Football
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Dec- 2022 -14 December
Destiny calling Messi: Argentina defeat Croatia 3-0, punch tickets to World Cup final
On an electrifying night at the Lusail Stadium, gleaming in all its grandeur, Lionel Messi kept his World Cup winning destiny on course. He tucked in a penalty, masterminded another for two-goal hero Julian Alvarez and produced a near vintage show to thrill the multitudes that had gathered to watch him and steer his team to the final, outclassing Croatia 3-0. It’s all the crowd wanted. Messi moments. And he granted their wish several times. None as striking as the assist for the third goal though. He ripped through the right, through the edge of the touchline, gliding past Mislav Orsic, turning him over. But Josko Gvardiol, in his spidery mask, was clinging onto him like a child would a…
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14 December
Messi leads Argentina into the World Cup Final
Lionel Messi with the assist of the tournament.pic.twitter.com/09eQcFQIWC— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 13, 2022 Man on a mission 🕵️ ✨#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ARG pic.twitter.com/RNcneFIn9c— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 13, 2022 #FIFAWorldCup final bound 🇦🇷👏 pic.twitter.com/sxD2Os1VGK— Premier League (@premierleague) December 13, 2022 TIME FOR REDEMPTION.LEO MESSI AND ARGENTINA ARE ONE GAME AWAY FROM THE WORLD CUP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/J9PcmKXbwW— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 13, 2022 Lionel Messi is one step closer to being the first Argentine to lift the World Cup trophy since Maradona in 1986 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/HQznQQ0uql— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 13, 2022 Stop that Messi. pic.twitter.com/Dbi7EjmrXi— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) December 13, 2022 Source: Twitter
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12 December
Arsenal told to complete alternative Cristiano Ronaldo transfer amid Gabriel Jesus injury worry
Arsenal look set to be busy in the January transfer window. The Gunners have already made plans to look at bringing in a midfielder and a wide player. But a World Cup injury to Gabriel Jesus could alter their plans further. Technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta may be encouraged to sign a striker in the winter window, depending on the length of Jesus’ absence. The Brazilian frontman underwent surgery upon his return from the World Cup in Qatar and Arsenal will now wait to see how his rehabilitation goes. football.london understands it is too soon for an accurate timescale to be placed on the player’s return so it will be a waiting game for Edu and Arteta. Arsenal has been linked…
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11 December
No regrets about starting Ronaldo on bench, says Portugal head coach Santos
Portugal head coach Fernando Santos said he had no regrets about starting Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after his team was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup by Morocco on Saturday. Youssef En-Nesyri headed home on the stroke of halftime after Portugal dominated possession without finding a way past Morocco’s defense in their quarterfinal here. Ronaldo, who started on the bench for the second game in a row, was introduced in the 51st minute as a replacement for Ruben Neves, and made an immediate impact. His deft one-touch pass for Joao Felix almost led to an equalizer and he forced a sharp block from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou with a first-time effort in stoppage time. “I don’t regret starting him on the bench,” Santos was…
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11 December
Soccer-Moroccan ecstasy at World Cup win shared by Africa and Arab world
Moroccan soccer fans exploded in joy on Saturday as their team became the first from any African country to reach a World Cup semi-final, filling the stadium in Qatar with a deafening roar and unleashing cheering, crying, dancing and singing on the streets at home. © Thomson Reuters The 1-0 victory over Portugal was celebrated further afield, with exuberant fans from Abidjan in Ivory Coast to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia lauding what they saw as a historic win for both Africa and the Arab World. “They made us happy and proud and they proved that they can make it to the final. Why not? We are so proud of this team that is supported by Africa and Arabs” said Siham Motahir,…
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11 December
FIFA WC 2022: Morocco beat Portugal 1-0, reach semifinals
Morocco became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals by beating Portugal 1-0 on Saturday, likely ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s chances of ever winning soccer’s biggest prize. Youssef En-Nesyri scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute to continue Morocco’s improbable run that has generated an outpouring of pride in the Arab world during the first World Cup to be staged in the Middle East. Morocco's Sofiane Boufal celebrating with his mother is EVERYTHING. pic.twitter.com/h3XdhTeKe3— Ahmed Ali (@MrAhmednurAli) December 10, 2022 The 37-year-old Ronaldo, one of soccer’s greatest players, didn’t start for the second straight game but came on as a substitute in the 51st minute and missed a chance to equalize in stoppage time. The five-time world player of…
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10 December
FIFA WC 2022: Argentina beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalties
Emiliano Martinez saved two penalties to help Argentina beat the Netherlands in a World Cup shoot-out and set up a semi-final against Croatia.Read the report 👇 #BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 9, 2022 Argentina’s players now celebrating with their delirious fans pic.twitter.com/BUUMrythan— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) December 9, 2022 Wild scenes after a chaotic night. An estimated 50000 fans from Argentina in Qatar …. suspect a few more will arrive before Tuesday pic.twitter.com/5v6RS1KniC— Ian Dennis (@Iandennisbbc) December 9, 2022 All the emotions ❤️😢Leo Messi x Emi Martinez#PulseQatar22 pic.twitter.com/wW7JkS4gI5— Pulse Ghana (@PulseGhana) December 9, 2022
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10 December
FIFA WC 2022: Croatia beat five-time champions Brazil on penalties
Croatia knocked Brazil out of the World Cup, beating the five-time champions 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Friday in the quarterfinals. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved a penalty attempt by Rodrygo and Marquinhos later hit the post. croatia’s luka modric consoles members of brazil’s team after knocking them out of the world cup more of this, please pic.twitter.com/7ghWgrj9LU— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) December 9, 2022 🏆❌Thiago Silva's reaction to Brazil's @FIFAWorldCup exit.#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #CROBRA pic.twitter.com/Wd9Sm24Dqp— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) December 9, 2022 Croatian fans celebrating in Zagreb after Croatia's win over Brazil. #CROBRA #Qatar2022 #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yBW0hTxkCQ— Chad Baker (@ChadBlue83) December 9, 2022 Neymar had scored late in the first half of extra time to give Brazil the lead, but Croatia equalized when…
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9 December
Football fans predict semifinalists as FIFA World Cup fever grips Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: With the ongoing Fifa World Cup 2022 reaching the Last 8, and Brazil taking on Croatia in the first quarterfinal scheduled on Friday, excited football fans in Hyderabad are cheering hard for their favourite teams. The tournament has seen some major upsets: Saudi Arabia beating Argentina, Japan overcoming former holder Germany, which exited the tournament, France’s shocking defeat against Tunisia. Abhimanyu Sharma, a chartered accountant, was sad that his favourite Spain had to bow out but is now rooting for Argentina. “Spain losing out is a major disappointment, but now I’m cheering for Argentina. I love Lionel Messi and I want Argentina to win the World Cup for the legend,” Abhimanyu said. On being asked about his prediction for the…
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8 December
‘We’re finally seeing people like us’: Meet the Muslim women changing representation in sport
When Saudi Arabia won against Argentina in the World Cup last month, players celebrated by prostrating on the pitch. In Islam, prostration is performed in prayer to give thanks to God. For football fan Fathiya Saleh, it was the first time she felt represented on a global stage as a Muslim sportswoman. “We’re finally seeing people like us and communities like ours making big moves in sport for others around the world to see and it’s inspiring,” says Saleh, who is also the co-founder of Sisterhood FC. The south London-based squad is the UK’s first football team created solely for Muslim women, founded with the hopes of increasing participation and diversity in the sport. According to a recent survey by Muslimah Sports Association and…
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