NEWS – Page 50 – Football Flame

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France dethroned after Croatia home defeat

 Luka Modric of Croatia and Kylian Mbappe of France fight for possession during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Croatia at Stade de France on June 13, 2022 in Paris, France.Defending champions France have lost their Nations League title and face the dim prospect of relegation after losing 1-0 at home to Croatia. The visitors scored with a fifth-minute penalty from standout midfielder Luka Modric at the Stade de France on Monday night. It is where he played so commandingly for Champions League winners Real Madrid in the final just over two weeks ago, and he belied his advancing years with a display full of astute passing and clever movement into space. In Copenhagen meanwhile, goals by Jonas Older Wind and Andreas Skov Olsen saw group leaders Denmark...
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Sadio Mane: Senegal manager urges Liverpool forward to join Bayern Munich

 Sadio Mane of Liverpool in action during the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France.Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has urged Sadio Mane to leave Liverpool in favour of joining Bayern Munich this summer. Mane has entered the final year of his contract at Anfield and has made it clear to those in charge that he does not want to sign an extension and is keen to leave this summer, with Bayern pushing hard to get a deal done. Liverpool have already rejected an opening bid from the German champions but remain in talks over the forward's sale - something which could be accelerated after Benfica confirmed they have agreed to sell Darwin Nunez to the Reds for a cool €100m. When asked for hi...
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Southgate issues World Cup warning for Rashford and Sancho

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford (right) and Jadon Sancho warming up before the Emirates FA Cup fourth round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Friday February 4, 2022.England manager Gareth Southgate has warned Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford they are at risk of missing out on his Qatar World Cup squad.Rashford, 24, and Sancho, 22, were not included in Southgate’s June squad for the UEFA Nations League fixtures and only two international games are scheduled between now and the World Cup in November.Harry Maguire was the only Manchester United player to be named in Southgate’s England set-up this month.In response to whether United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League may physically benefit their players, Southgate said: "We've only got one wi...
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Spain wrap up UEFA Nations League run with key Czech win

 Carlos Soler of Spain celebrates 1-0 with Alvaro Morata of Spain during the UEFA Nations league match between Spain v Czech Republic at the Estadio La Rosaleda on June 12, 2022 in Malaga Spain.Spain have signed off on June’s UEFA Nations League games with a 2-0 win at home to the Czech Republic in Malaga. La Roja have now secured eight points from an unbeaten four game run, in mini-tournament at the start of the 2022/23 competition, with two matches scheduled for September. Luis Enrique’s side look ahead to the autumn matches as the leaders of Group A2 ahead of rivals Portugal. The hosts had the edge before the break with Valencia star Carlos Soler sweeping home from a following swift team move. The tie became fragmented after the restart, due to a flurry...
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Andrea Pirlo gets second chance at management after being sacked by Juventus

Andrea Pirlo arrives prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw at the Doha Exhibition Center on April 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.Andrea Pirlo will soon be back in the dugout after being named the new manager of Turkish outfit, Fatih Karagumruk, a year after being sacked by Juventus. The midfield maestro was given the Juventus job two years ago but he was relieved of his duties after just one season. Under the guidance of their former player, the Turin club endured an underwhelming season, they just about managed to sneak into the top four, despite winning Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana, he was sacked. And now, having taken a year away from the game, Pirlo is back in a bid to restart his managerial career. He will lead Turkish Super Lig side Fatih Karagumruk, who fi...
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Haaland scores another double to lead Norway past Sweden

Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland (C) gets to the ball ahead of Sweden's defender Hjalmar Ekdal to score the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League football match Norway v Sweden in Oslo, Norway, on June 12, 2022.Erling Haaland scored another double against Sweden and also set up a goal to lead Norway to a 3-2 win over its Nordic rival in the Nations League on Sunday.The striker, who recently signed for Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, also netted twice against Sweden last Sunday in a 2-1 win for Norway in the first of the countries' double-header in League B.A week later in Oslo, Haaland darted in front of a defender to head home his first goal in the 10th minute and converted a penalty early in the second half to make it 2-0. The 21-year-old star now has 20 goals in 21 se...
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Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG payoff and how it compares to Tottenham money speaks volumes

 Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gives a press conference during the spring training camp in Qatar's capital Doha on May 15, 2022. Mauricio Pochettino is set to leave his role as Paris Saint-Germain coach after the two parties came to an agreement over the terms of his exit. The Argentine led PSG to the Coupe de France during his first half-season last campaign and followed that up by winning the first league title of his managerial career this season, but it was not enough to make up for the team's European failure – as they exited in the Round of 16 against Real Madrid after tossing away a 2-0 aggregate lead. The Argentine coach was booed by large sections of the PSG crowd when his name was read out...
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England held to a goalless draw by Italy at Molineux

 Harry Kane of England in action with Federico Gatti and Francesco Acerbi of Italy during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between England and Italy at Molineux on June 11, 2022 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. England's winless start to their Nations League campaign continued as an experimental Three Lions side failed to break down European champions Italy in a goalless draw at Molineux. This was a game played behind closed doors as punishment for the chaos that preceded the last meeting between these two, when Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley. Several thousand excitable schoolchildren in attendance did however provide Gareth Southgate's side a lively backdrop in Wolverhampton and almost got the goal they craved when Mason Mount crashed an ef...
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Johnson strikes late as Wales draw with Belgium

 Brennan Johnson of Wales scores their team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on June 11, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. Brennan Johnson's first international goal earned Wales a dramatic point against Belgium in the Nations League at the Cardiff City Stadium. Ethan Ampadu thought he had given Wales the lead early on when he fired an effort into the top corner, only for VAR to rule an offside in the build-up. Belgium missed a number of first-half chances, but finally broke the deadlock when Youri Tielemans' calm effort into the bottom right corner beat the returning Wayne Hennessey. Rob Page turned to his bench for a spark, and found it in Johnson and Rubin Colwill, who injected a new lease of life in ...
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Belgium boss Roberto Martinez says Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku just wants to feel ‘important’

 Romelu Lukaku of Belgium is injured during the UEFA Nations League match between Belgium and the Netherlands at the King Baudouin Stadium on June 3, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez says Romelu Lukaku just wants to feel 'important' to a team, with doubts surrounding his future at Chelsea.The 29-year-old's return to Stamford Bridge has not gone as planned since his £98million move from Inter Milan last summer.There has been heavy speculation that Lukaku could return to the Serie A side on either a permanent transfer or a season-long loan.Martinez, who also previously managed Lukaku at Everton, said that he is sure Lukaku will make the right decision this summer.He told reporters ahead of Saturday's Nations League clash with Wales: 'He wants to be import...
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England’s Southgate won’t outstay welcome

 Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England speaks with Reece James and Fikayo Tomori of England during an England Training Session at St Georges Park on June 09, 2022 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. Gareth Southgate insists he will not outstay his welcome as the England manager hit back at continued criticism over his perceived conservative approach. The Three Lions boss has taken his country to a World Cup semi-final, a Nations League third-place finish and the final of Euro 2020 in the past four years. But even during his most successful spells he has had to face accusations he sets up his sides too cautiously. Supporters and former England players have called for the likes of Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester City's million-pound man Jack Grealish to pl...
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Mbappe rescues draw in Austria for winless France

 Kylian Mbappe of France is challenged by Maximilian Woeber and Xaver Schlager of Austria during the UEFA Nations League - League A Group 1 match between Austria and France at Ernst Happel Stadion on June 10, 2022 in Vienna, Austria.Kylian Mbappe rescued France a point in Austria as the world champions remain winless in the Nations League. Mbappe, on as a second-half substitute, finished smartly after a lightning break from the visitors led to the equaliser on 83 minutes. Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann had earlier scored his first international goal, aged 30, to threaten an upset. France have just two points from three Group A1 games. It could have been worse, after Weimann, who scored 22 Championship goals this season, turned home a low cross before the break. Karim Benzem...
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Archer double as England U21s win again

Cameron Archer of England celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal with team mates during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier between Kosovo U21 and England MU21 at Stadium Fadil Vokrri on June 10, 2022 in Pristina, Kosovo.England Under-21s remain unbeaten in European Championship qualifying after a comfortable win in Kosovo.Already qualified for the 2023 Euros in Romania and Georgia, they have dropped just two points in nine matches.Hull's Keane Lewis-Potter headed an early opener before Anthony Gordon doubled the lead from close range.Aston Villa's Cameron Archer added a second-half double, both from inside the area, before Ilir Krasniqi's late own goal.Liverpool's Harvey Elliott impressed throughout, having a hand in three of the four goals.
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2022 World Cup: Ecuador to play in Qatar after Fifa dismisses Chile complaint

Ecuador's defender Pervis Estupinan (C-L) exchanges words with Mexico's forward Raul Jimenez (9) during the second half of an international friendly football match between Mexico and Ecuador at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois June 5, 2022.Ecuador will play at the World Cup in Qatar after Fifa dismissed claims by Chile that they had fielded an ineligible player in the qualifiers.The Football Federation of Chile (FFC) filed a complaint with Fifa, saying that Byron Castillo - who played in eight of Ecuador's qualifiers - was actually Colombian, and faked his age.However, world football's governing body said on Friday that after "considering all elements" it had decided to "close proceedings" against the Ecuadorian Football Federation."The present decision remains subject to an appeal befor...
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Zinedine Zidane’s agent in furious Paris Saint-Germain denial as rumours ramp up

Zinedine Zidane during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 29, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.Zinedine Zidane's agent has today come out swinging over reports he will replace Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain.Rumours ramped up over the past 24 hours the France national team icon will take over at the Parc de Princes next season.Pochettino, who was appointed 18 months ago, has failed to help the Ligue 1 club break new ground in the Champions League, with PSG being eliminated in the last 16 by Real Madrid this season.Now former Madrid boss Zidane has been touted as his successor.But his advisor Alain Migliaccio has strongly rubbished the reports.He told L'Equipe: "All these rumours that are circulating are unfounded."To this day, I am the only person allowed to repr...
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Spain squeeze past Switzerland for first Nations League win

Pablo Sarabia of Spain (C) attempts a kick while being defended by Eray Comert of Switzerland (L) during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Switzerland and Spain at Stade de Geneve on June 9, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland.An early goal from Pablo Sarabia earned Spain a 1-0 win in Switzerland on Thursday, their first victory of this year's Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League.Last year's finalists dominated the game from the start but were only able to score once, when Sarabia struck from close range in the 12th minute following a low cross by Marcos Llorente.After a mistake by the Swiss defense, the Atletico Madrid winger found Sarabia ghosting in between two opponents inside the six-yard box and he scored with a first-time shot.Spain have five po...
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Netherlands win over Wales in thriller, Belgium crush Poland

Ben Davies of Wales, Wout Weghorst of The Netherlands, Joe Rodon of Wales during the UEFA Nations League match between Wales and The Netherlands at Cardiff City Stadium on June 8, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.Wout Weghorst shattered Wales' 19-match unbeaten home record with just seconds left as the Netherlands claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory in Wednesday's UEFA Nations League clash in Cardiff.Wales will head to Qatar in November for their first World Cup appearance in 64 years after beating Ukraine 1-0 in the playoff final on Sunday.But Robert Page's side, who face USA, Iran and England in the group stage in Qatar, came back down to earth with a bump as they suffered a second successive Nations League Group A4 defeat after last week's loss in Poland.In a thrilling finale, Rhys Norrington-Davies e...
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Nigeria, Sierra Leone AFCON 2023 qualifier will hold without fans, says NFF

 President of FIFA Gianni Infantino (L) shakes hands with President of Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick during a press conference at the end of the FIFA executive football summit in Lagos, on February 20, 2018. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), yesterday, reiterated that tomorrow’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter between the Super Eagles and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, will be played without fans in the stands. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said the situation is a consequence of the one-match ban placed on the country by world football–governing body, FIFA, over the fracas that followed the end of 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff round against the Black Stars of Ghana in March.  &...
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Kanye West and Chaney Jones ‘split’ as she deletes all photos of him from Instagram

Rapper Kanye West and girlfriend Chaney Jones attend a game between the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves at FTX Arena on March 12, 2022 in Miami, Florida.Kanye West and Chaney Jones are reported to have split as the model deleted all photos of the rapper from her Instagram.  The couple, who had been dating since February following Kanye’s split from Julia Fox, reportedly ended their romance after their recent trip to Japan.  Sources claimed to TMZ that Kanye, 44, and Chaney, 24, had decided to end things but it is not clear who initiated the split.  Fans had been quick to spot the uncanny likeness between Chaney and Kanye’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian, 41, with the pair looking very similar to one another.  While Kanye has been link...
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Kane penalty earns England draw against Germany; Italy downs Hungary 2-1

 Ilkay Gündogan of Germany, Harry Kane of England during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and England at Allianz Arena on June 7, 2022 in Munich, Germany.Harry Kane’s late penalty earned England a 1-1 draw in Germany in their Nations League game on Tuesday, when Italy and Turkey registered wins. Kane slotted the equalizer from the spot in the 88th minute, though there was controversy over referee Carlos del Cerro Grande’s decision to award it after a VAR check as Kane looked to be offside before going down in a tangle with Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck. It had looked like Jonas Hofmann’s 51st-minute goal would give Germany a measure of consolation for losing to England at the European Championship last year and condemn Gareth Southgate’s team to i...
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