NEWS

14Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Wins for Feyenoord & Juventus in Europa League

Bryan Cristante of AS Roma, Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord after the Quarterfinal First Leg - UEFA Europa League match between Feyenoord and AS Roma at the Rotterdam on April 13, 2023 in Stadion Feijenoord, Netherlands.Mats Wieffer gave Feyenoord a slender advantage over Roma in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The midfielder met Oussama Idrissi’s left-wing cross, with his 20-yard effort going through a crowded area and bouncing twice on its way in. Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini hit the post with a first-half penalty after a harsh handball call against Wieferr. Elsewhere Juventus beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0, while Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 with Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. Defender Federico Gatti scored the winner for Juventus as he reacted quickest to poke hom...

13Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Europa Conference League, Gift Orban, NEWS

West Ham dig deep to secure draw away to Gent

Gift Orban of KAA Gent shields the ball from Angelo Ogbonna of West Ham United during the UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal first leg match between KAA Gent and West Ham United at Ghelamco Arena on April 13, 2023 in Gent, Belgium.West Ham remain well placed to make back-to-back European semi-finals despite seeing their 100 per cent winning run in the Europa Conference League ended by Gent. The Hammers looked on course to make it 11 wins out of 11 in Europe this season when Danny Ings tapped home after the hosts were caught out by a quickly taken throw-in. David Moyes’ side, Europa League semi-finalists last season, had to soak up waves of pressure in an intense quarter-final first leg in Belgium and Gent equalised after a clever touch and finish by Hugo Cuypers. The hosts pi...

13Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BARCELONA FC, Julian Araujo, Mexico, NEWS

Barca’s Araujo in Mexico roster to face USMNT

Julian Araujo of Mexico runs with the ball during the match between Mexico and Jamaica as part of the CONCACAF Nations League at Azteca on March 26, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico. Mexico announced the 23-man roster that will take part in the April 19 friendly against the United States at Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. The roster named by Mexico coach Diego Cocca is headlined by Barcelona right-back Julian Araujo and the return of Chivas forward Alexis Vega. The squad features 22 domestic Liga MX players. Araujo, a former LA Galaxy player, is the lone name from abroad due to the friendly landing in a non-FIFA window. From Mexico’s 2022 World Cup roster, a total of nine players – Nestor Araujo, Jesus Gallardo, Kevin Alvarez, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Chavez, Henry Martin, Urie...

9Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, Real Madrid, Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal

Chukwueze strikes twice as Villarreal stun Real Madrid

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema reacts to Villarreal's first goal scored by Nigerian midfielder Samuel Chukwueze during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 8, 2023. Real Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat by Villarreal in La Liga in a thrilling clash ahead of their Champions League showdown against Chelsea next week.The champions remain 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Monday, with Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze scoring twice in a sensational individual display.Pau Torres’s own goal sent Madrid in front but Chukwueze levelled before the break.Vinicius Junior netted a superb solo goal before Jose Luis Morales levelled and Chukwueze curled home a superb winner,...

7Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

UEFA and CAF back Morocco’s bid to host World Cup 2030

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have announced their support for Morocco’s bid with Spain and Portugal to host the World Cup 2030, the first African-European bid in the history of the tournament. On Wednesday, Alexander Cheferin, President of the UEFA, announced immediately after a renewal of confidence for his new term at the head of the Union, his support for Morocco’s accession to the bid of Spain and Portugal, adding that the union’s members will work together to ensure the win of Rabat-Madrid-Lisbon bid. For its part, CAF announced on an online panel Wednesday that all its members support the candidacy of Morocco to be the second African country to host the international competition. Rabat joined the bid officially las...

6Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ajax, Davy Klaassen, Feyenoord, NEWS

Feyenoord-Ajax Cup clash suspended after crowd trouble

Davy Klaassen of Ajax (6) was hit by an object. (lr) Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, Ajax goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, Davy Klaassen of Ajax, Francisco Conceicao of Ajax, Alireza Jahanbaksh of Feyenoord during the Semifinal of the TOTO KNVB Cup match between Feyenoord and Ajax in Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on 5 April 2023 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.The Dutch Cup semi-final between bitter rivals Feyenoord and Ajax Amsterdam has been halted for 30 minutes after Davy Klaassen was struck on the head by an object thrown from the stands. Ajax midfielder Klaassen was celebrating near the corner flag at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam early in the second half on Wednesday when what appeared to be a lighter caught him on the back of the head. The Netherlands international was left bleedi...

5Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Coppa Italia, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku sent off for celebrating late goal at Juve

Inter Milans forward Romelu Lukaku (C) argues with Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado from Colombia during the Italian Cup semi-final first leg football match between Juventus and Inter Milan on April 4 2023 at the "Allianz Stadium" in Turin.Romelu Lukaku scored a 95th-minute penalty and was then sent off in Inter Milan’s dramatic Coppa Italia draw against Juventus in Turin. Juan Cuadrado’s strike put Juventus ahead in the 83rd minute before Gleison Bremer’s handball presented Inter with an added-time spot-kick. Lukaku was sent off for his celebrations in front of the home fans. Inter captain Samir Handanovic and Cuadrado were also shown red cards after the final whistle. Following Lukaku’s penalty and the second yellow card that followed it, scuffles broke out between players from bo...

2Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, PREMIER LEAGUE, TRANSFERS

Arsenal ‘weighing up summer move for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’

Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin during this summer’s transfer window. The Gunners are expected to be in the market for another forward in the upcoming market despite adding Gabriel Jesus to their squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Three players have hit double figures for Arsenal in all competitions this season, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka both on 13 goals, while Martin Odegaard has 10. Eddie Nketiah has managed nine, while Jesus, who has only just returned from injury, has struck seven times following his arrival from Manchester City. According to Football Insider, Arsenal are currently looking at forwards that could potentially be available for cut-price fees this summer, and Calvert-Lewin has emerged as a genuine op...

1Apr

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ligue 1, Marseille, NEWS, PSG

Ligue 1: Marseille miss closing on Paris Saint-Germain in Montpellier draw

Wahbi KHAZRI of Montpellier during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Marseille and Montpellier at Orange Velodrome on March 31, 2023 in Marseille, France.Marseille missed the chance to put some pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain as they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Montpellier on Friday. Igor Tudor’s second-placed side could have cut the gap to PSG to four points with a victory ahead of the defending champions’ Sunday game against Lyon. But instead, Marseille dropped points for the third time in five league outings and could be overtaken by third-placed Lens when they visit Rennes on Saturday. “Today we weren’t good enough to win,” admitted Tudor.“The international break has cost us dearly. There were too many mentally and physically tired players.“We only had on...

31Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, Richarlison, Tottenham Hotspur

Richarlison ‘sorry’ for not delivering for Conte

Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur is embraced by Antonio Conte, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Southampton,Tottenham forward Richarlison has denied that he led a player “mutiny” against former manager Antonio Conte. Conte, 53, left Spurs by mutual consent on Sunday after 16 months in charge. Brazil international Richarlison, who joined Spurs from Everton for £60m in July, criticised a journalist for the “awful lie” and apologised to Italian Conte for his performances this season. “I wasn’t a mutiny leader against him, it was quite the opposite,” Richarlison, 25, wrote on Twitter. “I’m sorry I didn’t deliver as much as he e...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Jack Diamond, NEWS, Sunderland

Sunderland forward Jack Diamond charged with rape and sexual assault

Lincoln City's Jack Diamond during the Sky Bet League One between Lincoln City and Peterborough United at LNER Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Lincoln, United Kingdom.Sunderland winger Jack Diamond has been charged with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The 23-year-old’s loan at League One club Lincoln City has been terminated after charges were brought against him on Thursday. Diamond was arrested after an alleged sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear in May 2022 and he has been suspended by Sunderland pending the outcome of legal proceedings. A Northumbria Police investigation has led to him being charged and a brief statement from Lincoln confirmed his loan spell had been cut short “with immediate effect”. Diamond is due to appear in South Tyneside Magistrates’...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Arsenal, Barcelona progress to UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals

A view of the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy ahead of the UEFA Women's Champions League 2022/23 Quarter-finals and Semi-finals Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on February 10, 2023, in Nyon, Switzerland. Arsenal and Barcelona qualified Wednesday for the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. England’s Arsenal beat their German opponents Bayern Munich 2-0 at London’s Emirates Stadium as home team players Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius scored in the first half of the quarterfinals’ second leg. Maanum, who scored a spectacular goal outside the box, was named the player of the match. Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate. Meanwhile Barcelona thrashed Roma 5-1 at Spotify Camp Nou to cruise into the semis in the Women’s Champions Le...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Fabio Paratici, NEWS

Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici handed worldwide FIFA ban

Tottenham Hotspur Director of Football, Fabio Paratici looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on January 19, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Tottenham managing director of football Fabio Paratici has been given a worldwide ban by FIFA that could end his time with the north London club. Paratici was handed a 30-month ban from Italian football in January after his former club Juventus were found guilty of false accounting. The 50-year-old Italian was sporting director and managing director at Juventus before joining Tottenham in June 2021. His initial ban only applied to his homeland, meaning he was free to continue working at Tottenham, where he was involved in Sunday’s departure of manager Antonio Conte and the...

30Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS

Messi passes 100 goals for Argentina with hat-trick

Lionel Messi of Argentina jumps over Roshon van Eijma of Curaçao during an international friendly match between Argentina and Curaçao at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on March 28, 2023 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Argentina captain Lionel Messi passed 100 international goals as he scored his seventh international hat-trick in a friendly win at home to Curacao. The 35-year-old forward reached the landmark when he opened the scoring on 20 minutes in Santiago del Estero. He added two more before the break to complete a quickfire treble. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez also scored, before Argentina paraded the World Cup trophy in front of more than 42,000 supporters. It was Argentina’s second match on home soil since beating France in Qatar on penalties in December to win ...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, Mateo Kovacic, NEWS

Turkey lose in first home game since earthquakes

Mateo Kovacic of Croatia celebrates goal with Luka Modric of Croatia, and Marcelo Brozovic of Croatia during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Turkey and Croatia at at Bursa Buyuksehir Belediye Stadyumu on March 28, 2023 in Bursa, Turkey.Turkey played their first home international fixture since two powerful earthquakes in the country claimed 50,000 lives. A giant banner paying tribute to those affected was unveiled before kick-off in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Istanbul. Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic scored twice to secure the win for the visitors. The midfielder struck from close range before firing in from a rebound on the stroke of half-time. It was a little harsh on Turkey, who had started the game as the better side. Kerem Akturkoglu saw an exce...

29Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Belgium, Kevin de Bruyne, NEWS

De Bruyne scores as Belgium edge Germany

Niclas Fullkrug of Germany in action with Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium during the international friendly match between Germany and Belgium at RheinEnergieStadion on March 28, 2023 in Cologne, Germany. Belgium made it two wins from two under new coach Domenico Tedesco as they beat Euro 2024 hosts Germany in a friendly. The visitors outclassed their opponents in the first half and took the lead when Yannick Carrasco fired in. Romelu Lukaku then converted from Kevin de Bruyne’s pass to make it 2-0 before Niclas Fullkrug reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. However, De Bruyne made it 3-1 after a swift Belgium attack before Serge Gnabry added a late consolation. The victory was Belgium’s second in four days after a Lukaku hat-trick beat Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kieffer Moore, NEWS, Wales

Moore’s header sees Wales beat Latvia

Kieffer Moore and Neco Williams of Wales celebrate after the team's victory during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group D match between Wales and Latvia at Cardiff City Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales.Wales maintained their good start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Kieffer Moore’s header gave them a 1-0 win over Latvia and put them top of Group D. Wales took the lead shortly before the break as Moore’s powerful header from Daniel James’ cross nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Neco Williams rattled the crossbar as Wales pushed for a second goal. Wales gave record scorer Gareth Bale a guard of honour before the match as he said goodbye to the home supporters. It proved a night to celebrate for Wales as they moved top of their group thanks to their away goal scored...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Scott McTominay

Terrific Scotland stun Spain in seismic victory

Scott McTominay of Scotland celebrates scoring his second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group A match between Scotland and Spain at Hampden Park on March 28, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sensational Scotland took a seismic leap in their bid to reach consecutive European Championships by stunning Spain in a heroic triumph. Scott McTominay crashed in a deflected opener after just seven minutes, triggering an explosion of noise inside a charged Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s team rode their luck to stay ahead at the break, only for McTominay to repeat his earlier feat just after the restart to cause chaos in the stands as well as in the bamboozled Spanish defence. Scotland, in their first competitive victory over Spain for 39 years, now top Group A – three points above the ...

28Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Benjamin Pavard, EURO 2024, FRANCE, NEWS

Pavard hits superb winner as France beat Republic

Benjamin Pavard of France celebrates with teammates Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between Republic of Ireland and France at Dublin Arena on March 27, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. The Republic of Ireland made a losing start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Benjamin Pavard’s superb second-half goal gave France victory in Dublin. Having held the French in a first half of few chances, the Republic fell behind five minutes after the restart when Pavard intercepted a Josh Cullen pass and fired past Gavin Bazunu. The Republic put the beaten World Cup finalists under severe pressure late on but fell short as Mike Maignan’s stunning save denied Nathan Collins a late leveller. The Republic’s next qual...

26Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo double helps Portugal thrash Luxembourg

Maxime Chanot of Luxembourg and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group J match between Luxembourg and Portugal at Stade de Luxembourg on March 26, 2023 in Luxembourg.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Portugal thrash Luxembourg 6-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying. Ronaldo, 38, broke the deadlock after nine minutes before Joao Felix and Bernardo Silva pulled Portugal further clear. The Al Nassr forward sent his side in with a 4-0 lead at half-time, with substitutes Otavio and Rafael Leao scoring late in the second period. Portugal top Group J after winning their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers. After scoring two against Liechtenstein on Thursday, Ronaldo further extended his record as Portugal’s leading scorer in European Championship qua...