NEWS – Page 79 – Football Flame

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Ryan Giggs backs Cristiano Ronaldo to continue breaking records at 40

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on September 8, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. Ryan Giggs believes his former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo will play to the age of 40 and set an international goal-scoring record that will never be broken. Ronaldo became the first European male player to score 100 international goals during Portugal’s 2-0 Nations League win in Sweden on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Juventus star’s double took him to 101 goals in 165 appearances for Portugal and within eight of equalling the international record of Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 games. “I think Cristiano will break that record,” Giggs told the PA news agency. “He’ll have to be at the...
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Southgate says Foden, Greenwood must regain his trust

Gareth Southgate, Manager of England inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Denmark and England at Parken Stadium on September 08, 2020 in Copenhagen, Denmark. England manager Gareth Southgate said Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood will have to regain his trust before they can be considered for selection again after the pair were sent home for breaching COVID-19 protocols in Iceland. Video footage earlier this week showed Manchester United forward Greenwood and Manchester City midfielder Foden allegedly inviting women to their hotel rooms after England’s 1-0 victory against Iceland in Reykjavik. The duo were subsequently removed from Southgate’s squad and missed the goalless draw against Denmark on Tuesday. “Trust needs to be rebuilt and that t...
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Nations League: Ronaldo breaks 100-goal mark, France see off Croatia in World Cup final repeat

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Sweden and Portugal at Friends Arena on September 8, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning brace to take him to 101 international goals for Portugal in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Sweden in the Nations League on Tuesday, while France won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final 4-2 over Croatia. Ronaldo broke the mythical 100-goal mark on the stroke of half-time, the 35-year-old Juventus attacker curling in a free-kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the far left corner beyond Sweden's stranded goalkeeper Robin Olsen for a memorable milestone in his trophy-laden career. The bonus second goal, and his 101st, came in the 72nd minute, the ...
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Michy Batshuayi shows his class for Belgian ahead of Crystal Palace loan transfer

Belgium's forward Michy Batshuayi celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between Netherlands and Iceland at at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels on September 8, 2020. Michy Batshuayi scored twice for Belgium as they romped to a 5-1 over Iceland in their Nations League clash in Brussels to move clear at the top of Group 2. As reported by Standard Sport on Tuesday, Chelsea striker Batshuayi is set to complete a loan move to Crystal Palace – having spent the second part of the 2018-19 season at Selhurst Park. The Red Devils, who had beaten Denmark away in their opening League A fixture, fell behind to Holmbert Aron Fridjonsson's deflected goal after 11 minutes. However, Roberto Martinez's men soon turned the tie around as Dortmund midfielde...
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A sad end to an ill-fated spell: Belgian star Yannick Carrasco bids farewell to China

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco of Atletico de Madrid controls the ball during the Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at Wanda Metropolitano on July 19, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. When La Liga giants Atletico Madrid broke the news to their fans via Twitter on Tuesday that they have taken up the option of making Yannick Carrasco's loan deal from Dalian Pro permanent, no one raised an eyebrow.   The move is perfectly logical and expected.  The Belgian star's temporary switch to Spain in January indubitably brought out the best in him as the 27-year-old's impressive performances helped Atletico finish third in La Liga despite squad overhaul last season and reach the quarter-finals of the coronavirus-disrupted Champions League campaign.  However, f...
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Kalvin Phillips set to make England debut vs Denmark

Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips gestures during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Charlton Athletic at Elland Road on July 22, 2020 in Leeds, England. Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is due to make his England debut against Denmark, according to The Mirror. John Cross has claimed that the 24-year old is set to start for Gareth Southgate’s side against Denmark, alongside Wolves centre-back Conor Coady as England look to field an ‘experimental’ side. Southgate is expected to switch-up his tactics against the Danes, setting-up in a 3-4-3 with Phillips in the central-midfield duo with West Ham’s Declan Rice, while Conor Coady slots into a back three. Following on from The Three Lions’ 10-man 1-0 victory in Iceland, Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden were sent...
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Italy edge Netherlands, Haaland hits brace in Norway rout

Nicolo Barella of Italy scores the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Netherlands and Italy at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 7, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Nicolo Barella extended Italy's two-year unbeaten run as he scored the winner in Monday's 1-0 victory away to the Netherlands in the Nations League while Erling Haaland netted twice for Norway in a 5-1 thrashing of Northern Ireland. Roberto Mancini's Italy saw their record 11-match winning streak end with last week's draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina but got the best of the Netherlands in Amsterdam courtesy of Inter Milan midfielder Barella's header in first-half stoppage time. "It was a great performance by the entire team, we played with personality. We earned a great result and we a...
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Seven changes Gareth Southgate considering making to England XI for Denmark clash

Gareth Southgate, Manager of England takes a look around the stadium prior to the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Iceland and England at Laugardalsvollur National Stadium on September 05, 2020 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Gareth Southgate is preparing to make up to seven changes for England’s game against Denmark after his team’s lacklustre display in Iceland. The Three Lions scraped a last-gasp win in Reykjavik courtesy of a Raheem Sterling penalty but the team looked well short of match sharpness. While this was to be expected after the gap between the end of last season to now, Southgate seemingly wants to freshen things up. Next up is a trip to Copenhagen on Tuesday night to take on the Danes for their second Nations League group game. One enforced change will be t...
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Switzerland extend Germany’s wait for Nations League win

Granit Xhaka of Switzerland is challenged by Ilkay Guendogan of Germany during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Switzerland and Germany at St. Jakob-Park on September 06, 2020 in Basel, Switzerland.  Germany's wait for a Nations League win continues after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland last night. Germany looked in control after Ilkay Gundogan's 14th-minute goal, but slowly allowed the Swiss back into the game before Silvan Widmer leveled for the hosts. Since 2018, Germany have played six games in the first two editions of the Nations League and won none of them, despite scoring the opening goal in their last four matches. Gundogan and other Germany players were sharply critical of their own performance. "It wasn't our best game today, especially in the second ...
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Italy coach Mancini will rotate team to reduce injury risk

Head coach Italy Roberto Mancini speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Nations League Group A1 match against Netherlands at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 6, 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Italy coach Roberto Mancini will rotate his team for the Nations League match against the Netherlands on Monday in a bid to reduce the risk of injury to his players. Mancini’s side drew 1-1 at home to Bosnia on Friday and he said he was reluctant to make players play twice in four days, at the start of the new season. The opening Nations League matches are being played before the start of the new domestic seasons. “It’s likely we will change a lot of players,” he said. “Some of them have only had two training sessions and they arrived at our training camp without hav...
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Wales 1-0 Bulgaria: Neco Williams’ first international goal seals late win

Wales' Neco Williams (unseen) is congratulated after scoring the winning goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between Wales and Bulgaria at the The Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff on September 6, 2020. Neco Williams' first international goal sealed a stoppage-time win as Wales maintained their perfect Nations League start with a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium. Liverpool youngster Neco Williams combined with fellow substitute Jonny Williams in the fourth minute of time added, powering a header home with seconds remaining to seal the victory on his home Wales debut. Wales looked on course for a frustrating draw against a stubborn Bulgarian side but, just as they did in Thursday's Nations League opener in Finland, left it late to snatch three crucia...
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Jonny Evans rejoins Northern Ireland training before Norway clash

Leicester City's Jonny Evans during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford FC at The King Power Stadium on December 4, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. Jonny Evans is back training with the Northern Ireland players at Windsor Park after missing the 1-1 draw in Romania due to "personal reasons". Leicester defender Evans did not travel to Bucharest with the rest of the team as Ian Baraclough gained a point in his first game in charge since replacing Michael O'Neill in April. With Evans back training, the 32-year-old could be set to feature in Northern Ireland's second Nations League match against Norway on Monday. It is a defensive boost for Northern Ireland, who are already without Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan. Flanagan withdrew last week as his wife ...
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Luis Enrique & Thiago full of praise for Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets of Spain during the Training Spain at the La Ciudad del fútbol de Las Rozas on September 5, 2020 in Madrid Netherlands. Spain boss Luis Enrique and former Barcelona midfielder have both taken time out to praise Sergio Busquets. The 32-year-old is currently on international duty and started the 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday. There have been suggestions Busquets may not be a guaranteed starter under Ronald Koeman at Barcelona next season, but Thiago think he remains one of the very best. “He’s a reference point, not just in the last few years in which we’ve had a great relationship, but also in football he is huge. From Sergio Busquets you learn how to position yourself, as a leader of the team it’s amazing to watch him train and play. “We all have games that...
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Adama Traore sent home from Spain squad after positive test for coronavirus antibodies

Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers warms up prior to the UEFA Europa League Quarter Final between Wolves and Sevilla at MSV Arena on August 11, 2020 in Duisburg, Germany. Wolves star Adama Traore has been sent home from international duty with Spain after testing positive for coronavirus antibodies. Traore, who has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United this summer, is not deemed to be a risk in terms of spreading the virus to others. The 24-year-old winger will now miss Spain's Nations league game against Ukraine on Sunday, having been sent home to England in line with UEFA protocols. Traore is still waiting to win his first senior cap for Spain after being left out of the team for Thursday's 1-1 draw against Germany following an inconclusive Covid-19 test. He ...
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European heavyweights enjoy winning starts in Nations League

Kylian Mbappe of France crosses the ball while under pressure from Sebastian Larsson of Sweden during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Sweden and France at Friends Arena on September 05, 2020 in Stockholm, Sweden. European heavyweights England, world champions France, holders Portugal and Belgium all enjoyed winning starts to their UEFA Nations League campaigns on Saturday even if there were signs of international rust following the coronavirus shutdown. England needed a stoppage-time penalty to beat Iceland 1-0 while France saw off Sweden by the same scoreline. Kylian Mbappe scored with France's only shot on goal in Solna to give the world champions a 1-0 victory over Sweden. Mbappe picked up the ball wide of the goal in the 41st minute, squeezed past two defend...
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Iceland 0-1 England: Gareth Southgate critical of Kyle Walker red and Joe Gomez after late win

Victor Palsson of Iceland shakes hands with Gareth Southgate, Manager of England after the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Iceland and England at Laugardalsvollur National Stadium on September 05, 2020 in Reykjavik, Iceland. England boss Gareth Southgate gave an honest assessment of his teams' performance and said there was a clear lack of match sharpness in their 1-0 win over Iceland. Gareth Southgate was critical of Kyle Walker's red card and England's defending for Iceland's late penalty after watching his side scrape a 1-0 win in their Nations League opener and insisted his players must learn from those mistakes. Raheem Sterling proved to be the match-winner in Reykjavik, rolling home a penalty in the 91st minute, but England were fortunate to escape with all three...
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Czech Republic say they will not fulfil Nations League fixture v Scotland

Czech Republic's head coach Jaroslav Silhavy reacts after his team's defeat during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A football qualification match between Bulgaria and Czech Republic at the Vassil Levski Stadium in Sofia on November 17, 2019. The Czech Republic have declared they will not play Scotland on Monday. Scotland’s Nations League plans were thrown into disarray 90 minutes after their opening game ended in a 1-1 draw with Israel at Hampden. Although the Czechs defeated neighbours Slovakia 3-1 in Bratislava at the same time, their football association soon announced the squad would now be heading their separate ways amid a coronavirus threat. A statement on the FACR website read: “The national team will not play against Scotland on Monday due to representatives decision and the cu...
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Italy 1-1 Bosnia: Stefano Sensi rescues home side after Edin Dzeko opener

Stefano Sensi of Italy celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Artemio Franchi on September 4, 2020 in Florence, Italy. Italy  were held to a hard-fought draw to kick-off their Nations League campaign as Inter Milan midfielder Stefano Sensi rescued a point. The Italians dominated the game but struggled to find the net which led to Edin Dzeko opening the scoring for the visitors after 57 minutes.  Their lead lasted just ten minutes though when Sensi scored for the home side who could not go on to score a winner.
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Chelsea’s Pulisic can make it at Real Madrid, Barcelona – USMNT coach Berhalter

Christian Pulisic of Chelsea reacts as he runs with the ball before he goes down injured during the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England.  USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has said he thinks Christian Pulisic  has what it takes to play for Real Madrid and Barcelona. Pulisic has enjoyed a successful first year in the Premier League following his €64 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Chelseain 2019. "At 21, he is a leader at Chelsea," he told Sport Bild. "It doesn't happen that often that a Bundesliga player moves to England and immediately convinces there. "He quickly got used to the speed and the more physical style of playing in England. He is a role model for other U.S. players in the...
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Spain snatch late draw against Germany in UEFA Nations League

Leroy Sane of Germany battles for possession with Pau Torres of Spain and Luis Jose Gaya of Spain during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Germany and Spain at Mercedes-Benz Arena on September 03, 2020 in Stuttgart, Germany. Jose Luis Gaya's injury-time equalizer canceled out Timo Werner's opener and helped Spain snatch a last-gasp 1-1 draw with Germany in Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday. Germany started brightly on home soil and created the first chance of the game as Toni Kroos' cross into the box allowed Thilo Kehrer to test Spain goalkeeper David de Gea in the 11th minute. Spain responded with a big chance at the other end of the pitch as a misplaced return pass from Emre Can to goalkeeper Kevin Trapp allowed Rodrigo Moreno to intercept the loose b...
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