Football Blog (Page 172)

[ad_1] Usually, home advantage gives the nations hosting a World Cup a big boost on the pitch, but that’s not always the case. While those playing host have ended the tournament as World Champions on six occasions, others haven’t done nearly as well on home turf. Here are our five worst World Cup host nations ever. Japan couldn’t get past Turkey / Alex Livesey/GettyImages Relative to expectations, Japan didn’t do too badly in 2002, and they’re really only in our top five because of how well host nations usually perform. Having played three and lost three World Cup matches prior to the edition they hostedRead More →

[ad_1] Marcus Rashford has explained some of the differences in the England camp since Gareth Southgate became manager, focusing on the training intensity. The Manchester United forward has worked his way back into the Three Lions setup after falling out of favour after the Euro 2020 final. He came off the bench to score his first World Cup goal against Iran in matchday one, though, and has credited that sharpness to the quality of training sessions under Southgate, which didn’t exist beforehand. “Everyone is ready and I’m raring to go,” He said in a press conference, adding:  “Training has been good for the lads whoRead More →

[ad_1] Mexico fell to a 0-2 defeat by Argentina on Saturday at the Lusail Stadium, as goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez propelled the Albiceleste to all three points.  El Tri kicked off strong in the first half, shutting down Argentina in the final third before managing three shots and one on goal. But the second 45 saw a defeated Mexico side take the field, constantly overwhelmed by Argentina before Messi and Fernandez found the back of the net.  Kevin Alvarez, who made his World Cup debut during Saturday’s game, explained the defeat. “We had been handling the first half very well, the startRead More →

[ad_1] Denmark and Australia clash on Wednesday in what is a straight shootout for second spot in Group D. France’s victory over the Danes secured Les Bleus’ spot in the last 16 of the World Cup, while the Socceroos triumphed over Tunisia to jump into second. Tunisia will need victory over France – a tall order at the best of times – to go through, but right now it’s Australia who hold the edge and avoiding defeat to Denmark would likely seal their route through to the knockout stages. Here’s what you need to know about the game ahead of kick off. Denmark vs AustraliaRead More →

[ad_1] How to watch the World Cup Group C game between Saudi Arabia and Mexico on Wednesday 30 November 2022. Credit: 90min.com[ad_2]Read More →

[ad_1] Portugal and Paris Saint-German man Danilo Pereira is set to miss the remainder of his nation’s group stage games after fracturing ribs in training. Fernando Santos’ side are due to face off against Uruguay on Monday at Lusail Stadium, before finishing up their group stage campaign against South Korea on 2nd December at the Education City Stadium. Cabine Desportiva are reporting that Danilo fractured ribs in a training session following Portugal’s opening game win over Ghana – a game which the player started. Having played as a centre-back in that game, as opposed to playing in midfield as he’s accustomed to, meaning that SantosRead More →

[ad_1] Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have held talks with consortiums from Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the potential sale of the club in a £3bn deal. It emerged earlier this month that FSG were considering putting the club up for sale, having taken over themselves in 2010. The Mail on Sunday now claims leaders of consortiums from the two Gulf states have made contact with FSG director Mike Gordon to register their official interest in purchasing the Reds. It is believed both consortiums are private entities, not state-owned, but hold close ties to the ruling families of Qatar and Saudi Arabia respectively. The newsRead More →

[ad_1] 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Cristiano Ronaldo has been offered a three-year contract by Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr worth £186m. (CBS) Shakhtar Donetsk have lowered their demands for exciting winger and Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk to around £40m plus potential add-ons. (The Mirror) Manchester United are ready to challenge Barcelona for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who recently signed a new contract which includes a €60m release clause. (Mundo Deportivo) Tottenham are still keen on Juventus and USA star Weston McKennie, though he would set the north Londoners back around €30m. (Calciomercato) West Ham and EvertonRead More →

[ad_1] Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has called ‘outrageous’ comments made about his team by 1990 World Cup winner and BBC pundit Jurgen Klinsmann a ‘disgrace to football’, demanding that the former Germany striker also resign from his role as a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group. Klinsmann was working on BBC’s coverage of Iran’s game against Wales on Friday and was highly critical. The former United States coach made broad generalisations about Iran’s style and character, repeatedly stating ‘This is their culture’ in a clip that made for uncomfortable viewing. “It is part of their culture and how they play it, they worked the refereeRead More →

[ad_1] Second-half goals from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez helped Argentina limp towards a 2-0 victory against Mexico on Saturday night. The Lusail Iconic Stadium will be the venue for the World Cup final but it served as the setting for what Lautaro Martinez described as the first of “two finals” for Argentina after the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opener. Very much like a final, it was a desperately cagey contest pockmarked by niggling fouls, spiky challenges and few chances. Argentina began the game hampered by the pressure of the circumstances and – more pertinently – Mexico’s energetic start, forcing the CopaRead More →