NEWS

7Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

David Marshall announces international retirement

 David Marshall during a Scotland National team training session at the Oriam, on June 06, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland.Serbia hero David Marshall has announced his retirement from the Scotland Men’s National Team to allow the next generation of goalkeepers to gain vital international experience. The Hibernian goalkeeper has taken the decision following Scotland’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup play offs in the semi final against Ukraine on Wednesday, and ahead of the UEFA Nations League campaign which begins against Armenia at Hampden Park tomorrow. David’s legendary status among Scotland fans was secured with the iconic penalty save from Alexander Mitrovic in the UEFA Nations League play off shootout against Serbia in Belgrade that took the Scotland men’s team to EURO 2020 - ...

Read More

7Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

UEFA Nations League: France denied first win at Croatia

 Adrien RABIOT of France and Nikola VLASIC of Croatia during the UEFA Nations League, group 1 match between Croatia and France at Stadion Poljud on June 6, 2022 in Split, Croatia.Andrej Kramaric scored a late penalty as Croatia salvaged a 1-1 draw at home against world champion France on Monday that left both teams still chasing a first win in the Nations League. Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot fired France ahead on 52 minutes in Split as coach Didier Deschamps selected an inexperienced team without star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema. Croatia equalized seven minutes from time when Kramaric won and converted a spot-kick. "We did some good things taking into account all the changes. We were ahead and we could have got the second go...

Read More

6Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Neymar Junior scores winning goal as Brazil beat Japan in Tokyo

 Neymar Jr of Brazil passes the ball under the pressure from Ao Tanaka and Wataru Endo of Japan during the international friendly match between Japan and Brazil at National Stadium on June 6, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.Brazil secured a 1-0 victory over Japan in Tokyo on Monday. Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Neymar Junior – formerly of Barcelona – scored the winning goal courtesy of a penalty in the 77th minute. Brazil have been training in South Korea and Japan over the past couple of weeks and beat South Korea 5-1 in another friendly last Thursday. They are going through their preparations for the World Cup in Qatar later this year. Tite’s side have been drawn in Group G, where they will face off against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. They will go to the Middle Eas...

Read More

6Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Nations League: Ronaldo and Haaland score braces as Gavi makes history for Spain

 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (R) attempts a kick during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Portugal and Switzerland at Estadio Jose Alvalade on June 5, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal.Cristiano Ronaldo extended his world record international goals tally to 117 after scoring a brace in Portugal's 4-0 Nations League victory over Switzerland on Sunday, while Erling Haaland also grabbed a double for Norway and Gavi made history for Spain. Ronaldo, 37, had gone five games and nearly nine months without an international goal until Portugal routed Switzerland at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. After scoring twice in four first-half minutes, Ronaldo missed two more good chances before half time, had a goal disallowed for a late offside flag and forced Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel...

Read More

6Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi scores five goals as Argentina demolish Estonia in friendly

 Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (L) fights for the ball with Estonia's defender Karol Mets during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Estonia at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on June 5, 2022.Lionel Messi scored all the goals in Argentina's 5-0 friendly win over Estonia in Pamplona, Spain on Sunday. Messi joins a select club comprising only Juan Andres Marvezy and Manuel Moreno to score five in a game for Argentina. The seven-time Ballon d'Or scored from the spot in the eighth minute, then added four more in the space of half an hour (45, 47, 71 and 76 minutes). His quintet extended his record tally of goals for his country to 86. Lionel Scaloni's side are unbeaten in 33 matches, the last loss a 2-0 defeat to Brazil in the semi-f...

Read More

5Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Wales defeats Ukraine to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup

 Wales' Gareth Bale (centre) celebrates with team-mates and staff after qualifying for the Qatar World Cup following victory in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier play-off final match at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.Wales qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after defeating Ukraine 1-0 in their European qualifying playoff final at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday. The match had been originally scheduled for March but was postponed because of Russia's military operations in Ukraine which started on February 24. Welsh captain Gareth Bale lined up a free-kick from 25 yards and Ukrainian captain Andriy Yarmolenko, while attempting to clear the ball, headed it into his own net past his goalkeeper in the 34th minute. Wales had goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to thank as he made nine s...

Read More

5Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Mane nets hat-trick as Senegal begin Afcon defence beating Benin

Sadio Mane, the man of the match against Benin, runs with the ball at the Stade Me. Abdoulaye Wade of Diamniadio on June 4, 2022, during the first day of the CAN 2022 qualifiers against Benin.Sadio Mane scored a hat-trick as Senegal made a successful start to the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations crown with a 3-1 home victory over Benin on Saturday in their first qualifier for the next finals in 2023. Mane, whose club future is in doubt after he suggested to reporters on Friday he might be leaving Liverpool, netted two penalties in his hat-trick as Senegal made light work of their visitors in the Group L encounter. Mali thrashed Congo 4-0 in Bamako in a winning debut for new coach Eric Sekou Chelle while Algeria, Gambia and Mauritania were also winners on a busy Saturday programme o...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

England beaten by impressive Hungary in Nations League opener

Hungary's Dominik Szoboszlai (left) battles for the ball with England's Reece James and Kalvin Phillips for the ball during the UEFA Nations League match at the Puskas Arena, Budapest. Picture date: Saturday June 4, 2022.  England suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to impressive Hungary in a Nations League opener that started with the sound of boos from stands filled with children as Gareth Southgate’s side took the knee. Nine months ago racism marred the Three Lions’ 4-0 World Cup qualification win at the Puskas Arena, which was half full on Saturday despite the hosts serving a Uefa punishment for discriminatory behaviour at Euro 2020. There were around 35,000 in attendance for a match that was supposedly being played behind closed doors as Hungary made the most out of reg...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Shakira and Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique announce they have separated

 Milan Pique Mebarak, Shakira, Sasha Pique Mebarak and Gerard Pique attend the New York Knicks Vs Philadelphia 76ers game at Madison Square Garden on December 25, 2017 in New York CityShakira and her longtime-partner, Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique, have split, the Colombian pop star has confirmed. “We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the two said in a statement released by Shakira’s public relations firm. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.” The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer, 45, met the footballer, 35, on the set of her music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which served as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The pair of exes share two sons, Mi...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Carlos Tevez announces retirement

West Ham's Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez does a lap of honour prior to the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Burnley at the London Stadium, in London on April 17, 2022.Former Manchester United and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez has announced his retirement at the age of 38. The former Argentina international, who was capped 76 times by his country, has said he is hanging up his boots due to his adopted father's death in February 2021. Segundo Raimundo passed away last year after experiencing complications from COVID-19. Tevez said he could have prolonged his playing career in the United States but he has decided to end his 20-year spell in the professional game. He is quoted as telling Mundo Albiceleste: “I have retired, it is confirmed. “They ...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Frenkie de Jong admits his role for Holland suits him more than at Barcelona

  Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match between Belgium and Netherlands at the King Baudouin Stadium on June 3, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium.Manchester United have seemingly been handed fresh hope in their chase of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after he admitted that his role for the Holland national team suits him more than in club action. De Jong, 25, is a priority target for new United boss Erik ten Hag this summer as he looks to strengthen the spine of his team, but he faces an battle to sign him, with the silky performer having insisted he is already at his 'dream' side. However, his comments after his country's 4-1 victory over Belgium, a game in which he delivered an eye-catching performance...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Kane has eyes firmly set on Rooney’s England record

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane during the pre-match warm-up, before the Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on February 23, 2022 in Burnley, England.Harry Kane is determined to break Wayne Rooney's England goal-scoring record before this year's World Cup finals in Qatar, but the Tottenham Hotspur striker said the team's performance would always take precedence over his pursuit of personal landmarks.The 28-year-old needs five more goals to eclipse Rooney's mark of 53, with two Nations League games against Hungary and one each against Germany and Italy this month likely to offer him the opportunity to achieve that target.England play Italy and Germany again in September."I would like to break it as soon as possible, I'd love to score as many goals as I can...

Read More

4Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Denmark stun France, Netherlands demolish Belgium in Nations League

Andreas Cornelius (Trabzonspor) of Denmark celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Denmark at Stade de France on June 3, 2022 in Paris, France. Substitute Andreas Cornelius scored twice as Denmark recovered from conceding to a brilliant Karim Benzema goal to beat France 2-1 on Friday in the UEFA Nations League at the Stade de France, the first match at the venue since the chaos that marred last weekend's Champions League final.Benzema's stunning strike put World Cup holders France in front six minutes after half-time, only for striker Cornelius from Turkish side Trabzonspor to turn in Denmark's equalizer midway through the second half and then smash in an 88th-minute winner.That meant it was a disappointin...

Read More

3Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ronaldo omission against Spain ‘tactical’, says Santos

 Portugal's national football team forward Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during a training session at the Cidade do Futebol training camp in Oeiras, outside Lisbon, on March 21, 2022, ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifying football match against Turkey.Portugal manager Fernando Santos has defended his decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for the country’s draw with Spain, saying: “It was better to use the players that I used.” Portugal and Spain drew 1-1 in their Nations League clash on Thursday night. Spain’s Alvaro Morata scored the opener, only for Braga’s Ricardo Horta to score the equalising goal on his first Portugal appearance in almost eight years. Santos elected to drop Ronaldo from his starting eleven, with Portugal’s record goal-scorer only introduced midway thr...

Read More

3Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Erling Haaland fires Norway to Nations League win over Serbia

 Erling Haaland of Norway interacts with teammates following the UEFA Nations League League B Group 4 match between Serbia and Norway at Stadion Rajko Mitić on June 02, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia.Manchester City-bound striker striker Erling Haaland's superb first-half volley gave Norway a 1-0 win away to Serbia as they got their Nations League Group B4 campaign underway on Thursday, but they needed goalkeeping heroics from Orjan Nyland to secure the win. The visitors took the lead in the 26th minute as Martin Odegaard sliced open the defence with a beautiful pass to Marcus Pedersen who crossed for Haaland to deftly volley home from close range with the only shot on target in the first half. Serbia dominated possession and put the Norwegian defence under tremendous pressure i...

Read More

1Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Ukraine Leads Scotland in World Cup Qualifying Playoff

Andriy Yarmolenko of Ukraine scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park on June 1, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland.Ukraine’s emotional and inspirational push to try to qualify for the World Cup is going about as well as it can. Playing against Scotland at Glasgow’s Hampden Park for a chance to face Wales in a UEFA qualifying playoff final, Ukraine is out to a 2–0 lead. Ukraine forward Andriy Yarmolenko got the scoring started in the 33rd minute with a chipped goal over Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon for a 1-0 lead. Yarmolenko has been playing for the Ukrainian national team since 2009, and would be playing in his first World Cup if the team gets there. Ukraine has qualified once as an independent nation, in 2006. ...

Read More

31May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Tom Rogic pulls out of Australia squad for personal reasons after Celtic exit

 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Tom Rogic with the Premiership Trophy during a cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on May 14, 2022, in Glasgow, Scotland.Tom Rogic has pulled out of the Australia squad for personal reasons. The midfielder was set to join up with his national team-mates for June fixtures against Australia and the United Arab Emirates. The Socceroos play Jordan in a friendly fixture before a crucial World Cup Qualifier against UAE on June 7. But Rogic will not be part of the squad after citing personal reasons as he withdrew from the Australia duty next month. Socceroos boss Graham Arnold remains confident in his squad for the fixture and confirmed no players will be called up in Rogic's place. Arnold said: “My focus must ...

Read More

30May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Messi: ‘No doubt’ Benzema deserves Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid captain Marcelo (l) and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema (r) raise the cup during Real Madrid's Champions League 2022 victory celebration at La Almudena Cathedral on May 29, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year after helping to guide his team to the Champions League title, said seven-times winner of the prestigious award Lionel Messi on Monday. Benzema had the best season of his 13-year career at Real, scoring 44 goals with 15 assists in all competitions as they won a LaLiga-Champions League double. The 34-year-old topped the scoring charts in both competitions and netted hat tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages to s...

Read More

30May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Saint-Etienne suffer relegation in France

 Saint-Etienne's French midfielder Zaydou Youssouf (L) runs with the ball next to Auxerre's Moroccan midfielder Hamza Sakhi during the French L1-L2 play-off football match between AS Saint-Etienne and AJ Auxerre at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne, central-eastern France on May 29, 2022.Angry fans have invaded the field and set off flares as Saint-Etienne, one of the most storied soccer teams in France, were relegated from the top tier after losing 5-4 on penalties to Auxerre in their promotion-relegation playoff. The second-leg on Sunday finished 1-1 after 90 minutes with no goals added in extra time at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. That left the aggregate score at 2-2 after the sides also drew 1-1 in the first leg. Saint-Etienne fans invaded the field immediately after th...

Read More

28May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Man City goalkeeper Zack Steffen suffers World Cup blow as he withdraws from USA squad

 Manchester City's Zack Steffen in action during training at Manchester City Football Academy on May 09, 2022 in Manchester, England.Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen has withdrawn from the USA squad for their June fixtures, throwing his World Cup chances into doubt. Steffen has been the US men's national team's first-choice goalkeeper in recent seasons, but injury and form issues have seen him lose his place to Arsenal-bound shot-stopper Matt Turner this season. Steffen, who played nine times for City this season, had the chance to re-establish his claim for the No.1 jersey ahead of the World Cup for the June fixtures but has now withdrawn from the squad.   The USMNT say Steffen has withdrawn for family reasons, with New York City FC goalkeeper Sean Johns...

Read More