NEWS – Page 90 – Football Flame

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PSG Insist No Concrete Offers In for Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain have not received a "concrete offer" for Neymar, the club's sporting director Leonardo said.The Brazilian forward has been heavily linked with a move away from the Ligue 1 champions during the close season, with his former club Barcelona looking the most likely destination.He caused controversy earlier in the off-season when he failed to report for training with the rest of the squad on July 8.Leonardo has previously said the 27-year-old can leave for the right price, but he told reporters after the game in Germany that no offers have been tabled for him."Honestly, there is nothing different from the last time we talked," he said, according to Le Parisien. "Nothing at all."It has not moved. There is no concrete offer for Neymar, he is with us. He is a player for Paris S...
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ICC : Bayern Munich Ease Past Real Madrid

Eden Hazard made his Real Madrid debut as the LaLiga giants were beaten 3-1 by Bayern Munich at the International Champions Cup in Houston.Hazard wore the Madrid jersey for the first time since his big-money move from Chelsea, while fellow recruits Luka Jovic, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo Goes also made their bows for Zinedine Zidane's side.But Corentin Tolisso, Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry stole the show as Bayern put Madrid to the sword in the second half, which saw Zidane make 11 changes at the interval.Tolisso opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Bayern completely dominated in the second half, with substitutes Lewandowski and Gnabry condemning Madrid to defeat in their ICC opener on Saturday.Madrid did have something to celebrate when Rodrygo capped his debut with a stunning 8...
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Early Goal Hands Algeria AFCON Glory

Algeria became Africa Cup of Nations champions for a second time as they edged Senegal 1-0 in a scrappy final on Friday.Djamel Belmadi's side needed a sensational last-gasp Riyad Mahrez winner to beat Nigeria in the last four, but it was a scrappy early strike that decided this clash as Baghdad Bounedjah benefited from a huge deflection.Further chances were few and far between in an ill-tempered affair as Algeria withstood almost constant pressure and also saw a Senegal penalty award overturned with VAR.The single goal ultimately proved enough to hold on, Algeria triumphing on foreign soil for the first time to add to their 1990 success as hosts.
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John Obi Mikel Announces Nigeria Retirement

John Obi Mikel has announced his retirement from international football after helping Nigeria to third place in the Africa Cup of Nations.The Super Eagles lost to Algeria in the last four in Egypt, but atoned for that disappointment to a degree with a 1-0 win over Tunisia in the third place play-off.That game marked the last appearance in a Nigeria shirt for Mikel, who confirmed the end of his career for his country in a post on Instagram.MIkel won the AFCON in 2013 and collected a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games, while he also featured for the Super Eagles at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.The former Chelsea star will continue his successful club career with Trabzonspor, having joined the Turkish side this summer.
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AFCON: Nigeria Beat Tunisia to Win Bronze

Odion Ighalo scored the only goal last night as Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place play-off at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to claim the bronze medals of this edition in Cairo, Egypt.The third place finish was a consolation for the three times champions who missed the last two editions of the African football showpiece back-to-back in 2015 and 2017.The goal is Ighalo’s fifth that makes him the tournament’s leading scorer on five goals.The Nigerian forward scored against Burundi in the opening match before his brace against Cameroon in the Last 16 stage. He also scored in the semi final clash with Algeria before capping his outing with the winner against Tunisia last night.The former Watford striker yesterday tapped in after Tunisia keeper Moez Ben Cherifia deflected the ball off...
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Cameroon Sack Seedorf and Kluivert

Former Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf has been sacked as Cameroon coach after the side failed to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title.The former Real Madrid player, 43, had been in charge for under a year.His assistant Patrick Kluivert, his former Netherlands and Ajax team-mate, has also left his role.Cameroon lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the last 16 in Egypt, leading to the country's sports minister calling for Seedorf to leave.Seedorf had said he was happy to continue and felt his squad had shown promising signs.The former Real Madrid and AC Milan player signed a four-year deal to take charge of the Indomitable Lions in August 2018.But a statement confirmed that "following the premature exit of Cameroon's men's flagship squad, Cameroon's football federation in line with clauses in...
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Late Mahrez Free-kick Sends Algeria into AFCON Final

Riyad Mahrez scored a stunning free-kick with virtually the last kick of the game as Algeria beat Nigeria to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.With the tie heading for extra time, Manchester City forward Mahrez whipped a fierce set-piece into the top corner.A William Troost-Ekong own goal had given Algeria the lead before Odion Ighalo's penalty levelled the scores.Algeria will face Senegal, who earlier beat Tunisia thanks to an extra-time own goal, in the final on Friday.
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AFCON : Algeria Knock Ivory Coast Out

Algeria set up an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Ivory Coast following a 1-1 draw in Suez.Sofiane Feghouli's goal against the run of play opened the scoring in the 20th minute, Rais M'bolhi having made a superb early save to keep Ivory Coast at bay.But Baghdad Bounedjah's penalty miss handed Ivory Coast a lifeline early in the second half, with Jonathan Kodjia's fine effort restoring parity.And after extra-time failed to serve up a winner, it was Algeria who came out on top in the shoot-out - Wilfried Bony and Serey Die missing their spot-kicks as their side crashed out.
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Nigeria beat South Africa to Reach AFCON Semi-final

Super Eagles of Nigeria booked a place in the semi final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night with a 2-1 defeat of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Cairo International Stadium.Villarreal’s exciting forward, Samuel Chukwueze put Nigeria in the lead in the 27th minute after collecting a perfect cross from Arsenal man, Alex Iwobi from the left flank of the South African goal area.Chukwueze’s first attempt bounced off a Bafana defender before burying the rebound into the back of the net of Ronwell Williams in goal for South Africa.The Super Eagles were deserved winners and should have been ahead by more goals when Williams pushed Oghenekaro Etebo’s free-kick onto the bar.However, in the second half, South Africa equalised from a set piece that bounced off the back of Odion I...
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Leonardo : I Can't Promise Mbappe Will Renew at PSG

Sporting director Leonardo has admitted that he can't guarantee that Kylian Mbappe will renew his contract at Paris Saint-Germain.Mbappe has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid since he admitted that he'd like to have more responsibility."It's not a question of knowing whether [his contract] is a priority or not," Leonardo told Le Parisien."Mbappe is here. He's very important for the club and there's no debate [over his importance]."He's returned to training with a super-positive attitude, with a smile. He's charismatic. People really like him and it's important to have a player like him in your team."Mbappe has three years left on his current deal and could run it down in order to force a move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu."I don't make promises," Leonardo said when he wa...
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Wilfried Zaha Sends Ivory Coast into AFCON last Eight

Wilfried Zaha scored the winner as the Ivory Coast beat Mali 1-0 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.The Crystal Palace forward, who has been linked with a summer move to Arsenal, raced on to Sylvain Gbohouo’s deep free-kick and got to the ball before Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.Mali had been wasteful with Moussa Marega and Moussa Djenepo both missing good opportunities when well placed.The Ivory Coast play Algeria in the last eight on Thursday.The Elephants have won the competition twice – in 1992 and 2015 – but only advanced through this year’s opening phase as runners-up after losing 1-0 to group winners Morocco.The Ivory Coast struggled in the first half against Group E winners Mali and failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.Mali’s Moussa Djenepo,...
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USA Defend Women's World Cup Crown in Style

Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scored for world No.1s USA as they defeated the Netherlands to claim the Women's World Cup in Lyon.Powerhouses USA have defended their Women's World Cup crown, claiming another title after a heated 2-0 defeat over Netherlands.Captain and provocateur Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring in Lyon with a 61st-minute penalty before Rose Lavelle danced through the midfield eight minutes later to secure the win.The Americans' success is their fourth World Cup success, follows their 2015 triumph and confirms their irrefutable status as the best side in the women's game.That much was clear all month in France, where the world No.1s began their campaign with a 13-0 walloping of Thailand and ended it with a determined and deserved victory in the showpiece match.Rapinoe was ...
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Brazil beats Peru to win Copa America title

Brazil finally claimed their ninth Copa America title -to Messi's dismay- with a good performance against Peru in a tougher match than initially anticipated.Peru made A Canarinha battle for the trophy after scoring an equalizer right before the halftime break, but a good strike by Gabriel Jesus moments later paved the way for the second half.Just when things seemed to be rolling for the Brazilian side, Gabriel Jesus was sent off due to a midfield clash. The footballer was baffled by the decision, and went to the locker room throwing punches and nearly destroying the booth where the VAR technology is located.In fact, the footballer became the first player in Copa America history to be involved in such antics during the tournament's final. He was the first player to assist for the first...
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Riyad Mahrez Fires Algeria to AFCON last eight

Riyad Mahrez scored a wonderful goal as Algeria underlined their status as one of the favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over Guinea which booked their place in the quarter-finals.The Manchester City winger’s superb control and composed finish in the 57th minute put his side two goals up after Youcef Belaili’s 24th-minute opener in Cairo.And Algeria sealed their progression as substitute Adam Ounas added a late third.Djamel Belmadi’s side had cruised through group stages without dropping a point or conceding a goal and they were untroubled as they set up a last-eight meeting with Mali or Ivory Coast.Belaili set them on their way, bursting into the area from the left and sliding a low finish into the far corner from a tight angle.Mahrez’s goal was the pick of the bunch ...
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Lionel Messi Refuses Medal, Citing Corruption in Copa America

Lionel Messi didn't just make noise during Saturday's Copa America third-place game -- he also made noise after it. Following Argentina's 2-1 win over Chile in which he received a red card in the first half after a physical incident with Gary Medel, Messi was furious and did not hold back. He refused to accept the third-place medal by not even coming back out of the locker room, he said the tournament was corrupt and added that he believes the tournament was set up for Brazil to win. The hosts play Peru in the final on Sunday. "I feel lot of anger because I think I did not deserve that red card because I think we were playing a very good game," Messi told the media after the game. "We were ahead but, as I said recently, unfortunately there is a lot of corruption, the referees. ... We ...
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Mourinho Rejects Huge Offer from China

Jose Mourinho has turned down the chance to manage Guangzhou Evergrande for family reasons despite a lucrative offer from the Chinese Super League club.The Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in mid-December. At Old Trafford he earned around £15m a year and his proposed salary at Guangzhou would have been far greater.Following talks with representatives of the club, whose majority owners are the Evergrande Real Estate Group, Mourinho rejected the job because it is understood he did not wish to cause upheaval to his family by moving to China.Mourinho is also not interested in international management, preferring a return to the club game when the right opportunity arises.
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AFCON : Mane Sends Senegal to the Quarter-finals

Sadio Mane fired Senegal through to the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as they saw off Uganda 1-0 in Cairo.The Liverpool striker is targeting more silverware after helping his club side land Champions League glory, and Mane's first-half strike carried his nation past awkward opposition.Mane missed a second-half penalty after he had been clattered, but his earlier clinical finish proved enough.Senegal, for whom this was an eighth win in their last nine games, will next face Benin who earned a shock 4-1 penalties win against Morocco following a 1-1 draw earlier on Friday.
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Brazil winger Willian ruled out of Copa Final

Brazil winger Willian has been ruled out of Sunday's Copa America final against Peru due to a muscle injury, his side said in a statement on Thursday.Willian, who will remain with the team at their training base ahead of the final, scored Brazil's final goal in their 5-0 drubbing of Peru in the group stage and scored in their penalty shootout victory over Paraguay in the quarterfinals.He was brought on for winger Everton at half-time in the Selecao's2-0 win over Argentina in the last four but tests on Wednesday revealed he had sustained a muscle injury.Willian was a late replacement in the squad for Neymar, who was forced to miss the tournament in his home country after sustaining an ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar in June.Willian is Brazil's only absentee for the final at the Mar...
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Peru upsets Chile and will face Brazil in Copa Final

Peru advanced to the final of the Copa America and a date with hosts Brazil after beating double defending champions Chile 3-0.Chile were outclassed by a quick and eager Peru side, who looked a different outfit from the one that scored just three goals in four games on their way to the semi-finals and lost 5-0 to Brazil earlier in the tournament.Peru took the lead 20 minutes into the match when a corner from the right was nodded on to Edison Flores, who volleyed home at the back post.They made it 2-0 17 minutes later after a huge mistake from Chile goalkeeper Gabriel Arias, who charged out of his area to intercept a long pass but Andre Carillo got there ahead of him. Carillo’s cross found Yoshimar Yotun, who controlled the ball on his chest before volleying home into the unguarded net.Chil...
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Brazil beat Argentina and Advances to Copa Final

Brazil advanced to the final of the Copa America with a 2-0 win over old rivals Argentina in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday thanks to a goal in each half from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino.Jesus gave Brazil the lead in 19 minutes when Firmino sent in a low cross for the unmarked striker to side-foot home from close range.The two combined again on the counterattack after 71 minutes to make it 2-0 after great work from Jesus left Firmino with the simplest of tap-ins.“We knew that it would be difficult because of the players they have,” said Brazil’s Casemiro.“It’s about details. We knew it would be scrappy and that there would be wind-ups and time wasting. But we have to congratulate our strikers who did a great job. When they got chances, they scored.”Argentina have not beaten Brazil in a ma...
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