.Perisic provided 12 assists for his teammates in...
NEWS

Afcon host Ivory Coast hopes striker Sebastien Haller can return for final group game

 Ivory Coast's forward #22 Sebastien Romain Teddy Haller attends a training session at the technical's highschool stadium of Abidjan, on January 12, 2024, on the eve of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. Ivory Coast are hoping to have striker Sebastien Haller back from injury for their last Africa Cup of Nations group game next week after their coach Jean-Louis Gasset admitted they were outmuscled against Nigeria on Thursday.The host nation lost 1-0 in their second Group A game and are under pressure to get a result when they conclude the opening phase of the tournament against Equatorial Guinea on Monday.The Ivorians are third in the group standings with three points, one behind both Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, and will ...
NEWS

2026 World Cup final venue to be revealed Feb. 4

 Lionel Messi C of Argentina celebrates after winning 2026 World Cup qualifier match between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 21, 2023.The match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be unveiled Feb. 4, FIFA announced Thursday.As part of the announcement, FIFA will also officially announce the site for the final, which sources have confirmed has been narrowed down to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.In the wake of report from The Sun in the United Kingdom on Wednesday that Arlington/Dallas had been selected, sources told ESPN on Thursday that neither potential host has been officially notified of a decision."We remain optimistic about our c...
TRANSFERS

Jordan Henderson arrives in Amsterdam ahead of Ajax move

 Henderson of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between England and Malta at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Jordan Henderson has arrived in Amsterdam ahead of completing a permanent transfer to Dutch giants Ajax.Multiple reports on Wednesday revealed that Henderson has mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Al Ettifaq just six months after joining the Saudi Pro League club from Liverpool for around £12m.The 33-year-old ended his memorable 12-year association with Liverpool to make the controversial switch to the Middle East, which drew widespread criticism after he had previously given his support for the LGBTQ+ Community.Henderson has since struggled to settle in Saudi Arabia and has mutually agreed to terminate h...
NEWS

Everton Advances in FA Cup with Victory over Crystal Palace

Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace and Andre Gomes of Everton during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on January 17, 2024 in Liverpool, England.In an exhilarating display of football, Everton secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace. The match, held at Goodison Park on January 17, 2024, saw Everton assert their dominance, advancing further in the prestigious cup competition.This win is a significant boost for Everton’s campaign and morale, a testament to the relentless nature of knockout competitions like the FA Cup.Everton’s Triumph over Crystal PalaceEverton emerged victorious in a nail-biting 1-0 win over Crystal Palace in their FA Cup third round replay. The lone go...
NEWS

Messi, Bonmati Triumph at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023

Lionel Messi is announced as the winner of the FIFA Best Men's Award during the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 at The Apollo Theatre on January 15, 2024 in London, England. The stage was set on January 15, 2024, at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 in London, where celebrated figures from the world of football stepped up to accept their accolades. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stood alongside the winners, a symbol of the global fraternity that football embodies.Triumphs of Messi and BonmatiLeading the parade of champions were Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati, taking home the prestigious awards for The Best FIFA Men’s Player and The Best FIFA Women’s Player respectively. This marked Messi’s third time winning the esteemed Men’s Player of the Year Award, further cementing his stat...
NEWS

Hatters triumph over Bolton, advance to fourth round of the FA cup

 Luton Town's Chiedozie Ogbene scores his side's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay match between Bolton Wanderers and Luton Town at Toughsheet Community Stadium on January 16, 2024 in Bolton, England.In an electrifying match at the Toughsheet Stadium, Luton Town, fondly known as the Hatters, clinched a 2-1 victory against Bolton. The triumphant win has carried them forward to the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they are set to face either Everton or Crystal Palace. The game, characterized by its end-to-end action, saw Tahith Chong and Chiedozie Ogbene netting the decisive goals for the Hatters.First Half Frustrations and Second Half TriumphThe Hatters started the match dominating the first half, creating multiple scoring opportunities. However, their inabilit...
SERIE A

Dusan Vlahovic’s spectacular performance boosts Juventus’ standings

 Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus competes for the ball with Ruan Tressoldi of US Sassuolo during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and US Sassuolo - Serie A TIM at on January 16, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Dusan Vlahovic, a name that resonates with an echo of exceptional talent and skill in the world of football, has once again proved his worth. In a recent match against Sassuolo, Vlahovic exhibited a spectacular performance, scoring a double and leading Juventus to a victorious triumph. His remarkable prowess was on full display as he skillfully netted a breathtaking strike from outside the area and a free kick.Unraveling Vlahovic’s Magnificent PerformanceThe Serbian striker’s remarkable feat in the game was not merely an act of scoring goals, it was a demonstration of his excep...
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