Football Blog (Page 163)

[ad_1] Bukayo Saka has revealed that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been in regular contact with him since his heartbreaking penalty miss for England in the Euro 2020 final. Saka missed the decisive kick against Italy to shatter the Three Lions’ dreams of claiming major silverware for the first time in 55 years, but quickly received a wave of support after showing great courage to take a penalty aged just 19. The Arsenal winger immediately put the disappointment behind him, enjoying a superb 2021/22 campaign, and he’s been in terrific form for England during the World Cup – Saka has three goals to his nameRead More →

[ad_1] Neymar was in a generous mood after picking up the Player of the Match award for Brazil’s 4-1 World Cup last 16 win against South Korea on Monday night. The PSG forward had only recently returned to training after being sidelined with an ankle injury just one game into this winter’s tournament. There had been reports that Neymar may have even struggled to return in time to complete the tournament, but he made his comeback on Monday evening in style, scoring from the penalty spot in an emphatic win for Brazil. Speaking to the media post-match, Neymar said many thanks to those who haveRead More →

[ad_1] Brazil have attracted the ire of former Man Utd star Roy Keane as he branded their dancing celebrations at the World Cup ‘disrespectful.’ The five-time winners thrashed South Korea 4-1 in the last 16 on Monday and they broke out a group dance to celebrate every one of their goals. When Richarlison netted the third, he ran over to the bench and got coach Tite involved too, and that didn’t go down well with Keane. “I can’t believe what I’m watching, I can’t believe what I’m watching, it’s like watching Strictly [Come Dancing],” Keane raged on ITV. “I don’t like this. People say it’sRead More →

[ad_1] Brazil eased into the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup with a memorable and emphatic win over South Korea on Monday night. Tite’s men raced into an early lead at Stadium 974 and never looked back as one of the tournament favourites flexed their muscles on the penultimate day of last 16 action. Brazil broke the deadlock after six minutes when Raphinha came inside off the right flank and drew the challenge of several South Korea defenders, with his low cross being touched on by Neymar and into the path of a wide-open Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid forward managed to pick out theRead More →

[ad_1] France have had their appeal over the result of their World Cup game against Tunisia rejected by FIFA. The appeal was made after their final group game against Tunisia, which the North African side won 1-0 thanks to a Wahbi Khazri goal. It was a game that ended in controversy, though, with substitute Antoine Griezmann believing he had scored an equaliser in the 99th minute. A long delay followed, and the referee allowed Tunisia to kick off again, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the goal for offside. That incensed the French and they lodged an appeal, claiming a breach in VAR protocolRead More →

[ad_1] Brazil boss Tite has thrown Neymar straight back into the starting lineup for their World Cup last 16 tie with South Korea. The PSG star has missed the Selecao’s last two games after picking up an ankle injury in their 2-0 win against Serbia in the opening round of group stage matches. There had been reports that Neymar could be ruled out until the latter stages of the tournament and may not even be able to make a return at all, but he will start against South Korea on Monday evening. There is also a return for Danilo, who comes in at left-back followingRead More →

[ad_1] England midfielder Declan Rice has admitted that ‘faultless’ performances in the World Cup so far have helped silence their critics, but that they still deserve more credit. Gareth Southgate’s side were comfortable 3-0 winners against Senegal on Sunday, setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final against reigning champions France. England also had the best record during the group stage as they were one of only three teams to earn seven points along with the Netherlands and Morocco but did so with a superior goal difference, scoring nine and conceding just two goals. But Rice thinks that the Three Lions’ improvements and formidable displays aren’t being praisedRead More →

[ad_1] Former United States Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena believes the US must find a way to play matches against ‘better teams’ if they’re to improve during the 2026 World Cup cycle. The USMNT crashed out of the 2022 World Cup with a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday in their first knockout match at the tournament since 2014. The loss comes after a Group B campaign that saw them take five points and go unbeaten against Wales, England, and Iran, although they only scored two goals during those three matches. Already, attention is turning to the next World Cup, which theRead More →

[ad_1] West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Sao Paulo’s highly-rated centre-back Luizao, 90min understands. The 20-year-old has been monitored by a number of European clubs after breaking into Sao Paulo’s side and is out of contract at the Brazilian giants at the end of January. Sao Paulo boss Rogerio Ceni recently admitted Luizao was “very likely to leave” and that his imminent departure would be a “painful process” for the club, and sources have confirmed to 90min that he has turned down two new contract offers. Benfica, Sporting, Porto, Fulham, Wolves, Juventus and the Red Bull group all put offers forward toRead More →

[ad_1] Round of 16 victories at the 2022 World Cup for holders France and England over Poland and Senegal respectively has set up a tantalising quarter-final matchup between the two major European nations. It was the fixture English supporters had their eyes on in the build-up to the tournament as they were mapping out the Three Lions’ path to World Cup glory. While Les Bleus certainly aren’t as imperious as they were four years ago, they’ve dazzled in Qatar at times thanks to the magic of Kylian Mbappe. The Parisian superstar is leading the Golden Boot race with five goals in four games and headsRead More →