Morocco wrote World Cup history on Saturday night as the first African and Arab country to reach the tournament’s semi-finals, continuing their surprise run in Qatar with a shock 1-0 victory over the highly fancied Portugal. Youssef En-Nesyri leapt high in the air to head home the game’s only goal …
Read More »Inoue targets undisputed world title
Japan's Naoya Inoue said Saturday that he intends to prove that he rules the bantamweight world when he faces England's Paul Butler for the undisputed title in Tokyo next week. The fierce-punching Inoue, nicknamed "Monster", is aiming to become the first undisputed bantamweight world champion in modern boxing history by …
Read More »Ronaldo never told me he wanted to leave: Ten Hag
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo never told him he wanted to leave Old Trafford. United parted ways with the Portuguese star after the veteran forward gave an explosive TV interview in which he said he felt "betrayed" by the club and had no respect …
Read More »Croatia coach pledges ‘this is not the end’
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic pledged "this is not the end" after his team sensationally dumped Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on penalties at the quarter-final stage on Friday. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Bruno Petkovic cancelling out Neymar's brilliant solo opener in the dying …
Read More »Tite bows out as Brazil coach
Tite confirmed that it was the "end of a cycle" for him as coach of Brazil after the favourites were dumped out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the quarter-finals on penalties by Croatia on Friday. The 61-year-old, who has been in charge since 2016, had previously made it …
Read More »Neymar’s World Cup dream slips away again
Yet another World Cup has ended in tears for Neymar, with football's most expensive player hinting he may not pull on the Brazil shirt again following a painful defeat to Croatia. The 30-year-old, who gave Brazil the lead during extra time of their quarter-final in Doha with a brilliant individual …
Read More »PSG to discuss Messi contract after World Cup
Paris St Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said Lionel Messi is happy at the Ligue 1 champions and they will open discussions about a possible contract extension after the World Cup. Messi, who has 12 goals and 14 assists for PSG in all competitions this season, moved to PSG from Barcelona …
Read More »Maguire mockery is ‘undeserved’, says Phillips
England midfielder Kalvin Phillips has backed team-mate, Harry Maguire, as the much-maligned centre-half prepares for the ultimate World Cup quarter-final test against France on Saturday. Manchester United defender Maguire has started just three games in the Premier League this season due to a combination of injury and the arrival of …
Read More »Spain sack Enrique after World Cup flop
Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique on Thursday after the 2010 champions were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco at the last-16 stage, quickly naming his replacement as under-21s boss Luis de la Fuente. Spain started their campaign in Qatar in style by hammering Costa Rica 7-0 and qualified …
Read More »Santos hits jackpot with bold calls
Portugal coach Fernando Santos had put off the decision for years, but eventually rolled the dice – and benched Cristiano Ronaldo. The gamble paid off handsomely as Goncalo Ramos struck a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland to set up a World Cup quarter-final showdown with Morocco on Saturday. …
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