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Showing posts matching the search for 2022 World Cup

UEFA Nations League: Denmark stun France

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France 1 - 2 Denmark Andreas Cornelius scored twice as Denmark came from behind to beat holders France in the Nations League. Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a stunning effort. He cut in from the right-wing before dummying his way past three defenders and slotting in. Cornelius volleyed in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's ball over the top to level. The 60th-minute substitute won the game when he ran onto a long ball before firing in. This was the first time the former Cardiff striker has scored twice in an international game. What a time to do it! Denmark look like a team that are on the rise. It will be interesting to see them progress over the next few years. Both sides had several chances in a lively opening game to group A1. In the first half, Denmark's Joakim Maehle hit the outside of the post and Benzema had a goal disallowed. In between Cornelius' two goals, France's N'Golo Kante crashed a shot off the post and Denmark's Christian Eriksen forced a save

EFL Cup: Chelsea qualify for Wembley final

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 Chelsea 6 - 1 Middlesborough (Chelsea won 6-2 on aggregate) Chelsea secured their spot in the Carabao Cup final with a 6-2 aggregate victory over Middlesbrough.  After a 1-0 defeat from the first leg, Chelsea turned the tide in this match with four first-half goals . The scoring spree included an own goal from Jonny Howson, along with goals from Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi, and Cole Palmer. Palmer netted his second.  Noni Madueke added another in the 81st minute, delighting the Chelsea supporters. The Wembley songs started and many of their fans will now be excited about a February afternoon in North London.  Morgan Rogers managed a consolation goal for Middlesbrough but Chelsea's victory was already well secured.  Watch first leg highlights Watch second leg highlights How did everything happen? Mauricio Pochettino's team equalised the aggregate score in just 15 minutes, with Ben Chilwell's precise through ball setting up Raheem Sterling, whose pass was inadvertently tur

News: Saka named England player of the year

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 For the second year running, Bukayo Saka has been named England men's player of the year. The Arsenal winger, who turned 22 on Tuesday , retained the award he won first in 2021-22. Midfielder Jude Bellingham came second in the ballot, followed by England captain and all-time top scorer Harry Kane. Picture credit -  Premier League 2023/24, Matchday 4 - Arsenal 3:1 Mancheste… | Flickr In the past year, Saka has scored seven goals in 10 appearances for England, including a hat-trick against North Macedonia at Old Trafford. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup , he scored three times for the Three Lions, twice against Iran in the opening group stage and once against Senegal in the last 16. He has 11 England goals in 28 caps. The Arsenal fan favourite is again among England boss Gareth Southgate's squad for Saturday's European Championship qualifier against Ukraine and Tuesday's friendly with Scotland.  Saka will once again be an important player for England in what could be a

International friendly: England unconvincing but get over the line against Switzerland

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England 2 - 1 Switzerland Harry Kane is now level with Sir Bobby Charlton on 49 England goals as England came from behind to beat Switzerland in a friendly at Wembley. The home side were grateful for the excellence of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the first half but they still fell behind when Breel Embolo's England were second best to the confident Swiss but were handed a route back into the game when Fabian Frei's error ended with Luke Shaw providing an emphatic finish for England's equaliser in first-half stoppage time. Marc Guehi, Kyle Walker-Peters and Tyrick Mitchell all made their debuts as England completed the turnaround with 12 minutes left when Kane scored from the spot after VAR adjudged that Steven Zuber had  handled from a corner. Kane scored with his usual expertise and now stands just four goals behind England's record marksman Wayne Rooney. Reaction England manager Gareth Southgate told Sky Sports: "Really good test, we know they are a very g

Transfer News: Villa sign Ross Barkley

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Villa are strengthening their squad ahead of a campaign where they will compete in the Premier League and Champions League They have signed midfielder Ross Barkley from Luton Town on a permanent deal. The 30-year-old made 32 Premier League appearances for Luton, who were relegated from the top flight in 2023-24. This is Barkley's second spell at Villa Park. He spent the 2020-21 season on loan there from Chelsea. The former Everton midfielder also made 33 appearances for England between 2013 and 2019 and was regarded as one of England's most promising talents, featuring in the Three Lions side at the 2014 World Cup. Barkley made 150 appearances for Everton over eight years  He joined Chelsea in a £15m move in 2018 but left by mutual consent at the start of the 2022-23 season after 100 appearances for the club. Also read Premier League: Summer 2024 news and stories  The latest from Aston Villa  A spell at Luton helped Barkley find his feet in the top flight once again after j

Euro 2024 preview: A closer look at Italy

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Can Italy retain their European Championship crown? Italy are not among the favourites in Germany.  The holders qualified after finishing second in Group C behind England, the key game being a goalless draw with Ukraine in Germany. At Euro 2024, Italy will play Albania, Spain and Croatia in one of the toughest groups of the tournament.  Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, the defensive duo that led Italy to glory in 2021 , will watch from home. Nicolò Barella and Gianluigi Donnarumma need to step up and become the key players for the team. They will have to cope without Destiny Udogie, Nicolò Zaniolo, Francesco Acerbi, and Giorgio Scalvini, who are all out injured. Iconic Euros moments: Throwback to England v Italy (2021) How did they reach Germany? They qualified for Euro 2024 after a goalless draw against Ukraine in Germany. This was a welcome relief for everyone within Italian football after they failed to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The qualifying campaign for this summe

Transfer News: Henderson joins Forest on loan

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Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson on a season-long loan. Henderson was keen for first-team football after losing out to David de Gea in the battle to be the first choice at Old Trafford. He is Forest's second major summer signing after Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi was signed from Union Berlin. Henderson has kept 17 clean sheets in 49 Premier League games but has not played a top-flight match since May 2021.  Absolutely delighted to join @NFFC on loan for the season. Can’t wait to experience the City ground! 🔜🔛🔝 pic.twitter.com/xd2fn4rnYb — Dean Henderson (@deanhenderson) July 2, 2022 Reports seem to indicate that there is no option to buy within the loan agreement and that Forest are covering his full wages for the entire season. His last loan spell was at Sheffield United during their fairly successful first season back in the Premier League. Will he have a similar impact at Forest? Henderson, who won his solitary Eng

Newcastle United sign Kieran Trippier

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Newcastle United have announced the signing of defender Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. He is their first signing of what is expected to be a busy transfer window and the first player brought in by Eddie Howe. Trippier was part of the Spurs side that reached the Champions League final in 2019. He then moved Atletico Madrid, where he won La Liga. Internationally, the defender made his debut for England in 2017 and was part of the squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. Trippier tweeted: "I’m so happy to be joining Newcastle. Everyone knows the fans are unbelievably passionate, and I will give my absolute all for them. I can’t wait to get to work." "Thank you to everyone at Newcastle United and the fans for the very warm welcome I have received so far." Check out this video from  Newcastle Fans TV - YouTube More reaction One Atletico Madrid fan replied to Trippier on Twitter: "Thank you for your service Trippier, good luck

Some of the best and most controversial Deadline Day transfers

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Transfer deadline day happens twice a season and is always a crazy day.  Let's explore some of the best and most controversial Deadline Day transfers. Dimitar Berbatov - Tottenham to Manchester United in 2008 Earlier on this dramatic deadline day, it had appeared that Manchester City were going to shatter United's hopes after they had a bid of more than 20 million pounds accepted by Tottenham. United ultimately got their man and the Bulgarian would go onto win two Premier League titles and a League Cup whilst at Old Trafford. At the time of the transfer, one Manchester United fan said: "Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov - Is there a better attacking outfit? Now we are really ready to attack European football like we have done domestically."  There is constant debate about the overall effectiveness of 'Berba' during his time at Old Trafford. Some United believed he was the world class addition needed at the time, others argued he slowed down a vibrant and

Transfer News: Kalidou Koulibaly signs for Chelsea

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Having signed Raheem Sterling a few days ago, Chelsea have made another signing. They have signed centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on a four-year deal from Napoli. The Senegal international joined Napoli from Genk in 2014 and made 317 appearances for the Italian side. His arrival at Stamford Bridge follows the departures of defenders Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, both on free transfers. The defender has been linked with a number of clubs over recent seasons, including Manchester United and Manchester City. Koulibaly made his senior debut for Senegal in September 2015 and has since earned 62 caps, captaining the team to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He becomes Chelsea's second signing since the Todd Boehly-led takeover after Raheem Sterling joined the club in a £50m deal. Reaction Another one. 👌 #KoulibalyIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/fcexST5KSy — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 16, 2022 Koulibaly told the Chelsea website : "I’m v

Leeds win entertaining encounter against West Ham

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West Ham United 2 - 3 Leeds United Jack Harrison scored his first career hat-trick as Leeds United avenged last week's FA Cup defeat with a thrilling Premier League victory over West Ham at London Stadium. The visitors, who lost 2-0 seven days ago, were pegged back twice before Harrison scored the pick of his three goals with a neat chip over Lukasz Fabianski as Leeds made it consecutive league wins for the first time this season. This was the reaction of Marcelo Bielsa. More reaction Junior Firpo tweeted: "Well deserved win today, amazing performance from the team! Very happy for you Jack Harrison, no one else deserves this more than you. Also, sad about the injury, I will work very hard to come back stronger!" Lewis Bate was making his Premier League debut, he posted: "A moment I’ve worked towards my whole life and one I’ll never forget. Delighted to top it off by leaving London with all 3 points. Head down now, lots for me to learn and to improve on. This is how