Football Blog (Page 195)

[ad_1] Lionel Messi is gearing up for his final World Cup appearance when the Argentina forward goes to Qatar later this month. The Paris Saint-Germain star is yet to win FIFA’s flagship event, having appeared at the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments. He came closest in 2014 when the Albiceleste reached the final but were beaten by Germany in extra time. However, some fears of an injury-enforced absence have come to light. PSG have confirmed Messi will sit out their penultimate fixture before the break for the World Cup against Lorient with an Achilles problem. However, they add that the Barcelona legend will beRead More →

[ad_1] Erling Haaland described stepping up to take a last-minute penalty against Fulham as ‘one of the most nervous moments of my life’. The 22-year-old returned from injury off the bench against the Cottagers on Saturday, just in time to step up in injury time and take the decisive spot kick. “I was nervous – it was one of the most nervous moments of my life,” Haaland told BBC Sport. “A penalty in the last minute? Of course I would be nervous. But it was about getting through the situation in the proper way and I did that. It was a fantastic feeling to score.Read More →

[ad_1] Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool on Sunday hoping to beat Jurgen Klopp’s side for the first time in five years. However, manager Antonio Conte will have to deal with several injury issues when selecting his team. Son Heung-min went off injured during the first half of Spurs’ Champions League victory over Marseille in midweek, having suffered a fracture to his eye socket after coming off worse from an aerial challenge with a defender. Spurs’ attacking woes are compounded by the fact that Richarlison remains out injured, while Lucas Moura is now also a doubt for the Liverpool game. However, star winger Dejan Kulusevski could makeRead More →

[ad_1] 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world… Real Madrid are worried Liverpool‘s approach for Jude Bellingham will scupper their chances of bringing the midfielder to the Bernabeu as their main summer signing next year. (Marca) Manchester United are preparing for Cristiano Ronaldo‘s departure with a move for a new striker, with Benjamin Sesko one of their long-term targets. The Slovenian, however, has a pre-contract agreement with RB Leipzig. (Telegraph) Man Utd could instead look at Juventus‘ Dusan Vlahovic in January, while they will happily send ostracised full back Aaron Wan-Bissaka back to Crystal Palace on loan. (Sun) New AstonRead More →

[ad_1] LAFC became the 15th team to win MLS Cup with a 3-0 penalty shootout victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday. Over an incredible 120 minutes of soccer, the Black and Gold were twice pushed back after taking the lead before snatching a shootout in the final moments through none other than Gareth Bale. Banc of California Stadium held its breath. Back-up goalkeeper John McCarthy – who came in late for the injured and red-carded Maxime Crepeau – earned his place in LAFC folklore with two saves against his hometown club, while Denis Bouanga, Ryan Hollingshead, and Ilie Sanchez delivered the goods to helpRead More →

[ad_1] LAFC were crowned MLS Cup champions for the first time as they beat the Philadelphia Union 3-0 on penalties following an incredible 3-3 draw. Having already sealed the Supporters’ Shield during the regular season, LAFC were given home advantage in this winner-takes-all showdown. After a scrappy opening to the match, the Black and Gold struck first with Kellyn Acosta’s 27th-minute free-kick taking a huge deflection off the head of Jack McGlynn to find the back of the net. LAFC carried that lead into half-time, but could only hold onto it for 14 minutes after the break when Daniel Gazdag picked up a misfired JoseRead More →

[ad_1] Gerard Pique signed off from professional football with a win and a clean sheet as Barcelona comfortably saw off Almeria 2-0 on Saturday. Much of the pre-match coverage had been dedicated to Pique, who shocked the football world this week by announcing he would retire after their next league game. In truth, one could be forgiven for thinking this was a testimonial and not a competitive league fixture, with the visitors offering little to no threat as the Blaugrana saw the game out in cruise control. Barca were in control from the word go and were handed an early chance to take the leadRead More →

[ad_1] Borussia Dortmund striker Youssoufa Moukoko has admitted he feels at home at Borussia Dortmund as his contract approaches its final six months. The 17-year-old is perhaps the most in-demand prospect in world football right now, having exploded on to the scene a few years ago and continued his meteoric rise with six goals and four assists in 12 Bundesliga appearances this season – just six of which were starts. With his contract up in the summer of 2023, Moukoko is free to discuss a free transfer overseas as early as January and there is no shortage of interest in the teenager. Reports across EuropeRead More →

[ad_1] As Sam Greenwood was introduced by Jesse Marsch on 54 minutes of their clash with Bournemouth at Elland Road, he could not have envisaged what a decision it would turn out to be. When all was said and done, it was a decision that, in all likelihood, saved his job. Despite their win at Liverpool last time out, Leeds could not contemplate defeat at home to Bournemouth, but that is exactly what was staring Marsch and his team in the face as they looked up to the scoreboard to remind themselves they were trailing 3-1. With games against Tottenham, Man City, Newcastle and WestRead More →

[ad_1] Royal Antwerp left-back Sam Vines will miss the 2022 World Cup with the United States Men’s National Team due to a broken tibia, the player announced Saturday. Vines looked highly likely to make Gregg Berhalter’s roster for the tournament in Qatar after performing well in the Belgian top flight since moving from the Colorado Rapids in August 2021. The 23-year-old was also part of the most recent USMNT roster for friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia in September, starting against the former to take his number of caps to nine. However, Vines revealed on Saturday that he’d suffered a broken tibia in training withRead More →