first – Football Flame

Kluivert nets first Indonesia win as Bahrain beaten in World Cup qualifier

25Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Kluivert nets first Indonesia win as Bahrain beaten in World Cup qualifier

Indonesia's coach Patrick Kluivert (2R) along with his team celebrate the goal during the World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier football match between Indonesia and Bahrain at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Bay ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images) Indonesia secured a crucial 1-0 win in their Group C qualifier against Bahrain in Jakarta to increase their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup. It was head coach Patrick Kluivert’s first win in charge after the former Netherlands international lost his opening game 5-1 to Australia last Thursday. Ole Romeny scored the only goal of the game in the 24th minute as he latched onto Marselino Ferdinan’s pass before beating the keeper. The win moves fourth-placed Indonesia three points clear of thei...

Dele Alli named in matchday squad for first time in two years

2Mar

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Dele Alli named in matchday squad for first time in two years

COMO, ITALY - JANUARY 25: Dele Alli of Como 1907 reacts as he makes his way to the tunnel following the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on January 25, 2025 in Como, Italy. Former Tottenham star Dele Alli has been handed a career lifeline after being named in a matchday squad for the first time in two years. Alli, 28, is now in contention to feature for the Italian side in their Serie A clash against Roma on Sunday afternoon. He has endured a difficult period in his journey as a professional since leaving Spurs permanently in 2022. After signing for the north London side as a teenager from MK Dons, Dele became an integral part of Mauricio Pochettino's plans in a side that reached the Champions League final in 2019. But aft...

Vinicius: “Playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family”

27Feb

By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Vinicius: “Playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family”

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 26: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, semi-final football match played between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid at Reale Arena stadium on February 26, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. In a significant night for Real Madrid’s Brazilian superstar, Vinicius Jr. captained Real Madrid for the first time in their victory over Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. “It’s something very special,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV after the match. “After so much time here and at 24 years old, playing my first game as captain is a source of pride for me and my family, after everything we’ve been through to be here, to reach the club of my dreams and to be able to fulfill my dreams... I hope I can continue doing this for a long time. ...

Real Madrid first club to generate billion-euro revenue in a season

23Jan

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid first club to generate billion-euro revenue in a season

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 22: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is seen ahead of the UEFA Champions League 7th week match between Real Madrid and FC Red Bull Salzburg at Santiago Bernabeu on January 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid are the first football club to top a billion euros in revenue during a single season, fuelled by income generated by the revamped Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, according to accountancy firm Deloitte. The order of the clubs at the top of Deloitte’s annual Football Money League stayed the same, with Madrid at 1.05 billion euros ($1.09bn) followed by Premier League champions Manchester City ($872m) and Paris Saint-Germain ($839m). The $216m gap between first and second is the biggest Deloitte has ever recorded. The dramatic refurbishment of the home of Real Madrid dou...

Edoardo Bove’s first words as Fiorentina star awake following collapse

2Dec

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Edoardo Bove’s first words as Fiorentina star awake following collapse

Edoardo Bove of ACF Fiorentina is seriously injured during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 1, 2024 in Florence, Italy. Italian football was rocked on Sunday night when Edoardo Bove collapsed during Fiorentina's clash against Inter Milan. The 22-year-old was rushed off the pitch in an ambulance after falling to the ground with no one around him early in the first-half. Referee Daniele Doveri immediately halted play as the midfielder received urgent medical attention on the pitch from paramedics. Players of both teams were visibly distraught as they formed a protective wall around the Italian, who joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan from Roma in August. Bove's heartbroken teammates and rivals were soon led off the pitch ...

Ansu Fati in line for first Barcelona start in 17 months

15Oct

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Ansu Fati in line for first Barcelona start in 17 months

It’s been a tough start to life back at Barcelona for Ansu Fati. Despite showing promise during pre-season, a foot injury saw him lose prominence in the eyes of head coach Hansi Flick. However, things could begin to start looking up for the 21-year-old winger. Fati has yet to start for Barcelona since recovery from injury, and he has been reduced to only three cameo appearances (vs Monaco, Young Boys and Alaves). However, with Ferran Torres out for the next 4-6 weeks, his time could be now. Sport say that it will be between Fati and Pau Victor to start on the left wing against Sevilla this weekend. In fact, both could start if Lamine Yamal is unable to feature after suffering discomfort whilst playing for Spain on Saturday. Flick should be able to call upon Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez thi...

Raheem Sterling is expected to make first Arsenal start for tonight

25Sep

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Raheem Sterling is expected to make first Arsenal start for tonight

Raheem Sterling is expected to make his first Arsenal start since his shock arrival from Chelsea against Bolton in the Carabao Cup tonight. The experienced attacker joined the Gunners on loan on transfer deadline day but is yet to start a match for his new club. Sterling, though, is in line to play at the Emirates Stadium this evening in a clash that will see Mikel Arteta make a host of changes following the weekend's exhausting visit to Manchester City which saw the Gunners play the entire second half with 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. The 29-year-old has made two substitute appearances since arriving from Stamford Bridge, one in the Premier League win over Tottenham and another in last week's European draw against Atalanta. But Ster...