Football
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Dec- 2022 -8 December
FIFA World Cup: After Morocco’s stunning win against Spain, Achraf Hakimi celebrates with mother in the stands
The FIFA World Cup 2022 has seen many upsets so far. Another David versus Goliath battle was won by the underdog as Morocco overcame Spain on penalties in their Round of 16 tie Tuesday at the Education City Stadium to progress to the quarterfinals. The Moroccan players etched their names in history as they progressed to the quarterfinals for the first time. Their best finish in a World Cup earlier was a place in the pre-quarterfinals at the 1986 World Cup. What makes the victory even more special is the fact that it came against an opponent with whom they share a border and have fractious relations. Some things feel like they are written in the stars as Achraf Hakimi, who was born in…
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8 December
Lionel Messi facing ban from entering Mexico for ‘kicking’ shirt after World Cup win
A Mexican politician has called on the country’s parliament to officially declare Lionel Messi ‘persona-non-grata’ as the World Cup row over the Argentine captain kicking their shirt continues to rage. Influential transgender campaigner Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno has tabled a motion for official condemnation of Messi after he appeared to boot away the shirt he had accepted from Mexico captain Andreas Guardado at the end of Mexico’s 2-0 defeat in the group stages. Boxing world champion Canelo Alvarez threatened to teach the Paris Saint-Germain star a lesson – until it was explained to him that it was an accident and that Messi meant no disrespect. But Moreno has now submitted a motion demanding that the Mexican government makes their anger official. The document states: “The Chamber of…
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7 December
FIFA WC 2022: Morocco beats Spain on penalties, advance to quarterfinals
Morocco became the first Arab nation to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout Al Rayyan: Morocco became the first Arab nation to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday. Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain, with Sarabia hitting the post and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopping the other two. The teams drew 0-0 in regulation and extra time. Morocco has been the biggest surprise of the tournament and will next face either Portugal or Switzerland. Morocco is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight. The team made the round of 16 once…
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7 December
FIFA WC 2022: Morocco beats Spain on penalties & Portugal beat 6-1 Switzerland
Morocco became the first Arab nation to advance to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday. Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets missed their penalties for Spain, with Sarabia hitting the post and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou stopping the other two. The teams drew 0-0 in regulation and extra time. Morocco has been the biggest surprise of the tournament and will next face either Portugal or Switzerland. Morocco is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight. The team made the round of 16 once before, at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Spain was eliminated by host Russia in a penalty shootout at the 2018…
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6 December
FIFA WC 2022: Croatia beats Japan in penalty shootout, secure spot in quaters
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout at the World Cup Al Wakrah: Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout at the World Cup on Monday, securing a return to the quarterfinals for the runner-up in the 2018 tournament. Mario Pasalic converted the clinching penalty for Croatia after the teams were tied at 1-1 after extra time Livakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitomo and Maya Yoshida. Source.
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6 December
Raheem Sterling robbery details as Chelsea star ‘has £300,000 jewellery stolen’ during World Cup
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling has left England’s World Cup camp as the Three Lions progressed into the quarter-finals. Gareth Southgate confirmed the 27-year-old’s exit ahead of England’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 as the squad now prepares to face reigning world champions, France. The Chelsea star had played in the first two Group B games, scoring against Iran, before being replaced by Phil Foden in the last match against Wales. Sterling was left out of the squad that won against the African champions due to a ‘family issue’ which has later been revealed to be an armed robbery at his home in the UK. Southgate added that he wasn’t sure if the Chelsea winger would return to Qatar for the rest…
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6 December
FIFA WC 2022: Croatia beats Japan in penalty shootout and Brazil thrash South Korea
Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout at the World Cup Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three penalty kicks in his team’s 3-1 win over Japan in a shootout at the World Cup on Monday, securing a return to the quarterfinals for the runner-up in the 2018 tournament. Mario Pasalic converted the clinching penalty for Croatia after the teams were tied at 1-1 after extra time In another match Brazil thrash South Korea 4-1 to meet Croatia in the next game. 🎥 Brazil full highlight against South Korea in the #FIFAWorldCup 😅 pic.twitter.com/HLylD9Rfsm— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) December 5, 2022 That Richarlison goal was 🤤 (The celebration was pretty good too…
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5 December
Rampant England set up quarter-finals with France after 3-0 victory vs Senegal in FIFA World Cup 2022
England set up their quarterfinal fixture against defending champions France by defeating Senegal in their Round of 16 match on Sunday, 4 December at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha. Captain Harry Kane ended his goal drought at the FIFA World Cup 2022 with a strong finish late in the first half of the game. It was a good day at the office for Gareth Southgate’s men, who played to their potential once they took control after early jitters at the start of th first half. Goalkeeper Jordan pickford was called in two occasions in the first 15 minutes where he made himself big and did not send the English fans into a frenzy in the FIFA World Cup knockouts. …
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5 December
FIFA WC 2022: Kylian Mbappé leads France past Poland 3-1
Kylian Mbappé scored two goals and set up another for Olivier Giroud, giving France a 3-1 victory over Poland and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. The Paris Saint-German forward now has a tournament-leading five goals and the 2018 champions are within three wins of defending their title. Robert Lewandowski scored from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time for Poland. No country has repeated as World Cup champions in six decades — since Brazil achieved the feat by claiming consecutive trophies in 1958 and 1962. Italy is the only other nation to have won two straight, in 1934 and 1938. France’s quarterfinal opponent will be either England or Senegal. France gets a dominant win vs. Poland to advance…
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4 December
Fresh fears for Pele as ‘chemotherapy fails’
Harry Kane sent his best wishes to his “inspiration” Pele as doctors indicated his most recent course of chemotherapy had not worked. The 82-year-old, lauded as the greatest footballer in history, had been receiving treatment for bowel cancer for more than a year. Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reports he is no longer responding to treatment in hospital where he is being spared invasive tests. However doctors at the Sao Paulo hospital later pushed back on reports that he was receiving end of life palliative care. Instead, they say he is in for a “reassessment of chemotherapy therapy” for his tumour. A host of leading figures at the World Cup in Qatar had expressed concern for Pele, with England’s…
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