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Showing posts from March 16, 2025

Germany secure first away victory over Italy in 39 years

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Italy 1 - 2 Germany Germany came from behind to secure their first away victory over Italy in 39 years, during the Nations League quarter-final first leg. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - San Siro Sandro Tonali helped Newcastle defeat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday and he openeed the scoring with a first-time finish after Jonathan Tah cleared Matteo Politano's cross into his path. Germany responded well, After Leon Goretzka twice went close to an equaliser before the break, half-time substitute Tim Kleindienst headed the visitors level early in the second period from Joshua Kimmich's delivery. Moise Kean came close to opening the scoring with a powerful effort that flew over the bar, while Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann kept out Giacomo Raspadori with an outstretched leg. But with 14 minutes left, Leon Goretzka completed the turnaround, heading in another pinpoint Joshua Kimmich delivery. Germany almost gifted Italy an equaliser when Tim Kleindienst inadv...

Mbappe couldn't inspire France in first-leg defeat

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Croatia 2 - 0 France France captain Kylian Mbappe's return to the national team ended in a surprising defeat against Croatia in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final. Author - Jack L Stadium - Stadion Poljud Ante Budimir's header bounced off the France goalkeeper and spun into the net, giving Croatia a 26th-minute lead. Former Tottenham winger Ivan PeriÅ”ić then scored a well-placed shot into the bottom corner to extend their advantage just before halftime. Croatia could have been ahead earlier, but Andrej Kramaric's eighth-minute penalty was saved by Maignan with his feet, while Josko Gvardiol's powerful shot from long range was also kept out by the AC Milan keeper. France now face a tough task to turn the tie around in Sunday's second leg at the Stade de France. They have failed to win any of their last three matches in the Nations League when conceding first, with their last victory in such circumstances occurring against Spain in October 2021. M...

Could a Barcelona legend be returning home?

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Barcelona are exploring Lionel Messi's sensational return to the club Lionel Messiā€™s contract with Inter Miami is set to expire at the end of 2025, with no option for an extension. This means the current MLS season could well be his last. Author - Sean M Reports suggest that Barcelona are determined to bring Messi back and rectify the circumstances of his emotional departure in 2021. The club has already begun laying the groundwork for his return, with plans to welcome him back after the 2026 World Cup, ahead of the 2026/27 La Liga season. One of the driving factors behind Barcelonaā€™s push is their ambition to have Messi back in time for the grand reopening of the fully renovated Camp Nou. READ MORE: Transfer rumours from across Europe With major redevelopment work ongoing, Barca have been playing home games at the Estadi OlĆ­mpic LluĆ­s Companys. They are expected to return to Camp Nou later this season, but likely with a reduced capacity of just over 60,000 while final touches ...

Tuchelā€™s England start new era at Wembley

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England v Albania Preview Taking their first step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, England get their campaign under way against Albania. Author - Georgia Baker New boss Thomas Tuchel will lead the Three Lions out at Wembley for his first fixture in charge of the runners up from Euro 2024. How are England shaping up ahead of their new era? After wrapping up their latest UEFA Nations League campaign in style, England kick off 2025 with their opening qualifier for the next World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The qualifiers take place over five international windows between now and November, with only the top team from each of the 12 groups securing automatic qualification. Meanwhile, the runners-up will have to go through the play-offs. This month, England will look to take charge of Group K as they begin their journey under Tuchel. One of the favourites for World Cup glory, they start with a home fixture against Albania on Friday be...

De Kuip prepares to host two international giants

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Netherlands v Spain Preview Spain, the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, head to Rotterdam for the first leg of their quarter-final clash against the Netherlands. Author - Ajay Feyenoord's stadium will host the match The winners of this two-legged tie will progress to the semi-finals in June, where they will face either Croatia or France. After being knocked out by England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals last summer, the Netherlands secured second place in League A Group 3 of the Nations League, picking up nine points from six matches (W2 D3 L1) in the latter half of last year. Since the competition's inception in 2018, the Dutch have twice come close to lifting the trophyā€”finishing as runners-up to Portugal in 2019 before losing the third-place playoff to Italy in 2023. READ MORE: What's the point of the UEFA Nations League Manager Ronald Koeman will be looking to shore up a defence that struggled during the group stage, conceding seven goalsā€”the most of any team at...

Englandā€™s greatest World Cup qualifiers

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An important 18 months is about to start for England Ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers, let's explore some memorable moments from this stage of the competition. Author - Mark Lee Italy 0 - 0 England | Qualification is secured England only needed a point from their final match to qualify for the following summer's World Cup. Easier said than done when that final match is Italy away.  A battling and sometimes heroic display from the Three Lions earned them a 0-0 draw and qualification was secured. Not a lot of flair from the attacking players but the point was well deserved. Watch some of the highlights from the game in the video below. Germany 1 - 5 England | Even Heskey scored Germany had beaten England at the start of the end of the qualifying campaign. A disappointing end to the reign of Kevin Keegan and an awful way to say goodbye to the old Wembley Stadium . England gained their revenge though. Before this game, Germany had only ever lost one World Cup qualifier ...

Sheffield United win on derby day

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Sheffield Wednesday 0 - 1 Sheffield United Rhian Brewsterā€™s goal secured a derby win for Sheffield United over Sheffield Wednesday, drawing the Blades level on points with Championship leaders Leeds. Author - Phil Flanagan Stadium - Hillsborough The win also sealed Unitedā€™s first league double over their city rivals since the 2005-06 season and delivered a blow to the Owls' play-off hopes. The match was tense, with both sides desperate for points to strengthen their promotion bids. United keeper Michael Cooper made a crucial first-half save to deny Michael Smith, while a vital block from Harrison Burrows prevented Josh Windass from putting Wednesday ahead after the break. The defeat leaves Wednesday six points adrift of the play-off spots with eight games remaining, despite their recent resurgence with back-to-back away wins. Home form has been a major issue for Wednesday all season. They have the second-worst record in the division at Hillsborough, while United have been the C...

HĆøjlund and Garnacho back amongst the goals

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Leicester City 0 - 3 Manchester United Rasmus Hojlund ended his 21-game goal drought as Manchester United defeated struggling Leicester City, pushing the Foxes closer to relegation. Author - Olivia T Stadium - King Power Stadium The Danish striker had not scored since 12 December, but seized on poor defending to claim the 28th-minute opener, before Alejandro Garnacho added a second after the break - his first goal in 24 appearances. The impressive Bruno Fernandes, who assisted two goals, added a 90th-minute third to underline United's dominance. Victory was overshadowed by a potential serious injury to defender Ayden Heaven. He was carried off in the 51st minute during just his second career start after falling awkwardly. The result changed little in United's troubled Premier League season. It has lifted them from 15th to 13th. They have managed to maintain their momentum after Thursday's thumping of Real Sociedad to reach the Europa League quarter finals . Leicester se...

Newcastle United end long wait for a trophy

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Liverpool 1 - 2 Newcastle United Newcastle United ended a seven-decade wait for a domestic trophy with a fully deserved Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool at Wembley. Author - William G Stadium - Wembley Stadium Eddie Howeā€™s side delivered a performance of discipline and intensity, sparking wild celebrations among the Toon Army as goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak either side of half-time secured their historic win. Burn, fresh from his first England call-up, powered home a header from Kieran Trippierā€™s corner in first-half stoppage time, before Isak capitalised on Jacob Murphyā€™s knockdown to fire in a clinical finish seven minutes after the break. Liverpool, still reeling from their midweek Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, pulled one back through substitute Federico Chiesa in added time, setting up a tense finale. But Newcastle held firm, surviving a nervy finish to lift their first domestic trophy since the 1955 FA Cup and their first major ho...

Rangers stun Celtic with late winner

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Celtic 2 - 3 Rangers Rangers revelled in their second round of jubilant celebrations in just four days as Hamza Igamaneā€™s stunning late goal inflicted Celticā€™s first Scottish Premiership home defeat since December 2023. Author - Sean M Stadium - Celtic Park Pre match atmosphere. Picture from Super News Affiliate on Flickr Barry Fergusonā€™s side made a blistering start, storming into a two-goal lead by half-time. Nico Raskin glanced in a flicked header early on, before Mohamed Diomande drilled a low shot into the net to put the visitors firmly in control. However, with the exertions of Thursdayā€™s dramatic Europa League triumph over Fenerbahce beginning to take their toll, title-chasing Celtic mounted a spirited fightback. Daizen Maeda powered home a towering header, and Reo Hatate coolly slotted in an equaliser to set up a frantic finale. With momentum seemingly swinging in the hostsā€™ favour, it was Rangers who delivered the decisive moment. Igamane capitalised on Alistair Johnstonā€™...

Burnley extend unbeaten run with comfortable win

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Swansea City 0 - 2 Burnley Burnley climbed into the Championshipā€™s top two with a commanding victory over Swansea City, extending their remarkable unbeaten league run to 25 games. Author - Jack L Stadium - Swansea.com Stadium The Clarets were in control from the off, capitalising on an early mistake from Josh Key, whose slip gifted Josh Brownhill a simple finish from close range. Jaidon Anthony doubled the lead midway through the first half, smashing the ball high into the net after Swansea failed to clear their lines. Scott Parkerā€™s side never looked in danger of surrendering their lead and set a new second-tier record in the process, registering their 27th league clean sheet of the season. The win lifts Burnley to second, a point ahead of Sheffield United, who take on Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday. Meanwhile, Swansea remain 16th after back-to-back defeats, with the gap to the relegation zone now down to six points with eight games left to play. Burnley cruise past Swansea as Shee...

Chelsea win Women's League Cup

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Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester City Chelsea claimed their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor with a narrow victory over Manchester City in the Womenā€™s League Cup final, keeping their pursuit of a historic quadruple firmly on track. Author - Macca Stadium - Pride Park Bompastor has made an immediate impact since replacing Emma Hayes last May, winning 26 of her 28 matches in charge. Mayra RamĆ­rez gave Chelsea the perfect start at Derby Countyā€™s Pride Park, bundling home from close range after City captain Laia Aleixandri inadvertently diverted the ball into her path. Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an unfortunate own goal from Yui Hasegawa restored Chelseaā€™s advantage and ended their three-year run of heartbreak in League Cup finals. City, playing their first match under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylorā€™s sacking just five days ago, dominated possession after Chelseaā€™s early breakthrough. READ MORE: Latest Manchester City news from our frie...

Wolves move further clear of relegation zone

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Southampton 1 - 2 Wolves JĆørgen Strand Larsen struck twice as Wolves moved nine points clear of the Premier Leagueā€™s relegation zone with a crucial victory over a beleaguered Southampton at St Maryā€™s. Author - Ajay Stadium - St. Mary's Stadium Desperate for just their third league win of the season, Southampton started brightly but found themselves behind from Wolvesā€™ very first effort on goalā€”Strand Larsen rising to head past Aaron Ramsdale, leaving the Saints goalkeeper with no chance. Chances were scarce for the remainder of the first half, but Wolves took control early in the second when Strand Larsen drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, prompting some home fans to head for the exits. Southampton gave themselves a glimmer of hope when substitute Paul Onuachu reacted quickest to turn in the rebound after Tyler Diblingā€™s effort struck the post. However, Wolves held firm to see out a vital three points. READ MORE:  The latest Wolves news and stories READ MORE: ...

Nottingham Forest underline their top-four credentials

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Ipswich 2 - 4 Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest strengthened their grip on the Premier Leagueā€™s top four with a commanding victory over relegation-threatened Ipswich at Portman Road. Author - Marcus Stadium - Portman Road The result had moved Forest to within a point of second-placed Arsenal (before their win over Chelsea) and edges them ever closer to securing Champions League football next season. On the day Nuno EspĆ­rito Santo marked his 50th Premier League game in charge, his side ruthlessly exposed Ipswichā€™s defensive vulnerabilities in a devastating seven-minute spell during the first half. Nikola Milenković set Forest on their way, capitalising on a fortunate deflection to fire home from eight yards after Ipswich forward Liam Delap had inadvertently nodded the ball into his path. Barely two minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead as Ipswich crumbled. Elliot Anderson released Anthony Elanga down the right, and the Swedish winger was inexplicably allowed to charge un...

Bristol City edge out Norwich to boost top six hopes

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Bristol City 2 - 1 Norwich City  Bristol City climbed into the Championship play-off places with a hard-fought win over Norwich City, whose promotion hopes are fading fast. Author - Liam Smith Mark Sykes put the Robins ahead with a composed finish early on, before Nahki Wells doubled their lead after capitalising on a defensive error from the visitors. Borja Sainz, who had already hit the post and missed a golden opportunity in the first half, pulled one back late on to set up a tense finale at Ashton Gate. The win moves Bristol City up to fifth, leapfrogging Coventry and West Brom, who both play on Saturday. Norwich, meanwhile, remain winless in four and sit seven points off the top six, having played a game more than their play-off rivals. Click here for more EFL news and stories Fast start sets the tone A pre-match light show may not have gone down well with the home fans, but Cityā€™s start certainly did. Norwich had the first meaningful spell of possession, but Rob Dickie st...