NEWS – Page 19 – Football Flame

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Spalletti Already Has Italy Euro 2024 Squad in Mind

 Head coach of Italy Luciano Spalletti reacts during a Italy training session at Centro Sportivo Giulio Onesti on March 18, 2024 in Rome, Italy.Italy capped off their United States tour with a commanding 2-0 victory against CONMEBOL giants Ecuador in Harrison, New Jersey. Speaking to the press in the post-game interview, Luciano Spalletti admitted most of the squad that traveled across the ocean will appear at Euro 2024. Goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Barella on either side of halftime inspired Italy to a landslide victory against Ecuador, only a few days after a 2-1 triumph against Venezuela. A brace of wins against South American sides has been a perfect start to Gli Azzurri’s preparations for the upcoming tournament. Spalletti praised his team’s effort at the Re...
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Vietnam unbeaten at home against Indonesia for 20 years

Shin Tae Yong coach of Indonesia reacts during the AFC Asian Cup Group D match between Japan and Indonesia at Al Thumama Stadium on January 24, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. Vietnam and Indonesia will play the second leg of their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday in My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, where the hosts had never been beaten since 2004.The last time Indonesia won at My Dinh Stadium was in the group stages of the 2004 AFF Cup, with a score of 3-0. Since then, Indonesia have visited My Dinh six more times, among them were three friendlies, and earned four draws and two losses.In their most recent match on Vietnam’s soil, Indonesia lost 0-2 in the second leg of the 2022 AFF Cup semi-finals.The memory of that defeat, where the confident Indonesia conceded a goal as early as the 3rd minute, i...
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Germany defeat a wake-up call for France, says Tchouameni

 Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid inspects the pitch prior to the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 25, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.France were completely outclassed by Germany in their 2-0 defeat on Saturday and should treat the loss as a wake-up call ahead of the European Championship, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said. Florian Wirtz scored Germany’s fastest international goal after seven seconds before the Euro 2024 hosts doubled their lead early in the second half through Kai Havertz to earn victory in the Lyon friendly.“I think we were outclassed in every department,” Tchouameni told French TV network TF1. “We couldn’t put our game plan in place. We came up against a great team. We need to do better, indi...
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Jose Mourinho breaks silence on next job after being sacked by Roma

 Jose Mourinho is seen on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 09, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jose Mourinho is planning a return to management in the summer, just months after parting ways with AS Roma.Mourinho spent over two years with the Italian capital outfit, leading them to win the Europa Conference League title and securing a place in the Europa League final. Since leaving Roma, rumours have linked him to many roles including clubs in Saudi Arabia, his previous club Chelsea, and also Newcastle.While he hasn't decided where his next adventure lies, he has expressed his desire to return to work by next season. When asked at the Moto GP event in Portimao, Portugal, about any offers, he replied: "Zero, zero. I don't have a ...
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Rangers retain Sky Sports Cup with win over Partick Thistle

Rangers head coach Jo Potter with the Sky Sports Cup trophy during the Sky Sports Cup Final match between Partick Thistle and Rangers at Tynecastle Park, on March 24, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland.Jo Potter's side ran out 4-1 winners at a sunkissed Tynecastle this afternoon, as they remain the champions of the competition.Rangers went into the game as heavy favourites against Brian Graham's part-time side. And thanks to goals from Mia McAulay, Rachel Rowe, Rio Hardy and Olivia McLoughlin, the Ibrox side got their hands on the trophy for the second successive year, as they look to end the season strongly, with a potential treble on the cards.McAulay had Rangers in the lead early doors before a quickfire equaliser by Rachel Donaldson for Thistle. It was a stunning strike and arguably the...
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Bellanova given golden Italy opportunity against Ecuadorian

 Raoul Bellanova of Torino FC celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Serie A TIM match between Torino FC and US Lecce - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on February 16, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Bellanova is set to make his Italy debut in their friendly against Ecuador, giving him an important chance to impress Luciano Spalletti ahead of Euro 2024.The 23-year-old Torino talent was handed his first call up by Spalletti for this international break but didn’t manage to get off the bench in the 2-1 win over Venezuela on Thursday, forcing him to wait for his Azzurri debut.Bellanova, who has a long and storied history in the Italy youth teams, has been one of the best players in Ivan Juric’s Torino squad this term, attracting the attention of a number of t...
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Joe Gomez points finger at Brazil’s discipline after foul-filled win at Wembley

 Joe Gomez of England gestures during the international friendly match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on March 23, 2024 in London, England.England defender Joe Gomez has pointed the finger at Brazil's ill-discipline after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wembley.A second-half strike from new Real Madrid forward Endrick condemned the Three Lions to their first loss at home in 21 matches, since they were beaten by Denmark in the Nations League in October 2020. It wasn't a terrible performance from Gareth Southgate's side, but they didn't do enough to win the match.However, England were left bemused by the standard of officiating during the game. Coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was involved in a furious half-time bust-up with the fourth official after he was unhappy with a series of...
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Evan Ferguson misses penalty as Ireland hold Belgium to 0-0 draw

 Evan Ferguson #9 of Ireland misses a penalty during the Republic of Ireland V Belgium, International friendly match at Aviva Stadium on March 23rd, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. Evan Ferguson missed from the penalty spot in the 28th minute as Ireland and Belgium played out a stalemate.Brighton striker Evan Ferguson missed a penalty as Ireland held Belgium to a 0-0 stalemate in Dublin on Saturday.The draw means Belgium, fourth in the FIFA world rankings, extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches, a sequence stretching back to the 2022 World Cup.The visitors, without the injured Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, enjoyed the bulk of possession but Ireland created the better chances, with debutant Sammie Szmodics going close on a number of occasions.The home side, led by interim coach J...
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Gareth Southgate praises England’s display in defeat by Brazil

  Gareth Southgate, Manager of England men's senior team, talks to Jude Bellingham of England during the international friendly match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on March 23, 2024 in London, England. Gareth Southgate insisted he was pleased with England’s performance after defeat to Brazil dampened optimism about the chances of glory at Euro 2024.Brazil left Wembley with a 1-0 victory after Endrick, their 17-year-old star, came off the bench to punish poor defending with his first goal for his country. An injury-hit England had struggled to convince and were caught out after a mistake from the substitute Lewis Dunk.But Southgate, who confirmed that Harry Kane will be unavailable again when England host Belgium on Tuesday, refused to be downhearted. The head...
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Argentina beats El Salvador 3-0 as Philly prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

 Rodrigo Huescas (L) of Mexico fights for the ball with Roman Vega (R) of Argentina during the U-23 international friendly between Mexico and Argentina at Estadio El Encanto on March 22, 2024 in Mazatlan, Mexico.FIFA World Cup champions Argentina beat El Salvador 3-0 on a frigid Friday night at Lincoln Financial Field, in the stadium’s first game after the announcement it will host six games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The match was muted by the absence of Argentina’s captain, global superstar and arguably the greatest player of all time Lionel Messi, who had to pull out from the squad after picking up a hamstring injury. Messi’s presence, as it has since his arrival in the U.S. to play for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, would have probably ensured a near-full attendance like it di...
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European Championship: Germany’s preparations dealt blow with Manuel Neuer’s thigh injury

National team, before the international match against France, training, DFB Campus. National goalkeepers Marc-André ter Stegen (l) and Manuel Neuer take part in training. Germany’s preparations for the European Championship were dealt a blow with Manuel Neuer’s thigh injury ahead of the goalkeeper’s planned comeback.Germany’s World Cup captain had been due to return to the national team after breaking his leg in a skiing accident, but he sustained a muscle fiber tear in his left adductor during training Wednesday morning, the German football federation said.It said the 37-year-old Neuer will miss Germany’s upcoming friendlies against France and the Netherlands but didn’t give any further indication of how long he will miss. Neuer had already left the squad. Germany play France in Lyon...
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Wright scores twice in extra time as U.S. beats Jamaica to reach CONCACAF Nations League final

Haji Wright #14 of the United States celebrates his second goal in extra time during the CONCACAF Nations League Semifinal match against Jamaica at AT&T Stadium on March 21, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. The United States escaped defeat with an own goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Haji Wright scored twice in extra time and the Americans rallied past Jamaica 3-1 Thursday night to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico or Panama.Greg Leigh scored 30 seconds in for the 57th-ranked Reggae Boyz, and the No. 13 Americans were on the verge of losing their third straight match. Instead, Wright scored in the sixth and 19th minutes of extra time and the U.S. will try to win the Nations League for the third straight time on Sunday.Both of Wright's goals were...
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Goalkeeper Neuer to miss Germany friendlies with muscle strain

 Manuel Neuer of Germany in action during a training session at DFB-Campus on March 19, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Germany will be without Manuel Neuer for their upcoming friendly matches after the goalkeeper suffered a muscle strain in his left adductor while training with the national team, his club Bayern Munich said yesterday.A timeline on the 37-year-old Bayern captain's return to action has not been provided by the Bundesliga side or the German national team.Germany face France at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon on March 23 before hosting the Netherlands in Frankfurt on March 26.Bayern, 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen in the German top flight, host rivals Borussia Dortmund on March 30 before visiting Heidenheim on April 6. They travel to Arsenal in the Ch...
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Injury Update: Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane with England squad despite ankle problem

 Harry Kane of England talks to Gareth Southgate, Manager of England men's senior team, at St George's Park on March 20, 2024 in Burton upon Trent, England. Toward the end of Bayern Munich’s 5-2 win over Darmstadt in the Bundesliga in the last league match before the March international break, Harry Kane came off injured with an apparent ankle injury. He was replaced by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 82nd minute and it was deemed that Kane has sustained an ankle capsule injury, causing concerns for his international duties with England for a pair of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.Per information from Bild (as per @iMiaSanMia), the Three Lions skipper was okayed to still join up with the English national team despite the injury he suffered in Darmstadt. His left ...
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Brazil court decide Robinho ‘will serve a nine-year jail sentence’

 Robinho #7 of Atletico MG a match between Atletico MG and Gremio as part of Brasileirao Series A 2017 at Independencia stadium on December 3, 2017 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Former Manchester City winger Robinho 'will serve a nine-year jail sentence' after he was found guilty in 2017 for gang rape.It comes as Brazil's Superior Court of Justice (BSCJ) has ruled that the 40-year-old will serve his sentence in Brazil after Italian authorities had asked to extradite him in 2022. The ex-Premier League player, who's real name is Robson De Souza, was one of six men who were found guilty of assaulting an Albanian woman in an Italian nightclub in January 2013. Robinho claims he is innocent and has been living in Brazil for the past seven years. But the BSCJ, according to G...
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Joe Gomez opens up on “underlying trauma” he’s had to face on return to England squad

Joe Gomez of England runs during a training session at St George's Park on March 20, 2024 in Burton upon Trent, England. Joe Gomez admits he had to overcome a psychological barrier when he returned to England’s training base this week - three years and four months since he sustained a “gruesome” injury at St George’s Park.And the Liverpool defender says there was an “underlying trauma” when he stepped back onto the training pitch where he was dealt a career-threatening blow in November, 2020. At the time, Gareth Southgate labelled the incident “upsetting” but, after his recall to the squad, Gomez revealed just how physically and mentally challenging the setback was.Explaining the emotions he felt on going back to St George’s Park and the fateful pitch, he said: “I would be lying if I ...
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Barcelona, PSG win; one foot in women’s ECL semis

Irene Paredes of FC Barcelona passes the ball whilst under pressure from Larissa Crummer of SK Brann (obscured) during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Quarter Final Leg One match between SK Brann and FC Barcelona at Asane Arena on March 20, 2024 in Bergen, Norway.Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have scored second-half winners in their away victories in the first leg of the women's Champions League quarter-finals.Defending champions Barcelona defeated Norwegian team Brann, for whom Australian forward Larissa Crummer played 78 minutes, 2-1.PSG beat Haecken by the same score earlier on Thursday (AEDT).Clare Hunt remained on the bench for the visitors but fellow Matildas defender Aivi Luik enjoyed a full game for the Swedish club.Journalism for the curious Australian across politic...
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Spalletti: ‘Acerbi row blown out of proportion’

 Italian national football team head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during a training session at Chase Stadium on March 20, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Italy coach Luciano Spalletti tried to take the temperature down on the racism accusations between Juan Jesus and Francesco Acerbi. ‘It is being blown out of proportion.’The incident occurred during Sunday’s 1-1 Serie A draw between Inter and Napoli at San Siro, when Juan Jesus told the referee that Acerbi had used a racist term.Acerbi then had a brief discussion with the Brazilian and the official, but when the Inter man was sent home from international duty, he denied saying anything racist.Ahead of the friendly games against Venezuela and Ecuador, Spalletti was asked about the situation.“I think more ...
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Aston Villa goalkeeper ruled out for the rest of season

Aston Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on January 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is set to miss the rest of the season having undergone hip surgery, the Women’s Super League outfit have announced.Villa said the 24-year-old Netherlands international had a successful operation after sustaining a hip issue prior to the 4-0 League Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal earlier this month.Anna Leat played in goal for Carla Ward’s side in that game and Saturday’s 2-1 WSL win at Everton.Van Domselaar was signed by the midlands club from FC Twente last summer.She has joined a list of sidelined Villa players that also includes defender Lucy Parker, recov...
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Lyon and Chelsea win first-leg matches in Women’s Champions League quarterfinals

 Ana Seica of SL Benfica (L) vies with Delphine Cascarino of Olympique Lyon (R) for the ball possession during the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Quarter Final Leg One match between SL Benfica and Olympique Lyon at on March 19, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.Lyon and Chelsea underlined their status as two of the favorites for the Women's Champions League title by earning first-leg wins on the road in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.Lyon, the record eight-time champion, came from behind to beat Benfica 2-1, while Chelsea ultimately eased to a 3-0 victory at Ajax to close in on a second straight appearance in the last four of Europe's top competition.The second legs are on March 27.Lyon still hasn't lost in either the French league or the Champions League this season, but it needed a seco...
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