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9Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Brereton Diaz must learn Spanish, says Chile coach

Ben Brereton Diaz of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Aston Villa at Bramall Lane on February 03, 2024 in Sheffield, England.Ben Brereton Diaz has been told by Chile's new coach it is "essential" he learns Spanish after being dropped for friendlies against Albania and France.The 24-year-old striker, who is on loan at Sheffield United from Villarreal, was left out of Ricardo Gareca's first squad for the matches later this month.Brereton Diaz was born in Stoke-on-Trent to a Chilean mother and English father and has won 27 caps for La Roja."I would like him to learn Spanish, I think it is important," Gareca said.Gareca added that he wished to look "at other options" to Brereton Diaz for the two friendlies in Europe on 22 and 26 March."He was ...

8Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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UEFA president Ceferin defends Gravina after dossier scandal

Aleksander Ceferin, president of UEFA gestures after the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024 Final match between Spain and France at Estadio La Cartuja on February 28, 2024 in Seville, Spain. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin defends Gabriele Gravina and offers the FIGC President ‘complete support’ after his involvement in a dossier scandal.Gravina has been formally investigated by the Rome Prosecutor in a case linked to a second investigation conducted by Perugia authorities. The Perugia case concerns 16 other people accused of obtaining private information about VIPs and Italian politicians through various platforms, including a database of the National Anti-Mafia Directorate.Information about Gravina was also leaked, so the FIGC President asked to be investigated on Wednesday in...

8Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi rally Inter Miami for a 2-2 tie with Nashville

Nashville SC forward Teal Bunbury (12) makes a pass between Inter Miami midfielder David Ruiz (41) and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) during a CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of Sixteen first leg match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami, March 7, 2024, at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee.Luis Suárez scored in stoppage time and Lionel Messi also scored after halftime to help Inter Miami tie Nashville 2-2 Thursday night in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.The teams will meet Wednesday night in Florida in the second leg of the home-and-home, total-goals series in the round of 16.Suárez tied it up scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a header off a cross from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets. Messi got Inter Miami on the board with his first CONCACAF goal in the 52nd m...

7Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Unai Emery relieved to survive scare as Aston Villa draw blank at Ajax

Head coach Unai Emery of Aston Villa and Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between AFC Ajax and Aston Villa at Johan Cruijff Arena on March 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.Aston Villa boss Unai Emery knows his side survived a scare in their goalless draw at Ajax in their last-16 Europa Conference League first-leg tie.Villa were second best throughout the night at the Johan Cruijff ArenA but the Dutch giants, led by England international Jordan Henderson, could not make their advantage count as it ended 0-0.But Emery’s men will now be confident of winning next week’s second leg at Villa Park, where they are so strong, and booking their spot in the quarter-finals.“It is always difficult to play away in Europe, ...

1Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mallorca to face Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Cup final

Gorka Guruzeta of Athletic Club competes for the ball with Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg match between Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid at San Mames Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain.This season's Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup) final has been set as Athletic Bilbao will play against Mallorca in April.Athletic Bilbao beat visitors Atletico Madrid 3-0 Thursday in the semifinal's second leg to win 4-0 on aggregate.Inaki Williams' volley gave the home team a 1-0 lead at Bilbao's San Mames Stadium.Nico, Inaki's brother, doubled the gap before the first half ended.Spanish forward Gorka Guruzeta scored after a rebound by the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 in the 61st minute.Athletic Bilbao secured the win to play Mallorca in the 2024 Copa d...

29Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Wolves set up FA Cup quarter-final clash against Coventry after holding off Brighton

Mario Lemina of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Igor Julio of Brighton & Hove Albion during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux on February 28, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. Wolverhampton Wanderers will play Coventry City in the FA Cup quarter-finals after a narrow 1-0 victory against fellow Premier League team Brighton.Mario Lemina struck early for Wolves at Molineux, giving the hosts the lead in the second minute.The goal was largely the result of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s lung-busting run down the left wing, with his resulting cross spilled by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.Villa beat Forest to tighten grip on top four as Glasner's Palace overcome BurnleyVilla beat Forest to tighten g...

27Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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FA Cup: Haaland scores five as Man City thrash Luton

Joe Johnson of Luton Town and Erling Haaland of Manchester City battle for possession during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road on February 27, 2024 in Luton, England. Erling Haaland scored five in a stunning display of finishing as holders Manchester City thrashed Luton to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.It was the Norwegian's eighth hat-trick for City and he also became the first player to score five in a game twice for the club.City opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Kevin de Bruyne, who assisted the first four goals, was allowed time and space to cut the ball back for Haaland to convert.The pair combined again 15 minutes later, with Haaland running on to a through ball before powering it past Luton goalke...

27Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Newcastle edge past gutsy Blackburn on penalties to reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United celebrates following the team's victory in the penalty shoot out in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United at Ewood Park on February 27, 2024 in Blackburn, England.Martin Dubravka saved twice as Newcastle beat Blackburn 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a compelling FA Cup fifth-round tie at Ewood Park on Tuesday.The Newcastle goalkeeper denied Sammie Szmodics and Dom Hyam from the spot to secure a nervy victory after the Premier League outfit were taken all the way by the side 16th in the Sky Bet Championship.Blackburn had enjoyed the upper hand for large spells of the game, but fell behind when Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock after 71 minutes.Rovers hit back and forced extra time with an equaliser...

23Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Milan, Benfica and Marseille reach Europa League last 16

Yunus Musah of AC Milan competes for the ball with Benjamin Bourigeaud of Stade Rennais FC during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 playoff second leg match between Stade Rennais FC and AC Milan at Roazhon Park on February 22, 2024 in Rennes, France. Benjamin Bourigeaud scored a hat-trick for Rennes, including a pair of penalties, but goals from Luka Jovic and Rafael Leao ensured Milan were never really in danger of blowing a 3-0 lead from the first leg. Benfica also saw off French opposition as a 0-0 draw away to Toulouse was enough to send the Portuguese side through following their 2-1 victory in last week’s first leg in Lisbon. Lens, who dropped down from the Champions League into the knockout play-off round, became the third French club to go out after Freiburg fought back fro...

16Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Jurgen Klinsmann sacked as South Korea manager after Asian Cup disappointment

South Korea Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann enter the pitch during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Jordan and South Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 06, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. South Korea has decided to let go of their manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, following a disappointing performance at the Asian Cup. The team, which had performed well in the 2022 World Cup, fell short against Jordan in the semi-finals. A clash between squad members, including Spurs captain Son Heung-min and Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in, added to the difficulties. "We've reached a consensus that Klinsmann cannot exercise his leadership as national team head coach for various reasons and that a change of leadership is necessary," said Hwangbo Kwan from the Korea Football Association. ...

12Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Haller gives Ivory Coast victory in Afcon final

Ivory Coast's forward #22 Sebastien Haller (CL) poses with First Lady of Ivory Coast Dominique Ouattara (CR) after winning at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 final football match between Ivory Coast and Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on February 11, 2024.Sebastien Haller was the hero for Ivory Coast again as the Elephants came from behind to beat Nigeria and win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil.The striker, who had also netted the semi-final winner just 13 months on from his return from testicular cancer, flicked in Simon Adingra's cross with the toe of his boot with nine minutes remaining to complete a second-half comeback and spark wild celebrations in Abidjan.William Troost-Ekong had put Nigeria ahead seven minutes ...

10Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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China cancels Argentina games amid Messi backlash

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami looks on prior to the preseason friendly match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami at National Stadium on February 07, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.Chinese officials have cancelled two Argentina friendlies that were due to take place in the Asian country after Lionel Messi did not play for Inter Miami in a match in Hong Kong.The world champions were set to face Nigeria in Hangzhou and the Ivory Coast in Beijing in March.Fans in China were angered when the Argentina captain did not play for his club against a Hong Kong XI on Sunday.Messi, 36, said he could not play because of a groin injury.However, his non-appearance drew widespread criticism in China when he then featured off the bench three days later against Vissel Kobe in Japan."Beijing does not plan, for the ...

9Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Haller bids to cap remarkable return in Afcon final

Sebastien Haller of Ivory Coast during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo at Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on February 7, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.When Sebastien Haller scored the goal which sent Ivory Coast through to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the striker kept alive the Elephants' chances of what had seemed an unlikely triumph and wrote another chapter in his own remarkable story.Having been on the brink of a group-stage exit and then making dramatic progress to the last four, the West Africans are now one game away from their third continental title."We knew we had the potential to succeed and go far in the competition," Haller said after netting the winner against DR Congo on Wednesday."The quality on th...

9Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Italy and France drawn together in UEFA Nations League

A detailed view of the results of the draw of Groups 1,2,3 and 4 of League A after the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League Phase Draw at Maison De La Mutualite on February 08, 2024 in Paris, France. Euro 2020 winners Italy and 2022 World Cup finalists France have been drawn together in the UEFA Nations League group stage.The draw on Thursday, held in Paris, brought the two powerhouses together in group 2 in league A, which also includes Belgium and Israel.Germany and Hungary, who will face each other in the group stage of Euro 2024, were drawn together again, and they will also face Netherlands and Bosnia in Group 3.Spain, winners of the last edition, will take on Denmark, Switzerland and Serbia in group 4.For the first time, there will be a quarter-final stage of the Nations Lea...

8Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ivory Coast’s Haller sets up final against Nigeria

Ivory Coast's forward #22 Sebastien Haller (CR) celebrates with Ivory Coast's midfielder #4 Jean Michael Seri (CL) after scoring his team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Ivory Coast and Democratic Repuplic of Congo at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on February 7, 2024.Sebastien Haller scored the winner as 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast beat DR Congo to set up a final meeting with Nigeria.The only goal of a cagey contest in Abidjan came in the 65th minute when Haller's volley bounced down into the ground and up over Leopards goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.The Borussia Dortmund striker should have opened the scoring just before the break with an unmarked header, while he also missed a chance to doub...

7Feb

By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Nigeria defeat South Africa, qualify for AFCON final

Nigeria's forward #9 Victor Osimhen (C) and teammates celebrate the victory at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on February 7, 2024.Nigeria’s Super Eagles have qualified for the final of the African Cup of Nations after defeating South Africa in Wednesday’s semi-final clash.The match was decided on penalties after 120 minutes of football ended 1-1.The Super Eagles scored four of their penalties while Bafana Bafana missed two of theirs.This is the first AfCON final for the Super Eagles in 11 years.Want to know more about football flame check our article

7Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Aubameyang: Klopp would be “incredible”, Barça fans should “trust Xavi”

Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG of Olympique de Marseille during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille at Groupama Stadium on February 4, 2024 in Lyon, France.Even though his time in Catalonia only lasted over six months, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will always be a Barcelona fan favorite. The Gabon international had a very productive time as the Blaugrana’s top striker before his departure in the summer of 2022, and he’s still very much in tune with what’s going on at the club.He recently spoke to Gerard Romero and was asked about the search for a managerial replacement for Xavi, who’s leaving at the end of the season. Barça’s dream is Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp, who’s also departing his current club in the summer. Klopp coached Aubameyang at Bor...

7Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Mallorca, Sociedad can’t be separated in Copa del Rey

Javier Galan (L) of Real Sociedad competes for the ball with Abdon Prats of RCD Mallorca during the Copa Del Rey Semi Final Leg One match between RCD Mallorca and Real Sociedad at Estadi de Son Moix on February 06, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain. Real Mallorca and Real Sociedad have cancelled each other out in a cagey 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at a packed Son Moix stadium.Visiting Sociedad had the better of the few clear-cut chances, with Umar Sadiq somehow failing to score from point-blank range in a second half with marginally more incident than the first.Mallorca talisman Abdon Prats went closest for the islanders with a volley midway through the opening period and another low shot just off target early in the second half.Socieded will be favourites ...

6Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Jordan stun South Korea to reach Asian Cup final

Mousa Tamari of Jordan celebrate after scoring his team's second goal during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Jordan and South Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 6, 2024 in Doha, Qatar.Mousa Tamari scored a brilliant curling strike to stun two-time winners South Korea and send Jordan to their first Asian Cup final.Yazan Al-Naimat put Jordan ahead at the start of the second half with a clever dink, before Tamari doubled their lead with a superb solo effort.Jordan had never gone beyond the quarter-finals before this year's tournament.They will face hosts Qatar or Iran in Saturday's final.With Bayern Munich's Kim Min-jae absent through suspension, South Korea's defence struggled to cope with a high-pressing Jordan side in the opening half.Son Heung-min found the back o...

4Feb

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Ivan Rakitic: I want to give back to the people here

Ivan Rakitic of Sevilla FC al during the La Liga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Granada CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on April 08, 2022 in Seville, Spain.Ivan Rakitic says he cannot wait to get on the pitch for Al Shabab after joining the Roshn Saudi League side earlier this week.The former Barcelona midfielder moves to the Kingdom having spent 13 hugely successful years in Spain’s La Liga.Rakitic, a FIFA World Cup finalist with Croatia in 2018, moves to Al Shabab from Sevilla – highlighting his second stint with the Andalusian club by guiding them to last season’s UEFA Europa League title.Rakitic, 35, was an integral component at Barcelona from 2014-2020, helping the Nou Camp side to the treble – the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and the Copa del Rey – in the 2014-15 ...