NEWS – Page 78 – Football Flame

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Gonzalo Higuain suffers NIGHTMARE Inter Miami debut as ex-Juventus striker misses penalty

Gonzalo Higuaín #9 of Inter Miami CF moves past Brenden Aaronson #22 of Philadelphia Union in the rain during the second half of the Major League Soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on September 27, 2020 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Gonzalo Higuain will have dreamt it all up very differently but his Inter Miami debut quickly went from a dream to a nightmare as his missed penalty sparked an ugly clash after Philadelphia Union's players goaded him by celebrating in his face. The former Juventus striker was making his first appearance for the side owned by David Beckham and as the A-List arrival there was a lot of expectation on his shoulders.  When he hit the outside of the post after 20 minutes it looked set to be a goal feast for the ex-Real M...
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Rashford condemns government’s ‘lack of empathy’

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at American Express Community Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Brighton, England. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford has said he was disappointed by the British government's "lack of empathy" over calls to help tackle hunger among children. The England international forward formed a taskforce with major food brands to help tackle child food poverty, writing an open letter to parliament endorsing three policy recommendations of the National Food Strategy earlier this month. The points included expanding free school meals to children whose families are on universal credit, expanding holiday provision to all child...
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Rennes moves top of French league in style with 3-0 win

Nayef AGUERD of Rennes scores a goal during the Ligue 1 match between AS Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennes at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on September 26, 2020 in Saint-Etienne, France. Unbeaten Rennes moved to the top of the French league in style with two spectacular goals in downing rival Saint-Etienne 3-0 on Saturday. Saint-Etienne needed only a draw to go first on goal difference but fell behind in the 33rd minute when center half Nayef Aguerd headed in Benjamin Bourigeaud’s corner. Winger Romain Del Castillo set up striker Serhou Guirassy for an expert scissor kick in the 52nd, and forward Adrien Hunou completed the scoring in the 89th with a superb lob after latching onto Raphinha’s pass. Rennes leads Lille by two points in the fifth round. Later Saturday, Marseille was hostin...
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European roundup: Tottenham survive scare, Liverpool hit seven in Lincoln

Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League third round qualifying match between Shkendija and Tottenham Hotspur at National Arena Todor Proeski on September 24, 2020 in Skopje, Macedonia. Tottenham had to ask for the goalposts to be changed ahead of their 3-1 win over Shkendija in Skopje, Macedonia on Thursday to reach the final round of Europa League qualifying. Son Heung-min and Harry Kane struck in the final 20 minutes to set up a playoff round tie at home to Maccabi Haifa next Thursday on an eventful night in Macedonia for Jose Mourinho's men. Mourinho said his goalkeepers noticed before the game that the goalposts at both ends of the ground were around five centimetres too small. "I thought ...
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Bayern Munich complete quadruple with Super Cup win in front of 15,000 fans

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich lifts the UEFA Super Cup trophy as he and team mates celebrate victory after the UEFA Super Cup match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Sevilla at Puskas Arena on September 24, 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. Bayern Munich beat Sevilla 2-1 after extra time on Thursday to lift the UEFA Super Cup and complete a quadruple under coach Hansi Flick, in the first European game played with fans in the stands since the sport returned amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Substitute Javi Martinez headed in the winner in the 104th minute after Europa League winners Sevilla had taken a 13th-minute lead through Lucas Ocampos’s penalty and Bayern leveled through Leon Goretzka in the 34th. The Bavarians, unbeaten now in 32 consecutive matches, also won the domestic league and Cu...
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Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain Angel Di Maria gets four-match ban for spitting at Marseille player

Angel Di Maria of PSG during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Metz at Parc des Princes stadium on September 16, 2020 in Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria received a four-match ban on Wednesday for spitting during this month's fiery Marseille game which saw five players red-carded and claims by Neymar of racial abuse. Di Maria's suspension meted out by Ligue 1's disciplinary commission was for spitting at Marseille defender Alvaro Gonzalez. It takes effect from 29 September, meaning he can play against Reims on Sunday, returning the weekend of 8 November. Neymar's accusation that Gonzalez racially abused him will be investigated on 30 September, the commission announced. Neymar was sent off for slapping Gonzalez on the back of th...
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EFL Cup roundup: Kai Havertz hits hat-trick to ease Chelsea through, Newcastle record biggest away victory

Kai Havertz of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides fifth goal with teammates Ross Barkley and Emerson during the Carabao Cup third round match between Chelsea and Barnsley at Stamford Bridge on September 23, 2020 in London, England. Frank Lampard said Kai Havertz is just getting started after opening his Chelsea account with a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Barnsley during the English Football League (EFL) Cup, also known as Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, on Wednesday. Havertz had struggled to make an impact in his first two Premier League games since sealing a reported 71 million British pounds (90.35 million U.S. dollars) move from Bayer Leverkusen as the most expensive signing of Chelsea's 200 million British pounds (254.55 million U.S. dollars) spending spree in the t...
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De Boer appointed Netherlands boss after being sacked by MLS club

Frank de Boer, Head Coach of Atlanta United looks on during a quarter final first leg match between Club America and Atlanta United as part of CONCACAF Champions League 2020 at Azteca on March 11, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. Frank De Boer is the new manager of the Dutch national team. The ex-Rangers defender has been appointed to the Netherlands job as successor to Ronaldo Koeman, who recently departed to take charge of Barcelona.  “The 50-year-old former international will be at the helm of the Oranje until the World Cup in 2022,” the KNVB said in a statement. It’s a swift return to management for De Boer. He was sacked as manager of Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in July following a poor run of results. De Boer, who won 112 senior caps for the Netherlands duri...
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Brentford Knock out West Brom from Carabao Cup

Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard (R) jumps to head the ball in front of West Bromwich Albion's DR Congo-born English midfielder Grady Diangana (2nd R) during the English League Cup third round football match between West Bromwich Albion and Brentford at The Hawthorns stadium in West Bromwich, central England, on September 22, 2020. Brentford fought back twice yesterday before beating Premier League West Brom 5-4 on penalties in the Carabao Cup. All four goals in normal time came in the second half, with Hal Robson-Kanu putting the hosts 1-0 and 2-1 in front from the spot. But Emiliano Marcondes’ superb overhead kick and a Marcus Forss spot-kick drew the Bees level to force the shootout. Christian Norgaard scored the winning penalty after Grady Diangana’s effort ha...
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Frustrated Lyon slip up again in 0-0 draw against Nimes

Lyon's French forward Moussa Dembele (L) heads the ball next to Nimes' French goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet (R) during the French L1 football match between Lyon (OL) and Nimes (NO) at the Groupama stadium in Decine-Charpieu near Lyon on September 18, 2020. Olympique Lyon stumbled to a goalless draw against visitors Nimes on Friday to continue their stuttering start in Ligue 1. The Champions League semi-finalists, who are in 10th place on five points from their first four league games, have won only one game so far and were desperate to bounce back from Tuesday’s shock 2-1 loss to Montpellier. Lyon’s Moussa Dembele netted four minutes after the interval but his effort did not count as the ball had gone out of play earlier. Lyon kept up the pressure and came close with a Bruno Guimara...
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Europa League Qualifiers: Hajduk Moves to 3rd Round, Basel Eliminates Osijek

After the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday, Hajduk moves to the 3rd round, and Basel eliminates Osijek.  Hajduk is in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after defeating Macedonian club Reneova in Skopje on Thursday. A goal by Mijo Caktas in the 4th minute was enough to give Hajduk the win and advance them to the next round. Hajduk missed a number of great chances in the first half, and fortunately, just one goal was enough to pass. In the second half, Renova was much better and more dangerous. Hajduk lost their momentum, panicked, and found themselves playing defense against a much more modest host. In the third qualifying round, Hajduk will play against Turkish club Galatasaray, who defeated Neftchi on Thursday.  Osijek, on the other hand, has com...
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Europa League Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 – 2 AC Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan battles for possession with Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers during the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round match between Shamrock Rovers and AC Milan at Tallaght Stadium on September 17, 2020 in Tallaght, Ireland. Shamrock Rovers certainly gave a good account of themselves against one of the giants of world football but a goal in each half saw AC Milan through to the third qualifying round of the Europa League as the Hoops head for the European exit door. A decade ago when Juventus came to Tallaght, the Shamrock Rovers fan display said ‘Facci Sognare’ – ‘make us dream’.  This time around there were no fans in the stadium and the dream of one of the greatest upsets in Irish football died thanks to the quality of goalscorers Zlatan Ibrahimov...
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Ligue 1: Julian Draxler scores late against Metz as PSG finally secure first win of season

Julian Draxler of Paris Saint-Germain celebrate the victory with Angel Di Maria and teammattes during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Metz at Parc des Princes on September 16, 2020 in Paris, France. Julian Draxler's header deep into stoppage time gave Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 home win against Metz and spared the defending champion a fourth straight match without scoring. After losing the Champions League final 1-0 to Bayern Munich last month, PSG opened their league campaign with a 1-0 defeat at Lens followed by a 1-0 loss at home to Marseille on Sunday in which three PSG players were sent off. PSG finished this game with nine men after center half Abdou Diallo was red carded for a second yellow midway through the second half and left back Juan Bernat lim...
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PSG ‘Strongly Supports’ Neymar’s Claim To Being Racially Abused

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar and Marseille's Alvaro Gonzales during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Marseille (OM) at the Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on September 13, 2020. Paris Saint-Germain “strongly supports” Neymar’s claim to being racially abused by a Marseille player during their feisty match, the French champion said yesterday. Neymar was one of five players sent off after an injury-time brawl including punching and kicking at Parc des Princes. The Brazil forward was caught by VAR jabbing the back of Alvaro Gonzalez’s head. Neymar told officials as he went off he was racially abused, and went on social media to say his only regret was that he didn’t punch Gonzalez in the face. In a brief statement, PSG added they ...
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Lionel Messi breaks billion-dollar barrier to beat Cristiano Ronaldo on football rich list

There are no prizes for guessing why Lionel Messi looked dejected when he returned to full training with Barcelona last week. The 33-year-old superstar was denied a long-awaited transfer away from the Spanish giants despite making it clear that he wanted to cut short his contract and leave.  However, he might find solace in the Forbes list for highest-earning footballers in 2020. According to the magazine, Messi's decision to stay put means that he stands to earn 126 million U.S. dollars this year at Camp Nou, beating arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who came in second with earnings of 117 million U.S. dollars. Messi's total earning is split between 92 million U.S. dollars in salary and 34 million U.S. dollars in endorsements. With 457 million followers across his social medi...
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Neymar’s fate to be known this week after Marseille red card

Neymar Jr #10 of Paris Saint-Germain reacts to a racist insult from Alvaro Gonzalez #3 of Olympique Marseille during the match between Paris-Germain (PSG) and Olympique Marseille (OM) at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2020 in Paris, France. Neymar's punishment for being one of five players sent off following a brawl at the end of Paris Saint-Germain's defeat to Marseille will be revealed on Wednesday, the French Football League (LFP) said Monday. The world's most expensive footballer was shown the red card in stoppage time of the 1-0 loss at the Parc des Princes alongside teammates Layvin Kurzawa and Leandro Paredes, as well as Marseille's Dario Benedetto and Jordan Amavi. Neymar insisted Alvaro Gonzalez called him a "monkey" in a series of furious tweets late on Sunday after he ...
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Marseille end PSG curse as Neymar among five sent off

Altercation between NEYMAR JR of PSG and Alvaro GONZALEZ of Marseille during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Marseille at Parc des Princes on September 13, 2020 in Paris, France. Marseille clinched their first victory against old rivals Paris Saint-Germain in nine years as Andre Villas Boas' side beat PSG 1-0 on Sunday in a game which will be remembered by aggressive fouls and a late brawl. Florian Thauvin's close-range volley set up by Dimitri Payet in the 31st minute punished the defending champions to a two-game losing streak in the opening two weeks of the Ligue 1 campaign, the first time the capital-based club has lost its first two games in a season since 1984-1985. But the stories of the toe-to-toe clash were far beyond the records. A brawl in stop...
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Ligue 1: PSG lose first game of the season to Lens

Ignatius Ganago (R) of RC Lens competes with Presnel Kimpembe and Juan Bernat of Paris SG during the Ligue 1 match between RC Lens and Paris SG (PSG) at Stade Felix Bollaert on September 10, 2020 in Lens, France. Paris Saint-Germain's depleted squad could not get the Ligue 1 champions' title defence off to a winning start as they were beaten 1-0 away on Lens. Thomas Tuchel was without seven first-team players due to positive coronavirus tests, with Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Angel Di Maria, Keylor Navas and Mauro Icardi among those missing, and their makeshift XI failed to break down the hosts. PSG continued to dictate the ball but had just three shots – none of which were on target – in the second half and a Marcin Bulka error gifted Lens the lead in the 57th minute, with Ganago's goal...
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Lionel Messi can play for Argentina after ban expires – AFA president

Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between FC Barcelona and Napoli at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2020. Lionel Messi can play in Argentina's opening World Cup qualifier next month because the statute of limitations has run out on the ban he was given during last year's Copa America, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Thursday. Messi was banned for one game after being sent off in the Copa America third-place playoff against Chile and for levelling accusations of "corruption" at South American football chiefs. Messi had been expected to serve the ban by missing Argentina's qualifier against Ecuador that is scheduled to take p...
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FIFA-approved app allows players to report match-fixing

POLAND - 2020/03/23: In this photo illustration a FIFA logo seen displayed on a smartphone. World governing body FIFA has approved an app designed to help professional players report match-fixing approaches. The Red Button app, which is owned by world players' union FIFPRO, will be distributed to players globally via national unions such as England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). It complements existing reporting tools set up by FIFA, and information received via the app will be investigated by the world governing body's integrity department. The Europol agency reported in August that football is the sport which is most heavily targeted by criminals involved in fixing. FIFPRO's legal director Roy Vermeer said: "We are confident this will strengthen the hand of f...
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