NEWS

4Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, Olivier Giroud

Giroud and Mbappe fire France into quarter-finals

Kylian Mbappé #10 celebrates with Olivier Giroud #9 of France after a Giroud goal during a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 game between Poland and France at Al Thumama Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Olivier Giroud became France’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer as the World Cup holders coasted past Poland to reach the quarter-finals. The AC Milan striker scored his 52nd goal for France to claim the country’s outright record, surpassing the great Thierry Henry. The historic goal came on the stroke of half-time after Giroud controlled Kylian Mbappe’s pass before converting low into the net beyond the reach of Wojciech Szczesny. But having provided the assist for the first goal, the brilliant Mbappe turned on the style by scoring two fabulous strikes in the second half. He...

4Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS, Neymar, World Cup 2022

Fifa World Cup: Brazil’s Neymar fit to face South Korea, says coach Tite

Neymar left winger of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Brazil at Lusail Stadium on December 2, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Brazil forward Neymar will train later on Sunday and is set to play for the five-times champions in their World Cup last-16 match against South Korea after recovering from an ankle injury, coach Tite said. Neymar suffered the injury in Brazil’s opening 2-0 win over Serbia, which ruled him out of their 1-0 win over Switzerland and the shock defeat by Cameroon, one of a series of injury problems within the squad. “Neymar will train today in the afternoon and if he trains well he will play,” Tite told a news conference. Neymar has suffered many issues with his right foot and underwent surgery four years a...

4Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Messi scores in 1,000th game as Argentina progress

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (R) and Argentina's midfielder #07 Rodrigo De Paul celebrate with supporters after they won the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Australia at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 3, 2022. Lionel Messi produced a moment of magic on his 1,000th career appearance as two-time champions Argentina beat Australia to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.Messi, 35, was winning his 169th cap for his country and they needed his brilliance to take them through to the next round and a tantalising tie against the Netherlands on Friday. Argentina had barely threatened in the first half but Paris St-Germain’s Messi stroked in a delightful low finish to spark wild celebrations from their fans. It was hi...

3Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Memphis Depay, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Netherlands beat US to book quarter-final place

Memphis Depay of Netherlands and Walker Zimmerman of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.The Netherlands survived a late scare against the United States to move into the World Cup quarter-finals with a ruthless display of finishing. The US had the game’s biggest early chance when Christian Pulisic was denied by the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert and the failure to take that opportunity proved highly expensive. Louis van Gaal’s side responded in the finest Dutch traditions in the 10th minute when Memphis Depay crowned a magnificent 21-pass move by turning in Denzel Dumfries’ cross. The US battled hard but lacked a cutting edge and were punishe...

3Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BRAZIL, NEWS, Pele

Pele ‘moved to end-of-life care’ as football legend stops responding to chemotherapy

Brazilian football great Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pele, arrives at Guarulhos International Airport, in Guarulhos some 25km from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on April 9, 2019.Football icon Pele has been moved to palliative care after becoming unresponsive to the chemotherapy he was given to combat his cancer, according to reports in Brazil. The 82-year-old was taken to hospital last week and is now receiving pain relief on an end-of-life ward after his treatment for bowel cancer stopped working. Pele has been staying at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo after being admitted on Tuesday with symptoms of ‘general swelling’ and ‘heart failure’. Last week, a post on Pele’s Instagram was sent to reassure fans of any serious health problems as the Brazil legend wrote: “Friends, I am at ...

3Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Gabriel Jesus, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Brazil suffer double blow as Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles ruled out of World Cup with knee injuries

Gabriel Jesus of Brazil applauds the crowd with his team mates after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Brazil’s forward Gabriel Jesus and defender Alex Telles have both been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after picking up knee injuries in their final Group G game against Cameroon, the country’s football association said on Saturday. Telles was substituted in the 54th minute of Brazil’s 1-0 defeat by the African side, with Arsenal striker Jesus leaving the pitch 10 minutes later. “Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning accompanied by Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of...

2Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Giorgio de Arrascaeta, NEWS, Uruguay, World Cup 2022

Uruguay beat Ghana but both teams knocked out

Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Jose Gimenez and Matías Vina of Uruguay after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Uruguay beat Ghana but went out of the World Cup on goals scored as they finished third behind South Korea in Group H, despite Luiz Suarez’s heroics. The Uruguay striker played a major role in both of Uruguay’s goals and the 35-year-old was in tears after the final whistle, following what may have been his last international. Both goals were scored by Giorgio de Arrascaeta, the first a close-range header, the second a sublime volley. In Group H’s other game, South Korea’s 2-1 victory over group winners Portugal was enough to take them through in second place. Uruguay and South Korea both ended wi...

2Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

John Stones, NEWS, Phil Foden

England lucky to have Foden, says Stones

Phil Foden of England celebrtates goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Al Janoub Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.England defender John Stones does not envy head coach Gareth Southgate trying to pick his starting line-up for Sunday’s World Cup last-16 clash with Senegal but insists he is lucky to have Manchester City team mate Phil Foden at his disposal. Stones started all three games alongside Harry Maguire as England topped Group B, but Southgate has made full use of his substitutes and shuffled his starting line-up against Wales. Marcus Rashford and Foden both got their first starts in the third group game against Wales with Rashford bagging two goals and Foden one, and there have been public calls for both to retain their place...

2Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, NEWS, World Cup 2022

World Cup revenge on Ghanaian minds as Uruguay sweat

Edinson Cavani (L) and Luis Suarez (R) of Uruguay gesture after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Uruguay at Lusail Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Uruguay stalwarts Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez are fighting for their World Cup survival while Ghana will have revenge on their minds on Friday.With Portugal already qualified from Group H, Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea are battling for the other last 16 place in Qatar. The key match will be a repeat of the infamous 2010 quarter-final in South Africa where Suarez broke Ghanaian hearts in one of the World Cup’s most notorious moments. Suarez prevented a certain goal with a deliberate handball on the goalline to deny Ghana an extra-time winner. He was sent off but Asamoah Gyan missed the result...

2Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Ao Tanaka, Japan, NEWS, Spain, World Cup 2022

Japan stuns world in thrilling upset over Spain as Germany crashes out of the World Cup

Ao Tanaka of Japan passes the ball under the pressure of Pedri of Spain during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Spain at Khalifa International Stadium on December 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Japan produced a stunning win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating Spain 2-1 and securing a spot in the Group of 16 with four-time champions Germany crashing out of the tournament. Germany claimed a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last Group E match, but it wasn't enough as they tumbled out at the first hurdle for the second consecutive time. Germany finished third in the standings on Thursday, behind Spain on goal difference, with Japan topping the group. If Japan had either drawn 1-1 or lost, Germany would have scraped through on goal difference. It was the first time in t...

1Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Belgium, NEWS, Romelu Lukaku, World Cup 2022

Belgium out of World Cup after draw with Croatia

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium heads the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Poland and Argentina at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 1, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage as Croatia progressed at their expense with a goalless draw in Qatar. Roberto Martinez’s side, who finished third in Russia four years ago and are ranked second in the world, have had a disappointing tournament with just one win in three matches. They produced another lacklustre display against Croatia despite knowing a win was necessary to progress to the last 16. Substitute Romelu Lukaku had numerous chances in the second half but failed to convert any of them. Lukaku, still searching for sharpness following injury, poked an effort wide and then react...

1Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BRAZIL, NEWS, Vinicius Junior, World Cup 2022

Brazil set to rest key players against Cameroon ahead of World Cup knockouts

(LR) Richarlison of Brazil, Rodrygo of Brazil, Marquinhos of Brazil, Raphinha of Brazil, Vinicius Junior of Brazil, Brazil goalkeeper Weverton, Casemiro of Brazil celebrate the 1-0 during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at the 974 Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Brazil coach Tite is set to follow the lead of France and rest key players for their final World Cup group game against Cameroon on Friday with their place in the last 16 in Qatar already secure. The World Cup favourites meet Cameroon at the Lusail Stadium needing just a draw to secure top spot in Group G after starting their campaign with wins over Serbia and Switzerland. Even a defeat would not stop them topping the section so long as the Swiss fail to win at the same time ag...

1Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Argentina, Lionel Messi, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Argentina top group as Poland through on goal difference

Jakub Kiwior of Poland Krystian Bielik of Poland and Lionel Messi of Argentina and Kamil Glik of Poland during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on November 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Argentina completed the turnaround from the shock opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia by qualifying for the last 16 in impressive style against Poland – who went through on goal difference having finished level on points with Mexico. Lionel Messi was the catalyst for the crucial win against Mexico that got Argentina’s campaign back on track, and he was instrumental again as they illustrated why they were regarded as one of the tournament favourites to set up a second-round match against Australia. Poland were set to progress by virtue of the Fifa Fair Play...

30Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Antoine Griezmann, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Tunisia upset France but fail to qualify

Antoine Griezmann of France helps up Wajdi Kechrida of Tunisia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at Education City Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. France had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside in the final minute of stoppage-time as Tunisia held on to register a shock victory. However, despite victory they failed to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup. Substitute Antoine Griezmann volleyed in a dramatic equaliser at the Education City Stadium, but the VAR decision meant Tunisia captain Wahbi Khazi’s brilliant first-half goal proved to be the winner. However, with Australia recording a 1-0 victory over Denmark in the other match in Group D, Tunisia’s hopes of progressing had been dashed before Griezmann’s goal was rul...

30Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Mathew Leckie, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Australia stun Denmark to reach World Cup last 16

Mathew Leckie of Australia scores the first goal to make it 1-0 during the World Cup match between Australia v Denmark at the Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah Qatar.Australia reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in 16 years after shocking Denmark. The Danes, needing victory to progress, dominated possession but were caught out on the break when Australia scored the winner on the hour mark. Denmark lost the ball in the Australian box and Mathew Leckie finished a brilliant counter attack with a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel. Australia finish in second place in Group D on six points, only behind world champions France on goal difference. Denmark meanwhile exit Qatar 2022 in disappointing fashion, with just one point from three games, sitting bott...

30Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Germany, Hansi Flick, NEWS

German coach Hansi Flick isn’t going anywhere, even if team is eliminated

Hansi Flick, Head Coach of Germany, interacts with Leon Goretzka of Germany during the Germany Training Session at Al Shamal Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Ruwais, Qatar.Germany coach Hansi Flick has no plans to step down if the four-time world champions crash out of the World Cup early for the second straight tournament, he said on Wednesday. Flick, who took over last year after Joachim Loew’s 15 years at the helm, has seen his team lose their Group E opener to Japan before rescuing a 1-1 draw with Spain thanks to a late equalizer. The Germans were eliminated in the first round at the 2018 World Cup, at that time their earliest exit in more than 80 years. “I can confirm it (I will be staying on) from my side but I have a contract until 2024 and I look forward to the home Euros (in 202...

30Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Marcus Rashford, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Rashford stars as England sink Wales to set up Senegal clash

Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Callum Wilson and Kalvin Phillips of England celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Al Janoub Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.England booked a World Cup last 16 clash against Senegal as Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden inspired a 3-0 win against Wales that sent their neighbours crashing out of the tournament on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate’s side sealed first place in Group B thanks to key contributions from Rashford and Foden after they were restored to the team by the England boss. Foden showed why there has been such a clamour for him to start as he won the free-kick that Rashford converted to break the deadlock early in the second half at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha. Fo...

29Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Kalidou Koulibaly, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Koulibaly sends Senegal into World Cup last 16

(L-R) Alan Franco of Ecuador, Kalidou Koulibaly of Senegal during the World Cup match between Ecuador v Senegal at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha Qatar. Kalidou Koulibaly’s nerveless volley sent Senegal into the World Cup’s knockout stages for only the second time in their history as they eliminated Ecuador at a rowdy Khalifa International Stadium. All three goals came from players based in England as Ecuador’s Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo cancelled out a penalty by Watford’s Ismaila Sarr before Chelsea defender Koulibaly’s side-footer won it. Ecuador needed just a point to progress but paid the price for a passive display as Senegal were spurred on by an almost non-stop cacophony of drumming from their supporters in Al Rayyan. Watford winger Sar...

29Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Andre Onana, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Onana leaves World Cup after Cameroon suspension

Andre Onana of Cameroon in action during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Switzerland and Cameroon at Al Janoub Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has left their World Cup squad and is set to play no further part in the tournament after being suspended by the country’s football federation. Onana departed the team hotel and travelled to the airport on Tuesday, with Paris his initial destination before he travels on to Cameroon capital Yaounde. “I have put all my efforts and energy into finding solutions to a situation that a footballer often experiences, but there has been no will on the other side,” Onana said in a statement posted on Twitter. “However, I always respect and support the decisions of the people in charge of pur...

29Nov

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

Cristiano Ronaldo, NEWS, World Cup 2022

Brazil, Portugal reach World Cup last 16

Joao Felix of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Bernardo Silva of Portugalcelebrates goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal v Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.Brazil and Portugal secured their places in the round of 16 on a thrilling ninth day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Monday. Casemiro struck late as Brazil outlasted Switzerland with a 1-0 win in their Group G match at Stadium 974 in Doha. The Manchester United midfielder put his side ahead in the 83rd minute when his first-time shot deflected in off Manuel Akanji following Rodrygo’s flicked pass. Brazil have now won their past nine matches and will progress to the last 16 of football’s showpiece tournament irrespective of the result of their fi...