General Football Thread

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Messi scores two more as Miami win 4-1 at New England​

AFP
The Argentine star has now scored nine goals in just seven appearances this season

Lionel Messi continued his rich vein of scoring in MLS, finding the target twice as league leaders Inter Miami came from behind for a 4-1 win at the New England Revolution on Saturday.

With his brace Messi, the top scorer in MLS, took his tally to nine goals from seven appearances this season.

A crowd over 65,612 turned up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the stadium the Revolution share with the NFL's New England Patriots, to see the Argentine World Cup winner.

New England, who had been hit by a virus in the build-up to the game and bottom of the Eastern Conference, delighted the bumper home crowd after just 40 seconds through an Argentine of their own -- Tomas Chancalay.

Miami defender Nicolas Freire gave the ball away to Spanish midfielder Carles Gil who clipped a ball over the top to Chancalay, who spotted Drake Callender well off his line and chipped it over the stranded Miami keeper for the opening goal.

Messi got Miami back on level terms in the 32nd minute when he was found by Robert Taylor's through pass and the 36-year-old made no mistake, slotting home.

The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner struck again to put Miami ahead in the 68th minute when he collected a superb defence-splitting pass from his former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets and finished with his usual ease.

Miami added two more in the final stages -- both created by Messi.

Substitute Benjamin Cremaschi made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute, pouncing after a Messi shot was parried out. Luis Suarez completed the scoring, finding the top corner after a pass inside from Messi.

Miami have won three straight games since their exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of Mexican club Monterrey with Messi scoring five times in that run which includes wins at Kansas City and at home to Nashville.

Coach Gerardo Martino said the team were starting to come together as he had hoped.



"The Kansas City game was a key for us, because we had just been eliminated by Monterrey and the team showed their character. Now we have three wins in a row and it is getting more solid every time," he said.

Martino said the rest of his players had now got used to playing in front of the large crowds that Messi is drawing.

"We've handled it well. That was a learning curve last season and now we are dealing with it well," he added.

New England coach Caleb Porter said he was disappointed that his defenders had allowed Messi the space for his goals but said the Argentine had shown his class in making them pay.

"You have to look at both those moments because I thought they were able to find two goals when we felt pretty good about the way we were limiting their effectiveness in creating clear chances," he said.

"But you know, that's Messi, he finds two goals out of nowhere and it exposes the detail in those moments from us.

"I don't think he had a ton of touches and effectiveness early in the game but, you know, that's kind of him -- he lulls you....we can't allow a ball to be popped through the back four and find him twice," he added.

Elsewhere, Christian Benteke scored twice for D.C. United as they enjoyed a 2-1 win at home to the Seattle Sounders.

The Sounders led 1-0 through a Leo Chu goal but had goalkeeper Stefan Frei sent off in the 28th minute after he brought down Jared Stroud in the box,

Benteke put away the penalty and then won the game with a trademark header at the back post on the stroke of half-time.

Real Salt Lake take over at the top of the Western Conference after handing the Philadelphia Union their first loss of the season with a 2-1 win in Pennsylvania.

RSL move above the Los Angeles Galaxy who fell to a 2-0 defeat at Austin while defending MLS champions Columbus Crew were held to a goalless draw at home to Montreal.

Crew coach Wilfried Nancy rotated his line-up ahead of Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final second leg at Monterrey.


https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464336/messi-scores-two-more-as-miami-win-4-1-at-new-england

 

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Playing with Mbappe would be ‘really nice’: Madrid’s Bellingham​

MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said Monday it would be “really nice” to play with Kylian Mbappe next..


MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said Monday it would be “really nice” to play with Kylian Mbappe next season.

The France captain is expected to join Los Blancos at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract this summer.

Mbappe could form an all-star attack alongside Vinicius Junior, with Madrid’s top goalscorer this season, Bellingham, offering support.

“I don’t pick the team and I certainly don’t make the transfers, but Kylian Mbappe, what a player, who wouldn’t want to play with someone as good as him?”, Bellingham told reporters at a media day before the Champions League final on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Saudi Pro League scoring record​

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for the most goals in a Saudi Pro League season when he struck for the 34th and 35th time in Al Nassr’s final game of the campaign.

“I don’t follow the records, the records follow me,” the 39-year-old Portuguese forward tweeted afterwards.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United star struck in first-half stoppage time and again in the 69th minute with a header as Al Nassr defeated Al Ittihad 4-2 at home on Monday.

The previous record for most goals in a single season was the 34 scored by the Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah in 2018-19.

 

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Man Utd stun Man City in FA Cup final​

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored goals in the first half

AFP
May 25, 2024

Manchester United players are celebrating their FA Cup victory. Photo: AFP

LONDON: Erik ten Hag made a convincing case to be spared the sack as Manchester United upset Manchester City to win the FA Cup with a shock 2-1 victory in Saturday's final.

Ten Hag was reportedly set to be dismissed regardless of the result at Wembley after a troubled campaign that even the United manager described as "terrible" this week.
But United's hierarchy might be having second thoughts after Ten Hag's tactical masterclass ruined City's history bid.

City were hot favourites to win a second successive Premier League and FA Cup double.
Yet Ten Hag found a way to neutralise Pep Guardiola's side as first half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put United on course to win the FA Cup for the first time in eight years.

Jeremy Doku squeezed an 87th minute strike past Andre Onana's weak attempted save but it was too late to rescue City.

Ten Hag celebrated by kissing the Cup as he held it aloft in the Royal box.

Asked if he was worried about his future, he said: "I don't know. The only thing I'm doing is preparing my team.

"This is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are not where we want to be."

Guardiola added: "Congratulations to United. It was a tight game. It can happen. At the end they scored two goals and we couldn't score more."

 

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Netherlands next - England's path to Euro final​

6 July 2024

England will play the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Switzerland in the last eight.

Gareth Southgate's side overcame Switzerland by winning a penalty shootout 5-3 on Saturday after Bukayo Saka's goal cancelled out Breel Embolo's opener.
The Netherlands beat Turkey in Saturday's late game.

England's semi-final will take place in Dortmund on Wednesday (20:00 BST).
Spain play France in Tuesday's semi-final, with the winners of the two matches meeting in Berlin on Sunday in the final.

 

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Spain 2-1 Germany (aet)

Spain are the best team in the competition.

Germany were jubilant when Niclas Fullkrug scored their stoppage-time equaliser in their final group game against Switzerland, but they will be gutted that it meant they ended up in this side of the draw. They would rather be playing England, I'm sure.

Germany are not just the hosts, though. They have got a bit about them as well. Antonio Rudiger has arguably been the best central defender at this tournament.


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For years, England fans, players and pundits have feared the very mention of penalty shootouts.

England have now been in 10 shootouts at European Championships and World Cups. Their record? Won three, lost seven.

But things seem to have changed. England have no reason to be scared of penalties any more – and based on the perfect shootout win over Switzerland, they have no fear at all.

Under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have won three of their past four shootouts – including beating the Swiss 5-3 in Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final.

All five penalties were fired home with precision, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford crucially saved from Manuel Akanji.

This win follows shootout victories under the management of Southgate in the 2018 World Cup against Colombia, and versus the Swiss again in the 2019 Nations League third-place play-off.

The blot on the copy book is a big one – defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final. But it seems like this England team have not been shaken from the spot.

Former England defender Matt Upson told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We have players who have an arrogance and a confidence in themselves. That will help England because sometimes, these key moments and big games can come down to that sort of bottle.”

 

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Colombia advances to Copa América final as tempers flare post-match​

By Jacob Lev, CNN
Thu July 11, 2024

Uruguay forward Darwin Núñez clashes with Colombia fans after the semifinal.
Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire/AP
CNN —

Colombia advanced to the Copa América final following a 1-0 win over Uruguay at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, but the game was marred by unsavory scenes after full-time.
Jefferson Lerma scored the match’s only goal in the 39th minute as Los Cafeteros extended their unbeaten streak to 28 matches.

The match was testy and featured seven yellow cards and one red card after Colombia’s Daniel Muñoz was ejected in the first half after being shown a second yellow card.
Tempers flared even more after the match.

After the final whistle, players from both squads got into it at center field before the Fox Sports 1 broadcast showed Uruguayan players entering the stands and getting into a scuffle with fans.

 

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Spain shatter English hopes for Euro 2024 fairytale​

The Newspaper's
July 15, 2024

BERLIN: Spain’s Alvaro Morata raises the trophy as his team celebrates after beating England 2-1 to win the UEFA Euro 2024 championship, on Sunday.—AFP

BERLIN: Mikel Oyarzabal finished off a scintillating one-two with Marc Cucurella and went to the corner flag, where he was soon buried in a sea of red. He scored the decisive goal of the Euro 2024 final just four minutes before full-time.

The ‘Red Fury’ is back. Spain are champions of Europe once again, while England’s wait for a first major title since their triumph at the 1966 World Cup will continue.

Spain had arguably been the team of the tournament and it remains to be seen how far Luis de la Fuente’s team can go with the World Cup in two years’ time.

Its new generation — looking to emulate the team that dominated European and world football at the turn of the last decade — was featuring in a final for the first time.

Oyarzabal’s goal ensured Spain’s 2-1 victory over England on Sunday. This was also the record fourth continental title for the Spaniards.

 

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New Jersey governor says 2026 FIFA World Cup will be ‘incredibly safe’​

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host 8 games, including final, of the 2026 World Cup to be held in US, Canada, and Mexico.

 

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Argentina clinch record 16th Copa America with 1-0 extra-time victory over Colombia​

Reuters

Photo: Reuters

MIAMI GARDENS: Defending champions Argentina won a record 16th Copa America title by beating Colombia 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from substitute Lautaro Martinez at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Sunday.

Martinez, the tournament’s leading scorer, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112nd minute to spark wild celebrations among Argentina fans.

Argentina’s latest title comes on the back of their triumphs at the 2022 World Cup and 2021 Copa America, and gives eight-times Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi the perfect sendoff in what is likely his last international tournament.

The game was delayed by more than an hour after thousands of fans without tickets tried to enter the stadium.
ARGENTINA COPA AMERICA 2024 ARGENTINA WON A RECORD 16TH COPA AMERICA

 

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Girona fight back to share points with Betis in season opener​

Champions Real Madrid launch their campaign on Sunday..........................

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Ajax, Panathinaikos set UEFA record with 34 penalty kicks​

Ajax keeper Remko Pasveer makes five saves and scores on his own attempt to help the hosts win the shootout.

 

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‘Nobody has talked to me’: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah says it’s his ‘last year’ with Reds after beating Manchester United​

By Ben Morse, CNN
September 2, 2024

Liverpool players, including Mohamed Salah (second right), celebrate after scoring against Manchester United.
Nick Potts/PA
CNN —

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah said this will be his “last year” with the Reds after playing a pivotal role in his team’s 3-0 thumping of Manchester United on Sunday.

Salah, 32, scored and provided two assists as Liverpool ran riot at Old Trafford against a lackluster United.

When asked afterwards what was behind his fast start to the new Premier League campaign – the Egyptian has scored three times and provided three assists in Liverpool’s opening three matches – Salah said he came in with less pressure on his shoulders.

“I had a good summer and had a long time to myself to try to stay positive because, as you know, it’s my last year at the club,” Salah told Sky Sports.

“I just want to enjoy it and I don’t want to think about it. I feel like I’m free to play football and then we’ll see what happens next year.”

Salah’s current contract runs out at the end of the 2024/25 season. He has been at Liverpool since 2017, scoring 160 Premier League goals along the way.

Salah scores Liverpool's third goal against Manchester United.
Michael Regan/Getty Images

He has been subject to rumors of a move away from Anfield in recent years, with Liverpool reportedly rejecting a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia last year.

With questions swirling around his future, Salah said he has yet to talk to the club about a possible contract extension.

“Coming into the game, I said it could be the last time [I play here with Liverpool],” he said.

“No one at the club has spoken to me about contracts, so I’m just like, ‘OK, I’m playing my last season’ and see what happens at the end of the season.

“So far, we don’t know with which club, but so far yeah my last game here with Liverpool. It’s not up to me, but nobody talk to me about a contract with the club. We’ll see.”

When asked about Salah’s comments after the game, new Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he is focusing on the present.

“It’s a lot of ‘if’. At this moment, he is one of ours and I am really happy with him being one of ours and he played really well,” Slot told reporters, per Sky Sports.

“I don’t talk about contracts from players, but I can talk for hours about how Mo played today.”

Salah’s performance on Sunday continued his excellent record against Liverpool’s big rival, United.

He has scored 10 goals in nine appearances for Liverpool at Old Trafford, with the Reds sitting second in the Premier League, level on nine points with leader Manchester City after an unbeaten start to the season.

 

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With Mbappe gone, misfiring PSG are under pressure in Champions League​

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe was always going to leave an enormous void when he left Paris Saint-Germain, and the French...

 

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Uncertain Inter with questions to answer before Arsenal clash​

AFP

MILAN: Inter Milan face a big week for their European and domestic ambitions with the visits of both Arsenal and Napoli as the Italian champions try to banish worrying signs of frailty.

Simone Inzaghi’s team are level on seven points with Arsenal in the revamped Champions League and sit handily in the top eight positions which offer direct qualification to the last 16.

On the face of it Inter are in good nick ahead of Wednesday’s game with seven wins in an unbeaten run of eight in all competitions since their only defeat of the season, in September’s Milan derby.

But the good results hide an indecisive streak which has characterised Inter’s performances this term and left them trailing surprise Serie A leaders Napoli.

Inter conceded just 22 goals in Serie A last season as they crushed the domestic competition and Inzaghi’s side were heavy favourites to retain the Scudetto after keeping hold of star players and adding to an already strong squad.

But Inter’s previously solid defence has already been breached 13 times in 11 league fixtures while their formidable attack has lost the ability to close out of matches.

Chucking away a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Juventus was the latest episode of a series of uncharacteristic downfalls after profligate finishing kept opponents in games.

And even Sunday’s single-goal win over Venezia, which moved Inter to one point behind Napoli came after VAR officials spotted Marin Sverko’s almost imperceptible handball and disallowed his stoppage time equaliser.

“We need to be more clinical. We missed a lot of good chances which would have made the match easier… we shouldn’t have only been 1-0 ahead in the 97th minute,” said Inzaghi.

Lautaro Martinez, the match winner at the weekend, is set to make his first start in this season’s Champions League alongside Marcus Thuram.

France striker Thuram has only missed one match in Inter’s packed fixture list and was one of those guilty of missed chances in a tired-looking display against Venezia.

Inter are in the Champions League top eight thanks to his late winner at Young Boys last month, when both Thuram and Martinez had to come off the bench to save the day after disappointing efforts from their back-ups Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi.

Good news for Inter comes in the shape of the return of key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and Italy defender Francesco Acerbi who Inzaghi said will be available after a fortnight out with a thigh strain.

Inzaghi said the only player missing will be wing-back Carlos Augusto but with Federico Dimarco in red hot form, the Brazil international had little chance of featuring against the Gunners.

Dimarco set up Martinez’s winner against Venezia, his fifth assist of the season for club and country. The Italy international will be key to Inter’s hopes against both Arsenal and Napoli on Sunday.