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28Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

NEWS

Hummels nets late equaliser in Europa clash against Spurs

Mats Hummels redeemed himself after conceding a first-half penalty by scoring a last-gasp equaliser in an eventful 2-2 draw between Tottenham and Roma in the Europa League. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Matias Soule, Gianluca Mancini and Mats Hummels of AS Roma celebrate equaizing goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Tottenham Hotspur and AS Roma at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 28, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Fraser Forster kept his spot in the Europa League starting XI and will be Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice goalkeeper moving forward after an ankle injury ruled out Guglielmo Vicario for several months. Postecoglou put out a strong starting XI after Saturday’s shock 4-0 d...

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28Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Europa League predictions: Thursday’s Matchday 5 fixtures

General view inside the stadium, as the UEFA Europa League logo, can be seen prior to the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvarosi TC at Volksparkstadion on November 07, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. The calendar year's penultimate round of Europa League fixtures take place on Thursday as former European royalty compete for safe passage to the knockout rounds. Half of the reformatted league phase matches have already occurred, with the likes of Manchester United, Roma and Porto having drifted into mid-table obscurity after underwhelming starts. Seven still await their first victory in the competition's league phase, while eight are yet to taste defeat as the 36-team table begins to take shape. Here are footballflame's score predictions for M...

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22Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Ireland to face Bulgaria in Uefa Nations League relegation play-off

The Ireland players applaud the fans at the end of the match during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2024 in London, England. Ireland have been drawn against Bulgaria in their promotion/relegation play-off in the Nations League. The Nations League has now expanded so that teams finishing third in their group must play-off across two legs against a runner-up from the league below to secure their status. Having finished third in their League B group, Ireland must now beat Bulgaria over two legs next year to secure their status. The sides last met in the 2020 Nations League campaign: the teams drew 1-1 in Sofia before drawing 0-0 in Dublin. Bulgaria finished second behind Northern Ireland ...

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20Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Lazio lose Nuno Tavares and Pedro after injury updates

Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between SS Lazio and FC Porto at Stadio Olimpico on November 07, 2024 in Rome, Italy. Lazio confirm the extent of the injury Nuno Tavares sustained on international duty with Portugal, as Pedro is also likely to miss out against Bologna. The Aquile are back in action this weekend when hosting Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening. Nuno Tavares will not be part of coach Marco Baroni’s squad that day, because the full-back picked up a muscular problem while on international duty for Portugal. A statement from the club this afternoon confirmed that he has been diagnosed with a low-grade lesion to the semi-membrane in the left thigh. Nuno Tavares has already started treatment and is expected to...

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20Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Gerson stunner gives Brazil 1-1 draw with Uruguay in World Cup qualifier

Marcelo Saracchi of Uruguay challenges for the ball with Gerson of Brazil during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Uruguay at Arena Fonte Nova on November 19, 2024 in Salvador, Brazil. Brazil drew 1-1 with Uruguay in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday after Gerson’s brilliant strike cancelled out Federico Valverde’s opener for the visitors. Five-time World Cup winners Brazil are fifth in the CONMEBOL standings on 18 points, one point behind Colombia and Ecuador, after picking up their second straight draw. Uruguay are second on 20 points, five behind leaders Argentina. The top six will automatically qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. After a tight first half, Real Madrid midfielder Valverde o...

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20Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Superb Martinez strike gives Argentina 1-0 home win over Peru

Lautaro Martinez of Argentina battles for possession with Carlos Zambrano of Peru during the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Argentina and Peru at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 19, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez scored in the second half to secure a 1-0 home win against Peru in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Martinez scored 10 minutes after the break, capitalising on a fine cross from Lionel Messi to fire home a half-volley into the top-right corner. The Inter Milan striker’s 32nd international goal moved him level with Diego Maradona in fifth spot in the country’s all-time scoring charts. The World Cup holders lead the CONMEBOL standings with 25 points, five clear of Uruguay who play ...

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19Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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US blitz Jamaica in Nations League

Demarai Gray #10 of Jamaica is marked by Alex Zendejas #7 of United States during the Quarterfinals - Leg Two - 2024 Concacaf Nations League match between Jamaica and United States at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. Striker Demarai Gray bagged a brace as Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz bowed out of the CONCACAF Nations League last night, after being torn apart by the United States inside St. Louis’ CityPark. US manager Mauricio Pochettino made it back to wins with a 4-2 thrashing second leg quarter-final to inflict just the second defeat on Jamaica coach Steve McClaren. Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock, Di’Shon Bernard scored an own goal and Ricardo Pepi snatched a goal before the turnaround to effectively end the contest. With the tie over by half-time, the US 3-0 ahead...

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19Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Gernot Rohr’s Benin and Sudan latest to book places at Afcon finals

Gernot Rohr, former Manager of Nigeria gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Benin and Sudan qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with 0-0 draws on Monday, while heavyweights Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia suffered embarrassing home defeats on the penultimate day of preliminaries for the finals in Morocco. Benin, coached by Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, were in a three-way tussle for second place in Group D with opponents Libya and Rwanda, who were away at already-qualified Nigeria. Benin saw off the threat of Libya with a stalemate in Tripoli and pipped Rwanda on their head-to-head record. Rwanda pulled off a shock 2-1 away win against Nigeria ...

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19Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Spain Clinch Dramatic 93rd Minute Win Over Switzerland In UEFA Nations League

Bryan Zaragoza won and converted a late penalty to help Euro 2024 winners Spain beat Switzerland 3-2 in a Nations League dead rubber on Monday. SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 18: Vincent Sierro of Switzerland clashes with Bryan Zaragoza of Spain in the penalty box leading to a penalty being awarded during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A4 match between Spain and Switzerland at El Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez stadium on November 18, 2024 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The Nations League holders, already guaranteed top spot in Group A4, twice took the lead but were pegged back by the already-relegated Swiss in Tenerife. It was the first Spain match on the island in 28 years and fans were able to celebrate a win after ...

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18Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Luka Modric: “There is no greater honour than wearing the Croatia jersey”

Luka Modric of Croatia gestures during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park on November 15, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. Real Madrid’s Luka Modric sees no greater honour than to wear his country’s colours on the pitch as Croatia faces Portugal on Monday. A draw in that game would guarantee Croatia's qualification for the Nations League, and Modric has been an integral part of their success in the competition so far, even at the age of 39. When asked about the Croatian jersey, he said: “I always say that playing for the national team is a great honor and something special. Every match is something sublime for me and I always give 100%. “You have to give your maximum. It has always been my guiding principle. You can’t help but ...

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18Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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England Secure Nations League Promotion, France Beat Italy

Harry Kane of England celebrates scoring his sides first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2024 in London, England. England blew away 10-man Republic of Ireland 5-0 to wrap up promotion to the Nations League top flight as four players netted their first international goals on Sunday, while Adrien Rabiot scored twice as France beat Italy. Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick to help Norway also top their group in League B. Euro 2024 runners-up England secured top spot in Group B2 in interim boss Lee Carsley's final game in charge before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager. "I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch and be attacking," Carsley told ITV...

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17Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Newcastle United star in line for Wembley chance as England confirm injury

Lewis Hall of England trains with teammates during a training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on November 16, 2024 in Enfield, England. Newcastle United's Lewis Hall has taken a step closer to make his first start for England with the news that Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has withdrawn from the Three Lions squad. Hall was a half-time replacement for Konsa in England's 3-0 win over Greece on Thursday night, winning his first senior cap for his country after an excellent season so far for Eddie Howe's Magpies. Lee Carsley's side take on Ireland at Wembley tonight in their final Nations League game, with the interim boss then handing the reigns over to Thomas Tuchel, someone Hall knows well from their time at Chelsea. While Konsa is a centre-back, Hall was brought on as pa...

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17Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Germany beat Bosnia 7-0 as revival continues under Julian Nagelsmann

Jamal Musiala of Germany is challenged by Armin Gigovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Europa-Park Stadion on November 16, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Germany has won its UEFA Nations League group thanks to a 7-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of a sell-out crowd at the Europa-Park Stadion in Freiburg. Die Nationalmannschaft was dominant throughout winning the game thanks to goals by Jamal Musiala (4’), Tim Kleindienst (23’ & 78’), Kai Havertz (37’), Florian Wirtz (50’ & 57’) and Leroy Sané (66’). “We played with a lot of desire both offensively and defensively,” Nagelsmann said after the game. “It was almost perfect. Even after the substitutions, there was n...

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16Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Newcastle United Superstar Lauds Italy Mentality Ahead of France Showdown

Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates his goal during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Belgium and Italy at on November 14, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. Sandro Tonali inspired Italy to an all-important 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory against Belgium last night at the King Baudouin Stadium. After the game, the Newcastle United midfielder addressed the media. “We suffered, and we played. Our big change is that we approach every game,” the Italy superstar said, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio. “Every training session does us good. Each of us can’t wait for the next camp to start. We enjoy ourselves on the field, and we’re in a good place off it as well. “Every match is different, and today we were up against a very strong team. We looked for specific spaces. We k...

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16Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Uruguay clinches five-goal thriller: Valverde played the full 90 minutes

Rodrigo Aguirre of Uruguay celebrates with teammate Darwin Núñez after scoring the team's second goal during the South American Qualifier match between Uruguay and Colombia at Centenario Stadium on November 15, 2024 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Uruguay emerged victorious in a thrilling 3-2 encounter against Colombia in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers at the Estadio Centenario. A match filled with drama, own goals, and late strikes saw the home side edge their visitors despite a resilient Colombian effort. Colombia took the lead in the 31st minute through Juan Quintero, giving the visitors an early boost. However, Uruguay responded in the second half with relentless pressure. A fortuitous own goal by Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez in the 57th minute levelled the scoreline, setting the stage fo...

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16Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Cristiano Ronaldo scores stunning bicycle kick in huge Portugal win

Cristiano Ronaldo rolled back the years by scoring a spectacular bicycle kick as Portugal thumped Poland 5-1 in Friday's UEFA Nations League contest to qualify for the competition's quarter-finals. The 39-year-old continues to captain his national team despite being in the twilight years of his career and remains deadly in front of goal as Poland's defence found out first-hand.Ronaldo started the encounter upfront and scored twice in the emphatic victory with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and Chelsea's Pedro Neto also finding the back of the net in the win. The Real Madrid and Man United legend scored his first goal from the penalty spot to give Portugal a two-goal cushion, but it was his second strike that stunned those inside the Estadio do Dragao.Ronaldo p...

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15Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Argentina stunned by Paraguay, Brazil held

World champions Argentina suffered a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay while rivals Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela as South America’s big guns struggled in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni holds a ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Paraguay and Argentina at the Ueno Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion on November 14, 2024. (Photo by JOSE BOGADO / AFP) (Photo by JOSE BOGADO/AFP via Getty Images) It started well for Lionel Scaloni’s team, also reigning Copa America champions, as they grabbed an early lead through Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez. Enzo Fernandez lofted a lovely ball over the Paraguay defence into the path of Martinez who drove in a low finish only for his celebratio...

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14Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Ben White ‘to make shock return to England setup under Thomas Tuchel’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Ben White during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 10, 2024 in London, England. Ben White is reportedly set for a dramatic England comeback after a two-year self-imposed exile following a feud with senior coaching staff. The Arsenal defender has gone from strength to strength in the right-back position for Mikel Arteta's impressive side but his versatility is increasingly being missed by the Three Lions after he ruled himself out of selection in 2022. The 27-year-old last played for his national team in March that year, coming off the bench in an international friendly against Ivory Coast for his fourth cap, and was selected for the winter World Cup in Qatar. But White left the camp midway throug...

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12Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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Jude and Jobe Bellingham enjoy special England reunion at St George’s

Jude Bellingham and his younger brother Jobe shared a heart-warming reunion as the pair enjoyed a brief moment together upon reporting for England duty. BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Jude Bellingham of England and Jobe Bellingham of England Under-21s pose for a photo at St George's Park on November 11, 2024 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) The Bellingham brothers don't often get to spend time with each other during the season with Jobe starring at Championship leaders Sunderland and Jude becoming one of the world's best players with Real Madrid.However, the duo were able to spend some valuable time in each other's company after reporting for national team duty at England's St George's Park training base on Monday. ...

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12Nov By Football FlameNo Comments

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I’m gone if Bafana fail Afcon test, vows Broos

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made it clear that he'll vanish into thin air and never set his foot in Mzansi again should he fail to qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST - FEBRUARY 10: South Africa Coach Hugo Broos is thrown in the air by his players after winning the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 3rd place match between South Africa and DR Congo at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny on February 10, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) Bafana need just three points from their last two Group K fixtures against Uganda and South Sudan to qualify. Bafana face Uganda at Kampala's National Mandela Stadium on Friday (3pm SA time). Four days later, SA host South Sudan at Cape Town Stadium (6pm). "You know, when...

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