NEWS

26Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Phil Foden

Foden ruled out after surgery to remove appendix

 Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish of England celebrate victory after the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group C match between Italy and England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 23, 2023 in Naples, Italy. Phil Foden has been ruled out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine on Sunday after having surgery to remove his appendix. Gareth Southgate has chosen not to call up a replacement for the 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder, meaning he has 20 players available for the game at Wembley. Chelsea full-back Reece James withdrew on Saturday with an “ongoing issue”. Luke Shaw is suspended after a red card in the 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope initially dropped out,...

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26Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Askhat Tagybergen, Denmark, Kazakhstan, NEWS

Denmark stunned by Kazakhstan in Euros qualifier

Kazakhstan's midfielder Askhat Tagybergen (C) and Denmark's midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg (L) vie for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group H qualification football match Kasakhstan v Denmark in Astana, Kazakhstan on March 26, 2023.Kazakhstan scored twice late on as they came back from two goals down to stun Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifier.Rasmus Hojlund, who scored a hat-trick against Finland on Thursday, scored twice in the first half to put the Danes in control. Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov got one back from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. Askhat Tagybergen and Abat Aymbetov then scored two goals in three minutes to put Kazakhstan ahead with a minute of normal time remaining. Aymbetov was sent off deep in stoppage time for a second bookable offence but Kazakhstan held on for a hugely...

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26Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Croatia, EURO 2024, Nathan Broadhead, NEWS, Wales

Broadhead scores on Wales debut to shock Croatia

 Wales' Nathan Broadhead celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualifying match at the Stadion Poljud, Split. Picture date: Saturday March 25, 2023. Wales debutant Nathan Broadhead secured a stunning 1-1 draw for Robert Page’s side as they scored with their only shot on target in Split. Andrej Kramaric’s sweetly struck shot on 28 minutes gave the hosts a deserved half-time lead. Wales improved after the interval and might have levelled on the hour, but Dan James’ volley missed the target. Ivan Perisic hit the bar as Croatia sought a second, but Broadhead levelled from close range in injury-time. The goal, after a long throw caused chaos in the Croatian penalty area, came totally against the run of play, but Wales will not care a jot a...

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26Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Dani Olmo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Spain

Joselu scores twice on debut as Spain beat Norway

 Joselu Mato of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's second goal with his teammate Yeremy Pino of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round Group A match between Spain and Norway at La Rosaleda Stadium on March 25, 2023 in Malaga, Spain.Former Newcastle and Stoke striker Joselu scored twice in two minutes on his international debut as Spain beat Norway in Euro 2024 qualifying.Dani Olmo scored the opener at Malaga’s La Rosaleda Stadium, turning home Alejandro Balde’s cut-back. Joselu, 32, scored two late goals in under two minutes to seal victory for Luis de la Fuente in his first outing as Spain boss. Spain top Group A alongside Scotland, who beat Cyprus 3-0 on Saturday. Espanyol’s Joselu struggled in a two-season spell at Newcastle, scoring only seven times. He has sinc...

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25Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

England, EURO 2024, NEWS, Reece James

James withdraws from England squad

 England's defender Kyle Walker (L) and England's defender Reece James attend a team training session at St George's Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on March 21, 2023 ahead of of their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier football match against Italy.Chelsea defender Reece James will miss England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday through injury. The 23-year-old has returned to the Premier League club for what the Football Association says is “assessment of an ongoing issue”. James came on for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka after 85 minutes of Thursday’s 2-1 win over Italy in Naples. Manager Gareth Southgate has decided not to call up any replacements. James missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury and picked up another knee problem in December which kept him out f...

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25Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Manchester United, NEWS, Old Trafford

Manchester United receive a second Qatari bid to buy the club

 General View of Old Trafford prior to the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 25, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom.Manchester United have received a second Qatari bid to buy the Old Trafford club, according to UK media reports. Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, placed his second-round offer overnight. A source close to the bid say the Qataris remain confident of completing a takeover despite rival interest from Jim Ratcliffe and Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus. A deadline for offers had been set for 9pm on Wednesday, but that was extended. The first round of bidding took place last month and it has been reported there are as many as eight separate pot...

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25Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, FRANCE, Kylian Mbappe, NEWS

Mbappe scores twice as France thrash Netherlands

 Antoine Griezmann celebrates his goal on the back of Kylian Mbappe, right Adrien Rabiot during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group B match between France and Netherlands at Stade de France on March 24, 2023 in Saint-Denis near Paris, France. Kylian Mbappe scored his first goals as France captain as the World Cup finalists began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a comfortable win against the Netherlands. The hosts were ahead after just two minutes when Antoine Griezmann curled in from Mbappe’s pass. Defender Dayot Upamecano made it 2-0 six minutes later as he bundled in. Mbappe then got his 37th goal for France when he drove in, before powering home his second late on. Griezmann had reportedly been unhappy at being overlooked for the captaincy role given to Mbappe, but th...

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25Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

EURO 2024, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku scores hat-trick as Ibrahimovic returns

 Romelu Lukaku of Belgium celebrates with teammate Arthur Theate of Belgium after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying round group F match between Sweden and Belgium at Friends Arena on March 24, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick to lead Belgium to victory against Sweden in their Euro 2024 qualifier and upstage Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his international return. Lukaku headed in a first-half opener before turning in from close range, and then slotted in late on. Ibrahimovic, 41, came on in the 73rd minute to a standing ovation from the Swedish fans. It was his first international appearance for almost a year. At 41 years, five months and 21 days, Ibrahimovic had initially been hailed as breaking the the record, held by Italian goalkee...

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24Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA, NEWS, Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich sack Nagelsmann and appoint Tuchel

 Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, looks on during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea FC at Stadion Maksimir on September 06, 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. Bayern Munich have sacked manager Julian Nagelsmann after less than two years in charge and appointed Thomas Tuchel as his replacement until 2025.The German side have won the last 10 Bundesliga titles and sit second in the table this season - one point behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.They beat Paris St-Germain to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Manchester City. Tuchel, 49, was sacked by Premier League club Chelsea in September. He replaces Nagelsmann on a contract until 30 June 2025 and will take training for the first time on Monday. Bayern chief executive...

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24Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo, EURO 2024, NEWS, Portugal

Ronaldo scores twice as he sets men’s caps record

 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Group J - UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Round match between Portugal and Liechtenstein at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 23, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.  Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men’s international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener. The 38-year-old has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals. He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups. Ronaldo added to his goals tally with a second-half penalty before finding the top corner with a free-kick. The forward – now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr – had been frustrated in front of...

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23Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Eric Garcia, NEWS

Barcelona looking to part ways with four players to coup with Financial Fair Play

Eric Garcia centre-back of Barcelona and Spain during the warm-up before the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona are currently heavily restricted with a lot of problems going on off the field rather than on it. Whereas the Catalans seem to be going from strength to strength in terms of their form on the pitch, they have other urgent matters to tend to as well, looking ahead to the future. The Financial Fair Play matter, for instance. Has become a massive thorn for the club’s potential plans. Heavily inclined to cut both current salaries as well as limit spending to an extreme, the Blaugrana outfit has thus started to realize that departures may just be a necessity at this point to ens...

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22Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Mesut Ozil, NEWS

Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Ozil retires

 Mesut Oezil of Istanbul Basaksehir during the UEFA Europa Conference League group A match between Istanbul Basaksehir and ACF Fiorentina at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on September 15, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has retired from football at the age of 34. Ozil won nine trophies during his club career including four FA Cups and the Spanish La Liga title in 2012. He also won 92 caps for Germany and was part of the team that lifted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions,” Ozil said in a statement on social media. “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity. “But in...

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22Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Frenkie de Jong, NEWS

Netherlands lose De Jong for Euro 2024 clash with France

 Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.The Netherlands will face France in their Euro 2024 qualifying clash this week without injured playmaker Frenkie de Jong or winger Steven Bergwijn, the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) announced on Monday. They have been replaced by PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman and Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen as the Frenkie de Jong take on Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Friday, before playing Gibraltar on Monday, March 27, in Rotterdam. De Jong featured 90 minutes for Barca in Sunday’s El Clasico win over Real Madrid. “The Barcelona player has upper leg complaints from the game with Real Madrid and is not available for ...

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22Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS

Lionel Messi pictured reuniting with his Argentina team-mates ahead of friendlies

 Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lionel Messi of Argentina in action during a training session at Julio H. Grondona Training Camp on March 21, 2023 in Ezeiza, Argentina. Lionel Messi has been pictured training alongside his Argentina team-mates ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Panama and Curacao. The Argentina squad reconvened on Tuesday afternoon for their first training session back together after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 35-year-old was already a national hero before the tournament in the Middle East but their success cemented his status. Messi guided his country to World Cup glory after beating defending champions France 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating 3-3 draw. The Argentina captain wanted to give his team-mates a personal memento to remembe...

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21Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

England, Marcus Rashford, NEWS

Rashford ruled out of England Euro qualifiers

 Marcus Rashford of Manchester United in action during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on March 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. England will be without Marcus Rashford for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine after the in-form Manchester United forward picked up a knock in Sunday’s FA Cup victory over Fulham. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount have also pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad. Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster is the only replacement called up by Southgate, who named a 25-man squad last week. Rashford’s absence is the most serious blow given his scintillating form since the World Cup. The 25-year-old has scored a career-high 27 goals for United this season, 19 of whi...

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18Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Darwin Nunez, NEWS, Uruguay

Nunez pulls out of Uruguay squad with injury

 Darwin Nunez of Liverpool FC runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has pulled out of the Uruguay squad for their upcoming friendlies because of injury. The 23-year-old forward was named in the squad for Uruguay’s matches against Japan and South Korea on 24 and 28 March respectively. Nunez will instead receive treatment at the Premier League club’s training centre. Liverpool did not specify what the injury was in their statement but reports suggest it is an ankle issue. It is thought he sustained the injury against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, when Liverpool lost 6-2 on aggregate in the last 16. Club ...

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17Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League, Chelsea, NEWS

Champions League draw produces top-heavy quarter-final line-up

 Presenter Pedro Pinto speaks during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 Quarter-finals and Semi-finals Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on March 17, 2023, in Nyon, Switzerland.Chelsea will play holders Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, with the winners facing either Manchester City or Bayern Munich following a top-heavy draw that produced two blockbuster ties. On the other side of the draw Napoli will face AC Milan in an all-Italian clash while Inter Milan will play Benfica, with one of those sides guaranteed to reach the Champions League final. Real Madrid defeated Chelsea in last season’s quarter-finals on their way to lifting the Champions League for the 14th time and Friday’s draw produced a repeat of that tie. Manchester Cit...

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16Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League, NEWS, Victor Osimhen

Osimhen double helps Napoli see off Frankfurt

 Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 15, 2023 in Naples, Italy.Victor Osimhen scored twice as Napoli cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time with a comfortable win over Eintracht Frankfurt. With Luciano Spalletti’s side two goals up from the first leg, the Nigeria striker’s thumping header in first-half stoppage time dispelled any lingering nerves at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Osimhen doubled the Italians’ lead on the night with a close-range finish from Giovanni di Lorenzo’s cross eight minutes after the break and, having been brought down in the box, Piotr Zielinski ...

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16Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Champions League, Karim Benzema, NEWS

Real Madrid dump Liverpool out of Champions League

 Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.Liverpool’s Champions League hopes ended at the hands of Real Madrid for a third consecutive season as they failed to overcome their first-leg Anfield demolition. The Reds, who lost the first leg 5-2, lined up with four forwards at the Bernabeu as they looked to add another famous comeback to their fabled European history. But that rarely looked on the cards and legendary Real striker Karim Benzema put the tie beyond doubt when he tucked in from Vinicius Jr’s cutback late on. Jurgen Klopp’s side would have lost this game by more if not for Alisson. The Reds goalkeeper denied Vin...

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15Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, Sweden, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, called up to Sweden squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan in action during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro in Milano, Italy, on February 26 2023.AC Milan’s veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was named on Thursday in Sweden’s squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, when he could break Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff’s age record. Ibrahimovic, 41, last featured for his country 12 months ago and will beat Zoff’s Euro qualifier milestone of 40 years and 90 days set in 1983 if he features in games against Belgium on 24 March or Azerbaijan on 27 March. He has played just three games for Milan this season after recovering from a knee issue. “Zlatan has made three slightly longer substitutions now in Milan and feels fit and in decent shape even thoug...

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