NEWS – Page 86 – Football Flame

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Coutinho not surprised by Liverpool success: But I don't regret leaving

Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on February 9, 2020 in Munich, Germany.Philipe Coutinho burned his bridges with Liverpool Football Club when he forced his way out of the club for a chance to play with Barcelona. He claimed that he left to win trophies, but then was part of the team that got dramatically kicked out of the Champions League by Liverpool last season.In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he was asked about Liverpool’s record breaking success, and the player lovingly nicknamed The Magician by the Liverpool faithful had nothing but good things to say about his former club.“Liverpool is flying,” Coutinho said, “and it doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen it already last y...
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Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and Juventus at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 8, 2020 in Verona, Italy.Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are set to go head-to-head in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final, first leg between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro.Both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic scored at the weekend in defeats as Juventus fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona, while AC Milan threw away a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat by city rivals Inter."It wasn't the result we wanted," said the 35-year-old Ronaldo despite becoming the first Juventus player to score in 10 successive league games, just one game short of the Serie A record.The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season.Ibrahimovic, 38, ...
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Ligue 1: Marseille cement second place with Toulouse win

Dimitri Payet of Olympique Marseille controls the ball during the Ligue 1 match between Olympique Marseille and Toulouse FC at Stade Velodrome on February 8, 2020 in Marseille, France.Second-placed Marseille have defeated Toulouse to close to within nine points of French Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain while Monaco won at Amiens.Dimitri Payet has scored his second spectacular goal of the week to help Marseille beat Toulouse 1-0 in France's Ligue 1 on Saturday and extend their unbeaten run to 16 games overall.Marseille had the added bonus of strengthening their grip on second spot by moving eight points ahead of third-place Rennes, who drew 0-0 at home with Brest.Payet's stellar form is guiding Marseille back to Europe, and improving his chances of a France recall.Having scored a fine i...
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Barcelona, Real Madrid both Eliminated from Copa Del Rey

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (L) competes for the ball with Dani Garcia of Athletic Club (C) and Ander Capa of FC Barcelona (R) during the Copa del Rey quarter final match between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona at Estadio de San Mames on February 06, 2020 in Bilbao, Spain.Barcelona and Real Madrid both crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night as Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad pulled off a shock Basque double to reach the semi-finals. Barca were beaten 1-0 by Bilbao at San Mames, where Inaki Williams headed in a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, after La Real had seen off Madrid 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Santiago Bernabeu. Two sensational upsets added another layer of excitement to a competition that has been full of surprises this season, with Bilbao and Real S...
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Gerrard hails outstanding Hagi for Comeback win

Ianis Hagi celebrates making it 2-1 to Rangers during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Rangers and Hibernian, at Ibrox, on 05 January 2020, in Glasgow, Scotland.Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi, the son of Romania great Gheorghe, celebrated his first start for the club by scoring a late winner against Hibernian on Wednesday to seal a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory.Hagi’s 84th-minute strike, which helped Rangers remain seven points behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand, also came as the prefect birthday gift for his father, who turned 55.The elder Hagi is regarded as one of the best players of his generation, winning more than 120 caps for Romania and playing for both Real Madrid and Barcelona in a stellar club career.Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the 21-year-...
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Lewandowski brace helps Bayern into DFB Cup Quarter-final

05 February 2020, Bavaria, Munich: Football: DFB Cup, Bayern Munich - 1899 Hoffenheim, Round of 16 in the Allianz Arena. Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Munich (2nd from right) scores to make it 3-1, and next to him Kevin Akpoguma of Hoffenheim (3rd from right) can no longer reach the ball.Holders Bayern appeared to be cruising into the last eight when Lewandowski put them 3-1 up at half-time on Wednesday, yet a lacklustre second-half showing gave Hoffenheim – who had taken the lead through Jerome Boateng's own goal – unexpected hope.Bayern had quickly levelled when Benjamin Hubner put through his own goal before Muller – who had a hand in all three of the hosts' first-half goals – nosed them ahead.Lewandowski's second made it 4-1 with 10 minutes to go before Munas Dabbur's late double set...
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Spurs 3 Southampton 2: Son Heung-min's late penalty stuns Saints in FA Cup Classic

Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn fouls Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, leading to a penalty to Tottenham Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Replay - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 05-02-2020 .After going behind to an 11th-minute own goal, Saints were level by half-time through Shane Long after Nathan Redmond's shot was saved.Saints created several good chances and when Danny Ings beat Hugo Lloris in the 73rd minute after a Redmond-inspired counter-attack, it looked like they were heading for a fifth-round tie against Norwich City.But Spurs had other ideas. Saints had only been ahead five minutes when Lucas Moura equalised and an 87th-minute Heung-Min Son penalty won it for the home side.The last ten minutes apart, this was another outstanding away performance from Sai...
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Lionel Messi becomes the first player in Spanish history to win 500 matches

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and CD Leganes at Camp Nou on January 30, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain.Lionel Messi set yet another landmark on Thursday night as he became the first player in the history of Spanish football to reach 500 wins as Barcelona thrashed Leganes 5-0 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.Messi's double, as well as goals from Antoine Griezmann, Clement Lenglet and Arthur Melo rounded off an emphatic win at Camp Nou, where Barca successfully bounced back from Saturday's surprise La Liga loss away at Valencia.As Messi enters the 500 club, the Argentine maestro now sits at the head of the ranking of wins, ahead of second placed Xavi Hernandez (476) and ...
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Real Madrid progress in Copa del Rey after Victory over Real Zaragoza

Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid CF celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between Real Zaragoza and Real Madrid at La Romareda on January 29, 2020 in Zaragoza, Spain.Real Madrid cruised into the quarterfinals of Spain's Copa del Rey knockout competition with a straightforward 4-0 win away to second division Zaragoza on Wednesday night.Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane fielded a strong side, while Zaragoza boss, Victor Fernandez, perhaps mindful of his side's aim to return to the Primera Liga, fielded a team packed with substitutes.The result was never really in doubt from the sixth minute when Raphael Varane was able to tap home from close range following a corner.Lucas Vazquez doubled Madrid's lead in the 32nd minute after his side pressured Zara...
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Inter beat Fiorentina 2-1 to reach Coppa Italia semifinals

(L-R) Antonio Candreva of Inter, Dalbert of Fiorentina during the Italian Coppa Italia match between Internazionale v Fiorentina at the San Siro on January 29, 2020 in Milan Italy.Inter Milan beat Fiorentina 2-1 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, commonly known as San Siro, in Milan on Wednesday night in the last quarter-final clash in the Coppa Italia at San Siro.Midfielder Antonio Candreva scored the first goal for Inter in the 44th minute, near the end of an energetic and hard-fought first half.Defender Martin Caceres leveled the score for Fiorentina with a header at the 60th minute.Midfielder Nicolo Barella fired Inter back into the lead with a goal in the 67th.The Nerazzurri now face Napoli, which knocked out Coppa holders Lazio 1-0 in the quarter-final on Jan. 22, and Milan meets Juventus a...
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Athletic Bilbao beats Tenerife on penalties in Copa del Rey

Inaki Williams #9 of Athletic Bilbao.Athletic Bilbao beat second-division club Tenerife 4-2 on penalties Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after playing nearly the entire game with 10 men.The game ended 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time, with Athletic coming from behind three times. Its final equalizer came two minutes from the end of extra time with a low shot from outside the area by left back Yuri Berchiche.Athletic played a man down from the second minute after goalkeeper Iago Herrerin was sent off for a tackle outside the area on American defender Shaq Moore, who then missed one of the penalties for the hosts in the shootout when he hit the crossbar."The team never lost faith despite the adversities," Athletic coach Gaizka Garitano said. "The...
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Coppa Italia : Ibrahimovic goal seals AC Milan win over Torino

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan celebrates 4-2 during the Italian Coppa Italia match between AC Milan v Torino at the San Siro on January 28, 2020 in Milan Italy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal at the San Siro since 2012 as AC Milan came from behind to beat visitors Torino 4-2 after extra time and reach the semifinals of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday.Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu netted a stoppage-time equalizer before giving the Rossoneri a 3-2 lead in extra time as the home side claimed their fifth win in as many games to set up a last-four clash with Juventus.Milan were clear favorites and went ahead on 12 minutes when midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura latched onto Ante Rebic's cross.Gleison Bremer, however, equalized 10 minutes before the interval with a low, angled shot and he...
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Neymar bags two goal to extend PSG lead at the top

Paris' Neymar Jr (L) and Lille's Renato Sanches during the Ligue 1 match between Lille OSC and Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Pierre Mauroy on January 26, 2020 in Lille, France.Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain pushed their Ligue 1 lead to double digits with a 2-0 win over Lille on Sunday. The Brazilian netted both goals.   The two teams were evenly matched in the first half, but a moment of brilliance from the former Barcelona man was enough to give the visitors the lead. He converted a penalty after the break to double the advantage.Second-placed Marseille dropped points on Saturday in a scoreless draw with Angers, giving PSG the chance to increase their Ligue 1 lead to 10 points.Lille carried a domestic 14-match unbeaten run at home into the match, and it showed early, with both te...
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Iheanacho fires Leicester into FA Cup fifth round

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City passing past Luka Racic of Brentford during the FA Cup match between Brentford and Leicester City at Griffin.Leicester edged into the FA Cup fifth round as Kelechi Iheanacho’s early goal sealed a 1-0 win at second tier Brentford on Saturday.Brendan Rodgers’ side are chasing a trip to Wembley on two fronts and they took the next step in the FA Cup after surviving a hard-fought fourth round clash in west London. Flying high in the Premier League, third-placed Leicester could be set for a memorable end to the season.Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup, are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 1969. In the League Cup, they are through to the semi-finals and head to Aston Villa in the second leg on Tuesday after being held to a 1-1 dra...
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Copa del Rey: Atletico Madrid Knocked Out By Third-Division Cultural Leonesa

Angel Correa of Atletico de Madrid and Augusto Galvan of Cultural Leonesa fight for the ball during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, football match played between Cultural Leonesa and Atletico de Madrid at Reino de Leon stadium on January 23, 2020 in Leon, Spain.Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday, defeated 1-2 in extra-time by third division Cultural Leonesa. Atletico Madrid, who are third in La Liga and are looking forward to a Champions League clash next month against Liverpool, were one of four top-flight sides dumped out of the tournament on Thursday at the last 32 stage. Argentine striker Angel Correa put them in front in the 62 minutes before Leonesa levelled seven minutes from the end through Julen Castaeda.Defeat completes a miserable January f...
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Copa del Rey: Antoine Griezmann's late goals save Barcelona against Ibiza in Round of 32, Read Madrid beat Unionistas

Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Copa del Rey Round of 32 match between UD Ibiza and FC Barcelona at Estadi Municipal de Can Misses on January 22, 2020 in Ibiza, Spain.Barcelona were spared an embarrassing night in Ibiza on Wednesday as Antoine Griezmann scored twice, including a 94th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory to send them through to the next round of the Copa del Rey.Ibiza play in Segunda B, Spain's third tier, and sit 44 places below the reigning La Liga champions but an extraordinary upset looked on the cards when Javi Perez gave the hosts an early lead at Can Misses.But with Lionel Messi rested and not even on the bench, Griezmann filled the void by finding an equaliser in the second half and then scoring the injury-time ...
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Neymar Stars as PSG beats Reims to reach French League Cup Final

Neymar Jr of PSG celebrates his goal with Marquinhos during the French League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue) semifinal match between Stade de Reims and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Auguste Delaune on January 22, 2020 in Reims, France.Neymar set up the first two goals with curling set pieces as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their French League Cup (Coupe de la Ligue)  semi-final 3-0 away to Reims on a chilly Wednesday night.PSG will face Lyon, who beat Lille on penalties on Tuesday, in the final at the Stade de France on April 4.This was PSG's second cup match in three days and coach Thomas Tuchel continued to shuffle his squad.Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who were unused substitutes as PSG won in the French Cup at Lorient on Sunday, started while Mauro Icardi and Angel di Maria who b...
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Napoli Seals Coppa Italia Semi-final spot over Lazio

Lorenzo Insigne of SSC Napoli scores the 1-0 goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio San Paolo on January 21, 2020 in Naples, Italy.Napoli booked their place in the semi-finals with a shock 1-0 win over Lazio at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday.Things got going early on with Lorenzo Insigne opening the scoring. Piotr Zielinski gave the ball to the captain out on the left, who then drove infield, beat a couple of Lazio players and slotted in from a tight angle.With ten minutes played Lazio were awarded the chance to level from the penalty spot. Ciro Immobile, though, slipped when taking his final step and scuffed his effort way off target.Napoli went down to ten men shortly after as Elseid Hysaj was sent off for two bookable offences.The excitement c...
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Mbappe Describes Liverpool As ‘A Machine’ That Wins, Wins, Wins

Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint Germain during the French League 1 match between Paris Saint Germain v AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on January 12, 2020 in Paris France.Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has described Liverpool as "a machine" as they aim to clinch their first league title since 1990, and has told BBC Sport he is "100%" happy in the French capital as he continues to be linked with Real Madrid.Liverpool have also been linked with Mbappe - regarded by many as the best young player in the world - despite manager Jurgen Klopp saying the striker is out of his club's price range.And while the 21-year-old World Cup winner, who joined PSG in 2017 in a transfer worth £165.7m, reaffirmed his commitment to his current club at the launch of his charity, 'Inspired by Kylian Mbappe ...
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PSG: Leonardo confirms that “Cavani asked to leave” this winter

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain during the French League 1 match between Paris Saint Germain v AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on January 12, 2020 in Paris France.PSG's sporting director Leonardo discussed the situation of Edinson Cavani after the Coupe de France game against Lorient, with the Uruguayan striker poised to leave at the end of his contract next June after agreeing terms with Atletico Madrid: "He asked to leave" - Leonardo said, as Diego Simeone's club keeps pushing to move up the signing of the former Napoli striker already to the current transfer window."We've always said the same thing about Cavani. We were hoping he would stay with the club, but today he asked to leave.  We're studying the situation. We've had a proposal from Atletico Madrid, but that pro...
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